Seneca Township (part 23 of 60)

Ezra Cromer was lx)rn in Maryland, q^^perman origin, and married, in Liberty township, Seneca county, Sarah Craun, a sister to Abbie Craun, the first wife of Jacob Zeis. His home adjoined the Zeis fanii at Cromer station, which was located on his farm and named in his honor. He died there at sixty-eight years of age. His widow now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Zeis, aged eighty-six, well preserved. Mr. Cromer and wife were active in the Methodist Protestant church, in w^hich he was a class-leader, and his life very much devoted to the growth and advancement of the church and of the moral upbuilding of the communitv.

During' the pioneer epoch in the history of Seneca county the De- Wald family was founded within its borders by John and Elizabeth (Reisick) DeWald, who, leaving their little German home across the sea, took up their abode in Hopewell township, Seneca county, Ohio, in 1833. The mtembers of the family took an active and prominent part in the development of this section of the state, aided in transforming its wild lands into rich farms and in other ways promoted the progress and advancement which made a once wild r^ion the home of a contented, prosperous people. On first arriving in the county John DeWald took tip his abode north of Bascom, but owing to the swampy condition of the land he remained there but a short time and then located one mile south of that city, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing to his final rest in 1850. On one occasion during the early pioneer days he and his wife were returning to their wilderness home from a journey to Tiffin, when the wife suddenly called her husband's attention to what she called a "large black dog/' After a glanoe the husband immediately handed the reins to his companion, and, grasping a small hickory stick which he had cut for a cane, sprang from the wagon in pursuit of the animal. The latter proved to be a large black bear, which, rearing on its hind feet, prepared for battle; but Mr. DeWald by rapid and repeated blows killed the animal after a fierce struggle! Unto Mr. and Mrs. DeWald were bom ten children, three of whom still survive: Maria, the wife of Jacob Starber, of Tiffin ; Peter, a prosperous armier of Loudon township, Seneca county; and Philip, the subject of this review.

The latter was but two years of age when he was brought by his parents from Bavaria, Germany, where he was born in 1831, to the United States, the family locating in Hopewell township, Seneca county. Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and after his father's death his time was occupied in looking after the homestead farm. After his marriage he continued to make his home on the old place until about 1881, when he purchased eighty-two acres of the farm which he now owns, fn Loudon township. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has been enabled to add to his boundaries a tract of forty acres just across the road in Hopewell township. From his early youth he has been obliged to make his own way in the world, and all that he now owns stands as a monument to his untiring energj' and his excellent business ability. He can recall vividly to mind the time when Tiffin was no larger than the village of Bascom at the present day, when the now rich and populous county of Seneca was a vast wilderness and when wild animals roamed at will. In the wonderful transformation which has since taken place he has nobly borne his part, and he is now numbered among the honored pioneers of this portion of the Buckeye state.

Mr. DeWald was united in marriage to Miss Mary Merganthaler, a native of Loudon township, and they have six children, - ^John, Anna, Henry, Ellen, Cora and William. The daughter Cora is the wife of Vernon Slosser, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township. Mr. De- Wald gives his political support to the E>emocracy and is a member of the German Reformed church.

George W. Rosier

One of the well-known and substantial citizens of Seneca county, Ohio, is George W. Rosier, who is now retired from agricultural activity, but who owns some of the most valuable farming land in Seneca township.

The birth of Mr. Rosier took place in Baltimore county, Maryland. April 3, 1841, and he was a son of Abijah and Dorcas Rosier, farming people of that county. His earliest recollections are connected with rural life and agricultural activity, and the life of the farmer has been the one of his choice ever since. He was sent to the common schools of his locality and acquired a fair knowledge of the elementary branches but he early found it a necessity to begin an independent career for himself. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Rosier became an inmate of his uncle's home, and remained on the latter's farm until 1861. At that time public feeling was at fever heat, and with other young men of his locality Mr. Rosier became a member of a company of home guards, the branch of the service being known as Pennell's Legion, and it was composed of various regiments of cavalry, infantry and artillery. This company of which onr subject was a member, continued in the service for a period of thirteen months, being occupied mainly in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, at points in Maryland, and also in West Virginia.

After the close of his army service, in the winter of 1862, Mr. Rosier went north with the object in view of obtaining a satisfactory situation on some farm, and before spring opened he had secured an excellent position on a farm in Wood county, near Fostoria. Here his industry and knowledge of farming made him a valued assistant, and he remained on this place for one and one-half years. Desiring to see more of the farming section, he then went to Seneca county and worked on a farm in Tliompson township for two years, later coming into Seneca township, where he worked for a time for others, but, noting the richness of the soil and the excellent advantages of location enjoyed in this township, he later purchased forty acres. Here Mr. Rosier carried on farming successfully, gradually accumulating means and experience, and here he made his home until 1890. At that time he moved to the farm which he now occupies, which is an estate comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres, one hundred and forty of which he has under a fine state of cultivation. He has engaged in a general line of farming, and has been one of the excellent stock-raisers of this section of the county, his methods of carrying on all agricultural operations having a thoroughness about them which has resulted in a prosperous condition. In 1901 Mr. Rosier retired from active labor, turning the great farm over to his son and his son-in-law, who are capable and efficient farmers. This farm is well improved^ three comfortable residences and two commodious barns being among the substantial improvements.

The first marriage of Mr. Rosier was to Miss Amelia Fought, who died in less than two years thereafter. His second marriage was November 27, 1867, to Miss Caroline Yambert, who was a daughter of Rev. Aaron Yambert, a well-known and most highly esteemed clergj-man of the Evangelical Association. Four children were born to this marriage, viz. : Laura, who is the wife of A. P. Gremlich ; Annie, deceased, who was the wife of I. B. Crumrine; Ida, who is the wife of Ira Montrose; and Frank H., who operates the home farm.

Mr. Rosier has always been a member of the Democratic party. Both he and wife belong to the Evangelical Association, in which they are highly valued. Although Mr. Rosier is now one of the solid, substantial men of his township, he is entirely self-made, having had scarcely any assistance in establishing himself. Early in his career he realized that the foundation stones of success were industry, honesty and perseverance, and all through life he has possessed the requisites, the result being that he is able to spend the evening of his days in comfort, enjoying the knowlec^e that he has won the confidence and esteem of friends and nci^bors.

George E. Smith

Among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Tiffin, Ohio,, is George E. Smith, who has resided in this city since 1894, and is now filling the rei^xmsible position of private secretary to Congressman James A. Norton, a position for which the practical knowledge, the college education and the versatile gifts he possesses, particularly fit him.

The native state of Mr. Smith was Michigan, where he was bom oii* September 6, 1854, in Kalamazoo county. His parents were Rev. M. I. and Mary (Edwards) Smith, the former of whom was born in Connecticut but reared in Auburn, New York, where he remained until his marriage, going then to Michigan, where he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of twenty-five years. During the civil war he entered tlie Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served as chaplain of that regiment. He was a man of parts and learning, always ready to promote by tongue and pen the cause of education^ and his sixty years of life showed fruits of piety and usefulness. He was a nephew of Lieutenant Governor Ingersoll, of Connecticut.

The mother of our subject, Mary (Edwards) Smith, was bom, reared and educated near Syracuse, New York, and survived her husband for some years, dying January 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church, a devoted wife and

George E. Smith passed his early life with his parents and in his youthful days attended the schools in the locality in which his father was stationed as a clergyman of the Methodist church. Later he pursued a higher education in the colleges both at Albion and at Lansing, Michigan, preparing then to take up the study of law. His reading was with the well known Judge Buck, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in 1875, Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar. For about ten years he practiced law in that city, but an accident which happened to him, in 1884, bringing on peritonitis, made it necessary for himr to lay aside business care for several years. A sojourn in Florida enabled him to regain a measure of health, but when he returned to active life he decided to entirely change his business, and accepted the m.anagement, in 1886, of a large factory, in Sandusky, Ohio.

In 1889, when Mr. Norton was appointed commissioner of railways and telegraphs, by Governor Campbell, he made Mr. Smith his chief clerk, and in this office he served for several years, finally resigning during the administration of Governor McKinley. Mr. Smith then became the traveling representative of the Safety Lighting & Heating G>mpany, through western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, making contracts with the railroads in the interests of this company, which is a New York corporation.

