Ottawa Township (part 5 of 23)

Mrs. Isabella Goodman, of Henry county; Mrs. Sarah Archer, of Holgate, Ohio; Wilham P. S., the immediate subject of this review; Abraham P., of Huber, Hancock county, Ohio; Dora P., of Holgate; Louis P., also a resident of Holgate, and Simon P., of Leipsic.

The late William P. Young abounded in goodness and honesty. He was noted for his charitableness toward the poor, and was very buoyant and kindly disposed toward his fellows. Mr. Young's first wife was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and he permitted her to have her own way in rearing the children, but he, himself, was brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his earlier years was a member and maintained his sympathies and personal interest toward that church. He was buried at Ridgeland, Ohio, in Young's cemetery, the ground formerly owned and occupied by his saw and stave-mill.

William P. Young was one of a family of eleven children, five of whom are still living, three brothers and two sisters : Mrs. Rachel Haines, of Adrian, OhiO'; Washington, of North Baltimore, Ohio; Solomon, of Leipsic; Anderson, also a resident of Leipsic, and Mrs. Mary Jane Nole, of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Thus, for several generations the Young family have been well known in this section, of Ohio. They have been noted always for their honesty, their industry and earnest, sincere Christian lives. Such people are always respected in the commtmity where they live and each generation of the Youngs has been highly respected in Putnam county.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh

The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the east and west are combined in the citizens of Ohio. The enthusiastic enterprise which overcomes all obstacles and makes possible any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states, is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors. The combination is one of unusual force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the state and country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed to a notable degree by Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh, of Columbus

Grove. He is too well known to the readers of this work to need any formal introduction here. He comes of well-known parentage, and he, himself, has filled and is filling a large place in the affairs of the community. He is a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and is regarded as one of the progressive, enterprising citizens of Putnam county.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh was born on November lo, 1864, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Noah and Rosanna (Mericle) Heidlebaugh. Noah Heidlebaugh was born in Hocking county, Ohio, and was the son of John Heidlebaugii, whose father came from the old country. Rosanna Mericle was the daughter of Solomon Mericle and she was born in Hocking county, Ohio, living there until her marriage. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Noah Heidlebaugh was born, reared and married in Hocking county, Ohio. At the beginning of the Civil War, he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he enlisted in the Union army. His wife returned to Hocking county in the meantime and while in camp, Noah Heidlebaugh took the measles. After many years, this caused blindness and for the last ten years of his life he was blind. After returning from the army, he came back to Hocking county, Ohio, and in 1872, moved to Putnam county, locating near what is now Rushmore, in Jennings township. He continued farming in that locality and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1893. Noah Heidlebaugh was a man of considerable influence in his community. He served as township clerk and was justice of the peace of Hocking county, Ohio. His widow is still living in Rushmore.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh grew up on the farm near Rushmore. At the age of twenty, he began teaching school and after teaching one year, he attended college at Lebanon. After leaving college, he resumed teaching and taught for twenty years in Putnam county. He taught in Jennings, Sugar Creek and Union townships. While teaching, Judge Heidlebaugh purchased a farm in Sugar Creek township and in 1893 he began farming but continued to teach during the winter. He was elected justice of the peace in 1896 and on September i, 1897, was appointed a member of the county board of school examiners. He had served as justice of the peace six years and was school examiner until February, 1903, when he became probate judge, which compelled his resignation as school examiner. As probate judge, he had the novel experience of appointing his own successor to the board of school examiners. Judge Heidlebaugh served six years as probate judge and retired, in February, 1909. At the close of his services as judge, he remained in Ottawa about a year and then came to Columbus Grove and purchased an interest in the Exchange Bank of Columbus Grove. This bank was organized as a private bank in 1873 ^^'^ operated as such until 1 9 14, when it was incorporated as a state bank. The present officers are. Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh, president; W. M. Crawford, cashier, and B. F. Seitz, vice-president. This bank does a large business in the southern part of Putnam county. Since he entered the banking business. Judge Heidlebaugh has devoted his entire time to banking though he still holds his farm in Sugar Creek township.

Judge Heidlebaugh was married to Lydia Deffenbaugh in 1889, who was born in Sugar Creek township, and who is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Derbyshire) Deffenbaugh. Jacob Deffenbaugh is of Pennsylvania German ancestry and was a native of that state. About 1832 he came with his parents to Putnam county. John Deffenbaugh was county auditor of Putnam county and a well-known and influential man. Jacob Deffenbaugh was a life-long farmer and during the last six or seven years of his life, lived retired in Columbus Grove. He was a justice of the peace and a member of the school board in Sugar Creek township. He died in 1912. His wife was born in Sugar Creek township and was the daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Pierce) Derbyshire. They were early settlers on the farm adjoining the Deffenbaughs. The Derbyshires were of English ancestry and Mrs. Derbyshire was a distant relative of President Franklin Pierce.

Judge and Mrs. Heidlebaugh are the parents of four children, Grace L., who is teaching in the schools of Columbus Grove, and attended college at Defiance, Ohio; Mary M., who attended Oxford and taught two years, now being a student at Oxford; Harold H., who is also at Oxford College; and Nolan Eugene, who is seven years of age and in the second school grade. The three elder children graduated from the high school, Grace at Ottawa, and the other two at Columbus Grove.

Judge Heidlebaugh and wife belong to the Christian church of Sugar Creek township, as do also the three elder children. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, also other orders. Judge Heidlebaugh took the degree work in the Patrons of Flusbandry. He is a friendly and obliging man, who, despite his personal success, does not forget his larger duty and responsibility to the public. He is naturally a leader in his community and a man whose council is sought in many enterprises, public and private. Judge Heidlebaugh is entitled to rank as one of the best-known and most successful citizens of Putnam county, Ohio.

Wilson Martin Crawford

The name of Crawford has long been connected with the development and progress of Putnam county, Ohio, and especially the southern half of the county. John M. Crawford, the father of Wilson Martin Crawford, was a man who reflected credit upon the community and county where he lived. The greatness of a community lies not in the machinery of government, nor -even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort, and his devotion to the public welfare. Wilson Martin Crawford, the scion of this well-known family of the same name, in Putnam county, is a clean-cut young business man who is following in the footsteps of a worthy father. Mr. Crawford is not only a master of his business, but he is a leader among men, distinguished for their grasp of business details, organization and management.

Wilson Martin Crawford grew up in Columbus Grove, and was graduated from the high school there. He was born on September 24, 1879, at Columbus Grove, and is a son of John M. and Sarah A. (Martin) Crawford.

After graduating from the Columbus Grove high school, Mr. Crawford attended Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and was graduated from the academic department in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Crawford had a splendid record at the university and was popular with the faculty and with the students. He was what might be called at that time a representative college student.

After his graduation from Northwestern University, he returned to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and until 1905 was employed in the Exchange Bank, at that city, of which his father, John M. Crawford, was president. Mr. Crawford went to Denver, Colorado, in 1905, with the W. E. Moses Land and Realty Company, and remained in that city until the spring of 1907. At that time he returned to Columbus Grove and became the assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank. His brother, W. L. Crawford, was cashier, whose death occurred in March, 1907, and from 1910, Wilson M. Crawford has been cashier of this bank.

Mr. Crawford was married on June 22, 1904, to Ethel Jean Begg, the daughter of Dr. William H. and Martha M. (Kohli) Begg. Mrs. Crawford was born and reared at Columbus Grove, and attended the Western College for Women, at Oxford, Ohio, from which institution' she was graduated in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have one daughter, Jean, who was born on June 21, 1913.

member of the Columbus Grove city council. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Knights of Pythias. At college he was a member of the National Greek letter fraternity of Phi Delta Theta,. one of the oldest of the Greek letter societies in existence. He was also a member of the Deru fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of -the Presbyterian church.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have a comfortable and beautiful home in Columbus Grove and are socially popular throughout the south half of Putnam county, where they are both well known. Mr. Crawford is regarded in his community as a young man with the inclination, training and equipment in every way to take the place which his father occupied for so many years in the life of this community, a position of prominence and wise leadership.

It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy ,- to honor those whose lives have contributed, in any way, to the good of their community and their associates. To bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed worth and virtue, and rehearse the noble deeds of the living,, has been the commendable custom of all ages and all nations. Prof. S. F. DeFord, the subject of this sketch, is one of nature's true noblemen. In contemplating his estimable qualities, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics ; an integrity that no personal consideration could swerve and an industry that has no rest while anything remains undone. When a given task was accomplished, he has been in the habit of throwing ofif all care, retiring to his home and devoting himself to the pursuit of domestic and social enjoyment, for which he has the keenest zest and relish. His. temper is calm and equable and his manners are emphatically those of a gentleman, plain and simple, despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty is intense while his perception of truth and worth is. almost intuitive. Although his life has been a busy one, and the private affairs of his horne make heavy demands upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful' performance of his religious duties. Always calm and straightforward, never demonstrative, his life has been a steady effort for the worth of Christian doctrine, the grandeur of Christian principles and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He has possessed great sympathy for his fellow men and has al- ways been ready to aid and encourage those who were struggHng to aid themselves. Yet, in this, as in everything, he has been entirely unassuming. When he believed he was in the right, nothing could swerve him from it. At the advanced age of seventy-nine years. Professor DeFord demands the respect of all classes of people.

