Ottawa Township (part 4 of 23)

^Walter S. Stevenson, the son of Isaiah B. and Mary (Epler) Stevenson, was born in Henry county, Ohio, May 2, 1882. His father was born in Henry county, Ohio, in 1854, and was a son of Enoch G. and Anna ( Racier) Stevenson. Enoch G. Stevenson was born in Franklin county, Ohio, south of Columbus, in 1820, and during his youth lived near Columbus Grove in Putnam county, but was married in Henry county. The grandfather of Enoch G. Stevenson came form England where he still remembers seeing his grandfather's uniform and sword. Family tradition says that this grandfather was a colonel in the British army, but was discharged from the service by Lord Howe, because he refused to fight the American colonists,

Henry county, Ohio on a farm. During twenty-two winters he taught school in that county and thousands of children came under his instructions during that long period. His wife, Mary Epler, was born in Shelby Ohio, and was a daughter of Peter and Rachel (Ward) Epler. Peter Epler was native of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and Rachel Ward was irom New Jersey. Her grandfather was in the American Revolution.

Walter S. Stevenson was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Henry county. After finishing the common and high school courses of his county, he became a student in Defiance College, remaining there for one year, when he went to Ada, Ohio, where he spent four years, completing the rscientific and law courses in that excellent institution. He received the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws degrees, completing his law course in the spring of 1904. In the same spring he was admitted to the practice of law, and hung out his shingle at North Baltimore, Ohio. Here he remained until 1907, when he came to Leipsic to make his permanent home.

Mr. Stevenson was married on April 4, 1905, to Hattie Jaqua, who was born and reared in Hancock county, Ohio, and is a daughter of W. Alfred and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Jaqua. Her parents have lived near Hamler, Henry county, for a number of years. Her father is a farmer, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Stevenson and his wife have three sons, H. Clinton, William A. and Walter K.

Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arch Masons. He is a young man of great energy and ability, and although he has been in this city but a comparatively short time, yet he has already forged to the front at the local bar, and the success which has attended his efforts thus far promises a bright future for him.

George Henry Bach

All of the German citizens, who have made Putnam county their home, have been unusually successful in whatever line of activity they have chosen to engage. George Henry Bach, one of the many farmers of this county who was born in Germany, has accumulated a farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres in Riley township through his own hard work and good management. While he has been accumulating a comfortable competence for himself and 'family, he has also taken an active part in the civic

George Henry Bach, the son of John George and Catherine (Becker) Bach, was born on January i, 1850, in Bavaria, Germany. His father, who was a son of John Thomas Bach and wife, was born in Bavaria on February 7, 182 1, and came to America in January, 185 1.

John George Bach was married in Germany and three of his children, including George Henry, were born in the Fatherland. He first settled in New Jersey, and two years later moved with his family to Hancock county, he located in Arcadia. There he leased a few acres of land, which he cleared for the rental. He later rented a couple of farms and, after about eight years, moved to Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, where he arrived on April 10, 1861. He bought forty acres of farm land, which he cleared, and later added eighty acres more. John Thomas Bach .and wife only lived in Ohio about two or three years, and then returned to New Jersey, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Catherine Bach, the wife of John George, died on July 4, 1868, she and her husband having reared a family of eight children, Jacob, Mary, George Henry, Thomas, William, Edward, Eva and Daniel H. Jacob died at the age of ten and Edward died at the age of seven. John George Bach was married the second time to Fredericka Mollenhauer, in 1872, a daughter of Philip Mollenhauer, and to this second union was born one son, Ludwig Berhard.

George Henry Bach was only one year of age when his parents came from Germany to this country. He received his early education in Hancock and Putnam counties, and from his earliest boyhood worked on his father's farm. He remained at his home until he was twenty years of age and then worked for two years in his home neighborhood. He next went to Cleveland and worked for three years in a dairy. He followed this with -eight years' work in Iowa. In that state he worked out for four years, and then, with his brother, bought one hundred and thirty-four acres, which he farmed for four years. He then disposed of his interests in the Iowa farm and returned to Putnam county, Ohio, where he bought fifty-five acres near the old home farm. To this he later added thirty-eight acres adjoining, as well as forty-five acres near the village of Townwood. Mr. Bach has been a very successful farmer, has given particular attention to live stock raising, and has a fine herd of Shorthorn and Polled-Durham cattle. This farm is well improved, and under his skillful management, is yielding satisfactory returns, year after year.

Mr. Bach was married on October i6, 1883, to Sarah Catherine Smith, a daughter of Henry and Albertina (Tegler) Smith. She was born near Fostoria, Hancock county, Ohio, October 16, 1856. Her parents were born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to America, about 1854, locating immediately in Hancock county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Her father died there, October 4, 1897, at the age of seventy-four years, and her mother passed away, on January 15, 1896, at the age of sixty-seven years and four months. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of seven children, Sarah Catherine, William Frederick, George Henry, Sophia Louisa, John Wilson, Mary Cordelia, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Bach and his wife are the parents of four children, Cordelia Elvira, Tena Alberta, Viola and Katie L. Tena Alberta, who died on January 16, 1912, left her husband, John W. Miller, with one daughter, Florence Edna. The other three children are single and still living with their parents.

Mr. Bach and his family are loyal members of the Presbyterian church. He has served as trustee of his denomination and is now an elder in the church. He has given his support to the Democratic party and has served on the school board of his township. Mr. Bach is a man of excellent character and is highly esteemed throughout the community where he has made his home for so many years.

Joseph Nienberg

Since 1858, Joseph Nienberg has been a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, and has spent his whole career, in Glandorf, since locating in the county. He learned the tinner's trade when a young man and followed that vocation until he was about thirty-five years of age. Later he engaged m the hardware business, and as he prospered from year to year, added various other departments to his store, until he now has three separate stores in Glandorf. An interesting feature of the success of Mr. Nienberg is the fact that seven of his eight children are partners in the business.

Joseph Nienberg, the son of B. H. and Angela (Sprehe) Flerkinhoff- Nienberg, was born in Minster, Auglaize county, Ohio, in 1843. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, and was probably about twenty years of age when he came to America, and located at Minster, in Auglaize county, Ohio.

county, and, after his marriage, engaged in the mercantile business in connection with which he ran a bakery. He was in business in Minster, Ohio, until his death. The wife of B. H. Nienberg was born in Ausnabruk' Germany, and was married in her native land to H. Herkinoff, and came with him to America and located at Minster, where he died, leaving her with two sons, Herman and Frank. To her second marriage, to Mr. Nienberg, were born six children, Mary, Joseph, William, Annie, Agnes and Dine.

Joseph Nienberg was reared, until he was fifteen years of age, in A/[inster, and there received a good common school education. He came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1858 and made his home with his aunt, Mrs. Henry Wedaking. After coming to Glandorf he learned the tinner's trade, and followed it for many years. He went into the tinner business for himself about 1861, to which he added a stock of stoves. He started a dry goods store about 1870,' and has operated it ever since. He and Joseph Thome, his brother-in-law, started a hardware store in 1894, which they continued in partnership until 1898, when Mr. Thome died. Mr. Nienberg then continued the business alone until 1909, when he took several of his children into partnership with him. He added a furniture store in 191 o, so that the family now have three separate stores in Glandorf, a hardware store, a dry goods and general merchandise establishment, and a furniture store. These stores do a big business in Glandorf, and the surrounding community, and it is safe to say that Mr. Nienberg does more business than any other man in the village. Joseph Nienberg has been twice married. He was first married, in 1866, to Annie C. Kemper, who was born in Glandorf, the daughter of B. H. Kemper and wife. Mr. Kemper was a native of Germany and located in Glandorf about a year after the village was established. He first took a contract to build a part of the old Ohio canal, and after that operated a store in Glandorf and farmed. The first wife of Mr Nienberg died about fifteen years after her marriage, leaving no children

Mr. Nienberg married Veronica Thome in 1881. She was a native of Glandorf and is a daughter of Nicholas and Agatha TBockhold) Thome early settlers in Glandorf. Her father was a wagonmaker and, in the early days, made cradles for cradling wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Thome spent the re mainder of their lives in Glandorf. To the second marriage of Mr Nienberg have been born seven sons and one daughter, Benjamin A., who married Juha Borman, and has four sons, Carl, Harold, Paul and John- Hany who first married Frances Smith, and after her death, Dalia Rampe' who is the mother of one son, Walter; Joseph F., who married Maggie Unverferth and has one daughter, Frances; Edward, who married Clara Geier, and has two sons, George and Raymond, and four children who are single, Oscar, Mary, Frank and William. The last two boys are twins. All of the children are now partners with their father in business, except Edward, who runs the home farm of eighty-three acres, near Glandorf.

The Nienberg family are all loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf, and are interested in its welfare and are generous contributors to its support.

