Sandusky Township (part 23 of 57)

year, 1843. They now reside in Minneapolis. They were married in Pennsylvania, and he was ordained to the ministry in 1870. In 1882 lie was a.ssigned to organization and missionary work in the West, and instituted many of the largest English Lutheran churches in the country west of Chicago. His work as an organizer was done in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. He is now the active pastor of the Salem English Lutheran Church at Minneapolis, the largest English Church of that denomination in the state. Rev. George H. Trabert has also been quite .successful in a financial way. He is a republican in politics. He and his wife have four children; Charles L., who is secretary of the Coos Bay Lumber Company, with home at Berkeley. California; Rev. E. A. Trabert; and Ruth E., wife of R. A. Smith, who is assistant auditor for the Northwest Telephone Company at Minneapolis.

E. A. Trabert was liberally educated. He attended Thiel College at Greenville, Pennsylvania, and also Bethany Cfollege at Lindsborg, Kansas, where he was graduated in 1895. Prior to taking up the work of the ministry he was employed in the C. A. Smith Lumber Company of Minneapolis, Minn. He completed his professional preparation in the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1898. His first charge was at LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he remained two years and where he organized the First English Lutheran Church. He then went Ea,st to the Pitt.sburg District, and held pastorates at Braddock and Uniontown, Pennsylvania. For seVen years Mr. Trabert was pastor of Christ Church in the City of Pittsburgh. There his powers as an organizer and administrator had full scope. He secured property and left the parish in possession of a handsome church edifice built at the cost of $80,000. Following that he spent three years at Brooklyn, New York, and in 1915 came to Lima and became pastor of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church.

In 1902 Rev. Mr. Trabert married Bertha "Weaver. ]\Irs. Trabert was born in Pittsburgh. They have one child, George "William, now attending school. Mr. Trabert is a republican in politics. Besides his work as a minister he has made a specialty of music. "While living at Minneapolis he led the choir and was also in charge of the choir of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chicago.

Bernard Edmund O'Connor is one of Lima's leading attorneys, has been in active practice for the past ten years, and in that time has won the respect of his fellow lawyers in Allen County, gained experience and rendered valuable service as an assistant prosecutor of the county, and is now in the enjoyment of a promising and profitable practice. His offices are in the Holland Building at Lima.

He was born at Lima April 27, 1879, a son of John and Sarah (0 'Council ) O'Connor, of whom a complete record is found on other pages of this work. The son received his early education in St. Rose Catholic Parochial School, in Assumption College in Canada, spent five years in St. Gregory College, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years in St. Mary's Seminary at Cleveland, and finished his studies in preparation for his profession by a three years' coui-se in the law department of Western Reserve University of Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated in 1906, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1906, and has since been employing his time and talent as a Lima lawyer.

His service as assistant prosecuting attorney of Allen County was rendered during the years from 1907 to 1911. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the St. Rose Catholic Church. He is a democrat in politics.

Herman H. Kuhlman besides being president of the Peoples Savings Bank of New Knoxville has by many other activities and interests become recognized as the leading citizen of that town. This is a position that has been earned by many yeai-s of hard work and upright character. When he was a young man he was working at wages hardly more than $60 a year. His career is an illustration of American opportunities and of wliat persistent industry will accomplish in the long run.

Mr. Kuhlman came to the United States a boy of si.xteen. He was bom near Osnabrueck in Germany December 1, 1857, a son of William and Elizabeth (Ruesse) Kuhlman, both also natives of Osnabnieek. His father was born there in 1820 and died in 1893 and the mother died at the old home in 1866, before the family came to America. William Kuhlman was a brick and stone mason, and followed that trade practically all his life. He and his wife were active members of the Evangelical Church. Though for many years lie was a poor and humble laborer, he did well, especially after coming to the United States with his children in 1873 and locating at New Knoxville, Ohio. There were seven children : Henry J., of New Knoxville ; Elizabeth, a widow living at New Knoxville; Louisa, wife of George E. Wellman, a fruit farmer near New Knoxville; William and Christ, retired brick layers living at Evansville, Indiana ; George, a brick layer at St. Marys.

The sixth in this family was Herman H. Kuhlman, who had gained his education in the German schools before coming to America and had also had one year of experience in a railroad station there. When the family came to Ohio he found employment on a farm for five years, and then gained the preliminary experience which fitted him for merchandising.

In 1871 he engaged in the mercantile business and for a number of years conducted a general store at New Knoxville. He knew how to handle busriness afl'airs, understood the art of attracting trade and holding it, and by a constant study of new methods and by upholding the best standards of merchandising he made a splendid success. In recent years he has given his attention largely to the management of the bank and other important interests. In 1910 Mr. Kuhlman e.stablished the People's Savings Bank at New Knoxville. This is a private bank with a capital of $6,000, surplus of $4,000, and the average deposits are about $170,000. ]Mr. Kuhlman is also a stockholder in the St. Marys Home Bank, and has a large amount of property in Auglaize County. Active in local affairs, he served as treasurer of New Knoxville and is treasurer of Washington Township, and is also treasurer of his church, and has filled that position since 1892.

In 1879, the year he engaged in merchandising at New Knoxville, he married Miss Emma Lutterbein. She was born at New Knoxville, and her father Henry Lutterbein was a tailor and dry goods merchant. Mrs. Kuhlman, who died in 1907, was the mother of nine children : Tlenry, who is cashier of the People's Savings Bank at New Knoxville, married Miss Olga Finke ; Alvina, wife of Herman Hall, clerk in a store at Knoxville, and they have two children, Ruth and Marie ; Ida, living at home and a clerk; Mata, who is studying to be a professional nurse at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Reinhardt, who was graduated in the spring of 1916 from the University of Ohio at Columbus and is now at home; Selma, formerly a school teacher, married Julius Eversman, a general merchant of New Knoxville, Ohio; Clara, who lives at home and since graduating from St. Marys High School in 1916 has been clerking; Arminta, still in school; and LeRoy also a student. In June, 1910, Mr. Kuhlman married Emma Fenneman, widow of the late H. Cook. There are three children of this union : Mildred, who has already taken up her studies in the public schools; Lawrence and Norman. The family are members of the German Reformed Church and both Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman take a very active part in church affairs. In politics he is a republican.

Benjamin Adolph Gbamm. It was fully fifteen years ago, when the motor age was just being inaugurated, that Benjamin A. Gramm, who had up to that time interested himself chiefly in the banking business, turned his attention to the manufacture of automobile trucks. He has since become one of the leading manufacturers of this line in the State of Ohio and not only possesses the executive and financial abilities required for success in that line of industry, but also the inventive genius and the technical inclinations which make him a master of the manifold detail of automoliile construction. For several years he has given his time azid energies to making Lima an important center of the automobile business.

He was born July .30, 1872, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and after a public school education began as messenger in the First National Bank of Chillicothe. He continued with that institution for a number of years but resigned in 1900 in order to manufacture what was known as the Logan Motor Truck. This was built after his own pattern and on patents issued to him. With the services of twelve men during the first year he turned out one truck. It was an experimental time in the motor industry and after several years he resigned from the original company and in 1908 went to Bowling Green, Ohio, and organized the Gramm Motor Company. It built the well known Gramm motor truck, and during the first year the company employed 100 men and subsequently built up an industry employing about 300.

interested considerable Lima capital in his enterprise, and in 1912 he moved to Lima and built a large factory 75 by 450 feet, two stories, but sold his interest in it in March, 1912, and in July of the same year organized his present company, The Gramm-Bernstein Motor Truck Company. This is one of the largest concerns of tlie kind in Northwestern Ohio, employs a capital of $4,000,000, has about 450 men on its payroll, and occupies 75,000 square feet of floor space in the plant. The company now turns out about 1,200 motor trucks of all kinds each year and expect to make 1,800 in 1917. Mr. M. Bernstein is president of the company and Mr. Graram is vice president and general manager.

Mr. Gramm is also vice president of the Morgan-Wood Company and director in The Lima Steel Castings Co. He is well known in the State of Ohio, is a member of the Ohio Club of New York, belongs to the Lima and Shawnee Club, the Lima Chamber of Commerce, is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a director and for two years was president of the Lima Young Men's Christian Association, and is a director and trustee of the Lima Auto Club. He is also an active churchman and trustee of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. In April, 1895, at Ypsilanti. Michigan, Mr. Graram married Miss ^liimie Young. Their two children are W^illard Joseph and Mary Catherine.

Ortha Orrie Barr. In the dozen years that have passed since Mr. Barr entered upon practice as a lawyer at Lima he has gained a secure position in the Allen County bar, and has also been frequently honored with public responsibilities. He is now serving his first term as prosecuting attorney of the county.

