Richland Township (part 3 of 5)

A. BRYAN, M. D. and druggist, Si)encerville, was born in Franklin County, Penn., April 21, 1828; son of John and Elizabeth (Kraig) Bryan, natives of Pennsylvania, and parents of eleven children. Our subject, the fourth in the family, received a common school and academic education, and after five years spent in reading medicine, he entered the medical schools of Philadelphia, Penn., graduating in 1867. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Clermont, Penn.; soon after went to Elk County, remaining there till 1875, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y, and graduated at the Medical University. He then spent about three years in practice in the oil regions. In 1879 he moved to Colorado, where he was interested in mining, at same time following his profession till 1883, when he went to Bloomfield, Ind, and engaged in the drug business a few months, but losing his stock by fire, and not being able to procure a suitable room in which to continue business, he came to Spencerville, purchasing a stock of drugs, which he has receatlj moved into a commodious room near the Eeeth House, and here he carries on the drug business in connection with his duties as a physician. The doctor was married, in 1865, to Clara Holden, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him one son - Charles, born November 4, 1866. Politically Dr. Bryan is a Democrat

CHARLES F. BUEHLEB, stoves and tinware, Spencerville, was bom in Baden, Germany, November 4, 1853, youngest child of George and Anna Maria (Floesch) Buehler, and was brought to America by Ms parents when an infant They located at New Bremen, Auglaize County, Ohio. 'Early in life our subject learned the trade of tinner, and since the age of fourteen has depended upon his own efforts. He came to Spencerville, January 14, 1875, and opened a tin store with a limited capital, but by industry and economy his trade steadily increased, and he was able to add continually to his stock, which is now complete. In addition to stoves and tinware he deals quite extensively in all kinds of hard and soft ooal. Mr. Buehler was married, November 18, 1879, to Miss Eatherine Schoenthaler, who was bom in Philadelphia, Penn., March 22, 1855. She has borne him one son and one daughter - Frederick and Lillie. Mr. Buehler is a consistent member of the German Lutheran Church. He was formerly a member of the town council. Socially, he ranks high in the estimation of the community for his many good qualities.

THOMAS C. BURNS, dry goods merchant, Spencerville, was bom in Ashland County, Ohio, May 17, 1843; son of John H and Margaret (McClure) Bums, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. They had nine children, of whom Thomas C. is fourth. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. He entered upon his career in life as a harness-maker, an occupation he followed about two years. He then engaged as clerk in a dry goods store at Perrysville, Ohio, where he remained about eleven years. In 1879 he removed to Spencerville, opened a dry goods store, in partnership with E. F. Yeach, and has since continued in this line. From the commencement of his business career his trade has gradually increased, and his kind and obliging manners in attending to the wants of his many customers, as well as by bis close attention to business, have gained for him hosts of friends. In order to better accommodate this trade Uie firm removed, in September, 1884, to their present commodious room, and their stock is as complete as any in the town. Mr. Burns was married, February 23, 1870, to-iate Castor, who was born in Vermont, July 25, 1850, by whom he has two children: Wade A. and John H. Mr. Bums is one of the present councilmen; was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F.; religiously he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a stanch Democrat

L. Y. COCHRUN, merchant, Spencerville, was born in Sugar Creek Township, this county, August 3, 1849; son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, early settlers and still residents of Amanda Township. They are the parents of five children, of whom L. T. is the second. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common and normal school education. He entered upon his eareer in life as a teacher, and for fiye years followed that occupation. He was married, March 31, 1872, to Miss Margaret Berriman, of Auglaize County, Ohio. To them have been born three children, yiz.: Bert, Carrie and Jennia Mr Cochrun came to Spencerville in about 1874, and engaged in mercantile business with Joseph August for about two years, and a year later opened business for himself. From a small grocery he has gradually increased his business, which now comprises a general merchandise stock. In January, 1883, he had the misfortune to lose his building and about half of his stock by fire, but he has since erected a brick building, 26x80, into which he remoTed his stock about April, 1884. He has been township clerk two years, and clerk of the corporation six years.

JOHN H. DUNATHAN. merchant and mayor, Spencerville, was bom in Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, March 13, 1836, eldest child of Robert H. and Mary E. (Porotzman) Dunathan, the former a native of Franklin County, Penn., the lattw of Montgomery County, Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, four now living: John H, David P., Jacob B. and Edmond P. Robert H. Dunathan came to Mercer County in 1840, died in 1873, his wife having preceded him in 1855. Our subject was raised on a farm, and made agriculture the principal occupation of his life until 1878, when he embarked in mercantile business at Deep Cut, Auglaize Co., Ohio, dealing more or less extensively in grain and produce. In the spring of 1882 he removed his business U> Spencerville, and a year later took in as partner J. H. Taft, under firm name J. H. Dunathan & Co. Our subject was married, October 13, 1858, to Mary A., daughter of Thomas Upton, of Mercer County, bom in April, 1842, by whom he has eight children: Elizabeth F., Margaret B., Hettie A., Thomas B., Harmon, Susan, Edna and Clarinda. While a resident of Auglaize County Mr. Dunathan served as justice of the peace twelve years, and as county commissioner five years, offices he filled with honor to himself. In the spring of 1883 he was appointed to fill the office of mayor of Spencerville, and was duly elected to that office at the ensuing election. In politics Mr. Dunathan is a stanch Democrat.

JAMES FITZPATRICK, Spencerville, was bom in Wayne county, Ohio, July 2, 1848, son of Patrick and Margaret (Doudel) Fitzpatrick, former of whom when twenty years of age came to America, and located in New York, from there moving to Summit County, Ohio, and eventually to Wayne County. The latter came to America when sixteen years of age. They were married in New York State, and to them were born eleven children, of whom James is next to the youngest The early days of our subject were spent on a farm and in attending school. He entered upon his career in life as a farmer, and in 1879 came to this county, where he has since engaged in the grocery and queensware business. His trade is extensive, and he is recognized as one of the best grocerymen of Spencerville. Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in marriage, in 1875, with Miss Maggie Lannon, a native of Hamilton Count}% Ohio, born September 9, 1857. To this uuion were born two children : Alice I. and Eddie. Mr. Fitzpatrick has served the people as* a member of the council, and is the present township clerk. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.

Datives of New Jersey and Virginia respectiyely, and who were the parents of three children^ of whom H. Clay is the yoongest. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and when ninet^n years of age he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Yoluntc^ Infantry, remaining in the service till discharged from the second battalion Veteran Beserve Corps at the close of the war. He was ordered discharged because of physical disability by President Lincoln, in the spring of 1864, but refused the kindness because of loyalty to bis country, and has the President's written compliments for his patriotism, his discharge however prohibits his being ever re-enlisted, because of physical incapacity. Upon his return from the army, finding his health would not permit of farm labor, he commenced to read medicine. In February, 1869, he graduated in medicine and snrgery at the Pennsylvania University, and in the spring following, located in Spencerville, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which has increased until his ride now extends into four counties ; and it may be said that, while in health, he has attended professionally in a few years as many calls as any man in the State. The doctor was married, November 5, 1871, to Mrs. Sally H. Bathgiver, who was born in Baltimore, Md., July 14, 1842, daughtcor of Henry Staub. He has been chairman of the board of health ; has served on the school board five years, and in the council six years. He was formerly a member of the L O. O. F., and of the Improved Order of Bed Men, and is now surgeon of Fair Post, G. A. B. of Spencerville. Although not a politician, the doctor is identified with the Bepublican party.

ASA C. HABTEB, retired, Spencerville, was bom in Miami County, Ohio, February 24, 1885, son of John and Ann Harter, natives of Kentucky and early settlers of Miami County. They were parents of five sons and three daughters, of whom Asa C. is the sixth. Our subject received a common school education, and, at the age of twelve years, entered upon his career in life as a clerk in a grocery, where he remained about two years, then removed to Shelby County, Ohio. In 1854 he came to Spencerville, and three years latter embarked in merchandising, since when he has been engaged, more or less extensively, in this line until 1881, when he retired from active life, and disposed of his business to his son. Mr. Harter was married, February 6, 1859, to Miss Mary Briggs, daughter of John Briggs, and born in 1842. By this union there are six children : Bollo, merchant of Mendon, Ohio ; Charles, at home ; Everett, operator at Delphos ; Tina ; Gerby and Frank. Mr. Harter served the people of the township as clerk for nine consecutive years, treasurer about four years, and was a member of the school board twelve years. He was commissioned postmaster under James Buchanan, and filled that office ten years. For many years he was a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat.

MEBBITT HABVEY, retired, Spencerville, was bom in Vermont, October 20, 1824, son of Apollos an<i Mary (Bockwood) Harvey, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, the former of whoni was bom in 1796, and died Febraary 29, 1848; the latter was born in 1800, died in 1836. They were parents of seven children, of whom Merritt is the third. While an infant our subject removed with his parents to Troy,

N. Y., where he grew to maturity, spendiDg his ear]y life in attending school, preparatory to entering college, but instead of so doing, he moved to Ohio in 1843, and fonr years later to Spencervilla He engaged in boating on the canal for several years, and eventually turned his attention to merchandising, in which he continued at intervals for several years. He also taught school more or less for thirty years. He has within three years past retired from active life and labor. In his business career he has experienced the ups and downs incident to trade, but has retired with sufficient property to live comfortably to the end of his days. He was twice married; on first occasion, in 1852, to Eebecca Ann Wicks, who died in March, 1864, and he then married, in 1865, Mrs. Eliza Ann Wicks, who was born at Dayton, Ohio, July 6, 1835 (by her first marriage she had three children: Charles, John and Samuel). To this union were bom five children: Frank, William S., Wallace, Martha and James M. Mr. Harvey was one of the first township clerks, and was mayor six years, and has also been a member of the town council. During the late war of the Bebellion, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with Capt C. Bice, and was in the service about nine months. Politically he is identified with the Democratic parly.

