Seneca Township (part 47 of 60)

Mr. Cole was born February 4, 1840, and was educated in the public schools and in the Seneca County Academy at Republic, pursuing his studies under the able direction of Dr. Aaron Schuyler. After finishing in that institution at the age of seventeen years he taught school for a number of years and won recognition as one of the most conscientious and enlightened educators of the county. He was principal of the Republic high school for two years. At the age of twenty-five years he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar August 22, 1867, and ever since that date has engaged in the practice of his profession in this county. The Republican party look upon him as one of the leading spirits and as previously mentioned he has held many publi(» offices. He was appointed postmaster of the town during the McKinley adminstration and served in that capacity for six years. He is one of the prominent Masons of this part of the state and has held the secretary *8 chair in this august order, being also a member of the local chapter of the Eastern Star.

Mr. Cole resided with his parents until his thirty-sixth year, his marriage occurring on the 9th day of October, 1876, the lady to become his wife being Ann Marie Platte, also the scion of a fine, old American family.

Anne Marie Platte was born December 8, 1841, in Republic, and is the daughter of Joel and Rachel A. (Norton) Platte, natives of Long Island, New York. The first Platte to be recorded in American annals was Stephen, of New York, who married Kezia Weeks, a native of Long Island and a person of remarkable musical ability. Joel Platte, father of Mrs. Cole, who was a ship carpenter by trade, came to Ohio in 1834 and located in this township. The previous year there had come to Seneca county Rachel A., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth J. (Hall) Norton and these two young people subsequently joined their hands and fortunes in marriage. Joel was born January 12, 1809, and his wife, February 9, 1816, and they were married June 1, 1834. Mrs. Cole's maternal grandparents were E. J. and Jerissa (Head) Hall, and Jerissa was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Johnson) Norton. The above mentioned Johnson was an English student and upon one day visiting a gunboat in the harbor of Liverpool, he was impressed into service without his consent and was carried to America, but upon landing he deserted and joined the American ranks, the Revolutionary war being at that time in progress.

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 *Oue Hundred and Twenty-third,* and thus, inadvertently, his connection with the army ceased.

**In the meantime Lieutenant Norton had married. Whilo at home on his furlough, on the 19th of July, 1865, he went to Postoria, 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 the county, 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 application was, however, too irreat a strain upon his health, and in 1869 he went to Hampton, Iowa, and entered upon a separate practice of his chosen profes.sion. Deriving great benefit from the invigorating climate, his health became restored and he soon had a large practice, constantly increasing, until in 1871, his father being accidentally killed, he returned to his native village and for eight years was the lea ling physician of that part of the country.

** Having inherited the creed of Democracy, observation and study but deepened and strengthened his convictions and belief in the truth and 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 the 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 which 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 speaker pro tern, of the house. His course while in the legislature gave him 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 oflSce of Hon. George L. Converse, at Columbus, and in 1879 was admitted to the bar. It was largely due to Dr. Norton's efforts that the law was passed requiring all public officers to execute all pension papers free.

**At the close of the general assembly in 1879 Dr. Norton returned to Tiffin, which he made his headquarters while acting as general manager and solicitor for the Wiley Construction Company of Massachusetts. During 1880 he purchased the paper known as the Herald, and edited it with such vigor that the first issue brought a five thousand dollar libel suit, which, however, was never prosecuted. The Herald was later sold to Dr. E. B. ilubbard, and subsequently it became the Tribune, Dr. Norton still kept an active interest in local politics, serving as president of the school board, president of the common council, and was a member of the Seneca County Agricultural Society. The only political defeat that Dr. Norton ever met was when he ran for councilman on the famous cow ordinance. Standing for rigid enforcement of its provisions, he was defeated by the vote of a large number who wanted their cows to run at large. In 1884 he was a delegate to the national Democratic convention. In August, 1885, he was appointed auditor of Seneca county in place of P. E. Stoner, deceased, and in October of the same year was elected to the office, and again in 1887 was re-elected. He was appointed as United States inspector of customs at Panama, by President Cleveland, but declined. He served as chairman of the Democratic State Central and Executive Committees and as chairman of the state convention. In 1890 he was appointed by Gk)vernor Campbell as state commissioner of railroads and telegraphs, serving the state with fidelity and success during the whole of Governor Campbell's administration, and for four months under Governor McKinley, when he resigned to accept a position in the law department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1896 Dr. Norton was nominated by the Democracy of the Thirteenth district of Ohio for representative in congress, at a convention held at Marion, Ohio. In 1898 he was renominated, at Upper Sandusky ; in 1900, at Bucyrus, he was again for the third time nominated; and in 1902, at Sandusky, by an overwhelming majority, he was again selected candidate for the fourth term in congress, and each time he was elected by an increasing majority.

**In congress he served on the invalid pensions and District of Columbia committees, and he gave time and attention to the duties of his office. His quick perception, his sound judgment, wise counsel and unfailing good nature gave him a firm hold upon the esteem, confidence and friendship of his fellow members. He is ever ready to champion the principles of his party, and is ever at the front, taking the advance step, and points out in speeches of combined logic, argument, sarcasm and eloquence the true position upon which Americans, as such, regardless of party can stand.

Dr. James A. Norton. - Many men excel in achievement in some course but to few is it permitted to follow several lines of endeavor and stand well to the front of each. In the career of Dr. Norton is ^ven a striking illustration of such exceptional accomplishment. As a physician he won pronounced prestige; in the profession of law he likewise gained recognition as an able and versatile advocate and counselor; he served with distinction as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and in public office of high order he has made an enviable record, including that of his service as a member of congress ; as a business man he has produced results of the most positive character and the fiber of the man is indicated by the unqualified confidence and esteem reposed in him by those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life.

It is pleasing to record that Dr. James Albert Norton is a native son of Seneca county and a scion of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born in the village of Bettsville, this county, on the 11th of November, 1843, and is a son of Dr. Rufus and Clarissa (Waters) Norton. His father was born in Utica, New York, and was a son of Isaiah Norton, who was bom in the northern part of England and who was a descendant of one of the staunch old families that still has prominent representatives in English municipal affairs.. The family is a branch of the Scottish McNaughton clan which was prominent in Scottish history during the time of the **Dark Douglas." Mrs. Clarissa (Waters) Norton was of French and English descent and, as has been well stated, **she possessed the vivacity and determination characteristic of the union of the Anglo-Saxon and Latin races." Dr. Bufus Norton was one of the pioneer physicians of Seneca county, was a man of strong intellectual powers and was prominently identified with the development and upbuilding of this now favored section of the Buckeye state. Both he and his wife continued to reside in this county until their death. Concerning the career of Dr. James A. Norton the following epitome previously published in a history of Seneca county is so well given as to make the same especially available for reproduction in the present volume.

