Sandusky Township (part 43 of 57)

In 1867 Doctor Whitehead married Miss Susie Osborn. Mrs. Wliitehead, who still lives at Bowling Green, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was a small child when her parents removed to old Freeport in Wood County, now Prairie Depot. She is a daughter of Dr. John and Julia (Buchtel) Oisborn. Her mother was a close relative of John R. Buchtel, the well known educator who founded the institution at Akron which long bore his name and is now the Akron Municipal University. Doctor Osborn was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and his wife in Pennsylvania, where they were married and shortly afterward came to Ohio. Doctor Osborn first practiced at Prairie Depot in Wood County, where he opened a drag store. This drug business was subsequently taken ovei* by a young student. Doctor Sage. Doctor Osborn then located west of Portage, where he bought a farm and while supervising it was busy with a large country practice. He became a well known authority as a physician for the treatment of fevers, pneumonia and particularly cancer. He died at the old homestead in 1875 and his birth occurred in 1808. He was survived by his widow about ten years. They were active workers in the United Brethren Church, and they gave much of their time to the church services and both of them sang in the choir. Worship and prayer meetings were frequently held in their home, and their house was also the refuge and abiding place of many traveling ministers. Their children comprised five daughters and one son, and three of the daughters are still living.

Doctor and Mrs. Whitehead were the parents of two children. Their only son, John Stanley, died when a promising boy. Kate L. married Samuel R. Case. Mr. Case is assistant cashier of the Wood County Savings Bank at Bowling Green. They have two children, gi-andchildren of Mrs. Whitehead, Robert W., now a student in the Ohio Wesleyau University at Delaware, and John C, attending the grade schools at Bowling Green.

J. R. Bradner has had an active business career at Fostoria for over twenty years, and in point of continuous service is one of the oldest real estate men in Seneca County. With all his growing business intere.sts Mr. Bradner has found time to work in behalf of public movements and has filled a number of offices of trust and responsibility in his home community.

Mr. Bradner is a native of Fostoria, born January 15, 1875. He is a son of John A. and Catherine (Phillips) Bradner. His grandfather, William Bradner, was a native of New York State and moved to Ohio in 1850. He was a merchant both in his native state and in Ohio. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Phillips, who came to Ohio during the '50s, bought land in Wood County, where he spent the rest of his life. John A. Bradner, who was born at Niagara Falls, New York, had a conspicuous career as a business and professional man at Fostoria. He was a joung man when he came with his parents to Fostoria and was associated with his father in opening upa general store at West Mill Grove in Wood County. He continued in business there for some years, and then removed to Fostoria, where he was a hardware merchant several years. In 1875, after preliminary preparation, he was admitted to the bar and for many years was active in that profession. Though he began life with practically nothing, his cojispicuous ability as a financier made him a notable factor in business affairs in Northwestern Ohio. Along with his law practice he developed the Bradner quarries, and became an extensive contractor. He had the contract for building portions of the Hocking Valley, the Toledo & Ohio Central, the Nickel Plate and the Lake Erie & Western Railways. He also acquired the right of way for the TifSn- Findlay Electric Railway and at the time of his death was engaged in promoting a road which was to follow the route of the Michigan Central between Jerry City and Eagleville. Some of the lands for the right of way had already been acquired, but after his death the project was dropped. He also served as justice of the peace in Louden Township twentyeight years, was elected mayor of Fostoria six different times, was the first city solicitor of Fostoria and for several years was superintendent of the waterworks. He was a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a republican in polities and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was born in Pennsylvania and they were married at West ilill Grove in Wood County, Ohio. Of their nine children eight grew up and of the four living J. R. Bradner is the youngest. Kate, the oldest, is the wife of Samuel Lynn, a railroad man living at Toledo. Frances married Frank Stout, of Fostoria, and Harry E. is general manager and chief engineer of the Window Device Company at Fremont, Ohio.

Mr. J. R. Bradner received his early instruction in the Fostoria Public schools, and early went into business for himself. He was a local grocery merchant from 1892 to 1895, and since then has been a real estate man. To a large extent he handles his own property and investments, is also a general real estate broker, chiefly in city property. In politics his work has been with the republican party. When a young man he served as constable four years, as justice of the peace two terms, was mayor of Fostoria one term, and recently was nominated by the republican party without opposition, as candidate for mayor and at this writing is awaiting the judgment of the citizens on that candidacy. He is active in the Commercial club.

In 1896 Mr. Bradner married Miss Laura M. Earl. She was born in Wood County. Eight children have been born to their marriage: J. A., Earl JL, Virgil C, Harry R., Roy J.. Catherine, Edgar C. and Florence Ann. J. A. graduated from the Fostoria High School in 1917 and all except the two youngest are attending school. Mrs. Bradner is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

R. V. Shibley. As the most important administrative and custodial ofdcer of the county, the citizens of Paulding County have every reason to be satisfied with their choice of sheriff in 1916 in the person of Mr. R. V. Sliirley. Mr. Shirley is an old resident of Paulding County and has acquitted himself well in every position he has held, whether of a public or i^rivate nature.

He w*s born in this county July 7, 1865, a son of Judge Robert and Elizabeth (Strouthers) Shirley, his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Newark, Ohio. Robert Shirley was an early settler in Paulding County and was one of the first judges of this county. His death occurred when Sheriff Shirlejr was eighteen years old. The latter acquired a common school education, and after his father's death largely supported the widowed mother and the household until he was twenty-seven.

In 1893 "he went to the World's Fair at Chicago and was a ticket seller at that great exposition throughout the six months of its existence. This was followed by a trip through Wisconsin and Minnesota and a brief engagement with a mercantile company, after which he returned to Paulding and tor two years was a grocery merchant. His first acquaintance with the sheriff's office was as deputy for four years, and he left that to become an active and substantial farmer. He was engaged in the quiet vocation of agi-iculture for twelve yeai-s, until called to his present responsibilities as sheriff by election in 1916. He has administered the duties of this office since January 19, 1917.

Mr. Shirley is a stanch republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a Methodist. He married Miss May Doyle, daughter of George Doyle, of Paulding County. Of their four children the two living are Gilbert and Ethel.

William A. Schwab. One of the, most enterprising and successful firms of merchants in Findla}' is that of Schwab Brothers, who beginning on a small scale are now operating two of the best establishments in the city. The older store is at 1100 Nortli Main Street and the second is at 231 North j\Iain Street.

William A. Schwab, the senior partner of the firm, was born at Findlay in Hancock County in 1878, a son of Cai-l and Clara (Stout) Schwab. His father was born in

History Of Noethwbst Ohio

Switzerland, came to America at the age of eighteen, and for four or tive years worked in the Kelloggs' steel mills at Findlay. He subsequently took up business as a stone contractor and is .still living at Findlay.

William A. Schwab attended the public schools and began his business experience as clerk in a grocery store. He worked twelve or thirteen years for others, learned the business in every detail from buying to selling, and on August 3, 1910, he and his brother Alfred started a store of their own at 1100 North Main Street. Having a large acquaintance with the people of the city and possess.- ing originality as well as enterprise, they were successful from the start. On December 1, 1914, they opened their second store in the downtown district, at the corner of North Main and Center streets.

In politics the Schwabs are of democratic inclination. William A. Schwab is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Second Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1903 to Christiana Cook, daughter of J. F. and Minda (Stimmel) Cook of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab have one daughter, Thelma, now seven years of age.

Alfred Ellis Schwab, second partner in the firm, is twenty-nine years of age, is a native of Hancock County and grew up and received his education in the local schools. In 1907 he married Zola Bowers, daughter of Henry Bowers. They have two children, Vera, aged eight, and Anna Mary, aged seven. Alfred E. Schwab is a democrat and a member of the Church of God.

Edward Milton Schwab, the youngest of the three brothers, is twenty-seven years old. His early environment and training were similar to those of his brothers, and since joining them in business he has added much to the welfare of the firm. He was married in 1913 to Zella F. Jordan, daughter of James Jordan. They have one child, Robert Edward. Mx. Edward M. Schwab is also a democrat and a member of the Church of God.

Henry M. Eisaman is one of the progressive agriculturists and business men of Henry County, and is now giving his time and attention to the Farmers Elevator Company of Deshler, having been in active charge of the books and office management of that concern since January, 1917.

His father was born in Pennsylvania of German parentage, and when a young man went to Franklin County, Ohio, and married Miss Shook, a native of Franklin County and also of Pennsylvania parents. After their marriage Abraham Eisaman and wife lived for several years in Franklin County on a farm. While thei'e three children were born, Lenora, Francis and Melvin. Lenora died at the age of thirty-seven, leaving children by her marriage to Samuel Altman. Francis lives on the home farm in Harrison Township, Henry County, and Melvin lives in Pickaway County, Ohio. Both are married.

In June, 1872, the Eisaman family located in Harrison Township of Henry County. They moved to a comparatively new farm in section 34. It contained sixty acres and in course of time it was developed into a first class condition. While the pai-ents lived there two more children were born, Henry and William C. The mother died on the old homestead on August 14, 1891. She was born in September, 1842. Four years later, on October 12, 1895, her husband passed away. He died while visiting his old Pennsylvania home. His birth occurred August 29, 1827. Both parents were active members of the Chi'istian Union Chiirch. Abraham Eisaman was a democrat and filled office in the school board of Harrison Township.