A. E. HERMINGHUYSEN, merchant, Spencerville, was bom in Holland, March 30, 1842, son of Ems F. J. and Mary (Eobinstine) Herminghuysen, natives of Holland. Our subject came to America in 1848, and located in Putnam County, Ohio. He obtained his education through his own efforts, and entered upon his career in life as a clerk; for three years he was in a grocery, and about six months in a clothing store. In 1861 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and for eight years was in the employ of Spence Bros. & Co., when he went to Delphos, Ohio, and engaged as clerk with different firms, eventually forming a partnership and embarking in business. He remained at Delphos until October, 1883, when he sold his interest and removed to Spencerville, where he opened out a general merchandise stock Mr. Herminghuysen was married, in 1874, to Miss Lulu E. Fleimer, who was bom in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1853, daughter of Christian F. and Elizabeth Fleimer. To this union were bom four children: Adrian F., Carl F., Gertie, and an infant not named. Mr. Herminghuysen is a member of the Royal Arcanum and I. O. O. F. lodges at Delphos. In polijics he is a Republican.

HUGH M. HILL, justice of the peace, Spencerville, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., January 18, 1835, son of John G. and Ellen (McCormic) Hill, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of six children, of whom Hugh M. is the eldest Early in life he learned the tailor trade, which he followed about three years, but retired on account of his health, and became a clerk in a dry goods store. In 1853 he came to Spencerville, and clerked two years, then spent a year in the West. Upon his return he embarked in the lumbering industry, but eventaally returned to clerking. Later he took charge of the Union Mills one year. Mr. Hill was married, December 9, 1858, to Ellen M. Harter, who was bom in Marion County, Ohio, January 12, 1840, daughter of John L. and Annie Harter, early settlers of this county. In 1864 Mr. Hill enlisted in Company G, Forty, seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service nntil the close of the war. He is an active member of Fair Post, G. A. R., and has been a member of Arcadia Lodge, F. & A M., about twentyfive years; has served the people of the township in several offices of trust, and is now in his fourth term as justice of the peace. His politioal^ympathy is with the Democratic party. During his business career he has engaged in several branches of trade, but now devotes his time to the duties of his office and insurance. He takes an active part in public enterprises, especially those for the advancement of educational privileges, and has served on the school board.

JACOB HOCH, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was bom in Baden, Germany, December 14, 1822, son of Jacob and Catherine (Weisch) Hoch, natives of Germany, who settled in Marion County, Ohio, at an early day. Our subject received a common school education in his native land, and entered upon his career in life as a farmer. He was married in his native land, in 1847, to Elizabeth Lust, bom in 1821, and by her had eleven children, of whom but two are now living: Charles and Catherinei He came to America and located in Marion County, Ohio, in 1853, removing, in 1866, to this county, and locating in Spencer Township, where he has a large farm all placed under cultivation (except about forty-five acres), and upon this he has erected substantial farm buildings. He has also put up a scale house, which is supplied with scales from the Buffalo Scale Company. Mr. Hoch has been a trustee of the German Reformed Church, of which he has been a member for a number of years. He is considered one of the leading, as well as one of the influential farmers of the township, highly esteemed for his many good qualities.

ADISON S. HOOKER, liveryman, Spencerville, was bom in Mt Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, September 15, 1846; a son of Royal and Courtney (Graham) Hooker, natives of Vermont and Virginia respectively; the former of whom died July 27, 1882, the latter July 13, 1866. Eight of their twelve children are still living, viz. : Charles R., John O., Royal D., Adison S., Winfield T., William G., Hoy B. and Elmer E, Our subject was raised on a farm and embarked in life as a farmer in this county, whither his parents had moved in 1850. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry (in 1863), and received his discharge in 1865. After the war he engaged in lumbering and, having purchased some timber land, built a saw-mill. During his business career he has owned a saw and planing-mill, a |p:istmill, etc. In 1882 he went to Michigan, where he was for two years engaged more or less extensively in the lumber business. January, 1884, he returned to Spencerville, and has since conducted a livery business. Mr. Hooker was married August 14, 1866, to Elizabeth Fisle, bom in 1847, and by her he has had nine children : Charles A., John R., Henrietta« Anna L., Laura (deceased), Katie (deceased), George, Adison S. and Lavina. Mr. Hooker has served as councilman ten years, and has held other minor township offices. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. Although Mr. Hooker started in life a poor boy, his efforts have been crowned with success, and several buildings are standing, among which is his fine residence, as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

was raised on a farm, and having obtained a fair education in the common and academic schools, taught more or less for several years. His first business enterprise was at Spencerrille, with B. H. Harbjson, to whom he sold out his interest after fifteen months' partnership. In August, 1888, he purchased a stock of groceries and again embarked in mercantile business, and in February of the year following, took in as partner J. M. Biner. Their trade is steadily on the increase, as a result of close attention to business and the courteous manner in which they attend to the wants of their customers. Mr. Hover was married September 21, 1881, to Miss Mercy E., daughter of James and Jennie (Baker) Sunderland, bom in Auglaize County, Ohio, March 28, 1856. They have been blessed with one child, Mercy W., bom March 1, 1884. Mr. Hover is a member of the E. of P., Lima.

JOHNZEY KEETH (deceased), whose portrait appears in this work, was bom in Baltimore County, Md., June 20, 1817. His early life was spent at home receiving the benefits of the country schools and assisting in tilling the soil on his father's farm. In 1884 he accompanied his parents to Madison County, Ohio, and soon after to Van TVert County, where on arriving at the age of twenty-one, he engaged upon his career' in life as a farmer. In 1853 he went to Mercer County, and three years later came to this county, settling in Amanda Township. He commenced farming, a poor man, but by honesty, industry and economy he gradually increased his land and business interests, until he became the most extensive stock dealer, and was considered the wealthiest farmer, in Allen County, owning at one time about 2,000 acres of land in Amanda and Spencer Townships. In 1869 he removed to Spencerville, and engaged in several business enterprises, but still retained his farm and stock interests. At one time he owned and operated two grist-mills, a woolen-mill and a saw-mill. When the Chicago & Atlantic Bailroad was talked of, Mr. Eeeth took an active interest in securing right of way, as well as making personal donations to the company. As monuments of his thrift and enterprise, many fine buildings are standing, among which may be mentioned his lat^ residence and a fine three- story brick block called the Keeth House, which was not quite completed at the time of his death, which occurred July 12, 1883. He was a prominent Democrat, and in addition to filling several of the township and town offices, he also served the people of the county as commissioner four years. June 22, 1841, our subject married Priscilla Arnold, who was bom in Fayette County, Ohio, June 26, 1822, and to this union were bom nine children : Rachel E., widow of Heory Backus ; John, surveyor of Allen County, a resident of Lima ; Samuel, a farmer of Amanda Township ; Anderson; Jacob A.; Frank M; Mary Ann, Albert, and Emma - deceased.

FRANK M. EEETH, proprietor of the Keeth House, Spencerville, was born in Amanda Township, Allen Co., Ohio, October 14, 1860. His father, Johnzey Keeth, was bom June 20, 1817, in Maryland Our subject received a common school education, and in 1877 entered the employ of the T. D. & I. R. R. Co. as station agent at Spencervilla After remaining with this company over two years he engaged as railroad express agent with the United States Express Company about two and a half years. He then embarked in the drug business in which he continued about a year.

On October 13, 18S4, he became proprietor of the " Eeeth House,'' and, although young in years and experience, he performs the duties of ''mine host'' in a genial and courteous manner. He was united in marriage, June 22, 1882, with Miss Jennie Benner, who was bom in North Baltimore, Ohio, December 11, 1861. To them was bom on September 8, 1884, a son - Grover.

GEORGE H. KEPHART, proprietor of saw-mill and handle factory at Spenoeryille, was bom in Amanda Township, Allen Ck>., Ohio, October 81, 1846; son of Ormond and Ann A. (Hayes) Eephart^ the former of whom, an influential farmer and early settler of this county, died in 1856; the latter, a native of New York, still surviyee him, the mother of fi^e children: Cordelia, Oscar M., Alexis E., Ormond, and George H. Our subject graduated in the scientific course at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1869, and entered upon his career in life as a teacher, but eventually embarked in the lumbering businesa He commenced a poor boy, and by energy and perseverance has accumulated property. He first entered a saw-mill in 1875, and two years later came to Spencervillo. In 1880 he purchased a woolen-mill and for a while also operated it, and in connection with the same started a handle factory, which he still runs, but has traded the woolen machinery for land in Mississippi. Mr. Eephart was united in marriage, September 18, 1870, with Ellen A. Tone of Allen County, formerly of Delaware County, Ohio, and by her has had three children: Clarence E., Albert.N. (deceased) and Myrtle May. Mr. Eephart is a Republican in politics and has served as mayor one term. He is a F. & A. M. ; a member of the Baptist church.

NICHOLAS KILL,, farmer, P. O. Landeck, was bom in Germany, January 22, 1835; son of Jacob and Mary (Thom) Kill, also natives of Germany and parents of six children, of whom only three came to America. Our subject obtained a common school education in his native land, and has made farming the principal occupation of his Ufa He came to America in 1858 and located near Tiffin, Ohio, where he remained till 186^, when he came to this county and in 1865 to the farm which is still his home, and which from a state of nature he has placed under high cultivation, proving himself to be an energetic man. He erected the second brick dwelling in the township, which stands as a monument to his enterprise. His property is the result of his own efforts, and today he is considered one of the substantial farmers of the township. He has held several offices of trust and is one of the leaders of tlie Democratic party in Spencer Township. Mr. Kill was married, April 16, 1861, to Elizabeth Rahrig, born in Seneca County, Ohio, Majt8, 1838, daughter of Philip and Annie (Myers) Rahrig, who came to America in about 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Kill have ten children: Vincent, Mary, Joseph, Treca, Sylvester, Lucy, Lizzie, Katie, Julia and Lewis. He and his wife are consistent members of the Roman Catholic Church.