Prof. Samuel F. DeFord is now the vice-president of the First National Bank, of Ottawa, a position he has held since its organization, in 1903, is still active in business affairs. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, May 2, 1836. He is the son of John and Matilda (Littell) DeFord. The DeFord family is of French-Huguenot origin. Professor DeFord's great-grandfather was John DeFord, who fled under persecution of his sect and found refuge in the state of Maryland, where he lived, as a farmer. He had a son, John, who was born in Maryland, but who lived the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania. Coming to Ohio, in 1799, he entered one thousand acres of land, in Carroll county. At this time he was about forty years of age, but lived to be one hundred and three years old. His wife was Lydia Hopwood, a native of Pennsylvania. John DeFord, Jr., and his wife were the parents, of seven children, Harriet, the wife of John H. DeFord; Hannah, Elizabeth, the wife of John Stull, of Augusta, Ohio; John, the father of Prof. Samuel DeFord, who died at the age of eighty-seven; William, who was a prominent farmer and politician of Carroll county, Ohio; Daniel and Nathan B., the latter of Kansas.

John DeFord, the father of Prof. Samuel DeFord, passed his life as a farmer, in Carroll county, Ohio, and served as a justice of the peace thirtyone years. He married Matilda Littell, a French woman, who died, in 1894,, at the age of eighty-one. They were the parents of eleven children, Alonzo! a farmer, of Charlottesville, A^irginia; William, deceased; Lydia, the wife of William Mosier, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife' of James- Daniel, of Carrollton, Ohio; Samuel F., the subject of this sketch; John W., 'of Celina, Ohio; Matilda C, the wife of a Mr. Sweet, of Baltimore county! Maryland; Harriet M., the wife of Rev. John W. Cummings, Doctor of Divinity, of the Presbyterian church at Nankin, Ashland county, Ohio; Mary L., the wife of John Moreland, a farmer of Newark, Indiana; Thomas B., of Carroll county, Ohio; and Hannah, the wife of John Jackman, of Missouri. Prof. Samuel F. DeFord was reared on the farm. He attended the district schools and, at the age of seventeen years, entered Mount Union College, at Alliance, from which institution he was graduated, in 1858. One year later, he was graduated from the classical course and, two years after that, received the degree of Master of Arts. Professor DeFord taught, dur- ing the summer months, to assist in paying his way through college. He had charge of the Monongahela schools, for seven months, during 1856. While he was erecting the large school building at Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1858, he was superintendent of the public schools of Newton Falls, . that county. Mrs. James A. Garfield, then Lucretia Rudolph, was one of his ^assistant teachers. Professor DeFord conducted an academy at Lordstown, until 1861, when he took charge of the public schools, at St. Mary's, Ohio. He remained at St. Mary's until 1863, when he was made superintendent of the Celina (Ohio) schools, a position which he held until 1869. He then became superintendent of the Maumee (Ohio) Seminary, for one year, and -after that time came to Ottawa, and was superintendent of the public schools, for fifteen consecutive years, or until 1886.

On account of failing health. Professor DeFord became associated with Samuel Slawson, in 1886, in establishing the Exchange Bank, of Ottawa. Mr. DeFord withdrew, in the spring of 1888, and devoted his attention to farming, holding at this time over five hundred acres of land in different parts -of Putnam county. He erected a splendid brick building at the corner of Main and Hickory streets, Ottawa, in 1890, and built many dwellings in Ottawa and many Putnam county towns for rental purposes. For many years he was engaged in the real estate and loan business, and was very successful.

Professor DeFord was married on November 5, 1859, to Mary V. Duncan, who was born at Lordstown, Ohio, August 28, 1837, the daughter of Thomas and Susan (Leach) Duncan. Mrs. DeFord is a charter member of the second oldest club in Ohio, which was chartered in 1876. She had always been active in the religious and club life of her county. To this union five children have been born, Clara, who died at the age of three years and eight months; Matilda E., born November 17, 1867, mafried W. F. Stevens, who is now librarian of the Carnegie library, at Homestead, Pennsylvania, and who was formerly librarian of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association Library, sustained by Cornelius Vanderbilt. Mrs. Stevens is an active member of the Daughters of the Revolution, and takes a lively interest in civic work, having been instrumental in organizing a number of clubs. The other children are Mary Ann, who married George W. Mefifley, a dry -goods merchant, of Ottawa, and who is interested in social and civic work, particularly in public libraries; John T., born June 30, 1874, who is a prominent attorney of Minerva, Ohio, and who graduated from Mount Union College and the Cleveland Law School; and Susie F., born in 1881, who married John A. Hunter, now resides in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Hunter is active

Samuel F. DeFord is a Democrat. He served three years as county (examiner of Mercer county and seventeen years as examiner for Putnam county. He also served as coroner of Putnam county, for two terms, and was president of the school board of Ottawa for many years. He was also a justice of the peace and a member of the Ottawa city council. Professor DeFord is a member of Lodge No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons, and -of Ottawa Chapter No. 115, and of Ottawa Council No. 69. He has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1857, having joined the order at Newton Falls, Ohio. Professor DeFord is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal and became a communicant of that church at the age of sixteen. In 1864 he was ordained a minister of the Methodist church.

Throughout his busy life. Professor DeFord has been prominent in the ^educational, religious and civic life of Ottawa and Putnam counties. He is one of the foremost citizens of Putnam county and his career was founded upon scrupulous honesty and conscientious relations with his fellow citizens. He is undoubtedly one of the representative citizens of Putnam county.

Barney Henry Maag

The man whose name appears above is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Putnam county. He has resided here all his life, being a member of one of the leading families in the community and prominently identified with the farming interests throughout this region of country. His well-directed efforts in the practical management of his affairs and his sound judgment, have brought to him a fair measure of prosperity, and in all the relations of his life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

Barney Henry Maag was born in Pleasant township, this county, March 28, 1881, and is the son of William and Bernardina (Kahli) Maag, whose life-record is given elsewhere in this work under the name of John C. Maag.

Barney Henry Maag spent his youth on his father's farm in this county, Pleasant township, and received his education in the township schools, but was not a regular attendant for the reason 'that he was obliged to work on the farm. After remaining with his parents until the age of maturity, he was married on November 27, 1907, to Helena Meyer, daughter of Theodore and Mary Ann (Drerup) Meyer, who was born in Ottawa township,, this county. Her father was a native of Germany and came to this county with his parents when he was seven years of age. They first settled in Ottawa township, near the town of Glandorf, this county, where Theodore spent his early days and grew to manhood. Soon after his marriage he bought forty acres of farming land in this neighborhood, to which he added more land, from time to time, until the homestead place contained a total of ninety-five acres. He later bought an additional one hundred acres, which is now occupied by his son, Antoon Meyer, who bought it from his father. Theodore Meyer followed the business of farming throughout his life, and was successful. His death occurred on October 24, 1897, at which time he was in the sixty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Maag's wife's mother was a native of the town of Glandorf, Ohio, where she was born on July 17, 1838, and after living a most devoted, useful and successful life as a helpmate to her husband, during his pioneer and later life, she lived until September 16, 1913, leaving behind her sweet memories of cheerfulness and love for the family that now mourn her loss. To their union were born thirteen children, as follow: Theodore, deceased; Anton, Frank, deceased; Barney, deceased; Joseph, who lives in the state of Michigan; Mrs. Joseph Deters, of Glandorf, Ohio; Mary, who lives in Glandorf, Ohio; August, who lives in Michigan; Mrs. Henry Hagerman, of Delphos, Ohio; Fronia, who fives with Anton; John, of Kalida, Ohio; Helena, subject's wife; and Edward, who lives on the homestead place, in Ottawa township, this county.

After Barney Henry Maag was married, he bought eighty acres, which IS a part of the present farm, and subsequently bought twenty acres form his father and another twenty acres which was known as the "Avenish Farm," and adjoined his previous purchases. These holdings give him a total of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has entirely remodeled or built new buildings, so that today this farm takes on the appearance of a well-kept, thoroughly-productive farm, being the result of unceasing energy, perseverance, and well-directed management. This land required considerable ditching, draining and fencing, before it was entirely suitable for cultivation and stock-raising and today it is considered highly productive and enables the owner to realize a satisfactory profit from his crops and the live stock he feeds. In addition to general farming Mr. Maag takes considerable interest in live stock, particularly in full-blooded horses, and is

Mr. Maag does not take an active interest in any fraternal organizations, nor is he active in politics, but has always supported the Democratic party and firmly believes in the progressive principles set forth by that party. He and his family are members of the Catholic church in Glandorf, Ohio, where they are regular attendants and contribute to the support according to their means. Mr. Maag is a member of the Putnam County German Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and, personally, is a man honored and respected by every one in the community that knows him. His acquaintance and friendship is large and socially he is a man well met.