Henry M. Eisaman was reared on the home farm and was well educated in the local schools. Later he started out farming on his own account, and for several years was associated with his brother in the ownership and operation of a farm in section 20 of Bartlow Township. After that he continued to farm in Bartlow Township on sections 16 and 17, three miles west of Deshler, until he left the farm and moved to town to take a liand in the business management of tlie Elevator Company.

Mr. Eisaman was married in section 1 of Marion Township, at the home of the bride, Ella Brown. Mrs. Eisaman was born in North Napoleon Township September 11, 1874, but when five years of age went with her parents to Marion Township. There she grew up and lived until her marriage. Her father is Jacob Brown, one of Marion Township's most successful and prominent citizens. The sketch of Jacob Brown appears on other pages of this publication. Mrs. Eisaman was well educated in the public schools and has proved a valuable factor in making the prosperity which she and her husband now enjoy. Both are active members of the United Brethren Church, in which Mr. Eisaman is a trustee. He is a past noble grand of Lodge No. 617 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of Rebekahs, in which Mrs. Eisaman is a past noble grand. He has also passed the various chairs in the Encampment. Mrs. Eisaman is now president of the Woman's Missionary Society at Deshler. Politically Mr. Eisaman is an active democrat.

William A. Sargent, who died at his home 222 South Church Street in Bowling Green September 30, 1912, had lived in Wood County almost eighty years. He was a product of pioneer environment and made his own life a medium of usefulness and service to a large community. Pew families in Northwest Ohio have contributed more to the religious and material development than that of which he was a member, ilrs. Sargent, his widow, still living at Bowling Green, is deserving of special mention and credit as a home maker and as the mother and grandmother of a most excellent family.

The Sargents were originally Virginia people, and in pioneer times moved to Southern Ohio, locating in Ross County. It was in Ross Countv that William A. Sargent was born February 10, 1833. His father, John Sargent, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and married in Ross County a Virginia girl, also of Scotch-Irish stock. Her maiden name was Agnes Linn. When William A. Sargent was six weeks old his parents moved to Wood County and located in the wilds of Liberty Township, acquiring a tract of absolutely undeveloped land. In the course of time John Sargent had developed his property and was accounted a rich man for that generation. John Sargent died in 1856, at the age of sixtyone. His wife was born in 1800 and died in 1872. They are both at rest in the Sargent Cemetery. The land for this cemetery was given by John Sargent in an early day. John Sargent owned a section of land; west of the main road was laid out a road known as the Ridge or Cemetery Road and his original log cabin was on the north side of this highway. His own industry had enabled him to clear up the land and some j'ears later he built a commodious frame house on the opposite side of the road. In building this house he set aside one large room for the purpose of religious worship. He was a leading member of the Wesleyan ]\Iethodists and he and his wife took the lead in furnishing facilities for the worship of their people in the community. In this large room of their house ministers came from afar to hold worship. One of them was the pioneer missionary, Joshua Carr. Out of this home worship grew a church organization, and subsequently the Sargents furnished most of the means for the erection of a separate church in which all Christian people of that section around Portage might meet and worship God. Before that church was completed John Sargent died, and his funeral was preached by Rev. Joshua Carr in the room of the Sargent home where he had founded the church. Both he and his wife were true Christian leaders. In their own character they had the elements of goodness and kindness which means much to any community in any time. John Sargent was a whig in early day politics and qi;ite active.

Much praise has been deservedly given the pioneer women and this should be accentuated in the case of Mrs. John Sargent. Shp was an exemplar of that industry which makes a self reliant and independent people. She spun and wove all the cloth with which the family was clothed and knit the socks for the family. She had in her household every device for such work and in the fields they grew flax and had sheep that furnished the wool, which by her deft fingers was carded, spun and woven. The children of this worthy couple were : Snowden L., Nancy A., Sarah, W^illiam A. and John Wesley. All of them married, but the two daughters died at the birth of their first children.

William A. Sargent gi'cw up on the old homestead in Wood County. He inherited much mechanical skill from his father and was always distinguished for his expert workmanship in all mechanical lines. Like his father he could lay out and plan a house fi'om the preparation of the lumber to the last finishing touches. About 1863 he built a fine home near Portage, containing eight or nine rooms, and so thoroughly was this constructed that even today it stands in perfect repair. Underneath was what was called an "upground" cellar, corresponding perhaps to our modern "English basement." This fine old country home stood on a farm of 141 acres at Portage. The farm itself was conducted in a most productive manner and in later days the land was in the oil belt and several producing wells were sunk there. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent lived on tlie home farm from their marriage until August, 1900. The farm was then sold and they retired to Bowling Green, Mr. Sargent suffering from ill health and being obliged to give up active farming. He was a leader in local republican politics, served for many years as trustee, and was treasurer of the Portage Corpoi-atiou for eighteen years. He was also a member of the school board.

On December 24, 1857, Mr. Sargent married a neighbor girl, Mary E. Frank, ilrs. Sargent was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 15, 1839, and was reared in that community, having the limited advantages of the local schools. She has always been an industrious reader and is one of the brightest and best informed old ladies of Wood County. The keenness of her mind has been undiminished by years and she is still sturdy and active in the good deeds that have so long characterized her. On October 15, 1839, when she was four weeks old, her father, Henry Frank, was accidentally killed. The name Henry Frank belongs in the list of pioneer inventors. His genius had evolved one of the first practical models of a threshing machine. The principle he used is still the leading feature of threshing outfits the world around. His machine contained a cylinder which in its revolutions separated the grain from the straw, and that principle was subsequently developed and utilized in the Altman threshing machine. The machine was operated by horse power, and Mr. Frank's death resulted from a sudden speeding up of the horses. The excessive speed caused the cylinder to burst and the fragments were thrown with such velocity that one in striking Mr. Frank on the head caused his death. Mr. Henry Frank married Eleanor Thompson, who was born in Pennsylvania May 16, 1807. Eight years after his death she married Daniel Housley, of ]\Iedina. Ohio. In 1854 they removed to Wood County and settled as neighbors to the Sargent family at Portage. Mrs. Sargent's mother died September 5, 1889, and her second husband had passed away ahout ten years previously. She was a life long Jlethodist, as was her first husband, Mr. Frank. Jlr. Frank was a whig in polities and Mr. Housley became a republican. Henry Frank was a prominent member and class leader of his church and had he lived a few months longer would have been ordained as a local preacher.

Mrs. Sargent is the mother of one daughter, La Vendee. She is the wife of Alonzo V. Powell, who for many years was a i^rominent business man of Bowling Green but is now retired. Mrs. Sargent has a number of capable grandchildren. One of them, B^rank S. Powell, is a traveling salesman out of Los Angeles, is married and has two children named Mary B. and Richard Roy. Another grandson, John A. Powell, was educated in the Ohio State University as a pharmacist and is now associated with his brother Gerald A. as proprietors of a leading drug house at 109 North Main Street in Bowling Green. John A. makes his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Sargent. Another bi'other, William M. Powell, commonly known as "Doe" is a clerk for his brothers in their store and married Miss Nellie Brown. Other grandchildren are : Lillian G., a graduate of the Bowling Green High School and the State Normal and Heidelburg College ; Flora E., who is a graduate of the Bowling Green High School and is still at home; and Vivian, at home. The family were reared as members of the Methodist Church and Mrs. Sargent's grandsons are republicans. Mrs. Sargent and family besides local real estate own two well appointed farms aggregating 244 acres of fertile soil with good building improvements in Center Township of Wood County.

R. C. Chamberlain, M. D. An accomplished and successful physician now handling a large practice at Tiffin, Doctor Chamberlain is a native of Seneca County and has been in practice since early manhood, a period of almost twenty years.

He was born at Melmore, Ohio, May 1, 1874, a son of James and Nancy J. (Campbell) Chamberlain. The Chamberlains are of English stock. His grandfather, James Chamberlain, was a pioneer settler in Seneca County and followed the trade of carpenter. The maternal grandfather, Robert R. Campbell, was born in Pennsylvania and is now living at the age of eighty-nine, making his home with his grandson. Doctor Chamberlain. He spent forty-two years in Seneca County and was formerly a farmer. James Chamberlain, father of Doctor Chamberlain, was born at Jlelmore, Ohio, in 1841, and died in 1908. He followed the trade of carriage maker all his active life. For three years he was a member of the First Ohio Heavy Artilleiy during the Civil war. Politically he voted as a republican, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Masonic Order. He was married at Edinboro, Penn.sylvania, to Miss Nancy Jane Campbell, who was bom in that town of Pennsylvania in 1854 and is still living. Doctor Chamberlain was the only child of his parents. He grew up in Seneca County, attended the public schools at Alelmore and in 1895 graduated from Heidelberg College at Tiffin. He then entered the Ohio Medical Universitj', now the medical department of the Ohio State University at Columbus, and was graduated M. D. in 1S98. After two years of practical experience in the Wyoming General Hospital at Rock Springs, Wyoming, he returned to Tiffin in 1900, and built up a large and successful practice as a general physician. Doctor Chamberlain married in 1906 Eleta McCall, a native of Tiffin. Her father, Hugh McCall, was for many years connected with the electric light plant in Tiffin. Two children have been born to their marriage: Evelyn Jane and Elizabeth May, both now attending school. Doctor Chamberlain and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. In politics he votes as a republican.