CHRISTOPHER W. KOENIG, undertaker, Spencerville, was bom in Germany, November 8, 1846. He was educated in his native land, and when nineteen years of age came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where for nearly two years he was engaged in the wholesale factories at his trade, that of cabinet making, which he had learned in Germany. He came to Spencerville in 1868 and embarked in the f arnitore and undertaking businees. His capital was limited, bat he has increased his stock in proportion to the demand until he now has' quite an extensive stock, and a steadily increasing trade. His marriage, which occurred November 18, 1869, was with Miss Elizabeth Kleinhans, also a native of Germanj, bom November 18, 1844. To them have been given five children: Edward, Clara, Bertha, Theodor and Minnie. Mr. Eoenig has served the people as a member of the school board, and is now one of the council, an office he had held several times previous to this term. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. For a number of years he has been a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Eoenig is virtually a self-made man, having by his own energy and industry, together with his obliging manner of waiting upon his customers, made his property, and in all his business transactions has won for himself the reputation of being an honest and upright man.

JAMES E. McDonald, manager of Spencervillo Stave Company, Spencerville, was bom in Canada, October 4, 1847, son of John and Isabell McDonald. Our subject was married December 23, 1869, to Miss Rhoda E. Todd, who was born in Allen County, Ind., June 20, 1849, and to them have been born three children: Lillie Bell, Bert and Daisie. Mr. McDonald came to Ohio in 1867, and learned the trade of making staves, came to Spencerville in 1874 and organized a stock company under the name of the Spencerville Stave Company. He eventually purchased a half interest of the stock owners and still continues in the business as partner and manager. The firm employ forty-five men and have a capacity of turning out 120,000 staves per week. They also own and operate a saw-mill in Van Wert County, Ohio. Our subject entered on his career in life with nothing but himself to depend on in making his way, having but 30 cents when he arrived at Van Wert His property is the result of his energy and industrious habits. Perhaps no man directly or indirectly has done more for the development of the town I than has Mr. McDonald. Owing to the efforts of the Stave Company the

^ Township, Fairfield Ck>nnty, Ohio, June 3, 1821, son of James and MiEury (Pott^) Mouser, and next to the youngest in a family of nine children. He was raised in a village, and Ma boyhood days were spent in attending a common school, to which bis educational advantages were limited. Early in life be learned the trade of blacksmi thing, and worked at the same for several years, but baa made farming the principal occupation of his life. He first removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he remained till 1871, when he came to this oounty and located on the farm which is efcm hw )iQme, and upon which be has made most of the improvements. Bi^ ' i-^^ twice married, bis tirst wife and child dying. In 1857 Mr. ^^y ~ ^ried Elizabeth Conrad, a native of Marion County, and by

^in Washington County, Penn., July 27, 1800; and who, in 1823, came to *Enox Co., Ohio, and the following year married Elizabeth Bryant; by her he had four sons and one daughter who grew to maturity; he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1831; in 1842 he removed to Allen County, and settled in Amanda Township; in the winter of 1856-57 he represented this county in the State legislature; he was a firm anti -slavery man and sent three of his four sons to the war; his death occurred March 28, 1884, and his loss fell not only on his family but was felt by the community. Our subject in early life was emyloyed on a farm, his education being limited to the common and graded schools of his native county. His first business enterprise was farming, and teaching school, winters. At the breaking out of the war of the Bebellion, he enlisted in April 1861, in Company E, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the three months' service, and was in West Virginia with McClellan. At the expiration of this term of service he reenlisted for three years in Company C, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, returned to West Virginia, and served with Fremont and Seigle, and was captured at Harper's Ferry in September, 1862. On being exchanged, he with his regiment joined the Army of the Tennessee and was with Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, commanding a company of men, with rank of second lieutenant He was promoted to be captain in 1863 and served as such in the campaign against and in the capture of Atlanta in 1864, after which he was promoted to be major, serving till the close of the war on the staff as division inspector. Maj. Post was married, in October, 1874, to Miss Emma E., only child of John and Eunice A. (Griffin) Berry, early settlers of Van Wert County, Ohio, and who was born in Van Wert Couniy, in 1850. To this union was bom one son - Ira B. At the close of the war Maj. Post dealt in hardwood lumber about two years, then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising at which he continued until August 4, 1883, when he formed a partnership with Henry Wasson, and opened a private bank at Spencerville, of which he is cashier. He has been a consistent m^nber of the Methodist Episcopal Church about six years, and takes an active part in Sabbath-school work. During the year 1879, he and his family spent several months traveling over the Western States and Territories. Maj. Post is commander of Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. K. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM POST, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was bom on the farm where he now lives in Spencer Township, February 28, 1854; son of Martin and Caroline Post, who had four children: Lucretia, William, John H. and Theodora Martin Post, one of the pioneers of Spencer Township, a native of Richland County, Ohio, bom September 24, 1827, died June 8, 1882, was an influential farmer, a hard-working man, active in all enteq>ri8es tending to development of the county, and highly esteemed for his many good qualities; his widow, a native of Berks County, Penn., bom March 21, 1827, still survive& Our subject obtained a common school education, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer. He was united in marriage, December 28, 1876, with Cinderella Uncapher, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 7, 1856. Their union has resulted in two children: Walter W. and Flora Bell. Mr. Post bears the reputation of being an energetic and enterprising man, and is considered a rising young farmer, destined to become one of the substantial citizens of the township. John H. Post, a younger brother of our subject, was bom August 7, 1860, and also lives on a portion of the homestead farm; he was married, February 7, 1884, to Miss Sarah Winans, who was bom March 28, 1863.

O. W. PUBDT, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, one of the landmarks of Spencer Township, this county, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in March, 1829, fourth in the family of ten children bom to Elijah and Clairmeda (Babcock) Purdy, the former a native of Pennsylvania, a Baptist minister, latter a native of Virginia. Our subject's facilities for obtaining an education were limited to the common sdiool, held in a neighboring log-cabin. He came to Spencer Township, Alien County, in 1849, and from a state of nature has placed his farm, which he purchased at 11.50 per acre, under a state of cultivation, the appearance of it denoting him to be an energetic, enterprising man. He has served the people as school director and trustee. Mr. Purdy was married in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Mair Ann Carpenter, who was bom in Guernsey County, Ohio, in May, 1829. To them have been bom twelve children, (among which were three pairs of twins), only seven are now living: Percilla Jane, John, Ruth, George, Elijah, Catherine, and Franklin.

UBIAH BENNEB, physician, Spenoerville, was bom in West Baltimore, Montgomery Co., Ohio, A.ugust 30, 1840; son of Emanuel and Sarah (Cecil) Benner, former a native of Maryland, latter of Pennsylvania. Our subject was raised on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in August, 1862, was taken prisoner and soon after sent home. In the fall of 1862 he entered Ottebine University, at Westville, Ohio, for three terms, then went to Whitley County, Ind., and for several years followed school teaching. While there he tras arrested as a deserter, and confined in jail two weeks before he could prove to the contrary. In about 1864 he turned his attention to the study of medicine, in addition to his duties as teacher. During the winter of 1868-69 he attended lectures in the medical schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in May of the latter year; previous to this, however, he had practic^ medicine at Botkins Station, Shelby Ca, Ohio, about six montiis. Since then he has spent about two years at St; John, two years at Bradford Junction, five years in Kossuth, Auglaize County, and in the spring of 1879 located in Spencerville, where he has gained a leading place in the medical profession. Dr. Benner was married, June 13, 1865, to Miss Martha Snorf, who was bom in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 21, 1840, and of whom he speaks as having been in truth a helpmeet The doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a leader of the Prohibition party in his viciniiy.

SIMON BOBBINS, hardware merchant, Spencerville, was bom in Mercer County, Ohio, July 7, 1841; son of James and Celia (Brewer) Bobbins, natives of Clinton County, Ohio, and early settlers of Auglaize County; they were the parents of eleven children, of whom Simon is the fourth. Our subject was raised on a farm, his education being limited to the common schools. He entered upon his career in life as a farmer. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E,One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Yol- unteer Infantry, with Capi Kennedy, served three years and received his discharge as orderly sergeant. He was in several engagements in which his regiment took part, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville, and others. He is an active member of Eishler Post, G. A. JR., at St. Mary's, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Methodist Episcopal Chorch. After he returned* from the war he engaged in mercantile business at Spencerville for five years, then moved back to his farm in Auglaize County, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and raising short-horn cattle, of which he has the finest herd in that vicinity. In December, 1883, he retired from farm labor, but still owns his farm. Betuming to Spencerville Mr. Bobbins purchased a stock of hardware, in which business he still remains. He was married December 13, 1866, to Orphelina Lawrence, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, June 20, 1845, and to this union were born eight children: O. Boscoe L, Cora A., NoraB., Jennie M., Mary C, IdaB., Albert B. and Zoa G. Mr. Bobbins has served the people in several township offices. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; has always been identified with the Democratic party.

