Seneca Township (part 21 of 60)

Conrad H. Zutavem, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead and is indebted to the public schools of the locality for the early educational advantages which w^ere his. In Williams county, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1871, when twenty-three years of age, Mr. Zutavern was united in marriage to Miss Maria Smeltz, who was born in Venice township, Seneca county, where her father, Jacob Smeltz, was a pioneer settler, his later years being i>assed in Williams county. After his marriage our subject settled on his present farm, which he purchased of his father at that time. He has erected substantial buildings on the place, effected other improvements of the best order and* has made it one of the best farms in this section. At the time of this writing (May, 1902,) he is erecting an attractive residence in the town of Attica and it is his intention to retire from the more active duties of the farm and to make his home in that village. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has had no predilection for public office. He and his wife are prominent members of the EngHsh Reformed church at Carrothers, in which he is an elder. They have no children. Mr. Zutavern has the highest standing in the community and is one of the honored and influential citizens of his native county.

George Deisler

The German fatherland has contributed a most valuable element to the complex social fabric of the American republic, w^hich has gained much through this source, the element being one which has ever conserved the march of progress and stood for sterling manhood and womanhood. The honored subject of this sketch, who is one of the successful farmers of Seneca county, is a native of Germany, but has practically passed his entire life in America and is to be mentioned as a scion of one of the highly respected pioneer families of Seneca county. Mr. Deisler was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 5th of February, 1825, being the son of Conrad and Anna C. (Brundt) Deisler, of whose seven children only two survive, - George, of this sketch; and Conrad, who owtis the old homestead and who is likewise a successful farmer of Venice township. The parents emigrated from the fatherland to the United States in the year 1833, and ^fter residing for a brief interval in Wooster, Ohio, came that same year to Seneca county, where the father purchased sixty-six acres of land, upon a portion of which the present village of Carrothers is located. Here he continued to devote his attention to farming for many years, - until the spring of 1872, when he and his wife took up their home with their daughter, Mrs. Flechner, in Crawford county, where they passed the residue of their lives, each attaining the venerable age of eighty-two years. The father of our subject was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and was a zealous member of the German Reformed church, in which he held various oflficial positions.

George Deisler was reared to maturity on the homestead farm, early beginning to aid in the work of reclamation and cultivation and having limits educational advantages as were implied in an irregular attendance in the primitive schools of the locality and period. Upon attaining his legal majority he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carpenter, and after thus serving for a term of three years, secured thirteen dollars per month the last year; he thereafter devoted his attention to the work of his trade for a further interval of above eight years, making nearly all the coffins used for the neighborhood. In 1854 he was married, and soon afterward he settled on the old homestead, to whose cultivation he devoted himself until the spring of 1858, when he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of his present farm, in Venice township, to which he then removed. He has made the best of improvements on the place, to whose area he has added by the purchase of an adjoining tract of thirty and onehalf acres, so that the fine farm now comprises one hundred and fortyfive and one-half acres. The place is under a high state of cultivation and gives evidence of the careful management and progressive methods which have been brought to bear, the owner having ever commanded unqualified confidence and esteem in the community where he has lived from youth to advanced age, ever giving his aid and influence in support of all worthy enterprises and measures for the general good and standing as one of the world's noble army of workers. In politics Mr. Deisler has ever been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and his devotion to* duties of citizenship in the exercise of the right of franchise has been singularly marked, as is evident when we revert to the fact that in all the long years which have passed since he attained his legal majority he has on only two occasions failed to deposit his vote in support of the men or measures approved by his judgment. He has, however, never sought political office for himself. He is ^ devoted member of the Reformed church at Carrothers, in which for many years he served faithfully and efficiently in official position.

In November, 1854, Mr. Deisler was. united in marriage to Miss Catherine Shade, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Carrick) Shade, who took up their residence in Seneca county in 1835. The father of Mrs. Shade, Frederick Carrick, was a valiant soldier in the Continental army during- the war of the Revolution. During a long and ideal married life of nearly half a century Mrs. Deisler continued as the devoted and cherished companion and helpmeet of her husband, her summons to the "land of the leaF' coming on the 29th of September, 1898, when she passed away in her sixtyninth year. She was a woman of noble character and her memory rests as a benediction upon those who came w ithin the immediate sphere of her influence. Mr. and Mrs. Deisler became the parents of eleven children, and all are living, namely: Benjamin F., a farmer of Defiance county; Lucinda, the wife of Gottlieb Hash, a farmer of Paulding county ; Joseph, a farmer of the same county ; George William, engaged in the insurance business in the city of Sandusky ; Sarah A., the wife of Daniel F. Smith, Bloom township; James Samuel, a resident of Tiffin ; Simon, a ditch contractor of Paulding county; Reuben, a resident of Toledo and a passenger fireman for the Pennsylvania Railroad; John H., of Williams county; Catherine A., the wife of John M. Sponseller, who has charge of the farm of our subject, and who has three children, - Herbert J., Dora Fay and George Milton ; and Harvey, a farmer of Paulding county.

William J. Smith

William J. Smith, one of the best-known citizens of Seneca county, is a representative of good old Irish stock. His father, John M. Smith, was born in Londonderry', Ireland, August 10, 1826, but in 1837, \\+ien a lad of eleven years, he accompanied his parents, James A. and Elizabeth A. Smith, on their removal to America, the family locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the son, John M., grew to mature years and learned the wagon-maker's trade. In 1847 he made the journey

Seneca county, Ohio, where he decided to locate, and, sending east for his parents, they purchased the old John Smeltz farm east of Caroline. In 1849, however, John M. Smith left his Ohio homie for the gold fields of California, making the journey by way of Cape Horn, and after his arrival in the Golden state engaged in mining and fanning, in which he met with a reasonable degree of success. In 1853 he returned to his home in Seneca county, purchasing the James McKittrick farm, where he spent the remaining years of his life, having been called to his final rest on the 17th of April, 1898, his death resulting from the kick of a horse, living but two hours after the accident. From/ 1867 until 1880 he was a member of the Presbyterian church in Caroline, but in the latter year he united with the Reformed church, of which he remained a consistent member until his life's labors were ended in death. His political support was given the Democracy, and for one or more terms he was the efficient justice of the peace of his township. As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Smith chose Miss Mathilda Smith, and they became the parents of ten children, nine of whom still survive: Janres A., of Baldwin, Indiana; William J., of this review; Mary A., the wife of George Aylea, also of Indiana; Nancy J., the wife of James Clemens, of Carrothers, Ohio; Daniel H., a prominent farmer of Venice township; Samuel A., who also makes his home in this township, as does his brother, Thomas J. ; Mijatilda A., the wife of Charles Armitage, of Reed township; and James H., of Venice township.

William J. Smith, of this review, is a native son of Venice township, Seneca county, his birth having here occurred on the 15th of September, 1857, and to its public-school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he received in his youth. At the age of twentyone years he began operating a threshing machine, later purchasing a new steam thresher, and for sixteen years he followed that occupation. In 1892 he became the owner of his present home farm, consisting of eigthy acres of rich and productive land, and soon after its purchase he abandoned his threshing operations in order to give his entire time and attention to the cultivation of his land. He is recognized as a man of executive ability and enterprise and is numbered among the leading citi- zens of the community. He is liberal in his political views, but his preference is for the Democracy, and in his social relations he is a member of Attica Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M.

December 18, 1884, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Theodosia Sovereign, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Rufus and Nancy (Rodgers) Sovereign, natives respectively of Canada and Kentucky. Five children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, but the first born died in infancy, and the third in order of birth, Rufus, also died in childhood. The three surviving are Edith, John and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Reformed church.

Charles L. Weininger

One of the leading and representative farmers of Seneca county, Ohio, is Charles L. Weininger, who is a most highly esteemed and substantial citizen of Seneca township.

The birth of Mr. Weininger occurred in Wyandot county, Ohio, May 6, 1846. He was a son of John and Catherine (Lane) Weininger, and a grandson of Adam Weininger, the latter of whom was a native of Germany. From that land he emigrated to the United States in 181 5, at a date when this country began- to make great strides in the direction of permanent commercial, industrial and particularly agricultural progress.

Adam Wleininger was just the type of settler needed in the lands offered by the gxDvemment, in the state of Ohio. Honest, industrious, plodding and persevering, no physical task was too great for him to undertake in the hope of providing for the welfare of those dependent upon him, and soon his home in Fairfield county showed the effects of his activity. In 1826 he moved to Wyandot county, where he became possessed by some two thousand acres of land, and here he lived until his death, at the age of eighty years, being at that time one of the most respected men of his locality. His trade was that of blacksmith. His old home is now owned by the heirs of Jesse Badger.