IMrs. Frances D. Jerm^un was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan. She M-as the daughter of the eminent Presbyterian clergyman, William David Page, and her girlhood was spent in Ann Arbor and Monroe, Michigan. After her marriage to Sylvanus Pierson Jermain she made her home in Adrian, Michigan, and later in Cliillicothe, Ohio, until the death of her husband in that city, when she moved to Toledo, Ohio, with her six young children.

She was the mother of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. In 1884 she was appointed librarian of the Toledo Public Library, a position she held for nearly twentyfive years or practically until the time of her death. During this time of devotion to her important public duties she also found time to prepare a work requiring great research and correspondence with some of the most eminent scholars of Europe and which is entitled "In the Path of the Alphabet." This work her family has had published and widely circulated as a fitting memorial to her. Her knowledge of books was remarkable and with all of her deep and versatile learning her domestic nature lost nothing of its pre-eminence, as was so beautifully developed in the rearing of a large family of children. She was highly skilled in all of the donaestic arts . Her public duties never interfered with her home life, and the long years of her devotion to her children found its reward in the faithfulness of the children, to whom she was the ideal of everything womanly and beautiful. She died in the full strength of her mental powers, only putting her pen dowu a few days before her death and retaining »her interest in her home life to the very last.

Toledo's distinguished citizen, the late William H. Maher, paid her the following tribute: "It will be very hard to realize that our friend, Mrs. Jermain, has said to us her final ' good-night. ' I say our friend advisedly, for she was friendly to all who came within the circle of her influence, and who is here who was outside or beyond that? What woman of Toledo has radiated for forty years past such helpful, kindly, courteous, retining atmosphere, and where was one whose heart was so full of love and sympathy and honest desire to be helpful to eveiy one who came near her? I know of no other. Most of her friends of the younger generation will not remember a time when she was not the gentle, helpful, cultured manager of our city library. Some of us can go farther back and testify to the wonderful change made in that room when she became the ruling power. She did not handle books as if they were merchandise, but as if each was a sensitive soul. And her knowledge of them was not a superficial one and of their titles onlj- - she knew the books themselves, and was exceedingly happy in characterizing them in a few brief sentences.

"I loved to listen to Mrs. Jermain 's voice, always so gentle, and to watch the ease with which exactly the right word dropped from her lips. And she wrote just as she talked - easy, graceful, illuminating. ]\Iy first acquaintance with her came from my reading some pleasant sketches she wrote for the old Commercial. It was a pity that she wrote so rarely in later years.

"What a brave woman she was! She had to be father and mother to a family of small children, and nobly did she fulfill the dual part. Her children are the living evidence of her loving ability and care and of her refining influence. Her memory will be as sweet as that of a gentle saint who bore her burdens quietly and prayerfully; whose sympathy was always ready and genuine, and whose influence was spiritually and intellectually uplifting. Her last good night would be sad to recall, if that was the end of all, but it loses its sting when we remember that in some brighter clime she is waiting to bid us a bright good morning. ' '

night Mrs. Frances D. Jermain fell into the sleep that knows no waking as peacefully and sweetly as she had lived. No man or woman who has lived in Toledo had a larger acquaintance or more devoted friends than j\Irs. Jermain. I was a member of the board at the time she was elected librarian, in 1884, and continued as such for many years, and during all that time never heard an_y but the kindliest expressions by patrons of the library for Mrs. Jermain. She was an indefatigable worker, read all the books pertaining to libraries and library work, kept up witli the reports from the different libraries of the country, aycl noted and availed herself of the suggestions made by the leading librarians of this and the old countries. She was an ideal librarian. I doubt if there was a better informed person anywhere on books and historical characters than Mrs. Jermain. She was a living encyclopedia. "When patrons of the library asked her about a country, the Philippine Islands, for instance, or an historical event of character, she would refer them instantly to the book that gave the best information, and frequently would tell them all they wanted to know. She prepared the catalogue of the books of the library, containing at that time some 50,000 volumes - a work that was admirable for its classification and the facility it afforded for information. She suggested and carried out the pro,iect for the .juvenile library and the present open-shelf system.

"Always at her post, patiently and intelligently performing her duties with so much grace and winning courtesy, she won the heartfelt affection of the librarians, the trustees and the public. She can render an account of her life that her family and friends will always remember with pride. Her death was sweet and beautiful as her life. '^May flights of angels sing her to rest.' "

The memory of her service as librarian of the Toledo Public Library has, in 1917, received at the hands of the Board of Trustees of the Toledo Public Library a most beautiful and fitting recognition in the naming of the North Branch Library, built from the Carnegie fund. The Frances D. Jermain Library. The beautiful memorial building stands at the corner of Galena and Superior streets, opposite Riverside Park. The action of the trustees has received the general and grateful appreciation of the people of Toledo, who admired and loved her.

Sylvan us Piersox Jermain. Tliere are some men whose names have had a wider newspaper publicity, but none who have worked more enthusiastically and more effectively for institutions and improvements that are vitally related to the lasting welfare of the people in Toledo than Sylvanus Pierson Jermain, wlio already in his lifetime has been called "father of Toledo's park and boulevard system." It is a title the earning of which is an enviable distinction and the more so because Toledo's magnificent parks, playgrounds and boulevards will have a constantly increasing value to all the generations yet unborn.

Mr. Jermain is one of Toledo's leading business men and with few exceptions has rendered his public sei'viee in the capacity of a private citizen. A native of Adrian, Michigan, he has lived in Toledo since 1871. For many years he has been treasurer of The Woolson Spice Company, one of the world's largest coffee and spice houses. While he has had an interesting i^ersonal career and has

In proportion to his opportunities and his position in the business world Mr. Jermain began exerting a quiet influence in civic and municipal affairs many years ago. He never sought any public office ' and has rather worked with semi-public organizations for the promotion of some definite plan of civic betterment and welfare. More and more with the passing years his opinion has been sought, his judgment utilized, and the confidence reposed in him has become one of the strongest factors in the civic life of the city. Upon him more than any other individual was placed the responsibility for the campaign and its successful conclusion which gave public approval to Toledo's present park and boulevard system, comprising 1,500 acres. This achievement, when taken in connection with twenty-five years of continuous labor for municipal betterments of that class, have caused Mr.^ Jermain to be recognized as the father of the park and boulevard system.

With the fruition of his efforts and his expectations in the realization of his long cherished dream of an adequate pai-k system, Mr. Jermain felt justified in accepting a position tendered him by the late beloved Golden Rule mayor, Samuel il. Jones, as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners. Mr. Jermain served four terms as president of that board. There could be nothing but praise for the justice of the action taken by the park commission in October, 1915, when the large park tract of 12-4 acres joining Ottawa Park and formerly known as the White City Park, was renamed Jermain Pai'k in honor of the former president of the Park Board.

Now that they are fresh in memory, it is well to recall for the benefit of future times some of the various public works which Mr. Jermain has originated or has strongly influenced. These are briefly summarized as follows: The original Manufacturei's Association and its outcome, the Chamber of Commerce, in 1897, now called The Toledo Commerce Club; the movement for the more scientific burning of soft coal and smoke prevention; the agitation which resulted in the placing of telephone, telegraph and other wires underground in the business district; the ordinance for cheaper municipal lighting ; the proper granting of public franchises ; the improvement of fire department equipment, new engine houses and the establishment of high pressure water mains in the business district; the equipping in 1899 of Toledo's first children's playground; the establishment in 1898 of one of America's first public golf courses in Ottawa Park; the organization of the Inverness Country Club and the Ohio Golf Association,^ of each of which he served several terms as president; the authorship of the Ohio Park Law of 1907.

Mr. Jermain was not content merely with the laying out of large areas for the public use and benefit, but has kept up a sustained interest in the proper utilization of such pleasure grounds. He is active in the annual Children's Play Festival in Toledo parks, popularly known as "romping day," when the character Trophy, presented by Sirs. Russell Sage, receives each year its honor roll. In 1909 Mr. Jermain was appointed a member of the Commjttee on State Laws of the Playground Association of America. In 1913 he was appointed and served on the commission for a new city hall for Toledo. While much of his work lias been aeeomplishe'd by direct participation in the various movements mentioned, Mr. Jermain has also done much through writings in the local newspapers that would serve to form and clarify public opinion and bring about practical results. He is a student of municipal and social problems, not from the naiTOw partisan standpoint, but alwa3-s with a view to practical concrete re- -sults combined with a broad and high idealism. Mr. Jermain is a ti'ustee of the John Jermain Library at Sag Harbor, Long Island, an institution endowed by Mrs. Russell Sage.

The chief outlet from the pressure of heavy business and civic responsibilities Mr. Jermain has found through the game of golf. He is known as one of Toledo 's true and original devotees of this ancient sport, and is known in golfing circles all over America. In January, 1914, he was elected a director of the Western Golf Association, in 1916 he was elected president of the Central Golf Association, and has done a great deal to popularize the sport not only among the well-to-do but the general public in Toledo. Just recently he has established a public golf course in Bayview Park.