J. G. SEITEB, physician, Spencerville, was bom in Marion County, Ohio, September 11, 1852, seventh in the family of ten children of Daniel and Margaret (Elingle) Seiter, natives of Germany. At the age of seventeen he taught two terms of school, and afterward attended the commercial school at Delaware, Ohio, for a short time, and during the school year of 1873-74, attended the Baldwin University of Berea, Ohio. During tliis time he was engaged in teaching and working on the farm at intervals. In August, 1877, he went to Cleveland, and began the study of medicine with Dr. J. Schneider, and attended lectures. He graduated at the HomoBopathic Hospital College, in 1881, and immediately entered upon the' practice of his profession at Spencerville. As a result of a thorough knowledge of his profession, and close attention to the duties of his calling, he has quite an extensive ride; he is the first homoeopathic physician to practice in this vicinity. He was united in marriage September 11, 1883, with Miss Emma Albrecht, who was born in Delaware, Ohio, February 1, 1864, and by her he has one child - Carl B. Politically the doctor is a Bepublican. He is a member of Phosnix Lodge No. 233, I. O. O. F. of Cleveland, Ohio, and of Delphos Lodge, Na 139, K. of P., of Delphos, Ohio.

EMANUEL SHAFFEB, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was bom in Bedford County, Penn., March 4, 1835, son of Levi and Bachael (Baker) Shaffer, natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of fourteen children, of whom Emanuel is the fifth. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He has made agriculture the principal occupation of his life, and in addition owns and operates a tilemill on his farm. He was married, in 1856, to Mercy Jane Purdy, who was bom in Holmes County, and by her has three children: Florence J., Harvey E. and Alice B. In 1850 Mr. Shaffer removed to Holmes County, where he remained till 1856, when he came to this county and located where he still lives. He has made all the improvements on his farm; also assisted in cutting out the roads in his neighborhood. He served his country twelve months in Company E, Sixty-second Ohio Vol- anteer Infantry, daring the late war of the Rebellion. Mr. Shaffer bears the reputation of being an enterprising and energetic man, as well as one of the sabstantial farmers of Spencer Township. In politics, he is a Democrat.

ABRAHAM W. SHERBR, farmer, P. O. Spencerviile, was bom in Coshocton County, Ohio, June 13, 1835, son of James and Rebecca (Nelson) Sherer, the former a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation, now living in Putnam County, Ohio, aged seventy-four years; the latter a native of Coshocton County, Ohio; they were the parents of eight children, of whom Abraham W. is the eldest. Our subject was reared on a farm, his educational advantages being limited to two and a ba]f months' schooling. He entered upon his career in life as a farmer, and in 1849 came to this county locating on the farm which has since been his home. He has been twice married, on first occasion March 15, 1855, to Sarah Miller, who died March 6, 1863, leaving three children: James, Fanny S. and Rebecca R. On January 22, 1864, Mr. Sherer married Eliza E. Gray, bom in Holmes County, Ohio, May 8, 1838, daughter of John and Henrietta (Scott) Gray, natives of Massachusetts, who settled in Holmes County in 1835, and were the parents of eleven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherer were born seven children: Josephine, Anthony, Flora, Susan, William H., Henriette and John H. (died in infancy). Our subject has served the people of the township as trustee. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served his country eleven months. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party.

HENRY STAUB, retired minister, Spencerville, was born in Germany, April 22, 1809, and is the second in the family of five children of Peter and Margaret (Gildner) Staub. He received his education in his native land, and immigrated to America in 1832, locating in Baltimore, Md., where he engaged in preaching in the United Brethren Church for ten years. Until 1^50 his duties took him to several counties of Pennsylvania. He was then sent as a missionary to Ohio, and located at Circleville. After preaching there two years he became editor of a German paper, which position he filled about five years - then, for three years, he again followed his calling. In 1861 he removed to Spencerville, where he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became a local elder, since when he has preached as occasion demanded. In addition to his other interest« he owns a farm and has engaged more or less in agricultural parsuits, but to a certain extent he has now retired from active life. Mr. Staub was married, October 28, 1832, in Baltimore, Md, to Miss Hannah Hanes, who died April 28, 1854, leaving to his care seven children: Annie, George Henry (died at Dayton, Ohio, from disease contracted while in the army), Sarah, William O. (killed at Chattanooga during the war), Mary, Carrie and Josephine. Our subject was again married, January 12, 1860, tbis time to Henriette Myers, who was bom in Germany, November 22, 1839; to them have been given six children: Dixie, Grant S., Minnie, and three who died in infancy. Mrs. Staub was brought to America when but eight years of age, by her parents - Frederick and Charlotte (Brandt) Myers (both now deceased), who settled in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Staub was one of the first councilmen at the incorporation

ROBERT SUTTON, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was bom in Amanda Township, this county, November 5, 1841; son of Thomas and Susan (Kephart) Sutton^ natives of Champaign and Montgomery Counties, Ohio, respectively; the fourth white family to settle in this county; they were the parents of eight children. Our subject, the fourth child, was raised on a farm and received a common school education. He has worked more or less at the carpenter's trade, but farming has been the principal occupation of his life. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and three years were spent in the service of his country. He was married June 21, 1876, to Susan Baber, born in Amanda Township, October 13, 1849, daughter of James and Susan (McMiller) Baber, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were bom two children: Delbert A. and John S. Mr Sutton is a member of Fair Post G. A. R., also of the I. O. O. F. In his polit. ical convictions he is identified with the Republican party. He came to Spencer Township in 1876, and his farm was then in a state of nature. He is an energetic hard-working man, and has made his property by industry and economy.

ALEXANDER J. TRAVIS, physician, Spencerville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, August 12, 1882. At the age of fifteen years he entered the select school of Washington, Penn., and two years later went to Wilkinsburgh, Penn,, where he remained three years, then entered upon his course in life as a school teacher, a profession he followed till lo54, when he turned his attention to the study of medicine, under the tuition of Dr. Abel Carey of Salem, Ohio. He remained there for four years and during this time attended lectures at the Western Reserve College, Cleveland, Ohia In 1857 he commenced practicing at Dayton, Ohio; three years later went to Mercer County, and three years after to Lancaster County, Penn. From there he removed to Elida, Ohio, where he remained eight years, then spent one year in Columbus Grove, then two years in Lima, and has since resided in Spencerville, where he has a large practica The doctor was married, March 13, 1859, to Miss Lizzie S. Lampson, who was bom November 22, 1859, and died November 8, 1878, leaving to his care seven children: William Y., Melvin N., Menna F., Charles H, Eva M., Jessie E., and Henry M. Our subject filled the office of mayor one term with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. He is an active member of the ordte of F. & A. M. Politically he is a stanch Democrat.

MICHAEL A. VORNDRAN, farmer, P. O. Landeck, was bom in Germany, in December, 1839. His parents, Andrew and Margaret Yomdran, who had a large family of whom but six boys are living, immigrated to America in 1842, and located in Seneca County, Ohio, where Michael A. grew to maturity. Our subject received a common school education, and having been raised a farmer has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married. May 12, 1864, to Margaret Droll, a native of Germany, who died January 31, 1879, leaving to his care eight children: Joseph, Mary, Kate, Charles, John, Annie, Josephine and Emma. His second marriage, January 18, 1880, was with Matilda

Snyder, who was bom in Seneca County, Ohio, August 25, 1855, by whom he has one child - George Albert. Mr. Yorndran came to this County June 25, 1860, and located in Spencer Township, on the farm where he still resides, upon which he has made most of the improvements, * and which he has placed under a state of cultivation which at once denotes him to be an energetic, enterprising farmer. Mr. Yorndran is a member of the Boman Catholic Church; in politics he is identified with the Democratic party.

JACOB B. WELCH, physician, Spencerville, was bom at Cuba, Ohio, March 16, 1859, about a month after the death of his father, Jacob Welch, who was the only practicing M. D. in Cuba at that time. Not having his father's care, our subject was early thrown upon his own resources, and while still a youth was employed by a large firm in shipping stock during the summers, and in the winter season attending school. He entered the college at Fort Wayne, in the fall of 1870, and g'aduated in the commercial department at the end of a four years' course, e then engaged in teaching for three years in succession. He also attended the normal Schools of Yalparaiso, Ind. At the age of eighteen years he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. C. B. Stemen, of Fort Wayne, with whom he remained two years; and afterward attended Fort Wayne College of Medicine, graduating March 1, 1882. He immeately entered upon the practice of his profession at Spencerville, in partnership with Dr. C. B. Bice, whom he bought out six months later. Although young, he has been more than ordinarily successful, and has obtained a business which usually follows years of hard labor. As an evidence of the confidence placed in his skill as a surgeon, he was appointed, November 28, 1883, as surgeon of the C. & A. B. B. Co. His education and property are the result of his own efforts; from the age of ten years he was the support of his mother, who died November 15, 1883. He was married May 7, 1885, to Miss Mollie Miller, daughter of Harvey Miller, of Warsaw, Ind.