**Bom of such an ancestry and endowed by nature with 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. He accompanied his father in the long drives consequent upon a large medical practice, and 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 16th 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 stem 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, and then, on December 30th, the year was closed by the memorable battle of Stone's 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's 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 T meander 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 Hotehkiss 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 Hospitel 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 Twenty-third United States (Colored) Infantry,

Dr. Anders' professional education has been of a most thorough character. After two years at Adelbert College, where he completed his general training, he matriculated at the Western Reserve Medical College, both of these institutions being situated in the * city of Cleveland. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Wooster with the class of 1894, receiving I his degree on March 21. He then had the invaluable benefit of

Dr. Anders joined the ranks of the Benedicts on April 20, 1898, when he was united in marriage to Miss Lelia Decamp, bom March 16, 1873, the daughter of Elias and Marion Decamp, natives of Allegan county, Michigan. Mrs. Anders is a woman of cylture, her education having been received fn the city of Cleveland and in Oberlin College. Their only son, Leavitt Decamp was born July 6. 1902. Dr. Anders and his wife are members of the United Brethren church and take an active part in its affairs, lending their i support to all the good causes promulgated by it. The doctor is and he is also a member of the Knights of The Maccabees, for which organization he is medical examiner. He endorses the policies and principles advanced by what its numerous admirers term ? **The Grand Old Party," and has given enlightened public service

I as township clerk for seven years and as clerk of the board of education for the decade elapsing since the year 1900. , Dr. Anders' father, David B., was born September 20, 1839, in Bloom township, his parents being William H. and Sarah (King) Anders, the father a native of the Old Dominion, the mother of Maryland. William H. was a posthumous child, his father's demise having occurred about three weeks previous to his birth, and thus left deprived of his natural protector he was reared by an uncle. The family was founded in Ohio by the grandfather of the subject, who when he came to the Buckeye state located on a ' farm near Bloomville and became a successful farmer and a well known citizen. David B. resided under the home roof until the death of his mother, when he was a youth about sixteen years of age. He thereupon started out in the world for himself, working out in the summer season and attending school at winter. The marriage of Dr. Anders' parents took place August 20, 1862, the mother having been bom March 15. 1841, in Pleasant township, of Pinckney "^ and Edith C. (Hubbard) Clark, the latter a daughter of one Caleb

Hubbard of Ithaca, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Clark cast their fortunes with this township at an early date and took up land which they improved with all the courage and industry of their day and generation. The mother, who received her education at Republic and in Greenspring Academy, resided with her parents upon the old homestead until their death. Dr. Anders' father enlisted after the breaking out of the rebellion and gave three years of faithful service to his country under Captain Asa Schriver, of

Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went to camp with his regiment at Monroeville, later going on to Covington, Kentucky. He participated in the battle of Stone's River and also in the Atlanta campaign. This veteran and respected citizen is a member of the United Brethren church and gives his suffrage to the Republican party. He served for a good many years as Sunday School superintendent and has filled most of the oflfices in the Hedgetown church. He is public spirited and the friend of good education, and he has won the gratitude of his township as a member of the school board, his services being of the most

Howard R. Young, of Greenspring, associated with his brother Ervin J. Young in the manufacture of tile and brick, was bom May 4, 1892, a son of Josiah H. and Carrie (Schuster) Young. A biographical sketch of his father, giving his antecedents and family history, and a biograpTiical sketch of his brother involving a descriptive account of his business, are referred to in this connection. The reader will find them interesting as a part of the pioneer and business history of Adams township.

Mr. Young was a member of his parents' household till he was seventeen years old, then joined his brother in the enterprise mentioned, which had been established originally by their father. He has a half interest in the concern and is active in its management. In this business and in other ways he has demonstrated that he possesses those characteristics which make for success and good citizenship. , He has shown, too, that he is actuated in his dealings with his fellow townsmen by an admirable public spirit that promises well for the advancement of the community so long as he is a member of it. There is no demand upon him to assist any movement looking to the enhancement of the public weal that he does not cordially respond to in a practical way that makes him helpful to the extent of his ability.

Robert H. Watson is one of those good citizens whom Seneca county can especially claim by reason of birth within her borders, and here his life has thus far been spent with the exception of a period of six years in California, after which he returned from the golden west more than ever content with the fine qualities of the Buckeye state. The date of Mr. Watson's birth was December 11, 1847, and its scene was in Hopewell township, Seneca county. He is of that Scotch-Irish stock from which so many great and good Americans have sprung. His parents were Thomas W. and Sarah J. (Tomb) Watson, natives of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, who came here with their parents in the year 1836, the families locating in this township at what is known as Watson Station. Thomas W. Watson was bom August 11, 1819, and his parents were William and Jane (McMeen) Watson. The subject's grandfather, William Watson, was born June 12, 1772, and came here either in the latter part of the eighteenth or the earlier part of the nineteenth century' from county Donegal, Ireland. He settled in Pennsylvania, married Jane McMeen, a young woman of Scotch to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of three children. His brother, Frank C, born June 5, 1877, resides in Sandusky, where he is city manager of the Lake Shore Electric Railway. He received his education in Sandusky. A sister, Ethel M., is the wife of William Douglas, a machinist living in Cleveland, Ohio.

H. Bernard Berlekamp was bom in Prussia October 12, 1843, a son of Henry and Mary Berlekamp, natives of Teclenbourg, both of whom were bom about 1788. He was reared on his father's farm until he reached the age of eleven years, and was then hired out by his parents, according to the custom of the time and place About eleven years later he was called back home on account of the illness of his father and mother. They died, he on April 7, and she on June 27, 1862. He was now thrown entirely on his own resources and found work for which he was promised an equivalent of fourteen dollars a year. He had to walk from three to five miles to work in the morning during the summer season. From two-thirty or three o'clock to about eight he cut grass. Then he walked back to the house to get his breakfast. Sometimes the distance was as great as four or five miles. The inconveniences and hardships that he had to endure during the rest of the day, the working part of which was extended well into the night, were scarcely less serious. Reading of it in America, where labor conditions are now so different, one wonders that human fiesh and blood could bear up under it all. When he was twenty two he was sent to the German army to give the best three years of his life to the service of his country. It was a period of restraint and of hard service that he will never forget. When he returned home he was employed in a coal mine, where he labored from eight to twelve hours a day, walking eight or nine miles night and morning. It was well for him that his marching experiences in the army had in a measure prepared him for this. One would not think he traveled any- more easily for the heavy wooden shoes that he wore, but he does not mention these as adding particularly to the hardness of his lot at that time. When he had been thus employed three months he broke his leg. This accident laid him up three months. Hardly had he returned to work when he broke the scarcely healed fracture asunder and went back to idleness and suffering for four months more. When he was out again he turned his back on the coal mine in favor of a stone quarry. It is not to be supposed that conditions there were much better. As soon as he could save up a little money he gathered his few valuables and prepared to seek his fortune in America. He came over on board the ship Danuegh and was eleven days in making the voyage. He landed at New York, whence he soon went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was given work at teaming by an old school mate who had come over before him and obtained a foothold in the new world.

After he had labored in Cincinnati about nine months he was ready to strike out for the country, where he had been informed opportunities for advancement were better and more plentiful than they were in the city. Coming to Pleasant township, Seneca county, forty-one years ago, he worked for a time for B. Rule. After about twelve years, during which he was variously employed, he bought a farm on the Portland road. At length he sold out there and located on one hundred and eight and one-half acres which is a part of his present farm of two hundred and fifteen acres. He has deeded a large farm to his son. Together they own six hundred acres.

On February 1, 1870, Mr. Berlekamp married Caroline Cook, born February 1, 1851, a daughter of Fred A. and Elizabeth M. (Speaker) Cook, natives of Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. Cook located at Republic, Seneca county, in 1870 and engaged in farming. 'They bought eighty acres of fine land, gave their attention to mixed crops and raised and marketed considerable live stock. Mr. Cook was born December 14, 1819, and died March 31, 1889. Mrs. Cook was born November 23, 1818, and died February 18, 1884. Mr. Berlekamp was one of twelve children : Guard, Henry, Fred, Jacob, William, H. Bernard, Minnie, Sophie, Kate, Christine, Mary and Carl. Mrs. Berlekamp was one of five children : Minnie, Harmon, Henry, August and Caroline. She and her husband have had eight children : August B., was born October 5, 1875 ; Amelia, is the wife of Lawrence Scheclenhelm. She was born October 22, 1871; Louisa, bom in August, 1873, married Dell Farber of Sandusky ; Jennie, born November 10, 1877, is Mrs. William Ohler, of Adams township; Frank, born November 28, 1879; Oscar, born June 26, 1883 ; Charles H., bom April 6, 1885, are all well known in Pleasant township. Robert, the youngest of the family, was born January 7, 1895. August B., died December 25, 1892.