William Rampe

When Dean Swift gave utterance to that immortal passage in his Gulliver's Travels : "And he gave it for his opinion that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow where only one grew .before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his -country than the whole race of politicians put together," he paid the highest possible compliment to that large class of intelligent tillers of the soil whose most earnest endeavors are directed toward the effective cultivation of the lands under their charge and care. Under the scientific direction of the government's department of agriculture and the state's equally well-directed efforts along the same line, the farmers of Putnam county, in the present generation, are literally performing wonders in the way of intelligent, effective agriculture and the public benefactor whom Swift foreshadowed in his imaginative way, has been outdone by many, the crop records of the past in this county not only having been doubled - two ears of corn growing where one grew before - but have been trebled, and more, l^y the careful tillage which the modern farmer has found so essential to the successful -cultivation of his acres. Among these signally successful farmers of this section of the state, none have secured better results than many of those of German birth or ancestry in this county, who not only have brought to their important task the best lessons of intensive farming so carefully followed in the old country, but have applied to all their doings those equally valuable traditions of thrift and prudence, so characteristic of the people the Fatherland. And among this latter class, few* in Putnam county are better known or more popular among his large circle of acquaintances than is William Rampe, a progressive and successful farmer of Ottawa township, to a brief sketch of whose career the biographer is glad to call attention at this point in this interesting review of the lives of the leading citizens of Putnam county.

William Rampe was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm close to the town of Ottawa, April 27, 1859, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Nottingbrock) Rampe, both of whom were natives of Germany.

Joseph Rampe was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, in 1825 and upon reaching manhood's estate immigrated to America, having become convinced that better opportunities awaited him on this side than he might hope to find presented in the old country. He landed in New York and at once entered upon the exercise of his trade, that of a tailor, in which he had become proficient before leaving Germany. In New York he worked at this trade until he had saved enough money to send back to Germany to secure the passage of his mother and three brothers to this country. Upon the arrival of these other members of his family, the Rampes contmued for a time to remain in New York, but presently pushed on further west, locating at Covington, Kentucky, across the river from Cincinnati, where Joseph Rampe continued his trade as a tailor. After a sometime residence there, he married Elizabeth Nottingbrock, wRo was born in Germany, August 27, 1827, daughter of Henry Nottingbrock, who came to America with her parents at the age of seven years and who died on March 12, 1915, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, six months and thirteen days. Shortly following this marriage in 1844 Joseph Rampe and his wife joined the German colony in this county, Mrs. Rampe's parents having long been residents of the Glandorf community, where she grew up, and Joseph put in his lot with his father-in-law, with whom he and his wife made their home, helping on the Nottingbrock farm until the death of Mr. Nottingbrock, after which Joseph took charge, gradually paying ofif the obligations which rested agamst the Nottingbrock farm, eventually buying the same, which at that tune consisted of fifty-three acres. To this he added, as his circumstances grew better, until at the time of his death, at the early age of thirtyseven, m March, 1862, he was the owner of ninety-three acres of wellcultivated land. Joseph Rampe was an industrious man whose ambition was centered in his family and in the hope that their condition in life might be easier than his had been and, at his death, he was sincerely mourned by many m the community in which he had so cheerfully put in his lot Joseph and Elizabeth (Nottingbrock) Rampe were the parents of five children, Frank, Henry, two who died in infancy, and William, the immediate subject of this biographical review.

William Rampe spent his boyhood days in Ottawa township, growing up on the homestead farm where he was born. Receiving such schooling as was provided at that period, at the age of sixteen, decided to try his fortunes further afield. With this object in view, he went to Missouri, where for four years he engaged in farming, "working out" to such advantage as might accrue to his labors. Not finding things in that state wholly to his liking, young Rampe returned home and helped on the farm until his. marriage, on March 3, 1886, to Anna Catherine Borgelt, daughter of William and Anna (Threasey) Borgelt, who was born on April 29, 1867, on the home place in Ottawa township. An interesting review of the career of the Borgelt family in this county is presented on another pag# of this volume in the biographical sketch relating to Herman Borgelt, a brother of Mrs. Rampe.

Following his marriage, William Rampe lived for four years in the home of his father-in-law in Ottawa township, assisting in the management of the farm, at the end of which time he bought his present home farm of eighty acres in Pleasant township. This land was all heavily timbered when he bought it at an appraised value of two thousand two hundred dollars. The farm at that time was undrained, there being no outlets for ditches and, in bringing his place to its present excellent state of cultivation, Mr. Rampe incurred an indebtedness of three thousand two hundred dollars, which he has regarded as a good investment. By hard work and close application he has ma'de a good farm of his timber tract, clearing, ditching and otherwise improving the same, and has a good house and all necessary outbuildings. He is now regarded as one of the most prosperous farmers in his neighborhood.

To William and Anna Catherine (Borgelt) Rampe were born two children, Joseph Edward, an ambitious young farmer of Sugar Creek township, who married Emma Buckradd and has three children, Raymond, Anna Louisa Francisco and Ruth, and William Sylvester, who died at the' age of ten months.

The Rampes are members of the Catholic church at Glandorf and are devoted to the best interests of that parish, being also active in such other good works as concern most intimately their immediate neighborhood and very properly held as among the leading people of that section of the county. Mr. Rampe is a Republican, having cast his first vote for President Garfield, and takes an intelligent interest in local politics, though he never has been included among the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Order of the Reindeer, belonging to Ottawa Lodge No. 516, and takes an active interest in the affairs of that fraternal organization. He is a jolly companion, a kind and loving husband and father, a lover of children, essentially a "home man," and bears a high reputation in his community because of his honesty, frankness and sincerity in all his relations with his fellow men.

John W. Halker

One of the best known citizens of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, is John W. Halker. His whole career of more than three score years has been spent within this county. His father came here in 1843 frota Glandorf, -Germany, located in Union township, and made this county his home the remainder of his life. Mr. Halker began business for himself in 1881, in Glandorf, and has since made this village his home. He has always taken a very active part in the upbuilding of his community.

John W. Halker, the treasurer of the Glandorf Building & Loan Association, was born in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, February 3, 1854. He is a son of H. W. and Catherine (Beucher) Halker. His father was a native of Glandorf, Germany, and came to this country when he was about thirty years of age, locating in Putnam county in 1843, on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He improved this farm and made it his home until i860, when he moved to Glandorf and engaged in the grocery and saloon business, until his death, August 18, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven. H. W. Halker was married in this county to Catherine Beucher, who was born not far from Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, and died at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in February, 1897. There were seven children born to H. W. Halker and wife, Mary, who died in January, 1891, the wife of Henry Nolte, of Delphos, Ohio; David, of Ottawa; John W., of Glandorf; Catherine, living in Glandorf, Ohio; Matthew; Aggie, the wife of Lawrence Bohn, of Toledo, Ohio ; Henry, who died in 1906, having survived his wife, who now lives in Glandorf.

John W. Halker was educated in the schools of Glandorf, and finished his education in Cincinnati. He began business for himself in 1881 by opening a grocery and saloon in Glandorf, and continued in this business, successfully, until 1903, when he disposed of it to his brother, Henry. Mr. Halker helped organize the Glandorf German Building & Loan Association in 1887, and since its organization has been an official, serving as appraiser, a member of the finance committee, treasurer and president. He is also secretary of the Glandorf German Mutual Insurance Association. In addition to this, he is interested in agriculture, and owns considerable land in the vicinity of -Glandorf, besides his beautiful home and other property in the village. He has long been one of the leaders in his county and is a man of unquestioned integrity. For four years he served as treasurer of his township, and for twenty-five years was treasurer of the St. John's Benevolent Society, severing his connection with this society in November, 1913. He has been active in the councils of the Democratic party of Putnam county, and has been one -of its leaders for many years. He is of a sociable disposition and is well known and universally liked throughout the county. He is a broad-minded and progressive man, and has always been foremost in promoting enterprises which were calculated to benefit his home town or the public at large.

Mr. Halker was married on October 10, 1894, to Lizzie Franke, who was born and reared in Glandorf, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Ellerbrock) Franke.