John Weininger, who was the son of Adam and the father of our subject, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and grew up on his father's farm, accompanying him to Wyandot county. He became a man of prcwninence in his locality, filled a nun^ber of the local offices with great efficiency and was a leading member of the Baptist church. His first marriage was to Catherine Lane, who was a daughter of John Lane, and they had five sons, viz. : Solomon and George, of Wyandot county ; Joel, of Fostoria; Jackson, deceased; and Charles L., of this sketch. The second marriage of Mr. Weininger was to Mary Johnson, who still survives and is a resident of McCutchenville. After his first marriage he obtained one hundred and thirty acres of his father's farm, which was heavily timbered, erected here a log cabin and here his death occurred in April, 1891, at the age of eighty-one years. From 1832 to 1835 he kept a hotel, on the old plank road, one mile north of MicCutchenville, during which time he became well known to the traveling public, those being the times when the country inn offered mbst welcome rest and entertainment for the passengers of the old "stage coach," of pleasant memory. At his death Mr. Weininger left an estate of six hundred acres.

Our subject was reared on the old farm and received the best educational advantages offered in his locality. Aftei" finishing the commonschool course he attended Heidelberg College, in Tiffin. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Welsh, who was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and four children were born to this union, namely: Frank, at home; Herma, the wife of Paul Bigger; Dolly, deceased at the age of six years; and Welsh.

Soon after his marriage our subject moved to his present farm, which he had purchased in 1867, ^^^ which is located in sections 35 and 36, in Seneca township, and comprises one hundred and forty-five acres of most excellent land, and the old home farm, which he also owns, contains one hundred and thirty acres. Here he carries on extensive operations in farming and stock-raising, being thoroughly equipped for both lines of activity in the way of modern machinery and permanent and substantial improvements. These have all been made by Mr. Weininger and reflect

Mr. Weininger is a sensible and well-balanced citizen, a leading member of the Democratic party, a good business man and one who keeps thoroughly abreast of the times. His children have been given excellent educational advantages, his daughter having become noted for her talents in drawing and music, in the convent school which she attended for four years, in Tiffin. He is highly respected in the township and is justly considered one of the representative men.

Charles D. Gangwer

There may be found in almost all American comtnunities quiet, retiring men, who never seek official preferment or appear prominently in public aflfairs, yet nevertheless exert a widely felt and beneficent influence in the community, helping to construct or solidify the foundation upon which the social and political world rests. Such a man w^as the honored subject of this memoir, and he was ever found faithful to duty, under whatever aspect it presented itself, never sacrificing integrity and honor to personal expediency and so living as to command unqualified confidence and esteem as emanating from those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. Not undue eulogy but rather simple justice is done to the memory of such a man when perpetual record is made concerning his life and accomplishment, and this the writer would attempt in this simple tribute to one who stood "four-square to every wind that blows," who attained definite success in temporal affairs and who was one of the representative farmiers and honored citizens of Seneca county during the major portion of his long and useful career.

Mr. Gangwer was of stanch German lineage and was himself a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of December, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native town and when se\'enteen vears of age began an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, becoming an expert in the same and continuing to follow this vocation in AUentown until he had attained the age of twenty-eight years. Then he came to Seneca county, Ohio, and located in Tiffin, where he passed one winter, after which, in 1859, he took up his abode on the fine farm where his widow now resides, in Pleasant township, five miles north of Tiffin. The place was practically unreclaimed from the forest wilds, and the only improvement of note was a small log house of the pioneer type in which they lived fourteen years. He cleared the greater portion of the place and brought the land under effective cultivation, having laid hnndreds of rods of tile and converting what was originally almost a swamp into one of the best farms of the community. As the years passed and prosperity attended his assiduous and well directed endeavors, Mr. Gangwer made the best of permanent improvements on his homestead, including in 1869 the fine brick residence where his widow now lives, the samje being commodious and of attractive architectural design, and standing as one of the beautiful homes of the county. He devoted his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of high-grade stock; and since his death his widow has superintended the management of the farm, showing marked executive capacity and profiting by the experience of her long and grateful association with her honored husband. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is available for cultivation except seven acres, which are yet covered with native timber. In politics Mr. Gangwer supported the Democratic party and its principles, and his religious faith was that of the Reformed church at Fort Seneca, of which he was an elder for years and of which his widow also is still a devoted member.

On Whitsunday of 1858 Mr. Gangvv^er was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Gensenlither, who was born in AUentown, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1840, the daughter of Jacob and Lena Gensenlither. Mr. and Mrs. Gangwer became the parents of four children, namely: Annie M., the wife of William Dutrow, of Tiffin ; Caroline, the wife of John W. Coy, a capitalist of Washington, D. C. ; Henry, who is successfully engaged in farming near Columbia City, Indiana ; and Jane, who became the wife of Rev. S. W. Seaman, a clergyman of the Reformed churcli at Columbus, Ohio, and died July 7, 1901, at the age of thirty-five years. She left two children, - Eveline and Karl. She was educated in Heidelberg College, where she was a classmate of her husband, whom she afterward married when twenty years of age. All the children have been educated at Heidelberg College, and Henry was a teacher in the county ten years. Since ^Ir. Gangwer's death Mrs. Gangwer has taken into her family a young girl named Louisa Holsinger, who has become a valued companion. Mr. Gangwer died December 7, 1898, in his sixty-second year. He bad an uncle named Thomas Gangwer, who was a saddler by trade, was a cripple and came to Seneca county with his brother James, the father of the subject of this sketch, some five years previously to the latter's arrival. Charles D. came to care for his uncle, who in return for the care gave him eighty acres of land. Thomas set up a shop on the farm, where he worked as long as' he was able, for during the last five years of his life he was almost helpless. During the ten years of his life here he was tenderly cared for by Charles D. and his wife. The parents cf our subject continued to reside upon this farm until their death, the m'other dying in 1876 and the father fifteen years later.

James P. Mourer

James P. Mourer is a well-known attorney of Fostoria who has attained to a leading position at the Seneca county bar, although he has been in practice here only about eight years. He is numbered among the native sons of the city, his father being John J. Mourer, who \va.<; born in Alsace, France, and who, on emigrating to the new world, about 1864, took up his abode in Fostoria. Here he established a clothing store, which he successfully conducted for a number of years, dying in 1898, at the age of forty-six. He married Catherine Knissel, who was bom at Kaiserslautern, Germany.

tinuing his studies until he had completed the high-school course. He was then matriculated in Fostoria Academy, and when his literary education was completed he began to prepare for the practice of law, reading in the office of Brown & Guernsey. He also attended the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, being admitted to the bar in 1894, since which time he has been engaged in practice in this city. Gradually his patronage has increased and to-day he is enjoying a large and remunerative clientage. His preparation of cases is most thorough and exhaustive; he is said to grasp intuitively the strongest points of law and fact, while in his briefs and arguments the authorities are cited so extensively and the facts and reasoning are presented so cogently and unanswerably as to leave little doubt as to the correctness of his views or conclusions. No detail escapes him; every case is given its due prominence and the cause is argued with such skill, ability and power that he rarely fails to gain a verdict.

Mr. Mourer was united in marriage to Miss Alberta Chance, of Fostoria, a daughter of Henry Chance, and they have a pleasant home and enjoy the highest regard of many friends. In politics he is a Republican, and while he has firm belief in the principles of the party he has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his entire attention to his law practice. He represents a number of corporations engaged in the development of the oil fields, and has a large share of practice in connection with the most important cases tried in the courts of this district.

If "biography is the home asi>ect of history,'' as Wilmott has expressed it, it is entirely within the province of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character, the achievements and honor of the illustrious sons of the state. High on the roll of those whose efforts have made the history of jurisprudence in Ohio a roll of fame appears the name of George E. Seney, who for more than a third of a century has been numbered among the legal practitioners of the state. No man has ever been -more respected in Seneca county, and none has ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people, who, recognizing his merit, have rejoiced in his advancement and the honors to which he has attained. He is a lawyer of the highest rank, learned in his profession and a most persuasive and powerful advocate; and, though nearly forty years have come and gone since he quit the bench for the bar, Judge Seney is yet engaged in. the practice of law and maintains his place as a foremost representative of the legal fraternity of this great commonwealth.

