Sandusky Township (part 45 of 57)

Mr. James owns one of the finest estates in Bowling Green; it is situated on the highest point in the city, if not in the entire county ; his home is a modern commodious residence surrounded with several acres of forest trees and grounds that exemplify the finest art of the landscape gardener; there may be found one of the finest private libraries in the state ; he is a thirty-second degree JIason; while in the University he was a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity and while in the Yale Law School was the founder of the Waite Chapter of Phi Delta Phi. He was married September 4, 1901, at Washington, D. C, to Miss Myrtle E. ]\IcElroy who was a daughter of the late Hon. Joseph C. McElroy, captain of the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; later he was a member of the Ohio State Legislature and from 1895 until his death in 1907 was postmaster of the House of Representatives in Washington.

In the practice of his profession Mr. James has been unusually successful; his indefatigable industry and close application to his cases have marked him as a lawyer who wins ; his practice has been general covering all lines of the law both in State and Federal courts. He has been engaged in fifteen murder cases and the successful results which he achieved in the last three, the Neiswender,

Charles Rogers. This name brings up associations with early business history in Bowling Green and mention of a family that has long been prominent in Northern Ohio, originally in the Western Reserve in old Trumbull County, and also as early settlers of Wood County. In colonial and later times the Rogers family lived on Long Island. That was the home of Lieutenant Joseph and Lydia (Lloyd) Rogers. They were married there and soon set out with wagon and team for the Ohio Western Reseiwe. They were connected in some way with the enterprise of General Hull and located in Trumbull County. That was prior to the War of 1812. They had a tract of land through the middle of which ran a small creek. Joseph Rogers bi;ilt a tannery on the banks of that creek, and furnished leather for the shoes used by the pioneers in that vicinity. The cabins w-ere very few and far between and he also carried his kit of tools and went abpiit over the country making shoes. J\Iost of his work at the trade was done in the winter time, while the open seasons of the year were spent in looking after his land. The old Rogers farm in the days of military training was a favorite rendezvous for the militiamen and Joseph Rogers was very prominent as a leader in the military and civic life of the community. He took part iu the War of 1812 and served with the rank of first lieutenant. He was a man of remarkable energy and intelligence and was a natural leader of men. He led a very active life and was ninety-three when he passed away. For several years he had been blind. He was one of the leading whigs of Trumbull County and served both in county and township offices. His wife died many years before him and both were devout Presbyterians.

In the eai'ly '50s Dr. Gilbert Rogers, a son of Lieutenant Joseph, took up the practice of medicine at Hayesville in Huron County, Ohio. Not long afterward he was visited by his father, who traveled on horseback, and through the latter 's inducement Dr. Rogers made a .journey into what was then the West, to Bowling Green, which was a hamlet. In this new country LieiTtenant Joseph bought a considerable tract of land, perliaps half a mile in length. This land is all now built over by the City of Bowling Green and the original tract runs from North Main Street back to

Haskins Street. At tliat time it was almost completely covered with timber or brush and only two streets or thoroughfares passed it. On his land some of the early AYood County fairs were held. A lot now owned by Mrs. Charles Rogers was the scene of some of these fairs and many of the get-together meetings and conventions were held in a grove of trees on the same laud. A saud ridge is the chief feature of the topograjih}- there.

After Dr. Gilbert Rogers had located on the land his father returned home. Dr. Gilbert Rogers practiced medicine in and around Bowling Green for thirty years and then retired, going out to Kansas. He was succeeded in practice b.y Doctor ilauville. Doctor Manville became associated with Charles Rogers, the ynnimi'^t 'icii nf Lieutenant Joseph, in the drug luisiiii'~s ,11 Bowling Green. Dr. Charles Rogers hail jircviously been a general merchant, and had come to Bowling Green when a young uumai-ried man for the purpose of joining his older brother, Doctor Gilbert.

Charles Rogers came to Bowling Green in 1856. He had a long and prosperous business career and lived retired several years before his death, which occurred March 23, 1891. In the meantime he had turned his drug business over to his sous, the Rogers Brothers, who still conduct it.

Charles Rogers was born in Trumbull County February 8, 1836, being the youngest of a family of six sons and two daughters all of whom grew up and all married and all are now deceased.

On February 19, 1862, at Warren in Trumbull County, Charles Rogers married a neighbor girl, iliss Mary il. Scovill. She was born in Yienua Townsliip of Trumbull County ilay 6, 1840, and spent her early life in that section of the old AYestern Reserve. Mrs. Rogers is a daughter of Smith and Rachel (Bartholomew) Scovill. The Bartholomews were a prominent pioneer family of Vienna Township of Trumbull County and her mother was a daughter of Ira and Bodecia (Churchill) Bartholomew, who were among the earliest arrivals in Trumbull County. The Scovill family located in Trumbull County just 100 years ago, in 1817. Their first home was a cabin by a spring in the beautiful Mahoning Valley, not far from the present county seat of Warren.

The record of the Scovill family in the various generations has been preserved and published. Such of the record as pertains to the direct lineage of Mrs. Rogers is given as follows. In 1666 John Scovill married Sarah Barnes in Farmington, Connecticut. They lived in Farmington until 1672, then moved to Y'aterbury and in 1677 to Hadden, where John Scovill died in 1712. His son, John Scovill, Jr., was known as Sergeant John and had a son, Lieutenant John, born in 1694. Lieutenant John Scovill had a son Asa, born in 1732. Asa Scovill married Louise Warren and of their seven children Obadiah, the youngest, was born July 4, 1769. His wife, Philamelia, was born in 1778. He afterwards married a widow named Glazier. By the first mari-iage there were nine children and six by the second. In the second wife's children the fourth born was Smith Scovill, who was born January 22, 1815. Smith Scovill married for his first wife Rachel Bartholomew on April 8, 1838. Their children were Mary M. Scovill ; Mrs. Charles Rogers, born ilay 6, 1840; George W. Scovill, born December 7, 1842; and Martha B. B. Scovill, born August 24, 1848. Smith Scovill married July 27. 1854, Julia A. Clark-, ami tln^ one i-liild nl' that union was Frank II. Smvill. Wmai Krliniarv 'JG, 1858.

ilr. an.l :Mrs. Charb/s Rogrrs had three children : Grace L., who died at the age of sixteen ; and George and Clayton, who conduct the drug business founded by their father and have a large and handsomely appointed store and are numliered among the capable business leaders of the city. Both" the sons are married but neither has children.

Mrs. Rogers gives dutiful attention to her family. She is a well preserved woman in mind and body and completely belies her seventy-seven years. Her life has been a long and useful one and has been filled with charitable deeds to a large community, by whom she is greatly beloved.

John H. BEN>rEnoPF is one of the ablest abstractors in Northwest Ohio and has been identified with that business in Tiffin for over thirty years. His business in handling real estate and loans has in later years acquired increasing impoi'tance and his judgment in those matters has caused him to be entrusted with making the investments of some large financial coneei-ns as well as many indi\'iduals.

Mr. Bennehoff was born in Adams Township of Seneca County, on the farm of his parents, Solomon and Ann (Rader) Bennehoff. His parents were born and married in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Solomon Bennehoff, who was born in 1807 and died in 1885, was an expert wagon maker by trade. He could make aud finish a wagoii from tongue to end gate, and he made many such vehicles in the early days of Seneca County. He came to Ohio in 1837, locating on a raw tract of land in Adams Township of Seneca County. Besides working at his trade he did the clearing of a farm and for some years the family lived in a log cabin. He and his wife were active members of tlie Lutheran Church and in politics he was a democrat and was several times entrusted with local offices. He had some pioneer experiences. He had crossed the Allegheny Jlountains twice on horseback and he brought his family to Seneca County in an old fashioned prairie schooner. Before his death he had developed a good farm. He and his wife M-ere the parents of eight children and John H. is the only one lining. The latter had six brothers, and four of them grew up to worthy and useful manhood and none of them were addicted to bad habits in any form.

Mr. John H. Bennehoff largely educated himself through his work on the farm and as a teacher. He attended the local schools, also the Heidelberg College at Tiffin, and always excelled in the study of mathematics. He also took a business course in Cincinnati. For twelve years Mr. Bennehoff was a successful teacher. He is the product of that environment which has been made familiar through many pioneer stories. As a boy he attended his first school by walking li/. miles from home to schoolhouse twice a day. Sluch of his studjwas then by the light of an open fire in the fireplace of the Bennehoff home.

Mr. Bennehoff first became widely known in Seneca County when he was elected to the office of county recorder. He held that oiSce from January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1888. While in office he became acquainted with every land owner in the county and with the location of every tract of land and thus gained an authoritative knowledge which well qualified him for his business as an abstractor. In September. 1886, he copyrighted what is known as "Abstractor's Aid and Digest to Records of Real Estate," a system of abstracting that has since been adopted in several counties. For the past thirty years Mr. Bennehoff has been entrusted with all the real estate work of the Northwestern Life Insurance Company in this part of Ohio, and has also loaned large volumes of money for that company. Mr. Bennehoff still owns the old homestead which his father cleared up from the wilderness.