August Nartker

For more than two score years, August Nartker has been identified with the history of Putnam county, Ohio, and since 1900, has been in the tile business in Glandorf. His father was a native of Germany and an early settler of Putnam county, Ohio, where he came with his parents in the early history of the county. Mr. Nartker spent his early manhood in a newspaper office, and also farmed a few years before engaging in his present business.

August Nartker, the son of Henry and Thresia (Vorderlandwehr) Nartker, was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, April 8, 1874. His parents reared a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters, Henry, Mrs. Bernardine Winkelman, Mrs. Mary Wishmeyer, of Michigan; Mrs. Anna Schroeder, Frank, August, William (deceased in 1912), Mrs. Minnie Horstman (deceased), Mrs. Emma Maas and Mrs. Lena Fortman.

Henry Nartker was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany in 1837 and came to America in his boyhood days with his parents, Theodore Nartker and wife, who located about one and one-half miles west of Glandorf, where he lived the remainder of his life. Thresia Vorderlandwehr, the mother of August Nartker, was born at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, June 14, 1844, a daughter of Herman and Thresia Vorderlandwehr, who were born, reared and married in Germany, and were early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio. Henry Nartker farmed just west of Glandorf, in this county, all of his life, his death occurring there on March 28, 1909. His widow is still living on the farm at Glandorf, where she has resided ever since her marriage.

August Nartker grew up on his father's farm and at the age of sixteen, began working in newspaper offices. He worked on Der Demokrat, at Ottawa, from 1890 to 1896. The next four years were spent on the home farm and in 1900, after his marriage, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, W. F. Schroeder, and bought -the tile factory of Winkleman & Ellis, at Glandorf, where they have continued this business down to the present time, and have built up a large trade throughout the county. For about ten years they made brick as well as tile, but now are devoting all of their time and attention to the manufacture of tile.

Mr. Nartker was married on October 9, 1900, to A^erona Horstman, who was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Deeters) Horstman. To this union have been born two children, Mary and Alphonse.

Joseph Horstman, the father of Mrs. Nartker, was born in Glandorf, Germany, and when a young man came to America and located in Cincinnati. He came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1872, and married Mary Deeters, who was born at Glandorf, in this county, her father being one of the earliest settlers. Mr. Horstman was a blacksmith at Glandorf, and operated his shop until about seven years ago, when he retired from active life and now lives with his son-in-law, Mr. Nartker.

Mr. Nartker is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest m the life of his community in every way. He has been a councilman of Glandorf for the past eight years, and has always given his hearty support to every measure which he felt would be of benefit to his village. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf, and also hold membership in the St. Paul's and St. John's aid societies.

John E. Reinman

John E. Reinman is a plain, honest man of affairs who, by correct methods and a strict regard for square dealing, has made his influence felt in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He has won for himself a distinctive prestige in the business circles of this city. Mr. Reinman would be the last man to become the subject of fancy eulogy but, nevertheless, his life presents much that is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation. Mr. Reinman is one of those, whose integrity and strength of character stand out as shining examples for young men at the beginning of their careers. He commands the respect of his contemporaries and people know him as one who can be thoroughly depended upon to do just what he promises.

John E. Reinman was born on July 17, 1862, at Tiffin, Ohio, and is the son of Lawrence and Caroline (Youngblood) Reinman. Lawrence Remman was bom in Bavaria and came to America when about twenty- one years old. He located at Tiffin, and there learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it until 1873 when he moved to New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio. He then bought a farm just east of New Cleveland and here he lived for about twenty years. At the end of this period he moved to the home of his son, John E., who was then living west of New Cleveland. There he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He died on January 17, 19 10, at the age of eighty- two. Previous to his death his wife died about 1905. Caroline Youngblood was born in Prussia and came to America when eighteen or twenty years old, locating at Tiffin, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Reinman were the parents of seven children, Catherine, deceased; Lawrence, of Tiffin, Ohio; Joseph, of New Cleveland; John E., of Ottawa; Mary, the wife of Henry Koch, of New Cleveland; Rose, deceased, and Anna, the wife of John Wischmeyer, of Bryan, Ohio.

John E. Reinman lived at home until he grew up and married. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade with his father, but early in his life began farming. He purchased ^ farm of seventy acres just west of New Cleveland and lived there until October, 1913, when he purchased a lot and built a residence in Ottawa. Here he has resided since that time. He still owns his farm, however, but now engages in carpentry and building.

Mr. Reinman was married to Rose Kihm in 1888, who was bom in Blanchard township and who is the daughter of John and Rose (Lawrence) Kihm. Mrs. Reinman's father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1838, and came to America at the age of eight years with his parents, John Peter and Mary Kihm. They settled at New Washington, Ohio, and came to Putnam county about 1856. They were pioneer settlers in Blanchard township and John Kihm was a farmer all of his life. He died on the farm in Blanchard township in 1898. Mr. Kihm's wife. Rose Lawrence, was born at Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, and was the daughter of John and Mary Lawrence. She lived in Huron county until her marriage and is now living at Leipsic, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Reinman are the parents of two children, Edward J. and Ida Rose. Edward J. married Ida Weot, of Tiffin, Ohio, and lives on his father's farm near New Cleveland and has one boy, Ralph John. Ida Rose is still at home.

For the past seven years, Mr. Reinman has been trustee of Ottawa township. He was a director on the school board for fifteen years. Mr. Reinman is an ardent Democrat and never misses an election. He is one of the best workers for the principles of the Democratic party and the sue-

of its candidates to be found in all Putnam county. Mr. Reinman is a natural-born reader of men, and his influence is keenly felt in Ottawa township where he now lives.

The Reinman family are all members of the Catholic church and devout in the faith. As a carpenter and builder, Mr. Reinman is well known and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has ever had any business dealings.

John W. Winkler

The whole career of John W. Winkler has been spent in Leipsic, where he was born a half century ago. His father dying when he was about twelve years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and early in life he be-' gan an independent career for himself. When he was twenty-six years of age he started in business in Leipsic and for nearly a quarter of a century has been engaged in the shoe business in that place.

John W. Winkler, the son of John and Mary (Stritt) Winkler, was -born in 1865, at West Leipsic, Ohio. John Winkler, Sr., was born in 1839, in Buerstadt, in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America when about fifteen years of age with his brothers and located at Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio. As a youth he had learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land and on reaching his maturity in this county he continued in that business, to which he added a general store. At the opening of the Civil War John Winkler, Sr., enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Stone River. He lived nearly twelve years after the war closed with a minnie ball in his left lung. The bullet lay next to his heart and affected it in such a way that his death ultimately resulted in 1876. It was found out after his death that the lung was rotted away from the effects of the ball and his son, John W., now has the minnie ball as a relic.

John Winkler, Sr., was married in this county to Mary Stritt, a daughter of Benjamin and Maria Stritt. The Stritt family came from Germany, probably before 1850, and settled on a farm south of Ottawa, where Oliver Weaver is now living. There the Stritt family spent the remainder of their days. The first wife of John Winkler, Sr., died when the son, John W., was about four years of age, leaving her husband with three children, John W., Mrs. Mary Pettit, and one who died in infancy, the mother dying at the time the third child was born. After the death of his first wife, John Winkler, Sr., married Louisa Stritt, a sister of his first wife, and to this second

John W. Winkler was about thirteen years of age when his father died, and the boy soon began to shift for himself. He started in the shoebusiness in Leipsic about 1891, and has gradually built up his store and increased his trade in the city and surrounding community. He now carries a large and well-selected stock of boots and shoes, and such sundries as are usually found in shoe stores. He is a man of excellent business judgment and is now numbered among the prosperous business men of Leipsic.

John W. Winkler was married on February 14, 1893, to Josephine B. Phipps, who was born near Monroeville, Allen county, Indiana, and is a daughter of William L. and Hannah (Leonard) Phipps. Her father wasborn in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and her mother in Ross county, Ohio. Her father was a stave factory man and came to Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, with a Mr. Williamson, about 1871, before the village of Belmore was in existence. Mr. Williamson started a stave factory in that place and Mr. Phipps became the foreman and lived at Belmore the remainder of his life. Mrs. Phipps is now living in Leipsic.

Mr. Winkler is a loyal member of the Catholic church, and a generouscontributor to its support. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He gives his support to the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in its councils. He is a man interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of his community, and his support for alL public welfare measures is always heartily given.

David C. Shank

The standing of any community depends, to a great extent, upon the character of the business men who are a part of it. If a community is so fortunate as to entertain keen and progressive business men, of high integrity, who are thoroughly alive to every opportunity for legitimate business, that community is, inevitably, one of prosperity. In this respect, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, is fortunate in numbering among its citizens, many men of the most up-to-date type, among whom is the subject of this, sketch, David C. Shank, president of the D. C. Shank Company, which operates a saw-mill, planing-mill, lumber yard and electric light plant, and who occupies a high place among the foremost citizens of his community.

a son of John and Nancy (Gulp) Shank. John Shank was born in Mahoning county, formerly Columbiana county, Ohio, December 14, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Bear) Shank. Henry Shank was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 17, 1808, a son of John Shank and wife, whose maiden name was Wenger. It is said that John Shank once stated that his great-grandfather came from Germany and that the family name was originally Schenk.