Frederick Franke, the father of Mrs. Halker, was born about three miles from Essen, Saxony, Germany, in 1843, and is a son of Ernest Franke. After Jiis mother's death he was brought to America by his father when he was five years of age. Ernest Franke was a blacksmith and operated a shop in Palmer township, on the edge of the prairie, at a time when wolves and other dangerous beasts were still roaming the forests. Ernest Franke was a fine workman and was an expert cutlerymaker. He died when Frederick was about nine years of age at which time the boy was bound out until he was eighteen. At the opening of the Civil War, Frederick Franke enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After his return he finished learning the shoemaker's trade and became a fine workman. He went to Cincinnati and worked at his trade for three years, in the meantime attending night school. While in that city, he also learned to be a stationary engineer, and upon returning to Putnam county he became the engineer at the woolen mills in 'Glandorf for several years. However, this close confinement was undermining his health, when he became an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company and worked for them for fifteen years, at the expiration of which time he resigned his position with this company and became the manager of the lumber yard in Glandorf, retaining this position for ten years. He bought a in a lumber and planing mill at Kalida in 1907 and two years later was injured by a machine in the mill and was compelled to retire from active work. He is now making his home at Kalida. Catherine Ellerbrock, the wife of Frederick Franke, was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Dietrich Ellerbrock and wife. Her people came from Hanover, Germany, in 1834, and located at Glandorf, in Putnam county, among the very first settlers.

Mr. and Mrs. Halker are consistent members of the St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf, and are deeply interested in its welfare, being generous, contributors to its support, always punctual in their fulfillment of churchi duties.

Mrs. Halker's many activities brought her in touch with kind and loving friends. In accord with her husband's interests, she was a devoted helpmeet,, a faithful wife and an inspiration to those who knew her. She died ia March, 1915.

Amos Wilbur Best

Amos Wilbur Best, one of the leading farmers of Union township,, was born in the same township, on the farm on which he still lives, October 26, 1869, the son of John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best, the former of whom was born in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, December 16^ 1841, the son of George and Sarah (Wagner) Best, the latter of whom wasborn in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, March 22, 1841, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Erwin) Nichols.

George Best, grandfather of the immediate subject of this sketch, wasthe son of John Best and was a life-long farmer. He was reared on the farm in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, on which he was born and acquired such schooling as was provided in that period. He was a stone cutter, a brick mason and a carpenter, which trades he followed in the neighborhood in which he was reared. George Best was united in marriage to Sarah Wagner in 1840, who was born in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Durst) Wagner, both of whom were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the latter being of Irish-, parentage, her brother, James, having been a soldier in the Mexican War.

Four years after their marriage, or in the year 1844, George Best and his wife and their two small children came to Putnam county and settled in Sugar Creek township, buying a tract of land which then was an utterwilderness of unbroken forest. This farm, in due course of time, was. brought to a high state of cultivation and here George Best and his wife- reared their family and spent the rest of their Hves, his death occurring in Alay, 1874, at the age of fifty-four years, his wife surviving him many years, her death not occurring until in May, 1897. He was a stanch Democrat, took an active part in the political affairs of the county, and had served his township several times in various capacities in public office. He was a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife was a member of the Christian church, and both were ever active in the good works of the community.

To George and Sarah (Wagner) Best were born nine children, John Calvin, to whom reference is made below; Mary A., deceased, was the wife of David Hughes, of Macon county, Missouri; Sarah A., deceased, was the wife of George Holderman, of Newton, Kansas; Emeline, deceased, was the wife of Quincy Goodman, also now deceased, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Anne, the wife of Sherman Hubert, of Dupont, this county; Jane, the wife of Denial Sneary, living near Vaughnsville, in Sugar Creek township, this county; Ella, the wife of William E. Nichols, of Grove Hill, Paulding county, Ohio; Arie R., the wife of Hendon Catlett, of Detroit, Michigan, and one child who died in infancy.

John Calvin Best was born in Carroll county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county with his parents at the age of three years. In the schools of Sugar Creek township he received his education and was reared a farmer and carpenter. When little more than a boy, on August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He took part in the battles of Moss Creek, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Duck River, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Anderson and numerous others, and during the latter part of the war, having been injured, was detailed as clerk in the quartermaster's department, under General Schofield, where he received his discharge at White Hall, Pennsylvania, in 1865.

John Calvin Best was united in marriage on January 16, 1868, with Sarah A. Nichols, of Union township, this county, whose father was 'a native of Licking county, Ohio, and one of the earliest settlers in Putnam county. Further details of the genealogy of Mrs. Best may be found in the biographical sketch of her brother, Amos Nichols, of Union township presented elsewhere in this volume. After their marriage, Mr and Mrs' Best lived for four years on a farm in Sugar Creek township and in 1873 moved to their present farm in Union township. Here they originally had two hundred acres, which was reduced to its present extent of one hundred and twenty acres by the sale of forty acres and the gift to their son of another forty. The Ime between Sugar Creek and Union township divides this farm which is regarded as one of the best in that part of the county. John Calvin Best is a good farmer and is one of the substantial members of the community. Mr. Best is a stanch Democrat, as was his father before him, and for many years has been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in his section of the county. He has been township trustee and a member of the county board of agriculture, besides which he has held minor township offices. He and the members of his family are members of the Christian church. He is a member of Ogilvie. Post, No. 64, Grand Army of the Republic.

To John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best were born four children, Amos W., the immediate subject of this sketch; Alfred, a farmer of Union township, now deceased; Mrs. Sarah A. Streetor, deceased, and John E., a farmer of Union township, who married Daisy Miller and has one child, Sarah Eveline.

Amos Wilber Best, eldest son of John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best was educated in the schools of his native township and was reared a farmer, remaining on the paternal faiTn until his marriage, at the age of twenty-nine, when he moved to the farm on which he now lives and where he has engaged in general farming with success. Mr. Best is a Democrat and takes an interest in political affairs, but is not included in the officeseeking class.

Amos Wilber Best was united in marriage on April 21, 1898, to Mary E. McCrate, daughter of Joseph McCrate, a member of one of the old families of this county, additional details of whose genealogy may be found in the biographical sketch of Edward L. McCrate, a brother of Mrs. Best, which is presented elsewhere in this volume. To the union of Amos Wilber and Mary E. (McCrate) Best, three children have been bom, Gerald Pierce, Lawrence, and one who died in infancy. Gerald Pierce Best recently attained a notable bit of distinction by being one of the prize winners in the boys' corngrowing contest in this county, which not only secured to him the award of the prize offered by the William Kahle bank, at Ottawa, but secured for him a place in the delegation of Ohio boy corn growers which was sent to Washington under the state auspices and which received such signal attention at the hands of the President and the department of agriculture. He raised a fraction over one-half bushel more than one hundred and twentytwo bushels of corn on one acre of land on his father's farm, exercisine" in this fine agricultural exploit a degree of judgment and a knowledge of scientific farming which marked him as a youth of unusual parts. He is a very bright young man and was selected as one of the delegates representing

Mr. and Mrs. Best have a fine home on the main road to KaUda and take an active part in the social affairs of the neighborhood. They are both members of Ben Hut Lodge at Columbus Grove. Mrs. Best, before her marriage, was one of the leading school teachers in Putnam county, having taught for many years in the district schools. She is a member of the Catholic church at Columbus Grove and is a highly-educated woman. They have one of the good farms in the county, both in the matter of its soil as well as location, and are very pleasantly and comfortably situated.

Amos C. Diller

Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible clearly to determine. The study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this uncertainty. So much in excess of those successes in life are the failures and semi-failures that one is compelled to examine and analyze to find proximate causes. In studying the life history of Amos C. Diller, former school teacher and now a successful tile manufacturer and farmer, as well as poultry fancier, we find many qualities in his make-up that win success. For many years, Mr. Diller was a successful teacher in the schools of Putnam county. Subsequently, he became an enterprising farmer, and, dtiring these years, he has looked after the details of several business enterprises, including a tile factory, and has finally devoted a considerable amount of time to fancy poultry, with which he has also been successful.

Amos C. Diller was born on June 21, 1871, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of John G. and Elizabeth (Schumacher) Diller. John G. Diller was also born in Riley township, February 21, 1841, the son of Peter and Barbara (Suter) Diller. Peter Diller was born about 18 13, in Alsace-Lorraine, and was the son of Christian Diller and wife, the former of whom was a farmer.

Peter Diller came to America at the age of fourteen with his mother and elder brother, John, the father having previously died. They arrived in America about 1827, and settled first in Holmes county, but some time later came to Putnam county. They settled in Riley township, where Peter Diller entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 26 This became the old Diller homestead. He later added other lands unil he owned three hundred and twenty acres.

When Peter Diller settled in Putnam county, he was unmarried. He hrst entered his land, built a log cabin, and, about a year later, was married ta Barbara Suter. He took up his residence on the new homestead when all of his worldly goods consisted of one horse and a wagon and a few supplies with which to begin his battle with the wilderness. His were the common experiences of the pioneers. He and his wife suffered all of the privations and hardships incident to such life. He was compelled to go either to Perrysburg or Tiffin to mill, such trips taking several days. Peter Diller and wife had eight children, six sons and two daughters all of whom lived to maturity, with the exception of one son, Christian, who died at the age of sixteen years. They were Christian, Adam, John, Magdalena Benjamin, Peter, Mary and David.