On November 9, 1882, he married Ida Ann Hensinger, a native of Seneca County and a daughter of John Hensinger, one of the county's pioneers. Of the four children born to their marriage two are living : Vinton Ai-thur is a graduate of the Tiffin High School, completed his course in Heidelberg College in 1910, then studied law in the University of ^Michigan at Ann Arbor, and for the past four years has been successfully engaged in practice at Tiffin. He repi^esents the National Security Company in several counties. Vinton A. Bennehoff married Edna E. Gibson. Olton Rader, the second sou, graduated with honor in a class of 200 from the Annapolis Naval Academy and thus he qualified for official position in the United States Navy. He is an ensign on the Battleship Kansas, United States Navy. The family are active members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Bennehoff has filled all the offices in the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is district deputy grand master. Politically he has always been a useful and influential democrat. He served on the city council and for several years has been a member of the board of education. A number of years ago while county recorder Mr. Bennehoff was secretar,v and vice president of the Recorders Association of Ohio.

W. S. Kimball. Since beginning practice as a lawyer at Delphos fifteen years ago W. S. Kimball has been rapidly accumulating the wisdom of exj^erience and a successful business. He is a hard worker in the law as he was as a student before being admitted to practice. He is a strictly self-made man, and paid his own way while getting his education.

I\Ir. Kimball was born at Delphos, Ohio, February 12, 1877, a son of E. E. and Ida (Breese) Kimball. His people have been identified with Ohio since earlj' times. His grandfather, Stephen Kimball, was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and during the '30s he was a soldier under General Jackson in the Seminole Indian wars in Florida. He was a pioneer farmer in Indiana, aud after retiring from the farm he removed to Ohio, where he spent his last years. J\Ir. Kimball's maternal grandfather, William Breese, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and for many years was agent for the Adams Express Company at Delphos. He lost a leg in the sei-viee of that company and afterwards was employed as a watchman until his death. Mr. Kimball is also great-grandson through his mother's line of James Alexander, wlio was another early Ohio man and was superintendent of construction on one of the divisions of the old Ohio Canal. He afterward owned and operated a string of canal boats and he lived to the venerable age of ninety-one.

^. E. Kimball was born in Indiana while his wife Ida Breese is a native of Delphos, in which town they were married. Mr. E. E. Kimball for many years has conducted a cigar store at Delphos. He is an active democrat, has sei'ved on the town council and is now superintendent of the local cemetery. He and his wife ai-e members of the Pi-esbyterian Church. Of their three children W. S. is the oldest. Charles is in the draying business at Delphos, and Ora is employed by his father.

W. S. Kimball gxew up in Delphos, attended the local schools, and early became self-supporting. For four years he was in the employ of the Clover Leaf Railway Company, and through his earnings in that work he paid the expenses of his law course in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Mr. Kimball was admitted to the bar in 1901 and at once began practice in his native city. Besides looking after a substantial general law practice he represents a number of old-line life insurance companies. For four years Mr. Kimball served as a memlier of the Board of Education at Delphos. He is a democi-at, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian, Church. Mrs. Kimball is active in the church societies and organizations.

On November 27, 1899, he married Miss Edna Holliday. ]Mrs. Kimball was born in Everett, Pennsylvania. They have two children: Paul, aged sixteen, and Harold, aged seven, both of whom are attending school.

George D. Kinder. Perhaps the dean of Northwest Ohio's newspaper men is the venerahle George D. Kinder of Putnam County. Though in the eighty-first year of his age Mv. Kinder is still going about diligent and earnest in his duties as an editor. He learned the art of typesetting in the years before the war. He was a practical newspaper man before hostilities broke out. He began publishing the Putnam County Sentinel just half a century ago, and while he sold out and gave up the business responsibilities connected with the paper a number of years ago, he still finds a congenial duty in working with the paper in its editorial department.

Eliza Kinder, both of whom were born in the year 1800, two years before Ohio was admitted to the Union. Mr. Kinder 's greatgreat-grandfather was a gallant soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting from Berks County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather did duty in the War of 1812. He enlisted in Colonel Gano's regiment, the First Ohio, and was in active service until that regiment was surrendered at Detroit to General Hull.

George D. Kinder acquired his early education in public schools and also took the preparatory course in Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He went into a printing office as an apprentice in the year 1851 and mastered the trade and grew old in its application long before the introduction of the modern linotype and other power machinery. He worked as a journeyman printer until 1861 and then became a newspaper "broker." In this business he bought and sold a number of newspapers, and finally in 1867 acquired a permanent connection when he bought the Putnam County Sentinel. He continued the publication and editorial management of this newspaper until 1900, but then after a retirement of a few years found time heavy on his hands and since 1906 has again been connected with the editorial department. He did a very successful business both with his newspaper and in the job printing business.

Mr. Kinder is one of the contributors to the permanent historical records of Northwest Ohio. He is author of the History of Putnam County published a few years ago by the B. F. Bowen & Company of Indianapolis, and has \\Titten and contributed many local historical accounts to newspapei's and other publications.

Mr. Kinder has also been active in business and public affairs. From 1902 to 1906 he was county treasurer of Putnam County, was a member of the board of education four years, and for the past twelve years has been a member of the board of public affairs. He has been connected as an official with loan associations for the past twenty years. Mr. Kinder is a stanch and sterling democrat, and again and again has had a place on state, congi'essional, senatorial and county committees. He is a member of the JIasonic Lodge and has attained the Knight Templar degree in 'that order, belongs to the Putnam Club, and to a number of other social organizations.

Mrs. Kinder has been active both at home and in her church and has active membership in the woman's clubs of her home city. Mr. Kinder has one daughter, Zella D. Kinder, who married J. C. Shemei-, now a resident of Findlay, Ohio.- His only son, Gordon D. Kinder, a gi-aduate of the Ohio State University, is a successful lawyer now practicing at Martin's Ferry in Belmont County, Ohio.

0. F. Van Osdale has been a resident and business man of Toledo for the past twentytwo years, and is now manager of the Toledo office of the Stein Brothers Manufacturing Company of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a firm whose goods have had a remarkable vogiie and have become widely known as the "Steinmade" trou.sers and knickerbockers.

Mr. Van Osdale has had a wide and competent business experience. He is a native of Ohio, born April 28, 1857, in Ashland County. He was the only son and child of Simon B. Van Osdale, also a native of Ohio. His father was a contractor and builder, and in the early days he did much to build up West Salem, Oliio, now a thri\nng village. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C of the One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully and went through all the hardships of a soldier for two years. He was finally stricken with the smallpox and died while still in the army.

0. F. Van Osdale was a very small boy when his father died, and his opportunities were somewhat limited owing to being deprived of a father's care. He attended the public schools at Lodi, Ohio, and in 1876, graduated from the Lodi Academy.

For five years Mr. Van Osdale was in the piano and organ biisiness at West Salem. Ohio. From that he went into the line of salesmanship which has chiefly occupied his time and attention ever since. He went on the road as traveling representative of a large men's furnishing goods house at Cleveland, and distributed their goods for six years. He then went with the W. H. Lyon & Company as traveling salesman, and covered the territory of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan for seven years. Twenty-two years ago he came to Toledo and became connected with an old established wholesale notion house and helped maintain the prestige of that firm six years. For many years Mr. Van Osdale has' been manufacturer's agent for the Stein Brothers Manufacturing Company of Williamsport. and has made the Toledo office one of the most

Mr. Van Osdale is a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Toledo. Politically he is a republican. In 1878 he married at West Salem, Ohio, Miss Evelyn Elgin. They have two children: Clinton G. and Florence W. The daughter is now married and the son is "connected with the Toledo Transfer Company.

Mark T. Heminger has been one of the leading merchants of North Baltimore for the past fifteen years, and his entire life has been characterized by industry and straightforward relations that commend him to the confidence of a large community either as a business man or citizen.

Mr. Heminger was born on the line between Hancock and Wood counties August 26, 1855. He grew up there, was educated in the common schools and has spent practically all his life in these two counties.

His parents were Frederick and Barbara A. (Young) Heminger, both of whom were natives of Stark County, Ohio, and of Pennsylvania parentage. The grandfather, George Heminger, went to Stark County and established a distilling business and became a wealthy man, being considered the most prosperous citizen in Pike Township. . He died there at the age of ninety-four. He was twice married, having twelve children by the first wife and five by the second. Nearly all of these grew up and married, and all are now deceased. Frederick Heminger became a farmer in Stark Countj% and some years after his marriage moved to Hancock County, where he rented land on Blanehard River for some years. He finally bought a tract of practically unimproved soil in Allen Township, and as the result of years of trial and effort he made a splendid farm and home there. The mother of his children died in 1875, at the age of sixt.v-two. He was twice married after that, divorcing one wife, while the other lived to be sixty-two. Frederick Heminger died in November, 1895, in his eighty-fourth year. He was born February 22, 1812. He and his wife were active members of the United Brethren Church, and in polities he was a republican. Of his twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, three of the sons and all the daughters are still living. One son, Jonas, enlisted in the Union army early in the war and was killed at the battle of Stone Rivei-. His remains rest on that noted battlefield. Two other brothei's, John and George, were also soldiers. John was woiinded in the right arm, but returned home and afterward married. George was out only six months diiring the close of the war. The husbands of all the three daughters were likewise soldiers.

In the family of twelve Mark T. Heminger was the tenth child and the youngest of those now living. He grew up on his father 's farm, learned the carpenter's trade, and followed these vocations actively until February, 1902, when he came to Nortli Baltimore and engaged in the grocery business. He now has a large store, stocked with all the staple merchandise needed for the extensive community that trade with him.