Respecting the ancestors of Judge Seney and his kindred, by blood and by marriage, much may be said. His father, Joshua Seney, long a resident of Tiffin, was born in Maryland and reared in the city of New York, where he was educated for the legal profession. He was a graduate of Columbia College and the University Law School and soon thereafter was in the war of 1812, as an aid-de-camp on the staff of a commanding general. He was the private secretary of Albert Gallatin, then secretary of the United States treasury under President Madison. At Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he began the practice of law and won distinction at the bar. He was the law partner of Andrew Stewart, an eminent lawyer and a politician of national fame. While a resident of Uniontown, he declined the appointment of United States judge for the western district of Pennsylvania, tendered him by Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. After his removal to Tiffin he gave no attention to the practice of law. Twice he was elected treasurer of Seneca county and later and for years was the clerk of the supreme court of Ohio, by the appointment of its judges. The late Judge Lang, who for many years knew Mr. Seney intimately and well, in his history of Seneca County, says: **If Joshua Seney's industry had been equal to his capacity, he would have been very successful as a lawyer. He had a natural aversion to anything that looked like labor. He was all politician; and a more shrewd and far-seeing politician than him Seneca county never had in any party. He was unselfish, and sought no office for himself. When he liked a person who aspired to office, he did all in his power to aid him. Raised in the lap of wealth and luxury, he knew nothing about labor, or the value of money. He had very little taste or application for the practical part of life. His language was chaste and polished, and his manners peculiarly his own. He was perfectly at home in an office, and discharged every trust with ability and fidelity. He was treasurer of Seneca county, for two terms, and clerk of the supreme court for many years. . He wrote a fine hand, and his records are spotless. He had a large, well developed head and expressive countenance, a black eye, a pleasant voice, and his hands were so small as to attract attention. He was finely educated, knew the theory of the law, but had no ambition to practice it. He was a great student and reader, and few men were better posted on good literature. He was not a good public speaker; but, as a forcible writer he excelled.''

The maiden name of the mother of George E. Seney was Ann Ebbert, and she was a daughter of George Ebbert, a prosperous merchant of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. This lady was much more than an ordinary woman. Domestic in her tastes, she lived a quiet and unostentatious life, abounding in good deeds. She was bom and reared in Uniontown and liberally educated at the female seminary in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and soon after her graduation became the wife of Joshua Seney. She was a lady of great practical sense, and had strong religious convictions. Prior to her marriage she was an active and influential Christian worker in her native town, and in Tiffin, where she lived twenty-two years a wife and twenty-six years a widow, she was held in the highest esteem. In her the poor and deserving had a valued friend, and at the bedside of the sick and dying she was a frequent and welcome visitor. To her four daughters and three sons she was an indulgent and loving mother, and to her husband a most devoted wife.

George Ebbert, the father of Ann Ebbert, and his wife, Sarah Wood, were born, reared and married in Philadelphia. Their parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and in Philadelphia accumulated wealth and held high social position. Upon his marriage George Ebbert removed to Uniontown, where he established a mercantile business, which he conducted with marked success for forty years. In many resi>ect5 he was a model man, sound in judgment, successful in whatever he undertook, kind in heart and generous in hand ; and this is also to be said of his wife, who was a model as a wife, mother, neighbor and friend.

The paternal grandfather of George E. Seney was the distinguished jurist and statesman of Maryland, Joshua Seney. For three successive terms he represented his native county in the Maryland house of delegates, and later the colony of Maryland in the last continental congress. He was a member of the electoral college which re-elected George Washington president of the United States, and was chief justice of the courts in the third judicial district of Maryland. In the first and second congresses, under the constitution of the United States, he was a representative from the state of Maryland, and was elected to the third congress, but died before it convened. Upon the marble stone at the grave of this eminent man is inscribed these words:

- he filled with ability some of the highest stations, and discharged with integrity some of the most important duties to which his native state could appoint him ; preserving through the whole a character, both private and public, unstained by a single vice.'' The wife of this eminent citizeii of Maryland was Frances Nicholson, a daughter of James Nicholson, a distinguished commodore of the navy in 1776, and whose father, Francis Nicholson, was, prior to the Revolutionary war, the colonial governor of Maryland. Another daughter of Commodore Nicholson was the wife of Albert Gallatin, who was the secretary of the United States treasur>^ under Presidents Jefferson and Madison, a senator in congress from the state of Pennsylvania, also envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Great Britain, to France, to Russia, and to the Netherlands. Another of the commodore's daughters was the wife of Colonel William Few, who was a member, from Georgia, of the convention that framed the constitution of the United States and later a senator in congress from that state; and another the wife of John Montgomery, who was the mayor of Baltimore and later a representative in congress from Maryland. A son of Commodore Nicholson was a member of congress from Mar}'land, and another son was a captain and later a commodore in the United States navy.

John Seney, the paternal great-grandfather of George E. Seney, was bom in Maryland, and there was eminent as a lawyer and in public affairs. In the Revolutionary war he was the captain of a militia company organized for the defense of the colonies and later was in command of a regiment of which he was the colonel. Near the close of the struggle he was elected to represent his native county in the Mar^^land house of delegates, and was re-elected for nine successive terms, in two of which his distinguished son, Joshua Seney, was a representative. He was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Maryland, preparatory to her admission into the Union of the states, and later was a member of the convention called by the people of Maryland to ratify or reject the constitution of the United States. At the first election of electors for president and vice president of the United States he was chosen an elector for the state of Maryland, and in the electoral college voted for George Washington for president.

George E. Seney was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1830, and when less than two years of age his parents removed to Tiffin, where his years have been near three-score and ten. With a good common-school education, he was at the Norwalk Seminary for three years, when its principal was that eminent scholar and divine, Rev. Edward Thomson, D. D., late a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church. Later, and for two years, he was employed as a clerk in a Tiffin dry-goods store. At the age of eighteen years he was in the city of New York, purchasing a stock of books and stationer)' for a book store, which he and an uncle opened and conducted in Tiffin. In this store he remained for a year or more, and afterward, for a time, assisted

With a desire to be a merchant, he, through a relative in the east, secured a position in a wholesale dry-goods store in St. Louis. To this his parents were opposed, for they desired him to be a law^yer. To please his father and mother he entered the: office of Luther A. Hall, Esq., of Tiffin, to study law, with the understanding that if at the end of three months he preferred the place open for him at St. LouiSj neither parent would object. Years afterward, when he was well established in his profession, Mr. Hall, in speaking of him, said : "The first day Georg^e was in my office, he and the law fell in love, and they have been loving ever since." Certainly neither he, his kindred, nor his friends have had occasion to regret that he entered professional, instead of commercial, life. Two years of study prepared him for admission to the bar, and in 185 1 he commenced the practice of law as a partner of his preceptor, Mr. Hall. This copartnership continued for less than three years ; and, upon its dissolution and until his election as judge, he practical law alone. When the law firm of Hall & Sene>' dissolved, of the eighteen practicing lawyers in Seneca county several were of marked ability and had been long at the bar, but from the beginning Judge Seney had a lil> eral share of the legal business. His clientage grew, both in volume and in importance and at the end of four years, when he became judge, his practice compared favorably with that of lawyers of twice or even thrice his years and experience. At the bar he had made the reputation of a studious, methodical and reliable lawyer and an able and effective jury advocate.

At the age of tw^enty-seven years, George E. Seney was elected judge of the third judicial district of Ohio, for the constitutional term of five years. He was made the candidate of his party for judge by the unanimous vote of a convention composed of many representative Democrat^, a number of whom were lawyers. The voting strength of the two political parties in the district was about equal, but at the election Judge Seney had a majority of one thousand and six over the Re-

After the election of Judge Seney, and before his term of office commenced, he declined the appointment of United States district attorney for the northern district of Ohio, tendered him by President Buchanan. The third judicial district was composed of twenty counties, in each of which three terms of the common-pleas court and one term of the district court were held in each year, - ^the former by one of the five district judges and the latter either by three of these judges or by two and a judge of the supreme court of Ohio. In several of these counties Judge Seney held terms of the common-pleas court, in other counties parts of their terms; and, either with two of the district judges, or wnth one and a judge of the supreme court, held a term of the district court in sixteen of the twenty counties of the judicial district. The judges holding these courts during these five years were Josiah Scott, Tliomas W. Hartley, Milton Sutliff, William Y. Gholson and Jacob Brinkerhoff, of the supreme court, and Mathias C. Whitney, William Lawrence, Alexander Latta, Josiah S. Plants and George E. Seney of the commonpleas court; and of these ten judges Judge Seney is the sole survivor.