John G. Diller, the father of Amos C, grew up on the old homestead He attended the typical log cabin- school, and helped his father clear the land When he was ten years old, his father built the house which still stands. Two years later, in 1853, he built the bam which is also in a splendid state of preservation.

_ Wheh John G. Diller ^vas twenty-seven years old, he was married to lihzabeth Schumacher, the wedding taking place on March 14, 1868 She was born on March 15, 1848, in Richland township, Allen county, and who IS the daughter of John and Barbara (Steiner) Schumacher. John Schumacher was the brother of Peter Schumacher, who was the father of sixteen children, among whom was Christian P., the life-story of whom is told eJsewhere in this volume. After his marriage, John G. Diller remained on the old place. He took a trip to California for his health and died there on March 7, 1908. He led a very active life and was engaged as a general farmer, having been .quite successful in this vocation. He was a Democrat and served as school director for a number of years. He was a member of the Mennonite church. John G. Diller and wife had nine children, the eldest of whom died m infancy. The others were William, Amos, Bertha Levina, Noah, Lena, Elmer and Sarah, all of whom are now living and all marned except Bertha. Mrs. John G. Diller died on April i 1881

Amos C. Diller was born on the old homestead of his 'father and grandfather and here grew to manhood. He first attended the old district school. No. 6, and later district No. 10. After finishing the common schools ' he took three terms of work at the Tri-State Normal School, at Angola, Indiana, and then attended the Blliffton high school the next winter. The following winter he taught school and the summer following this had special Tiormal work in Findlay College. After this, for about ten years, he continued teaching, and then took a teacher's summer course at Bluffton College, after which he taught again. Altogether, Mr. Diller taught ten years.

When twenty-seven years old, he was married to Lena Schumacher, the marriage taking place on September 25, 1898. She was born on January 24, 1875, in Richland township, Allen county, and is the daughter of John and Barbara (Geiger) Schumacher. John Schumacher was a son of Christian Schumacher. He was one of the strongest men, physically, in this part of the state. He was bom on August 5, 1849, and died on November 7, 1907. His wife, who was Barbara Geiger before her marriage, was born on October i, 1855, and died May 3, 1897. They had thirteen children, Lena, Susan, Mary, Peter, Elias, Gideon, Lizzie, Jesse, Salome, Martha, John Adam and Minnis, the two latter being deceased.

Amos C. Diller continued to teach for four years after his marriage and then located on the farm, of David Diller, which was originally a part of Peter Diller's estate, and which Amos C. Diller purchased from Ferdinand Reichenbach. This farm he still owns and here he lives today.

In addition to farming, Mr. Diller has been engaged in the manufacture of tile for about twenty years, being associated with his uncle, Benjamin Diller, and his brother, William. This concern does a large and lucrative business, and for the past eight years Amos C. Diller has owned and operated this business alone.

In. addition to his' other activiies, Mr. Diller is an expert breeder of Rose Comb Rhode Island Red poultry. He has taken first prize on this breed at Bluffton, Lima, Findlay, Delphos, Pandora and at the Ohio State Poultry exhibit at Columbus. In addition to these prizes, many of Mr. Diller's birds have taken prizes for their owners at other places.

Amos C. Diller is a stockholder and president of the Jenera Merchandise Company, of Jenera, Ohio. He is also a stockholder and secretary of the D. C. Shank Company, of Pandora, Ohio, and is treasurer of the Mennonite Mutual Aid Society and Insurance Company.

ing and successful citizens, an aggressive and alert business man, a successful farmer and a well-informed and valuable citizen. He and his wife and family are members of the Mennonite church.

Putnam county has many residents who have prospered in business- One of her citizens, who has made a notable success in the lumber business,, is James MacDonald, who is thoroughly acquainted with his line of business,, from the ground up, which fact undoubtedly accounts for much of his success.

James MacDonald was born on February 23, 1873, in Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of William John and Margaret (McKeen) MacDonald. William J. MacDonald was born in the parish of Killyman, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1839. His father -in turn came from- Scotland and was a soldier in the British army, serving in South Africa. By reason of his services as a soldier, he became the possessor of a tract of land in Ireland, and made his home there. W. J. MacDonald was probably twenty-five years of age when he came to America and located at Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in Belfast, Ireland, to Margaret McKeen, a 'native of Carmoney, near Belfast, County Antrim, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Roberts) McKeen. She lived in Ireland until after her marriage, and before they came to America, one daughter was born, now the wife of I. Pressley Sherrard, living on the MacDonald farm at the north edge of Leipsic.

Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald lived in Cleveland from 1865 until 1871, where he followed his trade as a bricklayer and stonemason. He came to Putnam county in 1871, and purchased twenty acres of land at the north edge of Leipsic, where he has resided since. Here he continued at his trade and contracted for a number of years. He had a part in the erection of most of the larger brick buildings in Leipsic. While at work on the Methodist church in 1895 he met with an accident in which several bones were broken, which weakened him so that he was compelled to relinquish his life work.

Five children were born to William J. MacDonald and wife, Mrs. Minnie Sherrard, a resident of this county; William J., of Liberty township; George W., a contractor, who died at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 191 1; Alexander, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and James, of Leipsic. The mother of these children died on August 4, 19 14, at the age of eighty- three. She was an active supporter of the Presbyterian church, as was her husband. W. J. MacDonald was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Leipsic, and died December 11, 19 14, at his home in Leipsic.

James MacDonald grew up at Leipsic and learned bricklaying and stonecutting with his brother. He worked at the trade about fifteen years, during which time he engaged in contracting. He continued in that capacity until 1908. He also engaged in the retail builders' supply business at Leipsic about the year 1899. He opened up a lumber yard at Leipsic in 1905. With it he combined a line of builders' supplies, and has since continued in that business. Mr. MacDonald has been conspicuously successful and doesa very large business in his line.

He built one of the handsomest brick residences in 1912 in Leipsic, where he now resides. Mr. MacDonald was married on May 3, 1893, to- Capitola Isabelle Close. She was born between Gilboa and Benton Ridge, in, the west part of Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of Solomon Markley and Sarah Elizabeth (Kindle) Close. Solomon Close was born in October, 1834, in Putnam county, not far from Bluff ton, and was a son of Michael, and Jane Close. Solomon Close was a farmer until he reached old age and lived part of the time between Gilboa and Benton Ridge. He later moved to Van Buren township, in this county, and now lives in West Leipsic. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three ani one-half years. He was never wounded nor in a hospital. He is now a member of the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Leipsic, in which; fraternal order he takes a great interest.

Mrs. MacDonald grew to womanhood in Putnam county. To James- MacDonald and wife eight children were born, three of whom died in infancy. The five living children are Florence Menetta, Lawrence James,. Serge R. C, Vivian Beatrice and Evelyn Rose.

Mr. MacDonald is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, but takes no active interest in political affairs, preferring rather to devote all his timeand attention to his extensive business interests. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. MacDonald is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Both Mr. MacDonald and his wife are loyal and earnest members of the Presbyterian church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to whose support they are liberal contributors. They are highly respected citizens of their community, enjoying the esteem -of a large number of neighbors and friends.

John Theodore Moening

Among the best-remembered successful farmers of the past generation in Putnam county was the late John Theodore Moening. Of this man it -may be said that he possessed strong and active sympathies ; his temperament was warm and ardent, his feelings deep and intense, and these and -other characteristics unconsciously drew him an unusual number of devoted friends, upon whom, under all circumstances, he could rely, and who, now that he has passed away from earthly scenes, revere his memory. He was a close student of human nature and comprehended with little effort, the -motives and purposes of men, and he was a lover of truth and sincerity. In he is remembered as a manly man, of pleasing but dignified presence, a student of many subjects and an influential man in the circles in which he moved. Of sound character and unflagging energy, he stood as a conspicuous example of the well-developed American, and his position as one of the community's representative citizens was conceded by all who knew him.

John Theodore Moening was born in Ottawa township, Putnam Ohio, -September 2, 1867, and was the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ellerbrock) Moening, whose life history is given elsewhere in this work, under the caption, "Henry Moening."

Mr. Moening remained on his father's farm near Glandorf, Ohio, and received his education in the neighboring schools. At the age of twentytwo he was married to Matilda Brockman, which event occurred on November 19, 1889. His wife was the daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Lamvehr) Brockman and was born in Fort Jennings, Putnam county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Assurbrick, which is not far from Glandorf, Germany, and came to this country alone when a very young man. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the carpenter's trade in Germany and believmg there were good opportunities for a man of his ability in the city of Cmcmnati, Ohio, he first went there, but later decided to go to Glandorf Putnam county, Ohio, where he farmed for a while and did some carpenter then removed to Fort Jennings, this county, where he was employed to build the St. Joseph's Catholic church and which was started in i8s^ After completmg this work he retired from active work in the carpenter Ime and went to live on a small tract near town, which he farmed in a small way until the time of his death in 1896, in the eighty-second year of his ^ge. He was a Democrat, but took no active part in these affairs He was a devout member of the St. Joseph's Catholic church. His wife Cai-oline

-(Lamvehr) Brockman, was a native of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, and was born on September 25, 1845. She is now residing on the home- -Stead place, near Fort Jennings, this county, and at the present time is in the seventy-ninth year of her age. To their union were born eight children as -follows: Joseph, of Fort Jennings; Carohne (Mrs. Reavie), of Ottawa town- -ship, this county; Henry, of Dayton, Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. Moening), of Glandorf, Ohio; Mary (Mrs. Westfelt), of Kahda, Ohio; Matilda, wife -of our subject; Lewis, who resides on the old homestead near Fort Jennings, -and Christena, deceased; Josephine (A^Irs. Helcamp), of Ft. Jennings, was a daughter by a former marriage.