Mr. Berlekamp is an elder in the Reformed church at Fremont. Mrs. Berlekamp is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and of the Foreign Missions Society of that organization. In a general way they are helpful to all the interests of this church which they have adopted as their spiritual home. In his political convictions Mr. Berlekamp is a Republican. He has been school director and has ably filled other public offices. He takes much interest in the development and prosperity of the township and is ready in a public spirited way to do whatever he can to advance them.

Charles I. Anders, M. D. - One of Seneca county's useful and respected citizens and a man of excellent standing in his profession is Dr. Charles I. Anders, residing at Old Fort, where he enjoys a large practice and the friendship and confidence of the citizens of that town and the surrounding country, to whom he has so frequently ministered in the hour of need. He was bom in Pleasant township, Seneca county, on June 20, 1869, the son of David B. and Phoebe A. (Clark) Anders, natives respectively of Pleasant township and Bloomville. Dr. Anders resided with his parents upon their farm in Pleasant township until he began to prepare for the profession for which he is particularly fitted by natural inclination. His preliminary education was received in the schools of Hedgetown and Greenspring, being graduated from the well known academy of the latter place in June, 1888.

Mrs. Cole resided with her parents until her marriage, and like her husband was educated in the Republic Academy under Aaron Schuyler, now president of the Selina University of Kansas. She specialized in Latin, Greek and higher mathematics, and was graduated from the institution in the year 1862. Afterwards she taught under Professor Schuyler in the old academy for several years and had the distinction of being the only woman superintendent in the township. She likewise taught in Plat Rock and was principal of the high school of Republic, her whole career as an educator covering a period of twenty-seven years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cole was solemnized October 9, 1876, and was blessed by the birth of two children, a son and a daughter. The elder, Elsie L., became the wife of J. R. Loudenstager of Bellevue, and their two children, Gretchen M., bom October 4, 1902, and Doris H., bom April 28, 1906, give the Coles the happy distinction of grandparents. Their son. Heath K., was born September 16, 1880. He was educated in the public schools of Republic, graduating from its higher department at the age of fifteen years; matriculating at Heidelberg University at Tiffin and graduated there in 1901; and finished a course in law at the Ohio State University, from which institution he was sent forth with his degree in 1903. He went to Topeka Kansas, where he remained for a short time and was there admitted to the bar in 1905, being now a resident of Tiffin, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession.

Mrs. Cole is a member of the old Baptist church of Republic and one of its most zealous workers. This church has had a varied history, having been the first store building erected in the town, the same being later used for a school building. The church association then purchased it and converted it into a church and here many services have been held. Mrs. Cole is a charter member and the second secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society. She was the first worthy matron of the Eastern Star and was grand representative of Florida at the session of the order held at Columbus. She is a woman of marked efficiency and served as deputy postmistress from 1900 to 1905, when her husband held the chief office.

Mrs. Cole's brothers, Edson and Joseph N. Platte, were in service during the progress of the Civil war. Edson died in the army, after having been taken prisoner three times. Joseph now resides in Sheridan, Wyoming, where he pursues the calling of an architect.

Frederick Charles Gilcher, M. D. - As a member of the medical profession Dr. Frederick Charles Gilcher has won distinction, and although but a few years have passed since he became one of its representatives, he enjoys an extensive and remunerative practice. In no profession is there more constant progress than in that of medicine and surgery and Dr. Gilcher is of that admirable type of physician who believes it no less than a crime not to keep in touch with the latest word in the science. He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred April 11, 1874, at Sandusky, and his parents being Charles A. and Belle (Degen- feld) Gilcher, also natives of the Buckeye state. Charles Gilcher is the son of Peter and Christine (Boos) Gilcher, whose birth occurred in Germany. Thus by descent Mr. Gilcher belongs to that fine nationality which America considers, one of her worthiest sources of emigration. His grandparents soon after crossing the Atlantic located in Sandusky.

Dr. Gilcher *s parents were married December 30, 1872, and after that event the father embarked in the lumber business in Sandusky. The maternal grandfather of the subject, whose name was Christopher Degenfeld, had a gallant Civil war record, having offered his services to the defense of the Union almost at the beginning of the great conflict between the states. He was made major of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was forced to resign on account of illness. He subsequently recruited a company of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry and was made captain of the same. At the battle fought at Saltville, Virginia, he fell from wounds, was captured and sent to Libby prison, where he was incarcerated for a long period. He died from the effects of his wounds in 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Francis Lenhart, survived until 1892. The paternal grandfather was called to his eternal rest in 1877, and his wife two years later. c

Dr. Gilcher received his preliminary education in the public schools and resided with his parents until 1896, in which year he came to Republic and took up the practice of medicine. When looking about him for a life work he had been inclined toward medicine and he received his training in the homoeopathic department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, being graduated in 1896. During his last year in college he was interne in the hospital. He is of the school of homoeopathy. Aside from his professional work he has taken an active and able part in public affairs and at present holds the oflfice of president of- the board of education. He was mayor of Republic, serving from March, 1903, \intil January, 1906. He is a member of the Republican Central Committee. He has always taken great interest in township and county politics and is well informed in the issues of the present day. The oflfice of health oflficer of Republic was held by him from 1898 to 1903, and during the past ten years he has been the health oflficer of Scipio township. He may indeed be accounted one of the leading and progressive citizens . of Seneca county and one whose career is not yet at its zenith.

Miss Nellie M. Harton, of Toledo, born April 22, 1882, to Frank and Marian Chittenden. Her mother died when Nellie was thirteen months old and she was reared by an uncle, Edward S. Chittenden, who was located at Republic in the grocery and drug business. He later moved to Tiflfin and thence to Toledo, where he became manager of the Milner department store. Dr. and Mrs. Gilcher have one living child, Edwin Lysle, born August 9, 1909.

descent, born October 8, 1774, and reared a family of ten children, of whom Thomas, Mr. Watson's father, was one of the youngest. One of the children of this stanch pioneer, Oliver, became one of the most eminent of Pennsylvania 's jurists.

Thomas Watson desired an education rather better than that of the ordinary youth and he secured it, and at the early age of eighteen was well equipped to teach. His pedagogical career was only a step towards more education, for with the salary tiereof he was enabled to wander farther afield in the pleasant paths of learning. In 1841 he completed his education, of a general character, being graduated from the Western Reserve school at Milan. He was engaged for a year in the mercantile business at Republic and then, ambitious to enter the ranks of the legal fraternity, he went to Tiffin, where he had the exceptional opportunity of reading law under the guidance of Attorneys Richard Williams, William Gibson, W. P. Noble and R. G. -Pennington being fellow students. In 1845 his health failed, and being strongly advised by physicians to seek an outdoor life, he took up the vocation of agriculture. His property was located in Pleasant township, and although he gave great promise in the profession of his first choice, he was philosophical over the disappointment and achieved success as an exponent of the great basic industry of agriculture. In 1847, (January 13) he married Sarah Jane Tomb, daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Blackwell) Tomb. Benjamin Tomb was bom in Pennsylvania, and Anna Blackwell Tomb was bom and educated in England. To this union were bom five children, three of whom are living at the present day. Anne is the wife of Charles H. Baldwin and Bessie is the widow of William Skinner and resides in Tiffin.

Thomas Watson, the father, was nearly ninety years of age when he died. He was a man who was held in respect and veneration by the entire community.' For over half a century he held membership in the Presbyterian church and was its ruling elder for more than two score years.

Robert H. Watson remained under the home roof until the attainment of his majority, attending the district schools and al*o Western Reserve at Milan two years and became well grounded in the many departments of farming under the excellent tutelage of his father. He was too young to join the service at the time of the Civil war, but a few years after the termination of that struggle he went to California, as previously stated, and remained there half a dozen years, engaging in mining and merchandising, amid new scenes satisfying his love of adventure. About two years after his return he established a household of his own by his marriage to Letty L. Titus, this union being celebrated in May, 1879. They have four children : Ralph Titus, Helen Sarah, Hortense and Robert Dwight. Ralph Titus Watson married in December, 1896, Miss Elizabeth Fleet, a daughter Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Fleet of Tiffin, She was born in Eden township, Seneca county. They have two children, Marshal Fleet Watson and Thomas Wood Watson.