John Shank, the subject's great-grandfather, came from Virginia to Ohio, with his faniily, in 1835. His wife died about fourteen years previous to this time, or when Henry Shank was eleven years of age. John had married a second time, and it was his second wife who migrated to Ohio with him. At the same time there came the subject's grandfather, his brother, Michael, and two sisters, Barbara and Esther. One sister, Annie, had died in Virginia.

David C. Shank's great-grandfather, John, and his grandfather, Henry, were coopers, by trade, and they also owned and operated a farm while in Virginia. John Shank bought a farm in Mahoning county, where he lived until the time of his death, in about 1850.

In the spring of 1840, Henry Shank migrated from Mahoning county to Richland township, Putnam county, later Allen county, and entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land. The deed to the land was. signed by President Martin Van Buren, and is yet in the possession of the subject's father, John Shank. The land remained in the possession of Henry Shank and his son, John, until 1913, when it was sold to David W. Basinger and Edward Laibe, the only transfer that had been made since the time the original entry was made.

Henry Shank cleared this virgin land, and built upon it a log cabin. From year to year he succeeded gradually in clearing more of the land, with the help of his father, John Shank, who rendered considerable asssistance, as soon as he had reached the age when he could work in the woods. It is said that when a young man, John Shank could wield an axe to better advantage than any other man in the vicinity. Henry Shank lived on his homestead until October 21, 1905, when he died at the ripe old age of ninety-seven.

John Shank was three years old when he came with his parents to Putnam county. He grew to manhood on the home farm and had no chance to go to school until he was eleven years of age. At that time he managed to attend the district school, for a month or two each winter, for a few years. When he was thirty years of age, he married Nancy Gulp, Decemljer 19, 1867,.

Christian Gulp, maternal grandfather of David C. Shank, was born in Virginia on March 20, 1815, and settled in Ohio in 1850. He located first in Fairfield county, but later moved to Allen county. Elizabeth Good was born on June i, 181 3, a daughter of Joseph and Magdalene Good. They were both natives of Virginia and came to Ohio in the early days of this county and settled in Fairfield county. Joseph Good died in Fairfield -county on February 7, 1848; his wife then came to Allen . county, where she lived until the time of her death, at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth (Good) Gulp.

After his marriage, John Shank continued to operate his father's farm, and lived there until January 17, 191 3, when the farm was sold. To Mr. and Mrs. John Shank were born seven children as follow : David G, the subject; Lizzie A., born on July 20, 1871, the wife of Amos Augsberger; Sophia F., born on October 15, 1873, ^'^^ t^e wife of Rufus Basinger; Christian, born on May 14, 1875, who married Rachel Witmer; Emma J., born on August 24, 1877, the wife of Peter W. Amstutz, and who died on January 31, 1904; Mary E., born on June 30, 1879, who is unmarried; Nannie A., who was born on October 2, 1885, and who died May 6, 1893, at the age of seven years, two months and four days.

John Shank conducted the home farm, as a general farm, and also did an extensive business in cattle and hogs. He moved to Pandora, January 17, 19 1 3, after having retired from farming, where he now lives. He and Mrs. Shank are both members of the Mennonite Zion church.

David C. Shank was born on the old homestead, which had been settled by his grandfather, and there grew to manhood. As a boy, he attended the district school, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He married Fannie Basinger, April 14, 1892, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Gratz) Basinger. To this union were born three children, Cora, Eunice and Irma.

Mrs. Shank, wife of David C. Shank, died on February 28, 1901. She was a good Christian character, an affectionate wife, a loving mother, and was an active member of the Mennonite church.

Mr. Shank married again, November 15. 1903, his second wife being Mary Schumacher, who was born on July 24, 1880, a daughter of John and Barbara (Geiger) Schumacher, both of whom were of pioneer families and Swiss origin. To this union have been born two children, Olive and Alice.

When he was twenty-one years of age, Mr. Shank entered upon an independent business career. His first venture was a saw-mill, in the timber land, a business which he has continued, practically, ever since. He is now president of the D. C. Shank Company, which conducts a saw-mill, planingtnill, lumber yard and electric light plant, in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county. He is doing an extensive business and is one of the prominent figures in the business life of his community.

Mr. Shank is nominally a rhember of the Democratic party, but he has always taken an intelligent interest in political matters and is an independent Toter, following the dictates of his own judgment, rather than party desires.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Shank are members of the Grace Mennonite church, and are active in church work. Mr. Shank is an energetic and progressive business man of unquestioned integrity, and is highly respected by all who have come in contact with him.

August Stechschulte

A native of this county and a resident here for more than half a century, August Stechschulte has been prominently identified with the history of Putnam county. Beginning the tailor's trade at the age of seventeen he has made it his life work, and for more than thirty years he has been engaged in the tailoring and clothing business in Leipsic. He has always taken a deep interest in the civic. life of his community and has held several township and city offices, with universal satisfaction. He has the unique record of being appointed sergeant-at-arms of the General Assembly of Ohio when he was only twenty-two years of age and it is probable that he is the youngest man who has ever held this position in the state.

August Stechschulte, the son of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stechschulte, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1862. His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, in 1825, and came to America in 1833 with his parents and located in Putnam county, in Ottawa township. He arrived in this county about two months after Professor Horstman had settled with his colony, of emigrants from Germany.

Henry Stechschulte was about eight years of age when his parents came from Germany to this county, and consequently received part of his education in his native land. After completing his schooling in this county he remained at home until he was grown. He then went to Cincinnati and learned the cooper's trade, and in 1854 was married to Bertha Kahle, who was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of I. H. Kahle, whose history elsewhere in this vohime gives the main facts concerning the Kahle family. Mr. Kahle was one of the pioneers who came to this county with Professor Horstman in 1833, and walked with the party of emigrants from Detroit to this county and helped to found the village of Glandorf. After his marriage Henry Stechschulte spent the remainder of his life on a farm on the line between Ottawa and Greensburg townships. He died about 1908, his wife having passed away two years earlier. Henry Stechschulte and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1904, at which there were forty-five grandchildren present. Six sons and two daughters were born to Henry Stechschulte and wife, Ignatius, who was a former commissioner of this county, and now a resident of Owosso, Michigan; Joseph, a farmer of Union township; Frank, also a farmer living in Union township; August, of Leipsic; Barney, a farmer of Liberty township; Henry A., who is living on the old home farm; Bertha, the widow of William Hoffman, who lives in Pleasant township, and Theresia Klausing, who died on April i, 1908.

August Stechschulte remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age and then began to learn the tailor's trade. When he was only twenty-two years of age in 1882 he started in the tailoring and clothing business at Leipsic, and has been in the business continuously since that year. He was sergeant-at-arms of the sixt)'-sixth General Assembly of Ohio in 1884 and 1885, and filled the duties of this arduous position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as township clerk, township treasurer, corporation treasurer and city councilman, and in all of these positions rendered his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service. He takes a genuine interest in the civic life of the community in which he has resided so many years and never fails to give his hearty support to all measures of general welfare.

Mr. Stechschulte was married in 1886 to Anna Rampe, the daughter of William and Thresia (Ellerbrock) Rampe, and to this union have been born four sons and three daughters, Amelia, Adolph, Victor, Clarence, Mary Agnes and Norbert. Adolph, who married Gertrude Graney, of Columbus' IS a partner with his father in the tailoring and clothing business All of the other children are still single and living at home. Mrs. Stechschulte's father was born m Glandorf, Germany, and was a pioneer shoemaker in Glandorf, m this county. He built up a large industry for a town of this size, at one time having from fifteen to twenty men working under him, making shoes.

Mr. Stechschulte and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of his sons, Victor, is a member of the Society of Jesus. Mr. Stechschulte is a wideawake, genial and courteous man and is one of the best known citizens of the community.

John E. Roose

The present auditor of Putnam county, Ohio, John E. Roose, was born, reared and has been a life-long resident of this county. His father was a pioneer resident and settled here in Jennings township when the land which he entered from the government was covered with a dense growth of timber. Mr. Roose is a man who has been prominently identified with the history of his county for many years. As a young man he taught schools for five years, and followed this with several years in the drug business. Ten more years were spent as cashier of the Peoples Bank at Kalida, while since 191 1 he has been the auditor of his county. As a public servant of his fellow citizens, he is now administering the duties of his office in a very and painstaking manner.

John E. Roose, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Diller) Roose, was born in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, September 4, 1869. His father was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and came here from Allen this state, where he had married Elizabeth Diller. She was a native of Pennsylvania.