Mr. Jermain is an honorary life member of the Inverness Chib of Toledo, and is the only life member of that organization. He was elected a life member in 1913 and the election was attended with considerable ceremony and the celebration of Mr. Jermain 's many services in behalf of the Inverness Club and the sport of golf in general. He is also an honorary member of the Toledo Yacht Club and belongs to the Toledo Commerce Club.

F. Lee Rouse has had his home and headquarters at Bowling Green for the past twenty years and is recognized as one of the foremost operators in the oil fields of this section of Ohio, though his activities have covered practically all the oil producing states of the Middle West. He has been a producer in Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma and also in Kentucky. His chief interests at this time are centered in Liberty, Portage and Plain townships of Wood County. He has been also instrumental in developing many valuable oil wells, and in his experience he is better satisfied with the Liberty Township field than with any other. The wells here average about 1,600 feet in depth. This is part of the North Lima oil pool. Mr. Rouse states that in earlier years it was not customary to drill so deep for oil, owing to the prejudice that existed among oil men against wells being flooded with water. This handicap has since been overcome and it is now possible to sink the drill as far as need be until passing the oil sands. The great Trenton rock in this section of Ohio is reached at a depth of from

1,200 to 1,380 feet. No drill has ever pierced this Trenton stratum in this section of Ohio. The drill has gone down at times through seven hundred feet of the rock.

Mr. Rouse's experience has been a most varied one. He has figured in all branches of the productive industry and has drilled wells in many counties of Ohio and in most of the oil producing states. He is now head of an oil company, with headquarters at Pittsburg, which is drilling wells in Ohio, "West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Oklahoma. During the past twenty-five years Mr. Rouse has been connected with the sinking of about 1,000 oil wells.

Mr. Rouse represents an old and solid family of Wood County, being a son of Saud and Harriet (Parker) Rouse. His parents came when young from New York to the vicinity of Monroeville in Huron County, Ohio, and they grew up and married there. In 1847 they removed to Wood County and wei'e pioners in the wilderness district of this section. Just before the outbreak of the Civil war they removed to Wisconsin, where the father was engaged in the lumber industry. He had removed from Wood County because his enterprise as a farmer was unable to cope with the high waters which prevailed over so much of this swampy district.

P. Lee Rouse was bom while his parents lived at Belle Plaine in Wisconsin on September 7, 1871. In 1876 the family went to the golden shores of California, locating on a farm in the Salinas Valley in Monterey County. There his father and mother spent the rest of their years, the fonner dying at the age of eighty-six and the mother at seventy-six. They were splendid people, respected and beloved by all who enjoyed the pleasure of their acquaintance, and were devout Christians. They were active in the Congi-egational Church and the father was a democrat in politics. P. Lee was one of a family of two daughters and seven sons, most of whom are living and married.

Mr. Rouse was well educated in the public schools of California. He had a varied experience in different parts of the country but about twenty-five years ago returned to Wood County and was soon identified with the oil industry. After a few years he drilled bis first well at Mermill in Portage Township of Wood County, and that was the beginning of an active career which has brought him unusual success and prestige as an oil operator. With his Pennsylvania partner he now owns about 100 wells in Wood County.

In Kentucky Mr. Rouse man-ied Jliss Mattie Phelps. She was born in Mercer County, that state, in 1874, and was reared in a good home and received a good literary and musical education. Her parents are Dr. John j^bner and Frances A. (French) Phelps, also natives of Mercer County, Kentucky, and of Virginia parentage. Doctor Phelps and wife have spent their active lives in Mercer County, where he has been a successful physician. He is now eighty-six and his wife seventy-six and they are well preserved physieallv and mentally.

IMr. and Mrs. Rouse are the parents of three children: Ogden G., born April 15, 1900, in Bowling Green, is a member of the Bowling Green High School class of 1918. Virginia Shirley was born November 4, 190.5, and is now in the grammar schools, while Florence Maxine, the young^t, was born July 28, 1908, and is in the forth gi-ade of the public schools. The mother and her son are members of the Christian Church while Mr. Rouse and his daughters belong to the United Brethren denomination. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 818 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Bowling Green and is a democrat in politics. For the past ten years he has been a member of the city council, representing the Second Ward.

Edw.vrd E. Hull. The days of the pioneers are passed but the physical and mental qualities whicii distinguished them and enabled them to make a success and redeem this western world from the wilderness are as much in demand now as they ever were. The present day pioneers may not have to endure the same hardships which their forefathers did in making homes in the West, but they must exercise the same kind of thrift, hard, work, and perhaps an even greater degi-ee of intelligent and careful management in order to acquire homes for themselves and push forward the work of civilization.

Though he is in the third generation since the pioneers of his family came to Ohio, Edward E. Hull has been guided in his own career by the same thrifty qualities which enabled his father and grandfather to perform useful ta.sks in their generations. Mr. HuU is a fanner who lives in Richfield Township. His home place of forty acres is in section 9 of that town.ship. It is fine land, all under the i^low and well drained and fenced. Among improvements are a barn 40x60 feet, coruerib and gi'anary, and a substantial eight-room house which he erected in 1898. In order to acquire this fort.y acres of land Mr. Hull, cleared up a tract of 160 acres and since early years lie has been acquainted with hard work as a key to unlock the door to prosperity. Besides his home place of forty acres he owns sixty acres and another tract of eighty acres all in the same section, though not adjoining. Each of these tracts is developed as an individual farm, and is improved with substantial buildings. Of the entire 180 aci'es he has it all cleared except a small portion. Mr. Hull is a believer in maehinerj', and lightens the burdens of himself and his co-workers by the introduction of the latest t.ypes of farming implements.

He came to Henrj- County in 1898, and since that year has been able to eifect the generous prosperity whicfi has been briefly noted. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 8, 1874, and was reared and educated there and resided there until he came to Henn- County.

He is of English ancestry. His grandparents were Isaac and Mary Hull, who in the early years of the last century establishea homes in the Venice community of Seneca County, and living among the Indians and with wild game and dense forests on every side they endured the privations and applied themselves to the tasks of making a new home. This was a prominent family in that part of Seneca County, along Honey Creek, and there the grandparents spent their last years in the comfortable circvimstances which were the reward of their early trials. Grandfather Hull died when about eighty years of age, and Ms wife survived him to a still greater age. They were members of the Dunkard Church and in politics he was a whig and republican.

About third or fourth in their family of seven children was Silas Hull. He was born in Seneca County in 1848, and was reared on the old homestead at Honey Creek. He married Anna Rogers, who was born in the same community in 1850, a daughter of John and Eliza Rogers, who were natives of Ohio and had established pioneer homes three miles south of Honey Creek, where they likewise cleared a home out of the wilderness, and died there when quite old. John Rogers was a republican of ven- strong partisan allegiance, and it is said that he kept the American flag floating from his home at every public occasion. After Silas Hull and wife were married they located near Ploney Creek, improved a line liome of eighty acres, and are still living there vigorous and active and not yet showing many evidences of declining years. They are members of the Methodist Church and he is a republican. A brief reference to their children is as follows : Perry now lives in Mississippi and by his marriage to Bell Lames has three children. The second in age is Edward E. Eva, who was educated in Seneca Count.y, married Jesse Baldwin, who was born in Bloom Township of Senaea County in 1879. and he and his wife now live on one of j\lr. Hull's farms in Richfield Township of Henry County; their children are Ral^^uoud and Burdett, the former a high school student and the latter in the seventh grade. Clement, the next oldest child of Silas L., was born in Seneca County, is now farming in Bloom Township there, and bj' his marriage to filarv' Galster has a daughter Emma. Jennie died at the age of five years. Charles, who is a molder by trade and lives in Toledo, married ilargaret Williams of that city. Fay is the wife of Robert Beals and lives in Bloomville in Seneca County. Virginia married Warren Walters, a grist miUer of Bloomville, and they have a son Paul.

In 1898 in his native township and county Edward E. Hull married Miss Millie Smith. She was born in Venice Township of Seneca County in 1872 and was reared and educated there. Her parents were David and Fannie (Myers) Smith, both natives of Seneca County, where thej- died when about middle age. Mrs. Hull has a sister, Elizabeth, now the wife of Bert Fisher, a Seneca County farmer, and they have three children, one son and two daughters. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Edward Hull have three children: Knowlton, who has completed his public school course and is at home; Lloyd, twelve years of age and in the eighth grade ; and Geraldean. aged seven. As a voter Mr. Hull has regidarly supported the republican policies and candidates for over twenty yeai-s.

Francis Joseph Collingwood is more than an active business man of Findlay and is a promoter of the broad public welfare. He is head and active manager of the firm Collingwood & Edwards, motor car distributors and accessories. Having succeeded in realizing some of his early ideals and ambitions in business, lie has never neglected an opportunity to render seiTiee in some way or another to the city in which he lives and in which he takes special pride.

Mr. Collingwood was born at Florence in Erie County, Ohio, in 1872, a son of William Henrj' and Mary A. (Humiston) Collingwood. His father was a contractor. The family is of English stock, and Grandfather William Collingwood came to America and located in York, Pennsylvania.