The first court held by Judge Seney was at Perrysburg, then the county seat of Wood county; and the first lawyer to address him in a cause was the Honorable Morrison R. Waite, then a practicing lawyer at Toledo and later the chief justice of the supreme court of the United States. In this connection it may be remarked that Judge Seney was one of the committee appointed by congress to accompany the remains of Chief Justice Waite from Washington to Toledo and to be a pallbearer at his funeral. Upon the bench, Judge Seney presided with dignity, courtesy and strict impartiality. So marked was his knowledge of the law and his ability to apply it to the points at issue that his deasions were valued as the considerate judgment of a sound lawyer and an upright and just judge. While on the bench he prepared and had published what is known to the legal profession as Seney's Ohio Co<le, which was republished in 1874. Among lawyers this work is highly

Judge Seney, near the close of his judicial term, which was in the second year of the late Civil war between the states, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and upon its organization was commissioned one of its first lieutenants, and subsequently its quartermaster. Recruiting for this regiment, in which he and another enlisted man largely assisted, began late in July, 1862, and early in September following the r^ment, over one thousand strong, was on the hills near Covington, Kentucky, resisting the advance of the Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith upon Cincinnati.

In the Army of the Cumberland, under Generals Buell, Rosecrans. Thomas and Sherman, the One Hundred and First Ohio Regiment served until the close of the war. Its service was conspicuously effective at the battles of Perrj^ille, Lancaster, Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Franklin, and in the five months of fighting and marching from Missionary Ridge to Atlanta, under General Sherman. From the day the One Hundred and First Ohio Regfiment crossed the Ohio river at Cincinnati until impaired health unfitted him for further service in the field, a period of nearly three years, Judge Seney served with his regiment in all of its campaigns. Upon resigning his commission in the army he resumed the practice of law, at Tiffin, and in a short time was in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice, easily maintaining his place among the leading representatives of the professior..

In the law, as in every other walk of life, success depends largely upon industry, and the Judge was known as one of the most indefatigable and tireless workers. His large clientage connected him with much of the most important litigation tried in the courts of this part of the state. More than twenty years ago a biographer in writing of him said : *^^s a lawyer he is highly esteemed by the profession ; his cases are thoroughly prepared and ably and effectively presented to the court and the jury. While he is a fine speaker and with his oratorical gift-^ and graces excels as an advocate, he no less excels by his sound judgment and rare sense as an attornev and counselor. The fact that he i^ usually assigned the closing argument in a case indicates the esteem in which he is held by his associates in the trial. As a man he is genial, and has the native delicacy and refinement of the educated gentleman/' A later bic^^pher says: "Judge Seney rose rapidly in his profession and is known as an able lawyer and an eloquent and effective jury advocate, - firm and decisive in character, quiet and gentle in manner, unostentatious in bearing, a pleasing public speaker, a person of refined tastes, and esteemed and popular with his professional associates.'' Still another biographer says : "Judge Seney was the youngest man who ever held common-pleas court in Ohio. He was elected judge at the age of twenty-six years and served a term of five years with satisfaction to litigants and lawyers and with honor to himself. He was a hard and conscientious worker and has the qualities that commend a judge, - patience and gravity, dignity and courtesy, urbanity in demeanor, a high sense of justice, a desire to be right and the application required for careful research and investigation to ascertain the law applicable to a case."

In f>olitics Judge Seney has taken more or less interest, more as a Democrat and less as a politician. His paternal ancestors were strong in the Democratic faith and the Democracy of the Judge is, and has been, always and ever, unwavering. He has made many speeches in support of the men and measures of his party, and in many other ways has been active and efficient in the affairs of his party. In conventions to nominate Democrats as candidates for office he was either a delegate or a spectator, but never a candidate except when nominated for judge and for member of congress. When elected to congress he was fifty-two years of age, and the only office that he had held or had been a candidate for was that of judge twenty-five years before. The Democratic state convention in 1856 nominated him for presidential elector on the Buchanan and Breckinridge ticket. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, in 1876, which nominated Samuel J. Tilden for president of the United States. He was the president of the Democratic state convention which met at Cleveland in 1887. As a spectator he was at the Democratic national convention which nominateil for president James Buchanan at Cincinnati in 1856, Stephen A. Douglas at Baltimore in i860, Winiield S. Hancock at Cincinnati in 1880, and Grover Cleveand at Chicago in 1884; and as a spectator attended the Republican national convention which nominated for president Benjamin Harrison at Minneapolis in 1892, and William McKinley at St. Louis in 1896. He was a delegate at large from Ohio to the convention of Democrats at Indianapolis, in 1896, which nominated General John M. Palmer for president and Simon B. Buckner for vice president, and to them he gave his vote at the election.

In 1874 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for congress, and at the election was defeated by less than one hundred and forty votes. This defeat a friend explained in this language: **It will be remembered that in the convention he refused, again and again, to be a candidate for the nomination, and protested, again and again, against his candidacy when nominated. These refusals and protests gave every voter to understand that he was opposed to his ow^n election, and this, with the fact that he made no effort to be elected, was enough to elect the opposing candidate by a very large majority.''

Indeed, of Judge Seney it may be truthfuly written that he had no ambition for distinction in public affairs, but regarded the pursuits of private life, and particularly those i>ertaining to his profession, as being in themselves abimdantly worthy of his best efforts. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which have been added discipline and embellishments of culture, his is a most attractive |>ersonality. Well versed in the learning of his profession and with a deep knowledge oi human nature and of the world, with great shrewdness, keen sagacity and extraordinary tact, he is in the courts an advocate of great ix)wer and influence, while his private life has left its impress upon the moral growth of the community. Had Judge Seney been less a lawyer and more a politician, his public career would not have ended at the close of his fourth term as a representative in congress. He was the choice of several members of the Ohio legislature for United States senator when the late Henry B. Payne was elected to that office, and later, when the late Calvin S. Brice was made a senator in congress. More than once during his congressional term, and since, he was urged by prominent and leading Democrats and by his party press to be a candidate for governor of Ohio, but always and ever refused the use of his name in a nominating convention.

When the free coinage of silver at the ratio of sixteen to one became a political issue, the Republican party and the anti-free-coinage Democrats prop>osed to make him their candidate for congress, and in refusing the candidacy he said that he would not accept the commission of a member of congress if tendered him.

Years of industrious and energetic labor in his profession have not been without substantial rewards to Judge Seney. Until recently he was the owner of the Tiffin Gas and Electric Works. He is the largest stockholder in the Tiffin Savings Bank, and now is, and has been, since the organization of the bank twelve years ago, its president.

In the city of Tiffin and in the county of Seneca he is the owner of valuable real estate and gives personal attention to its management. His elegant residence at the corner of Clay and Water streets is, within and without, a most elegant structure.

Progressive, liberal and enterprising, he takes an active and leading part in whatever is calculated to advance Tiffin and the good of her people. His estimable wife, Anna Walker Seney, is a daughter of the late Joseph Walker, Esq., long a merchant of Tiffin, and a granddaughter of the late Josiah Hedges, E^q., who was the founder of Tiffin and is remembered by many citizens as an active leader in public affairs fifty years ago.

This name is one known throughout Seneca county, for here Mr. McDonald has passed his entire life and here his parents resided for many decades. He has long been recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his locality, and for many years has held a foremost place in the public affairs of the county. He has been faithful to his concep-

Mr. McDonald was bom in Tiffin, Ohio, May 6, 1835, a son of Upton and Rebecca (Cromer) McDonald. The father, who was a native of Maryland, was there reared and married, and after that event they came with her parents, three brothers and two sisters to the Buckeye state, immediately taking up their abode in Seneca county. For a time after their arrival here they camped in a tent in Tiffin, the city then containing but two or three houses, and later her father located on a farm near what is now Cromer Station, which was built on the farm of her brother, Ezra Cromer. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald made their home with her father for about three years, when they purchased a farm near by, consisting of eighty acres, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying when our subject was about ten years of age. After the father's death the mother became the wife of Jacob Warner and survived about twenty years. The union of Mr. and M!rs. McDonald was blessed with ten children, seven of wTiom are now living, namely : James, a resident of Carbondale, Kansas ; Susan, the widow of John Walters and a resident of Liberty township, Seneca county; John M., the subject of this review; David, a prominent farmer of Pleasant township; Ezra, a shoemaker at Fort Seneca; Rebecca, the widow of Lafayette Letherman and a resident of Liberty township; and Albert, of Williams county, Ohio.