He has been known to the people of this county since early boyhood. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 24, 1879. a son of Dr. Eugene J. and Sarah C. (Michael) Barr. His parents removed to Allen County in 1885, and Mr. Barr acquired his literary education in the public schools and in the old Lima College. In 1904 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and soon afterwards began a general practice at Lima. Wliile his father was serving as sheriff of Allen County he was its deputy, and that was his first experience in public affairs. From 1911 to 1915 Mr. Barr served as assistant prosecuting attorney and in the

August 30, 1916, a riot occurred here, when a mob tried to overcome the sheriff of Allen County because he would not give up a prisoner. Mr. Barr has prosecuted and convicted several of the mob. He has also convicted two county commissioners and a county surveyor since assuming his duties of this office. In 1916 ilr. Barr and his father built tlie sevenstory fireproof brick Barr Hotel Building here, which was opened to the public October 15, 1916. This is now the leading hotel in the city.

Mr. Barr is an active member of the Allen County Bar Association, and takes much interest in fraternal affairs. He is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a past master chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, is esteemed lecturing knight of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he has been very active as a democrat, and is a former member of the Central Committee.

On September 4, 1907, at Lima, Mr. Barr married Miss Bertha A. Woerner. Four children have been bom to their marriage, and one child, Catherina A., died at the age of three. Those now living are : Robert Ortha, Margaret and Edna Elizabeth.

Eugene Jacob Bare, M. D. A physician, county official and business man of prominence in Allen County, Doctor Barr has been a resident for more than thirty yeare.

He was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 21, 1857, a son of Doctor Tobias and Margaret (Weaver) Barr. His father was also a pioneer physician in Ohio, and died in 1857, the same year his son was born. The latter attended his first school in Clark County, Ohio, and after the age of twelve gained his education in Lebanon. For several years of his earlier career he taught school in Clark and Champaign counties, and on March 2, 1880, was graduated M. D. from the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. After some preliminary practice he located in Allen County in 1885, and was active in the work of his profession until 1895. In that year he turned most of his attention to the oil and timber business, and became an official of the Ohio Hardwood Lumber Company. He also acquired some interest in the lumber industrv in southern states.

In 1901 Doctor Barr was elected sheriff of Allen County, an office in which his efficiency was highly commended, and in 1903 he was reelected for a second term. After retiring from office he gave most of his time to the management of the Consolidated Bottling Company of Lima.

He is a democrat, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Oi-der of Elks, and his family worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1877 Doctor Barr married Miss Sadie C. ^liehael, of Tremont City. They became the parents of one child, Ortha 0. Barr, now a prominent member of the Allen County Bar. Doctor Barr married for his second wife in 1883 Mattie A. Miller, and to their marriage M'SlS born a daughter named Mabel. Doctor Barr subsequently married Miss Lillie Butler, of Fremont City, Ohio.

Bailis Heney Simpson. For more than a quarter of a century Bailis H. Simpson has been a prominent figure in Lima's business and public affairs. He is now the honored mayor of that city, has been active in municipal service for the past five years, and was for many years connected wth the Erie Railway Compan3^

Born on a farm in Franklin County. Oliio, September 30, 1859, he is a son of Wii^liiiiuton and Martha (Sudlow) Simpson. .Mi'. Siinpsou acquired a public school education, and remained on the farm and did farming as his regular business until the age of twenty-three. His home has been in Lima since 1887. Entering the clerical department of the Erie Railway, he rose to chief clerk at Lima, and filled that office for many years up to January, 1910. He then left the railroad to become seeretai*y of the waterworks department, and two years later was elected city auditor, an office he filled for two terms. In Novemlier, 1915, Mr. Simpson was elected mayor of Lima, and his first term began in January, 1916. He has also served as trustee of the sinking fund of the city, and is secretary and treasurer of the Lima Hospital Society.

Fraternally he is identiticil with the Knitjhts of Pythias and a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Miss Minnie East, daughter of Abraham and Mary East. Her father was a farmer for many years, and later became a merchant. To their marriage have been born five children : Gladys. Merle, Robert, Ruth and Charles Emerson.

John H. Klatte has been a practicing member of the Lima bar for the past twentyyears. He has the prestige of the industrious and hard working lawyer who has been unusually successful in handling litigation entrusted to him, and has also taken an active part in political affairs in this section of the state. He in one of the leading members of the Allen County Bar Association.

Born at New Bremen, Ohio, in 1886, he has lived in Lima since 1892. His father was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1843, and was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil war.

Mr. Klatte acquired his early education in the parochial schools, spent four years in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he graduated, and after a thorough course in law was admitted to the bar in 1895. Mr. lOatte as a lawyer has been chiefly busied with a large criminal practice, and is recognized as one of the foremost criminal lawyers in his part of the state.

In polities he has been aligned with the democratic party. He has done much active campaigning, but largely in the interests of his friends and his party. In 1901 he was a candidate for city solicitor, and though he had a strong rei^ublicau majority to contend with he was defeated by only thirty -nine votes. In 1909 he was appointed state supervisor of elections. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of the county and central committees and has attended many state and congressional conventions.

Fred H. Voigt. Every successful business institution, however much the facts may be hidden behind a corporate or business title, expresses the service, the integrity and the ability of those chiefly responsible for its fciinding and management. A better illustration of this truth could not be found than in the close relations which exist between the Holgate Commercial Bank in Henry County and the individual career of its founder and since organization its cashier and manager. Fred H. Voigt.

Mr. Voigt is one of the pioneers, if not the pioneer business man of Holgate, having located there more than forty years ago, about the time the Baltimoi-e & Ohio Railway built through Henry County and afforded an opportunity for a business center in that section of Pleasant Township. Mr. Voigt for many years was a merchant, had a drug store, and for the convenience of his patrons and the accommo- dation of the community he established in 1890 a small private bank. The bank's headquarters were in the rear of his dnig store. The bank filled a long felt want, and Mr. Voigt soon associated with him Nicholas and John A. Braver. In 189S they built a banking house beside the drug store building for the special accommodation of the bank. These parties continued the management of the bank as a private institution, and on April 1, 1908, there was a reorganization, when a number of their personal friends and other leading citizens took stock in the bank. At the time of the reorganization .the ofQcers elected were : J. C. Groll, president; George A. Ricker, vice president, who two yeai-s later became president ; and William H. Peper, also vice president. As has been stated, through all the years Fred H. Voigt has been cashier and the official upon whom have devolved the chief responsibilities of the bank's management. The growth of this institution and its hold upon the confidence of a large community are due to Mr. Voigt 's skillful management, good financial judgment and thorough honesty more than to any other one individual factor. After the reorganization of the bank a new building was erected in the center of the town, specially designed for the uses of the business. It is 22 by 60 feet, and is furnished as a modern banking room, with all the safety appliances and other equipment required for the transaction of banking business. For the past three years the Commercial Bank has been under state inspection.. Throughout its existence its capital has stood at $20,000, and it has always maintained a large sui-plus, its deposits now averaging about .$250,000.

Fred H. Voigt is a native of Hanover, Germany, where he was born July 9, 1850. He is of old German stock, and his father was a farmer and sheep raiser. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Bremer) Voigt, both natives of Hanover. They spent all their lives there, were quite old when they died and were faithful members of the Lutheran Church.

Having acquired his education in the German .schools, Fred H. Voigt left home, and alone, in 1868, crossed the Atlantic to America. He sailed on the first steamship, named the Baltimore, which left Bremen for the City of Baltimore. There was nothing about the landing of this poor immigrant boy on the shore of a strange land that would excite comment in the beholders. He was like many others who came from Germany, was poor in pocket but exceedingly ambitious, and had physical strength and willingness to adapt himself to the conditions of a new country. His first location was at Okolona in Henrj' County, Ohio. He had only $5 in his pocket when he arrived. While working on a farm he managed to secure the benefit of some terms of instruction in the local schools, and thus perfected his use of the English language. From Henry County he went to Logansport, Indiana, and put in three years there earning his living as a clerk, and at the same time studying pharmacy. His next location was at Toledo, where he was employed as a clerk for two years.

In 1874 Mr. Voigt went back to his native land, and when he returned to America in the same year he brought with him his brother Henry. Henry established himself in the butcher business at Holgate, and spent the rest of his life in that town. He left a family of children.

Fred Voigt on coming to Holgate in 1871 used his modest capital and his experience in starting up the first mercantile establishment. The Baltimore & Ohio Railway had just been completed in that year, and he saw an opportunity for a business future in the small station called Holgate. The first goods shipped over the railroad to Holgate were to stock Mr. Voigt 's .store. At fii-st he had a stock of drugs and also general merchandise, but later he gave all his attention to the drug business. He continued that, and, as already stated, branched out into banking, and finally sold his drug store and has since devoted his exclusive time and energies to the success of the Commercial Bank.

, Mr. Voigt was married at Holgate in 1876 to Miss Mary Vogel. She was born near Toledo, Ohio, in 1861. grew up and was educated there, and is of German parents, John and Mary (Hoffman) Vogel. Her parents were born in one of the Rhine provinces of Germany, came to America when young, and were married near Toledo. Later they moved to Holgate. and Mr. Vogel followed the business of an undertaker. Both he and his wife died there. His death was accidental and was the result of an injury received on the railway at Holgate. The widow died some years later. The Vogel family were Catholics in religion.