Henry Roose and his wife located in Jennings township when it was an unbroken forest. He entered land from the government and started in to make a home for himself and family. He cleared away a large enough space on which to build a rude log cabin and with the assistance of his wife and children as they grew up, he eventually had a farm which provided a -comfortable living for the family. Six children were born to Henry Roose and wife, two of whom died in infancy, Barbara, who died in 1912, was the wife of John Lawyer, a farmer of Jennings township; Peter, of Marion, Michigan; George W., a farmer of Jackson township, and John E., who is now living in the county seat.

John E. Roose received his elementary education in the schools of Jennings township, and later attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, for four terms. He then taught school for five years in Sugar Creek and Jennings townships, and gave excellent satisfaction as an instructor of the youth. He then moved to Kalida, in this county, and engaged in the drug business in that place for several years. After disposing of his drug business he clerked for two years in the stores of Kalida, and then became the cashier of the Peoples Bank, of that place, holding this position for nearly ten years. His worth as a public citizen and the confidence which the people have in his ability is shown by the fact that he was nominated and elected in the fall of 1910 as auditor of Putnam county. He took his office in the spring of 191 1, and his services were so satisfactory that he was re-elected by his party in the fall of 191 2. He was again a candidate in the fall of 19 14 and was elected to serve another term.

Mr. Roose was married in 1892 to Estella C. Conaway. She was bom in Putnam county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Basis C. and Rebecca (Moore) Conaway. Her father was a farmer for many years in this county but is now living a retired life in Findlay, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Roose are the parents of seven children, Fred L., Russell, Grace, Ralph, Elbert, Zella and Lucile.

Mr. Roose has always been a Democrat, and has been one of the leaders of his party in township and county affairs. He belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and also to the council and chapter. He holds his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Guards. He and his family are all loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generous contributors to its support. Mr. Roose is a self-made man and the prosperity which has come to him is the direct result of his own abilities directed along proper lines. He is a man of sterling integrity and no man m the county stands in higher esteem among his fellow citizens.

Bernard H. Heringhaus

The Heringhaus family are of German descent, the parents of Bernard H. Heringhaus coming to this country from Germany in 1867. Four years later his parents located in Putnam county, Ohio, and lived there the remainder of their lives. Mr. Heringhaus has had fifteen years of newspaper experience, but for the past few years, has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Ottawa.

_ Bernard H. Heringhaus, the son of Rudolph and Christina (Richtermg) Hennghaus, was born on March 13, 1879, in Ottawa, Putnam county Ohio. His father was born at Oesede, Hanover, Germany, in 1843 and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Buddlemeyer) Heringhaus. Rudolph Heringhaus came to America in January, 1867, and located in Cincinnati, and on October 9, of the same year he was married in that city to Christina Richtering, who was born in what was Beesten, Hanover, now Kaiserreich, Prussia. She is a daughter of Bernard and Margarite Adelaide (Meerz) Richtering, and was reared in Germany, coming to Cincinnati, Ohio, from, her native land in 1866.

Rudolph Heringhaus and wife lived at Cincinnati until 1871, and in that year came to Putnam county, and for three and one-half years lived in Greensburg township, after which time they moved to Ottawa, where they have since resided. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Heringhaus, Anna, Henry, Catherine, Minnie, Bernard H. and Mary. Anna is the wife of Andrew Roof and has three children, Adelaide^ Edward and Mary. Henry, who is unmarried, makes his home in Ottawa. Catherine is the wife of George C. Laibe and lives in Akron, Ohio. Minnie is the wife of Frank Distel, of Toledo, Ohio, where she died on June 20,. 1912, leaving her husband with two children, Mary and Clara. Mary died at the age of six weeks. He and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church, while he is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

Bernard Heringhaus grew to manhood in Ottawa and before reaching his majority began to learn the printer's trade in the office of Der Demokrat. For fifteen years he worked at the newspaper business and became a thorough and practical printer. He then became a partner with Samuel Cartwright in the furniture and undertaking business in Ottawa, and hassince continued along this line of endeavor. He went to Cincinnati and learned the embalming business and was Hcensed as an embalmer on June 20, 1908. Mr. Cartwright remained as his partner less than a year in the business, and was succeeded by F. F. Pope, who, with Mr. Heringhaus,. still continues the business.

Mr. Heringhaus has taken a very active part in the civic life of Ottawa. He has served six years as clerk of Ottawa, and served during the time the waterworks was being built. He afterward served for five years as clerk of the waterworks board. He is now a member of the school board of Ottawa, and is also a member of the Putnam county school board. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

Mr. Heringhaus was married on October 18, 1904, to Mary A. Laibe, and to this union have been born three sons, Francis, Cornelius and Robert.

a daughter of Edmund and Magdalene (Kroft) Laibe, both of her parents being natives of this county. Her mother died in 19 10, and her father, who was a life-long farmer, is now living a retired life in Ottawa. Edmund Laibe was born in Buffalo, New York, November 7, 1855, and was a son of Mark and Catherine' (Benziger) Laibe. His parents came from Belfort, Alsace, France, and lived in Brooklyn, New York, for a short time, before locating in Buffalo. Mark Laibe and his family moved to Putnam county, Ohio, about 1856, and located in Pandora, where he operated a blacksmith shop until 1868. In that year Mark Laibe and his family moved to a farm two and one-half miles south of Gilboa, where he lived until Octo- "ber, 1885, when he moved into Ottawa, where he retired and lived until his death April 8, 1899. His wife died on January 27, 1909. Edmund Laibe grew up on his father's farm and married Mary Magdalene Kroft, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Kroft, who came from Alsace and settled in Putnam county, Ohio. After Edmund Laibe married he began farming about a mile north of the old home place and lived there until 1889, in which year he moved to Ottawa, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the county. Five children were born to Edmund Laibe and wife, Mary Amelia, the wife of B. H. Heringhaus; William E., George E., Frank F., and Blanche V., the wife of Cornelius H. Ellis.

Henry Grismore

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and are incentives to others. The examples they furnish, of patient purpose and steadfast integrity, strongly illustrates what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life. Apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adversity almost justifies the conclusion that self-reliance, with half a chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman, whose life story is here set out, is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course, he has made his way to a respectable position in the world, winning the hearty admiration of the people in his community, and earning the reputation of being a progressive man of affairs, which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.

1839, in Wayne township, Butler county, Ohio. He is the son of John and Catherine (Weaver) Grismore. John Grismore was born in Burkes county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1812, and was the son of Abraham Grismore and Avife.

From all accounts, Abraham Grismore and wife were natives of Pennsylvania. At one time, Abraham was considered a well-to-do man, and was the owner of a linseed oil mill. Before his death, however, he was greatly reduced, financially, on account of having secured the debts of other men, and their failures to meet their obligations. John Grismore and Abraham Grismore, Jr., were the only sons. There were seven daughters. John was but twelve years, of age when his father died, leaving his mother with nine and thirty acres of stony land, which was their only means of support. When a boy, his mother bound him out to a tailor to learn the trade, and when he was twenty-two years old, he came to Ohio, down the Ohio river, to Cincinnati, by boat, landing there with twenty-five cents in his pocket. Being the master of a good trade he proceeded to Lebanon, Ohio, where he had a friend who was a tailor. From here he located at Jacksonboro, Butler county, where he established a tailor shop. It was here that he first met Catherine Weaver, the daughter of Henry Weaver and wife, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and a prosperous farmer of Wayne township, Butler county. A part of the town of Jacksonboro was located on Henry Weaver's land.

When John Grismore was twenty-four years old, he was married to Catherine Weaver. In addition to conducting his tailoring business, in the winter and spring, he devoted the summers to his little farm of thirty-seven acres, five miles from Jacksonboro. It was here that three of the children were born. Sarrah died in infancy; Henry is the subject of this sketch, -and Mary Ann was the third child. After a residence in Jacksonboro of about ten or eleven years, two years of which were spent on his little farm, he sold out and moved to Riley township, Putnam county, January 13, 1845. It was during the preceding spring that he and Mr. Weaver made a trip to Putnam county on horseback to purchase a farm. John bought sixty-eight acres, two miles south of Pendleton, now Pandora, and Mr. Weaver, a farm north of and adjoining the town of Pendleton. It was on January 13, 1845, after a trip covering five days over muddy roads, a hundred and twenty miles in all, that they arrived at the scene of their new home in three wagons. The last day of the trip they were only able to cover seven miles. There was a hewed log house and round log barn on the place, and probably about five -acres of the land cleared. John Grismore worked, clearing his place, during the summer months, while he followed his trade as a tailor during the winter. After several years, he managed to get his first farm, practically all cleared,, and then purchased' eighty acres next to his first farm. From time to time he added to his holdings until he had accumulated five hundred and fortyeight acres. After moving to Riley township, there were five children born,, making eight in all, six of whom lived to maturity. The last five were,. George, Elizabeth, who died at twelve years of age; Harriet, Phoebe and Martin. The last named was killed by a falling tree in the woods when he was thirty-five years old. John Grismore died on December 29, 1899, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who was born in Butler county,. in 1816, died in Richland township, Allen county, in 1880, at the age of sixty-four.