In Wood County Mr. Heminger married Miss Salome E. Ebersole. She was born in Pennsylvania August 20, 1861, received most of her education there, and at the age of foux*- teen came with her parents to Henry Township of Wood County, where she lived on a farm until her marriage. Her parents, Samuel and Mary (Barber) Ebersole, were natives of Pennsylvania, but spent most of their active lives in Wood County, Ohio. Her father died at the age of seventy-five and her mother at eighty-four. Mr. and Mrs. Heminger have one son, Irwin 0. He was born November 7, 1882. was educated in the common and high schools, and at the age of twenty became associated with his father in business at North Baltimore, and now handles the more active responsibilities of the store. He married Mollie Baker, a native of Canada but reared and educated in Wood County. They have two young sons, Jack and Ned. The family are all active members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Heminger and his son are affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and both are republican voters.

H. L. Wenner, M. D. It was over thirty years ago that Doctor Wenner began practice as a physician and surgeon in Tiffin, While he has covered the general field of medicine, his services have been more and more in demand along the line of surgery. He ranks as one of the steadiest and surest men in surgery in Northwest Ohio. His reputation is by no means confined to Seneca County. For a number of years Doctor Wenner has performed most of his work in Mercy Hospital at Tiffin.

Pennsylvania, and his mother in New York State and they were married at Delphos, Ohio. Edward Wenner came to Ohio at the age of fifteen. He was then a boy on his own resources. His trade was that of tailor and he worked along that line in Delphos, Republic and Tiffin, coming to the latter city in the early '40s as a pioneer. He was quite a successful man. Edward Wenner was a son of William Wenner, a native of Pennsylvania, while the great-grandfather was born in Germany. Edward Wenner and wife were members of the Baptist Church, he was a republican in politics and was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Doctor Wenner, the only survivor of three children, attended the Tiffin public schools, graduating from high school in 1879. He then entered Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, from which he graduated M. D. in 1882. Doctor Wenner did his first practice at McCutchenville and Arcadia, but in 1884 removed to Tiffin, in wliich city he has been steadily engaged in his professional work ever since. Almost from the first he showed special ability in surgery. He had been instructed in that science under Doctor Scott of Cleveland, and for some time was associated with the eminent Dr. A. B. Hovey, a prominent surgeon of Tiffin.

On October 26, 1886, Doctor Wenner married Emma Huss, who was born at Tiffin, daughter of George and Mary Ann (Tomb) Huss. Her parents were early settlers of Tiffin, where her father kept a book and stationery store. Doctor and Mrs. Wenner have two children. Dr. H. L. Wenner, Jr., attended Heidelberg College at Tiffin, graduating in science, and took his medical course in the University of Michigan, where he was graduated M. D. in 1914. For the past three years he has been an interne in a hospital in New York City, and is building up a reputation among the younger medical men and surgeons there. He is first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps, United States army, and now in service. Marjorie, the only daughter, is the wife of Roswell F. Machamer, of Tiffin, but now a student in the Western Reserve Medical College.

Doctor Wenner is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife is a Methodist. He has long been active in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and for the past twentyfive years has served as state treasurer. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias and in politics is a republican. He was an elector from the Thirteenth District when Mr. Mc- Kinley was a candidate for president. He has also served as president of the Tiffin School Board.

Newhard Beotheks Company op Cveey, Incorporated, is the oldest and largest men 's furnishing and clothing store of that city. The constituent members of the company at present are Jay P. Newhard, president of the company, and his brother Winfield J. Newhard, secretary and treasurer.

They are sons of Jacob and Matilda (Bixby) Newhard. Their great-gTaudiather, Jacob Newhard, came out of Baden Baden, Germany, and settled at AUentown, Pennsylvania, in 1754. The grandfather, also Jacob Newhard, was a captain in the American army in the War of 1812. Jacob Newhard, father of Newhard Brothers, was a successful merchant at Carey for a number of years, and at tirst worked as salesman for Dow & Schwartz, later for D. Straw, and still later for H. B. Kurtz, and in 1886 entered business for himself, which he continued until his death in 1889 and was then succeeded by his sons.

Jay P. Newhard was born at Carey, Aprd 12, 1858, while his brother Winfield J. was born September 15, 1869. They were of a family of eight children, sis sous and two daughters. Both the boys received their education in the Carey public schools.

Jay P. Newhard left school at the age of fifteen and began work as clerk and general hustler in the Amos Bixley clothing store. He remained there seven or eight years, then went south to Dallas, Texas, and was a salesman in the great merchandise establishment of Sanger Brothers for two years. Returning to Ohio, he worked for C. J. Yengling as salesman at Tiffin for six years. He then returned to Carey and was in his father's store several years, until he and his brother succeeded to the business. Both brothers had a thorough apprenticeship as clerks before they became independent business men. They have a large and well equipped store and supply the standard demands for clothing and men's furnishings over a wide territory.

Jay P. Newhard married Alice Shuman, and they have two daughters and one son: Leta married William D. Pierce and they have two children, William and Perces : Clara married Dr. 0. M. Randal and they have one ohild. Brooks N. ; Jay P. Jr. is at school. Winfield J. Newhard married in 1893 Delia Hebl)ermau and they have one child, John, attending school.

The brothers are active members of the English Lutheran Church, are republicans in politics, have attained the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry and are men of affairs in the community, giving their support generously and liberally to every worthy cause.

Capt. Morris Rees. In contemplating the careers of men who have won meritorious success in various lines of activity, it has been frequently found that a man who has followed the pursuits of agriculture during the formative and active years of his life, makes a decidedly useful and helpful citizen when he is able to retire from these labors and devote himself to a consideration of civic affairs. His long hours alone, following the plow and reaping the harvest that his hands have planted and developed, teach him many things unknown to the man who has passed his life in the busy marts. Hours of contemplation of nature and study of her lessons, fit the farmer for conservative, consecutive action when he is called upon to discharge the duties of public office or to assume control of industrial or commercial enterprises, and his success in the field of agriculture gives him standing in a community where prosperity and advancement depend upon the progress of the tillers of the soil. At any rate, it is found that Capt. Morris Rees is one whose standing and usefulness in the community of Pemberville would seem to indicate that the successful retired farmer is a desirable asset. The repository of large interests, the owner of a handsome fortune won by his own hands, and a veteran of the Civil war, in which he attained promotion and made a splendid record, he is now, in the evening of life, one of the foremost men of his community, a citizen widely respected and a man depended upon to take a leading part in progressive movements.

Captain Rees was born in 1838, in Morrow County, Ohio, a son of David and Anna (Morris) Rees. He is of Welsh stock, andhis paternal grandfather was Rev. Theophilus Rees, a Welsh Baptist preacher, who came to the United States after his marriage, and had a parish at Baltimore, Maryland, where he died one year later. In this connection the following letter, now in the possession of his grandson, may prove of interest. It was written to Rev. Mr. Rees by his brother, John, and sister, Ann Thomas, from London, England, bears the date of September 6, 1796, and is addressed to Mr. Theophilus Rees, At Mr. Owen Jones, Chandler, Rosewell Street, New York, America. It is as follows: "Dear Brother - It was with much J03- and contentment of mind to myself and to my wife and daughters that I received your letter. We were glad to hear that you passed safely over the sea, and that you love the new world, and a new world indeed it is to you. I understand from the Apostle that there are more worlds than one, but I don't understand their locality. I have no particular news to send you this time. The things from Wales which are of interest to you are contained in the letter of Mr. Samuel Thomas, of Carmenthen. There are no news or changes here that will be worth while writing about. The price of bread has been reduced to one-half of its former amount. A fifteen-penny loaf can now be had for seven pence half penny. This is 'good news' to the poor. There is a great abundance of grain here, there being the new crops ; besides what is upoii the river in over a hundred .ships from Spain, etc. The loaf oi:ght to be sold for five pence, if .pistice had its due. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear that yoii think so much of your country. I hope that you will not be disappointed in your expectations. It is impossible for you to know much about it yet. You must beat a great deal upon those roots in the wilderness before you shall eat bread from bread of your own raising. There is a rumor here that the French are going into Ireland, but I do not think that it is true. Tliere are great preparations being made here for war. Twelve hundred men are raised for Pity ^Militia and eight guineas are given tlioni liefore their service is commenced. They will enlist many, because work is very scarce here. One thing more I wish you to know - there are a great many of the jews here coming to believe in Jesus Christ. They sent messengers and letters asking to be received into our chapel, Zion Chapel. So many assembled there, according to some, 15,000 and others 20.000, that there was no room for half of them. The Jews went into the house over ladders through the windows, and others came out lest they should be smothered. There were three preachers outside. A young man, an apprentice to a bookseller in the city, was preaching to them. His text was in Genesis 22:18. Evan Jones and Hannah Thomas wish you success in everything you may imdertake to do. Do not delay long before writing again, after knowing the country better and making your home in your new place. I and my wife and my three daughters wish to send our love and good will to you and yours. It is not profitable to write things that are not necessary. Solomon says: 'He that refraineth his lips is wise.' So much from your kindest brother and your sister, John Rees and Ann Thomas."