Mr. and Mrs. Voigt and family are among the leading members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Holgate. He has long been active as a Lutheran lavman. has had much to do with church affairs, and more than forty years ago he brought about the organization of the present church at Holgate axid has ever since been one of its leading officials and supporters. In politics he was formerly a democrat, but has been a republican since McKinley's time. Among local responsibilities he has been treasurer of both the village and township for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Voigt have a fine family of nine children. Fred J., the oldest, is a lumber dealer at Bringhurst, Indiana, and is the father of two children, Fred and Naomi. Winnie married William Zachrich, of Marion Township, and he is now a meat dealer at Holgate; their children are Madaliue, Genevieve and Dorothy. Gus H., is married and is in the real estate business in Arkansas. He is a graduate in the business course of the college at Ada. Anna is the wife of W^illiam Mann, assistant cashier in the Commercial Bank at Holgate; their children are Howard, Raymond and Eugene. Eugene Voigt graduated from the Normal College at Athens, Ohio, and is a successful manual training teacher at Anoka, Minnesota; he married Beatrice Backus. Emma wa.s educated in the local high school and in the Toledo Business College, and is now clerking in her father's bank. Tillie is the wife of Clarenci' Ricliold, who is in the tile and brick Inisiiu'ss at llol gate, and they are the parents of t«o rliiklren, named William and Mary J. JMadaline is unmarried and is also a bookkeeper in the bank. Dorothy is a graduate of the high school and is now a student in the Normal College at Athens, Ohio. All the children received the advantages of the local schools and some of them had further training in other institutions.

Charles Heney Cory. Because of its varied industries Lima has always attracted many of the most skillful workers and executives in manufacturing and con.structive enterprise. One of these is Charles Henry Cory, a veteran business man and financier, who for years fulfilled some of the heaviest responsibilities of railway service, and for the past thirty years has been a leader in banking and industrial affairs at Lima.

Born at Hanover Neck, New Jersey, December 26, 1839, a son of James and Susan (Mulford) Cory, his father having been a eontractor and builder, Charles H. Cory gained only a public school education, having attended for a time the schools at Paterson. New Jersey. When only sixteen years of age he began an apprenticeship in the locomotive works at Paterson, and was paid $1.50 a week while learning his trade, which he finished at the age of twenty-one. His first regular position WHS with the Illinois Central Railway in their shops at Centralia, Illinois. He was a machinist in the shops and soon afterwards was promoted to foreman. In the meantime he was called to the service of the Government during the Civil war and was made foreman of erecting shops in the military railroad department of the Cumberland, being stationed at Nashville, Tennessee. He was a valuable aid to the Government in that work, and after the close of the war returned to Centralia and resumed his position as foreman for the Illinois Central. He remained with that company fourteen years, and then for two years was master mechanic of the Cairo & Vincennes Railway, was master mechanic for two years of the Iowa Central, and for two years was stationed at Portsmouth, Ohio, with the Scioto Valley Railway. After that he became superintendent of construction for the middle division, Cleveland to Fort Wayne, with the New York Central and St. Louis Railway at Postoria, Ohio, where he remained two years. For four years he was superintendent and master mechanic at Mechanicsville, New York, of the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Railway.

It was in 1886 that Mr. Cory came to Lima and accepted the responsibilities as superintendent of motive power for the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway. He continued actively in the service of that corporation until 1907. In the meantime he had taken an active part in local business and civic affairs. In 1887 he was made director of the Lima Home and Savings Association, of which he became vice president in 1900 and in 1913 president, an office he still holds. He is vice president of the Metropolitan Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, a director of the Lima Telephone and Telegraph Company, a director of the Crystal Ice and (5oal Company, is vice president and one of the trustees of the Lima Hospital Association, a trustee of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association and is a member and formerly a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order. Few men have been in the harness so long as a worker and executive, and Mr. Cory is rightly regarded as one of the builders and leaders in Lima's prosperity.

Louisa Young. Their four living children are : Charles Henry, Jr., who is an electrician at Dayton, Ohio; Fred, a machinist with the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway at Lima; Caroline M., wife of M. C. Pai-tsclier, who is connected with the iletropolitan Bank of Lima; James Mulford, who is connected with the Standard Oil interests at Lima ; and there was another son, Louis H., who died at the age of forty years.

Sanpord S. Coon. The importance of ^Ir. Coon's business record in Allen County has been chiefly as a manufacturer of hardwood 'umber and lumber specialties, and for many years he has been one of the leaders in this line and also has operated an extensive lumber and building supply business at Lima.

He represents some of the old family stock of Allen County, and his father Isaac Coon was a settler in that county in 1832. Sanford S. Coon was born in ilauley Township of Allen County July 23, 1862, a son of Isaac and Sarah Coon. His father was a well known farmer and stock raiser.

Educated in public schools, he lived at home on his father's farm until about twenty-five years of age, and then engaged in the manufacture of tile. He also early became identified with the manufacture of hardwood lumher, and has turned out at his plant about 1,200,000 feet per year. He has also manu- 'faetured on an extensive scale spokes and handles, with output of hundreds of thousands annually. In 1906 Mr. Coon established his lumber yard and builders' supply business at Lima, and has a large plant and yard 200 by 200 feet, on High Street and the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad track.

Mr. Coon has had his home in Lima since 1892. He is an active republican, a member and trustee of the Church of Christ and is past noble grand and a member of the Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On May 29, 1888, he married ]\Iiss Matilda Fairchild of Indiana. They have one son, Isaac Nathan Coon, who is now actively associated with his father in the lumber business. The son was married November 9, 1910, to Miss Gale B. Bowdle of Lima, where she was born. She is a daughter of Rev. Elisha Bowdle. To this marriage has been born one child, Greta, on December 7, 1913.

Mr. Gaynor was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1912 with the degree LL. B. In June of the same year he was admitted to the Ohio bar after examination at Columbus. In the class of 270 applicants he took the highest honors. His average grade in the various branches on which he was examiner was 94.6 per cent., and that is the highest average ever received by any applicant for admission to the Ohio bar.

He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, June 3, 1887, a son of John J. and Josephine L. (Connor) Gaynor. His father was born at Dryden Springs, New York, and his mother at Ithaca, New York. John J. Gaynor for a number of years was associated in business with the C. F. Adams and Company of Toledo, afterwards removed to Lowell, I\Iassachusetts, where he was in business, and in 1901 returned to Toledo and became a tobacconist in the old St. Paul Building. He died July 22, 1915, at Toledo, Ohio. He was a very successful business man. He was a devout Catholic, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Foresters and a democrat in politics.

Paul T. Gaynor was the only son of his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Toledo and of Lowell, Massachusetts, and then entered the University of Michigan, where he pursued his law studies until graduating. He is a member of the Catholic Church, belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Commercial Club, and in politics is a democrat. On August 16, 1916, he married Miss Helen Blinn.

The Cochrun Family of Allen County was established eiglit.v-five years ago in Northwest Ohio, and while the earlier generations bore a full share of responsibility in reclaiming the wilderness, all the members of the family have been industrious factors in community life and valued citizens.

Rev. Simon Cochrun, the ancestor of all the Cochruns in Allen County, was born August 3, 1755, and died June 9, 1845, at the age of eighty-nine years, eleven mouths, six days. He participated in the war for independence on the American side.

of age, came to this section in 1831, and spent his active years as a farmer in Sugar Creek Township. He was an active factor in establishing and upholding the influence of the Methodist Church in his community.

Simon Cochrun, son of Wesley and a grandson of the Revolutionary soldier and pioneer Methodist preacher, was born in 1821, and was ten years of age when he an'ived in Allen County. He died in 1897. Simon Cochrun married Lucinda Miller. Three of their children are still living in Allen County : James G. of Spencerville ; Lambert Y. of Spencerville and Jasper Lee, who are successively noted in followiog paragraphs.

James G. Cochrun was born in Siigar Creek Township of Allen County March 27, 1847, had a public school education, and for about fifteen years devoted all his time and energies to farming and livestock raising. Since 1886 his home has been in Spencerville, where he has been engaged in the meat, coal and ice business. He now conducts a coal and ice business,- and also looks after the management of his fine farm of 300 acres. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. James G. Cochrun was married October 15, 1886, to ]\Iinnie Hover, of Amanda Township, a daughter of CjTus and Martha (Post) Hover. James G. Cochrun served two terms as mayor of Spencerville, was for four years a justice of the peace and is a republican in politics.

Lambert Y. Cochrun, who was born in Sugar Creek Township of Allen County August 1, 1849, grew up on a farm and after completing his course in the public schools attended Lebanon College, and for five years taught public school and was also a music teacher. Since 1879 he has been a dry goods merchant at Spencerville. He served fourteen years as a member of the local school board, for two terms was township clerk and for two terms to-svnship treasurer, and has also been treasurer of the Village of Spencerville. He was married March 31, 1872, to IMargaret Berryman of Auglaize County. Their four children are: Bert C, a merchant tailor at Spencerville who married Delphine Stump and has a son Basil G. ; Caroline, who lives at home with her parents; Janet, the wife of I. N. Hapner of Gainesville, Florida: and Frank W., who lives at Hammond, Indiana, and married Ora Stump of Roekford, Ohio. Lambert Cochrun is a Mason and is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias.