F. J. Collingwood grew up in the country district of Erie County, attended school at Florence and is a graduate of the high school at Wakemau in Huron County. From an early age he manifested special inclination for things of a mechanical nature. The finer workmanship of the trained hand has been his special line. In the course of his active life time Mr. Collingwood has invented and improved several devices that have proved adaptable to different industries. As a youth lie served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade at Norwalk, and put in three years learning watch making and engi-aving. After that he bought a general store at Florence, conducted it three years, and for two years of that time served as postmaster.

On leaving his business at Florence Mr. Collingwood became identified with the C. F. Jackson Company in their store at Norwalk. He was manager and buyer of the jewelrj' department and also had an interest in the local stoi'e. He remained there five years, and in 1903 removed to Findlay, where he became identified with the local branch of the same company. Hei-e he had charge of the jewelry department, afterward became assistant general manager of the entire .store, which is the largest commercial enterprise at Findlay, and finally bought the auto sales department of the Jackson Company. Associated with him in this purchase was E. C. Edwards, and that resulted in the organization of the present firm of Collingwood and Edwards, liandling difi'erent lines of motor cars and automobile accessoi'ies. The firm has without doubt the best equipped accessory and automobile parts store in Northwest Ohio. Their store has frequently been mentioned as a model in trade papers. The business is thoroughly systematized according to Mr. Collingwood's original ideas on that score. Only recently they built a new sales room of concrete. The firm are local agents for the Ford, Dodge Brothers and Reo ears.

ests. He is a lover of birds, especially the wild song birds, and for a number of years has viewed with alarm the rapidly decreasing numbers of these songsters and has exercised every possible influence toward conserving a class of the feathered species that are exceedingly valuable to the agricultural interests of the country. Recently he inaugurated a unique campaign in Findlay with practical results that should do much to encourage and protect the song birds in that locality. He gave $75 in prizes to those who entered the contest known as the Bird-House Building Contest, and called upon all the boys of the community to enter in competition. Other citizens became interested in the plan and also donated funds, until about $300 were distributed with the award of the prizes. Mr. Collingwood received many letters of commendation from such people as Henry Ford, Mr. Burrows, the naturalist, and Gene Stratton Porter, the noted writer, besides many of the leading newspapers all over the country made special mention of the contest.

Mr. Collingwood is a graduate Doctor of Optics. He also studied law for three years, not for a profession, but to fit himself better in a business way. In 1915 he served as vice 13 resident of the city council and is a representative to the coimeil from the Third Ward. He helped to organize the original Findlay Avitomobile Club, and after interest in it died out he reorganized the club and gave it new life. He is a republican in politics, is aifiliated with the Masonic lodge, was treasurer of the Elks Home Association of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and Uniform Rank.

As a young man Mr. Collingwood put in two years as a fireman on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. He w^as quite ambitious to make a success in railroading, but he finally gave up his position on account of his mother constantly worrying over his welfare. Mr. Collingwood is probably one of the leading coin collectors in Northwest Ohio, and in the course of many years has gathered a collection of coins of rare interest and value. This interest also extends to pioneer relics, and he has acquired a number of articles associated with Revolutionary times, also aboriginal relics in the shape of Indian implements, both of a domestic nature and also those used in times of warfare.

ried to Jennie J. Kenyon, daughter of A. P. and Helen (Arnold) Kenyon, of Florence, Ohio. They were married in 1897 and are the parents of three children : Norma, Marion and Raymond.

James M. Stafford was one of the hard working, thrifty and enterprising agi-icnltural citizens of Wood Connty and his name and record stand for all that is honest and of good report in the community.

]\Ir. .Stafford was born in Hancock County, Ohio, April 17, 1862. and died on his farm in "Wood County July 2, 1898, when only thirtysix years of age. His parents were Nathan and Marinda (ilcCracken') Stafford. They were of Scotch ancestry. They went west as young people, were married probably in Nebraska, and soon afterward returned to Ohio and began farming in Hancock County. Some of their children were born there, and they finally located a substantial farm, on which the father spent his last years. His widow then came to Bowling Green and died at the home of her younger daughter, now Sirs. John Brewer, when not yet seventy years of age. They were active members of the United Brethren Church for many years and the father was a republican and filled the office of county commissioner. Most of their children are still living, married and have families.

James M. Stafford grew up on his father's farm and was content with a district school education. He married Miss Laura B. Powell. 'Mrs. Stafford, whose home is now in Bowling Green, was born in Fairfield Countv, Ohio, October 30, 1860. When she was a child .she came to Liberty Township of Wood County with her parents, George and Sarah (Beaty) Powell, both natives of Ohio, and of Pennsylvania parentage. They grew up and were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, starting life as farmers. All the six Powell children were born in Fairfield County, namely : John W., who was a farmer and a member of the United Brethren Church and died leaving a family of children ; ^Martha J., wife of L. D. Smaltz, a Hancock County farmer: Silas H., deceased, is survived by his widow, Libby (Fellows) Powell, who resides in Bowling Green and has a son, Chauncey. Alonzo B. is now retired in Bowling Green and is the father of several children ; Chester died leaving no children ; and the youngest is ]\Irs. Stafford.

South Main Street, where Mrs. Stafford's mother died April 27, 1893, at the age of seventy-five. Her father then returned to the Liberty Township homestead and resided with his son Silas H. until his death on January 27, 1894, at the age of seventy-five. Both were active members of the United Brethren Church and he was a republican.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stafford went to farming near the old Powell homestead, and they developed a substantial place of 160 acres, and though Mr. Stafford died cpiite young he had his farm improved with good buildings. He and his wife were both industrious and frugal and they made ample provisions for the future. A year after Mr. Stafford's death his widow left the farm and removed to Bowling Green, purchasing a large modern home at 125 South Church Street, where she still resides.

Of the three children born to their marriage the youngest died in infancy. Glenna graduated from the Bowling Green High School in 1912, subsequently took work in the Tiffin Normal School and Bowling Green Normal, and is now a successful teacher in the public schools. James DeWitt, the only son, is a graduate of the Bowling Green High School, spent two years in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and was a student in the agricultural course of the State L'niversity when he enlisted in the United States marine corps. Mrs. Staft'ord and her family are members of the Methodist Church.

Harry Weidling is one of the oldest merchants of Tiffin in point of continuous experience, having had a drug business in that city for forty-five years. The regard and esteem of a large body of citizens are paid him for his strict business ability and honor and he isone of the truly representative citizens of Seneca County.

He was born near Cassel, Germany, March 14, 1852, a son of John and Elizabeth (Gerhold) Weidling. Both parents were natives of Cassel, born in the year 1822, and the mother died in 1860. John Weidling spent his life in Germany as a farmer, and for a number of years filled the office of mayor in his home town. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. Of their eight children four are still living : Carl, a retired merchant at Topeka, Kansas; Chris, who is living^ retired in Germany; Harry; and Mrs. Katie Peninroth, who with her husband lives on a farm in Iowa.

Harry Weidling was fourteen years of age when he came to the United States and he had not a penny nor any possessions wlien he landed except the clothes on his back. He had acquired some education in Germany and afterwards for two terms he was a student in Heidelberg College at Tiffin. His first location was iu Iowa, whei-e he worked as opportunity afforded, and in April, 1869, he arrived at Tiffin and was soon employed as clerk in a bookstore. From that he went into a drug store, and finally bought the business and has been continuously proprietor of a store in his present location for forty-five years.

On May 8, 1877, Mr. Weidling married Matilda L. Emich, who was born in Tiffin, daughter of Philip A. Emich, one of the early and prominent notary publics of Tiffin, also one of the pioneer business men of this city and for mauy years a book and stationery merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Weidling have two children. Carl Philip was educated in the public schools and later in the law department of the Ohio State University at Columbus, and is now successfully practiiiiiy law at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and al^i pulilishes a newspaper. The Herald, at that town. Elizabeth M. is a talented musician, a graduate of the College oi Music at Cincinnati, and also of the Heidelberg College Conservatory. For a number of years she has taught vocal music in Tiffin. The family are members of the Second Reformed Church. ]Mr. Weidling has been a life long democrat.

Emil Weber. When a gi'eat business house selects its corps of assistants, it is a matter of considerable concern that only men of intelligence and integrity be chosen, and this, also, is the attitude of governments. There is usually a wide choice, but for their representatives in every capacity they want the very best. Hence, an appointive government position carries with it an element of honor that makes it acceptable to almost any citizen, especially to one who has done his full duty as such. That every one does not possess administrative qualities is very true, and herein often lies the difference between satisfactory and unsatisfactory public service. When Erail Weber, a representative business man of Wauseon, Ohio, was appointed postmaster in 1914, many of his fellow citizens, irrespective of party, in various ways testified and voiced their approval, and during the four years that he has continued in office have had occasion to recognize the w'orth of an

Emil Weber was born in 1876, at his father's home in Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio. The father, a native of Switzerland, accompanied his parents to the United States in his boyhood. They located first in the City of New York, removing then to Toledo, Ohio, where the boy grew to manhood and learned the jeweler's trade, subsequently owning a shop of his own in that city. For many years he was a resident of Wauseon, carrying on the same business and enjoying extensive patronage. He was a man of quiet tastes but an expert in his trade, in this line living fully up to the professional reputation of his countrymen. He took no active part in political matters and never accepted any public office, but he was a most worthy citizen and was a prominent member of the Church of Christ.