In 1894 Mr. Smith came to Tiffin and became associated with the Tiffin Bent Woodi & Lumber Company, continuing with that concern until he accepted his present congenial position with Hon. James Norton. As secretary to this statesman he is brought into touch with public affairs and he is known as a very judicious, diplomatic and most efficient crfficial. Mr. Smith has been actively identified with the Democratic party ever since his youthful days, and has been prominent in all local conventions, including those of city, county and state, ever since he has been a resident of Ohio. His ability as a worker is highly rated. He has shown his interest in educational matters by giving his time as a member of the

Centennial Biographical History. 47 S.

Mr. Smith was married, in 1880, to Miss Susan Booth, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Reared in the Methodist church, under the loving care of worthy Methodist parents, Mr. Smith early imbibed the principles of that religious body, and they have ever been an influence in his life. He has served the church in many capacities, has been a delegate many times and represented his church in the annual conferences of that denomination. His literary work has excited considerable favorable comment. In 1893 ^^ published a book of poems which ranks high in literary merit, and is now engaged on a historical work, intended to cover a recent epoch in the nation's history. He has a ready pen, but much of his work in the newspapers, although of great value, is not traced directly to him.

John Martin

In the best development of Seneca county John Martin bore an important part. He was identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state from pioneer days, and while promoting the material welfare of the community also gave an active and liberal support to those measures which tended to advance its intellectual and moral status. His life was filled with good deeds and kindly thoughts, and all who knew him entertained' for him the highest regard, by reason of his upright, honorable life. Over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicioni of evil, and his example is well worthy of emulation by his many friends.

Mr. Martin was bom on the farm on which his widow now resides, in August, 1845, ^^^ o^'y ^^^^^ ^ Michael and Mary (Shafferly) Martin. The father was a native of the Emerald Isle, and in the land of his birth he spent the first thirty-eight years of his life, coming thence to the United States. Some time later, in the '30s, he made his way to Ohio, where he secured employment on the Maumee canal, but while thus en-^ gaged he had the misfortune to break his leg, which rendered him a cripple for life. He then entered a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the birthplace of our subject, and he and Michael Martin, David Lahey and John Whalen were the first to locate in this section of the state.^ There Mr. Martin lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, and his wife reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years. She was a native of the fatherland, and when about forty years of age came with her parents to America. Her people were in very limited circumstances, and she was therefore obliged to earn her own livelihood. Mr. Martin was a memt)er of St. Patrick's Catholic church, and a few years before her death his wife also united with that faith.

John Martin, the immediate subject of this review, was early taught the value of industry, and when a youth the ard*uous task of dearing new land and placing it under cultivation fell to his lot, for his father was a cripple and unable to perform hard labor. For about twelve years, in addition to his work on the farm, he also sold fruit trees through this section, and thus he became well known to many of the residents of the county. His life furnishes a striking example of the boys who secure their own start in life, - determined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for advantages which many others secure through inheritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in the face of all opposition and to push to the front in one important branch of enterprise or another. As a man his business ability was constantly manifest, showing unlimited possibilities, nothing too great to grasp and master, and he arose to a foremost position among the business men of Seneca county.

The marriage of Mr. Mlartin was celebrated in January, 1866, when Miss Otilla Huth became his wife. She was bom in Hopewell township, Seneca county, a daughter of Nicholas and Eva (Swing) Huth, both natives of Germany. The mother was brought to America when a child, but the father remained in his native country until about forty years of age, when he, too, crossed the ocean to the new world, settling in Hopewell township, two miles south of Bascom. Twelve children blessed the union of our subject and wife, but only eleven are now living, namely : Mary E., the widow of Henry Eschenbrenner and a resident of Tiffin; Mathilda, the wife of Charley Kimmet, of Liberty township; Margaret E., the wife of Nicholas Brickner, of Jackson township ; Ellen L., the wife of J. H. Seewald, of Toledo, Ohio; Sarah, Alice and Isa- -belle, at home; Susan, of Norwalk, Ohio; Mary J., the wife of Joseph Kimmet, of Liberty township; and John E. and Michael S., at homje.

Mr. Martin gave his political support to the Democracy, and the family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. He was a man of firm convictions, honest purpose, kindly nature and upright life, and the world is better for his having lived. He departed from the scenes of earth's activities June ii, 1897, but his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.

Levi Boyd

Within the confines of Seneca county will be found many successful and honored business men who are of the second generation of their families to have become prominently identified with the industrial activities of this favored section of the Buckeye commonwealth, and such is true in the case of Levi Boyd, who is a native son of the county and who has here passed his entire life, being now numbered among the influential and prosperous farmers of Jackson township and a citizen who commands the confidence and esteem of the community where he has lived 'and labored to goodly ends.

Mr. Boyd was born on the homestead farm in Jackson township, on the I2th of November, 1846, being one of the ten children of William and Eliza (Dick) Boyd, and one of the five sons who still survive, namely: Sarah E., the wife of David Wirick, of Jerry City, Wood county; Eli W., of Jackson township, Seneca county; and Edwin D., Ellis, and our subject, also residents of this township. William Boyd was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, alx>ut the year 18 16, and as a young man he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Seneca county, where for a number of years he devoted his attention to making shingles, crossties, etc., all the work being accomplished by hand. Later he jmrchased forty acres of heavily timbered land in Jackson township, reclaiming the same to cultivation and eventually adding to his possessions until he had a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres, the greater portion of .which was cleared under his personal direction. Here he continued to maintain his home until his death, in 1891, when he passed away in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His original political affiliations were with the Whig party, but he joined the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever continued to give it his support He was a devoted and active member of the Reformed church, as is also his wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, about 1822, and who still maintains her home on the old farm.

Levi Boyd early became inured to the various duties of the fann, and his educational privileges were such as were afforded in the public schools of the locality. Upon attaining his legal majority he assumed charge of the homestead, which he worked on shares, and thus continued until one year after his marriage, in 1868, when he removed to his present fine farm, which was then the property of his father-in-law. After operating the place for two years he purchased forty acres adjoining it on the south, and there maintained his abode until 1890, when he purchased eighty-four acres of his father-in-law, simultaneously removing to the same and also purchasing forty acres lying contiguous on the east. In recent years he has made some changes, and his farm now comprises one hundred and twenty-six acres, well improved and under most effective cultivation. He has given his attention to diversified farming and has been very successful in his operations. In politics Mr. Boyd has given an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, and he served six years as trustee of his native township, where he is held in the highest regard by all who know him. He is a member of the Canaan United Brethren church and is serving on its board of trustees, being treasurer of the same and also holding the office of steward in the church, in w^hose

August 19, 1868, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Melissa J. Long, who was born on the farm which is now his home; the daughter of Benjamin L. Long, one of the representative pioneers of this township. M!rs. Boyd was summoned into eternal rest in the year 1890, leaving three children, - Elsie R., now the wife of Charles Nichols, of this township; Benjamin F., who remains at the paternal home; and Margaret M.^ the wife of J. B. Stein, of Morgantown, West Virginia. February 28, 1893, Mr. Boyd was married to Mrs. Mary (Bloom) Sprout, who was likewise bom' in this county, being the daugliter of William Bloom, one of the well-known business men of Fostoria, and widow of Daniel Sprout.

Joseph Rodegeb

The family of which the subject of this memoir is a most honored representative is a pioneer one of Seneca county, and its members have borne their part nobly in the work of progress and improvement. He was bom in Bloom township, Seneca county, November 4, 1847, ^ son of Jacob and Magdalena (Neiswander) Rodegeb. The father traced his nativity to the Old Dominion, where he was born on the 31st of January^ 1795. When a young man he came to Seneca county, Ohio, where he entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Bloom township, a part of which is now owned by John Newcome, there erecting a log cabin in the forest. He was one of the early pioneers of the township, and his life's labors were ended in dfeath on the 9th of August, 1850. His wife was called to her final rest in 1877. T^^^ worthy couple became the parents of ten children, four of whom still survive, namely : Henry, a resident of Michigan; Mlagdalena, the wife of William Ringle, of Attica, Ohio; Daniel, who makes his home in the state of Washington; and Joseph, the subject of this review.

youth were extremely limited. When he was but sixteen years af age he was left in charge of the homestead, three of his brothers being in tijc Union service and the other in Michigan, and with the exception of eighteen months spent in the lumber regions of Michigan he remained on the old place until his mother's death. He then exchanged his interest in the homestead for an eighty-acre tract in Bloom township, to w^hich he remloved, and there he made his home for the following nine years. Selling that property in 1888, he then purchased his present home farm in Venice township, two miles east of Attica, which consists of one hundred and one acres of rich and productive land. He has made many improvements on his place, has placed his fields under a fine state of cultivation, and in many ways has added to its value and productiveness and attractive appearance.