JOHN D. WELSH, carpenter and farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 15, 1845; son of Lorenzo .D and Elizabeth A^ (Shawhan) Welsh, natives of Yirginia, and early settlers of Pickaway County, Ohio, whose children were as follows: Mary (deceased). Marquis (deceased), Emily, Melissa (deceased), John D., Chester, Noble, Grace, and an infant (deceased). Our subject was raised on a farm and obtained a common school education. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced to ^ork at the carpenter's trade, which he has made the principal work of his life. He was married April 30, 1870, to Miss Mary Myers, who was bom in Shelby County, Ohio, March 5, 1849, daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Brandt) Myers, natives of Germany and early settlers of Shelby County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are the parents of six children: Irvin, Fanny, Levi, Effie, Ada (died in infancy), and Maud. In 1865 Mr. Welsh removed to Delphos, Ohio, and two years later to Spencerville, where he remained until 1884, engaged at his trade and as foreman of a planing-mill ; he was also in connection engaged more or less extensively in farming. While a resident within the corporation he served in the town council for a time. He has always been a Bepublican in politics. During the late war of the

Biographical Sketches

TILMAN WILKINS, farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was bom in Licking County, Ohio, April 7, 1837; son of Jonathan and Seattle (Wilson) Wilkins, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Licking County, Ohio. Our subject's facilities for obtaining an education were limited to the common schools, his time in early life being employed in assisting upon the homestead farm, and having been raised a farmer he has always followed agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he has worked more or less at the carpenter's ti'ade. He was married, September 5, 1861, to Alwilda Classon, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, August 10, 1844, died August 20, 1866. She bore him two children: Carabel (deceased), and Charles M. Mr. Wilkins then married, October 27, 1867, Sarah E. Biner, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 7, 1846, and by this union were ten children: Alva (deceased), Albert (deceased), Lora (deceased), Alice, John E., Annie, Byron, Lillie, Leroy and Elmer. Mr. Wilkins came to this county in 1864, and in November, 1877, located where he now resides. He is looked upon as one of the leading agriculturists of the township, and has placed his farm under a state of cultivation second to none in this vicinity, and its thrifty appearance denotes him to be a practical farmer as well as an energetic and enterprising man. He has lately become interested in the raising of shorthorn Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. He took no part in the war other than to help clear the township in which he lived of the draft, and to assist the soldiers' families. He was formerly a member of the Christian denomination, but of late years has joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes an active part in all enterprises that tend to the development of the county, and especially those for the advancement of religion and educational privileges; has held several offices of trust. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.

ABRAHAM BRENNEMAN, farmer, P. O. Lima, is a native of Rockingham County, Va., born February 21, 1831; son of David and Catharine (Moyer) Brei^neman, who came from Virginia to Fairfield County, Ohio, and then, in 1847, to Allen County, where the latter died and fche former still resides; they were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living. Our subject, who is the eldest, was married, August 21, 1856, to Miss Eliza Ward, of Monroe Township, this county, a native of German Township, this county, and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Ridenour) Ward, who were married in this county, and where Mrs. Ward died. Mr. Ward now resides in Perry Township, this county. To our subject and wife have been borU' eight children: Henrietta E., William C., Mary C, David W., Sarah A., Abraham P., Jacob B. and Frank H., all living except David W. and Abraham P. Mr. Brenneman followed carpentering for five or six years, and in 1856 purchased land in Monroe Township, this county, which he improved, and to which by industry and economy he added many acres, owning now 249 acres in Monroe Township, 320 in Sugar Creek Township, and 93 in Bath Township, all this county; also 160 acres in Paulding County, Ohio; in all 822. He came to Sugar Creek Township in 1877. Mrs. Brenneman is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.

JOSfiPH BROWER, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Rockingham County, Va., February 16, 1827; son of John and Hannah (Jifiller) Brower, and brother of Daniel Brower, of German Township, this county. Our subject came to this county in 1844. He was married, August 9, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Stephens, of this county, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., bom October 19, 1823, daughter of John and Rachel (Davis) Stephens, natives of Wales, and who came to America in 1820, settling in Pittsburgh, Penn., where they remained until 1835, then moved to this county, where they died. They were parents of five children, of whom two are now living: David and Elizabeth. To the union of our subject and wife have been born the following children: Rachel (deceased), Alonzo S., John S. (deceased), and Abraham L. Mr. Brower purchased property in Sugar Creek Township in 1848, and has improved many acres of land in the county. He has served his township in many of its offices - assessor, land appraiser, and justice of the peace. He and his wife are members of the U. B. Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

ELIAS CARMAN, farmer, P. O Delphos, was born in Shelby County, Ky., July 14, 1809; son of James and Comfort (Clifton) Carman, natives of Germany and France, respectively; and who lived for several years in Kentucky, where Mrs. Carman died. James Carman then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained about sixteen years, and where he again married; in 1865 he came to this county, dying here in 1869. Our subject entered land in Sugar Creek Township, this county, in 1834, on which he moved in 1836, and where he still resides, and here he has improved many acres. He was married, in 1830, to Mary Richards, of Cincinnati, who bore him eight children, three now living: Sarah C, Abigail S. and Loaisa E. Mrs. Carman died in September, 1882, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Carman then married, in Aagnst, 1884, Mrs. Henrietta (Barkshire) Poe, of Delphos, Ohio, widow of James M. Poe, who died in September, 1871, and by whom she had two children, Anna E. and Hose. Mrs. Carman v^as bom in April, 1834, in Warren County, Ind, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Thombourgh) Barkshire, natives of Ohio, both now dead. They were the parents of three children, who survive them: Henrietta, Elizabeth and Sarah M. Mr. Carman is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Carman of the Christian Church. In politics he is a life-long Democrat

CHRISTIAN C. CULP, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Sugar Creek Township, this coimty, July 21, 1853, on the farm where he was reared* and which he has for several years operated; a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Good) Culp, and brother of David Culp. His father died January 5, 1883. His mother now resides with him on the home farm. He was married, April 10, 1874, to Miss Christena Good, of Marion Township, this county, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Good, who came from Virginia, and settled in this county about 1865. To the union of our subject and wife have been bom four children: Simeon, John, Rebecca and an infant daughter.

ISAAC EHERNMAN, farmer, P. O. Elida, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 25, 1830; son of Frederick and Sarah (Ridenour) Ehernman, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, of German descent, and who were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and came to this county in 1831, where they lived and died, each at the age of eighty-four years; they were parents of eight children, of wh6m three are now living: John, Elizabeth and Isaac. Our subject was married in December, 1854, to Margaret Mosier, of Sugar Creek Township, this county, a native of Perry County, Ohio, bom in March, 1834, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Moyer) Mosier, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, who came from Perry County, Ohio, to this county about 1847; they were parents of twelve children, of whom seven are now living: Susanna, Valentine, Jacob, Margaret and Elizabeth (twins), Alexander and George. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehernman were bom ten children: Sarah K, Alice J., Caroline A., William A., George B., Mary E., Charles A., Emma L., Albert M. and John F., all now living except Sarah E. and Mary E. Our subject purchased the home farm after the death of his father, and now owns 123 acres of land, which he has improved in many ways, He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife of the U. B. Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

JACOB C. GOOD, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 6, 1828; son of Joseph and Magdalene (Campbell) Good, both now deceased. Our subject came to this county with his family in 1853, and settled in Sugar Creek Township, where he still resides. He was married in 1851, to Miss Anna BJosser of Hocking County Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Grove) Blosser, the father deceased several years since, the mother now residing in Hocking County, Obio. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob C. Good have been born the following children: Lydia, Amon, Magdalene, Demas and Anna. Mr. Good has cleared up

LEWIS GRIFFITH, farmer, P. O. Gomer, is a native of Radnorshire, Wales, born January 14, 1828; son of Lewis and Jane (Mills) Grifl&th, natives of Montogomeryshire, Wales, where they were married; they had two children, Margaret and Lewis, who came with them to America in 1832. The family settled first in Butler County, Ohio, where the father died in 1884; the widow married again in that county where she and her husband lived until 1841, then moved to that part of Putnam County, Ohio, which is now Sugar Creek Township, this county, and here she died in June 1877; her second husband died in July, 1883. Our subject was married. May 2, 1857, to Miss Hannah Evans, of Sugar Creek Township, this county, a native of Carnarvonshire, Wales, bom in May, 1841, daughter of William and Jane Evans. To our subject and wife were bom five sons and four daughters: Joseph H., Jane, William L., John M., Margaret A., Evan F., Kate M., David C. and Cora E., all now living. Mr. Griffith purchased, in 1882, the home farm where he now resides, which he rented from the time of his marriage and which he had greatly improved. The original homestead building having been destroyed by fire in 1872; our subject's stepfather, who owned the farm at the time of the fire erected in its place the present substantial residence. Mrs. Griffith is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Griffith is a Republican.

SAMUEL W. IRVIN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was bom December 14, 1844, in Augusta County, Ya., son of John and Melinda (Mozingo) Irvin, natives of Augusta County, Va. He came with his parents in 1857 to this county, and was married, October 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah A. Poage of German Township, this county, a native of Monroe County, Mo., born January 28, lo45, a daughter of Grattan E. and Anna S. (Price) Poage, natives of Champaign County, Ohio, and State of ]V[is* souri, respectively, and who were married in the latter State, where they lived several years, coming in 1846, to Ohio, residing for a few years in Lima, this county. Mrs. Poage died in 1850. She was the mother of six children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Poage, for his second wife, married, in 1853, Susan Cochrun of German Township, this county, and in 1856, moved to German Township, where he now resides. Mr. Poage is a son of Samuel and Mary (Gibler) Poage (both now deceased), natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively, and who were married in Urbana, Ohio. To oor subject and wife were born five children: Mary E. , Charles S., John G, Emma M and William H., all now living. Mr. Irvin purchased land in Sugar Creek Township, this county, in 1870, and has devoted his time to general agriculture. Mrs. Irvin and her two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Irvin is a Democrat.