John M. McDonald, of this review, acquired but a limited education, for in early life his services were needed in developing a new farm. From the time of his marriage until 1861 he was employed at various occupations by the day or month, and at the latter date enHsted for service in the civil war, becoming a member of Company F, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for one year. During his military career he took part in the battles of Murfreesboro and Stone river, also many others of lesser importance, and after being confined in a hospital in Murfreesboro, on account of a severe illness, for three months, he was honorably discharged. For about three years after his return from the war he suffered froin ill health, and he has never fully recovered his former strength and vigor. He subsequently became tlie owner of forty acres of land in Pleasant township, where he made his home for three years, when he sold that property and purchased the land which he now owns, paying eight thousand four hundred dollars for eighty acres one and one-half miles northwest of the courthouse in Tiffin. Incurring five thousand dollars of indebtedness, Mr. McDonald paid it in seven years. He is a man of energy and enterprise, and along the line of his chosen calling he has met with a well merited degree of success.

On the 22d of February, 1855, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mc- Donald and Miss "Emily R. Van Natter. She is a native of the state of New York and a daughter of Moses and Rachel (Adams) Van Natter, who came to Seneca county in 1841, locating near Bettsville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Of the nine children bom unto our subject and wife only five are now living, namely : Nelson W., who is engaged in the manufacture of buggies in Tiffin, Ohio ; Milan W., who is employed in a glass factory in Fairmount, Indiana; Chester, of Liberty township, Seneca county; Orton W., a prominent farmer of Reed township; and Daisy B., the wife of Otto Bour, also of Reed township. At the age of eight years Effie E., the eldest girl, was drowned through carelessness of playmates. One child died in infancy. Korah G. died at thirty-two. He had been a farmer in Seneca county, and a daughter, Adelsa, died at twenty-three, having lived at home and being summoned to the great hereafter almost without a moment's warning.

In his social relations Mr. McDonald is a member of General W. H. Gibson Post, G. A. R., and his political support is given to the Republican party. His religious preference, as is that of Mrs. McDonald, is indicated by membership in the United Brethren church in Tiffin.

William H. Doran

For many years the Doran family has*occupied a distinctive place in the affairs of Seneca county. From a wilderness this section has been gradually transformed to a fertile farming country, dotted with happy homes, and in this glorious labor the Dorans have been active and zealous, leaving to their children and to posterity the records of useful, well spent lives.

John Doran, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of \'irginia, but as early as 1822 he came to Seneca county, Ohio, entering eighty acres of government land where a brother of our subject, George W., now resides. At the raising of the old Hunter mills his back was seriously injured, but he survived the fracture for thirty-five years and reached the ripe old age of ninety years. Jonas Doran, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Hopewell township, Seneca county. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Mary A. Armstrong, and they became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, namely: William H.; Inez, the wife of W. C. Welty; John; Delia, the wife of Walter Hiser; Rosa, the wife of Lafayette Covert; Ella, the wife of Elias Zeis; Sheridan; Frank; George; and Ida, deceased. The father of this family was called to his final rest in 1890, at the age of fifty-nine years, but his widow still survives and resides on the old home farmi, three and one-half miles northwest of Tiffin, where their children were bom and' reared.

William H. Doran, whose name introduces this revie\v, was born on the 19th of February, 1855, and he continued to reside on the old homestead until after his marriage, when he rented a farm in Qinton township, there remaining for one year. For the following six years he farmed on rented land in Seneca township, coming thence to Hopewell township, where he again located on rented land, thus continuing for seven years. On the expiration of that period he became the owner of one hundred acres of his present farm, and as the years have passed by he has added to his original purchase until his landed possessions now consist of one hundred and eighty acres of rich and fertile land. He has placed his fields under a fine state of cultivation, has erected commodious and substantial buildings, and in mlany other ways has added to the value and attractive appearance of his place. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he has also engaged

Centennial Biographical History, 407

In October, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Doran and Miss Amanda Lynch. Mrs. Doran is the daughter of John A. and Sarah (Utz) Lynch, was born in Liberty township, and was eighteen at her own marriage. Her father died the year of her marriage, while her mother is still living, residing at Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Doran have become the parents of eight children, - Nellie, Olive (wife of Peter Warner), George, Thomas, James, William, Jesse and Laura. Mr. Doran's social relations connect him with the Masonic fraternity, and politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is greatly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and is a man of wide influence in this, his native township.

Phillip Bollinger

One of the well known and influential citizens of Venice township is Phillip Bollinger, who has spent his entire life here. He has always been actively interested in everything which tended to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently counted upon at all times to endorse progressive measures and to uphold the law, right and justice.

The Bollinger famlily are numbered among the old and honore<l residents of the county, and their history may be found in the sketch of L. W. Bollinger in this volume. Our subject was born in Venice township, Seneca county, February 20, 1852. Shortly after his marriage he became the owner of eighty acres of land in this locality, and as the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has been enabled to add to his original purchase until his landed possessions now consist of two hundred and thirty acres of rich and fertile land. His fields are under an excellent state of cultivation, good and substantial buildings adorn the place, and it> neat and thrifty appearance indicates to the passer-by the supervision of a progressive owner. In matters of political importance he gives his support to the Democracy, and his religious preference is indicated by his membership in the Reformed church, in which he has long served as a deacon.

For a companion on the journey of life Mr. Bollinger chose Miss .Anna M. Funk, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Catharine (Kitzmiller) Funk, he now residing in Bloomville, Seneca county, and she being deceased. Seven children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely: Ida, the wife of James FreeboiTi, who resides on a portion of his father's farm; George F., William E., Ollie, Cora, Emma and Andrew J., and with the exception of the eldest all are at home. Mr. Bollinger is at all times charitable and benevolent, and it is safe to say that no man in Seneca county has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances. -

Clay Holtz

A native son of Seneca county and one of its progressive and influential citizens is Mr. Holtz, who is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of the state, where he has passed his entire life, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he has attained a high degree of success, the while commanding the high esteem of those w"ho have known him and had appreciation of his honorable and useful career.

Mr. Holtz was born on the old homestead, in Pleasant township, Seneca county, on the nth of December, 1841, one of the six children of William and Catherine M. (Cramer) Holtz, who became the parent? of four sons and two daughters, namely : Harrison, who was drowned in childhood; Clay, the immediate subject of this sketch; William, who was a member of Company I, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being captured by the enemy at Chickama'iga and dying while held a captive in Andersonville prison; Susan, w^ho is the wife of

Norman Egbert, of Qinton township; Rosa, who died in infancy; and Scott, who is a resident of Tiffin. The father of our subject passed away in 1862, and his widow survived him by many years, her death occurring on the i6th of November, 1895, at the venerable age of seventy-one years.

Clay Holtz grew to maturity on the old homestead farm, receiving his early educational training in the public schools and continuing to assist in carrying on the work of the home place until he was prompted to take up the sterner duty devolving upon him as a loyal son of the republic, when the integrity of the Union was menaced by armed rebellion. On the 9th of October, 1861, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years. He proceeded to the front w^ith his r^ment and was thereafter a participant in many of the miost notable cng^ements of the great civil conflict, among the number being the. following: Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, after which last the regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and was thereafter in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt Hickory, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. At Franklin, West Virginia, on the 226. of May, 1862, Mr. Holtz was taken prisoner, being in the field hospital, but was immediately paroled and returned to his home and here attended school until his exchange,, in January, 1863, and he rejoined his regiment in the early part of the following month, at Burke's Station, Virginia, arriving in time to takepart in the battle of Chancellorsville. He thereafter continued to serve: constantly in the ranks until the close of his term of enlistment, wheni he received his honorable discharge, and he forthwith returned to hisi native county and here assisted his mother in the operation of the old homestead until 1869, when he located on his present farm, which was a part of the estate. To this he has added from time to time until he now has a fine farmstead of three hundred and forty acres, in one body,, while he has made the best of improvements upon the samie, having a commodious and substantial residence, good bams and other requisite buildings for the accommodation of stock, products and implements, and he has thoroughly developed his broad acres and brought the fann into a high state of cultivation. He raises diversified crops and also gives attention to the raising of a high grade of live stock. ^Ir. Holtz is essentially public-spirited in his attitude, and his influence has ever been cast in support of all enterprises for the general good, his political allegiance being accorded to the Republican i>arty, of whose cause he has been a zealous supporter, though never seeking the honors or emoluments of public office. Fraternally he perpetuates his interest in and friendship with his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in the Potter Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Green Spring, while in the same place he is identified with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On the 28th of February, 1868, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss Andorah Closson Egbert, who was born in Clinton towTiship, this county, the daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Ann (Rule) Egbert, her name having been conferred at the request of a Mr. Closson, an old friend of the family, who wished to thus perpetuate the name of his deceased fiancee. Of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Holtz we offer the following brief record : Harry, who assists in the management of the homestead farm; Alice, who is the wife of John Stackhouse, who is located in Qeveland, being in government em^jloy ; William, who ser\^ed in the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American ^ar, having been for nine months an orderly sergeant on the staff of General Bates, and he is now attending a dental ^college in the city of Cincinnati; Kathryn, who attended Baldwin University, is .now one of the successful and popular teachers in the schools of this county : Susan, who was graduated in the Green Spring Academy and later attended ' the Lehjanon Normal School, began teaching at the age of fifteen years and continued her pedagogic work for a period of three years, at the j expiration of which she was married to a schoolmate, Charles Bridwell, and they now reside in Solitude, Kentucky ; Charlotte, who is the wife of Eugene Crabill, a farmer near Tiffin, Ohio; Lucy, who w^s educated , ful teacher and is now the wife of Elmer Rosenburger, of Mehnore, this county; and Zula Juanita (pronounced Wau-ne-ta) is attending the township graded schools.