In 1871 Mir. Rodegeb was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Summers, and afterward, April 5, 1894, Miss Emma Long became his wife. She is a native of Venice township, Seneca county, and a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Swartz) Long, now deceased. This union has been blessed with two children, - Lorena May and Joseph Fred. Mr. Rodegeb gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is an active worker in its ranks.

During the war five of the Rodegeb brothers served' in the army, two losing their lives as the result of the exposure. They were Jacob, who was in the Fifty-fifth Ohio and died at Fredericksburg, Virginia; and Isaac was in the Forty-ninth and died also in hospital ; Henry enlisted from Michigan in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and served three years; and Daniel and Joseph both were in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, and after a short service his mother secured Joseph's release on account of his minority.

Philip Kissaberth

In the history of the agricultural interests of Seneca county the name of Philip Kissaberth occupies a leading place, for through many years he has been one of the representative farmers of the county, pro- gressivc, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Kissaberth^ they have brought a handsome competence as the reward of his well directed eflforts.

A native of Tiffin, Ohio, he was born September 5, 1845, ^ son of George and Catherine Kissaberth. The father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where he was reared and married, and some time in the *30s, in company with three brothers and a sister, came to the United States, locating in Tiffin, where for several years he was employed in a warehouse. He then removed to a farm in Hopewell township, and later purchased the tract of fifty acres on which our subject now resides, and there he passed away in death in 1864, in his fifty-first year. By his marriage to Catherine Osman he became the father of eight children, six now living, namely: Gabriel, a resident of Fostoria; William, a prominent farmer of Putnam county, Ohio; Jacob, an agriculturist of Loudon township; Philip, the subject of this review; George, of Gilboa, Putnam county; and Sophia, the wife of George Cranter, of Bucyrus.

Philip Kissaberth, of this review, was reared from a child on the farm on which he now resides, and the educational privileges which he -enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. After his father's death he took charge of the home farm and continued to care for his aged mother until she, too, was summoned to the home beyond, at the age of eighty years, after which he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead and thus became its sole owner. He is now the po3sessor of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertle land. From his early years he has been industrious and persevering in whatever enterprise he has undertaken, and by diligence and economy has accumulated a competence for his declining years. He has been a life-long supporter of the Democracy, and has been called upon to fill many positions of honor and trust within the gift of the people of his township. He has served w^ith efficiency as supervisor of Loudon township, and was long a member of the school board, of which he was made a clerk and director.

her father, Jacob Smith, was one of the early pioneers, settling* upon a tract of wild land near the present Kissaberth house, and there Susan was born. Her parents both died there, he at eighty and her mother, whose maiden name was Susannah Deppler, at seventy-six. He came to the 'United States from Switzerland, his native land, and settled in Buffalo, and later moved to Wayne. Four children have been born unto this union, 4s follows : George, who farms his father's land, living on the old Smith homestead; Jonah, a resident of Seneca township; Rosa, the wife of Andy Frankert, of Loudon township; and Jesse, deceased. The family are members of the Zion German Reformed church at Bascom, in which Mr. Kissaberth has long served as a deacon.

John G. Droll

One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful agriculturists of Seneca county is John G. Droll. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the rrtoral, intellectual and material welfare of his locality, and for many years he has been numbered among its most valued and honored citizens.

A native son of the county, Mr. Droirs birth occurred in Seneca township, March 21, 1859, ^ son of George and Catherine (Brownstetter) Droll. The father was bom in a little German home across the sea in 1829, but in 1846 he came with his parents to America, locating in Seneca township, Seneca county, Ohio. After the death of his father he became the owner of eighty acres of land in that locality, and there he made his home until 1874, when he sold his possessions there and bought the farm on which our subject now resides. That property continued to be his home until 1892, and in that year, leaving liis son John on the place, he located on a smiall farm of eight acres near New Rigel where he has since lived in quiet retirement, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Droll was blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom still survive.

Centennial Biographical History. 48J

John G. Droll, whose name introduces this rev'iew, has spent his entire life in Seneca county, and to its public-school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth and early manhood. As a life occupation he chose that to which he had been reared, and throughout his entire business career he has been engaged in the tilling of the soil, his efforts in this direction having been crowned with a high and well-merited degree of success. His political tendencies connect him with the Democratic party, and religiously he is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church.

The marriage of M'r. Droll was celebrated on the 17th of November, 1885, when Miss Elizabeth Hug b«:ame his wife. To this union were bom six children, - ^Josephine, Charlie, George, Barbara, Leo and Sophia, - ^all at home. Death entered this happy family circle on the 1 2th of September, 1898, when the wife and mother was called to the home beyond. Her life was beautiful in its purity and Christian virtues, and her memory will long remain as a blessed benediction to her immediate family and friends.

Commodore P. Meeker

This sterling representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio is a native son of Seneca county, where he was reared to maturity upon a farm, early beginning to assume the practical responsibilities of life and lending his aid in connection with the reclamation and improvement of the old pioneer homestead. That he has lived and labored to goodly ends is clearly indicated in the position which he holds in the confidence and high regard' of his fellow men and im the success which has crowned his efforts as an exponent of the great basic art of agriculture, which has been his vocation throughout his entire business career. His fine farm is located in Jackson township, and no resident of the community commands a fuller measure of respect and esteem. This epitorrte of his life history will be read with interest by his many friends and will serve as a permanent memorial to his sterling character and worthy life.

Named in honor of the distinguished hero of the battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Perry Meeker was bom in Eden township, Seneca county, Ohio, on the 4th of September, 1833, the son of Charles and Rachel (Qark) Meeker, of whose eleven children eight survive at the present time, namely: Jacob, Angeline, Charles, Jane, Charity E., Thomas, Commodore Perry and Hannah. The father of our subject was bom in Pennsylvania, and when he was twelve years of age he accompanied his pyarents on their removal to Ohio, and they first located in Fairfield county, but later came to Seneca county, where the grandfather of our subject took up eighty acres of government land in Eden township, being one of the first settlers in that locality and there reclaiming his farm from the forest. Here he passed the residue of his life, having been successful in his operation and having acquired about three hundred acres of land. Charles Meeker was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in this county, and shortly after his marriage he began his independent operations as a farmer, eventually becoming the owner of a large landed estate and standing as one of the influential men of Eden township, where he lived to attain the patriarchal age of ninet)- two years.

Commodore P. Meeker, the immediate subject of this review, remained on the old homestead* during his youthful days, and as his services were early in requisition in connection with the farm work, his educational advantages were reduced to a minimum, but by personal application and association with practical affairs in later years he has become a man of broad general information and strong mentality. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Meeker went to Wood county, where he was employed at farm work until his marriage, at the age of twenty-one, when he located on a tract of eighty acres owned by his father in that county. There he continued to reside until 1863, when he IcKated in Eden township, Seneca county, and there remained' one year, at the expiration of which he settled on his present homestead farm, in Jackson township, where he has since maintained his home. The farm corn- prises eighty acres, and was covered with a heavy growth of timber when he located on the place. He cleared all but fifteen acres of the land and placed it under most effective cultivation, making the best of improvements as opportunity permitted and developing the place into one of the most attractive and valuable in this section. The value of the farm is greatly enhanced by the fact that there are nine productive oil wells on the same, this being a source of no inconsidferaWe revenue. Though he has ever taken a proper interest in public affairs of a local nature, Mr. Meeker has never sought office and has m|aintained an in^ dependent attitude in politics.

Mr. Meeker was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bassett, who was born in Wood county, Ohio, and of this union seven children have been born, of whom five survive, namely : Charles, a resident of Hatton,. Wood county; Nelson, who is a farmer near Rising Sun; Percy, who resides in the same locality; William, a resident of Findlay ; and Minnie,, the wife of Daniel Baker, who has charge of our subject's farm.