Allen County February 1, 1859. After his training in the country schools he attended the Normal College at Ada, and for five yeai*s taught school. Most of his active career has been devoted to farming and live stock raising, and he now resides in Spencerville. For twenty odd years he was a member of the school board in Amanda Township, and has always given his influence to the upbuilding of local institutions and has played a helpful part in his community. He is now vice president of the Citizens Bank of Spencerville. Politically he is a republican, and is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias.

Jasper L. Cochrun married June 5, 1881, Catherine Carmean. Their son Paul W^esley is editor and proprietor of the Journal News at Spencerville, and is referred to on another page. The second son, James Lee, is now field agent for the United States Department of Agriculture at Columbus, Ohio. He served seven years in the Constabularj' service in the Philippine Islands, being given a medal for "valor" by the United States Government. He married July 13, 1914, Lela Purdy of Spencerville, and they have two children : a daughter, Betty Ann, and a son, James Lee, Jr. James L. Cochrun is a member of the Army and Navy Club at ^Manila, Philippine Islands, and is affiliated with the Phi Kappa college fraternity and the Masonic order.

Paul, Wesley Cochrun who is now owner and editor of the Spencerville Journal-News, represents one of the very old families of Northwest Ohio, and has had an active and interesting personal career, not only as a newspaper man, but in educational work.

He was born in Amanda Township of Allen County June 6, 1884, a member of the well known Cochrun family described on preceding pages. His parents are Jasper Lee and Catherine (Carmean) Cochrun, while his gi-andparents were Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun. His grandparents came to Ohio in the vei-y early days.

Mr. Cochrun grew up on a farm, had a public school education and afterwards completed his education in the Ohio Weslej^an University at Delaware. For nine years he was identified with school work, and during that time he made a complete tour of the world. For a year and a half he was superintendent of the District of Cotabata in the Lsland of Mindanao in the Philippine Islands.

Spencerville, and has since given all his time to his work as editor and publisher. Mr. Cochrun is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, of the Masonic order, and in Odd Fellowship is a member of the subordinate lodge, Encampment and the Rebekahs. His church home is with the Methodist denomination.

The Spencerville Journal was established May 9, 1879, by John Summerset. In politics it maintained a neutral attitude. For several years the Journal was published at Delphos and the papers were brought by train to Spencerville for distribution. In 1896 another paper was established, known as the News, but in 1899 the two were consolidated as the Journal-News. This is one of the influential weeklies of Allen County, and is democratic in sentiment. It has a circulation of 2,200, has a well equipped shop, and four people are employed.

Edw.vrd a. Hettel, whose home has been within the limits of Henry County for the past thirty years, is most widely known as the president of the Farmers Grain and Stock Company, of Elery, Monroe Township in that county. His has been a career of advancement since he did his first independent farming, and some years ago he graduated or retired from the farm to a home in Napoleon, from which city he manages as chief executive this important business enterprise of Henry County.

Elery is located on the Cloverleaf Railway, and its chief importance is due to the business contracted through the Farmei-s Grain and Stock Company. This company was organized in 1912 and has been in active operation since July of that year. Its first president was Mr. Edward Detmer, who in February, 1916, took the office of vice president and was succeeded by Mr. Edward A. Hettel as president. The secretary and treasurer is Tobias Liefer. The active manager of the business at Elery is Mr. Frank Foster, an old and representative citizen of Henry County. This company has prospered and grown constantly since it was founded, and carries on a large business the entire year through. The company handles about fifteen car loads of grain every month, and their market is found not only in this section of Ohio but in other states and cities.

In the management of this company, as well as in all other interests that have come within his scope Mr. Hettel has proved himself a forceful and vigorous business man.

The farm on which he resided for twentytwo years before removing to Napoleon is situated in Flatrock Township, section 14, and he still owns that place of 160 acres. "While he lived there h*^ improved it in many ways, and the substantial part of his prosperity was acquired from the work he did while there. About eight years ago when he retired from the farm Mr. Hettel bought a comfortable and substantial eight-room house on West Washington Street and Shefifield Avenue. Since moving to Napoleon he has given most of his time to the grain and .stock business.

He is a native of Huron County, Ohio, born south of Monroeville in Peru Township, December 20, 1860. He grew up and received his early education there, trained himself as a practical farmer, and on moving to Henry County in 1886 bought the farm already mentioned and which remained his home for twenty-two years.

ilr. Hettel is a son of Frank A. and Maggie (Horn) Hettel. both of whom are natives of Germany. His father was bom in 1816, and his mother a year or two later. About 183-1 they set out for the New World, and were married not long after reaching this country. They were of the class of thrifty Germans who have converted so much of the Ohio wilderness into fertile and attractive farms. They began life in this state in a log cabin, and it was in a home of simple comforts and surroundings that the children were born and reared. Four of their children are still living and are married. Mr. Hettel 's father died in 1908 and his mother in 1899. They were lifelong Catholics, and reared their children in the same faith.

The only member of this family to come to Henry County, his brothers being residents of Huron County, Edward A. Hettel has been well satisfied with the choice he made for a permanent home. In Flatrock Township he married Miss Mary B. Thompson. She was also born in Huron County, on September 24, 1864. and when a child came to Henry County with her parents, \^^lliam and Rosa (Fell) Thompson. The Thompson family located en .section 13 of Flatrock Township, and improved a good farm there. Mrs. Thompson died in July, 1888, and Mr. Thompson has since retired to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he is still living and enjoying life at a good old age. He is a democrat, and the Thompsons were also Catholics.

Napoleon Township. Florence J. has finished her education in the public schools and in the Toledo Business College, and is now employed in the office of Judge James Donavan at Naj)oleon. ill', ami .Mrs. Hettel lost two children" in childhood, Alfred and Bertha. The family are regular comnuniieants of Saint Augustine Catholic Church at Napoleon, and politically ]Mr. Hettel gives his support to the republican

Jacob Carl Hoch. For a man who has only recently passed his thirtieth birthday, Jacob C. Hoch has been very prominent and has gained many honors in politics in his home County of Allen. Mr. Hoch is now serving as postmaster of Spcncerville.

He was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, November 12, 1884, a son of Charles H. and Ida (Blochberger) Hoch. His father, who is now retired and spent many years as a farmer, was born in ilarion County, Ohio, and has lived in Allen County since 1885. He has served as trustee of Spencer Township.

Educated in the public schools and graduating in 1904 from the Lima Business College, Jacob C. Hoch spent several years as superintendent of one of his father's farms. From the first he took an active part in democratic politics, and has served three terms as central committeeman from Spencer TowrLship, having been elected without opposition the last time. He was assessor for two years of Spencer Township, and in 1909 was elected for one term as laid appraiser. In 1911 he was appointed deputy county recorder of Allen County, a post he filled with distinction for three years. Then on December 31, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Spencerville, and has had full charge of the office and has administered it with characteristic energy and capability since January, 1915.

Mr. Hoch 'is a member of the Progressive Association and is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the German Reform Church.

E. W. Evans is a member of the firm of Evans & Gohlke, general gi'ocers, at 315 North Main Street, Pindlay. While he is generally recognized as one of the independent business men of Findlay, ilr. Evans attained that position at an age when most men are going through the ordeal of business apprenticeship.

of W. G. and Cora (Ludwig) Evans. He has both Welsh and German ancestry, his paternal grandfather Meredith R. Evans having been a native of Wales. A year after his birth the family removed to Findlay, where he grew up and had the advantages of the local schools. He was graduated from high school with the class of 1912, having taken the English-Latin and the bookkeeping and commercial courses.

His first business experience was three years as bookkeeper and stenographer for the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company. He then spent six months with Isbell Bean Company of Detroit, and returning to Findlay sought a business opening of his own, with such capital as he had been able to save from his earnings. In April, 1916, he bought the interest of Carl Smith in the grocgry firm of Smith & Gohlke, and the name then became Evans & Gohlke. The firm maintains a well stocked store, and the business is proving a money maker.

Mr. Evans is independent in politics, and is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and of Findlay Lodge, No. 227. Free and Accepted Masons.

William Edward Ellis is an expert when it comes to anything connected with the handling or repairs of automobiles, and has built up a tremendous business at Findlay known as the Ellis Garage, 319 North Main Street.

Mr. Ellis has won a position as an independent business man after years of hard work in mechanical lines. He was bom at Findlay in 1879, is of English and German stock, and a sou of I. P. and Lucinda (Grouse) Ellis. His father was a contractor.