After the marriage of John T. Moening and wife, he went to live on his farm, which consisted of eighty-two acres, and continued to live -on this place until the time of his death, April 6, 1914. When he bought this tract, there were but forty acres of clear land and the rest of it was in heavy timber. A great deal of his time was occupied in clearing the place, draining and fencing, and today this place is considered one of the most productive small farms in this section. When Mr. Moening was a young man of eighteen he took a great deal of interest in threshing ma- and having bought himself an outfit of this kind he proceeded to :go about the county threshing for the farmers and thus gained a wide acquaintance and was generally known to be absolutely upright and fair in his dealings, and had the respect and high esteem of everyone who knew him. The direct cause of his death was cancer of the liver, from which he was a quiet and patient sufferer. His attending physician constantly warned him of the danger and repeatedly told him that he had but a short time to live, nevertheless he kept the true facts, pertaining to his condition, from his wife and family and always appeared before them with such a cheerful manner that they little suspected his grave physical condition.

To Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Moening were born five children, as follow: 1-evina (Mrs. Louis Schroeder), who lives on a farm in Pleasant township, this county; Adaline (Mrs. Arnold Schroeder) who lives in Pleasant township and has a son, Harold; Amanda, Clarence and Hilerious, who live at home with their mother.

Mr. Moening was not an aggressive politician in his day, but at one time was a member of the board of school directors. He was a Democrat and at all times stood for the progressive methods proposed by that party. The entire family were regular members of the Catholic church and Mr. Moening was a member of the board of church trustees for four years.

Personally, he was a man of broad ideas and ever alert to lend any assistance he could toward all meritorious propositions that purported to be tO' the best interests of the community, and on account of his wide acquaintance and familiar figure in important gatherings, his death will always be keenly felt by every one who knew him.

John W. Meyer

One of the best-known young farmers and stock dealers in Putnam county is John W. Meyer, whose attractive place in Union township is the subject of admiring attention on the part of travelers on the highway which leads past the place, and whose stable of full-blooded Belgian horses is known far and near throughout the county. Mr. Meyer is one of the younger generation of farmers who are taking advantage of all the latest research along agricultural hues and in consequence has one of the best-kept and most productive small farms in his part of the county. He is alert in all that pertains to his business, for he is a farmer who looks upon farming as a real business and not a mere haphazard strewing of grain, and holds a high place in his community. His progressive methods certainly .entitle him to mention among the men of enterprise in Putnam county and the biographer finds pleasure in presenting, at this point, a brief outline of the salient points in his career.

John W. Meyer was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio,, on Christmas Day, 1887, a son of John B. and Catherine (Smith) Meyer, both of whom were born in Ottawa township, in the same county.

John B. Meyer, who is now living a retired life in the city of Ottawa, the county seat of Putnam county, is the son of George Meyer, a former well-known and influential farmer of Union township, this county, who came to this country from Germany, first settling on a farm near Glandorf, this county, where he married and where his children were born, and where he lived until the death of his wife, after which he bought a farm in Union township, the place at present owned and occupied by his son-in-law, Joseph Unverfurth, where he spent the rest of his life. George Meyer and his wife were the parents of the following children : John B., Joseph, Elizabeth, Theresa, Katherine and Caroline, all of whom were brought up in the Catholic faith.

the nearby school at Glandorf. Until his marriage to Catherine Smith, parents were among the early settlers in Putnam county, he lived on his father's farm, but previous to his marriage had bought a farm of hundred and sixty acres in Ottawa township, to which he moved upon .his marriage, and rapidly brought it to a good state of cultivation. He lived there for about twenty years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres on section 17, in Union township, on which he erected as fine a set of farm buildings as there was in that part of the county at that time. His dwelling house was large, roomy and comfortable, substantial in every detail, and the farm buildings were in keeping with the same. The barn, which Mr. Meyer erected at that time, was foi many years a veritable landmark in that section, its peculiar style of architecture attracting general attention, it being built in circular shape and was regarded as one of the finest in the county. Mr. Meyer lived on this place for about fourteen years and then sold that part of the farm containing the house and farm buildings, comprising forty acres, to his son, John W., who now Hves there. He then purchased a home in Ottawa and moved to the county seat, where he is now living in comfortable retirement from the activities of life, enjoying the fruits of his earlier days of industrious application to the business of the farm. About twenty years ago Mrs. Meyer, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, died, and Mr. Meyer took to himself a second wife, marrying Catherine Hark.

To John B. and Catherine (Smith) Meyer were born four children, as follow: Mary, who married Michael Donnersbauch and lives on a farm near St. Clair, Michigan; August, who married Laura Erhart and lives in the town of Glandorf, this county; John W., the subject of this sketch, and Frederick, who married Susan Sleeter and lives in Ft. Jeniiings, this county.

John W. Meyer was reared on the paternal farm, attending both the district school of that neighborhood and the school at Glandorf. He married Josephine Dangler on July 8, 1913, daughter of Edward and Margaret Dangler, both natives of this state, who, after their marriage, located on a farm near Ottawa, this county, later moving to Defia:nce, Ohio, - where they lived for ten years, at the end of which time they moved back to Putnam county, locating on a farm in Union township, on which they still live. They are the parents of three children, Josephine, Alva and Genevieve, all of whom are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, with which Mr. Meyer also is connected.

cellent results. In connection with his work of general farming he is deeplyinterested in the raising of full-blooded Belgian horses and is developingthis branch of his operations into a very well-defined business. He gives^ close attention to the general public affairs of his community and is regarded as one of the coming men of advanced thought in farming lore in that part of the county. He is one of the directors of the Mutual Telephone Company at Kalida. He and his wife take an active part in the social affairs of the neighborhood and are very popular among their large circle of acquaintances.

Sherman A. Wilkins

Among the enterprising farmers and citizens of Putnam county, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than Sherman A. Wilkins. He has long been actively engaged in farming in Putnam- county and the years of his residence have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men. He has led an honorable life in every particular and set a worthy example for the young and rising generation. He is entitled to representation in any work which purports to set forth the achievements of the citizens of Putnam county. He has applied himself very closely to the work mapped out in his life's- career and has waited for the future to bring its reward, and today he is one of the substantial men of Putnam county.

Sherman A. Wilkins, one of the well-known farmers of Putnam county, was born in Blanchard township, Plancock county, Ohio, August 21, 1868,. the son of Jacob and Harriett (Stover) Wilkins. Jacob Wilkins was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 30, 1837, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kritsinger) Wilkins, the fomier a native of Virginia and a pioneer of Licking and Putnam counties.

Jacob Wilkins came from Licking county when four years old, with hisparents, who settled in Blanchard township, Putnam county. His father lived in different places in Putnam and Hancock counties and spent the year 1846 in Iowa, returning at the end of that year to Putnam county. Jacob Wilkins spent his youth in Riley and Blanchard townships in Putnam county and here he received his early education. At the age of twenty-nine, he was married to Harriett Stover, in April, 1866. Mrs. Wilkins was the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Claybaugh) Stover, who were pioneers of Putaam county. Daniel Stover entered land from the government during President

Jackson's administration, in 1827. After Mr. Wilkins's marriage, he lived for eight years in Blanchard township in Hancock county and then moved to Riley -township, Putnam county, where he received fifty acres of land from the Stover estate. He later purchased ninety acres. The original farm had contained only two acres that were cleared. This farm of fifty acres had a rude log cabin and no barn. Jacob Wilkins proceeded to clear the land. This work he almost accomplished dtiring his lifetime. He followed general, farming and was very successful. He was a Democrat. He died on Marck 8, 1905, at the age of sixty-eight. His wife died the following November,, 1906. She was a member of the Church of God and was a loving mother and a devoted wife. To this union ten children were born, Orpha, deceased,, who was the wife of David Fulton; Sherman, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Wesley Neighbarger; Curtis, deceased; William, who died in infancy; Gertrude, who died at the age of fourteen; Delia, the wife of Herbert Harris; Callie, the wife of William Hartman; Grover, who married Lou Kissinger; Charles, who is supposed to havebeen drowned in California in 1914.