For several years after his marriage Robert H. Watson engaged in farming in Pleasant township, making a specialty of stock raising, but in 1888 he made something of a change and em- barked in the grain business. He has applied his whole attention to this and has achieved no small amount of success building up^ a large trade which every year increases in scope. In this line he is ably assisted by his son Ralph. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church of Tiffin, and assist in every way in the furtherance of its excellent project. He is a director of the Conunercial National Bank of Tiffin. He casts his vote with the Democratic party, except when on accasion he finds the men and measures advanced by other parties coincident with his own convictions.

Prank W. Berlekamp. - The possessor of two hundred and forty-three of the fertile acres of Pleasant township, Seneca county, upon which he resides, and one hundred and forty-seven acres located elsewhere, part of this inherited and part his by right of purchase, Prank W. Berlekamp is a well known farmer who engages extensively in agriculture and stock raising, and he is a valuable citizen. He is of the German stock, of which the county has a plentiful representation and which figures as one of its thriftiest and most prosperous elements. Although already one of the large land holders, he is of the younger generation, his birth having occurred November 28, 1879, in Pleasant township. His parents are H. B. and Caroline (Cook) Berlekamp, both of them natives of Prussia, the father having come to ** the land of promise" in 1869 and the mother, in 1870. They were married about a year after the mother's arrival and soon came on to the Buckeye state and to that favored portion of it known as Seneca county. They located first in Adams township and later in Pleasant township, where the father, who had means, purchased a four hundred acre farm.

The subject of this review remained under the parental roof until his marriage, receiving his education in the district school, choosing agriculture as his life work, and receiving a thorough training for this honorable vocation in the school of practical experience. He is an extensive farmer and stock feeder and ships annuallv from one to three cars of cattle and about five hundred sheep. He is a member of the Reformed church and he and his wife are very active in its good works, supporting it in every way. Mr. Berlekamp has volunteered to support a missionary minister of the Reformed church in China for at least five years. Politically he favors the Independent party.

The happy married life of Mr. and Mrs. Berlekamp dates from April 26, 1906, the latter 's maiden name having been Nettie L. Sneath. She was bom November 14, 1882, and is the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Snyder) Sneath, natives of Ohio. A complete record of the Sneath family, one of the most important hereabout, is given on other pages of this work. This union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Sarah Sneath, born June 8, 1909.

Prederick Wiluam Conradt, was one of the honored citizens and prominent business men of the city of Tiffin at the time of his death, which occurred here on the 14th of August, 1909, and his worthy life and services well entitle him to a tribute in this publication. He was bom at Peru, Indiana, on the 21st of December, 1859, and is a son of Gottlieb and Mary (Schmidt) Conradt.

Frederick William Conradt was afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native state and remained at the parental home until he had attained the age of eighteen years when he went to the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered a college of pharmacy, in which he was graduated on the completion of the prescribed course. Thereafter he conducted a drug store in that city until 1891, when he sold the same and came to Peru, Indiana. Three years later he and his brother Albert became associated with their father in the sanitary pottery business at Kokomo, establishing The Great Western Pottery Company of that state, where he remained seven years. He then removed to TiiBn, Ohio, where he assumed charge of a pottery of which his company had become the purchaser. He continued to be actively concerned in the management of this important concern until he was summoned from the scene of life's activities. He gained a high place in the confidence and esteem of the community, where he was known as a loyal and public spirited citizen. He was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and was a zealous member of the Gterman Lutheran church.

In the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 21st of December, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Conradt to Mss Margaret Haugh, who was born in that city, and who is a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Cameron) Haugh. Mrs. Conradt still maintains her home in Tiflfin and her honored husband is also survived by one daughter, Mary Josephine, who was born on the 17th of May, 1905.

John IMcCauley. - Among the representative members of the bench and bar of Ohio is numbered Judge McCauley, whose record both in the work of his profession and in judicial office has been marked by distinguished ability and by impregnable integrity and honor. He is a man of fine intellectuality, '^^A one of the strongest and most noteworthy elements in his racter has been his inflexible devotion to principle. He has \ all things in their correct proportions and thus his rulings t- ae bench have been significantly fair and equitable, few of his lecisions h ^ng been reversed by higher tribunals. The Judge is a represen <tive of one of the sterling pioneer families of the old Buckeye st te and this has been his home from the time of his b h to the p (^ent. He is one of the best known and most honored itizens of Stneca county and maintains his home in the city of Tiffin.

Judge John McCauley was bom in Columbiana county, 01 ^o, on the 9th of December, 1834, and is a son of Henry and Susan (Kelley) McCauley, both of whom were born and reared in the famous old city of Paisley, Scotland, a land with whose history the family name has been identified for many generations. The marriage of the parents was solemnized n their native land, in 1834 and their bridal tour was virtually that of their emigration to the United States. Soon after their arrival they made their way to Ohio and settled in Columbiana county, where the father Vol. II - 3 purchased a tract of land and turned his attention to the great basic industry of agriculture. Later he disposed of this property and purchased land in Wood county, which represented the family home for a period of about six years. Removal was then made to Hancock county and there Henry McCauley continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his active career. He died in that county in 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years. His widow Survived him by twelve years and passed the gracious evening of her life in the home of her son. Judge McCauley, in Tiffin, where she was summoned to eternal rest at the venerable age of eighty-seven years.

The early educational advantages of Judge McCauley were limited to the pioneer schools of Wood and Hancock counties and, like many another who has achieved prominence in professional and public life, his early experiences were those of the farm. He attended the common schools during the winter terms until he had attained the age of sixteen years and he then entered an academy in Republic, Seneca county, where he continued his studies for three years and prepared himself for college. At the age of nineteen years Judge McCauley was matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1859, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the meanwhile he taught several terms of school and by this means largely defrayed the expenses of his academic and collegiate courses. On the 1st of September, 1859, he began reading law under the able preceptorship of the late Judge James Pillars, who was one of the most brilliant legists and jurists of northern Ohio. The assiduity and receptiveness of Judge McCauley may be well understood when it is stated that at the end of the year 1860, he was enabled to pass the required examination and secure admission to the bar of his native state. In 1860 he opened an office in Tiffin and here his abilitv and careful and honorable methods soon gained to him a secure place as one of the leading members of the bar of Seneca county. In 1875 he formed a partnership with Robert G. Pennington and this alliance continued for a period of four years. Later he became associated with Henry J. Weller, under the firm name of McCauley & Weller, and this firm has long maintained a prominent position at the bar of the northern part of Ohio, having been concerned in much important litigation in both the state and federal courts. This partnership has continued to the present time, thus covering a period of twenty-five years.