Emil Weber had public school advantages in his native - place and then learned the jeweler's trade with his father, and as he had a natural taste for the same, became very proficient and after his father's death took charge of the business and fontiiuicil it until 1912, when he was appointed |Mistiiiaster of the democratic party and has served on the County Central Committee and frequently as a delegate to conventions. From 1911 to 1914 he served as assistant clerk of the Invalid Pension Committee at Washington, D. C.

In 1898 Mr. Weber married Miss Gertrude Hoy, and he and wife have four children : Mary, Joseph, Pauline and Virginia. The family attend the Christian Science Church.

Tony We.\sel, of Richfield Township, Henry County, has had a wide and varied experience as a farmer in several states of the Middle West. He came- to Ohio from Illinois, and is the proprietor of one of the fine country' homes in that attractive district of Richfield Township.

He is of German ancestiy. His parents were Philip and Magdalena (Bricker) Weasel, both natives of Wuertemberg, Germany. Both were quite young when they came with their respective parents from Hamburg to New York, and the .sailing vessel in which they crossed the ocean was sevent.y-two days in making the voyage. Both the Bricker and Weasel families settled in St. Joseph County, Indiana. That now prosperous and wealthycounty was almost a wilderness in many por- tions, and these two families did much toward the development and clearing some of the wild lands in the vicinity of South Bend. The Weasel farm was about three miles from that city. Mr. Weasel's grandparents on both sides spent the rest of their lives in St. Joseph County, and all of them were past eighty years of age when they died. The familj^ wei'e all loyal Catholics.

Philip Weasel after his marriage settled on a farm in St. Joseph County, but a little later went out to Iowa. Their first two children were born in that state. They then returned to \Indiana and located on a farm in Ripley County, where eight other children were born. There Philip Weasel died June 16, 1882, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow is still living, being now eighty-two years of age, and in veiy feeble health. She lives with some of her children in Illinois. Both parents have been life-long Catholics and Philip Weasel was a democrat. Eight of his children are still living.

]Mr. Tony Weasel, who is the only one of his family iu Ohio, was bom in Ripley County, Indiana, February 6, 1871. When he was seventeen years of age lie left home, having in the meantime secured such education as was supplied by the local schools, and went out to Champaign County, Illinois. Like many ambitious young men, he was attracted to the territoiy of Oklahoma during its early days, and while living there married Miss Eflie Ward. Mr§. Weasel was bom in the State of Kansas, Febmary 9, 1880, and was ten years of age when her pai'ents took her to Oklahoma. She is a daughter of Thomas and Rachael (Campbell) Ward, who now live retired at Tologa, in Dewey County, Oklahoma, her father at the age of seventy-five and her mother at sixty-eight. Both her parents were born iu Ohio, and her father made a creditable record as a soldier in the Civil war with an Oliio regiment. He was in many a hard fought battle, and was in the great campaign beginning at Chickamauga and ending with the fall of Atlanta. He and his wife are lioth Protestants in religion.

After his marriage Mr. Tony Weasel continued to live in Oklahoma for six years, and he theu returned to Champaign County, Illinois, and conducted a first-class farm of eighty acres in Sodom Township in that county until the spring of 1912. In that year, seeking better lands, he removed to Henrv County and has since been one of the progressive farmers and citizens of Richfield Township. Since coming to Henry County he has acquired 160 acres of land, all of it now under cultivation and producing abundant crops, ilr. Weasel is a hard worker, a good manager and keeps his land and his buildings in the best state of improvement. For the storage of liis crops and the use of his stock he has a fine barn 42x72 feet. His home is a nine-room house.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasel have the following children : George, Frank, Jesse, Louise, Peter, Margaret and Tony, Jr. The son, George, who mai'ried Grace Couch, is now managing the Thompson farm in Henry County, and is a very thrifty young agriculturist. The other children are still at home, and Peter, ^largaret and Tony are still in school. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and ilr. Weasel is a democi'at.

FiNDLAY Public Libraet. The beginning of a public library system in Findlay was an association supported by regular membership fees and donations, the funds of which were employed to establish a collection of books and secure their circulation among the membersliip. Out of this grew the pi-esent Findlay Public Library, which was organized Januaiy 27, 1890. The members of the first library board were C. B. Metcalf, president; W. B. McCaughey, J. R. Kagy, W. H. Wagner, S. W. Miller and N. M. Adams. The librarian elected at the time was Miss Nolle Baker.

The Hancock County commissioners gi'anted for the use of the library the southeast double basement room of the courthouse. The present library had its inception with the nucleus of 900 books obtained from the old library association. At the beginning a small fee was charged for tlie privilege of borrowing books. The system of free distribution of books to the public was not inaugurated until January, 1905. In order to meet the growing demands of the libraiy additional room was secured from the commissioners, but now with a collection of 13,000 volumes the quarters are heavily overtaxed and it will be a matter of only a few years before a separate library building will be provided, with increased facilities and service. With all the handicaps imposed upon the present service through lack of a building, the library is none the less efficiently conducted and during 1916 it circulated 46,240 books.

service is not limited entirely to Findlay. Its patrons and users are located throughout Hancock County and especially the surrounding towns of i\IeComb, Van Buren and Arlington draw upon the library. An excellent reference col-lection is maintained. The revenues for the support of the library are raised entirelj- w'ithin the City of Findlaj'.

Miss Baker was succeeded as librarian in 1902 by Miss Mary B. Morrison, who has now been at the head of the library for fifteen years, with Miss EllaMaxwell as assistant. The present board of trustees consists of S. H. McLeod, president; W. S. Neeley, secretary; Mrs. George W. Ross, Mrs. G. P. Pendleton, Prof. C. T. Fox and Dr. N. L. MacLachlan.

Miss Morrison, the librarian, is granddaughter of the pioneer lawyer of Findlay, John H. Morrison, who was among the first lawyers to open an office in the city in 1836. He died in 18.54. He was a capable lawyer and a man of splendid natural gifts. Miss Morrison is a daughter of Philemon B. and Rebecca (Reed) Morrison, of Findlay. She was educated in the Findlay grammar and high schools, and took the full four years course in Oberlin College, where she was graduated. After leaving college she sei-ved two years as reporter on the Findlay Daily Courier prior to entering upon her present duties as librarian. She is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Miss Morrison is a member of the Thursday Conversational Club, the Ohio Library Association and the First Presbyterian Church.

William J. Hutton. During his lifetime William J. Hutton was a man of distinctive personality and of most capable business ,iudgment and ability, and left an honored name in Wood County, where his- years from early childhood until his death were chiefly spent.

Mr. Hutton was bom in Guernsey County, Ohio, February 16, 1845. He was in his sixtyfourth year when his death occurred at his home, 206 Leahman Street in Bowling Green, in October, 1908. His parents, William and Elizabeth (McKee) Hutton, were early settlers in Guernsey Coimty. In 1847, with their two children, William and Louisa, they came to Wood County, locating in Henry Township, when that district was sparsely improved and when much of the country around North Baltimore was a complete wilderness. Here the father worked hard to clear up a home and, like other pioneei-s, spent a busy but quiet life and he died at a very old age. He had buried two wives, the mother of William being about sixty when she passed away, and an active member of the United Brethren Church. The fatlier was a republican in polities. Their living children are: Mrs. Nancy J. Zimmerman, of Bowling Green; Mrs. Louisa Hoot, wife of Benjamin Hoot, of Findlay, Ohio; and Mrs. Serena Reynolds, wife of Edward Reynolds, of Fostoria, Ohio.

William J. Hutton grew up on his father's farm in Wood County. He early learned the trade of carpenter and combined that with farming on his place of eighty acres in Plain Township for a number of years. That farm, which bears every evidence of having been well cleared and substantially improved, is still owned by Mrs. Hutton. Twenty-two years ago Mr. anci Mrs. Hutton removed to Bowling Green and bought their home at 206 Lealmian Street. From that time forward Mr. Hutton employed himself at his trade as a carpenter. He was a skillful mechanic and prospered in his work. Outside of his business he was known as a quiet and domestic man and his activities were cliiefly expressed through his interest in the United Brethren Church, which he served as class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. Politically he was a republican.

ilr. Hutton married in Hancock County, Ohio, Miss Laura -J. Weisel. She was born in Allen Township of that county August 20, 1847, and was reared and educated there on a farm. She is a daughter of Isaac and Jane (Dorsey) Weisel, both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state they came in early days with their children, Oliver and ^larj', both of whom are now deceased, to Allen Township in Hancock County. At that time the forest was filled with wild game and there were practically no roads except the blazed trails. The Weisel family endured patiently all the experiences and hardships necessaryto prepare a home in such a district. For some years their nearest market town was Perrysburg and they went there to get their grist gi-ound. Mrs. Hutton 's parents spent their last years in comfort on their farm and each of them died within a week of each other, in the year 1881. They were active members of the Christian Church and Mr. Weisel was a democrat. l\Ii-s. Hutton is the mother of two children. Her only son, Dr. Charles Hutton. is a gi-aduate physician from the Chicago Medical College and is also a pharmacist, being a partner with Fred Adams in a store at Bowling Green. Doctor Hutton married Miss Alia Rawling, who comes from Illinois. The daughter, Frieda, is a graduate of the Bowl- ing- Green High School, now lives with her mother and is a bookkeeper with the Eberly shoe store at Bowling Green. Mrs. Hutton and her daughter are active members of the United Brethren Church.