EDWARD H. IRVIN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was bom in Augusta County, Va., December 21, 1849 ; son of John and Melinda (Mozingo) Irvin, natives of Augusta County, Va., where they were married in 1842, and where they remained until 1857; they then came to German Township, this county, where they followed farming for many years; they now live a retired life in Elida, Ohio; their children are five in number : Mary E., Samuel W., John N., Edward H. and George H. John

Irvin, who was a miller by ocoapation, was a son of Edward and Sarah (Percy) Irvin, of Scotch descent, and who both died in Virginia. Our subject was married, April 28, 1879, to Miss Sarah V. Weaver, a native of German Township, this county, bom December 16, 1851, daughter of John and Sarah (Bowers) Weaver, natives of Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Va., of German descent, and who were married in Rockingham County in 1844, and had a family of ten children : Mary C, Hannah E., Olivia B., Louisa H., Benjamin F.,'Lydia H., Melissa L., John W., Sarah V. and Samantha L., all living; the mother died July 6, 1878, at the age of fifty-seven years, and Mr. Weaver then married, in Rockingham County, Va., in 1880, Mrs. Lydia (Spence) Silvius, of Shenandoah County, Va; they still reside in German Township, this county. To our subject and wife have been bom six children : Edward A., Carrie L., Henry F., Ira W., Minnie M. and an infant daughter. Mr. Irvin has served in his township as trustee. In politics he is a stanch Democrat

JAMES M. JACOBS, farmer, P. O. Lima, is a native of Sugar Creek Township, this county, born September 2, 1828, only son of Samuel R and Elizabeth (Turner) Jacobs, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, and of German and Scotch descent, respectively; they were married in Champaign County, Ohio, February 21, 1814, and there remained until 1825 or 1826, when they came to this county and entered land in Section 1, Sugar Creek Township, which they improved and added to year by year; they had a family of one son and five daughters, of whom two * are now living : Sarah and James M.; the father died May 19, 1852, and the mother May 11, 1867, aged fifty-nine and seventy-four years, respectively; they were the first settlers in Sugar Creek Township, of which Samuel R. Jacobs was one of the organizers. Our subject was married, December 4, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Custard, of German Township, this county, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, bom September 9, 1832, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Custard, who came to this county about 1840, and settled in German Township, where they lived for several years, then moved to the county seat (Lima), where they spent the remainder of their days; they were the parents of two children: Jonathan and Mary A. To our subject and wife have been born four sons and four daughters : William T., Viola, Charles D., Samuel R., Nannie E., Joseph H., Hattie and Vinnie, all now living, except Viola. Mrs. Jacobs died November 28, 1869. Mr. Jacobs has added to the home farm until he now has 684 acres of land, besides other valuable investments. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

MICHAEL MARTZ, farmer, P. O. West Cairo, was born January 13, 1807, in Rockingham County, Va., son of Michael and Sarah (Hawkins) Martz, also natives ot Virginia, of German and English descent respectively, and the parents of twelve children, of whom five are now living. Our subject's paients died in their native country at the ages of thirty-nine and eighty- six years respectively. The subject of our sketch was married, August 30, 1827, to Miss Sarah Huff, a native of Rockingham County, Va., born November 1, 1808, daughter of George and Mary M. (Zirkle) Huff, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, and of German descent, both now dead. Our subject moved to Licking County in 1830, and thence, in 1839, to this county, settling on the farm where he still resides.

He lived in a log-cabin with puncheon floors for several years, and cleared many acres of land. He reared a family of nine children : Isaac W., George W., Mary M., James A., Thomas B., Sarah C, Silas H., Eliza A. and Benjamin F., all now living except Silas H., who was a member of Company A, Fifty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner July 22, 1864, and was confined in Andersonville prison until September 22, same year; he died at JefTerson Barracks, Mo., December 13, 1864, of camp diarrhoea. Mrs. Martz died September 6, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Martz became a member of the Christian Church in youth, serving in many of its minor offices for years, ^and in 1840 was ordained to the ministry of the gospel, since which time he has given most of his service. He served in some of the township offices, as trustee, clerk and justice of the peace. He is a life-long Democrat.

GEORGE W. MARTZ, farmer, P. O. West Cairo, was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 22, 1832 ; son of Michael and Sarah (HuflQ Martz, who came with their family to this county in 1836. Our subject was married December 2, 1852, to Miss Margaret A. Gamer, of Putnam County, Ohio, a native of Culpeper County, Va., bom May 24, 1835, daughter of William W. and Elizabeth (Stover) Garner, who moved from Virginia to Logan County, Ohio, in 1835, and in 1837 to Putnam County, Ohio, where they died; they were parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, eight of whom are still living. To our subject and wife have been bom seven children: Elias W., Thomas J., John F., Joseph W., Lorenzo M., Sarah L. and Ira A., all now living. Mr. Martz purchased, in 1870, his farm in Sugar Creek Township, this county, which he has greatly improved. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he was ordained a deacon in 1867, acting as such until 1872. In politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES NICHOLAS, retired farmer, P. O. Gomer, was bom in Butler County, Ohio, September 6, 1810, youngest son of James and Mary (Morris) Nicholas, natives of Carmarthenshire, Wales, where they were married; they came to America during President Washington's administration, and settled in Cambria Counfy, Penn., where they remained five years, and then moved to Butler County, Ohio, where Mr. Nicholas continued his trade (blacksmithing) for many years. Our subject, who is the only survivor of a family of six children, was married f^ebruary 1, 1832, to Mary Jones, of Butler County, Ohio, a native of Montgomeryshire^ Wales, bom July 6, 1810, daughter of Richard and Jane (Evans) Jones, also natives of Montgomeryshire, and who came to America in 1818, settling in Butler County, Ohio; they were parents of three daughters, two now living: Elizabeth and Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas five children have been bom: Jane E., James, Richard J., David D., and Martha A., all now living except Richard J. All three sons went through the late war of the Rebellion. David D. served twelve years as county surveyor. Our subject came with his family to this county in 1833, and has given his time principally to farming and improvement of land, etc., and of late years to the sale of agricultural implements. He has served as justice of the peace since 1834, also in almost all the other township offices^ He taught singing school in this community for about twenty years. In politics he is a Democrat.

PETER OARD, farmer, P. O. West Cairo, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, bom November 21, 1821; son of Peter and Anna (Alberry) Oard, who came v^ith their family of eleven children to this county in 1833, settling in Sugar Creek Township and entered land, of which they cleared many acres; of their family three are now living : Peter and two daughters. Our subject was married May 14, 1846, to Lydia A. Rison, of this county, and to them have been bom eleven children : Mary, Sarah (deceased), Diana (deceased), Jane, Noah (deceased), Eli, Peter (deceased), Rawley, William, Andrew J. and Joseph T. Mr. Oard has been an active man in his day, and a prominent citizen in his township. He has a wide reputation as an auctioneer and sale crier, to which business he has given considerable attention. He is a stanch Democrat, and is a candidate for office of sheriff of Allen County.

GEORGE M. RIDENOUR^deceased) was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 6, 1826, son of Michael and Hannah (Shotts) Ridenour (deceased), natives of Westmoreland County, Penn., and who came to this county in a very early day. They were parents of fourteen children, of whom only Daniel and Isabella survive. Our subject was reared to farming, an occupation he followed all through life. He was married, December 81, 1848, to Miss Eleanor P. Lipsett of Sugar Creek Township, this county, a native of Burlington County, N. J., bom August 6, 1828, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Peacock) Lipsett, also natives of New Jersey, who married in Burlington County, N. J., and moved to Warren County, Ohio, in 1833. Sarah (Peacock) Lipsett was bom November 28, 1792, died in 1834 in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, and Joseph Lipsett married his second wife (nee Mary Shim), in Warren County, Ohio, and they afterward came to this county where they passed the remainder of their days; he was bom June 30, 1799, died in 1864. Joseph and Sarah Lipsett were the pareats of five children, of whom Eleanor P. is the only survivor. Mr. Lipsett had three children, all now living, by his second wife. To the union of George M. and Eleanor P. Ridenour, were bom seven children : Eliza J., Martha L., William J., Mary L., John E., Joshua A. and Emma, the sons all deceased. Our subject died December 13, 1873, and since then his widow has operated the farm which was left her by her father and husband. She is a member of the United Brethren Church.

JOHN G. RIDENOUR, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 14, 1827, son of George and Mary (Conrad) Ridenour, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, and who were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, came to this county in 1829, and settled in Sugar Creek Township on land which the former had entered the previous year; they reared a family of five children: Catherine, Christena, Dorothea (deceased), John G., and Joseph. George Ridenour being one of the first settlers of this county endured many hardships and privations, and the circumstances of the times gave to his employments a somewhat versatile complexion, as he was a cooper, a maker of coffins, tooth extractor, setter of broken bones, etc. , etc. ; he died at the age of eighty-four; his widow still resides on the home farm, and is now in her eighty-fourth year. Our subject was never married. He became owner of land by the death of his father. He had taught school for about nineteen quarters, was elected in 1858 (on Democratic ticket) to the office of county recorder, Id which he served six years, then followed merchandising in Elida, Ohio, for several years, finally retnrning to the farm, where he now resides. He also gives some attention to the manufacture of baskets and brooms. Mr. Bidenour is a member of the Lutheran Church at Elida, Ohio.

HENRY SHERRICK, farmer, P. O. Elida, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born August 25, 1811, son of John and Mary (Stalter) Sherrick, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, and who came to this county in 1841. Our subject^ who came with his parents to this county, was married, June 4, 1835, to Margaret Stemen, also a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, daughter of Rev. Henry and Mary (Beery) Stemen, and sister of Samuel Stemen. To this union have been bom eleven children, five of whom are now living : John, Henry, William, Andrew and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Sherrick are the only survivors of the eighteen pioneers who organized the society of Mennonites, in Sugar Creek Township, this county. This denomination first worshiped from house to house, then built a log church, and a few years later erected a small frame one, and in 1883 a fine large frame church.

BENJAMIN F. SHERRICK, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Elida, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born December 26, 1836, son of Christian and Anna (Meyers) Sherrick, of German descent, who married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and came to this county about 1843, locating in Marion Township for a time, thence moving to Sugar Creek Township, where they lived until the death of the former, May 25, 1865; the widow, who now resides with our subject, is in her seventy-sixth year: they had two sons and five daughters, of whom Mary, Sarah, Anna, Betty^ Samuel S. and Benjamin F. are now living. Our subject, who received a common school education, began the carpenter trade at the age of fourteen. He was married, October 25, 1860, to Miss Lydia A. Stemen, a native of Sugar Creek Township, this county, bom April 14, 1838, daughter of Christian and Margaret (Moyer) Stemen, of German descent, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, and who married in Perry County, Ohio, came to this county in 1835, settling in Sugar Creek Township, where they both died. To our subject and wife have been bom five children: Edmund O., Lola D., Minnie I., Isaac A. and Orvin E., all now living. Mr. Sherrick served from the fall of 1862 to close of war of the Rebellion in Company G, Eighty-first Regiment O. y. L; is a meinber of the U. B. Church; in politics a Republican.