In the year 1865 Judge McCauley was elected prosecuting attorney of Seneca county, and the best evidence of his able and satisfactory administration of this office was that given by his reelection as his own successor in 1867, so that he continued incumbent of this position for four consecutive years. In 1874 he was elected a delegate to the convention called to revise the state constitution. In 1879 there came further recognition of his sterling character and distinctive eligibility in that he was elected to the bench of the court of common pleas for the Tenth judicial district of Ohio, a district comprising the counties of Wood, Hancock, Hardin and Seneca. Concerning his career from this time for- ward the following pertinent statements have been written and are well worthy of reproduction in this article: *- After three years upon the common pleas bench he resigned the oflfice in order to accept the position of member of the supreme court commission, to which he was appointed by Gk)vernor Charles Foster in April, 1883. His duties in this capacity were no less arduous and important than were those of the supreme court judges, and he served fnitbfully as a member of this commission until his work was finished, in 1885, when he resumed the practice of his profession. His knowledge of law being comprehensive and profound he was well qualified for the important duties which devolved upon him and he was accredited with strict fairness and impartiality in his rulings on the bench. He fully sustained the dignity of the office, permitted no contention or wrangling among the council and dispatched the business of the court with remarkable facility. His appointment to the supreme court commission was generally recognized by members of the bar as one of peculiar fitness and at no time did his course fail to justify the confidence and esteem reposed in him by his professional confreres. His advice has been freely and constantly sought by the younger members of the bar and to them his admonition and counsel have been generously given. He has been remarkably successful in practice, is master of dialectics and thus is powerful in his presentation of cases before court and jury. He marshals his points in evidence with great skill and with marked accuracy applies to them the principles of law bearing upon the subject.'*

In politics Judge McCauley has ever given a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party and, while he has sought no public office aside from those directly in line with the work of his profession, he has given efficient service in behalf of his party. He is identified with no religious or fraternal organizations but, as has been said, **He is guided by a high moral sense and by broad humanitarian principles.'* Understanding fully the well springs of human thought and action, he has naught of intellectual bigotry but is tolerant and kindly in his attitude toward all clas8e>5 and conditions of men, the while his sympathy has been ever one of helprulness, shown forth in practical and well directed aid to those in need or distress.

In the year 1864 Judge McCauley was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Lockwood, a daughter of Dr. Alonzo and Merinda (Newcomb) Lockwood, of Fostoria, Ohio. Judge and Mrs. Mc- Cauley became the parents of five daughters, all of whom are living^ except one, who died in infancy.

Jesse N. Sellers. - Some one has said that **the farmer is king of the earth," and this has never suffered contradiction. Of this ** Royal" company, whose independent, wholesome existence has a charm for all right minded men, is Jesse N. Sellers, who owns and operates the old Sellers homestead in Pleasant township and is to be numbered among the progressive and prominent farmers of the locality. He was born January 4, 1859, upon the very homestead upon which he now resides, his parents being Fred and Hannah

(Scheidler) Sellers, who were natives of Germany. The father, who was only three years of age when his parents bade farewell to old ties and sailed across the Atlantic to a land of independence and opportunity, first located with them in Stark county and when grown to manhood's estate, came on to Pleasant township, where he became the possessor of a one hundred and seventy acre farm. This he improved and built upon several different situations before he found the one he considered ideal. The elder Mr. Sellers was a God-fearing man and of the Dunkard faith, taking an active and prominent part in the affairs of the church of that denomination. When it was purposed to build a church he and his son, the subject of the sketch, quarried the stone and hauled the lumber to the chosen site. Jesse, then a lad of fourteen years, hauled one of the first load of rock for the erection of the foundation of this house of worship. Before the completion of the church the Sellers family furnished the bam in which to hold temporary services, and during love feasts were wont to entertain people for several weeks at a time. The father was a Republican, and was well informed upon all those questions which effect good citizenship. He was the friend of education and assisted in the work of building schools. The mother, Hannah Scheidler, was a native of Stark county, a daughter of Jacob Scheidler. The subject is the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children.

Mr. Sellers received his education in the district schools, and resided with his parents until his marriage in the year 1881. He lived at one time in Sandusky county, cultivating a farm for eighteen months, but was drawn to the old scenes and returned to Pleasant township, where he has ever since made his home. He engages in general farming, having in his possession seventy-eight and one-half acres. In his political faith he is a Republican and his connection with public affairs is represented by a service of three years on the school board. He and his family attend the United Brethren and Dunkard churches.

The wife and helpmeet of Mr. Sellers was previous to her marriage Lydia McCowen, bom March 6, 1861, to Daniel and Emma (Palmer) McCowen, natives of Ohio. Coming here at an early day, they took up land and brought it to a state of improvement.

Mr. and Mrs. Sellers are the parents of a family of six children. Maud, the eldest, is the wife of Jesse Roderick, her birth having occurred June 28, 1882, in the city of Cleveland; Charles, who was born September 1, 1886, was educated at Old Fort, taught in the schools of Seneca county for two years and now resides in Cleveland, where he is engaged in the dairy business ; Gladys, born January 4, 1890; Harvey P., born January 25, 1895, and educated at Tiffin; Roy J., bom May 31, 1897; and Glen, bom April 24, 1899, are all at home.

George P. Eino. - The homestead of George P. King, consisting of many acres of the choicest quality and adorned with a handsome, modem and commodious residence, unsurpassed by any in Pleasant township, is well known throughout Seneca county, and the name of King is one to which esteem attaches. The family has been known in Ohio since the subject's grandfather, Jacob King, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1792, and his wife, Catherine Moyer, of Virginia, bom in 1797, came to Sandusky county in the year 1832. Jacob King was one of a family of nine childreu and he had eight children, all of whom are deceased with the ex* ception of Mrs. Thomas Durbin and Mrs. R. S. Leon. In the new location the head of the family bought land and conducted a tavern, in a cabin that had formerly been occupied by the Indians, who had been decidedly troublesome in that section. The maternal grandparents, Greenbury and Marcella Sheets, both of Maryland, the former born January 22, 1803, and the latter in 1811, came to the Buckeye state about the year 1831. The former died in 1854 and the latter in 1877. Mr. King's mother Angeline Sheets, was born in Prederick, Maryland.

Thus Mr. King's parents, Phillip and Angeline (Sheets) King, were natives of Ohio and Maryland, respectively. The mother bom July 3, 1826, came to the state when about five years of age. The father was about seven years the elder of his wife, his birth date having been March 20, 1819. The birth of Mr. King occurred September 10, 1851, near the town of Old Port, and it was upon the farm of his father that he passed his youthful days and attended school. He resided with his parents until his marriage to Plora Keenan, the same being celebrated December 10, 1874. IVIrs. king was born April 24, 1854, and is a daughter of Peter and Nancy Keenan, the father bom in 1809 and a native of Perry county, Ohio, and the mother, born in 1817, and of Pairfield county, this state. Peter Keenan was the son of James and Catherine (Yost) Keenan, who were old settlers in Wyandot county, later removing to Seneca county, where they lived out the residue of their days. Mrs. King's brother, J. P. Keenan, lives in Pittsburg and a half sister, Mrs. Adaline Doll, resides in Columbus, Ohio.

To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born three children, one dying in infancy. Ralph P., bom November 30, 1876, is now located in the state of Washington, where he follows the vocation of a teacher. He received his preliminary education in the district schools and afterward attended Stanford University in California and a school at Lebanon, Ohio, from which institution he received his degree. He has graduated in mining engineering and at the parental home has some collections of quartz. Dorothy E., born July 27, 1884, was educated in the common schools and is at present at home, in Greenspring. She is the wife of W. H. Rule and they have one little daughter, Florence Josephine. The family are of the Reformed faith. The handsome residence is built entirely of hard wood and is the center of a gracious hospitality.

Mr. King is independent in politics, as many of his well informed brethren seem to be, and believes in supporting the best man and the best measures, no matter what party they represent.

Helen V. Marcha. - On nothing, in all generations, has Seneca county's strength been more securely founded than on her brave and noble womanhood. In days long past the mothers and wives faced the perils of pioneer life shoulder to shoulder with the men, and surmounted difficulties which made the burden of Atlas -seem light in comparison ; when the long lowering Civil war cloud broke at last and plunged this part of Ohio, with the rest of the country, into mourning and devastation, the women bore their lot with fortitude not less in degree than that of the boys who faced the cannon on the field of battle; today Seneca takes the same richly deserved pride in the daughters and grand-daughters of those who have gone before, and esteems them the fairest flower of her later development. A representative member of this fine young womanhood of Seneca county is Helen V. Marcha, who was born April 21, 1888, in Pleasant township, near Old Port, on land bordering on the Sandusky, her parents being John and Emma (Nichols) Marcha. The birth dates of the parents are August 29, 1862 and July 7, 1862, respectively.