Jacob Brendle

No better illustration of the characteristic energj- and enterprise of the typical Qerman- American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this well known farmer of Hopewell township. Coming to this country in early life, he has made his way to success through wisely directed efforts, and he can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles.

Mr. Brendle was bom in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 14th of June, 1839, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Wertz) Brendle. Tliese parents had five children, namely: Jacob, the subject cf this review; George, a resident of Tiffin, Ohio; Christina, the widow of Henry W. Creeger and a resident of Hopewell township; Barbara, the lately deceased widely of Michael Walters; and Miargaret, the wife of Jacob Fleckner, who makes his home in Loudon township, Seneca county. The father of these children died in Germany, in 1852, and two years later the mother, with her five children, came to Amterica, locating in Bascom, Seneca county, where she resided up to the time of her marriage to Henry Creeger, the father of Henry W. Creeger. She was called to her final rest on the i6th of Mtarch, 1884.

Jacob Brendle, of this review, was but fifteen years of age when he came with his mother to Seneca county, Ohio. His education was received principally in the schools of his native land, for after coming to this locality he was permitted to attend school during only two months of each winter for two years. During his first summer here he found employment on the farm, while for the following two years he worked in a sawmill, later spending six months in a potash factory in Carey, Ohio. After his mother's second marriage he worked on his stepfather's farm for eleven years, and after the latter's death he rented the prop- erty for one year. In 1869, in company with his brother George, he purchased his present farm, then consisting of one hundred and forty acres, and this relationship was continued until 1884, when the property was divided, the brother securing as his share the town property, while our subject became the owner of the farm. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has added to the original purchase until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of as fine land as can be found in Seneca county. He is one of the progressive and skilled agriculturists of the locality, and his undaunted enterprise and resolute purpose have been the means of raisuig him from a position of comparative obscurity to one of affluence in the business world.

In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brendle and Miss Anna Baughman, a native daughter of this locality, where her father, Casper Baughman, located in an early day. Six children have blessed this union, namely : William and Jacob, who are attending school ; Emma and Ella, at home ; and two deceased, Chai'les and Catherine.

In political matters Mr. Brendle votes with the Democracy, but he is liberal in his views and his support is withheld from no movement or measure which in his best judgment is intended for the public good. He is a worthy member of the German Reformed church, in which he has long served as an elder and for a number of years he has also held the position of deacon therein. No one in the community enjoys a better - reputation for integrity of word and deed, and when a man stands high in the estimation of the people who have known him during nearly his entire lifetime no greater testimonial of his w^orth can be given.

Frank J. Frederick

Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble and lowly beginnings to places of leadership, and of this class Frank J. Frederick is a prominent representative. A native son: of the Buckeye state, his birth here occurred in Tiffin, on the 21st of October, 1864. His parents, John and Rosella (Kuepper) Frederick, were bom in Luxemburg, Germany, and in 1849 they came with their parents to the United States. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Margaret Frederick, and the former was a stone-mason by trade. They took up their abode in Tiffin. The maternal grandfather was stricken with cholera during the voyage, and for a time was quarantined on Bedloe's Island, where he soon afterward died. His wife brought her family to Seneca county, locating on a farm near New Riegel. John Frederick, the father of our subject, learned the carpenter's trade, and since his marriage, which occurred in 1863, he has continued to work at his trade in Tiffin. He gives his political support to the Democracy, and the family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. Of the twelve children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick only three now survive: Frank J., of this review; Charles, a resident of Tiffin; and Mary, at home.

Frank J. Frederick grew to years of maturity under the parental roof, and the comlmon schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. At the age of fourteen years he began work in the agricultural works in Tiffin, where he was employed as a machinist for the following four years, while for a similar period he worked as a millwright. He was next employed as a pattern-maker in the Tiffin National Machine Company's works in Tiffin, resigning his position therein after a four years' service to work at the carpenter's trade. He had never before worked at the trade, but he hired as an experienced workman. Howe\'er, he was a close observer, and in the course of three years was recognized as one of the most expert workmen in the city of Tiffin. After four years he engaged in contracting and building, and during the succeeding five years he erected many houses in Tiffin, many of which were built for parties who paid for them on the installment plan. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Frederick purchased a residence property in that city, for which he paid one hundred dollars down and assumed an indebtedness of nine hundred dollars, but in three years' time, by careful and judicious management and indefatigable industry, he was enabled to pay the entire amount. He also purchased a lot and erected another residence, for which he was obliged to go in debt to the amount of about seventeen hundred dollars, but eighteen months later he sold that property and in 1893 bought another residence, for which he again assumed an indebtedness for seventeen hundred dollars. About six months afterward he purchased a half interest in a sawmill at St. Stephen's, but after continuing therein for six years he sold his interest to his partner, Peter Foos. In 1898 he purchased his present general store and residence property at St. Stephen's, and in the mercantile line he is meeting with a high and well-merited degree of success.

In 1890 Mr. Frederick was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Foos, a sister of Peter Foos, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Five children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely: Clarence W., Bertha R., Irvin A., Hilda L. (who died in infancy) and Leland B.

Mr. Frederick is identified with the Democratic party, but he is liberal in his views and supports the men whom he regards as best qualified to fill positions of trust. The family are members of St. Stephen's Catholic church.

Julius Unser

One of the practical, progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Seneca county is Julius Unser, who owns a beautiful and- highly cultivated farm in Hopewell township. He was born ini this locality on the 17th of December, 1863, a son of Joseph and Johanna (O'Brien) Unser. The father was a native of Germany, but on the 14th of March, 1825, when he was a babe, the family left their little German home across the sea and came to America, locating in Loudon township, Seneca county, where they were among the early pioneers. The grandfather was a stonemason by trade, and in addition to following that vocation he also fanned an; eighty-acre tract of land which he had entered from the government On this place the son Joseph grew to years of maturity, and after his father's death he assumed the entire responsibility of the place, thus continuing until 1876, when he removed to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased the year previously. There he continued to make his home until 1892, when he took up his residence in Tiffin, and there his death occurred on the 17th of March, 1893. He became very successful in his farming operations, and in 1885 he was enabled to purchase an additional one hundred and twenty acres, where his son Daniel now resides. His widow also owns eighty acres adjoining the home place. Mr. Unser gave his political support to the Democracy and religiously was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, three of whom still survive, namely: Julius, the subject of this review; Daniel, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township; and Mary, the wife of John Smith, also of this township. One named Cecelia, died at eleven years of age, and a second was given the same name, and died at the age of twenty-seven years, on March 17, 1898, while still an inmate of her parental home. Loretta died in childhood, and Catherine married Andrew Shingler and died when twenty-seven years of age.

Julius Unset assisted his father in the work of the home place until 1889, when he assumed its entire responsibilities, and from that time until the present he has had entire charge of this valuable tract. Since attaining to mature years his business ability has been constantly manifested, showing unlimited possibilities, and as the result of undaunted enterprise, perse\'erance and resolute purpose he has risen to a commanding position in the business circles of Seneca county. He gives' his political support to the Democracy, and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, state or nation he takes an active interest.

Mr. Unser was first married in 1890, when Miss Matilda Phillips became his wife. She was a native of Seneca county and a daughter of John Phillips, a prominent farmer of St. Stephen's, this county. One child, Idella, came to bless and brighten their home. In 1895 the devoted wife and mother passed to her final rest, and two years later Mr. Unser wedded Miss Catherine Kauffman, also a native of Seneca county, and they have one child, Richard. The family are members of St. Mary's

Catholic church, and are held in the highest regard by their innumerable friends. The Unser place is one of the attractive^ farms of the county, the house being one of the large two-story brick structures for which this section is noted.