Henry J. Johnston, M. D., is the only physician now in practice at Tontogany in AVood Coimty. During his ten years residence there he has acquired a splendid reputation as a successful physician and surgeon and enjoys the esteem of a large community.

Doctor Johnston was born at Haskins, Ohio, May 3, 1876. His grandfather, John Johnston, was born at Hartford, Connecticut. He was a gardener by trade or profession and for a number of years was employed by one of the noted Pierpont family of Hartford. From Connecticut he came to Ohio and located near Haskins on Hull Prairie. There he bought some raw land and in course of time had developed a good homestead. He died there when an old man. He was of Scotch ancestry and he married a girl of Irish stock, IMaria Anderson. She also lived to a good old age. They were regular members of the Presbyterian Church, and were a fine old couple whose characteristics are inherited by their descendants. They had three sons and one daughter. The only one now living is John R. of New York C'ity.

James Johnston, the second son and child, and father of Doctor Johnston, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1813. He was a boy when he came with his parents to Ohio and he grew up at Haskins, finishing his education in the Maumee High School. He was still at home when the war broke out, and he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infantr^^ The commander of this regiment was Colonel Sherwood, now general, and Congressman I. R. Sherwood of Toledo. As a soldier he was exposed to much hardship, soon contracted rheumatism, as a result of which disease he was discharged. He then i-eturned to Haskins and some years later established a hardware store in that town. That was his business the rest of his active years and he died in February, 1907. In the community where he spent his life he married Henrietta Crook. She was born in Hull Prairie in 1814, and is still living at Haskins, aged seventy-four. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Her husband was a rockribbed republican in politics. Mrs. James Johnston was educated in the local schools and at a ladies' .seminarv at Kalamazoo, I\Iieliigan. Her parents came from Pennsylvania and were of English stock, being early settlers on Hull Prairie, where they were farmers and where they spent tlie rest of their days.

Dr. Henry J. Johnston grew up in Haskins, was graduated from the Haskins High School, and for three years was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in April, 1898, he enlisted as a private in Company L of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He accompanied the regiment to the training ground at Chickamauga, Tennessee, and was soon detached and given a place in the medical department of the United States army. He accompanied the General ]\Iiles expedition to Porto Rico and was a member of the Hospital Corps until his discharge on February 18, 1899, having been in active service nearly a year.

With the training he had received in the medical department of the army he returned home and at once entered the Toledo Medical College, from which he gi-aduated M. D. in April, 1900. Doctor Johnston practiced medicine at his home town of Haskins for seven years, but in 1907 removed to Tontogany and succeeded Dr. Benjamin F. Davis, one of the old time physicians of that community. Since then Doctor Johnston has acquired a large general practice throughout this section of Wood County and has made his influence felt in community affairs. He is a member of t^ie various medical associations, including the American ]\Iedical A.ssoeiation, and is affiliated with Waterville Lodge of ^Masons and in politics is a republican, though always declining any hint of olBcial participation in local affairs. Besides his own home Doctor Johnston is joint owner with ]\Ir. Fray Robertson of the office building in which he has his medical offices. They built a large garage 40 by 160 feet and Jlr. Robertson has the management of the garage.

Doctor Johnston married at Plymoutli, Ohio, Miss IMary LaDow, who was lioru at Plymouth thirty-five years ago and was reared and educated there. She also attended the Woman's College at Wooster, Ohio. They have one living son, LaDow, born September 9, 1903. fle is a bright student and is now in the freshman class in the high school.

forty years. He began his career back in Maryland, his native state, where his people were prominent as merchants and bankers and manufacturers.

Mr. Yingling- was born at Baltimore, Maryland, October 26, 1847, a son of Joshua and Margaret (Shriver) Tingling. Both parents were born at Westminster. ^Maryland, the father in 1812 and the mother in" 1814, and tliey died when almost the same age, the father in 1881 and the mother in 1880. They were married at Westminster. The grandfather, Jacob Tingling, was also a native of ilaryland and a tanner by trade. The maternal grandfather Isaac Shriver, a native of Westminster, was a tanner and subsequently became president of the Bank of Westminster and a very man. Joshua Tingling followed the goods business at Westminster for many years and for the last two years of his life was interested in a canning industry. He was very public spirited and showed a keen interest in everything that concerned the public welfare. He began voting as an old line whig and from that went into the republican party. He always took miich interest in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member for many years, and he and his wife were members of the ilethodist Protestant Church. They had eight children, and the four now living are : George S., who practiced medicine and also was in the life insurance business and is now living retired in Florida ; ilary, who lives at Baltimore, ilarvland, widow of Dr. J. G. Keller: C. J. Tingling: and Dr. William A. Tingling of Emporia, Kansas.

When C. J. Tingling was a year old his parents removed from Baltimore to Westminster, Maryland, and in that town he spent his early years. He attended the public schools and when quite young became teller ill tlie First National Bank of Westminster. He took that position in 1865 and remained witli the bank almost four years. The confining occupation proved detrimental to his health and in recuperating he spent about six months traveling in the AVest, chiefly in Iowa. Returning to Westminster, he lived there about four years and was in the dry goods business.

:\Ir. Tingling came to Tiffin in 1872. Two years later he entered the dry goods business on a small scale, and has since developed one of the finest stores in this part of Northwest Ohio. While his mercantile business requires most of his time and attention he is also president of the National Building and

Loan Association, a director in the Webster Manufacturing Company, a director of the Tiffin National Bank and has numerous other business connections.

On October 26, 1875, he married Mary E. Rudisel, of Taueytown, ilaryland. They have two children: Tobias Rudisel Tingling, of Tiffin, Ohio; and Charles Shriver Tingling, clerk for his father. Mr. and ilrs. Tingling are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He is a Knight Templar and thirtysecond degree Mason and in politics a republican. In a public way he has served on the school board two terms.

RoMAiN A. Taylor. Lucas County, and particularly that splendid agricultural community in Spencer Township, lost a splendid and upright citizen in the death of Romain A. Taylor on April 3, 1915. Mr. Taylor represented one of the very old and substantial families of Lucas County, and he himself was a good business man and farmer and took a very active part in county affairs.

He was born in Spencer Township August 10, 1855, and died at the age of sixty. His father, William Taylor, was born near Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsjdvania, Januaiy 9, 1810. In 1834 he arrived in Lucas County, Ohio, and as a pioneer acquired 160 acres of land in Spencer Township direct from the government. That was the scene and stage of his early endeavors, and with growing success he acquired additional land until he was the owner of many hundreds of acres. Soon after coming to Lucas County William Taylor established two sawmills, and for many years was actively en£;agc(l in lumbering and lumber manufacture. His wealth and influence grew apace, and at one time he was one of the most prosperous and prominent men of his section of the state. He also filled various places of public trust and responsibility, was for many years county commissioner and scrvrd :is town treasurer from 1860 to 1872. Ill' iiKiri'ird Miwy Corson, and they had the folIowiiiL;' cliililren: Two .sons who died in infancy ; Robert W., who died in 1881 ; Eliza, who died in 1873, married William R. Cole; Harriett, who died in 1877, married James C. Vaughn; Mary J., deceased, married M. T. Cole; Theresa married Hari-ison Farner and lives in Toledo : Lxicretia, decea.sed, »was the wife of P. 0. Van Fleet; Addie married Edward Wall and lives in Swantou Township.

the local schools, but from early boyhood preferred a life of open air activity and of business. When a young man he went to Toledo and for several years was engaged in railroading. At that time his father owned a block of stock in the old Narrow Gauge Road, now the Clover Leaf System.

On February 3, 1883, Mr. Tajdor married Amanda Van Aken, who was born in Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Anthony and Mary (Lord) Van Aken, who settled in Richfield Township of Lucas County in 1865. ]Mrs. Tajdor since the death of her husband has continued to live on the old homestead a mile and a quai'ter west of Sharpies Corners in Spencer Township, and being a woman of excellent business judgment is ovei-seeiug the operations of the farm and carrying on her business affairs with success. Mrs. Taylor was one of a large family of children: Simeon Lord, who died in infancy; Madison, a resident of Eaton Rapids, Michigan ; Rowena, living at Byron, Michigan, the widow" of T. J. Smith; Mercedes, wife of George W. Sterling, superintendent of the Boys National Home at Washington; Mrs. Taylor; Emma, wife of Herbert M. Weed, of Bellevue, Michigan ; Maiy, Mrs. Charles Ziegler, of vSpencer Township; and Henry, who died in infancy.

For many years R. A. Taylor was engaged in farming on his place in Spencer Township, and he was also called to fill various public offices. He was a stanch republican. He served as trustee, town treasurer, as deputy sheriff for a number of years and was actively affiliated with Swanton Lodge Free and Accepted Masons.