Henry Grismore came with his parents to Putnam county when he wassix years old. It was here that he spent his boyhood. His was the life that generally fell to the lot of a pioneer's son. He was thirteen years old before there were any schools in his neighborhood. However, he had learned ta read and spell from his mother. The balance of his education consisted of an average of twenty-two days a year, for eight years, in school. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years old. During the spring, following his twenty-second birthday, he went to Ontario and there remained for nearly three years.

It was near Hamburg, Ontario, that Mr. Grismore met and married on January 9, 1866, Francisca Ginther, who had been born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Immediately afterwards he returned to Ohio and settled on a part of his father's place, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which farm he later bought from his father. Seven years later, in the fall of 1873, he moved to a place of eighty acres, one mile south of Pandora, which he had bought the previous June. He has lived on this place ever since. The place had a substantial frame house for those days, in which he lived for twelve years, or until 1885, when he built a large, handsome, brick residence, of twelve rooms.. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Grismore have had eleven children, seven of whom have lived to maturity. John W. married Magdalene Lehman and lives two. miles north of Pandora. They have seven children. Cora is the wife of E. J. Miller, who lives one mile north of Pandora. They have two children Oscar married Fiona Day. They live in Los Angeles, California, and have four children. Emma is the wife of Edward Morelock, of Creditorn, Ontario. They have three children. Levi married Levina Towsley, and' livesone mile southwest of Pandora. They have three children. Otto married Martha Wittich, Brilliant, Ohio. They have two daughters. Carl A. mar- ried Leah Tripplehorn, and lives on the home place. They have one child, Donald. Mary Ann is the wife of Guy R. Fromm, of Cincinnati. They have one child. Jessie Pearl died at the age of two years. Grover C. is unmarried. He is an instructor in the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Fred married Jennie Kisabeth. They live in Memphis, Tennessee, and have no children.

In addition to his farming, Mr. Grismore owned a mill and elevator, from 1892 to 1900. This mill was located at Pandora. He operated it durmg the period of his ownership. Henry Grismore has been a most successful farmer and, altogether, owned five hundred and fifty-six acres. At one time he was the largest single taxpayer in Putnam county, having been very successful with hogs and cattle. Lately, Mr. Grismore has disposed of a part of his holdings, but still retains three hundred and thirty-six acres of the finest land in Putnam county. He is a director and treasurer in the Farmers Bankmg Company, at Pandora, and is known as a successful banker. Mr. Grismore is a Democrat. He served as township trustee for six years, as a supervisor, and was member of the school board for eighteen years.' Religiously, he and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in this church Mr. Grismore has held various offices. Henry Grismore is a man of broad experiences and is counted as one of the best farmers in the county, a good citizen and a true friend. He is a fine type of Christian gentleman, and eminently deserves the esteem and confidence placed m him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

John J. Rampe

The Rampe family came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1872, and for the past forty years have been connected with the advancement of this county along agricultural, commercial and educational lines. John J. Rampe was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to this county, and for the past thirty-five years he has been engaged in business for himself at Ottawa. Starting to learn the shoe trade, as a shoemaker, when he was twelve years of age, he opened a shoe shop of his own, at the age of twentyone, and sold shoes, which he himself made for a few years. He then put in stock of factory-made shoes, and gradually added other furnishing goods, until he now has the largest store in Ottawa.

born in Covington, Kentucky, September 12, 1859. His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, and his mother, in Haagen, Germany. His parents were married in Covington, Kentucky, and to them were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom four died in infancy. The other four, are as follows : Louis, who died at Edaville, Iowa, about ten years ago; Fred, who learned the shoemaking trade with his brother, John J., and followed it until his death, on March 9, 1896, at the age of thirty-three; Lizzie, the wife of Joseph Roof, living at Glandorf, and John J., of Ottawa. Fred, the brother of John J., married Mary Smith, of Glandorf, and was the father of five daughters and one son, who, with his widow, are still living.

Barney Rampe was a contractor and lived in Covington, Kentucky, until about 1875, and laid many of the sidewalks in that city. In that year he moved to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, his son, John J., having preceded the family, coming to this county, when he was twelve years of age, to learn the shoemaker's trade with his uncle, William Rampe, Sr. William Rampe, Sr., had come here in the early history of the county, and was in the shoe business at Glandorf for about fifty years, or until his death, on November 28, 1893. Barney Rampe died in Putnam county, December 6, 1893, and his widow died on October 31, 1899. Barney Rampe and his wife lived in Glandorf, Putnam county, after moving here, and he continued making sidewalks.

John J. Rampe lived in Covington, Kentucky, until he was twelve years of age and obtained all of his schooling in that city. He then came to Putnam county, Ohio, and worked with his uncle, William Rampe, learning the shoemaker's trade. He remained with his uncle until September 17, 1880, when he started in business in Ottawa for himself. On that day his son, the first child, was born. He started a shoe shop at Ottawa and sold only shoes at first, which he made in his own shop. As his trade increased, he added a line of factory-made shoes and gradually increased his business. A few years later he added a stock of clothing, hats and men's furnishing goods of all kinds, and still later put in a line of ladies' clothing, millinery and dry goods. He now has a jewelry department, as well as a full line of groceries. In fact, he now sells everything to wear, from head to foot, for men, women and children. He has the two main floors and part of the upstairs in the McCracken block, to which he moved about ten years ago. He bought back the small building in which he first started on the south side of Main street on June 25, 1912, and in this building he has placed a large stock of carpets, rugs, and linoleums: In the main store he has a large number of departments, and among the conveniences for customers he has

The Rampe stores are easily the largest in Ottawa and it is safe to say that he does the largest retail business of any man in the village. He is the only practical shoe man in the business in Ottawa, his training at the trade making him an expert in judging stock. He has killed and skinned the steer, tanned the hide and made the shoes from the leather. Accordingly, he knows the business of shoemaking thoroughly, and this fact has undoubtedly had much to do with his success as a dealer in shoes.

Mr. Rampe was married at the age of twenty to Anna Leopold, the daughter of Barney and Elizabeth Leopold, pioneer settlers of Glandorf, in this county. Mr. Leopold came from Glandorf, Germany, in the early history of the county, and was a storekeeper and stockbuyer at Glandorf. Two= children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rampe, Harry B. and Emma L. Harry B. has charge of the men's department of his father's store, and Emma has charge of the ladies' department. Harry married Lucile Jennings, of Carrs, Kentucky. The first wife of Mr. Rampe died, February i6, 1910, and on January 17, 1914, he married Martha Kerner, who was born in Ottawa, and is the, daughter of Philip and Agnes (Maag) Kerner.

Mr. Rampe, with his wife and children, are loyal and devout members of the Catholic church, and are generous contributors to its support. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Lima, Ohio. Mr. Rampe is a thorough business man, and by industry and unexcelled business judgment has become one of the most substantial men of the county.

Charles A. Ferrall

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action which one has decided upon. Success was never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer. She nfcver courts the loafer and only those men, who have diligently sought her favor, are crowned with her blessing. It is apparent that the success of Charles A. Ferrall, leading restaurant man of Putnam county, located at Ottawa, has been won by unfailing industry, determination and a fixed will. These qualities have also gained for him the high esteem of the people of Ottawa.

20, 1873, the son of John and Louise (Devinney) Ferrall. John Ferrall was born in 1838, and was reared in Blanchard township, Putnam county. He was the eldest son of James and Parthena (Hickerson) Ferrall, who came to this county soon after their marriage and located in Blanchard township. They came from Licking county, Ohio. James Ferrall was the son of John Ferrall, a soldier in the American Revolution.