Until he was fourteen yeai-s of age the publie schools of Pindlay furnished him the instruction with which he began life for himself. As a boy apprentice he entered the plant of Salem Wire Nail Company, and spent six years with that concern, finally being made a machine operator. He next was connected for a time with the American Steel & Wire Company, and then removed to Kokomo, Indiana, where he put in nine years as a machine operator for the Kokomo Nail and Brad Company. While in Kokomo he became interested in the automobile business, and for a year was an automobile salesman. He not only acquired a knowledge of automobiles as a business proposition, but also on the mechanical side, and with his experience and with the savings from his many years as a worker he returned to Findlay in 1914 and opened his first garage and repair shop at 325 Main Street. He became well known in his native town, and having all the qualifications to render perfect service, his business prospered and he was soon obliged to obtain larger quarters. He then removed to 319 North Main Street, his present location, where he has the entire three floors of the building occupying ground space 125x50 feet. Mr. Ellis is also sole agent for Hancock County of the Allen automobile, and shares with another man the county agency of the Hupmobile car.

In 1914 he married Elizabeth Ruth Sayers, daughter of Robert and Annie Sayers of Salem, Ohio. Mr. Ellis is an independent in politics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. _

Edw.\rd H. Mitchell, contractor and builder with offices in the Spitzer Building at Toledo, began his business career in the field of banking and milling in which his father, the late Reuben Jlitchell, made such a conspicuous success in Lucas County. Reuben Mitchell was one of the early settlers of Maumee, organized the first bank in Lucas County, and continued to be identified with banking and other enterprises for a long period of years. Reuben Mitchell was a native of Maine.

Edward H. Mitchell was bom in Maumee, Lucas County, June 30, 1876, the youngest in a family of seven children. He attended the common and high schools of Maumee and completed his education in St. Johnsburv's Academy in Vermont. He learned milling and banking under his father at Maiimee, and from a clerk was promoted to the office of cashier when only nineteen years of age. Several years later he went on the road as a traveling salesman for a large milling concern, and in 1906 he engaged in business under the firm name Mitchell Milling Company.

After three years Mr. Mitchell retired from the milling business and became a contractor and builder at Toledo. He has done an extensive business in the construction of residences and flats, and has made a specialty of subdividing acres for improvement with residences and other forms of home architecture. In that way he has done much to build up some of the vacant districts in and around Toledo. Mr. ilitchell takes a deep interest in public affairs affecting his home city, is a member of the Toledo Commerce Club, and

Mr. Mitchell was married October 6, 1906, to Miss Laura A. Spring, daughter of A. L. 'and Adeline (Cram) Spring. Three children have blessed this union : Alva M., Josephine E. and Adaline E.

John Henry Magee. The residence of John Henry ]\Iagee in Ottawa County antedated the corporate existence of the City of Elmore, he having taken up his abode here as a boy in 1841. From the year 1861 to the time of his death he was engaged in a variety of pursuits, all connected with the rising business and financial interests of the city, with whose growth he was intimatel.y related, and with whose prosperity he himself prospered. ^Manufacturing, agriculture and finance, all shared his labor, and his hands laid hold of incipient institutions and helped to bring them to strength and maturity. At the time of his death he was president of the Bank of Elmore, one of the strong financial institutions of Ottawa County, which has been in existence for a period of forty-seven years.

John H. Magee was born in New Yoi'k State, September 25, 1833, and was eight years old when brought by his parents to Ottawa County. Educated in the public schools, he was engaged in various lines of business until 1873, when he embarked in the manufacture of staves and heading and has since conducted a large and important sawmill. He also began at an early date to invest his means in farming property, adding to his holdings until he had 3,500 acres in Paulding County, the greater part of which land ha.s since been sold, and 1,000 acres in Ottawa County, where he owned several of the largest and most valuable properties devoted to agriculture. In 1868 ilr. Magee entered the field of finance when he became tlie founder of a jirivate bank which was operated under his name. This institution prospered and flourished, having at all times the confidence and patronage of the people of Elmore and the surrounding countryside. In 1907, it was decided that the bank be reorganized, when Mr. Magee had determined to retire, but subsequent events made him feel that his hand was needed to guide its affairs, and when the Bank of Elmore began operations, July 1, 1907, he was found in the president's office, with John N. Magee as vice president and Edward P. Carsten as cashier. The bank has continued to enjoy the patronage and confidence of the people, its present deposits being $410,000, the concern paying four per cent on savings. The capital is $25,000, the surplus a like amount and the undivided profits $5,000, and the institution owns its own banking hoiise, a two story brick building, 18x72 feet, with offices in the second story. In addition to discharging the duties as chief executive of this concern Mr. Magee was vice president of the First National Bank of Oak Harbor, Ohio.

A democrat in his political views, Mr. Magee was the incumbent of many oiBcial positions. In his younger years he was frequently elected to township offices, later served as treasurer of Ottawa County for two terras, and was finally sent by his fellow-citizens as representative of his county in the Ohio Legislature, in which body he served two terms, being known as a working member and serving on the finance and other important committees. Although he reached an age when most men are willing to retire from the active affairs of life, he still continued in the management of his multitudinous and important interests, displaying the same sagacity, keen judgment and foresight that characterized his younger years.

Mr. Magee was married three times, the present j\Irs. Magee having been a member of the well known Fairehild family of this county. Mr. ilagee has two sons : John Nicholas, of Toledo, Ohio, who is engaged in the real estate business ; and Ralph Lawrence, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, a contractor and builder, banker, and publisher of the City and Suburban Magazine.

Ben.T-amtn' Franklin Chroninger. Every home is an expression of the tastes and character of its owner. In the ease of a farm, the liome also shows the business entei-prise of the man who has developed and occupied it. Tlierefore it is not necessary to dig deeply into the records to find out what sort of man Benjamin Franklin Chroninger is. His fine ])laee in section 16 in Liberty Township is a standing illustration of many qualities of thoroughness, industry, enterprise, careful and studious management.

This, one of the most beautiful farms in Henry County, is properly called "The Queen of Acres." Everything there is modern, and it is not only a home of comfort but one of scientific arrangement so far as efficiency is concerned in handling the work conducted there. The quality of the soil on The Queen of Acres Farm may be called black loam clay subsoil, and the farm is level and cultivated so thoroughly that there is hardly a square foot of waste anywhere. Mr. Chroninger believes in good stock, and keeps his live stock only of the best grades. Years of effort have been required to surround him with these varied comforts and conveniences, .and in fact he has been a hard worker ever since he was a bo}' of tender years. Early in life he was a teacher, and the girl he married was at one time his pupil. It was Mr. Chroninger 's early ambition to become a lawyer. Had he carried out his ambition he would have reached a position in the profession perhaps even greater than the position he holds as a farmer and agriculturist. He is naturally a leader, and while he has been verj^ modest and has never sought an office, he has- nevertheless exercised a great influence in his community. A man strong of mind and body, he has a keen and eager intelligence, and his mind works rapidly and shows itself in a flow of language such as few members of the learned profession could equal. Mr. Chroninger is also one of the foremost workers in the Chris tian Union Church, and has contributed a great many able articles from his pen to church papers.

He is of old Pennsylvania stock and family. His grandfather, Henry Chroninger, was born in Western Pennsylvania, and his wife Elizabeth was a native of the same state. Henry Chroninger was a son of a Revolutionary soldier, who spent all his life in Pennsylvania. Farming has been the dominant occupation in all the generations. Not long after his iiiiin-iauv Tli'nry Chi-oninger moved across the I '.'mis\ Ivjniii line into Stark County, Ohio, .iikI established liis linme there earlv 'in tln' last cciitiii-x-. For soiiic years thev lived aiiioiie- tlie wildest of eon, lit ions. Tlieir lionie was neai- Wolf Creek. All their children were born in Stark County including George Chroninger, who was born September 12, 1816. Others were Henry, Margaret, Susan, Libby and Martha.

George Chroninger grew up in Stark County and on June 26, 1841. was married in Tuscarawas County to Elizabeth Ann Hinckle. After their marriage they continued to reside in Eastern Ohio, and while living there Benjamin Franklin Chroninger was born October 14, 1840. Another son, Cicero, was also born there but died in infancy.

In 1843, when Benjamin F. Chroninger was three years of age, his parents set out in a wagon drawn by an ox team for Henry County. It required some days to make the journey. Arriving in this county George Chroninger entered eighty acres in the southeast corner of section 28 in Liberty Township and later purchased eighty acres adjoining. For three weeks the family continued to make their home in the wagon until the father could cut away the heavy timber and erect a primitive log cabin, which constituted their first home in Henry County. During the first winter a quilt was hung up over the opening in lieu of a door. Outside the wolves howled around, hears were not infrequent, and had the occupants of the home not been of true pioneer courage it would have been a very dreary beginning. The little home was of logs, covered with clapboards, and at one end rose a chimney built of sticks and mud. Inside was a broad fireplace, where the wood burned was cut in four-foot lengths. The mother cooked all the meals at that fireplace, and in the early days these meals were of the very simplest, comprising corn cakes and meat obtained from the wild game which could be found in abundance in the surrounding timber. Every acre put into cultivation meant many days of labor in clearing away the woods and undergrowth. That was a swamp3' section, and in some instances it was necessary to build embankments in order to keep out the water. George Chroninger was a hard worker, and in time his work showed itself in extensive clearings around his home and in well cultivated fields. He also built a fine barn, and in time erected a substantial frame house. After they came to Henin- County other children were born, including: Henry, who has a daughter Nettie by his first wife whose maiden name was Lydia Gensel; Arminda, who first married Albert Knapp and later August Brandes, and had four daughters and three sons; Samuel, who died a child; Lydia, who died at the age of ten j^ears: George, who married Nora Sworden, and at his death left one son Otha: Monroe, who died at the age of nineteen ; Elsie, who is the wife of Ilenry Bade, and they live on the old Chroninger homestead in section 28 ; and Rush, who died young. i\Iildred A. Grose, who was born in Detroit, I\Iichigan, in 1905, was oiphaned at the age of five years, and is now being carefully reared and trained in the home cf her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chroninger, and she is a student in the Liberty Center High School.