Daniel L. Crum

One of the progressive, practical and enterprising farmers of Seneca county is Daniel L. Crum, who resides in Hopewell towTiship, where he owns and cultivates a rich tract of land. He is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Dauphin county, on the i8th of August, 1844, and his parents being Frederick and Susanna S. (Reeme) Crum. U;)ori the home farm he was reared and in the common schools he obtained bis education. His early work in the fields well fitted him for carrying on farming on his own account when he entered upon an independent busicareer.

In February, 1867, Mr. Crum was married to Miss Anna C. Kepple, a daughter of George Kepple, who was one of the pioneers of Seneca county and is now deceased. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm of one hundred and thirty-four and a half ocres in Clinton township, three miles north of Tiffin, which his father had purchased the year previous. There our subject engaged in the tilling of the soil for four years and then removed to the farm upon which he is now^ living, although his residence here has not been continuous since that time. This "farm was also owTied by his father, and Mr. Crum of this review leased it for seven years, at the end of which time he had accumulated capital sufficient to purchase it and since then he has been its owner. In 1889 his father persuaded him to rent his farm and removed to Clinton township in order to look after the farm owned by Mr. Crum, Sr., and through the succeeding eight years our subject rented and operated his father's place, returning to his own farm on the expiration of that period. Here he owns ninety-two and a half acres, and in addition his wife owns seventy acres one mile north of the home farm, all of which Mr. Crum

The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are yet living : Viola L., the wife of Colonel Cleggitt, of Pleasant township, Seneca county ; Naomi G., at home ; Alice McCleta, the wife of A. L .Lightner, of Tiffin ; Ella E., who is with her parents ; Edward D., an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Arlington L. and Irvin R. who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Crum and his family are well known in the community and their home is a very hospitable one. He has never been an aspirant for political office, *but has firm faith in the Republican party and its principles and always supports it with his ballot. He is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the county and is an esteemed citizen, worthy of high regard.

William H. King

The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of time. Those who have fought and suffered for the country in which their lot is cast are especially deserving of an honored place in its annals, and their posterity will turn w'ith just pride to these records of the founders and preservers of a prosperous, united nation.

Born in Sandusky county, Ohio, October 31, 1837, Mr. King is a son of Samuel R. and Mary (Stewart) King. The father, who was a native of Maryland, and married there, located in W}^ndot county, Ohio, and began farm life there on rented land. After remaining in that locality for a time he removed to Sandusky county, where he purchased a farm, but in 1850 he disposed of that property and came to Seneca county, taking up his abode in Hopewell township, and there he spent the remainder of his life, i>assing away about 1858. In early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, but after the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks and was ever afterward a stanch supporter of its principles. Of the six children born unto Samuel R. and Mary (Stewart) King only three are now living: Davenport S., a prominent farmer of Hopewell township; Henrietta, the widow of Henry S. Ruse and a resident of Lorain, Ohio; and William H., the subject of this review. Savilla Jane married George Mundwiler and died about one year later ; Martha married George Ruse and died about the same length of time thereafter; and Daniel R., the youngest of the family, was a teacher for eight years in Seneca county, and was later in the hardware trade at Sycamore, Ohio, where he died at about twenty-eight years of age.

William H. remained under the parental roof until his sixteenth year, during which time he pursued his education in the village schools n^r his home. At that early age he began life on his own account as a fanner boy, working out for others by day and month, thus continuing until the inauguration of the civil war, when, in 1864, he loyally offered his services to the Union cause, entering Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three months at Arlington Heights, Virginia. After his return home Mr. King again took up the quiet duties of the farm, pursuing agriculture for two years on land belonging to his mother-in-law, and on the expiration of that period, in 1867, he became the owner of his present home farm of seventy acres, where he has ever since continued to make his home. He had an indebtedness of over two thousand dollars, whicTi was cleared off at the same time he was making improvements, having a comfortable house and convenient barn. He has laid several hundred rodis of drainage tile, and the fields are now in a first-class productive condition. He is an enterprising and prosperous farmer, and his efforts in the line of his chosen calling have brought to him a high and well merited degree of success.

In the year 1859 Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Ruse, who was born in Hopewell township, a daughter of Solomon Ruse^ one of the early pioneers of this locality. Three children w-ere bom of this union : Ida, the wife of William F. Martin, of Hopewell township; Silas and John H., both of Hopewell township. This loving wife and mother has been called to the home beyond, and for his second wife the father chose Miss Madora Freeze, a daughter of Barney Freeze, who was also among the very early settlers of Seneca county. This marriage has been blessed with eight children, namely: James, at home; Lillian, the wife of Charles Creeger, of Hopewell township; Susan, the wife of Ross Creeger, also of this township; and Russell, Lulu, Ray, Harrison and Carl, at home. Mr. King's political support is given to the Prohibition party. He is a member of Hopewell Bethel Church of God, and its interests have been greatly promoted through his zealous and earnest work. His many admirable qualities of heart and mind have gained for him a large circle of friends, and he is widely and favorably known in Seneca county.

Samuel Wannamaker

The name of Wannamaker has been an honored and respected one in Seneca county, Ohio, since 1849, when the present family of the name was established here by Isaac Wannamaker, who was the father of Samuel Wannamaker, a highly respected citizen of Seneca county.

Samuel Wannamaker, who is the subject of this sketch, was born December 16, 1836, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and he was a son of Isaac and Catherine (Billig) Wannamaker, both of whom were natives of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Isaac Wannamaker and family moved to the former county in 1834, and there followed a farming life until 1849; then he removed to Seneca county and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Seneca township. He acquired more land, became prosperous and prominent in his locality and at the time of his decease owned an aggregate of two hundred and eighty-seven acres. Mr. Wannamaker was one of the leading members of the Lutheran church, where now his widow, who lives with Samuel, is one of the "mothers in Israel," having reached her ninetieth year, the record of her life being one of kind, good deeds.

survivors of the family being as follows: Caroline, Samuel, Joel and Sylvester, all of Seneca township. The names of those w^ho have passed away were Edwin, Daniel, Elias, Henry, Jacob, Mary A. and Isaac.

Samuel Wannamaker was thirteen years of age when the family came to Seneca county, a happy, healthy schoolboy, useful on the farm even at that early age, the "chores'' being usually apportioned to him. -After locating here he re-entered school and acquired a good commonschool education, which has been supplemented in later years with reading and association with public men and office through the county. He continued to make his home with his parents until he was thirty-five years of age, for fifteen years following the threshing business. His tastes and talents, however, were not all in the direction of an agricultural life, and Mr. Wannamaker entered a carpenter shop in order to thoroughly learn this trade, becoming in the course of time a most skillful workman. Although the demands of his business take him away from home quite frequently, he has always made Seneca township his place of residence, and there enjoys the respect, esteem and confidence of his fellow^ citizens.

To this esteem his friends have testified by calling upon Mr. Wannamaker to fill positions of responsibility in the township, notably in the office of township treasurer, which he has efficiently filled for the past nine years. On the school board he has been a man of excellent judgment, and while school director the educational affairs of his district have been carefully considered. He has taken a deep interest in political matters in this township, and is justly considered one of the leading members of the Democratic party, with which he has been identified since his young manhood.

Mr. Wannamaker was reared in the tenets of the Lutheran church and he has been an interested and active member for a number of years, serving as trustee of the church in Tiffin, where he has been one of the elders during a long period. Mr. Wannamaker is a man of parts, well read on a number of subjects and one w^ho has testified in many ways to the interest he feels as a public-spirited citizen. In private life he is a man of exemplary character and has always been devotedly attached to his aged mother, who still experiences his tender care.- He was married in 1 87 1 to Amanda Huntsberger, who died in less tlian one year there-^ after. His sister Caroline has continued at home and has charge of the household, being devoted to her aged mother.

Michael Walter

For many years Michael Walter occupied a very conspicuous plac^ among the agriculturists of Seneca county. His career was that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well-roundedcharacter also enabled him to take an active interest in education and social and moral affairs, and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the nation. In all life's relations he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the memory of his upright life is an inspiration to the many friends who knew him well and were familiar with his virtues.