The children of Mr. and ]Mrs. R, A. Taylor were: Clyde, who died at the age of four years and five months ; Flossie, wife of Ernest Keough, and they have a daughter. Roraaina Lucile; Hazel, who died at the age of four years and ten months ; and William Romaine, who superintends the home farm for his mother.

Knott Reid occupies the old homestead formerly owned by his father in section 8 of Damascus Township of Henry County. This old homestead has been the center of the activities of the Reid family since early pioneer days. It is located on the east side of Turke.y Foot Creek, and not only did the early Reids and their relatives put" some of the first improvements on the land and redeem it from the wilderness, but they were

The old farm now owned by Ivnott Reid was oul}^ a part of six tracts entered in the very early days by William Rankin, a brotherin-law of Thomas Reid, father of Knott Reid. Both these men came from Scotland. Thomas Reid was born near the home of Robert Burns in Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1812. The Reids were prominent people in that section of Scotland. His father James died in that country, and Thomas grew up there, married his first wife, and she died leaving him three children. These, children were named James, Thomas, Jr., and Jessie. Jessie, who now lives at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is the widow of Ed Crockett, and she has a family of four sons and two daughters. James Reid saw active service as a Union soldier during the Civil war, and died in 1896 in Geauga County, Ohio, leaving a family of two sons and daughter, and his wife is now deceased. Thomas, Jr., died a young man in Damascus Township of Henry County. The first member of the Reid family to come to America was Mathew Reid, a brother of Thomas Reid. He arrived in 1837, and acting under a commission from his brother Thomas he bought a large estate in Damascus Township of Henry County. These lands were nearly all located along Turkey Foot Creek. In 1839 Thomas Reid. his widowed mother and other children, and William Rankin, came to the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel. After six weeks they landed in New York, thence proceeded up the Hudson River and the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and by lake boat to Toledo. From Toledo after many difficidties they arrived in Damascus Township. It should be remembered tliat they arrived here more than three-quarters of a centurj' ago. Few people had yet cliosen Hemy County as their homes. The woods were dense, the swamps were forbidding to prospective settlers, and the few people who did live here all put up with the inconveniences of log cabins, lack of markets, and an almost total absence of those civilizing institutions of the chui-eh and school.

Thomas Reid and his brother-in-law, William Rankin, has acquired several hundreds of acres along and around Turkey Foot Creek. They were able to do little with the land agriculturally for several .veai"s. but with the assistance of a Mr. Lane, they built the fii-st mill in all that part of the countiy for grinding gi'ist and sawing lumber. This mill was located near the mouth of the creek, and it proved one of tlie most' valuable and useful institutions to the early inhabitants of Henry- County.

The mother of Thomas Reid died in Henry County some years after the family arrived and when eighty years of age. She was Ijuried along the banks of the romantic Maumee River. Mathew Reid, who had married in Scotland, also lived in the Turkey Foot community and he and his wife died when past middle years, leaving no children.

After coming to America Thomas Reid married Almira Crockett, of an old and prominent Henry County family elsewhere referred to. She was born in the State of Maine and had come to Heniy County when a young woman. Thomas and vnie lived busy and useful lives. Besides the operation of a mill he cleared up a large part of his laud holdings and acquired 400 acres in one body and made investments in lands elsewhere in the county. He was one of the strong, upright and influential citizens in the earlj^ days of Henry County. He died in 1877 and was survived by his widow until 189.5. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. To the marriage of Thomas Reid and Almira Crockett were born the following children: Mary, who is the wife of Frank A. Jenning; Knott; William, who owns a hundred acre's of fine farming land in Damsacus Township and married Jennie Fast of Harrison Town- .ship and has a family of children ; Charles, who lives in Damascus Township, married Myrtie Myei-s and has sons and daughters; Edwin, also a resident of Damascus Township, maiTied for his firat wife iliss Shepard, who became the mother of one son Bruce, and he married for his second wife Miss Essing, who is also deceased ; Agnes is the wife of Irvin Myers, a farmer of Damascus Township, and they have a family of children.

Thus it is of one of the oldest and most influential families of Henry County that Knott Reid is representative. He was born on the old homestead he now owns on November 9, 1858. His years have been spent actively and usefully there and as a boy he attended the local schools. He has made good use of his means and opportunities, has built up a splendid country home, has his land well improved, has substantial buildings, and for a number of yeai's has specialized in the growing of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. His farm comprises 137 aerps.

In 1879 in his home township Mr. Reid married Emma Pratt. She was born in Wood County, Ohio, February 22, 1859, and when she was four yeai-s of age her parents Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Pratt died and she was reared to young womanhood by the family of Judson Emery. The Pi-atts were among the earliest pioneers along the Maumee River. Her grandfather, William Pratt, and his father settled 31/. miles from Perrysburg at a time when there were practically no other settlements along that section of the valley.

ilrs. Reid was the only child of her parents. She is the mother of four sous. Guy, who completed his education in Oxford College, has for a number of years been a teacher aud he still calls his parents' home his own. Mathew, who also completed his education at Oxford College is now in business at Napoleon and by his marriage to Nellie Robinson of Freedom Township has a daughter, Thelma. Harold is a farmer near Maumee, Ohio, and has one son, Jackson, by his marriage to Lottie Davis. Arthur, who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, is connected with the Barberton Manufacturing Company near Akron. Mr. Reid in polittical matters has usually supported the democratic party, and his sons are of similar political faith.

John William Harmon Beach, il. D. For nearly a score of years actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Arlington in Hancock County, Doctor Beach has met with unquestioned success in his chosen work and well deserves the reputation which he has won. He has not been contented with mediocrity in his professional work, however remunerative his practice may have been, and has aimed at the highest possible perfection.

Doctor Beach is descended from one of the old and prominent families of German people in Northwest Ohio. His ancestoi's were soldiers in the Napoleonic wars in Europe. His grandfather, Reinhardt T. Beach, was born on the border line lietween Fi-ance and Germany in 1805. When twenty-five years of age he came to this country and first located at Sandusky, Ohio, and soon afterwards took up Government land near Crestline. On the old homestead in Vernon Township of Crawford County. Frederick Beach, father of Doctor Beach, was bora November 7, 1837, and was the third white child born in that township. He became one of Crawford Couuty's successful and widelv known men. In the early days he did cabinet-making, and his labors involved the fashioning of cofiSns as the}' were needed and he also made chairs and other articles of furniture. He lived on a farm, and during the period of the Civil war was employed as a bu.yer of cattle for the Union army. He afterwards attained wide note as a successful breeder and raiser of blooded Shire and Clydesdale horses. He sold his stock all over the country. He continued active in this business until 1906. Frederick Beach married Margaret Feick in 1867. Of their ten children. Doctor Beach was the third. There were four daughters and six sons and eight are still living, three of whom are graduates of medicine. Charles died one year after graduating. Cornelius, the youngest. i.s practicing in Columbus, Ohio.

Doctor Beach was born December 6, 1872. and spent his early life on a Crawford County farm in Vernon Township, attended the country schools there and was a student two years in the Crestline High School and for another two years in the Gregory Normal School at Crestline, where he took the classical cour.se. In 1895 Doctor Beach entered the Fort "Wayne Medical College, where 'he was gi-aduated M. D. in 1898. He at once selected as his place of practice Arlington in Hancock County, and has been in the general practice of medicine there for nineteen years. His services extend all over Hancock and adjoining counties. More and more he has specialized in internal medicine, with .some surgery, and is an expert in the former department. Doctor Beach took po.st-graduate work in June, 1908, under Emil G. Beck at Beck's Hospital, and has also attended the famous Murphy clinics at Chicago. He is a member in liigh standinar of the Hancock County, the Tri-State and the Ohio iMedical societies and the American Medical Association. When he began practice at Arlington he was appointed town.ship physician and .served one year. He was for two years a member of the City Board of Health, finally resigning the responsibilities of that office.

Doctor Beach is affiliated with the -Mount Blanchard Lodge of Masons, with the Royal Arch Chapter of Findlay. Ohio, and is also an Odd Fellow. He is an independent democrat and a member of the German Reformed Church.

In 1900 Doctor Beach married ]\Iiss Florence N. Riegle. daughter of P. A. and ]\Iarietta (Wardwein Riegle of Arlington, and the union was blessed with one daughter who died in infancy. P. A. Riegle was a farmer and breeder of Rambouilette .sheep, which won the gold medal at the World's Fair, Pari.s, also at St. Louis. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Beach, David Wardwell, who died November 9, 1915, had attained the remarkable age of one hundred and three years. He was the first contractor and builder in Madison Township of Hancock County.

Hon. Richard A. Beattt of Bowling Green, former state senator, is widely known in Northwest Ohio and in several other states on account of his prominent associations with the oil industry. Since early boyhood he has been identified in some way or other with oil operations, beginning back in Western Pennsylvania, where he was born.

Mr. Beatty was first elected a member of the State Senate in 1905, taking office January 5, 1906, and serving six years. He represented in the Senate the five counties of Wood, Henry, Fulton, Putnam and Hancock. During that time he distinguished himself by his leadership in the legislative program and especially by the constructive work he did in behalf of various, state institutions and affairs and the capable manner in which he safeguarded the integi'ity of the state's fiscal management.