It should be mentioned that the old Chroninger residence, built to take the place of the first log cabin, was constructed entirely of yellow poplar timber, while the barn was built of white poplar. In that home the father died April 28, 1908, and the mother on October 29, 1899. These worthy people were among the first members of the Christian Union Church, and assisted in organizing it in Ohio in 1863 at Columbus. George Chroninger did his part in building the first church in Liberty Township in 1864 and was thenceforward a leader and one of the most liberal supporters of his home institution. His leadership also extended to community affairs, and his fellow citizens in the township called upon him for public serv-ice in every capaeit.y. He was a democrat.

Benjamin F. Chroninger from the age of three years grew to adult life on the old homestead. As soon as his strength permitted he took his place in the fields and in the woods, and did con.siderable of the clearing out and the breaking of the land. When he was thirteen years of age he plowed and put in fifteen acres of wheat, and since then has been a hard working man all his life. His present place comprises 160 acres in Liberty Township, and of that 110 acres are thoroughly tiled anci under intensive cultivation. Forty-eight thousand tiles were laid to completely drain the place, and the farm bears no resemblance to the swampy condition in which the first settlers found it. Mr. Chroninger has a barn on a foundation 40 by 80 feet with 20-foot po.sts, and with slate roof. One notable feature indicating the efficiency of the arrangement and management is the abundant supply of water drawn from deep wells and piped to all places where required about the farm. The Chroninger home is a large nine-room house with basement, furnished with hot and cold water, and there is an acetylene gas lighting plant for both the house and barn. In fact this is one of the show places of Liberty Township, and is highly creditable to the man of enterprise who has owned it for so many vears.

In Liberty Township July 17, 1870, Mr. Chroninger married Miss Asenath Babeock. She was born in that township^ August 8, 1851, and was reared and educate'd there, and as alread.v stated the girl he married was for a time a pupil under Mr. Chroninger. Her parents were Lorenzo and Sarah Ann (Patrick) Babeock, both natives of New York State, and of Jefferson County. Her father was born there Fe'bruar.v 25, 1825, and her mother January 1, 1833. They were married in 1847 and soon afterwards came to Henry Countv, Ohio, locating on a new farm which they developed from a couditiou of utmost wildiiess. There they spent the rest of their days, and her father died in 1905 at the age of eighty and her mother on January 29, 1915, aged eighty-three. They were also early and active members of the Christian Union Church. J\Ir. and ;\Irs. Chroninger have two children, RoUie R., born April 2, 1871, is now active manager of his father's home farm. He married Catherine Price of Liberty Township, and both were educated in the local grade schools. The two children born of their union both died in early infancy. Lillie B.. born November 8, 1872, was educated in the public schools and is the wife of George Stewart, who owns one of the large farms in Liberty Township. Mr. and ilrs. Stewart have the following children : Vernice, who married Leonard Shoemaker and lives on a farm in Liberty Township, and are the parents of a daughter Jessie I. The other children of Mr. and Jlrs. Stewart are Elmer, Alta aged eleven, and Ruby. Both ]Mr. and ilrs. Chroninger are active members and supporters of the Christian Union Church, known as tlie Hebron Church. He is a member of the district council and of the state church board. Politically he is a democrat and for six years held the office of township assessor.

C. D. H.\YWARD is a veteran business man of Findlay, his experience covering fully thirty years, and is secretary and treasurer of the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company, the largest industry of its kind in the world. This is a business which more than anything else has made the name Findlay familiar to the people of remote states and countries. The products of the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company have a world wide distribution and Mr. Hayward personally has been one of the important factors in its growing success.

He was born at Kelloggsville, Ohio, in 1859, a son of Samuel and Edna (Deane) Haj-ward. His parents were of English stock. His father was formerly a tanner at Kelloggsville and later removed to Conneaut, Ohio, where he organized the Conneaut Banking Company.

ilr. Hayward spent most of his childhood and early youth in Conneaut, where he attended the public schools and the academy. His first business experience was in Chicago, where he spent two years, in the wholesale department of Marshall Field & Company, and in 1886 eame to Findlav. Here he

Mr. Hayward became identified with the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company in 1906, is one of its large stockholders, and as secretary and treasurer has exercised a firm hand in guiding the destiny of the business. The machines manufactured by his company have become recognized as second to none in point of efficiency and sei-vice, and the company manufacture ditching machines of various types, oil machinery, and tractors.

ilr. Hayward was married in 1906 to Miss Clara May Colburn, daughter of John M. and Rachel (Waterman) Colburn. Mrs. Hayward is also of English ancestry. They have one child, Rachel Deane, now eight years old. Mr. Hayward is a republican, a member of the Christian Science Church, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

John Cummins. One of the old established names on the Bass Islands in Lake Erie is that of Cummins. The people of that name have been closely identified with the varied industries of the Great Lakes and the surrounding region, including activities as sailors, lighthouse keepers, grape growers and farmers, and it is as a grape grower and fisherman that :Mr. John Cummins of Isle St. George is chiefly known.

Mr. John Cummins was born on North Bass Island, a son of Peter and Margaret (Fox) Cummins. His maternal grandfather was John Fox, and reference to the Fox family will be found on other pages of this publication. Peter Cummins was born in Ireland, and all his people were salt water sailors. His brother James came to the Great Lakes and was for a number of years lisrhthouse keeper on Pelee Island, where he died March 8, 1891. He gave an uninterrupted service for many years, and on one occasion his heroism prompted the Government to award him a gold watch. This timepiece is now the cherished possession of his nephew, Mr. John Cummins. When James Cummins eame to Pelee Peter Cummins was still in Ireland. A little later he followed his brother and soon found plenty to do on the islands of Lake Erie. He was married on Pelee Island, and later moved to North Bass Island. There he bought land and took up the culture of grapes, making a success of his vineyard. About 1878, in order to give his children better school advantages, he rented his vine- yard and removed to Toronto. During the two years he spent there his daughter Rosa died, and the family then returned to North Bass Island. He subsequently bought some property in Sandwich, Ontario, but did not improve it and subsequently sold out. He continued his residence on North Bass Island until his death on December 29, 1891, at the age of sixty-one. After becoming an American citizen he was a democratic voter and was very active in local affairs, holding the office of trustee at the time of his death. His widow, who was born March 4, 1833, is still living, making her home with her son John and is quite hale and hearty for the great weight of years she bears. All the other children, James, Mary and Eosa, are now deceased.

As soon as John Cummins was old enough he began working in the fisheries and also became a Great Lakes sailor. Practically every season for eight or nine years he was on some lake boat and he knew every harbor and port and inlet around Lake Erie. Shortly after the death of his father he gave up the active management of the old farm and vineyard and purchased a property which he operated in connection with his fishing equipment. He now owns a well improved place of twenty acres, fourteen acres of which are planted to vineyard. His fishing industry has likewise been developed to large proportions, and during the season he sets about forty nets and keeps two men steadily employed.

John Melville Guise, M. D. With nearly thirty years of successful experience behind him Doctor Guise is one of the oldest and most widely known medical practitioners in Hancock County. He represents an old and honored family of this section of Northwest Ohio.

He was born in Hancock County September 21, 1854, a son of Jesse and Catherine (Cherry) Guise, who were pioneers of Hancock County. His father was a successful contractor in Findlay for many years. Doctor Guise's brother Philander Nettleton Guise spent twenty-seven years in the United States navy as a pharmacist and is now retired with the rank of captain.

life he spent about eight and a half years clerking in ' different establishments, and finally entered the office of the old and prominent Findlay physician, Doctor Firmin, where he continued the study of medicine for two years. In 1885 he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated M. D. with the class of 1887.

Returning to Findlay he began the general practice which he has carried on with so much success ever since. Though he has done some minor surgery with success. Doctor Guise is primarily a general physician and as such he is most widely known. He is an active member of the different medical societies, and in 1889-90 was physician to the Hancock County Infirmary.

On September 12, 1882, he married Miss Louise L. Gubbins of Philadelphia. Their son Warren Jesse is a resident of Philadelphia, and their daughter Mary Eugenia is teaching school at Findlay.

Doctor Guise is an independent republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and he and his family move in the best social circles of Findlay.

Clyde T. Addison. One of the best known mercantile firms of Findlay is Ulsh & Addison. They are merchants dealing in groceries, and by strict attention to business, by keeping a fresh and well selected stock of goods, have built up a trade second to none among the firms of that class in Hancock County.