The mother's parents were Robert and Jane (Brandeberry) Nichols, who, to quote from an old chronicle * * were -considered and received a prize consisting of a cook stove as being the most handsome and finest dancers in or near Tiffin. ' ' The grandfather came here from West Virginia, his native state, in the year 1825, when a lad seven years of age, his birth having occurred in 1818. His parents were bom in the Old Dominion. At the time of the* exodus to Ohio from West Virginia, Robert was suffering from a broken arm, but the plucky little fellow walked almost the entire distance, assisting in driving the cattle. The family located south of Tiffin and secured land upon which they farmed in a crude sort of fashion for a while, but they subsequently removed to Tiffin, and soon winning the confidence of his associates Robert Nichols came to play a prominent part in the affairs of the town. He held the offices of marshal and jailer and at the early age of twenty-five years was elected to the office of deputy sheriff, which he filled in the most capable and acceptable manner. Later he was in the government service and carried the mail from Fremont, to Tiffin, driving a stage coach over the route. He was, however, a mechanic by trade. He divided his time between this and adjoining counties and was widely mourned at the time of his demise, which occurred in the month of October, 1908. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Tiffin.

Miss Helen Marcha 's mother, Emma, was the second in order of birth of the children of Robert Nichols and his wife. She was bom at Tiffin and received an excellent education, being graduated from the high school of her native place and later from Heidelberg College. She engaged in educational work and she can look back over a gratifying career as a teacher in the schools of Seneca and adjoining counties of six years duration. She was married August 2, 1883, and moved to the farm where the subject was born soon after that happy event. She is a public spirited woman, who, although she is the most faithful of wives and mothers, yet has some interest beyond the narrow confines of the household. She belongs to the Memorial Society of the township and was one of those who instigated the movement which resulted in the erection of a monument to the soldiers.

Andrew Marcha, a Frenchman. He was a Parisian and spent some years of his life, in that interesting city before coming to America, some time previous to the middle of the ninteenth century. He first located in New York, but a little later came on to Stark county and settled on a farm with his parents, John and Catherine Marcha. In his native land John Marcha had been a brewer, but upon coming to America he took up farming and continued his new occupation until the time of his death, which occurred about thirty years ago. John Marcha resided with his parents until about a year previous to the attainment of his majority, and then began upon an independent career in the useful capacity of a thrasher, his services being employed by numerous agriculturists in this vicinity. He had been in Seneca county about three years when he married, the young woman to become his bride being Anna Scheidler, and their union being celebrated April 21, 1861. Her birth date was October 16, 1834, and she was the daughter of Jacob and Agnes Huford of Maryland, good citizens who came to Stark county in the early days and later removed to Pleasant township in this county, where their daughter was reared to womanhood, the Scheidler estate being located near Watson station. To this union were born two children. The elder was John, the father of the subject, and the younger Erve, bom October 6, 1872, in this township. The latter is now located in Toledo.

John Marcha is one of the progressive men of the township. He received his educational discipline in the district schools and at Heidelberg College and is now one of the up-to-date exponents of the honorable calling of agriculture. He has had no small or imimportant experience in public life, having been assistant bill clerk of the House of Representatives from this district for about fifteen years. This long term of service speaks highly both of his moral and mental powers. He is a Democrat, giving his heart and hand to the men and measures of that party. He and his wife are the parents of five children. The eldest, Robert, born October 25, 1884, is located in the state capital, Columbus, where he has a position in the state bindery. Hazel, now the wife of Neal Reitsman and residing at West Park, Cleveland, was born October 23, 1885. She is remembered as one of the eflScient teachers, having taught for eight years in this and adjoining counties. Miss Marcha was the third child. The two younger children, Honore, bom March 20, 1898, and James, born July 24, 1900, are both at home with their parents.

Miss Marcha 's grandparents on the Marcha side are among the respected people of Pleasant township. For two or three years after their marriage they resided on rented land, but subsequently purchased land near Old Port, the tract consisting of about one hundred and sixty acres, a part of this now being in the hands of their son John. About fourteen years ago they removed to Old Port, where they are held in high regard. They have deep affection for the county which has been the scene of the important events of their lives and those of their children and grandchildren. For years they have kept in touch with county and township affairs through constant perusal of the Tiffin Advertiser, published by E. S. Myers, one of the editors of this volume whose object is the perpetuation of the life histories of the worthy people of this county.

Helen V. Marcha was reared upon her father's homestead and received an excellent education in the schools of Old Port and in Heidelberg College. After being graduated from these institutions she entered upon a career as a teacher, for which she is eminently well qualified by natural ability and training. Although still young in years, she can look back over a record of six years as an instructor in neighboring schools. It is a matter of regret that with the beginning of the school year of 1910 she transferred the scene of her labors to the Rocky River schools of Cleveland.

IVIiss Marcha 's grandfather Marcha has had numerous interesting adventures, some of these being incident upon his identification with pioneer life. While living in Stark county he frequently carried a bag filled with two bushels of wheat to a mill two and a half miles away, carrying his burden across his shoulders. He was hired by Smith & Miller of TifiSn to teach them how to make beer, and received for divulging the secret of the process the sum of three dollars. Upon one occasion of crossing the ocean (it being his third) he saw a fish called the Mermaid fish, a rarely observed variety. This had a growth of hair upon its head some two feet long. The captain allowed him to look through the glass at this queer creature and also at a whale. But although he had a good view of the former, he could not by a long stretch of imagination see that it resembled a human face. The Mermaid followed the boat for three days. There were eleven hundred people aboard on this voyage, and not one of the number died or was lost in crossing, an unusual record. The voyage took seven weeks.

Burton W. Crobaugh. - Prominent among the foremost citizens and ablest business men of Seneca county is Burton W. Crobaugh, of Tiffin, who has been a resident of this city for upwards of thirty-five years, during which time he has been actively identified with its advancement in industrial, financial and social lines. He has gained distinctive recognition as a leader in the establishment of beneficial projects and organizations, his capacity for the successful conduct of large enterprises rendering him an important factor in the upbuilding and betterment of the city and of the county. A son of the late Samuel Crobaugh, he was bom November 26. 1856, in Attica, Seneca county, Ohio. Samuel Crobaugh, a native of Seneca county. New York, married Lucy A. Hathaway, who was bom and educated in Geauga county, Ohio, and settled in Seneca county, where both spent the remainder of their days.

Making rapid progress in his studies while in the common schools. Burton W. Crobaugh completed the high school course, being graduated with the class of 1872. The following two years he attended the Cleveland Commercial School, at his graduation from that institution being thoroughly equipped for a business career. He remained in Cleveland as a bookkeeper for a short time, and then located in 1874 in TiflBn. Entering the employ of John M. Naylor, as general salesman and bookkeeper, Mr. Crobaugh performed his duties so well and showed such aptitude for the business that in 1892 he became a partner with his former employer, the firm name being John M. Naylor and Company. In 1898 Mr. Naylor retired from the firm, and the business has since been conducted under its present firm name, Crobaugh & Dahm. This firm carries on the most extensive and lucrative hardware business in northwestern Ohio outside the cities of Cleveland and Toledo, and is one of the longest established in the state. Mr. Crobaugh has occupied his present building since 1874, and is widely known as one of the most prosperous and progressive men of his times.

A man of varied resources, Mr. Crobaugh has been a leading spirit in the inauguration of beneficial enterprises and is officially identified with many of them. He is a stockholder and a director in the Tiffin National Bank, secretary and director of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, a position that makes him the general manager of the organization; is vice president of the Tiffin Commercial Club; treasurer of the Electric Railway and Power Company, and is actively identified with other enterprises. A natural business man and a promoter, he has contributed in many ways to the betterment of the city, being known as a man who does things rather than as a dreamer.