Sherman A. Wilkins was four years old when his parents moved to Riley township, Putnam county, and here he spent his childhood, attending the old district school No. i. After finishing the common schools, he took a special normal course in Leipsic, and then taught school for two terms. Mr. Wilkins was a successful teacher, but was inclined to farming and, after teaching two years, turned his attention to this vocation.

When Mr. Wilkins was thirty-seven years old, he was married to. Lydia McDowell, who was born on August 20, 1867, in Licking county and who is the daughter of Philitus and Nancy (Harris) McDowell, who were among the early pioneers of Putnam county. Philitus McDowell was born, in Licking county in 1832.

After his marriage, Mr. Wilkins continued to farm the old home place.. He has always done general farming and has been one of the most successful men in his community.

Mrs. Wilkins belongs to the Methodist Protestant church. He is a Democrat and has served his township efficiently as trustee. He is a wideawake, mtelligent and progressive farmer, one of Riley township's most valued citizens. He is well and favorably known throughout Riley township and Putnam county, and his reputation for honesty and square-dealing has. never been questioned. Sherman A. Wilkins is not only a highly respected citizen of his community, but he is a man of genial disposition and a man who IS much admired for his pleasing personality. He is known as a man. who "does things."

Judge Joseph Mersman

The present judge of the probate court of Putnam county, Ohio, is Joseph Mersman, who has been filHng this responsible position since 1909. A native of this county, he has spent practically his whole life here, and since he was eighteen years of age, he has always lived in Ottawa, with the exception of two years. He started when a young man as a clerk in a general store in Ottawa, and after following this for several years, he engaged in ^he creamery business and was the manager of the Riverside Crearnery, in Ottawa, until his election as probate judge of the county. In the administration of the duties of this office he has exercised great care and sound ifudgment and his decisions have always been characterized by fairness and «mpartiality.

Judge Joseph Mersman, the son of Bernard and Julianna (Bockhold) Mersman, was born at Glandorf, in this county, in 1858. His father was born in Hauenhorst, Rheinpfalz, Germany, in 18 18, and came to America "vhen he was about twenty-four years of age. The father of Bernard Mersman died in Germany, and a year or so after Bernard came to this country, his mother also came here and made her home with one of her daughters, Mrs. Meyers, in Putnam county, until her death, January 2, 1877, at the ad- age of ninety-six.

Bernard Mersman first located at Cincinnati, Ohio, upon coming to this country, but shortly afterward moved to Glandorf, Putnam county, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a merchant and one of the founders of fhe Glandorf Woolen Mills, a factory which was of much importance in the early history of Glandorf. In addition to his store and factory, he also owned a farm near Glandorf, making this place his home until his death, in 1866, at the age of forty-eight. Julianna Bockhold, the wife of Bernard Mersman, was born in Germany, a daughter of John and Katherine Bockhold. She came to America with a relative and went to Cincinnati, later locating in Glandorf, where she met and married Bernard Mersman. To this union the following children were born, four of whom are living, the others dying in infancy, except Bernard and George. Bernard, deceased, George Henry, deceased, Joseph, Frank J. and Katherine, the wife of Samuel Hunchbarger, Mrs. Theasie Goede. The mother of these children died on March 23, 1909.

Joseph Mersman spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, near Glandorf, his father dying when he was but eight years of age. He worked -on the home farm and attended the schools of his township until he was seventeen years of age, and then went to Kendallville, Indiana, where he worked for one year, after which time he returned to Putnam county, and located in Ottawa, where he has since Hved, with the exception of two years. Upon locating in Ottawa he began clerking in a general store and for thirteen years was employed as a salesman. He then engaged in the creamery business and conducted the Riverside Creamery, until he became probate judge. For several years he has been active in the councils of the Democratic party, and in 1908 his party nominated and subsequently elected him as judge of the probate court, and so satisfactory was his service during his first term that he was renominated and again elected in the fall of 1912, for another term of four years.

Judge Mersman was married in 1880, to Anna M. Unterbrink. She was born in Greensburg township, this county, and, is a daughter of Ferdinand and Gertrude Unterbrink. Her parents were natives of Germany, and upon coming to this country located in Greensburg township. Mr. Unterbrink was a well-known farmer, a justice of the peace and a county commissioner for two terms. He was prominpntly known throughout the county. Mrs. Mersman is a woman of unusual attainments, and early in life began to teach in the public schools of this county, and for several years taught in Greensburg, Pleasant, Union and Ottawa townships.

Barney Feltman

In recent years much attention is being paid by the farmers of Putnam county to the breeding of live stock, cattle in particular receiving careful attention in this direction, it having been satisfactorily proved by many farmers that in judicious feeding lies the greatest source of profit. Not only more, but a higher grade of cattle are being raised in this county, many farmers being particularly careful to have none but the best strains on their farms. Among the farmers of Union township who lately have been devoting much care to the breeding of choice cattle, few are better known in this direction than is Barney Feltman. Mr. Feltman is of the third generation of his family in this county.

man, the former of whom was born in the town of Glandorf, and the latter of whom was bom on a farm in Ottawa township, both in Putnam county.

Barney Feltman, the elder, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was the son of Henry and Angeline (Sager) Feltman, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to America, proceeding to Putnam county,. Ohio, where they located, in the Glandorf settlement at an early day in that interesting German colony's history. The farm which Henry Feltman wrested from the forest wilderness became one of the most valuable tracts, in that part of the county, the site of the present town of Glandorf covering a large portion of it. Here Heniy Feltman lived until the death of his wife, after which time he made his home with his son, Barney, in Pleasant township, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a man highly honored throughout that section in his day and generation and he and his good wife were among the most influential members of the German colony, which did so much for the early development of that part of Putnam county. Henry and Angeline (Sager) Feltman were the parents of six children, Catherine,. Elizabeth, Agnes, Mary, William and Barney, the latter of whom was reared on his father's farm at Glandorf, receiving such education as the schoolsof that time and place afforded and remaining on his father's farm until his marriage to Louisa Niese, at which time he moved to a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Pleasant township, which his father had givem him. This he cleared and improved and later added to it fifty-three acres, which he brought to an equal state of cultivation, making it one of the best farms in that township. Barney Niese, father of Mrs. Feltman, was a wellknown farmer of the Glandorf neighborhood and lived there until the death of his wife, who was a Laefker, a member of one of the early families of that section, whereupon he moved to the home of his son, Barney Niese, in Palmer township, where he spent the rest of his life. He was left with six children, Louisa, Theresa, Agnes, Anna, Barney and Helena.

To Barney and Louisa (Niese) Feltman were born seven children, as follow: Mary, who married Frank Recker and lives in Ottawa township,, this county; Barney, the subject of this sketch; Joseph, who married Helena Niermann and lives in Pleasant township, this county; Edward, who married Bernardina Uphaus and lives in the city of Ottawa, this county ; August, who married Helena Kleman and Hves in Ottawa township, this county ,- Harry, who married Florence Schmueller and lives in Pleasant township, this county, and Arnold, who married Josephine Kleman and also lives in Pleasant township.

Barney Feltman was reared on his father's farm in Pleasant township, receiving his education in the public schools of that township, and remained there until his marriage in 1890, after which he Hved for a time on a rented farm nearby and then bought a farm of forty-four acres in the same township, which he later sold and bought eighty acres in sections 7 and 18, in Union township, later buying twenty-five acres in the corporation bounds of the town of Kalida. He has improved his farm in fine shape, the buildmgs being of an attractive and substantial character and the land well tilled and brought up to a high state of cultivation.

Barney Feltman was united in marriage on August 12, 1890, to Anna Ricker, daughter of Henry and Louisa (Hermiller) Ricker, prominent resident of Union township, this county, the former of whom was the son of Herman and Mary (Kottenbrock) Ricker, who came from Germany and settled in the Glandorf neighborhood in this county, where they reared a family of nine children, Henry, John, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna, Herman, Frank and Wilhelmina. Louisa Hermiller was the daughter of Bernard and Bernardina Hermiller, both of whom were natives of Germany who came to America and for a time lived in the state of Massachusetts! later commg to this county and locating in Ottawa township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were parents of seven children Louisa, Rosa, William, Mary, Henry, Frank and Philomena. _ For a time after their marriage Henry Ricker and wife lived on a farm m Pleasant township, this county, later they moved to a farm in Ottawa township, and, finally, located in Union township. To them were born mne children, Mary, Anna, Elizabeth, Clara, Lucy, Herman, Emma Ignatius and Caroline. Mary (now deceased) married Henry Ellerbrock of Ft. Jennings, this county; Elizabeth married Joseph Ellerbrock and lives m Jackson township; Clara married Henry Ricker and lives in Jennings township; Lucy mar^ried Benjamin Barlager and lives in Kalida. The others are still unmarried.

To Barney and Anna (Ricker) Feltman have been born four children as follow: Frank B., born on May 31, 1891 ; Emma L., born on February 18, 1905 died in infancy; Mary, born on September 6, 1907, and Genevieve born on April 6, 1909. Frank has completed his course at Cincinnati in automobile engineering.