John Ferrall grew up in Blanchard township. His father was a shoemaker at Gilboa and was an expert at this trade. John Ferrall married Louise Devinney in 1862, who was born in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Anna (Umwake) Devinney. John Devinney was the son of James Devinney, who was a native of France and a soldier in Lafayette's army in the American Revolution. Anna Umwake was one of four children, brought by their parents from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county, Ohio. Louise Devinney lived at Lancaster until ten years of age and then came to Ottawa with her sister, Mrs. Redd and her husband, who moved here in wagons, in 1848. They located about two miles east of Ottawa, south of the Blanchard river, where the old Pierman home is now located. Four years later, Louise Devinney went to live with her half-brother, Jacob Green, who conducted the Defiance Democrat, and was probate judge for many years and a man well known in the county. Louise Devinney went to Defiance in order to take advantage of the better schools at that place and. after three years, began teaching. She taught about five years south and southeast of Ottawa until her marriage. John Ferrall was a soldier in the Nmth Ohio Cavalry. He enlisted a short time before his marriage and later re-enlisted. Three of his brothers also served in the Union army. John Ferrall was in the service until the close of the war, Mrs. Ferrall meanwhile staying with her mother who then lived near Columbus Grove. After the war, John Ferrall spent the rest of his life at Gilboa, where he engaged m various lines of business. He died in October, 1885. He was widely known as a genial-tempered man and was marshal of Gilboa for many years He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs Ferrall were the parents of five children, Mary, the wife of George Rennells of Toledo; Anna, the widow of David Long, who was a lawyer of Ottawa- Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, the wife of Bert Shondell a railroader, of Fort Wayne; William, a conductor on the Cincinnati Hamilton & Dayton railroad, of Lima, Ohio. About two years after Mr Ferrall" died, Mrs. Ferrall moved to Ottawa, where she built a home and where she has resided since that time.

of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton tracks on the south side of Main street, about 1903. At that time it was an old frame building. He started in a small way and continued in business with increasing success.

Mr. Ferrall traveled to the Pacific coast to marry in the spring of 19 10. He was married at Los Angeles, Califorriia, May 5, 1910, to Laura Kraft, who was born on May 5, 1882, at Ottawa, Ohio. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Trame) Kraft.

John Kraft was born on March 25, 1855, a short distance north of Ottawa. He is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Gross) Kraft. Joseph Kraft and wife were natives of Alsace and married there. They came to this country nearly seventy years ago. Joseph Kraft was a farmer and the son of Andrew and Walbruck (Brockmeyer) Kraft, and was born June 3, 1812, settling in this country in 185 1. His wife, whom he married in Haucknew, France, April 17, 1842, was also born in Alsace, July 16, 1822. She was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Burger) Gross, who came to this country in 185 i.

Joseph Kraft and wife settled north of Ottawa and spent the rest of their lives on the farm. John Kraft, their son, married Elizabeth Trame in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft are the parents of three children living and one dead, Laura Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Ferrall; Catherine Johanna, the wife of Nicholas Miller, ex-sheriff of Putnam county; Mary Dorothy, who -died at the age of four years and three months; and Clarence Edwin, who is at home. Elizabeth Trame was born at Toledo, Ohio, February 25, 1853, the daughter of Christopher and Mary (Brinkman) Trame, both of whom were born and reared in Hanover, Germany, the former on October 30, 1819.

Mrs. Ferrall spent most of her younger life in Ottawa, where she attended the parochial schools and also the Ottawa high school, from which latter school she was graduated at the age of seventeen. She then spent several years in the Meffley dry goods store and two years in Toledo in mercantile business. She then went to Los Angeles to live with her married sister and it was not long after she went to live in Los Angeles that Mr. Ferrall joined her.

After their marriage, Mr. Ferrall came back to Ottawa and, the following October, sold out, expecting to locate in Los Angeles. In February he returned to Ottawa and opened a restaurant in the second room east of where the Ottawa Banking Company is located. In the December following he moved into his present location where a new building had been erected,

Mr. Ferrall is a member' of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For twenty-three years he has been a member of the Ottawa fire department. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrall have two children, Paul Aubrey and Catherine Louise. Mr. Ferrall is a big whole-souled man, fond of hunting, fishing and other clean sports. He is a shrewd and careful buyer and knows how to conduct a good restaurant. Mrs. Ferrall is a woman of charming appearance and socially is popular in Ottawa. Their children are bright, healthy youngsters, of whom their parents are very proud.

Anderson James Young

Ohio was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days of the Civil War when the Ship of State was almost stranded on the rocks of Disunion, but contributed her full quota of brave men to assist in preserving the integrity of the government, prominent among whom was Anderson James Young, now a well-known druggist of Leipsic, Ohio. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, as was demonstrated on many bloody battlefields, he has ever been its stanch supporter in times of peace, and today there are few veterans in Putnam county who are more widely and favorably known, and none that can boast of a more honorable record. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged in the days of his youth are fast being diminished by the one invincible foe and it is fitting in every publication of this nature that special tribute be paid to those who served through the greatest civil war known to history.

Anderson James Young was born on December i, 1841, near Tiffin, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel and Isabella (Sutton) Young. Samuel Young was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Seneca county, Ohio, when a young man, settling on a farm. He was a life-long farmer, near Seneca and was married there to Isabella Sutton, who emigrated with her parents to Seneca county in pioneer days, who were farmers and natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel died on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres where he spent almost his entire life. When he first acquired possession of the farm It was a wilderness. Under his directing care and by the consequence of hii labors, he saw this farm transformed, by the spade and the plow, into a vast

Anderson James Young left Seneca county, Ohio, for Putnam county, in 1862, and settled in Van Buren township. He lived in that township for a time, when he left for Hancock county. His education was obtained mostly in the common schools of Seneca county and in the high school at Tifiin.- After leaving the high school, he entered the Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated. He also attended the Springfield (Ohio) School of Pharmacy, for some time.

Mr. Young enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, for three years and three months, February 26, 1862, at the age of twenty-three. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, April 10, 1864, by order of the war department, and went to Washington, D. C. He was discharged, after serving three years and three months. He enlisted at Tiffin, Ohio, under Col. William H. Gibson and fought in the battles of the western campaign. He was wounded in the hand at Corinth, Mississippi, and again in the knee at Stone's River. He also fought in the battle of Shiloh.

Mr. Young was married on February 10, 1866, to Mary Foulk, a native of Putnam county, born on May 18, 1842, and the daughter of Peter and Sarah (Heck) Foulk. Peter Foulk was a native of Pennsylvania, born irt Starke county and after his marriage to Sarah Heck, came to Hancock county, Ohio, when this county was a vast wilderness. He farmed a short time in. Hancock county when he removed to Van Buren township, Putnam county, near Leipsic, where he died on November 21, 1878. He was born on February 27, 181 1, and was sixty-seven years old at the time of his death. He wasmarried, in 1834. Sarah Heck was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio,, and, shortly after her birth, was taken by her parents to Hancock county. Peter Foulk was a man of stalwart frame, of powerful muscular development. He was a man of indomitable courage, which qualities enabled himto brave the perils of pioneer life. Peter Foulk's wife died, about 1871. They had ten children, five of whom are now living, Mrs. Julia Young, of Leipsic; Mary, the wife of Mr. Young; Mrs. Lucinda Fike and Mrs. Emma Baughman, both of Leipsic; and Peter, of Chicago, Illinois.

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson J. Young, three children ' have been born, Emma B., born on January 5, 1867, now deceased; Everett J., born on April 20, 1869, and Orville E., born on September 7, 1875, who married Delia Scott, and has three children, Harry E., who attends the Ohio State Univer-

Mr. Young has two sisters and one brother living, Mrs. Rachel Haynes, of Carey, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Jane Noel, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Washington, of North Baltimore, Ohio.

After his marriage, Mr. Young returned to Leipsic, Ohio, and entered the drug business. He has continued in this business practically all the time, and is still more or less active. He is a skilled pharmacist, and is widely known. Mr. Young holds the only diploma in the city of Leipsic. He is also a jeweler and learned this trade when a young man. At the present time, Mr. Young holds county and state certificates as a druggist.

Mr. Young is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, but is not active now. He is a member of Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Leipsic, Ohio, and belongs to the State Jewelers' Association. He has always been a stanch Republican. Mrs. Young is a member of the Presbyterian church, at Leipsic. Anderson J. Young is a man who is libera! in his views and who believes in free speech. He is a loyal neighbor, has been an excellent business man, and is honored by the people of his community in which he has so long been a factor for gen- -eral advancement and improvement.

The parents of William H. Begg, M. D., located in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1857 and lived there the remainder of their days. Doctor Begg was about four years old when his parents came to this county, and has since spent all of his career here with the exception of the time he spent in college. In his younger manhood he taught school for a time, but since graduating from the medical college in 1881, he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession in Columbus Grove. He has always taken a very prominent part in the life of his community and has served many years on the school board of Columbus Grove, and on the state board for the Toledo hospital for the insane. He and his wife have reared an interesting family of three children.

William H. Begg, M. D., the son of William and Jean (Dobbie) Begg, was born in 1853, in Franklin county, Ohio. His parents were both born and reared in Cumberlandshire, Scotland," and were married at Stirling in their native country. They came to America in 1834, and located at Canal Winchester, Ohio. They had started across the state to reach Cincinnati, but when they reached Canal Winchester, Mrs. Begg took sick with the malarial fever, and they had to stop on that account. They continued to reside in Canal Winchester until 1857, and then moved to Putnam county, where they lived the remainder of their days.