Martin Uchtle

Among the honored and venerable citizens of Seneca county is the subject of this review, who has here maintained' his home for a period of half a century, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he devoted his attention during the long years of an active business life. He is now retired and is enjoying that repose and rest which are due to him now that the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in the golden west. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, his more than four-score years resting lightly upon him and' being crowned with honor.

Mr. Lichtle is a native of the province of Alsace, Germany, which at the time of his birth, on the ist of November, 181 7, was still a part of France. There he was reared to years of maturity and there he learned the trade of weaver, to which he devoted his attention until 1852, when he emigrated to the United States, making the voyage on a sailing vessel, Maria Teresa, and arriving in the port of New York city forty-two days after embarking. From New York he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and for three months after his arrival he was employed in connection with the construction of the Big Four Railroad, after which he purchased thirty acres of land in Loudon township and here settled and began his career as a farmer. Success crowned his energetic and well-directed efforts and he was enabled to add to his original tract until he had accumulated a finely improved landed estate of two hundred and sixty acres. He continued in agricultural pursuits in an active way until his advanced age led him to lay aside the cares involved, and he recently sold his farm property to his sons John and Andrew and his son-in-law, Joseph Brickner, and he now makes his home with the son first mentioned. In politics he has ever given his allegiance to the Democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which he has been a communicant from his youth. At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Lichtle was united in marriage to Miss Therese Murey, who likewise was bom in Alsace, France, and who accompanied him on his removal to America. She died twenty-two years since, and his second .wife, who is still living, was M^s. Christina Roth. Of their nine children six survive, namely : Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Caser, of Indiana; Rosa, the wife of Joseph Brickner, of Loudon township; John, also of this township ; Andresv, who likewise operates a portion of the old homestead ; and Michael and Joseph, who reside in the city of Oe\^eland.

John Lichtle, son of the subject of this sketch, still resides on the old' homestead farm where he was reared, having purchased one hundred acres of the samte of his father, and he is known as one of the energetic and progressive farmers and stock-g^rowers of this section, while his course has ever been such as to retain to him- uniform respect and esteem. Like his honored father, he is Democratic in politics and a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic church. He was bom on the 3d of July, 1857. John Lichtle has been twice married, - first to Miss

Sophia Sigman, who died in August, 1897, leaving seven children, namely: Anna, Mary, Emma, Dora, Frederick, Isabel and Henry. On the 25th of January, 1899, Mr. Lichtle wedded Miss Catherine Myers, who was born in this toovnship, the daughter of Joseph Myers, and of this union one child has been born, - Florence.

Henry Rinebold

Throughout his entire life Henry Rinetx>id has been numbered amoung the residents of Jackson township, Seneca county. His birth occurred on the farm on which he now resides, on the i8th of August, 1856. His father, Jacob, was bom in Perry county, Ohio, in 182 1, but when a boy he was brought by his parents, John and Catherine (Wuninger) Rinebold, to Seneca county, the family locating in Loudon township, where the son Jacob grew to years of maturity. He was here married to Mary A. Lambright, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom still survive: Noah, Elizabeth, Henry, Ann, Mahala, Rachel and Jacob. The two who have pased away are John and Margaret. After his marriage Mir. Rinebold purchased eighty acres of school land in Jackson township, to which he afterward* added another eighty-acre tract and still later another tract of eighty acres, and in addition he also bad forty acres in Wood county. His remaining days were spent in his home in Jackson township, and his eyes were closed in death on the 4th of March, 1894. During his entire life he was a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and was a worthy and acceptable member of Zion German Lutheran church. His wife passed to her final reward on the i6th of August, 1887. In coming to Jackson township he located on the present farm, which had been leased' to another man, who had made some slight improvements, including a log house, and this was his home until erecting the present brick residence in 1861. He cleared out the greater part of one hundred and sixty acr& and his life was devoted to the cultivation of his farm.

Henry Rinebold, whose name fonrn the caption of this review^ received a commoo-school education in his youth, antf from an early age he has been identified with the work of the farm. After his marriage he assumed the management of the homestead farm, and here he has spent his entire life. After his father's death he became its owner, and the place now consists of one hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation. This farm also contains eleven oil wells, all of w^hich are excellent producers, and are yielding to their owner a handsome financial return. Although his business interests are such that they claim nearly his entire timje and attention, he is at all timea a public-spirited and progressive citizen, actively concerned in all that pertains to the welfare of his fdlow men, and his political support is given to the Democracy. He is generally found in the party conventions and has often been called upon to be a party representative in various campaigns, generally polling a handsome vote.

Mr. Rinebold was married May 27, 1877, to Miss Lodema Sheffler,. a native of Wood county, Ohio, and a daughter of Conrad and Presida (Buchtle) Sheffler. Three children have blessed this union, namdy: Ora Z., the wife of W. R. Mazey, of Delphos, Ohio; and Harvey D. and Wilbert Henry, at home. The family is one of prominence in Seneca county, and their jdeasant home is the center of a cultured society circle.

Jacob Ecker

In a recent editorial touching the Gemten element in our complex social fabric a leading Chicago daily spoke as follows : "The German is thoughtful, deliberate; the nation is fortunate in which he is numerous. His mind, profound, thorough, painstaking and' free from sudden emotion, acts as a balance wheel for its environment. Germany has supplied to the United States splendid elements of citizenship." None can doubt the truth of these statements, and in nearly every section of the United States the German- American figures as a valued and potent factor. The subject of this review is a worthy representative of this type, and his life has been one of signal usefulness and honor, while he has commanded uniform confidence and esteem by reason of his sterling character. He has passed the greater portion of his life in Seneca county, and here he has attained success through his own efforts, being numbered among the substantial farmers of Jackson township. He has depended on his own resources from his boyhood, and through his welldirected efforts and determinate purpose has achieved independence and a high degree of prosperity.

Mr. Ecker was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and in the fatherland he was reared to the age of sixteen years, having secured his educational training in the excellent schools of Bavaria. As a lad of sixteen he emigrated to America, making the trip in a sailing vessel and being on the water for seventy-six days. Shortly after his arrival he came to Seneca county, making Fostoria his destination, and for the ensuing six years he was employed on various farms in this locality. At the expiration of this period he rented land and engaged' in farming on his own responsibility, continuing operation under these conditions for twelve years, within which time he accumulated sufficient money to justify him in the purchase of his present farm, which comprises ninety acres. When he located here the improvements made were of primitive order, a log house and a log barn having been erected on the place, which now has a fine residence and other buildings of the best type, while the land has been brought under a high state of cultivation. In addition to the homestead Mr. Ecker also cultivates the farm of one hundred and sixteen acres owned by his wife, the same being also located in this township. In political matters Mr. Ecker gives a stalwart support to the Democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Reformed church, while his wife holds membership in the Lutheran church. He takes a lively interest in all that concerns the w^ell-being of the community and he served for fifteen years as school director of his district.

and Elizabeth (Rinebold) Stahl, and of this union three children have been born, namely : Amelia, the wife of John Heughberger, of Leipsic, Ohio; Ephraim, who is associated with his father in his farming operations; and Annie, the wife of Elmer Ash, of Gratiot county, Michigan.

Mrs. Ecker's parents have both died since the above sketch was written, - the mother on the 6th of March and the father on the 3d of May, 1902.

Jeremiah Pankhurst

This gentleman was one of the honored pioneers who aided in laying the foundation on which to erect the superstructure of Seneca county's present prosperity and progress. Through the period of early development he was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, and was also concerned with the broader interests which had to do with the welfare of the commonwealth.

Jeremiah Pankhurst was born in Kent county, England, on the 9th of January, 1809, and when twenty years of age he left the land of his birth for Canada, where he remained but a short time and then went ti> New York. He subsequently made his way to the Buckeye state, where for a number of years he was engaged in work on the canal. The year 1834 witnessed his arrival in Seneca county, where he entered forty acres of land in Loudon township, to which he afterward added until he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, but in 1847 he disposed of that property and purchased the one hundred and twenty acres where Mrs. Pankhurst now resides. He was very successful in his chosen line of occupation, and at one time he owned as high as seven hundred acres of land, but he afterward divided his property among his children, assisting each in turn as it came time for them to start on the journey of life on their own account, till his estate became reduced to three hundred acres at his death.