CHARLES M. SHOEMAKER, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 8, 1824; son of Daniel R. and Sophia (Martz) Shoemaker, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, of Swiss and Scotch descent respectively, and who were married in Pickaway County, Ohio, and reared a family of five children. The mother dying in 1833, the father then married in Fairfield County, Ohio, Mrs. Elizabeth (Baker) Walter, by whom he had seven children; he died in 1860; his widow still resides in Wells County, Ind., aged eighty- two. Charles M. came to this county in 1846 and purchased land, but gave most of his time to the carpenter trade for several years, in connection with undertaking, which still continues his principal business. He has given some attention to saw-milling since 1875, his son operating the farm. Our subject was married, (>stober 8, 1848, to Miss Bebecc^ Sake- miller, of this county, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born September 4, 1829, daughter of Jacob and Bachel (Fry) Sakemiller, who settled in this county in 1831, where they died at the ages of seventy- two and ninety- two years respectively; of their family of thirteen, seven survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have been bom three sons and five daughters, five of whom are now living: Bachel C, Phebe, Charles S., Rebecca O. and Emily I. Mrs. Shoemaker is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Shoemaker has served in several of the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL STEMEN, farmer, P. O. Elida, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 21, 1821; son of Henry and Mary (Beery) Stemen, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, and who came to Allen County, Ohio, in 1841, where they both died. Our subject was married, October 3, 1841, to Magdalena Hilyard, of Fairfield County, Ohio, a native of Fayette County, Penn., bom May 8, 1820, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth A. (Haught) Hilyard, who were natives of Fayette County, Penn., where they married; they moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, in an early day and Uiere died. To our subject and wife have been bom twelve children: Elizabeth, Isaac B., Mary, Henry S., Anna, Oeorge W., Magdalena, Samuel H., Jane, Catharine, Jessie J., and Charles A., all now living except Elizabeth, Anna and Oeorge. Mr. Stemen has served in some of the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Stemen is a member of the Mennonite Church.

ANDBEW STEMEN, farmer, P. O. Elida, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, bom in 1825, son of Peter and Mary (Blosser) Stemen, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvannia respectively; they were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and came to Marion Township, this county, in 1838, where they lived and died. Our subject, who is the eldest in their family, was married, January 27, 1848, to Miss Jane Sakemiller of Sugar Creek Township, born in 1827 in Fairfield County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Bachael (Fry) Sakemiller (both now deceased), natives of Pennsylvania, and of Oerman descent, and who came to this county in 1831. To our subject and wife have been bom twelve children : Isaac, Mary, Bachel, Jacob, Peter (deceased), Andrew, Bebecca, Elizabeth, Anna, Samson, Simeon and Noah. Mr. and Mrs. Stemen are members of the Mennonite Church.

BICHABD TEEQABDIN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was bom in Sugar Creek Township, this county, July 24, 1847, and there reared; son of John and Diana (Oard) Teegardin (both deceased), natives of Pickaway County and this county respectively, and who were married in this county; they reared a family of seven children, of whom two are now living: Bichard and Walter, who have a half brother, Silas, by their father's second wife. Our subject was married January 21, 1871, to Miss Martha L. Bidenour of Sugar Creek Township, this county, bom June 15, 1852, daughter of George M. and Eleanor P. (Lipsett) Bidenour of this county, who had a family of seven children, four now living: Eliza J., Martha L., Mary L. and Emma. Oeorge M. Bidenour died, December 13, 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Teegardin have been bom five children: Franklin G.. John H., Iva, Myrtle and Allen C, all now living except Franklin G. Our subject in addition to farming operates a threshing-machine in the season. In politics he is a Democrat ^

Source changes here: from History of Allen County, Ohio, by Various, published 1885; 22,846 words in this source stream.

Richland Township

ICHLAND, in Towns 1 and 2 south, Range 8'east, is still a timbered land. Here, the streams known as Riley and Little Riley Creeks have their sources. In this township also are found the head waters of Sugar Creek. Remains of beaver-dams and spring swales are numerous. The arable land is rolling and admirably adapted to all the purposes of agriculture, even the small area of marsh-land is capable of high cultivation. The groves of hardwood trees are large, and the waterpower, afforded by the creeks named above, most valuable. The waterlime and Niagara formations found throughout the township are treated of in the pages devoted to the Economical Geology of the county, as the quarries of Bluffton and neighborhood form one of the leading industries. There are two stone quarries near the L. E. & W. R. R. depot at Bluffton, operated by John Bates and Richler Greenwold. The quarries are excavated to a depth of about 20 feet. The quarries on the east side of the town, near the narrow gauge depot, are worked by Ira M. Thompson and L. Seidel. The heaviest stone produced ranges from six to eight inches in thickness. The stone quarries in the neighborhood of Bluffton are numerous and valuable. The population in 1880 was 3,372 including 353 in Bluffton. It is safe to estimate the increase within the past four years at 400, which would bring the number of inhabitants, at present up to 3,772 or about

Organization

Miller and others. Henry Shank and Daniel Goble were the first justices of the peace, Henry Carter, constable. In February, 1848, on the organization of Auglaize, the southern tier of sections in Township l, Range 8, was taken from Riley Township, Putnam County, and attached to Richland, thus giving it an area of 42 square miles.

Pioneer History. - The early settlers of Richland were not backwoodsmen previous to their coming here. They were from a region cleared by their fathers, and were little accustomed to the use of the ax. 'To them a heavy growth of timber and the great fallen trees were formidable. A tree was not then, as now, a little mine of wealth - it was a nuisance to be rid of, and to the task of destroying the forest and snbjugating the wilderness the pioneers applied themselves assiduously. Henry Carter in his reminiscences of fifty years ago, states that he came to Putnam County in 1834, and located in what is now Richland Township. David Miller, a shoe-maker, and a very useful man, just in from Richland County, was very enthusiastic for the organization of the new township, and quite active, and through his zeal and influence the township was erected, and named after his former county - Richland. The first justices were Henry Shank and Daniel Goble. Mr. Carter was elected the first constable. People were poor, everybody avoided litigation, and all seemed willing to help their neighbors and preserve the peace. The pioneers, in every direction, commenced to clear the forest, erect new cabins, and welcome all new neighbors to the township. Men did not lag behind, but with strong arms and resolute hearts, set to work levelling the forests and preparing fields for culture. It was but a few years until many of the comforts of civilized life began to reward their toil and hardships. In due time they were joined in their labors by Henry Shank, Joseph Cokenour, Caleb and Josiah Gaskel, Samuel Gaskel, John Carnahan, Joseph Deford, on present site of the village of Bluffton; on Section 12, John McHenry, Green McHenry and Isaac McHenry. These persons are all deceased. The first schoolhouse was built on Little Riley Creek. It was a log-cabin and the teacher is Lalieved to have been Franklin Smith. The first preaching was in a cdbin at Budd Gaskel's. The first mill was on Riley Creek, a little corn-cracker owned by Joseph Deford. In 1834 deer, turkeys and raccoons were very plentiful.

In Daniel Milliken's reminiscences he refers to Jacob Shull, Louis Roberts and James Woods as the survivors of pioneer days, and to the following named old settlers: James Van Meter, James Lippincott, Samuel Lippincott, David Freet, William B. Rockhill, Thomas Rockhill, Alexander Stewart, Stephen Cook and Jefferson Vertner. old settlers near Rockport and Beaver Dam.

These were In Richland Township, an early schoolhouse was Hilty's, and the first teacher, William Redding. The first church, Methodist Episcopal, at Rockport. The first horse mill at Rockport, owned by Isaac Parker.

Lewis Jennings, who came with his parents to Allen County in 1836 and settled in Richland in 1852, states that the neighbors within two miles at that time were Tobias Woods, Benjamin Meek, John Shinaberry, John Dickerson, Clements Smeltz, Joseph Furshee, John Murray, and Richard Hall. The first school-house in his district was built in 1852 ; the first church was at Bluffton.

The following record of land buyers in the northern tier of sections, originally belonging to Putnam County, and of those who purchased lands in Township 2 south, Range 8 east, establishes the history of settlement. Again the tax roll of 1834, given in the pioneer chapter covers almost al] the names entitled to appear among the pioneers of the original township.

Jonathan Y. Sackett, section 4, 1833. John Shoemaker, section 3, 1886. Ulerick Neiswander, section 3, 1834. Jonathan Y. Sackett, section 4, 1838. Peter Garber, section 4, 1836. Christian Lugibihl, section 4, 1834. Christian Shoemaker, section 4, 1835. Peter Stoner, section 4, 1885.

Daniel Blocher, section 8, 1834. John Farmwalt, section 8, 1884. Nehemiah Miller, section 8, 1836. Christian Musser, section 8, 18384. Christian Bucher, section 9, 1834. . Peter Bixler, section 9, 1835.

Emanuel Hostetter, section 9, 1834. Wolrick Ashelman, section 10, 1836. David Williams, section 10, 1835. Ulrick Neiswander, section 10, 1834.