Doctor Begg was four years old on the day his parents finally settled in Putnam county. His father bought property in Columbus Grove and also a farm on the edge of Allen county adjoining Putnam. The family lived about three years in Columbus Grove and then moved to the farm, where Doctor Begg grew to manhood. Early in life he began to teach school and before reaching manhood became a student in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he had for classmates several men who later achieved national fame. He taught school in the country, both before and after attending the university at Lebanon, and was teaching in the high school at Columbus Grove when he decided to pursue a medical course. He resigned his position as high school teacher and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he began his medical studies. Later he became a student in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati and graduated there in the class of 1881.

Immediately after graduating from college, Doctor Begg located in- Columbus Grove for the practice of his profession, and here he has been hving since that time. He has built up a very large practice and is not only one of the leading practitioners of his county, but also one of the leaders in his profession in the state. He was a member of the school board for eighteen years and refused to serve longer because of his wide range of medical practice. He served for twelve years as a member of the state boardwhich has charge of the hospital for the insane at Toledo, Ohio. He has' always taken an active interest in the life of his community and his Support' could always be relied upon for all public-spirited enterprises.

Doctor Begg was married on September 8, 1881, to Martha M. Kohli, a daughter of Peter and Louisa (Featheringill) KohH. Her parents were both born in this county where they have lived all of their lives. Mr. Kohli lived in Pandora, where his father kept a hotel.

Doctor Begg and his wife have three children living,' Ethel Jean, Russell Stuart and Harold Kohli. Ethel is a graduate of the Western College at Oxford, Ohio, and is now the wife of W. M. Crawford, of Columbus Grove, whose history kppears elsewhere in this volume. Russell graduated ' in 1908 from the engineering department of the University of Michigan, is a member of the Phi Deha Theta fraternity, and is now experimental engineer for the Jeffries Automobile Company, at Kenosha, Wisconsin. He married Lenora Sterling, of Columbus Grove, and has one daughter, Edith Martha. Harold, the youngest child of Doctor and Mrs. Begg, is now in the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago, and is in his third year. He is taking the course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine, and intends to make the practice of medicine his life work. He belongs to Phi Delta Theta and the Phi Rho Sigma fraternities. Doctor Begg is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained to the chapter degree. He is a man of genial personality and has those charming characteristics which always mark the genuine Scotchman. Personally, he is tall and commanding in appearance and it is safe to say that no man in his community is held in higher esteem.

Mathias J. Fuerst

The Fuerst family was one of the first to locate in Putnam county, Ohio, the father of Mathias Joseph Fuerst locating in this county several years before the Civil War. Mathias J. Fuerst started out to make his own way in the world when he was fifteen years of age, working for a time for fifty cents a day and paying three dollars and a half for board. He worked at the carriagemaker's trade, and for three years worked in the Brown dry goods store in Ottawa. For the past four years he has been engaged in the agricultural implement business, in partnership with Charles J. Kerner. The firm sells all kinds of agricultural implements, cream separators, gas engines, harness, buggies and various implements and tools used on the farm.

Mathias Joseph Fuerst, the son of Anthony and Otilia (Yerger) Fuerst, was born in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, January 23, 1864. Anthony Fuerst was born in Monheim, Germany, February 4, 1829, coming to America when a young man, about 1854. He lived for a short time in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and, after marrying in that state, moved to Columbus, Ohio, where, a few years later he located in Putnam county, on a farm, between Ottawa and Glandorf.

Anthony Fuerst, who is still living in this county, in his eighty-seventh year, has had a very interesting history. In Germany, he learned the mason's trade, and, after coming to America, he continued to follow it. He started in a very humble way, after coming to America, and for a time worked for fifty cents a day, and actually saved money. When he came to Putnam county, Ohio, with his wife, he bought a small farm, between Ottawa and Glandorf, where he erected a brick house, which is still standing in a good state of preservation. Afterward, he bought another farm, about three miles north of Ottawa, as well as a small tract, just west of the county seat. All of these farms were covered with timber, when he bought them. He continued to follow the trade of a mason, in connection with h(is farming and other work, and has built most of the large brick buildings in Ottawa, as well as in other towns throughout the county. He built the Catholic church, the old jail, and a large number of the buildings, in the business part of Ottawa. Anthony Fuerst married in Pennsylvania, shortly after coming to this county, Otilia Yerger, who died in 1876, at the age of forty-four, leaving nine children, all of whom are still living, John, born on April 20, 1856; Mary, born on December 28, 1858: Lizzie, born on January 9, i860; Louise, born on April 4, 1862; Matthew J., born on January 23, 1864; Henry, born on March 13, 1866; Anna, born on January 25, 1868; Regina, born on February 17, 1870, and Frank, born on March 8, 1872. After the death, of his first wife, in 1876, Anthony Fuerst married Mrs. Mary Kapel, the widow of Joseph Kapel, and to this second union three children were born, Toney, Theodore and Emma. Toney was killed by a bursting emery wheel; at Lima, Ohio, in 191 1. The mother of these three children died about 1909, and after the death of his second wife, Mr. Fuerst lived with his daughter, Elizabeth, until 19 13. He is now making his home at Lima, Ohio, with another daughter Mrs. Louise Day.

Mathias J. Fuerst has spent his whole life in Putnam county. He lived at home until he was fifteen years of age, and then started out to work for himself. With four dollars and a half in his pocket, he went to Van Wert, Ohio, to secure work. He did not know a single person in the town of Van Wert, and, after much trouble, finally secured a job in a spoke factory, at fifty cents a day. In view of the fact that his board cost him three dollars and a half a week, he did not hold this position long, and found employment in a hotel, where he worked as a porter for a short time. He was not satisfied with this, and one day started out to walk through the country in order to look for work on a farm. He finally secured a job as a helper to a brick mason, and shortly afterward found a job in the country on a farm, where he worked for two months. He then came to -Ottawa, learned the carriagemaker's trade and followed this for eight and a half years.- He entered the dry goods store of the Brown Dry Goods Com- paiiy in Ottawa, as a clerk, in 1891, and for twenty consecutive years was an efficient salesman in this store. He started in at one dollar a day and saved his money. After becoming an employee of the store, he resigned his position and spent one year in college. Mr. Fuerst and H. C. Humming opened an implement store in Ottawa in 191 1. A year later, Mr. Hummins disposed of his interests in the firm to Charles J. Kerner, and the firm is now known as Fuerst & Kerner. Although they have been in business but a comparati\'ely short time, they are already building up a large trade throughout the county and bid fair to become well established.

Mr. Fuerst was married in 1896 to Ella McGrevy, the daughter of John and Lizzie McGrevy. Mrs. Fuerst was an employe at Brown's dry goods store until her marriage. Two years after their marriage and five days after the birth of a son, Charles Joseph, Mrs. Fuerst died. This son is now attending school in Ottawa. Fifteen years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Fuerst married Cora Ringenbach, a native of Starke county, Ohio, and a resident of Canton, at the time of her marriage. Mr. Fuerst and his wife and son are members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Fuerst has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has served as clerk of Ottawa for four years. Mr. Fuerst is essentially a selfmade man and is well deserving of the success which has come to him. He is a quiet and unassuming man and has a host of friends and acquaintances in Ottawa and throughout the county.

Levi Basinger

Within the past twenty years, Levi Basinger, the subject of this sketch, who during all of this time has been assistant cashier of the People's Bank at Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio, has arisen to a position of great prominence and power in this section of Putnam county. During this period, Mr. Basinger has not only become well known as one of the important figures in the Peoples Bank, but he has also achieved a remarkable success as a merchant. Likewise, Mr. Basinger, during this period, has acquired a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres east of Columbus Grove. In all of this time, however, he has never lost sight of his large duties because of the added power which his wealth and property have given to him.. He has performed every civic and social duty and in

Levi Basinger was born on March 29, 1870, near Columbus Grove,, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Chtistian and Regina (Lugilbihll) Basinger, whose family history is to be found, in the sketch of William Basinger, also a son of Christian and Regina Basinger, and contained elsewhere in this volume.

Levi Basinger worked hard on the home farm of his father and mother until twenty-one years old, when he took a business course at the Ohio- Northern University at Ada. He has been connected with the Peoples Bank, of Columbus Grove, continuously since that time, a period of nearly twentyfive years. Mr. Basinger is a stockholder in the bank and has been assistant cashier from the time the bank was organized in 1891. The Peoples Bank is a flourishing institution and certainly not the least of the credit is due tothe sagacity and good business judgment and management of Levi Basinger. Mr. Basinger also owns a farm east of Columbus Grove, consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres. It is a splendid farm and Mr. Basinger devotes considerable attention to the details of its operations. Since 1913, he has owned the controlling interest in the Home Industries store, at Columbus Grove. This store does a good business and Mr. Basinger ac^ tively controls its management. He purchased the five and ten-cent store at Columbus Grove in August, 1914. This store carries a complete stock of goods usually found in such stores, and also carries other things at a slightly higher cost than five or ten cents.