Mr. Pankhurst was married in 1836, when Miss Mary Williams became his wife, and one child, Moses, came to bless their home, but he was called upon to lay down his life on the altar of his country at the battle of Stone River, at the age of twenty-two. The loving wife and mother was also called to the home beyond, and in 1841 Mr. Pankhurst wedded Miss Lucy A. McDougle, a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Updyke) McDougle, who came to Seneca county as early as 1834. By his second marriage Mr. Pankhurst became the father of thirteen children, but only seven of the number are now living, namely : Daniel, John, Peter, Wesley, Amanda A., the wife of Robert Bingham, of Jackson township; Celinda, the wife of Joseph E. Chilcote, also of Jackson township, and Lucinda A., at home.

Mr. Pankhurst gave his political support to the Republican party, and he was honored with many of the public offices of his township. He was called from this earth on the 17th of October, 1884, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a faithful and consistent member. His was a long, active and honorable life, and his name is indelibly inscribed on the pages of Seneca county's history.

Anson A. Anderson

The first half of the nineteenth century was characterized by the immigration of that pioneer element which made the great state of Ohio what it is. These immigrants were sturdy, heroic, upright, sincere people, such as constitute the intrinsic strength of a commonwealth. It scarcely appears probable that in the future history of the world another such j>eriod can occur, or indeed any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and heroic, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. Too careful or too frequent reference cannot be made in the pages of history concerning those who have figured as the founders ancf builders of a great commonwealth, and in connection with this brief review of the personal history of Mr. Anderson it is our privilege to touch incidentally and specifically upon interesting data in regard to the sterling pioneer family of which he is a member and which has been identified with the annals of the Buckeye state since an early period in the last century. CXir subject is known as one of the influential and worthy citizens and successful agriculturists of Seneca county, where he has passed practically his entire life, since his parents here located in the year of his birth.

Anson A. Anderson is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the i8th of March, 1833, the son of John and Candacy (Chaney) Anderson, who became the parents of seven children, of whom only our subject and his sister Nancy survive, she being the wife of Joseph Hoover, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township. John Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, about the year 1804, and from that state his parents emigrated to Ohio while he was a boy, locating in Franklin county, where his father took up a tract of wild land and where he was residing at the outbreak of the war of 18 12, for which he enlisted, his death occurring at Fort Findlay while he was still in the service. His widow subsequently became the wife of a Mr. Jacob Eisenhart, and of their three children two survive, - ^Jacob, a resident of Michigan; and Harriet, of Williams county, Ohio. The father of our subject was reared on the pioneer homestead in Franklin county, receiving his educational discipline in the primitive schools cf the place and period and early beginning to share in the arduous work of the farm. In that county occurred his marriage to Miss Chaney. and then he came to Seneca coimty in 1833, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1876, while to him was accorded unequivocal esteem in this section of the state, where he was a pioneer settler. Upon coming to the county he entered claim to seventy acres of government land, in Hopewell township, the same being heavily timbered and practically untouched by the hand of man. He made a clearing and erected a little log house, and then set himself vigorously to the task of reclaiming the farm, eventually making good improvements and brinH'T^: it into effective cultivation. This farm is now owned by his son-in-law, Joseph Hoover, previously mentioned. Mr. Anderson continued to reside on this homestead until his death, prior to which he had added to his landed estate in the county until he was the owner of more than two hundred acres. His wife had died tw^o years previously.

Anson A. Anderson, the imntediate subject of this review, was indebted to the pioneer schools of Seneca county for the educational advantages which were his in his youth, and he continued to assist in the improvement and cultivation of the old homestead until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he inaugurated his independent career by securing employment at farm work. Two years later his marriage occurred, and shortly afterward he rented a farm in Liberty township, where he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, in the same township, subsequently adding to the same by the purchase of contiguous tracts until the home farm now has an area of two hundred and forty acres. That he has been successful in his farming, which has been diversified from the start, is shown in the acquisitions he has thus made and in the fine improvements which are to be noted on the place, while he has further augmented his landed estate, being the owner of forty acres in Jackson township, sixty acres in Loudon township and eighty in Hopewell township, this entire property being well improved and under effective cultivation, the aggregate area of the estate being four hundred and twenty acres, so that our subject is to be designated as one of the extensive landholders of the county, as he is also known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen and as a man of irreproachable character. He has exerted a timely and valuable influence in public affairs of a local nature, maintaining an independent attitude in politics, and the popular confidence in which he is held has been signalized by his election to offices of trust and responsibility, since he served six years as justice of the peace and two terms as trustee of Liberty township. He is a communicant of St. Andrew's Catholic church, of which he is a trustee. His family also hold membership in the same church and are prominent in the social life of the community.

riage to Miss Catherine Corrigan, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Peter and Catherine (Nolan) Corrigan, who were among the honored pioneer farmers of Seneca county, Ohio, .where he died at sixty-four years of age. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson all are living except Addie, who died at the age of seven years. The others are here named in the order of their birth : John, Jessie, Nettie, William V., James, Frank, Lawrence, Charles and Louis.

Henry'Byers

As one reviews the history of the county and looks into the past to see who were prominent in its early development he will find that through a long period the name of Byers has been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. For many years Henry Byers, of this review, has been a resident of Seneca county. Wild was the region into which he came when a boy of fourteen years, and from that early period he has been prominently identified with the history of the community.

A native son of the Buckeye state, his birth occurred in Stark county, February 20, 1838, a son of Jacob and Nancy (McLoughlinJ Byers. The father was bom in Frederick county, Maryland, but when a boy he came with his father, John Byers, to Stark county, Ohio, where the latter entered land from the government. Wild was the region ai that early day. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie land was still unbroken, and the Indians roamed through the dense woods, seeking the game which could be had in abundance. There the son Jacob grew to years of maturity, and after his marriage he settled down to the quiet and peaceful life of a farmer. About 1852 he removed to Seneca county, purchasing eighty acres of land, which now forms a part of our subject's present farm, and there he spent his remaining days on earth, j>assing away at the age of eighty-three years. In early life he gave his jx>litical support to the Demcxrracy, but later he became identified with the Republican party, and his religious preference was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Of his eight children only three now survive, - ^Jeremiah S., a prominent farmer of Jackson township, Seneca county; Eliza, the wife of Isaac Cook, of Grattan, Michigan; and Henry, the subject of this review.

The latter grew to years of maturity on his father's farms in Stark and Seneca counties, and to their public schools he is indebted for the educational advantages which he received in his youth. When the trouble between the north and the south threw the country into civil war he nobly put aside all personal considerations, and in 1862 became a member of Company K, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. With his regiment he took part in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, but at the latter engagement he was wounded and taken prisoner. After a confinement of three weeks in Libby prison he was paroled and sent to the hospital at Annaix>lis, thence to the parole camp and later to Camp Chase, where he was ordered, after being exchanged, to join his regiment at Bridgeport, Alabama. Mr. Byers participated in all the battles in which his regiment took part excepting that of Chickamauga, and' at the close of hostilities he was mustered out of sen^ice, receiving an honorable discharge in Jime, 1865, after which he returned to his home and again assumed the management of the homestead farm, which had been his task since his sixteenth year. Two years after returning from the war he was married, bringing his bride to the old family homestead, and after his father's death, in the early '80s, he purchased the place. Prior to this time he had also become the owner of a forty-acre tract adjoining, and thus his landed possessions were increased to one hundred and twenty acres, where he is now extensively engaged in general farming. He is a business man of much more than ordinary ability, and his unremitting toil and close attention to business throughout his active career have been the means of winning for him the handsome competence which is to-day his.

state of her nativity, her birth having occurred in Muskingum county. They became the parents of four children, but two of the number, Fannie J. and Margaret E., have passed aw^ay in death, at eighteen and thirteen respectively, and the two surviving ones are Sarah E. and Arthur E., both at home. The loving wife and mother has joined her children in the spirit world, having closed her eyes in death in 1888. Mr. Byers gives his political support to the Republican party, but, although he is a public-spirited and progressive citizen to a marked degree, has never been a seeker after political preferment. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but that congregation afterward disbanded, and he has never since allied his interests with any denomination, although he is a constant attendant at divine worship. His social relations connect him with Ash Post, G. A. R., at Kansas, this county, in which he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the "blue."