The early schools of Richland were primitive in their character as well as teaching. William Redding presided over a school of half a dozen pupils at Hilty's, while Benjamin Franklin Smith taught a few pupils in theJog schoolhouse on Little Riley Creek. After some years, the town was set off into school districts, and the system, now pursued, was adopted. The receipts for 1884 were $6,131.47; the expenditures amounted to $4,845.81. There are ten school buildings valued at $14, 100. Fourteen teachers are employed. The number of pupils enrolled is 940, 5038 boys and 437 girls. In' the Bluffton Special School District the receipts for 1884 amounted to $7,017.55, the expenditures to $3,509, 85. Number of pupils enrolled 402 - 212 boys and 190 girls. There is one school building valued at $15,000. Seven teachers are employed, of whom five are ladies.

At Budd Gaskel's cabin the pioneer Methodists found a home, church and congregation. In 1842 the German Reformed Church was founded here by George Spangler. In 1848 the Mennonite Church was organized by John Flint, and in 1849 the Presbyterian Church by Revs. Halliday and McKinney.

Bluffton Village

The village of Bluffton, platted in 1837 under the name Shannon, by Joseph Deford, is located on Sections 1 and 12, Richland Township, on the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. The name Shannon was changed to Bluffton in 1872-738, although long prior to this the latter name was bestowed upon it. The original village comprised the four blocks bounded by Jackson and Monroe, Jefferson and Riley, extending northwest to the creek, intersected by Main and Washington Streets, with a few lots on the northwest corner of Jackson and Riley and Jackson and Washington, and on the southeast corner of Monroe and Jefferson. The principal additions to the village are Goble's, Eaton's, Vance's, Godfrey's, Farrell's and Kibler's, all of which may be said to extend northeast from Kibler Street to Riley Creek, and northwest from the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad to Little Riley 'Creek. A small creek named Marsh Run empties into Riley Creek on the line of Jackson Street. Little Riley Creek joins the main stream one block west of Spring Street.

At Croghan Postoffice, subsequently named Shannon, and again in 1873 named Bluffton, were the families of Josiah & Budd Gaskel, Hugh Lee, John Carnahan, John McHenry, D. W. Goble, Sam Viers, John Amstutz and John Steiner.

The village of Bluffton was organized August 17, 1861, when Josiah S. Powell was elected mayor; H. H. Edsall, clerk; James Patterson, John H. Fennsler, John Meyer, E. P. Leslie, Hayh Walls, councilmen; John Franks, Francis Smith, Isaac Seidel, A. P. Carsons and A. W. Cahill, judges of election.

The Presbyterian Church of South Bethel was organized June 6, 1849, by Rev. Messrs. McKinney and Halliday, and the church named South Bethel. Robert Stewart was ruling elder. In 1852 the Goble heirs donated the land on which the church building now stands, and a house was erected soon after. From 1852 to 1873, the church was called the Presbyterian Church of Shannon. In April the latter year, the name was changed to Bluffton. The pastors who have served the church are named as follows: Revs. James Anderson to 1850; R. M. Badeau, 1850- 51; T. P. Emerson, 1851; W. K. Brice, C. R. Van Emmons, R. H. Halliday, 1872; I. G. Hall, 1878; W. C. Scott, 1878; Edward Laport, supply, 1879; and B. J. Brown, March 7, 1883, the present pastor.

The original members of the Presbyterian Church of Bluffton were Elder Robert Stewart and wife (not Elder Stewart of the first organization), William Wilson and wife, Nancy Murray, Roxanna McConnell, Jane Nunnemaker, Daniel Frantz, James Fenton, Emiline Fenton, Anna Carnahan, Mary Anderson, Mary A. Drittesler, William Peppel and Mrs. Peppel. The ruling elders were Robert Stewart, 1849-55; Robert Stewart, Jr., of Knox County, Ohio; D. A. McComb, 1877; Dr. J. McPeak, 1884. The number of members enrolled is fifty-five, of whom fifteen moved away. The value of property is about $5,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The Methodist preacher had been a frequent visitor among the people of Richland in pioneer days, and was one of the first ministers of the gospel to establish a branch of the Christian Church in the township. Services were held at Gaskel's and other places until a society was organized. In 1873 a church building was erected at Bluffton at a cost of $8,000. The parsonage erected in 1874 cost $2,000. Both buildings are solid brick structures. The pastors of this society since 1865 are named as follows: Charles Ashton, 1865; A. J. Frisbee, 1868; J. C. Miller, 1870; L. W. B. Long, 1872; A. J. Fish, 1873 ; Jabez S. Blair, 1874; J. A. Wright,* 1875; J. F. Crooks, 1877; A. C. Barnes, 1879; W. W. Winters, 1882, and Rev. Isaac N. Smith, the present pastor, in 1883. The number of members belonging to the society is seventy-six, while the Sunday-school claims 100.

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton, was founded in 1869. The first members were the Owens family, Frank Kenney, Joseph Kenney, William Gustwiller, Joseph Remon, the Woolridge family in later years, Laurence and Joseph Fisher, the Steinhowers, Hortingers and Wichoffskys. The church building was erected in 1869 - a frame building, at a cost of $1,000, subscribed by all classes of citizens. Rev. Fathers Young, Rudolph and Doner have attended this church.

German Reformed Church (Emanuel's) was organized as a German Reformed and Lutheran Society in 1842 by Rev. George Spengler. In 1860, under Pastor Dr. P. Greding, the brick church, located on northwest quarter of Section 22, near the center of the township, was erected. In 1861 the congregation was reorganized as a German Reformed Society, and, as such, adopted a constitution in accordance with that of the German Reformed Church in the United States. In 1872 a new church was formed at Bluffton, four miles distant, by a number of the members of this congregation dismissed for that purpose. The membership of the old church amounts to 200 at present. The ministers who have served since the origina] organization are George Spengler, A. Doner, C. H. Pfaff, J. Klingler, J. Reiter, Dr. P. Greding, C. Pluess, A. Schenck, and H. Rusterholz, and Rev. G. Kuhlen.

German Reformed Church (St. John's) was organized in 1872, under Rev. A. Schenck. The congregation used the Presbyterian Church as a place of worship up to 1881, when their church building was completed. The membership does not exceed 100. The pastor of Emanuel's German Reformed Church is also preacher in charge of St. John's.

The Mennonite Church - The American Mennonites formed a society here in 1848, their first preacher being John Thut, who was born in Switzerland, in or about the year 1801, and died in 1867, aged sixty-six years, six months and five days. He had immigrated to America in 1825. On the 25th day of December, 1843, he was chosen by lot to preach the gospel in Holmes County, and on the 6th day of October, 1857, he was unanimously elected to the office of bishop, in Richland Township, Allen County. Thut and several families came here from Holmes County in 1848 and founded this society. The American Mennonites claim a membership of seventy for this society. The Swiss Mennonites have an organization in the township, and a meeting house on Section 3, while the Reformed Mennonites are represented by a church and society on Section 34, North Richland.

I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 371, was chartered May 18, 18638, with J. S. Powell, A. J. Conrad, Jacob Moser, R. H. Cox and Joseph B. Hall, members. The present membership is about twenty-eight. The Noble Grands since 18738 are named as follows: A. Hauenstein, William Wilson, Wesley Cramer, H. L. Noble, A. Besire, L. Seidel, C. Lugibihl, Joseph Miller, H. L. Romey, D. 8S. Fennsler, A. J..Owens, J. F. Hissong, J. A. Nunnemaker, A. Hauenstein, W. B. Richards, F. C. Steingraver, John Amstutz, L. L. Conkey, Joseph Miller, C. Lugibihl, D. S. Fennsler, W. V. Hutchins, 1884. The secretaries: W. Cramer, H. L. Romey, A. Besire, C. Lugibihl, H. L. Romey, L. W. Bell, D. S. Fennsler, A. J. Owens, J. F. Hissong, J. A. Nunnemaker, L. L. Conkey, G. Steiner, F. C. Steingraver, L. L. Conkey, and A. Hauenstein.

Royal Arcanum Lodge, No. 193, Bluffton, was organized under dispensation, November 12, 1878, and under charter in Lecember, 1878, with the following members: O. S. Langan, A. G. Frick, James Wilson, Harry Eckels, Joseph Harris, S. J. Brand, 8. C. Patterson, A. D. Lugibihl, W. P. Bentley, W. B. Richards, I. M. Townsend, J. S. Asire, A.

G. Kibler, F. C. Steingraver, J. J. Anderson, J. F. Hissong, D. Steiner. The other members of the lodge are Thomas Jackson, Zachariah Latham, I. A. Dennis, R. R. Zoll, Charles Gustwiller, Andrew Kohli, A. N. McBride, B. J. Brown, C. L. Townsend, S.S. Yoder. The present membership numbers twenty-four.

Equitable Aid Union was organized at Bluffton January 28, 1882, with the following members: M.S. Muma and wife, D. A. McComb and wife, O. E. Townsend and wife, J. J. Miller, Dr. Steingraver and wife, George Balentine and wife, John Wilson and wife, and W. V. ' Hutchins. D.A. McComb was first secretary and Dr. Steingraver, president. The membership is fourteen. The society is organized for the . same objects as characterize other insurance societies.

Robert Hamilton Post, 262, G. A. R., was organized September 28, 1882, with the following members: Jesse Vernon, W. B. Richards, A. Hauenstein, Joseph Harris, L. W. Bell,* H. W. Rieter, J. M. Wolcott,* M. W. Hesser,* S. J. Brand, H. L. Romey, H. J. Call, Patrick Noonan, * S. B. Agin, William Lewis, Sr., F. M. Bailes, Isaac McHenry, J. A. Nunnemacher, J. B. Lewis, Lewis Rash* and J. G. Moorhead. Of the original members all are now members except those marked *. W. B. Richards was first commander and A. Hauenstein adjutant. Jesse Vernon is now commander. The names on muster-roll number forty-one. With three exceptions, all served in Ohio regiments from 1861 to 1865. Lewis Homard of Jackson Township, who died about three years ago, served all through the war but received no discharge.