Mr. Crobaugh married, in 1878. Laura P. Weller, a daughter of John L. and Maria (Metcalf ) Weller. She was born and reared in Seneca county, receiving her education in the Tiffin schools. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crobaugh, namely: Bertha, a graduate of the Tiffin High School, is the wife of George D. Liles, of Youngstown, Ohio; Lucy, who was also graduated from the Tiffin High School; Irene, a graduate of the Ursuline Convent; Burton N., who was graduated from the Tiffin High School with the class of 1910; and Clarence, a pupil in the same school.

Mr. Crobaugh and his family are valued members of Saint Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is an active worker, being a member of its official board and one of its board of trustees. Praternally Mr. Crobaugh belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In national politics he is a Republican, but in the management of local affairs he casts his ballot in favor of the best men and measures, regardless of party prejudice.

Otis T. Locke. - It is most consonant that in this publication be accorded recognition to this well known and highly esteemed citizen of Seneca county, for he has done much to further the best interests of the community, not only in a personal way, but through the agency of his newspaper enterprises. He is at the present time serving as postmaster of the city of Tiffin and is .senior member of the firm of 0. T. Locke & Son, publishers of the Daily Tribune and Herald and the weekly Tribune at Tiffin, papers that have conceded standing as among the best of their order in the entire state.

Otis T. Locke was born in Eillawog, Broome county, New York, on the 27th of February, 1842, and is a representative, of a family, of English origin, that was founded in New England in the early Colonial epoch of our national history. His paternal great-grandfather was a colonel in the British army in the Colonial days. His grandfather, John L., was a member of the patriotic band of fifty men who formed the historic ** Boston Tea Party," on the 16th of December, 1773, and who subsequently served as a valiant soldier of the Continental line in the war of the Revolution.

Nathaniel Reed Locke was a native of Vermont, which state he represented as a soldier in the war of 1812, and later he settled in Cortland county, New York. He was a tanner and shoemaker by trade and also became a successful farmer in the old Empire state. His wife's maiden name was Taft. In 1882 they came to Ohio, where they continued to reside until their death.

Otis T. Locke was reared to adult age in his native state and is indebted to the common schools for his early educational training. At the age of eighteen years he came to Ohio and entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in the office of the Bucyriis Journal, at Bucyrus, a paper that was then published by his brother, th6 late David R. Locke, who attained national fame under the nom de plume of Petroleum V. Nasby and who later became the owner and publisher of the Toledo Blade. The subject of this sketch completed his apprenticeship in Bucyrus and in 1863 he entered into partnership with his brother, the late Charles N. Locke, with whom he became associated in the purchase of the Findlay Jeffersonian, at Findlay, this state. They continued to publish this paper until 1868, when they, in company with the late William G. Blymer, purchased the Tiffin Tribune. With the publication of this paper Otis T. Locke has been identified during the long intervening years - more than forty years. The brothers eventually purchased the interest of Mr. Blymer and the paper was published under the firm name of Locke & Brothers until 1893, when Otis T. Locke and his son John P. purchased the interest in the business held by the widow of Charles N. Locke, since which time the enterprise has been continued under the firm name of O. T. Locke & Son. Since 1898 the subject of this sketch has taken no active part in the editorial and business management of the two papers published by the firm, and his son and partner is the active manager of both these departments.

In politics Mr. Locke has ever given stanch allegiance to the Republican party. He has been active in local affairs of a public order and his papers have ever stood the exponent of progressive policies and high civic ideals. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Royal Arcanum and the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics. He has held the office of postmaster of Tiffin since 1880.

At Findlay, Ohio, in the year 1866, Mr. Locke was united in marriage to Miss Maria C. Porch, a daughter of Henry and Sallie (Clark) Porch, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters, of whom Harry David and Burton Parker died in infancy. Miss Carrie M. remains at the parental home; Sallie

P. is the wife of Andrew J. Hazlett, a resident of Buffalo, New York; and John P., is associated with his father as junior member of the firm of 0. T. Locke & Son, as already noted.

Edmund J. Ullrich, successor to his father, Lewis Ullrich, in the greenhouse business at Tiffin, Ohio, was bom in this city September 13, 1877. He received his education in the parochial schools and the Tiffin high school, and at Toledo, Ohio, he took a course in electricity. From his early boyhood he had helped his father in the greenhouse, and after his return from Toledo he went to work for his father and later became a partner in the business. On the death of his father in 1906 he purchased the rest of the business and leased the grounds and is now manager and proprietor of the establishment, which includes the greenhouses at 197 to 201 Sycamore street and the seed store at 177 South Washington street. This greenhouse business was started by Lewis Ullrich nearly forty years ago. Today it is the largest plant of the kind in the state of Ohio, and is known far and near for the excellence of its products, a specialty being made of fine cut flowers and funeral designs. Seventy-five thousand square feet of glass are required as covering for the greenhouses. Having grown up in the business, Edmund J. Ullrich is familiar with every detail from the seed to the marketing of the products, and with progressive and up-todate methods he is carrying forward the work begun by his successful father and maintaining the high standard long ago established for the Ullrich greenhouses.

Edmund J. Ullrich married Miss Tena Schaal, of Toledo, Ohio, and to them have been given two children, Lewis and Erwin. Mr. Ullrich's mother before marriage was Miss Minnie Deimer. The Ullrich family are identified with the St. Joseph Catholic church, and Mr. Ullrich has membership with the Kniofhts of Columbus also in the Elks Lodge. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is an associate member of the 6. A. R.

Louis W. Yingling is one of Pleasant township's successful agriculturists, and he has achieved his success through his own unaided efforts, his seventy-five acre farm purchased in 1895 being a highly cultivated and improved piece of property. He is a Marylander, having been born in Frederick county, that state, on the second day of February, 1862. His parents, John T. and Anna (Wright) Yingling, were of German extraction.

Mr. Yingling spent his boyhood and early youth under the parental roof, attended the common schools, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was the second in order of birth of a family of twelve children, the others being Maggie (deceased), John Thomas, Fannie, Mary, Julia, Joseph, Anna, Vincent, Augustus, Rose and Charles. He did not set forth to make his fortunes as an independent factor in the world of affairs until he had reached the age of twenty-four years. About that time he came to Watson Station and for about eight months worked for John Holtz, subsequently transferring the scene of his activities to southern Ohio, over which territory he canvassed for a company in Lancaster. After a year and a half he went to his native state, Maryland, and having remained there for a short time he came to Greenspring, where his services were engaged by Alfred Birdsall, a farmer, for a period of about eighteen months.

On Christmas eve, in the year 1889, Mr. Tingling established a household of his own by his marriage to Ella Brenneman, bom August 3, 1866, in Reed township, Seneca county, her parents being Jacob and Susan Brenneman, natives of Pennsylvania. Their identification with the Buckeye state dates from about the year 1850, Ashland county having been that part of the state in which they first located. Shortly after becoming a married man i\[r. Tingling took up the occupation of farming on rented land near Watson Station, but subsequently moved to his present excellent farm of seventy-five acres, which is well developed and adorned with a fine home. He is distinctly a self made man, for he started out without an>i:hing and has achieved prosperity by the exercise of good judgment, industry and thrift.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tingling have been born three children. Hallie C, was born September 20, 1890, and was educated in Heidelberg College in Tiffin, being graduated from that institution of learning with the class of 1910. He is now located in Akron, where he has a position with the B. P. Gk)odrich Rubber Company. Lawrence H. was bom January 10, 1899, and is now receiving his education, as is Robert Wright, born September 9, 1900.

Mrs. Tingling received her early education in the schools near Watson Station and subsequently attended Heidelberg College. She can look back upon a good record of three years as an instructor in the schools of Pleasant Center and Bunker Hill of Pleasant township. Mr. and Mrs. Tingling are members of the Evangelical church at Old Port.