Dr. Isaac Kagy, who was born on the farm on which he now resides, February 2, 1828, is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Seneca county. His father, John Kagy, was a native of the Old Dominion, having been bom in Shenandoah county, Virginia, on the 17th of January, 1797, a son of Rudolph and Hannah (Siple) Kagy, who became the parents of the follo\ving named children : John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham, Cathermc, Barbara, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Rudolph, Henry and Martin. In the year 1819 this family left their home in the Old Dominion state and came to Ohio taking up their abode on a pioneer farm near Rushville, Fairfield county, where the grandfather of our subject died at the age of fifty-five years, his widow long surviving him and passing away at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Both were prominent and devoted members of the Baptist church and were known as persons of sterling character.

years of age when he accompanied the family on their removal to Fairfield county, and after his arrival there he engaged in farming and teaching school. In 1822, at a public land sale, he purchased the farm on which our subject now resides, in Eden township, but this did not become his permanent place of residence until 1827. His first home here was a log cabin of one room, the domicile being twenty feet square and being constructed of round logs. This continued to be the family home for ten years, at the expiration of which period the present substantial brick residence was erected on the same site, in 1837. ^^ is finished in walnut and butternut timber taken from the fann, and the brick utilized was also manufactured on the homestead, this having been one of the first brick houses to be erected in the county. Mr. Kagy secured his original homestead, of one hundred and sixty acres, from the government, and at that time it was covered with a dense growth of native timber, principally walnut, but as the years passed he succeeded in effectively reclaiming the land and soon the fields were under an excellent state of cultivation. Here he continued to make his home until the 4th of April, 1865, when he removed to an adjoining farm, and from that time until his death he lived in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil and endeavor. He w^as a worthy member and active worker in the Baptist church, in which he long held the office of deacon, and in all the relations of life he was signally true, faithful and honorable, commanding the high regard of all who knew him.

In Fairfield county, on the 3d of December, 1820, Deacon John Kagy was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hite, w^ho was born in Rockingham coimty, Virginia, on the 25th of July, 1801, and they became the parents of ten children, concerning whom we here incorporate a 1)rief record. Andrew, who was a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, was long engaged in the practice of his profession at Union Mills, Iowa, where his death occurred in the year 1871 : Hannah became the wife of Henry Boroff, and her death occurred in 1853: Rudolph, who was born May 13, 1826, became a successful farmer in Marion county, Illinois, w^here he located in the year 1861 and where his death occurred on the 29th of June, 1901 ; Isaac, the next in order of birth, is the immediate subject of this review; John B., who is a prominent attorney-at-law of Salem, Illinois, and ex-judge of the county court, was for many years a professional partner of Judge Silas L. Bryan, the father of William Jennings Bryan; David, who was born May 23, 1832, died in Illinois, on the 8th of February, 1887, having been there engaged in farming, while he was also a successful teacher for a number of years ; Rachel, who was bom May 3, 1834, is the wife of Benjamin Huddle, of Marion county, Illinois ; Catherine, who was bom on the 25th of January, 1837, became the wife of Hiram J. Cummings, and she died at their home, in Pierce City, Missouri, on the 19th of March, 1885 ; Levi, who was born October 29, 1838, is a resident of Fostoria and was formerly incumbent of the office of auditor of Seneca county; and Amos H., who was bom January 16, 1841, is a prominent attorney of Kansas City, Missouri. Tlie father of these children lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-eight years, his death occurring at the home of his daughter Rachel, in Illinois, whence his remains were brought to the old home in Seneca county and interred in the Kagy cemetery. His cherished and devoted wife passed away at the age of eighty-five years. Dr. Isaac Kagy, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm where he now maintains his home, and his preliminary educational discipline was received in a subscription school one mile distant from the homestead residence. At the age of eighteen years he was matriculated in the Physio^Medical College in Cincinnati, in w-hich he was graduated as a member of the class of 1849, *^"^ immediately after leaving that institution he located in Bloom township, in his native county, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for eight months. During the winter of 1849-50 the Doctor was engaged in teaching in one of the district schools of the coimty, and thereafter he resumed the active practice of his profession, locating at Green Spring, where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that period he was compelled to abandon the work of his profession, his health having become much impaired, and from that time until 1861 he served as postmaster at Green Spring and was also the local station agent for the M. R. & L. E. Railroad. In the year mentioned he resigned these po- sitions and became auditor of Seneca county, retaining this incumbency for a period of four years, having been elected to this office in i860. In 1863, having prosecuted a careful course of technical reading, the Doctor was admitted to the bar of the state, though he has never given much attention to work in the line of this profession. He has long been an active factor in politi<^l and governmental affairs in the county and has gained distinctive recognition as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section of the state, ever laboring earnestly and effectively to advance the party cause. In 1865 the Doctor was elected to represent his district in the Ohio legislature, in which he served ior a term of two years, proving an able and valuable working member of the legislative body. For three years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the i>eace, and while serving as county auditor he was simultaneously a member of the dty council and the board of education of Tiffin. In 1872 Dr. Kagy was appointed by the county commissioners to fill a vacancy in the office of county auditor, and in 1885, when occurred the death of the county treasurer, John Heabler, the Doctor was chosen to fill the vacancy and served in that capacity for sixteen months. Dr. Kagy's name is a familiar one in political circles in this section of the state, and, by reason of his marked intellectuality and superior ability, he is well fitted to aid in molding the policies of the state, to control general interests and direct public opinion, and he has been a potent factor in the councils of his party, serving as delegate to its various conventions in the county and state and doing specially effective work in advocating its cause during the different campaigns and through timely and able contributions to the public press. From 1890 until 1900 Dr. Kagy served consecutively as a member of the state board of equalization, the number of whose members is the same as that of the state senate, and whose duties are in the equalization of the real-estate assessments in the state. From 1873 to 1875 he was one of the proprietors and editors of the Toledo Democrat, devoting the major portion of his time to editorial work in this connection, while from early years he had been a frequent and valued contributor to the local papers. When Major Armstrong was elected to the office of secretary of state he insisted upon the Doctor's taking up a line of editorial work on the Seneca Advertiser, and he did very efficient service in this capacity. He is a felicitous public speaker and his services have long been in requisition in this capacity, both in connection with political work and on various other occasions. The Doctor was one of the organizers of the Seneca County Agricultural Society, with which he continued to be identified until the organization became defunct. In 1857 he became a member of Green Spring Lodge of the Independent Order of Ckld Fellows, being later dimitted to Tiffin Lodge, of which he has been a prominent member for a score of years.

While Dr. Kagy has a deep respect for spiritual verities, he has advanced and pronounced views and is in thorough sympathy with the doctrines advanced by the late Colonel Robert G. IngersoU. He was reared under the rigid discipline of the Baptist church, and such is the constituency of his vigorous mentality that he early began to be somewhat skeptical as to the consistency of orthodox religious tenets, and his reading and investigation eventually led him to become an avowed agnostic. His mind is intrinsically logical and he demands reasons, not dogmatic statements, and thus he secured little satisfaction in attempting to reconcile religious doctrines with scientific truths. He has been an extensive and careful reader, has marked powers of assimilation, and his analytical and logical mind has brought to him definite convictions, which he is ever able to eflfectively defend.

In 1867 the Doctor retired to the old Kagy homestead, in Eden township, and to this he has since added until he now has a fine landed estate of two hundred and twenty-five acres. He has made this his home for many years, and save for intervals when official or business duties demanded his residence elsewhere, has continuously given his personal supervision to the cultivation of the farm and to the raising of a highgrade of live stock, having been very successful in both departments of his farming enterprise. The Doctor is one of the county's most progressive and public-spirited citizens, and he has so ordered his life as to command unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county where he ha^ passed practically his entire life.

On the 29th of March, 1849, Dr. Kagy was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Taylor Martin, who was born in Perry count>% Ohio, being the daughter of Samuel S. and Mary (McCormick) Martin. Three children have been born of this union, namely : Samuel T., who died in infancy; Mary C, who is the wife of Thomas J. Frazier, of Zanesville; and Hannah S., who is the wife of Dr. James S. Haly, of Napoleon, Ohio.

John W. Spraggins

John W. Spraggins, general superintendent of the National Machinery Company, of Tiffin, Ohio, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 30, 1861. When eight years old he accompanied his parents, Isaac and Mary Ann (Granger) Spraggins, to America. In England the elder Mr. Spraggins was employed as a gamekeeper, but after locating in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868, he became connected with the firm of Scofield & Wilson, which firm were the pioneers in the business which has developed into the gigantic corporation now known as the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Spraggins was a faithful employe and a hard-working man until his death, which took place at the age of forty-nine years.