The junior member of this firm. Mr. Addison, has found success as a result of hard work and by a varied experience largely in mercantile lines. He was born at Middleport, Ohio, :May 8, 1877, a son of John E. and Rachel M. (Hier) Addison. His mother was a daughter of Jeremiah Hier of Butler, Pennsylvania. Jeremiah Hier, on coming to Ohio located three miles northeast of iliddlepoint, where he was the pioneer shoemaker. He made the first pair of shoes in that section of the state. Until he came shoes were always shipped in to supply the needs of the locality. From the time of his settlement until his death he lived in that one community and was reasonably prospered in his business enterprises and was always a man of high repute. He became the father of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters. Jeremiah Hier was of Scotch ancestry, while his wife was of Pennsylvania German ancestry. John E. Addison settled in Middlepoint, Ohio, and was first engaged in the mercantile business, later in the manufacturing of staves and still later engaged in the oil fields of Hancock County. He and his wife had three children : Pearl, Myrtle and Clyde T. The daughters are both married and live in Van Wert, Ohio.

Clyde T. Addison grew up near his birthplace, attended the country schools until the age of ten, and spent the next four years learning the trade of baker in Van Wert. Thus from early years he has been making his own way in the world, and when still a boy lie found a position with the Columbus Bakery, who employed him at Findlay. At the age of eighteen he went to Columbus and was in the baking business there for several years, but then gave up his trade to take a rather different line of occupation as tool dresser in the oil fields. Altogether he spent eiL on years in the oil industry. On leaving the oil business he became clei-k in 1905 with W. B. Ulsh in the grocery business at Findlay. After three years he was employed by the firm of Ulsh & Norris, and in 1912. associated with Mr. Ulsh, he bought the J. L. iletzler grocery at the location where the firm of Ulsh & Addison have since carried on their trade. Every one in Findlay knows the firm of Ulsh & Addison, and the extent of its business can be indicated best by the fact that the volume of trade in 1916 was about $50,000.

On October 17, 1905, Mr. Addison married Edith Brickman. Mrs. Addison's father is Frank Brickman, long connected with the police "department of Findlay. 'Sir. and Mrs. Addison arei members of the Second Presbyterian Churcli and in matters of politics he is independent.

]MiLTON Samuel Williamson, SI. D. One of the oldest physicians still in active practice in Northwest Ohio, Dr. :\Iilton Samuel Williamson secured his M. D. degree forty years ago, and for over a quarter of a century has been an honored member of the medical fraternity in Findlay.

He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 19, 1852, a son of John Wesley and Elizabeth (Wiseman) William.son. His father was a farmer of Seneca County, and the Williamson ancestry goes back to English stock of Puritan antecedents, and has been American since the time of the Mayflower.

As a boy Doctor Williamson attended country schools. For one year he was a student in the Findlay High School, and for three years pursued his studies in the Heidelberg College at Tiffin. Like many men who have gained success in professional ranks, he began his career as a school teacher. He taught at Big Spring in Seneca County and in other towns. His ambition even at that date was to become a physician, and he carefully eonsei*ved his resources in order that he might complete a thorough medical education. For four years he studied medicine under the direction of Doctor Cake at West Independence, Ohio. In 1873 he entered the medical department of Wooster University, that medical department being now the medical school of Western Reserve University. Graduated M. D. in 1876, he spent the next eight years in a successful practice at West Independence. Selling his practice, he had his ofifice for six years at Arcadia in Hancock County and also four years of that time at Alvada in Seneca County. Since 1890 Doctor Williamson has had his home in Findlay, and besides a general practice does considerable surgery.

In 1884 he took post-graduate work in the Rusli iledical College at Chicago, and has also attended the Chicago Policlinic. For eight years he was United States Pension Examiner, served as city physician of Findlay from 1908 to 1911, as county physician of Hancock County from 1911 to 1914 and for the past twenty years has been a member of the Boarcl of Visitoi-s of the State and National Board of Charities. Professionally he is identified with the Hancock County and Ohio State Medical Societies and the Northwest Ohio Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In politics he is a democrat and fraternally is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1876 at Findlay Doctor Williamson married Ella Watson, daughter of Henry Watson. Their one living daughter is Florence Nightingale, who was born in 1879 and is now Mrs. H. C. Struble of Findlay. Mrs. Struble has two children : E. Williamson, born in 1907. and Sarah Ellen, born in 1911. Doctor Williamson had a daughter Lina. who was born in 1882 and died in 1906. She married Fred Ludwig, of Alvada, Ohio, now in the United States Revenue Department at Toledo, Ohio.

Anthony Miller. If any one citizen of Henry County desei-ves to be pointed out as an example of successful achievement it is Anthony Miller, whose fine cnunti-y liome is on section 27 of Ridgevillc Townshiii. Both he and his wife evidently imssrss tlinse qualities which make for success. Thev started out

Their fine home betrays the hard and intelligent work of their career. For twentynine years the.y have owned the eighty acres comprising their homestead, and Mr. Miller is considered one of the ablest farmers on one of the best farms in the county. Season after season he has produced some of the largest crops of all kinds of cereals, and his land is thoroughly and adequately drained by an extensive .system of tiling. He engaged in mixed farming, and has the best grades of stock of all kinds. Few farmers in Ohio are better equipped both by experience and by material facilities for high class work. The financial success of his farm has largely come from the stock raising end of the busine.ss.

In December, 1885, Mr. Miller married Miss Emma C. Meyers. That may be considered the start of his career. For about two years after his marriage he and his wife lived" on farms in Henry County, working and economizing, and they then rented the old Doctor Emery Farm near Ridgeville Corners. They kept that for eight years and made considerable money, saving $1,100 and also having some stock and implements when they moved to their own place. The $1,100 was the first payment on the homestead farm. Since then they have made a comfortable fortune, and with Mr. Miller looking after the farm and fields and Mrs. Miller managing the domestic quarters they have presented a combination capable of unlocking the door to a generous prosperity. Their farm has excellent buildings and one is a barn 44 by 84 feet with 20-foot posts. It is equipped for the storage of grain and the housing of large numbers of stock. One special feature of the farm is poultry raising, in which ]Mi-s. Miller is particularly interested. They have well built poultry houses, and keep from' 500 to 700 head of chickens. Their annual revenue from the sale of poultry and eggs amounts to about $700. For the comforts of living they have one of the most modern country homes in Henry County. It comprises ten rooms with basement, has facilities for the supplyins of hot and cold watei", a bathroom, and all other conveniences. A wide thirty-foot veranda is another feature of the home. This farm is well known in Henry County as "the IMiller Ranch," made his home in this county. His parents were Ambrose and Theresa (Snyder) Miller. Both w-ere natives of Bavaria, Germany, and of Catholic ancestry. They grew up in their native country, and came from Bremen to New York. Ambrose Miller spent ninety-six days in crossing the ocean. After their arrival in Ridgeville Township of Henry County they married, and started out as housekeepers in a log cabin. Ambrose Miller undertook the development of a tract of wild land, and in the course of time had a better home, barns and a well cultivated farm. He died May 5, 1904, and his widow celebrated her eightieth birthday on July 4, 1916, and is still vigorous and hearty. She has been a life-long Catholic and Ambrose ^liller was a democratic voter. Of their five sons and five daughters nine are still living, and all married and have their homes in either Henry or Fulton County.

On December 17, 1885, Anthony Jliller took the partner which has been such a conspicuous helpmate in all his subsequent career. She was a neighbor girl, Emma C. Meyers, and was born in Bucyi-us, Ohio, September 18. 1866, having been brought to Henry County when quite young. Her parents were John and Magdalene (Rich) Meyers. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of France. Jolm Meyers was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, followed his occupation in Bucyrus for some years with his brother Jacob, and later moved to Henry County and improved a farm of 104 acres in Ridgeville Township. After he had cleared up and cultivated this farm for a number of years he retired to Wauseon, where his death occurred in 191 1 at the age of eighty-one. :Mrs. ^Miller 's mother died in November, 1908, aged sixtyfour.

Willis B. Ulsh. One of Findlay's very successful merchants is Willis B. Ulsh, member of the grocery house of Ilsh & Addison. Mr. Ulsh is a native of Hancock County, but his earlier years were spent in various western states, and he knows by experience all the vicissitudes of farming and home making in the early days of the West. His real prosperity has been gained since he returned to Hancock County and took up a business career in Findlay.

After four years of work on his father's farm, he left home and spent a number of years first in one place and then in another in the South and West. He was in Kansas and Nebraska nnieh of the time, and he participated in one of the land openings of Oklahoma. His Oklahoma experience was not altogether profitable for while he got his claim of 160 acres he soon traded it for other land, and left that country little better off for the experience.