Mr. Basinger built his present residence in 1904, which is a large modern home erected on Main street, about one block from the business part of town. It is generally considered as one of the very finest residences in Columbus Grove. Here Mr. Basinger and his wife and family live.

Levi Basinger was married shortly after the beginning of his business career, February 22, 1892, to Elizabeth Amstutz, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Amstutz. Mrs. Basinger comes from an old and highly respected family of Putnam county and her marriage to Mr. Basinger has been a most happy one. They have had two children, Catherine and Roswell.

Mr. and Mrs. Levi Basinger are active meiTiIiers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Columbus Grove. Levi Basinger is considered a li\-e wire among the younger business men of Columbus Grove. Notwithstanding his busy career, he is extremely courteous in his business and social relations and is popular throughout this section of Putnam county.

William E. Dibble

The venerable gentleman, whose career is here briefly given, is one of the older residents of Leipsic, Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio. His life has been such as to win the confidence and good will of the people of his community and to make him well and favorably known throughout Putnam county, of which he has been an honored citizen, for many years. In the highest sense of the term, he is a self-made man and, as such, has met with success. William E. Dibble has a record in life which may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation.

William E. Dibble was born twenty-six miles from Rochester, New York, March 5, 1836, and is the son of Orville and Mary Ann (DuBois) Dibble. Orville Dibble was a native of the same county, born on December 17, 1810, the son of Horace Milton Dibble, who, it is said, came from France, and served in the War of 1812.

William E. Dibble was two years old when his father moved to Huron county, Ohio. The family drove through in a wagon and settled in Greenfield township. The family consisted of the father and mother and two children, William E. and a sister, Susan Sayre, who was two years his senior. The family lived on this farm until William E. was thirteen years old and then moved to Norwalk, the county seat, where Mr. Dibble farmed, a mile east of Norwalk. When he first moved to Huron county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, one and one-fourth miles, east of where Chicago Junction is now located. After three years, at Norwalk, the family moved between Milan and Monroeville, on the Huron river. Later, Mr. Dibble went to Weston, in Wood county. He farmed, about four years, in Wood county and then crossed into Lucas county,' opposite Otsego, on the Indian reserve, where he farmed on the old Tobo farm, which was owned by old Chief Tobo, for about four years. At the end of this period, he moved to Michigan, where he lived about five miles from Adrian. He later moved to Lenawee county, where he and his wife died.

William E. Dibble was married, while the family lived in Lucas county, Ohio, in i860. He married Martha Jane Taylor, who was born in Lucas county. To this union four children were born, Sidney C, of Leipsic, Ohio; William Wesley, of Leipsic; Grant, who died at the age of six weeks, and Cora, who died at the age of seventeen months.

William E. Dibble remained with his father until past the age of twentyfive years and worked out six months before his marriage. After he had been married two years, President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand volunteer soldiers and Mr. Dibble enlisted in Company F, One Hundredth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving under Burnside, Sherman and Schofield. He was with Sherman in the memorable Georgia campaign and was engaged in the siege of Atlanta. After the siege at Knoxville and Atlanta, the army marched to Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and later to Louisville, Cincinnati, Washington and Alexandria, Virginia ; thence, by ship to the North Carolina coast, up the Cape Fear river t^ the capture -of Wilmington, thence to Greensboro, where Mr. Dibble saw the last fighting of the war. He was mustered out at the close of the war. He was never away from his regiment during the entire war, was never captured, and was not wounded, although he had many narrow escapes.

After the war, Mr. Dibble worked for three years in the grist-mill, in Lucas county, where he began farming in the Maumee river, district above Waterville. He farmed about eight years and then removed to Ottawa county where he worked in a stave factory for about four years. He removed to the south edge of Henry county, one-half mile north of the Putnam county line, in Marion township, at the end of this period, and purchased a tract of timber land of sixty acres. Mr. Dibble cleared this land and made out of it a good farm. He remained there until August, 1912, when he moved to Leipsic, where he still resides. Here Mr. Dibble owns his own home.

Mr. Dibble's first wife died on February 6, 1897; he was married again on March 17, 1904, to Mrs. Martha Jane (Dunlap) Dove, who was born, near Warsaw, in Coshocton county, Ohio, and who is the daughter of David and Sovena (Meredith) Dunlap. Her parents were both natives of Coshocton county, Ohio, and when she was nine years old, they moved to Utica, Licking county, and lived there the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Dibble married Sylvester Milton Dove, in 1868, and lived at Utica. He died on February 20, 1899. He was a stone mason all his life.

Mr. Dove was a soldier in the Sixteenth Indiana Cavalry and was Grant's orderly for some time, carrying dispatches for him. He was born near Frederick, Maryland, and was the son of William and Annie (Baker) Dove. Mr. Dove was a member of the Christian church. At his death, he left three children living, Levi Elmer, George Alva and Edward Guy. One child, born to this union, died in infancy. Levi Elmer, who is a blacksmith, married Medda Shoefeldt, and lives at Argyle, Michigan. They have had seven children, Nellie, Harry, Martha, Frank, Leone, Melville and Lyle, who was a twin brother of Leone, and is now deceased. George Alva, who is a mason, married Nora Davis and lives at Auburn, Indiana. They have eight children, Bernice, Eunice, Mabel, Paul, Rolland, Morton, George and Arthur, Edward G., vi^ho is a painter and decorator, married Ada Davis, and lives at Utica, Ohio. They have three children, Blanche, Earle and Stanley. Edward G. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Maccabees.

William E. Dibble is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the American Flag House and the Betsy Ross Memorial Association. He hasalways taken an active interest in public affairs and has held several minor offices. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. Not only is Mr. Dibble a highly-respected citizen, but he is a man who truly deserves the esteem bestowed upon him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

William P. S. Young

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Putnam county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality, and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides, and to the advancement of its moral and legitimate growth. Among this number is William P. S. Young, the well-known auto liveryman of Leipsic, Ohio.

William P. S. Young was born on July 7, 1858, at Jerry City, Wood county, Ohio. He is a son of William P. and Mary Josephine (Jackman) Young. Mr. Young left Jerry City at the age of one year with his parents, who came to Leipsic, Ohio, and located. He remained in the latter city with his parents until his marriage, in 1881, working with his father in a grist and stave-mill, as engineer, for about five years after his marriage. He then engaged in the grocery business at Ridgeland, Ohio, remaining here about six years, after which he removed to Lima, Ohio, and worked for his uncle, J. B. Jackman, driving a huckster wagon. He remained in Lima for about six years, after which he removed to Holgate, Ohio, where he became a barber. After one year he removed to Ottawa, Ohio, continuing in the same business in the latter city for a year, when he removed to Leipsic, Ohio, where he conducted a barber shop in the Hotel Leffler. He operated this shop for several years, then purchased a brick building, and in it conducted a barber shop for about twelve years. After the death of his wife.

Mr. Young was married on July 21, 1881, to Hattie Snyder, who was born at Carey, Wyandot county, Ohio, the daughter of Milligan and Catherine (Fritter) Snyder, the former a native of this country, and the latter, likewise a native of the United States, but her parents were natives of Germany. Mrs. Young died on May 22, 1914. She was a beloved wife and a charming woman, and a most excellent helpmate to her husband. Her loss has been keenly felt by all with whom she was associated.

Mr. Young is a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 1787, at Ottawa, Ohio. He is a Republican, but has never aspired to office and has never been active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church at Leipsic, a free and independent thinker, and congenial among his fellows. William P. S. Young is a man widely known throughout Putnam county and bears a splendid reputation.

William P. Young, the father of William P. S. Young, was born on March 25, 1825, in Wayne county, Ohio, and died on October 19, 1899, at the age of seventy-four years, six months and twenty-four days. At the age of twenty-two years, William P Young was married to Josephine Jackman, in Seneca county, Ohio, on January 31, 1847, to which place he had migrated from Wayne county, his birthplace. Subsequently, he removed, to Wood county, Ohio, where he took up his residence, and where he engaged in the milling business. He built a grist-mill in Jerry City, and lived here for a time. He later moved to Leipsic, Ohio, where he erected the first dwelling house and the first grist-mill in that village, in 1859, and here he lived and engaged in this business for five years. He then moved to Ridgeland, Ohio, in Henry county, where he lived for some time. He also built a mill at Ridgeland, and was postmaster and township treasurer, discharging the duties of the former office for twelve years, and of the latter for eleven years.

William P Young was married first to Josephine Jackman, who died in 1886, and after her death he married Margaret Vaughn. Subsequently, he removed to a farm in Pleasant Grove, Putnam county, and here the second Mrs. Young died, in 1894. Mr. Young married Sarah Winters m 1895. He was engaged in the milling business for more than thirty-five years, 'and experienced both success and disappointment.

William P. Young was the father of the following children, born to his first marriage: George Washington, living in Henry county, Ohio; Mrs. A^ary Jane Enck, living at Custer, Ohio; John P., a resident of Henry county;