The mother of Mr. Spraggins, of this sketch, died at the age of fifty years, as the result of a street-car accident. The children who survived infancy were as follows: Anna, who died early; John W., who is the subject of this biography; Alice, who married William Parrel, t^t Shelby, Ohio; Isaac, who is a boiler-maker for the Standard Oil Company in Cleveland; Nellie, living at Camd'en, New Jersey; and Anna, who is the wife of John Little, a resident of Cleveland, who has an interest in the Shelby Tube Works.

The school life of our subject closed at the age of nine years, w^hen he had mastered the mysteries of the Third Reader. Although but a lad his growing needs had to be supplied by his own labor, and he accepted a position in a brick-yard in Cleveland, remaining there until he was made a messenger boy in the service of the Standard Oil Company. His father was long an employe, and was the inventor of the steam still now in use by this company. The youth continued in this situation for several years and then became a clerk in a shoe store in Qeveland, all the time gaining a firmer hold on the respect and in the esteem of those with whom he was associated. In 1878 he entered upon an apprenticeship in Cleveland in the trade of machinist, and remained three years, becoming a skilled workman, his capacity and general character causing his engagement with the National Miachinery Company when it removed its plant from Cleveland to Tiffin. This was on January 12, 1883, the business then being one of small proportions, but before the roof was on the new factory the confidence of his employers ^vas shown to Mr. Spraggins by his selection by them as foreman, which position he most efficiently filled for the succeeding six years. In 1895 he was made general superintendent, and has filled this responsible position ever since.

The National Machinery Company is a large industrial plant, its capitalization being three hundred thousand dollars, and its force of workmen reaching some two hundred and sixty skilled mechanics, its output being shipped all over the United States and^ Europe. This business is the manufacturing of machinery for the making of wire nails, nuts and bolts and special machinery, the volume of trade having increased since its location in Tiffin to a wonderful extent.

Mr. Spraggins has followed the fortunes of this company from the bottom and much of its success must be regarded as a result of hii efficient superintendence. In marked degree he possesses just the qualities required in such a position, and he enjoys not only the confidence and esteem of his employers but also the respect and obedience of those under his supervision.

On January 19. 1882, Mr. Spraggins was united in marriage to Miss Isabella McCoy, of Cleveland, and a family of three children has been bom to them, namely: Charles A., who learned the machinist trade, and who has just finished a business course in Heidelberg University; and Linnie and William H., Jr., both of whom are at home.

member of the Republican party and has many friends in its ranks, although he has not consented to hold office. Fraternally his connection is with the B. P. O. E., Lodge No. 94, of Tiffin ; Pickwick Lodge, No. 175, Knights of Pythias; Uniform Rank, No. 50; the Knights of the Maccabees, and the United Workmen. His family are attendants of the Presbyterian church of this city, where they are held in esteem.

It can not be otherwise than inspiring to consider a career like that of Mr. Spraggins and to note its results and rewards. His early environment was shorn of almost every worldly advantage, but through sheer force of character he has surmounted the innumerable obstacles in his path and has won prominence and competency and the respect and affection of a large ircle of friends.

Frederick L. Smeltz

As a representative of one of the pioneer families of Seneca county and as one who has here passed his entire life, it is certainly consistent that we enter in this work a review of the career of Mr. Smeltz, who has long been identified with the agricultural and stock-growing interests of the county, having a fine estate in Venice township and being honored as one of its representative men. He is a native of the township in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the old pioneer homestead on the 17th of July, 1852, the son of Martin and Christianna (Lebold) Smeltz, who became the parents of ten children, of whom five survive, namely : Conrad, a resident of Venice township ; Franklin, whose home is in Caldwell county, Missouri; Frederick L., the subject of this sketch; Maria, the wife of John West, of Bloomville, and Sophia, the wife of Levi Hillis, of the old homiestead.

Martin Smeltz was a native of Darmstadt, Germany, and was a son of Peter Smeltz, who emigrated thence to Pennsylvania when Martin was a lad of seven years. Peter Smeltz afterward removed to Carroll county, Ohio, where he became a pioneer farmer and where he passed the remainder of his life. Martin Smehz, father of our subject, came to Seneca county while still a single man and here entered claim to a tract of three hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in Venice tow^nship. Here he erected a log cabin and made ready to bring his family to the new home. Before starting on his return journey to Carroll county he placed his cooking utensils beneath the split-plank floor of his little cabin, and while on his way he encountered a family named Delaney, to whom he gave information as to the point where he had erected his house, and the family were given permission to occupy the same during the winter. Mr. Smieltz returned with his wife, whom he had married in Tuscarawas county in the meantime, and here he developed a good farm, becoming one of the honored and successful farmers of this section. His wife died about the year 1855, and he subsequently married a Miss Mary Lenhardt, there being no issue of this union. Martin Smeltz lived to attain the venerable age of seventy-two years, his death occurring in Caroline in the year 1880.

Frederick L. Smeltz, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was reared on the parental homestead and received such. educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools maintained in this locality in the days of his youth, while he early began to lend his assistance in the work of the farm. At the age of eighteen years he assumed charge of the home place and there continued to make his home for several years farther. He was married in the fall of 1878 and about a year later he remo\'ed lo his present home farm at Caroline, which was then owned by his father-in-law and which he purchased in 1884. In 1880 he purchased a tract of eighty acres adjoining this farm, opposite his present home. In 1897 Mr. Smeltz purchased fifty-three acres contiguous on the r>outh, and in addition to this his wife owns about eighty acres additional in the township, so that the aggregate area of the landed estate is two hundred and forty acres. For the last few years our subject has been to a large degree retired from the active work of the farm, having his land cultivated by others on shares. He has one of the finest and most modern farm residences in the county, erected in 1880- 1,. and the family home is a center of generous hospitality. He is held in the highest esteem in his native ccmnty and is known as an able business man and as one whose probity is above question. Mr. Smeltz fully appreciates the charms and broadening influence of travel, and has visited nearly all the states of the Union. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, taking a lively interest in all that concerns the general welfare of the community and lending his aid and influence for all worthy objects. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Methodist church, of which his wife and children are devoted adherents.

On the 1st of October, 1878, Mr. Smeltz was united in marriage to Miss Chris tianna M. Lebold, who was bom in Venice township, the daughter of Frederick and Rachel (McKibben) Lebold, one of the influential pioneer citizens of this locality, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, at sixty-eight. Frederick Lebold was born in Wittemberg, Germany, a son of Conrad and Christianna (Eichenhofer) Lebold, and when one year old was brought to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and at thirteen to Venice township, Seneca county. He was mjarried at twenty-seven to Rachel McKibben, who was born in Pennsylvania and brought to Seneca county when four years old, and who is still living at the old home at Caroline, aged seventy-three. Mrs. Smeltz was the only child to reach maturity and she was born and reared in this vicinity.

Our subject and his wife have two children, - Lawson F. and Inez: A., - both being popular young people and taking an active part in the social affairs of the community where they have been reared and educated.

William Cramer

Honored and respected by all, William Cramer was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Seneca county, Ohio, but he is now living retired at his pleasant home in Fostoria. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 183 1, a son of John and Catherine (Sloat) Cramer. His father, also a native of that county, was born on the 25th of September, 1794. He was there married, and all of his children were born in the Keystone state. About 1836 he came -with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, locating in Loudon township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the present site of the Cramer sawmill. There he also erected a sawmill, which was conducted by water power until about 1840, but it was in operation only about three months during the year. In this locality Mr. Cramer passed to his final reward on the 29th of June, 1859. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Daniel, who now makes his home with our subject ; Henry, a resident of Fostoria ; John, of Van Wert, Ohio; Emanuel, a resident of Ionia count}% Michigan ; Adam, also of Fostoria ; William, of this review ; Sophia, the widmv of Peter Wickcrham and a resident of Big Spring tow-nship, Seneca county ; and Sarah, the wife of Augustus Elliott, of Ionia county, Michigan. Three of the children have now reached the eightieth milestone on the journey of life, and the }X)ungest has passed the age of sixtyfive years.