Some time after the death of Rev. Theophilus Rees, his widow and her family came to the Welsh Hills, Granville, Licking County, Ohio, where the widow married Deacon Benjamin Jones, a Welshman and moved to Morrow County. At tliat time, David Rees, father of Capt. Morris Rees, was about of age, and shortly thereafter married a Licking County girl, in Morrow County, Anna Morris, who was a daughter of Morris Morris, a Welshman who lived for some years in Morrow County, where he died in middle life. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church. Mr. Morris' widow lived to advanced years and died at the home of her dauuIitriN in Wood County. In 1853 David and .\iiii,i ';Miirris) Rees and their children came to Wood County with a colony of Morrow County Baptist Church people, all .settling around what is now known as the old iladison Baptist Church, in Freedom Township. Because of the interest attaching to this old place of worship, and because Captain Rees' parents played an important part in its establishment, the following is quoted from a paper read by the Captain at a "watchmeeting" held at this church, at Ladd Ridge. December 31, 1900, as quoted in the Pemberville Leader: "The fir.st road through this neighborhood was cut out and used by Harrison's arm.y. It was as straight as a bee-line from Fort Seneca - now called Old Fort - on the Sandusky River about half way between Tiffin - then called Fort Ball - to Fremont, or Lower Sandusky, as it was then called. The road came through this neighborhood, crossing Sugar Creek near the :\Iaple Grove schoolhouse. Kohler's house is on the old trail. It crossed near Thomas Morgan's place over the ridge on Ladd's; crossed the Wood County line near the bridge south of Kohler's mill; crossed the Portage River near Henry Hoodiebrink's house at Pemberville: crossed the west branch near Doctor Brown's place, and then went straight on to Fort Meigs at Perrysburg. My father, David Rees, passed over that road I don't know how often, hauling supplies to the soldiers. He used oxen and sleds and had mostly flour. The soldiers would eat the oxen and load, (everything except, perhaps, the sled and yoke) then the teamsters would go back on foot through the woods to Zanesville or C'hillicothe for another load. One of the first to settle here was Samuel ]\Iyei's who took up a quai'ter-section on the old trail in 183i. He came on foot and brought his wife on a horse from near Lancaster in 1835. There were some hunters and trappers here then, and one of them, named Dowhower, lived in a shanty not far awaj-. One Sunday after ilyers had a patch of wheat growing he saw a deer feeding iipon it. He ran for Dowhower to come with his gun and shoot it; but Dowhower said he nevep took his gun out on Sunday. The first schoolhouse was built on this trail on Whitnej''s place, then Myers' quartei'-seetion. It was in that log schoolhouse that this iladison Baptist Church was organized with a membership of nineteen. It was then called the Freedom and Madison Baptist Church. It was organized and recognized as such on the 7th day of October, 1857. Names of members: David, Evan, Morris, Ann and Sarah Rees; John, Eliza, Hannah and Caroline Peoples; Thomas and Margaret Griffith; Eliza and Sarah Ann Ladd; Susan Chamblin; Hannah Jones: Martha Oglevie; Esther Ha.yden and Hannah Burnes. To bring this organization about, we find that on the 9th day of March, 1857, the brethren and sisters met at David Peoples' house and organized a church conference, and appointed the Rev. David Campbell, moderator; Elias Lloyd, clerk; brethren, David Rees. John Peoples, Evan Rees and Elias Lloyd ; sisters, Anne Rees, Elizabeth Peoples, Sarah Rees, Hannah Peoples, Eliza Ladd, Susan Chamblin and Hannah Jones. At this meeting David Rees was elected deacon. At a meeting lield August 4 we find four more joining, ilay 30 two more, and the first to be received by baptism was Elizabeth Ladd, afterwards the wife of ilorris Rees. At the meeting of June 27, Morris Rees and Caroline Peoples were received and baptized, and at the meeting of May 30, Evan Rees was elected clerk. August 22 a resolution was passed to call a council to advise as to the propriety of being organized as a regular Baptist Church, whereupon the clerk was ordered to write letters of invitation to the following churches to send pastors and delegates to sit with them in council on the 7th day of October, 1857 : Amanda Church, Findlay; Jackson, Liberty and West ^Millgrove. October 7th the council organized, witla David Campbell, moderator, and Reverend Barber, clerk. Our articles of faith and church covenant were read by the council, and they then went out and sat on a log in the woods to hold the council. Our covenant and what we had done was approved and we were constituted and recognized as a regular Baptist Church. Thus we find this little band of nineteen started on the road of churches. * * * "

David Rees and his worthy wife succeeded in the clearing of their land and in the establishment of a good home, and here rounded out their lives in the pursuits of agi-ieultui'e, Mr. Rees living to the age of ninety-six years and his wife dying when seventy-one years of age. During the period of the Civil war Mr. Rees was a strong Abolitionist and L'nion man, and maintained a station of the undergi'ound railway on his farm, assisting a number of slaves to their liberty. He was also an active worker in the cause of temperance, and an excellent citizen in every way who held the respect and esteem of his fellow-men throughout his life.

Morris Rees was educated in the schools of his native locality and by instruction from his brother in Wood County and in the year of Fremont's candidacy for the presidency was teaching his first school, near Texas, Henry County, being at that time a youth of eighteen years. After a few years of educational work, he was married and secured a piece of wild land in Wood County, thus entering upon an agricultural career that resulted in his accumulating a large and valuable property. He was for five years identified with the Standard Oil Company as a leaser of land, and subsequently became one of the earliest and largest land leasers on his own account in this section of the state (having leased in Wood, Sandusky, OttaAva and Lucas counties, for the Standard Oil Co.), and during more recent years in the same way invaded Kentucky, where he leased thousands of acres. Likewise he was one of the pioneers in the oil industry here, both as a leaser and an operator, and through his extensive operations accumulated a handsome fortune, being accounted at this time one of the most substantial men in Wood County. He is still the owner of ranch property, although it is being operated by others. Captain Rees having retired and now living in a home at Pembei'ville, which he has owned for seventeen years. This was built by Thomas N. Bierly, of Toledo, and is located near the scene of the old camping-grounds of the soldiers who came across this country during the "War of 1812, on their way to Fort Meigs. Since coming to Pemberville, Captain Rees has taken an active part in the life of the eommunitj'. He was at one time president of the Citizens' Savings Bank, and is at present president of the Fanners' Elevator a new organization which is already prosperous with plans made for a large business in the future. He has likewise been prominent as a republican politician, attending conventions in various parts of the state as a delegate, and for fifteen years served in the capacity of mayor of Pemberville, during which time he gave his community an excellent administration. For a half a century he has been a Mason, having joined that order at Elmore, Ohio, and is now a member of Fremont Chapter and Toledo Commandery No. 7, and for thirty-six years has been a member of Cincinnati Consistory, at Cincinnati. An Encampment member of the Odd Fellows for years, he was the first noble grand at Bradner, and is still a member of the lodge there.

The army record of Captain Rees is a splendid one, and is given here as taken from the war records : Entered the sex-vice as a private of Company D, Seventy-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. R, P. Buckland (later general of the brigade), October 26, 1861; promoted first sergeant, December 13, 1861 ; commissioned second lieutenant, September 3, 1862; first lieutenant, April 9, 1864; captain, March 18, 1865 ; regiment organized at Fremont, Ohio; moved to Camp Chase, Ohio, January 24, 1862, thence to Paducah, Kentuckv; attached to the District of Paducah, to March, 1862 ; Fourth Brigade, Fifth Division, Armv of the Tennessee, to July, 1862 ; Third Bngade, Fifth Division, District of Memphis, Tennessee, Department Tennessee, to November, 1862; Third Brigade, First Division, Right Wing Thirteenth Corps, Department Tennessee, to December, 1862 -. Third Brigade, Eighth Division, Sixteenth Corps, to April, 1863; First Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Corps, to December, 1863; First Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Corps to June, 1864. Captain Rees' service was as follows: Moved from Paducah, Kentucky, to Savannah, Tennessee, Mai'ch 6-10, 1862; expedition from Savannah to Yellow Creek. Mississippi, and occupation of Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, March 14-17; Crump's Landing, April 4; Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7 ; Fallen Timbers, April 8; advance on and siege of Corinth, ^Mississippi, April 29-May 30: Russell's House, near Corinth. Mav 17: march to

Memphis, June 1, July 21; duty at Fort Pickering and Memphis until November; Grant's Central Mississippi campaign, operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad to the Yockmapatalfa River, November, 1862- January, 1863; action at WoK River Bridge, November 29, 1862; duty at White's Station, January to March, 1863 ; ordered to Memphis, March 13, thence to Young's Point, Louisiana; operations against Vicksburg, Jlississippi, April 2-July 4 ; Mississippi Springs, May 13 ; Jackson, May 14 ; siege of Vicksbm-g, May 18- July 4 ; advance on Jackson, July 5-10 ; siege of Jackson, July 10-17 ; Brandon Station, July 19 ; camp at Big Black until October ; expedition to Canton, October 13-20; Bogue Chitto Creek, October 17; ordered to Memphis, November, and guard; Alemphis & Charlestown Railroad, at Germantown, until January, 1864; expedition to Wyatts, Mississippi, February 6-18 ; Coldwater Ferry, February 8 ; near Senatobia, February 8-9; Hickahala Creek, February 10; Wyatts, February 13; operations again.st Fore.st in West Tennessee and Kentucky, March 16-April 14; Sturgis' expedition to Ripley, April 30-May 9 ; whole regiment enlisted having a 30 days' furlough; Sturgis' expedition to Guutown, June 1-11; Brice's Cross Roads, June 10; near Ripley, June 11; captured June 11 and prisoner of war confined at various Southern prisons until March, 1865; paroled March 1, 1865; honorably discharged from service, April 25, 1865. Captain Rees is a member of Forsyth Post No. 15, Toledo, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion, -Cincinnati, Ohio.