In 1899 Mr. Ulsh returned to Pindlay. and became a worker in the oil fields as a tool dresser. After saving $75 he invested in a stock of groceries on the north side. He began building up an extensive trade, and in 1906 sold a half interest in the store and continued merchandising there until 1912. Selling out to his partner, he and Mr. C. T. Addison then bought the J. L. Metzler grocery at the present location, 317 South Main Street. With his store situated in one of the most eligible locations in the city, Mr. Ulsh and his partner have rapidly extended their business and in the last year the volume of trade amounted to $50,000. They carry a complete stock of general and fancj' groceries, and have recently installed a motor delivery service.

Politically ^Mr. Ulsh is a republican and is a member of the First Methodist Church. He is director and chairman of the Retail Merchants' Association, belongs to the Findlay Country Club, to the Home Guard, to Lodge No. 400 of the Knights of Pythias, and to the Modem Woodmen of America. In 1907 Mr. Ulsh married Mrs. Verba jM. (Routson) Johnston.

Charles F. Stolzenbach. At Lima, where he has been in active business for more than a quarter of a century. Charles F. Stolzenbach has founded an establishment for the production of high grade bakeiy goods that is one of the model institutions of its kind in Ohio and has brought him a distinctive place in that line of business, indicated by his two years presidency of the Ohio Bakers' Association.

His business connections have become widely extended. He is also president of the Allen Couuty Loan and Savings Company, and a director of the Lima Telegraph & Telephone Company. For the past twenty years Mr. Stolzenbach has been regularly appointed by the various mayors as a member of the Board of Health, and ha-s frequently filled the office of vice president in that body. He represents the local bakers in the Rotarj' Club and also belongs to the Lima and Country clubs and the United Commercial Travelers.

Charles F. Stolzenbach was Ivorn November 24, 1859, at Roseville in Muskingum (/ounty, Ohio, and soon after finishing his schooling in the public institutions took up an apprenticeship in the baker's trade with an uncle Conrad Stolzenbach. W^hile an apprentice he learned the trade in all its branches, and has for many years been a practical master baker and with that as a foundation has established a solid business prosperity. He was first in business for himself at New Comerstown in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, but from there came to Lima, Ohio, on September 15, 1888, in order to have room for expansion in his business. At first he bought a bakery with two partners, his father and brother W. F., but after a few months acquired the interest of his brother W. F., and in [May, 1904, his business was incorporated with a capital stock of $30,000. Charles F. Stolzenbach owning the controlling thirds of the business and is its president and general manager.

In 1892 Mr. Stolzenbach married Magdalen Hickey of Putnam County, Ohio. Their six children are Edward, Mary Louise, Magdalen, Charles Henry, Robert W. and Helen. ]Mr. Stolzenbach is a member of the National Bakers Association. He is a republican in national affairs and liberal in local politics and has never desired official honors. He and his family are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Baking as a Fine Art - The origin of baking, as of most arts of primary importance, precedes history and its inception is lost in the dawn of human life. Recent investigation and excavation of the lake dwellings in Switzerland have produced abundant evidence that the art of baking was practiced in the Stone Age. Grinding stones have been found in comparative abundance, while in the charred, biiried ruins of many of the huts, the carbonized remains of bread have rewarded the search of the investigators.

At Robenhausen and Wangen, the best specimens of the charred bread were discovered. Even this eai'liest known form demonstrates the fact that practically the same ingredients were used at this pre-historic time as are used at present. Close examination of these charred remains has proven to us that a coarse meal of corn or barley was the principal ingredient. It is quite possible that spontaneous fermentation was allowed to raise the dough before the bread was finally shaped into loaves and baked on a flat stone, covered with hot ashes.

The very early mention of bread in written history, bears out the great antiquity of the art of baking. Bread is first specifically mentioned in the Bible in Genesis xviii, 5, when Abraham wishing to entertain the three angels offered to "fetch a moi-sel of bread." Immediately after this, he orders his household to ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it and make cakes on the hearth. ' ' Later, (Genesis xix, 3) in the City of Sodom, Lot entertained two angels and of his hospitality we are informed that "he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat."

This early development of the negative adjective, "unleavened," is positive proof, that at this early day leavened or "light" bread was known and its manufacture understood.

Among the Egyptians, baking was later carried to a comparatively high state of perfection. They developed many kinds of bread and cakes and flavored them, after the manner of the Orientals, with aromatic essences and spices. Their many varieties were not so much the result of a different method of treatment of a single, chief ingredient, as at the present time, but rather through the use of many different kinds of flour and a large variety of flavoring materials. From here the art of baking was carried across the blue ilediterranean to Greece, and the classic authors teem with references to the baker's art.

In "The Deipnosophists" of Athenaeus, mention is made of sixty-two kinds of bread and minute descriptions of these are given. We learn from Pliny (Natural History xviii, 28) that professional bakers were first introduced into Rome at the close of the war with Perseus. King of ilacedon. By the practical Romans, the baking trade was formed into a kind of guild with special immunities attached to this calling. Public bakeries were placed throughout tlie city and slaves were employed for the heavier tasks. There were no mills at this early period and all the grain was ground at the bakeries. A special magistrate was even appointed to supervise the bakers and their methods of production. Although there is not a very' great resemblance between these first public bakeries of the Eternal City and modern bakeries of the 20th century, nevertheless, all commercial bakeries of the present time are a direct offspring of this experiment in Rome.

From here the art of baking followed the conquest of the Roman eagle. However, in this later geographical distribution of the baking arts, there is not the interest that lies in the commercial problem that developed from the public bakers in Rome.

Until this time, baking had been a purely domestic art with no sign of commercialism. With bread, as with all other foodstuffs, the reputation of the quality of the table of the household determined to some extent the appreciation of the product of its ovens. The public baker, however, did not possess this touchstone of success. Doubt and suspicion were unjustly cast upon his wares. The profit which was self evident that the baker was supposed to make, was thought to detract both from the quality of his raw materials and from the finished product. People never thouglit, nor cared to realize the saving of labor, material, and manufacture that lay in production on a larger scale.

This idea persisted and grew with the increase of commercial bakeries. The baker tried to gain trade on his business integrity, and the quality of his product. His enthusiasm and good intentions however were continually dampened with the apology that preceded the serving of his product. Perhaps it was true that his product was no better, or, even not as good as could be produced at home. The main draw-back to his immediate success was the suspicion that had been cast upon his product in the very beginning.

The baker did not carefully analyze the situation, became despondent and suffered him>self to deserve the many undeserved criticisms that heretofore had been heaped upon him. Although as time went on. there was a slight improvement noticed, this deplorable state of affairs continued until very near the beginning of the twentieth century. Until this time the baking industry, although numbered among the oldest arts, had made no real or marked improvements since its inception. The baker of this time, to all practical intents and purpose was following his pre-historic model.

The improvements of the greatest value had been made in sanitation and baking facilities. Machinery was just beginning to find a place in the most modern establishments. At this time baker's bread at its best was in all cases the equal, and in a few fortunate and isolated communities; the superior of the product of the household kitchen. But the longed for recoguition and universal use of his product did not follow. Finally, a careful analysis of the situation revealed the amazing fact that for almost twenty centuries the baker had mistaken his competitor. He had supposed that the housewife was judging his bread by the home-made bread of the present day ; however, he found to his lasting surprise that this was far from being true. His product was judged, not by the actual bread that Jiad been produced in the home, but by an immortalized and fictitious bread that never existed. It was not the home-made bread of reality that was their criterion, instead, the home-made bread of memory. It was this bread that must be surpassed before baker's bread could be served without apology. To the bakers this seemed an impossible task. There was no fixed standard for them to surpa.ss; instead, the public demanded that they make a bread better than ever had been made before ; an ideal bread. This realization of the problem was the first step in the great advancement of the industry in the past decade. Science was again called to aid in the achievement of the impossible, and finally success began to crown their efforts.

Over night, schools of baking sprang into existence, only to fail as quickly. There were no precedents to guide, to warn of danger, to indicate success. Most of these early attempts at the technical education of bakers were instituted for the profit that could be made, and the instruction was of relatively low standard. Leaders of the trade soon saw that these spa.smodic attempts at research and investigation could produce no results of lasting value. To gain tliis much needed information, they installed laboratories in their own bakeries and at their own expense. Here they investigated the many problems of baking, and adapted their results to their own particular and individual needs. One of the leaders of this method of scientific control was, "The Stolzenbach Baking Company" of Lima, Ohio.

Before the installation of their laboratory, there had been a steady increased business for the preceding ten years, and the percentage of baker's bread used in the vicinity of Lima, Ohio, was equal to any similar area in the United States. The individual judgment and business integrity of these men had enabled them to produce a loaf of bread that was higher in quality and uniformity. Some five years ago they installed a laboratory, and substituted the chemical analysis for their "rule of thumb" judgment of quality. All i-aw materials that were to be used in the manufacture of their bread were tested for quality upon their arrival, and if they failed to measure up to the 'Stolzenbach Standard," were immediately rejected. This elaborate system of control of the quality of the raw material necessitated a large laboratory equipment and the constant employment of a trained chemLst. From this most modest beginning where the quality of the raw material alone was assured, as research proceeded, more and more of the process of manufacture was placed under the control of the chemist. At the present time the whole process of bread manufacture is under direct laboratory control.