William Cramer, our subject, was reared amid the refining inflfluences of a cultured home, and the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the common schools. At the age of twenty-four years and in company with his brother Daniel, he erected a steam sawmill on the site of his father's old mill, the latter having fallen into decay, but this property was destroyed by fire in i860, and in the same year, in company with his brother-in-law, Morgan Snyder, Mr. Cramer erected the fine mill propert>' which is still standing. After his father's death he acquired eighty acres of the old homestead, which he conducted in connection with his milling business, and for many years he also operated a threshing machine. In 1894, however, he sold* his possessions to his son Daniel H., and removed to the village of Fostoria, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil.

On the 19th of October, 1856, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Snyder, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, and the daughter of Abraham and Susannah (Smith) Snyder. The latter died of typhoid fever at Nashville, Tennessee, July 23, 1864, while nobly serv- ing his country in the Civil war. Tliis union has been blessed with ten children, nine of whom are still living: Daniel H. ; William A., a traveling salesman of Fostoria; Jennie, the wife of Isaac Stultz, of Jackson township, Seneca county; Morgan E., a member of the Fostoria fire department; John J., an electrician of Fostoria; Nettie A., the wife of John Hazen, also of Fostoria ; Anna S., the wife of Edward Seeman, of Dunkirk, Indiana; Allie A., a saleslady; and Fred V., also an electrician, at home.

The Republican party receives Mr. Cramer's hearty support and co-operation, and for one term he has served as a justice of the peace. His religious preference is indicated by his connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an honored and esteemed member and for many years has served as its class-leader. Throughout his business career he was emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling \vith the grow^th and prosperity of the county which has so lon*2: been his home.

Daniel Williams

How rapidly time is thinning the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war is evident to even the superficial observer, and the silvered heads of those who appear in the ranks of the veterans at the various encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic show whither the line of march is tending. ITie younger generation may well look iit admiration and honor upon these valiant sons of the republic who saved to the world a grand and united country, and though time has thrown its beneficent influence over the story of the great conflict and the animosities of the past have been softened and chastened, yet never can there be aught but appreciation of the services of the men who followed the stars and stripes on the sanguinary battle fields of the south. One of the honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion is the subject of this brief tribute, whose home has been in Seneca county during the entire period of his life and who is to-day numbered among the successful farmers of this section of the state.

Mr. Williams was born on a farm in Jackson township, this county, on the 1st of May, 1842, being one of the eight children of John and Barbara Williams and one of the five who are living at the present time. Three of the sons went forth in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and one of the number sacrificed his life on the altar of his country. John Williams, who is now a resident of Michigan, was in the one hundred days' service, and David, who was a member of Company .E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisted at the age of eighteen years and was so seriously wounded in the battle of Stone River that he died from his injuries, passing away at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead, securing his early educational training in the district schools, and he was but twenty years of age when he took up arms in defense of an imperiled Union, enlisting on the 13th of September, 1862, as a private in Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which his brother David was a member, as has been noted. The first engagement of importance in which our subject took part was that at Stone River, and thereafter he was an active participant in many of the most memorable conflicts incidental to the great struggle for the perpetuation of the Union, including the battles of Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign in its entireity, the battle of Nashville and the engagement at Pickett's Mills, where it is evident that he was in the thick of the fray, since sixteen bullets passed through his clothes. Mr. Williams rendered valiant service and remained in the ranks until victory crowned the Union arms, being honorably discharged in June, 1865, and being mustered out at Nashville. General Rosecrans established a roll of honor of those soldiers who had become distinguished, and Private Daniel Williams was one of two named from Company E, and was distinguished by wearing a special ribbon. After the demoralization of the forces during the battle of Stone River but six privates of his corn-

After his discharge Mr. Williams returned to Jackson township and resumed his identification with agriculture. He has made this township his home during his entire life and he took up his residence on his present well improved farm in 1893, having ninety acres and devoting his attention to general farming. He is highly honored in the community, is a Republican in his political proclivities and keeps in touch with his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in the Grand Army] of the Republic, being affiliated with Norris Post, at Fostoria, of which he is a popular member. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which both he and his wife are devoted adherents.

On the 24th of January, 1867, Mr. Williams was imited in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Stark county, the daughter of Philip Smith, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Martha E., the widow of Ernest M. Solomon and now residing with her parents; she has one son, Hubert L. ; Myrtie A. became the wife of Daniel Fell and died in this county at the age of twenty-six years; Ella is the wife of Frank Harrison, of Jackson township, and has two sons, - Roy W. and Ralph ; and John, the youngest of our subject's children, is associated with his father in the operation of the farm.

Charles R. Long

Charles R. Long, the leading liveryman of Fostoria, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 14, 1872, a son of John W. and Margaret (Ricketts) Long. The father also was born in that county, in 185 1. His mother died when he was a child and he was afterward reared in the home of John Ricketts. When twenty years of age he was united in marriage to Margaret Ricketts, the niece of John Ricketts, also a native of the same county, and after their marriage they purchased a forty-acre tract and engaged in farming. In 1876 he removed to Dun- kirk, Hardin county, Ohio, where he embarked in the livery business and also engaged in the sale of buggies, thus continuing until 1895, and during that time he was very successful, having sold over fifteen hundred buggies in that village alone. In the latter yeaf he engaged in the same line of trade in Findlay, but in 1901 he sold his livery business and has since given his attention to the supervision of his farm of four hundred and twenty-eight acres in Hardin county, though residing in Findlay. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and in his social relations is a member of the Knights of Pythias and' the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Long was blessed with nine children, six now living, namely: Charles R., the subject of this review; James, engaged in the livery business in Findlay; Harvey, in the same line of trade in Napoleon, this state; Raleigh, who is engaged in business with his brother James in Findlay; Robert, who is in the employ with our subject ; and Hazel, at home.

Charles R.Long is indebted to the common schools of his native locality for the educational privileges which he enjoyed- in his early youth, and afterward he became a student in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. From 1895 "^^^^ ^896 he was engaged in the livery business with his father, but in that year the latter sold his interest to George Rummel, which relationship was maintained through the succeeding year, Mr. Long then selling- his interest in order to remove to Rising Sun and engage in the same line of trade. For two years he was actively identified with the business interests of that city, but desiring a broader field for his operations he then, in 1899, took up his abode in Carey, conducting a successful livery business in that city until September, 1901. That month witnessed his arrival in Fostoria, where he soon afterward purchased the interests of Russell E. Smith, one of the oldest and best known liverj^men in this locality. He has a thoroughly equipped livery establishment, keeping twenty-five of the best roadsters, with a full complement of buggies, surreys, coaches, etc. Mr. Long has attained prominence in the business circles of Seneca county, while in private life no man in the community has more friends than he, which have been won and are being retained by his honorable methods and his

Centennial Biographical History. 51 '

The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 25th of August, 1897, when Miss Nellie Babcock, a native of Akron, Ohio, became his wife. They have two children, - ^Joe and Franklin. Mr. Long gives his political support to the Republican party, and his social connection is with Carey Lodge, No. 393, K. of P.

Melchior Starck

This well known farmer of Seneca county, Ohio, whose home is in Liberty township, was born in Germany in 1827, and is a son of Melchior and Margaret Starck. Reared and educated in his native land, he at length determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in 1848 sailed for America: After a long and tedious voyage of fiftyseven days he landed in Quebec, and proceeded at once to Seneca county, Ohio. He located in Liberty township, on the farm where he has since lived with the exception of five years. On coming to this country he was accompanied by his parents, but the father died about five months after his arrival here. In his family were six children, of whom our subject is the oldest.

In the midst of the forest Mr. Starck cleared and improved a farm, and built thereon a log cabin with a huge fireplace at one end. In this primitive home several years were pleasantly passed, but it has long since been replaced by a more commodious and pretentious brick dwelling. In his home farm he now has one hundred' and sixty acres, and also owns another tract of eighty, acres, making in all two hundred and forty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is a thorough and skillful farmer and in his labors has met with most excellent success

During the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Starck entered the service of his adopted country, enlisting in June, 1864, as a private in Company

C, One Hundred and Twenty-second. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained at the front until hostiHties ceased, repeatedly taking part in skirmishes and battles, including Winchester, Cedar Creek and Petersburg, where he was wounded, receiving a bullet through his leg. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, and religiously is a communicant of Liberty Catholic church. He is widely and favorably known in the community where he has so long made his home, and well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.