Captain Rees was first married at Ladd Ridge, Wood County, to Jliss Elizabeth Ladd, who was born in 1838, in Columbiana County, Ohio, of Quaker parentage, and died at her home in Wood County in 1888. She was the mother of the following children : Allen D., president of a bank at Liickey. Ohio, married Mary Allen, and has a family as follows: Hazel, Chester, Ida, Chrystal, Ruth and Bernice : Alta, is the widow of L. W. Morgan, formerly a prominent attorney of Toledo, and has a son, Mowis Hebert, a member of Company C, LTnited States Signal Corps, and five daughters : Elizabeth, Catherine, Frances, Amelia and Lois : Sarah is the wife of Dr. F. L. Klopfenstein, of Toledo, and has a family of five. Rees, Oma, Edith, Morris and Martha. Captain Rees was married the second time, at Ladd's Ridge, to Mary Ann Morgan, who was born in Wales and was brought to the States as a child of three years. She was well educated and was a public school teacher prior to her marriage to Captain Rees. Captain and Mrs. Rees have three children: Ethel, who is the wife of Prof. ClifiEord M. Stodghill, who occupies the chair of chemistry in a college at Atlanta, Georgia; Florence Helen, a gi-aduate of Pemberville High School, 1912 ; domestic science class, Granville College, 1914, and now a teacher in the Bowling Green High School ; and Morris Lloyd, aged sixteen years, a pupil in Pemberville High School. The family are all membei's of the Baptist Church, the daughters belonging to the Ashland Avenue church at Toledo, and those bearing the name are interested in all that pertains to modern advancement and improvements along material, intellectual and moral lines, while their charities extend to many worthy enterprises.

Joseph L. Rentz was one of the sturdy men of Northwest Ohio who give their best years and energies to farming and the upbuilding of eommunit}' interests, and his record was such that his name deserves lasting recognition in his home county of Henry. For many years he lived in Monroe Township and the old homestead there is still occupied by Mrs. Rentz and members of their family. Mrs. Rentz represents old and pi'ominent Ohio lineage, and is a woman of rare judgment and exceeding skill in the manag:ement of the properties left her by Mr. Rentz.

Joseph L. Rentz was of German ancestry. His father, John Rentz, was born in Germany and when nine years of age, in 1827, came to America on a sailing vessel, landing in Baltimore, and the family lived in the East for several years and John Rentz grew up on a farm. He came to Fairfield County, Ohio, and there in 1847 he married Mary Hiestan, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Several of their children were born in Fairfield including the late Joseph L. Rentz, who was born June 7, 1849. "When he was an infant his parents removed to Hancock County, and John Rentz was a tenant farmer there for several years. In 1863 he brought the family to Monroe Township of Henry County, and started out on eighty acres of land in section 14. A small clearing and a rude hut were the only improvements on this land. John Rentz developed a fine farm there and subsequently bought another eighty acres, which gave him a quarter section at the time of his death. He died in Henn- County September 11, 1890. at the age of seventy-one. His widow survived him until 1895 and was seventy-seven years of age. Both were members of the Evangelical Church. They had eight children, and seven of them gi-ew up : Lydia, Elizabeth, Joseph L., Jacob, Christina, Carolina and Barbara.

Of this family of children only two now survive. Seven of them married and established homes of their own. Joseph L. Rentz grew up in Hancock County and was about thirteen years old when the family came to Henry County. He was well educated in the schools of that time, and he became one of the most progressive and successful farmers of Henry County. He and his wife owned 160 acres, eighty acres including the old Rentz homestead. There he erected a twelve-room house with a large barn 36x72 feet, painted red with white trimmings, and before his death he was able to carry out many of the extensive plans for the management and improvement of that place. He had his land well fenced, tiled, and had a large stock of implements, and exercised great care in the use of all his tools and equipment. Tlie old Rentz farm is widely known as the Poplar Row Farm, and stands as a monument to the industry of a man of high cliaracter and worthy civic ideals.

His success in the management of his own affairs naturally called him to offices of public trust and honor. He was a township trustee, for fourteen years held the office of treasurer of Monroe Township, and was assessor eight years. Fraternally he was afSliated with Lodge No. 839 Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Malinta, of which he was a past noble grand, and he was buried by the rights of Odd Fellowship. He was also a member of the Rebekahs and of the Grange, and for some years was master of the Pomona Grange of the county. He had the faculty of leadership highly developed, and was usually in the forefront of everj^ enterprise undertaken by the community.

In Monroe Township Mr. Rentz married 'Miss Amanda Aurand. Mrs. Rentz was born in Rndlay, Hancock County. Ohio, Februaiw 5, 1857, and the name of the township where she was born was given as her first name. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Benner) Aurand, both of whom were born in the central part of the state, and in 1871 they came as a family to Henry County and bought 240 acres. About half of this land had ]>een improved, and with the cultivation and improvement of the entire tract Samuel

Aurand was busied during the rest of his worthy career. He was born in May, 1823, and died at the age of sixty on June 24, 1883. His widow was born January 27, 1839, and died December 25, 1892. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church but later joined the Evangelical Church in Henry County. Mr. Aurand was a democrat, was a Granger, and was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mrs. Rentz, who was an active member of the United Brethren Church, has carried on the old farm since the death of her husband, and in that work has the assistance and comfort of her children, several of whom still live at home. There were eight births in the family. Harvey is a machinist in Garrett, Indiana, and married Alice Bechtel. Cora is the wife of William T. Hitchcock of Troy, Ohio, their three children being Eveline, Kent and Franklin. Howard lives on his mother's farm and is its active manager, and by his marriage to Nettie Parcher has children Owen, Herman, Harold, Clarence, Herbert, Paul and Ethel. Ada married George Castle and she lives at Troy, Ohio, her daughter Naomi being in the sixth grade of the public schools. Orville lives at home and married Hannah Hoff of Monroe Township and has a son named John. Ethel is the wife of Ralph Cline, who is purchasing agent for the Standard Slide Company at Youngstown, Ohio. Homer, now nineteen years of age, has finished his school work and is at home with his mother. Mildred is still in high school.

Meade G. Thraves. Born on a farm in Sandusky County, where he developed his physical strength and his indomitable determination to make the best of his resources in life, Meade G. Thraves for over a quarter of a century has enjoyed a practice hardly second to any among the lawyers of Fremont. He particularl}' excels in office consultation and practice, and has gained many influential connections and many times has been highly honored both in the profession and in piablie affairs.

He was bom February 15, 1863, a son of George and Mary Jane (Crowell) Thraves. His father was born in Nottinghamshire, England, and his mother in Sandusky County, wliere they were married. The Thraves ancestry originated in Germany and from that country went to England. The paternal grandfather, William Thraves, brought his familv from England to the United States in

1840. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Crowell, was born in Maryland and came to Ohio about 1810, and was agent for the Government. He acquired a tract of land for himself and died on a farm. Remotely his family was connected with that of Oliver Cromwell.

George Thraves, father of the Fremont lawyer, grew up in Sandusky County and became a blacksmith by trade. He learned the trade under ]\Ir. Lansing, for whom Lansing, the capital of ^Michigan, was named. Besides blacksmithing he also bought and operated a farm and lived in the country until his death. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife was a Methodist. George Thraves was one of the earliest members of Croghan Lodge No. 77, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fremont. He passed through all the chairs of this lodge. He was also active in politics, and for fifteen years served as a member of the school board, and it was largely his work and influence that made the public schools of Ballville Township the best in the state. From that district school went Governor Glick of Kansas, also Judge T. P. Frinefrock and also President Hayes. Mr. and Mrs. George Thraves were the parents of five children: Mrs. Anna Young, a widow living on a farm in Sandusky County; ]\Iark Eugene, a successful mining engineer now employed bj* the Humboldt Gold Mining Company in California; Ida, wife of George Summers, who conducts the elevator at Summers Switch in Sandusky County ; Meade G. ; and Lillie, wife of M. C. Huber, living on the old Thraves homestead.

Meade G. Thraves was reared in the covintry and yet had influences and an environment calculated to bring out the best of his qualities and make him energetic, ambitious and capable of realizing his high ideals. In 1884 he graduated from the Fremont High School, and for two years was a school teacher. He read law under the firm Frinefrock & Dudrow at Fremont, and was admitted to the bar in 1889. He immediately besran practice, and he is now located in the offices which Judge Buckland and President Hayes once occupied.

Mr. Thraves married, in 1890, Mary IM. Bristol, who was born in Fremont, daughter of E. A. Bristol. Her father was a hardware merchant at Fremont for thirty-five years. Mrs. Thraves died in 1906, leaving no children. She was an active and loyal member of the IMethodist Episcopal Church. In 1913

Mr. Thraves married Miss Edna Faller, also a native of Fremont and daughter of William Faller, a well known merchaut of the city. They have one child, George Eaton, born in 1915. ilr. and Mi-s. Thraves are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Thraves has passed all the chairs in Croghan Lodge No. 77, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This is one of the most noted lodges of Odd Fellowship in Ohio. Among its members were one president and two governors of the state. He has also passed the chaii-s in the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is affiliated with Lodge No. 169, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with the Independent Order of Foresters and the Bankers' Fraternal Union.