Mr and Mrs. Feltman are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kahda and their children have been brought up in the faith, all bein^ devoted to the church's interest and active in the various good works of the parish. Mr. Feltman is a Democrat and takes deep interest in matters relating to local government, being regarded as one of the leaders of the party in that part of the county. He has served his township in the capacity of assessor and is one of the directors of the Mutual Telephone Company at Kalida. Mr. Feltman is a good farmer and an excellent judge of cattle, taking much pride in his fine herd of full-blooded Shorthorns, to which he gives much attention and which he has found a very gratifying source of profit. He is pleasant in his dealings with his neighbors, courteous to all and is one of the popular men in his section of the county.

Gideon C. Steiner

It is a well-attested fact that the greatness of a community of state lies not in the machinery of government nor even in its institutions as much as in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens. In his capacity for high and unselfish efforts and his devotion to the public welfare, Gideon C. Steiner has conferred honor and dignity upon his community and as an elemental part of history, it is fitting that there should be recorded a resume of his career with the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the great commonwealth of Ohio, as well as his official relation with the administration of educational affairs of the township honored by his residence.

Gideon C. Steiner was born in Riley township, Putnam county, October 23, 1864, the son of Christian and Magdalene (Lugibihl) Steiner, whose family history in found in the sketch of David C. Steiner, a brother of Gideon C.

Gideon C. Steiner was a regular attendant at the old Elm Center school, and he grew to manhood on the old home place. After finishing the common schools, he took a normal course at the Ohio Northwestern University, at Ada. Later, he did special work at Leipsic, and also special normal work at the Tri-State Normal at Angola, Indiana. Upon finishing his education, he taught school in Putnam and adjointing counties for eight years. Gideon C. Steiner was considered a successful teacher and many of his friends believe he would have risen high in the ranks of this profession had he continued a teacher.

At the age of twenty-four, on November i, 1888, Mr. Steiner was married to Mary A. Baumgartner, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Althause) Baumgartner, the former a native of Adams county, Indiana, having been born near Berne, and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio. Daniel Baumgartner was the son of Chris- tian Baumgartner and wife, who were natives of Switzerland, and who settled in Adams county, Indiana, in an early day. In addition to being a farmer. Christian Baumgartner was a minister of the Mennonite church. He was the fourth child of his parents and grew up in Adams county, Indiana. He was born on December 3, 1844. After his marriage, he moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and here lived for a short time. He then removed to Blufiton, Allen county, Ohio, and after several years, returned to Adams county, Indiana, finally removing to Bluffton, which was his last residence. He was originally a farmer, and in addition to this, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which business he followed later in life, conducting a retail shoe business in Bluffton. Daniel and Elizabeth Baumgartner had five children, Mary, the wife of Mr. Steiner; Joel, of Salem, Oregon; Albert, of Bluffton, Ohio; Elmer W., who died at Leipsic, Ohio, in 191 1, and Lucy, who died in infancy. Elizabeth Althause, Daniel Baumgartner's wife, was the daughter of David and Mary (Kirchhoffer) Althause, who were natives of Switzerland, and who came to America at an early date. Elizabeth Althause was born on March 16, 1839, and died in November, 1886.

After his marriage, Gideon C. Steiner taught school for three years. Later he began farming for himself when he rented a farm of eighty acres from his father, three and one-half miles northeast of Pandora. A few years later he purchased this farm. After teaching school for three years, he devoted all of his time to farming. He has always done general farming and has been very successful in this vocation. When he removed to his present farm, it had few improvements, there being only a one-roomed log cabin and a log stable. Mr. Steiner has drained the land and has succeeded in clearing all but five acres. In addition, he has built a good eightroom, modern house and a large, commodious barn with other outbuildincrs in keeping with the surroundings. Today he has one of the finest farms in Riley township.

Gideon C. Steiner and wife have been the parents of eleven children, Orville Edison, born on October 20, 1889, who is a student at Fort Wayne,' Indiana; Edna E., bom on January i, 1891, and died on August 4, 1913; Myron, born on November 8, 1892, and died on February 28, 1901 ; Lillian,' born on July 12, 1894, and died on October 8, of the same year; Ol'ga, born on August 14, 1895; Zella, born on September 8, 1897; Arm'in, born on January 28, 1899; Clayton, born on November 16, 1900; Lysle, born on October 4, 1902, and died on February 10, 1904; Barbara Grace, born on November 24, 1903, and died on Decerhber 27, 1903, and Mary Arvilla, born on August i, 1906. All of these children have attended, or are at-

Mr. Steiner is a Democrat. He has been active in the educational affairs of his township and was a school director for six years. He was also a member of the township school board for seven years. He and his son are members of the Grace Mennonite church, while Mrs. Steiner and the remainder of the family are^members of the Missionary church. Gideon C. Steiner is one of Riley township's most substantial farmers. He is well-to-do and is well and favorably known, a man of more than ordinary attainments and, as a citizen, he has done very much for the welfare of the township in which he lives.

Edward Hilty

A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects them. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along with others who follow with like success. The reputation of Edward Hilty, one of the leading farmers and citizens of Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, having been unimpeachable from the beginning of his career, according to those who know him best, a critical study of his career would be a benefit to the reader of this volume. His life has been not only one of honor, but of usefulness also.

Edward Hilty was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, July 15, 1878, the son of Benjamin B. and Susanna (Steiner) Hilty, whose family history may be found in the sketch of Benjamin B. Hilty and of Isaac Hilty, an uncle. His paternal family history is found in the "sketch of Peter P. Steiner.

Edward Hilty was born on the old Hilty homestead, one and one-half miles east of Pandora. Here he spent his early childhood and attended the dd Steiner district school. At the age of nine years, his mother died, and for about three and one-half years his father kept the children together, after which they were placed with neighboring families. A year before the remainder of the children were placed in new homes, Edward Hilty, who was not yet twelve years old, was sent to live with his grandfather, Peter

Hilty, and his son Samuel. During his residence, here, his grandfather died, but he continued to Hve with his uncle. When about fifteen years old, his father gathered the children together again and they went to live on the old Jiome place. They remained here, with the exception of a few months after the old house burned, until Edward Hilty was twenty-six years old.

Edward Hilty was married on June 24, 1902, at the age of twenty-three, to Martha Sommer, who was born on the old Sommer homestead, one mile north of Pandora, March 15, 1881. She is the daughter of Jacob and Marian (Amstutz) Sommer, the former of whom was a native of Switzerland, born on January 20, 185 1, and who came to America at the age of eighteen, settling in Riley township, Putnam county. Here he married Marian Amstutz, who is the daughter of Abraham Amstutz and wife. They had three children, Daniel, Elias and Martha, the wife of Mr. Hilty. Elias <iied when a youth.

After his marriage, Mr. Hilty remained on the old home place for three years. Finishing his common school education and graduating from the Pandora high school in 1899, he taught the old home school for two years, in the meantime successfully passing the Boxwell examination, which admitted him to the high school. Completing the two-year term of teaching, he took a course at Blufifton College, after which he again taught, with the of two years, until 1905, when he left the old home place and moved to Pandora. During his residence here, for a year and a half, he was township assessor and also worked in a store. At the end of this period, he moved back to the old home place and took charge of the farm. In addition to the sixty acres in the old homestead, he rented eighty acres, in all one hundred and forty acres, which he farmed for four and one-half years. He moved to Bluffton in the fall of 191 1 where he took special studies at Bluffton College. In the summer, he employed himself at various occupations. In the winter of 1913 and 19 14 he taught school in Richland township, Allen In the spring of 1914, he moved to the farm of his brother, Albert B., two miles north of Pandora, where he now resides.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hilty have four children, Lenora Marian, born -on June 30, 1903; Glenn Wingate, born on October 21, 1904; Merwin Otto, born on January i, 1907, and Alice Susanna, born on March 14, 19 10.

Mr., and Mrs. Hilty are rnembers of the Grace Mennonite church. He is a Democrat, although he considers himself an independent voter. Edward Hilty is a clean-cut, well-informed, farmer and citizen. He is well and favorably known throughout Riley township and almost througiiout Putnam county. He is a man of more than ordinary attainments and from the be- ginning of his career, he has been a man whose counsel and advice have been sought upon many matters. He keeps fully abreast of the times and, during the periods of life when he was engaged as a school teacher, he ranked among the best in Putnam county.

Bernard A. Unverferth

The Unverferth family have been residents of Putnam county, Ohio,, since the early part of the thirties, when the grandfather of Bernard A. Unverferth came to this county from Glandorf, Germany, at the same time that a colony of his countrymen came to America. Professor Horstman and others had previously come to this county from Germany. Mr. Unverferth has spent his whole life in this county. He taught in the public schoolsof the county for several years, and, after graduating from the law department of the State University, began the practice of that profession in 1897,. and has made this his life work.