A native son of the Buckeye state, Mr. Walter was born in Big Springs, Seneca county, April 12, 1845. His parents were Michael and Margaret E. (Witrick) Walter, and they had ten children, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of George Hetzel, of Wyandot county,. Ohio; Martin, of WajTie county, Ohio; George, a prominent farmer oi Hopewell township; Michael, of this review; Henry, of Williams county; Mary, the wife of George Brendle, of Tiffin; John, who makes his home in Liberty township, Seneca county ; Joseph, also of Williams county; Sarah, the wife of Martin Weigel, of Seneca township; and William, a resident of Liberty township. Michael was the first of this family to pass to the* home beyond, and the youngest child has now reached the age of forty years.

Michael Walter, of this review, grew to years of maturity on his parents' homestead farm, receiving his elementary education in the common schools of the neighborhood, but being a broad reader he greatly added to his knowledge in later life and became a well informed man. In 1870 he went to Wayne county, Ohio, spending several months in that locality, and following this he was employed for two years in the lum- ber regions of Michigan. Returning to his boyhood home, he once more took up his abde on the home farm with his father, and after his marriage he farmed the place for one year, removing thence to Liberty township, where for the following two years he was engaged in the sawmill business. On the expiration of that period he again returned to the old homestead, his parents having both died in the meantime, and for three years thereafter.he farmed the place in the interest of the other heirs. In 1877 he became the sole owner of the farm, w^hich consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, and there he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death. He took a leading and active interest in the public affairs of his locality, and his political support was given to the Democracy.

In 1870 Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Brendle, the history of whose father will be found on another page of this volume. Eight children were bom unto this union, only five of whom are now living, namely : Jesse William, a prominent farmer of this county ; Frank S., who is engaged in the operation of a threshing machine; and Charles L., Orlando H. and James E., at home. During the last sixteen years of his life Mr. Walter was a cripple, having been injured by being thrown from and run -over by a binder. He closed his eyes in death on the 3d of October, 1901, passing away in the faith of the German Reformed church, of which his family also are members. A prominent representative of industrial interests, a popular factor in social life, a faithful friend, a kind husband and father and a consistent Christian, he leaves behind him an untarnished record. His widows who supplied the principal facts in the above article, also passed to the great beyond on the 20th of January, 1902.

James Albert Norton

Probably no person ever born in Seneca county has had a wider reputation or a more extended acquaintance than James A. Norton, who was born on the nth day of November, 1843, ^^ ^^^ village of Bettsville, this county.

Centennial Biographical History, 423

His parents were among the pioneer settlers of the county and did much in giving an impetus to the advance and growth of the progressive features which have so distinctively marked the history of this section of the state. His father, Dr. Rufus Norton, bom in Utica, New York, w^as a son of Isaiah Norton, who was a native of the north of England, a descendant of a long line of ancestors, the representatives of which still remain prominent in English municipal affairs. The family was a branch of the Scottish McNaughton clan, well known in Scotch history of the time of the "Dark Douglas." His mother, Clarissa Waters, was of French-English descent, and possessed the vivacity and determination characterizing the union of the Anglo-Saxon and Latin races.

Born of such an ancestry and endowed by nature w ith more than a liberal share of intellectual power, personal attraction, magnetism, eloquence and courage, it is no wonder that James A. Norton should rise to the position and success he has achieved. * The youngest of a family of five, four sons and one daughter, his boyhood days were passed in his native village, where he attended school, and accompanied his father in the long drives consequent upon a large medical practice, in w^hich he became deeply interested in the profession he afterward followed. His studies were continued later in the public schools at Tiffin, and were marked by the close application and thoroughness which he has shown in every undertaking engaged in since then.

Bred and nurtured in the Democratic faith, inspired with an ardent love for his country, moved by patriotic impulses, young Norton was an enthusiastic advocate for the maintenance of the Union, and found the restraint of school especially irksome, when the civil war came; and the news of battles fought, victories won or lost, made his heart beat with ambition and his pulse tingle with excitement until he could no longer endure inaction, so on the i6th of August, 1862, he bade adieu to home and friends, went to Monroeville and enlisted, when only eighteen years of age, in Company K, of the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in as a sergeant. He soon had occasion to begin actual service, for in September he went with his regiment to Covington, Kentucky, to repel a threatened invasion of the rebels under General

Kirby Smith, but was soon afterward ordered to Louisville, where the regiment became part of General Buell's army. On the 8th of October he first faced the enemy in battle array and thrilled with "The stern joy which warriors feel In foemen worthy of their steel,'* when, at Perryville, a stubborn fight with the Confederates was had- This was quickly followed by a skirmish at Lancaster, then, on December 30th, the year was closed by the memorable battle of Stone River, The young soldier bore himself well in all these scenes of carnage, and won the admiration of his comrades by his conduct, and often to this day he is greeted by survivors of that fight by their recalling incidents of Stone River. In this battle the One Hundred and First Regiment took a most prominent part, and suffered greater loss than any other regiment engaged in the fight. Nearly all its officers were killed, the gallant Colonel Leander Stem being among the number. The remnant of the regiment passed the winter in scout duty around Murfreesboro until it was ordered to take part in the Tullahoma campaign, and later to move against Chattanooga. It was in this latter campaign, at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20th, during the second day's fight, while supporting the Hotchkiss battery, that Sergeant Norton was wounded, his ribs on the left side being broken, and his left lung injured, from which he has never fully recovered. He was left lying on the field of battle until found in an unconscious condition by his brother, Cyrus G. Norton, who was also a member of his company. He was taken to Chattanooga and placed in the old dye house used as a hospital, from which place he was removed to Stevenson, Alabama, and then to Hospital No. 8, at Nashville, Tennessee. Here he was granted a furlough, and returned to his home on a visit. Rejoining his regiment at Nashville, he was ordered by the brigade commander to report before an examining board for promotion to the regular army, under general orders requiring the selection of the most capable men to officer new troops. After a severe examination he was passed and received his commission as lieutenant, signed by President Lincoln, and was assigned to the One Hundred and Twentythird United States (Colored) Infantry, with orders to report to General

John M. Palmer, who sent him to Louisville, Kentucky, to drill the colored troops. This detail was not regarded with favor by many of the officers, who declined such assignment, but Lieutenant Norton, believing it a soldier's duty to obey orders, hastened to his post and at once began to carry out his orders. After the dark-skinned soldiers had acquired considerable proficiency in military tactics and were under good discipline he was made adjutant and detailed with a body of troops to go to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to locate and care for a quantity of ordnance, remaining at this place until October 16, 1865, when he was mustered out by an error. Orders had been sent to muster out the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment, but in copying the order at division headquarters it was made to read "One Hundred and Twenty-third,'' and thus, inadvertently, his connection with the army ceased.

In the meantime Lieutenant Norton had married. While at home on his furlough, on the 19th day of July, 1865, he went to Fostoria, the home of his bride, and there wedded Miss Adeline Hemming, then in her twentieth year of age, who accompanied him back to Louisville and remained with him until he was mustered out. Miss Hemming was the daughter of Thomas Hemming, who was one of the early settlers of thecounty, and who was the oldest educator, in point of service, in northwestern Ohio, having been engaged in teaching for over fifty years. He was also county surveyor for a number of years, and as such made the survey of Seneca county.

Returning to civil life, Mr. Norton took up the study of medicine* in his father's office and soon became a valued assistant. His close appHtation was, however, too great a strain upon his health, and in 1869 he* went to Hampton, Iowa, and entered upon a separate practice of his'- chosen profession. Deriving great benefit from the invigorating climate,, his health became restored, and he soon had a large practice, constantly increasing, until in 187 1, his father being accidentally killed, he returned to his native village and for eight years was the leading physician of that part of the country.

solidity of Democratic principles. In those stirring times of political action he could not refrain from taking more than a passing interest in the events of the day, and when he entered into tlic field of political conflict his keen sagacity, sound judgment and enthusiastic devotion to party principles soon placed him at the forefront as a leader. Recognizing his ability and fitness, his party in Seneca county in 1873 placed him in nomination as their representative to the general assembly of the state, to Avhich office he was elected by a large majority. Here his qualifications were quickly recognized, and he became one of the leaders, and his fund of information, his readiness in debate, his fluency of speech and his eloquence gave him prominence. He was placed on important committees, and was elected spyeaker pro tem. of the house. His course while in the legislature gave him a high standing in the councils of his party in the state, where he was recognized as one of its foremost advisers. During his attendance at the general assembly he devoted his evenings and spare moments to the study of law, in the office of Hon. George L. Converse, at Columbus, and in 1879 was admitted to the bar. It was largely due to Mr. Norton's efforts that the law w^as passed requiring all public officers to execute all pension papers free.