His professional interests and public leadership have brought him niunerous associations at different times. He sei-ved as the first president of the Ohio Abstractors Association and is first vice president of the American Abstractors Association, assisting in organizing both these bodies of abstractors. He is a member of the American and the Ohio State Bar associations, and has at times taken a very active part in the democratic party. He served as state central committeeman in 1896 and 1897, and during the first Bryan campaign of 1896 he was an able campaigner in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Almost from the start ]\Ir. Thraves had a paying law practice. At a recent term of court, of the 185 cases docketed Mr. Thraves had the handling of 28, a proportion which in itself indicates his high standing as a lawyer. He was father of the Sandusky Law Library Association, and that association has acquired a splendid collection of legal literature and reference works. He is also one of the three members of the Oliio State Free Library Board. In the course of his long and successful career he has acquired many financial and business interests and is secretary and treasurer of The Sanitary Burial Vault Company, whose headquarters ai-e at Fremont, the capital stock being $10,000.

Walter Hartjian made a success in life comparatively early and is now living retired from the main burdens and responsibilities as a farmer in his attractive and well appointed home at 906 West Wooster Street in Bowling Green. Mr. Hartman moved to the county seat and built this substantial eight room home in 1915.

in section 27. In that locality the Hartman family has lived for three generations. Farming is a business in which the Hartmans have always been prospered and at the same time have contributed to the growth and benefit of the community. i\Ir. Hartman 's farm is one of model excellence. While most of the land is in cultivation, he still keeps a grove of fine native timber. The buildings are all sound and in good repair and the land indicates the energy and intelligence with which it was managed. IMr. Hartman has always been a rotation farmer, growing in succession corn, oats, wheat and grass. His land is clay subsoil, and its fertility has been kept up by proper handling rather than by the introduction of any commercial fertilizer. Stock raising has not onh^ contributed to his profits but also to the value of his land and he has never handled any special line of stock husbandry but believes that most profit is to be found in keeping a few hogs, a few cattle and other stock without especial emphasis upon any one class. His experience tends to the belief that a dairy farm when conducted close to a populous community is one of the surest sources of revenue.

Mr. Hartman was born on section 27, where his present farm is located, on November 19, 1878. He grew up and made that his home from infancy until he removed to Bowling Green. On coming to Bowling Green Mr. Hartman bought an acre of land in the western part of the city and built his home with commodious and ample grounds.

His grandparents were early settlers in Wood County and improved some of the wilderness of this section as it existed seventy or eighty years ago. His grandfather Hartman was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, on May 24, 1808. After coming to America he married in Stark County in 1834, Miss Mary Lichtenburger, who was born near Strassburg, Germany, March 12, 1812. Both of them came to America in the days of sailing vessels and were many weeks in making the voyage to New York City. They located in Stark County and soon after their marriage they moved to Perryslrarg in Wood County- and in 1836 located on a forest tract of land in Center Township, a few miles southeast of Bowling Green. In that locality they cleared up a farm and developed a home equal to the best in that district at the time. Grandfather Hartman died In 1890 and his widow survived him a few years, passing away at the same age. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters.

Hartman, who was born on the old farm iu Centei- Township ilay 26, 1841. That was the scene of his early youth and about the time he reached his majority in 1863 he enlisted iu Company H of the Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service as a soldier of the ['nion until December 19, 1865. Those two years brought him into close touch with military operations and he was in many of the campaigns waged around the Confederate capital at Richmond. Though again and again .exposed to enemy bullets he escaped unhurt. Returning home, he bought land in section 27 of Plain Township and for several years lived as a bachelor on the farm. Having made the necessary provisions for a home of his own he married a neighbor girl, IMiss Barbara A. Apel. She was born in Sandusbv, Erie County, Ohio, March 27, 1849, but when two years of age went with her parents to Wood Coimty, where she was reared. Her parents, John and Margaret (Busser) Apel, were both natives of Hesse, Germany, her father born November 30, 1824, and her mother February 13, 1821. They were mai-- ried in Erie County, Ohio, in 1847, and subsequently cleared up a farm from the woods in ^Middleton Township of Wood County. They reared their children on that farm, and the father passed away in 1898 and the mother in 1889. Both were active members of the German Reformed Church, while the Hartmans were all Methodists.

George W. Hartman 's first wife died in Bowling Green. In 1903 Mr. Hartman had removed to Bowling Green, purchasing a home in one of the most attractive sections of the city on South ^lain Street, where ^Irs. Hartman died Jlarch 21, 1914. He is still living there, having married a second time. He is a popular citizen generally and is especially esteemed among his army comrades in Wiley Post of the Grand Army of the Reputslic. In politics he has always been an ardent republican. Mr. Walter ITartman was the third in a familj>of four children. His brother John died at the age of twenty and his sister Agatha died in infancy. His only living sister is Irena, wife of Alva George, a farmer near the city of Bowling Green. Mr. and Mrs. George have three children, Marvin, Howai'd and Lester.

On December 17, 1902, Mr. Walter Hartman married Miss Grace L. Parrjsh. She was born in Allegany County, New York, October 18, 1S7S, and received her education in Rochester, New York, both in the high school and iu the business institute. Before her marriage she was a competent bookkeeper. Mrs. Hartman is a daughter of Hartley and Prancella E. (Brown) Parrish, both natives of New York State, where they married. Her father was a business man and spent several years in Michigan, where he died in 1906, when .iust past fifty. His widow died in New York State in 1909, at the age of fifty-two. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was a republican. Mrs. Hartman has a brother, Guy, and a sister Edna, and they are both married.

Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have three children : Helen L., born July 18, 1906, and now a student in the sixth grade; George Walter, born July 14, 1910, who recently enterecl school; and Lois M., born March '26, 1913. The family are members and attend regularly the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bowling Green. Fraternally Mr. Hartman is affiliated with Kenneth Lodge No. 158 of the Knights of Pythias and in politics is a republican.

Louis O'Connell. When Louis O'Connell was five years of age his father died and he soon had to become dependent upon his own resources. His struggle with the serious responsibilities of the world has been a successful one, and he is now one of the leading merchants and business men of Tiffin.

He was born in Tiffin September 1, 1869, a son of Edward and Bridget (Murray) O'Connell. His grandfather, Thomas O'Connell, was a native of Ireland, and on coming to the United States in the '40s located on a farm in Medina County, Ohio, where he died. His widow subsequently removed to Seneca County and bought a farm just west of Tiffin. Edward O'Connell was born at Seville iu Medina County, but grew up on a farm in Seneca County and during his brief career was engaged in farming and teaming at Tiffin. His widow, Bridget (Mm-ray) O'Connell, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, and came to America with her mother wdien a mere child, in 1839, and is still living. Her father, Phillip Murray, was born in Ireland and was a worker in the silk industry. He died at Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Bridget O'Connell had three children. Her son. Frank, is now deceased, and Louis O'Connell has a sister, Minnie, a teacher in the Tiffin schools. Mrs. Bridget O'Connell is an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

came an employe in the coal yard of Dildine & Gliek. The coal business in which he started as a boy employe is now part of his own property. At the age of eighteen he was put in charge of the coal yard and hay business. The proprietor subsequently became Mr. C. Hatcher, with whom Mr. O'Connell continued, with an interest in the business. In 1903 he became head of the firm O'Connell & Knepper and in February, 1906, he bought out his partner and has since conducted the business as the Louis O'Connell Company, with a capital stock of $30,000. It is one of the largest firms of the kind in Seneca County, handling coal, hay and building supplies. Mr. O'Connell for years has been the leading wholesale dealer in hay at Tiffin. From this center he ships hay to all the Eastern States. In 1915 Mr. 0 'Connell married Bertha Dutt, a native of Tiffin and a daughter of Frederick Dutt. Her father, a shoemaker by trade, was born in France and came to the United States after the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 and for many years was engaged in the shoemaking business. He married at Tiffin Mary Roller, a native of that city and a daughter of Fred Roller, who was a pioneer grocery merchant at Tiffin. Mrs. O'Connell is an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. O'Connell is a Knight Templar Mason, also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Politically he is independent. He has always been active in local civic affairs and is a member of the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

James Elmer Burnside has been an active and successful factor in farming and business affairs in the Nevada community of Wyandot County for many years, and was called from that district to the office of county recorder, in which he is now serving his second term.

Mr. Burnside was boi-n December 16, 1867, on a farm in Antrim Township, 3I/2 miles southwest of Nevada, a son of James and Catherine (Neikirk) Burnside. For generations the principal occupation of the family has been farming. The Burnsides are Irish while the Neikirks are Pennsylvania Dutch stock, but both families have been in America for many generations. The original home of the Burnsides in Ohio is a mile east of Tiffin and the land is now used for eemeten^ purposes. James Burnside, Sr., acquired his early education in the country schools near Tiffin, and spent his active career as a farmer.

James Elmer Burnside grew up on his father's farm, attending country school in winter and helping in the fields in summer and he completed his education in the schools of Nevada at the age of seventeen. After leaving school he found work and increasing responsibilities at home, and had assumed most of the active management of the home farm of 200 acres before his father's death, which occurred in 1900. After that he continued the farm until 1903 and he and his mother then moved to the Town of Nevada, where he was interested in several lines of business.

Mr. Burnside has long been a popular member of the democratic party in Wyandot County and in 1914 was nominated and elected to the office of county recorder by a big majority. When the next election rolled around in 1916, there was no candidate to oppose him in his aspirations for a second term, and his official record throughout has been clean and efficient.

Mr. Burnside is a stockholder in the Nevada Deposit Bank of his home town and has other business interests. For the past sis years he has served as financial secretary of Nevada Lodge, No. 625, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is also affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, No. 186, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Royal Arch Chapter and the Council. He is a member of the Lutheran faith. In 1913 Mr. Burnside married Violet Austin, daughter of John and Anna (Wyles) Austin, of Nevada. They have one child. Jay Austin Burnside, born April 14, 1915.

Henry Louis Busch, M. D. After fortyfour years of active practice and service to humanity Doctor Busch retired from his profession as a physician in 1910. and has since lived quietly in the Village of Woodville, with which he has been identified for almost half a century, and where the best work of his life has been accomplished. This venerable physician has been one of Woodville 's most prominent citizens. He is widely known for his kindly deeds as well as for the skill which always characterized his active professional work. No name could be . mentioned that would be more significant of honor and usefulness in this section of Sandusky County.

A native of Germany, born in Hesse February 19, 1840, Henry Louis Busch is a son of Adolph and Elizabeth (Crecelius) Busch. His father was a minister of the Lutheran Church. Doctor Busch was thoroughly and liberally educated in Germany. He attended the usual schools of academic instruction and took his course in medicine under some of the best instructors of the fatherland. In 1866 he immigrated to America and soon afterward found his permanent home at Woodville, where his services were soon in much demand on account of his recognized skill and his high personal character. He continued performing the active work of a physician, in earlier years riding and driving about the country without regard for his own comfort and health, and in later years attending to a large ofSce practice, until 1910, when he retired. He has always stood high in the various medical organizations of which he is a member.

Doctor Busch is vice president of the Woodville State Savings Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. For years he served as treasurer of his home township and for sixteen years was a member of the school board and also belonged to the city council a long time. He was formerly a deacon in the Lutheran Church.

In 1867, the year following his coming to Woodville, Doctor BiLSch married Sophie Crouenwett, who was born in Sandusky County. Her father was minister of the Lutheran Church at Woodville for forty-seven years. Doctor and IMrs. Busch became the parents of seven children. The daughter Henrietta still lives at home.- Elizabeth is Mrs. Carl Soldan, wife of the cashier of the State Bank of Woodville. Sophie is Mrs. Otto M. Bartz, her late husband having been a Lutheran minister; their four children are named Otto, Miriam, Helen and Frederick. Magdalena is the wife of L. G. Dreyer, a retired minister of the Lutheran Church ; their four children are named Ciiristian, Paul, Louis and Ruth. Frieda, who still lives at home, is a teacher of music. Karl is a professor of science in the Capital University at Columbus, Ohio; his four children are named Henry, Henrietta. Daniel and Frieda. Alma, the youngest, is still at home.

Charles Ferdinand Soldan. The State Savings Bank of Woodville, one of the most prosperous financial institutions of Sandusky County, was organized in June, 1909, with a capital stock of $25,000. The first officers were : D. H. Bittinger. president ; Dr. Henry Busch, vice president; J. F. Smith, cashier: and G. IT. Roll, assistant cashier. The only changes that have since been made in the officials are in the offices of cashier and assistant cashier. In 1912 Mr. Charles F. Soldan became cashier, and the assistant cashier is F. W. Keil. The capital stock remains the same and there is now a surplus of $5,500, while the average deposits are $275,000. The bank pays 4 per cent on savings deposits, and it has proved a great boon to the community which it serves. The bank owns its own building, a concrete block structure 35 by 70 feet.

The cashier of this bank, Charles Ferdinand Soldan, was born in Macon, Missouri, January 6, 1870, a son of Charles H. and Sophia (Gundlach) Soldan, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father was a merchant in Macon, Missouri. Educated in public and private schools, Mr. Soldan graduated in pharmacy, and for twenty-five years worked as a registered pharmacist at Macon, Missouri. In 1911 he came to Woodville, Ohio, and has since been identified with local banking affairs in connection with the State Savings Bank. While a resident of Macon, Mi-ssouri, he served as councilman four years, and six years as city treasurer. He is now secretaiy and treasurer of the Solomon Lutlieran Church of Woodville.

On November 26, 1908, he married Miss Elizabeth Busch, daughter of Dr. Henry Busch of Woodville. They are the parents of three children: Sophia Margaret, Bertha, and Ermine Alma Marie.

Rev. J. S. Elder, now pastor of St. Ann's Catliolic Church at Fremont, has been a devoted and zealous worker in the Catholic ministry for a number of years, and practically all his duties have lain in Northwest Ohio. For several years lie was connected with one of the largest churches of Toledo. He has distinguished himself by a constructive ability as a church man, and though comparatively a new comer in Fremont has gained a strong hold on all classes of people both in and out of his parish.

Father Elder was born in Taylorsville, Kentuckv, December 27, 1876, a son of Joseph and Ellen (Doncaster) Elder. The Elder family were very early pioneers in the State of Kentucky. His paternal grandfather. Rezin Elder, was born in Lebanon County, Kentucky, of English descent. The maternal grandfather, John Doncaster, was an early settler at Louisville, Kentucky, and a stonemason by trade. Joseph Elder was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, in 1841, while his wife was born iu LouisvOle in 1846, and both of them still live in- Louisville. The father is a retired farmer and has spent a qiiiet but useful life. In his early years he was a school teacher and is well educated and well read. Politically he is a deomcrat. There were nine childi-en/and the seven still living are: William, a hardware merchant at Bloomlield, Kentucky; G. R. Elder, a retired merchant at Bloomfield and now serving as police judge; John, who occupies the old homestead farm ; Benedict, a prominent attorney at Louisville; Father Elder; Joseph, who is general statistician of the Louisville & Nashville Railway Company; and Mary, still at home with her parents.

Father Elder was educated in the local schools at Taylorsville, Kentucky, then entered Petit Seminary at Cincinnati and took his theological course in St. Mary's at Cleveland. He was ordained priest June 9, 1906, and his first assignment was to a church at Summitville, Ohio, where he remained three months. He was then called to Toledo and for six yeai-s assisted at St. Patrick's, a parish of .seven or eight hundred families. In August, 1912, he took charge of the church at Edgerton, Ohio, and after 2to years went to Swanton, where he remained sixteen months. In Aiigust, 1916, Father Elder came to Fremont and has since been the spiritual and administrative head of St. Ann's Parish. This church is in a flourishing condition and the parish contains three himdred families. There is a well organized school, with five teachers, and the course runs tlu-ough the eight grades, with a commercial department offering a two years' course and with 160 pupils.

Father Elder allows no outside interests to interfere with the duties and the work to which be has devoted and consecrated his life. He is a democrat in polities, and is chaplain of the local council of Knights of Columbus.

LiNFORD Hadlowell is a successful young architect and builder at Findlay. For that profession he discovered a natural talent and aptitude when a boy and has carefully developed his resources and through long experience has become one of the able men in his profession. Mr. Hallowell has his offices in the Jones Block at Findlay.

He was born at Findlay January 10, 1882, a son of Charles and Sarah M. ( Jaequa) Hallowell. His father was for many years a bridge builder and blacksmith and a member of one

;\Ir. Hallowell was educated in the public schools, attending high school two years. On May 20, 1899, at the age of eighteen he went to work for F. W. Duttweiler, contractor and architect at Findlay. He had been at work only a short time when he found himself in a congenial field and advanced rapidly in architectural drawing and in all other phases of the profession. He remained with his emploj'er for eight years, and toward the end of that employment had complete charge of the construction and designing work. When his employer retired from business J\Ir. Hallowell was in a position to take it over and has continued it successfully to the present time. He is both a general contractor and architect and has built scores of homes, business blocks, churches and other structures. Some of the more notable of his buildings are the Church of Christ, the St. Paul's Evangelical Church, the Parkford flats, the Baumgartner flats, the Mount Cory High School, etc.

ilr. Hallowell was married iu February, 1904, to Miss Edith May Spaith, daughter of Fred and Mary (Weber) Spaith of Findlay. Her father was a merchant at Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Hallowell have two children : Ruth Margaret, born June 26, 1906; ai;d Inez Evelyn, born November 14, 1909.

Mr. Hallowell is a director and secretary of the ^Mausoleum Company of Findlay. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a democrat. His public spirit as a citizen has induced him to accept at different times responsibilities of trust. In January, 1914, he was elected a city councilman at large, and served two years, being a member of the Railway and Lights and the Sidewalks and Sewers committees. For two years Mr. Hallowell served as a director of the Findlay Y. M. C. A., in 1915-16.

Charles J. Rockwell. Much of the history of business affairs in the little City of North Baltimore could be written as part of the activities of the Rockwell family. The leading milling industry of that town is due to Rockwell enterprise, and in recent years the Rockwells have acquired a controlling influence in the First National Bank, one of the strongest banks of Northwest Ohio.

more was organized in 1890. It has had twenty-seven years of successful history and its prosperity is due to sound methods of finance. Tear after year has brought a steady increase in business and usefulness and the directors and officers have always aimed to keep the facilities at the highest standard of efficiency. Only recently, in line with its policy, the bank became a member of the Federal Reserve System. The First National Bank still retains its capital stock of $60,000, with which it was organized, but its total resources according to a recent statement shows the figures of over $600,000. The best index of a bank's prosperity and usefulness is its deposits, and the First National has deposits of over half a million dollars.

The founder of the bank and the first president was Andrew Emerine. who was also president of the First National Bank of Fostoria, where he lived. The first directors were Andrew Emerine, B. L. Peters, James R. Rogers, Hugh Campbell, S. E. Niece, Jeft' Richereek and Andrew Schick. Of these original directors only two are now living, S. E. Niece and Andrew Emerine, who held the office of president until 1916, and is still a director, being now eighty-six years of age and one of the wealthy and influential citizens of Northwest Ohio.

The present officers of the First National Bank are: Andrew Emerine, Jr., president; Fred B. Rockwell, vice president; C. J. Rockwell, cashier; 0. E. Sponsler, assistant cashier. Other directors than those named are Lewis S. Lyon. Louis Auverter and G. G. Rockwell.

Mr. Charles J. Roclnvell became identified with this bank in November, 1891, and has been with it through nearly all of its successful history. He began as a clerk, and through various promotions attained the office of cashier in August, 1904. He has since had many of the responsibilities of managing this splendid institution. His brother Fred is vice president and since January, 1915, his father. George G., has held the post of director.

The Rockwells are of New England ancestry. Mr. C. J. Rockwell's great-grandfather, Jeremiah Rockwell, was a direct descendant of the Massachusetts Puritans. He died when quite old in Holmes County, Ohio. The grandfather, P. V. Rockwell, was born in Vermont about a hundred five years ago, and was a young man when he came to Ohio. He married in Holmes Countj' IMiss Eliza Ann Freeman, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1813 and died in Holmes

County, Ohio, in 1883. Both were very active members of the Presbyterian Church. P. V. Rockwell served as deputy sheriff of Holmes County for several years and was also a school teacher. Politically he was a democrat. His death occurred at North Baltimore August 15, 1880, and of his family of twelve children ten grew to maturity.

George G. Rockwell was born in "Wayne or Ashland County, Ohio, and is now seventysix years of age. He had a common school education and learned the trade of miller. For several years he lived at Fiudlay, Ohio, where he married, and in 1880 he brought his family to North Baltimore. At that time North Baltimore was a village in the midst of the black swamp region of Northwest Ohio. All around it was woods and water and the gi'owth and prospei-ty of the town have been recorded largely since the Rockwell family located there. G. G. Rockwell bought the flouring mill which was one of the first business institutions of the village and which had been built by Doctor Eaton in 1874. This mill was renovated, modernized and enlarged, and the Rockwells have since added elevators and made North Baltimore an important milling and market center. George G. Rockwell gave many of his active years to milling and to the flour, feed, hay and grain business, but is now retired. He is a director of the First National Bank of North Baltimore and is still vigorous in mind and body, and with his wife is an active member of the Presbyterian Church. George G. Rockwell married Hannah Cromley, who celebrated her seventy-third birthday July 9, 1917. Their childreia were all born in Findlay, Ohio. B. B. Rockwell, the oldest, now deceased, left a widow and one daughter, Nellie G., who was born November 18, 1891. The second son, Fred B., has been active as a North Baltimore banker and he and his wife are prominent members of the Christian Church, in which he is an official. They have one son, Paul.

Charles J. Rockwell was born in Findlay in 1874 and was six years of age when the family came to North Baltimore. He completed the coiirse of the high school here and was also well trained in the business of his father. He gives all his time to the management of the bank and has had neither time nor inclination for practical politics. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rockwell married at North Baltimore Miss Nellie Adams, a native of this city. She is a graduate of the high school

Fred B. Rockwell, manager of the G. G. Rockwell Flouring Mills and Elevator at North Baltimore, and a director and vice president of the First National Bank of that city, is a live and enterprising young business man who has exemplitied many of the excellent qualities which have made this family name notable in Wood County business affairs.

The mills are one of the older institutions of North Baltimore and have been under the direct management and control of the Rockwell family for over thirty-five years. The flour mill has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour and twenty tons of feed stuffs a day. The leading brands of flom- are the Venus Patent and Gold Lace. The company also deals in seed, grain, hay, coal and other merchandise. It was in 1880 that George G. Rockwell, the father of Fred B., came to North Baltimore from Findlay. He learned the milling trade at Findlay and on coming to North Baltimore he bought the old grist mill first established in 1873 by Dr. H. P. Eaton. The mill under the ownership of G. G. Rockwell was vastly improved in processes and facilities, elevators were built, and from year to year improvements and new equipment have been added until it is now a high class modern rolling mill and the institution more than anything else has been responsible for making North Baltimore a center in the grain business of Northwest Ohio. George G. Rockwell continued the active head of the firm until ten years ago, when he turned it over to his sons Bruce B. and Fred B. These brothers were together in business until the death of the former in February, 1909. Since then Fred B. Rockwell has had active control of the mill and has kept it up to the same high standards that have marked the business throughout its history. The firm ships large quantities of grain in carload lots and altogether this is one of the cornerstones in North Baltimore's business enterprise.

Mr. Rockwell's grandfather was P. Villard Rockwell, a native of Eastern Ohio and a resident of Holmes County. From there he removed to Findlay and for a number of years was proprietor of a mill. Thus the milling industry has been in the Rockwell family for at least three generations. George G. Rockwell learned the trade from his father, and he in turn passed it on to his sons. George G. Rockwell is still living at North Baltimore at the age of seventy-six. He married in Findlay Hannah Cromley. She was bom in Findlay, daughter of Jacob Cromley. Jacob Cromley had the first tin and hardware store in Findlay, while his wife was the first milliner in the town. They spent their lives at Findlay, where Jacob died when past seventy. The children of George G. Rockwell and wife were three sons: Bruce B., the oldest, at his death left a widow and two children. He spent all his active career in the milling industry. The second son, Charles J., is a well known banker of North Baltimore and is elsewhere referred to.

Fred B. Rockwell was born at Findlay October 10, 1876, and was four yers of age when the family moved to North Baltimore. He grew up here, received his education in the local schools and from early boyhood acquired a practical acquaintance with the working of the milling machinery and with the larger factors in the business.

At North Baltimore he married Miss EfiSe Cobler, who was boi-n at Garrett, Indiana, forty years ago but was reared and educated in North Baltimore. They have one son Paul Villard, born December 9, 1905, now in the eighth grade of the public schools. The family are all very active members of the Christian Church, Mr. Rockwell being an elder and clerk of the church board, and both he and his wife are teachers in the Sunday School. He is a member of the North Baltimore School Board, is independent iu polities, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.

Fred Bretz is the oldest living settler on Middle Bass Island. What he has accomplished is even more important than his length of residence. He was one of the pioneers in the growing of fruit and the improvement of the agricultural resoiirees of the islands, and the farm and home he has developed there, recogjiized far and wide as the finest place on the island, has served as a model and inspiration for the efforts of others.

Mr. Bretz is a native of Germany, having been born in Mecklenburg February 8, 1843. His father. John Bretz, came to America about 1860, locating at Sandusky and subsequently on Middle Bass Island. He was a plasterer by trade and followed that Occupation on Middle Bass Island when there were only five or six houses.

two when in 1865 he bought his present phice on ^Middle Bass. He was one of the pioneers in the development of the vineyard interests, put out a large vineyard himself, and has probably raised more grapes than any other individual grower on the island. From time to time he has added to his original purchase until he now has a large estate, and though well able to retire he is still giving it his active supervision.

Mr. Bretz married Caroline Burggraf, a sister of Mathias Burggraf, member of a well known family of these islands elsewhere mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Bretz have four children. Fred is a carpenter living at Cleveland ; Julia is the wife of John Rehberg of Put-in-Bay; Edward is connected with the Bell Telephone Company of Cleveland ; Howard is still at home. Mr. Bretz has lived uprightly, has proved an excellent neighbor and enjoys a splendid share of community esteem. For many years he served as a director of the public schools and also as a trustee. He votes the republican ticket, which party he has f5upportecl for many years, and he and his family are active members of the Lutheran Church.

George N. LeaSure, subject of this sketch, was born at Delphos, Van Wert County, Ohio, on Augu.st 4, 1864. He graduaicd fmui tlie Cincinnati Law School in June, issii; imiuediately entered into the iiradicc of liis clinst'ii profession at Delphos, liis lioinc Icjwii, iind at the present time is the ohlcst prai'tifiiiu mcniber of the bai-, in point of routinudus service.

Mr. LeaSure is of French stock on both sides, his forebears having come to this country from Normandy, France, at a very early date. His father, Newton I. LeaSure, was raised on a farm near Zanesville, Ohio, came to Delphos, in 1850, a very poor man. By his industry and integrity he soon acquired a iiome, and as the Miami and Erie Canal was the only means of transportation to and from Delphos at that date, lie quickly saw the advantages and profits awaiting owners of means of transportation. He acquired a canal boat and entered into a general freight business between Toledo and Cincinnati, which netted him a competency. At the breaking out of the Civil war Newton I. LeaSure was the owner of a general store in Delphos, Ohio, and conducted it in connection with his other interests. He disposed of his business and entered the Union army, served until the close of the war, returned to his home an invalid. and died in March, 1868.