Prank Pisher. - Engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old homestead farm on which he was bom and reared to maturity, Prank Pisher is a scion of a fine old German family early founded in Seneca county, his paternal grandparents having emigrated to America from Germany. He was bom on the 15th of April, 1864, and is a son of Jacob and Leah (Gamber) Pisher, the former of whom is a native of Germany and the latter of whom was born in Seneca county. Jacob Pisher was one of the county's earliest pioneers, having come to this section from G^ermany with his mother when he was but three years of age. His father had preceded the family to America and had settled upon a tract of wild land in Seneca county. As the child Jacob grew in years and strength, he engaged in chopping wood, making staves and clearing away the forest for agricultural purposes. He had no educational advantages but being a naturally intelligent lad he became a man of broad general information and he has ever been a liberal and public spirited citizen. He married Leah Gamber, and they became the parents of the following named children : Prank, Mary, William, Sarah, Levi (deceased). Christian and Henry. Leah (Gamber) Pisher was a representative of the fine old Pennsyl- vania family of that name, her parents having been natives of the old Keystone state of the Union. She was summoned to the life eternal on the 3d of September, 1890, at the age of sixty-three years. Since the death of his cherished and devoted wife, Jacob Fisher has maintained his home with his son Frank, the immediate subject of this review. Though he has now attained to venerable age his physical and mental faculties remain unmarred and he labors continually. He is proud of the fact that he shocked twenty acres of oats this season, alone. He insists that he cannot give up to the luxuries of life, as the lesson of hard work learned when a boy stays with him and never a day passes but that he does his share of the chores and other work of the farm.

Frank Fisher early became associated with his father in the w^ork and management of the home farm and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the district schools of his native county t)f Seneca, which he attended during the winter seasons until seventeen years of age, devoting his energies to seeding, planting and harvesting during the summers. After his marriage, in 1885, he resided in Tiifin for two years and thereafter he was engaged in railroad work for eighteen years at Siam, Ohio. In 1905, however, he severed his connections with city life and returned to the old homestead, where he has since been most successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with various social organizations of representative character.

On the 15th of April, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Fisher to Miss Alice Nicholas, the ceremony being performed at Tiffin. Concerning her family history full data is given in the sketch dedicated to Helen V. Marcha, on other pages of this work, so that further information is not deemed necessary in this connection. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have no children of their own but they adopted ajnd raised an orphan boy, Frank G., having taken him into their home when he was but five years old. He was afforded a liberal education and is now in the United States Navy, on the battleship Minnesota. Mrs. Fisher is a valued and appreciative member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 11, at Attica, Ohio. She has passed through all the chairs of the lodge and is now president of the Twentv-first district convention of the same. She is also affiliated with the Daughters of the American Revolution and .is a member of the Relief Corps. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are popular factors in connection with the best social activities of their home county and their attractive residence, located at what is known as ** Fisher's Corner,'* in Reed township, is recognized as a center of refined and gracious hospitality.

Rev. Herman Rust, D. D. - Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual flame that burned in and illumined the mortal tenement of the honored subject of this memoir, who was a distinguished figure in connection with the religious and educational work in Seneca county for many years and whose deep appreciation of his stewardship was on a parity wnth the distinctive ability that was his. Our later generations may well pause to contemplate his exalted and useful life and to pay anew a tribute to his memory, for he wrote his name large upon the history of the day. True biography is a more noble publication than mere fulsome eulogy. The historic spirit, faithful to the record; the discerning judgment, unmoved by prejudice and uncolored by enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual person as in writing the history of a people. The world today is what the leading men of the last generation have made it. Prom the past has come the legacy of the present. Art. science, statesmanship and government are accumulations. They constitute an inheritance upon which the present generations have entered, and the advantages secured from so vast a bequeathment depends entirely upon the fidelity with which is conducted the study of the lives of those who so transmitted the legacy. To such a careful study are the life services of Dr. Rust eminently entitled, and in a publication such as the one at hand it is gratifying to be able to present even a memoir of the abridged type which the province of the work necessarily prescribes.

Rev. Herman Rust, D. D., the son of Prederick and Elizabeth (Borckhart) Rust, was bom on the 8th of December, 1816, in Bremen* Germany. Deeply religious by nature, he united with the Reformed church in Bremen early in his youth. As a lad of about ten years he received his call to the gospel ministry while listening to a sermon by the great German pulpit orator, Dr. Prederick W. Krummacher, on Isaiah Ix, 1 : '* Arise, shine'; for thy light is come.'' Intending to enter the foreign missionary field, with a companion he walked from Bremen to Hamburg to take the necessary examination, but he was compelled to abandon his purpose because there were more applicants than the Wichern Institute could supply with fields.

In June, 1841, he came to America, locating in New York city, where he attended the Reformed church of which Rev. J. C. Guldin was pastor. Through the influence of Mr. Guldin he was induced in 1846 to go to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, to complete his preparation for the Christian ministry. Dr. John Williamson Nevin and Dr. Philip Schaflf, both men of powerful inteJlcct and vast erudition, were the leading professors in Mercersburg College in those years. Dr. Nevin gave the young student a home in his own house and it was there that he met the Hon James A. Buchanan, afterward president of the United States and at that time a member of the board of trustees of Mercersburg College. Dr. Nevin and Mr. Buchanan were intimate friends, and thu.s the young student cast his first ballot as an American citizen for James Buchanan. At the next presidential election he voted for Abraham Lincoln.

He was ordained a minister of the gospel in 1850, by Lebanon classis, at Jonestown, near the city of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He became pastor of the Millersburg charge, near Lancaster, that state. One year later, in response to a call from the board of missions, he became pastor of the Pirst Reformed church in Cincinnati, Ohio, succeeding the Rev. Dr. E. V. Gerhart, who had been elected the first president of Heidelberg College, in Tiffin. Dr.

Rust was soon engaged in the erection of a new church edifice, and sought aid for his mission by personal canvass among members of the Reformed church in six different states. While pastor in Cincinnati he also organized an English Reformed congregation, known as the Church of the Cross, and also the German Salem Reformed congregation on Sycamore street, near the comer of Liberty. In 1862, under his direction, the Reformed congregation (German) of Covington, Kentucky, was organized and the lat«5 Rev. Jean Grob, who was followed by Rev. Dr. P. R. Schwedes, became the first pastors. Dr. Rust labored for twelve years in Cincinnati, and during that time received calls to churches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland, and San Francisco, California, all of which he declined. He further manifested his zeal for the extension of Christ's kingdom by directly aiding not less than nine yoimg men to enter the gospel ministry.

During the Civil war Dr. Rust drilled recruits in Cincinnati for the Union Army, and took part in mimicipal affairs wherever opportunity and duty called him. In that city he also witnessed a number of epidemics of cholera and smallpox. He remained bravely at his post of duty, visiting the sick, comforting the dying, burying the dead, and yet, despite all his exposure, he never once suffered an attack of either one of those dreadful diseases. He always firmly believed that his protection came directly from Gk)d.

In the year 1861 Dr. Rust was chairman of a committee appointed by the Ohio synod to secure Rev. Dr. J. H. A. Ebrard for the German professorship in Heidelberg College and Theological Seminary. Dr. Ebrard declined the call and then the Ohio synod in Dayton, on May 21, 1862, elected Rev. Herman Rust to the chair of German in Heidelberg College. The call was accepted, and Professor Rust moved to Tiffin with his family in November, 1862. In January, 1868, Dr. Kieffer resigned as president of the theological seminary, and by appointment of the board of trustees Professor Herman Rust served in the same capacity from February 1st of that year until the next annual meeting of the Ohio synod. Dr. Rust came to Heidelberg College as the professor of history and German language. Subsequently he was made professor of exegetic and historical theology in Heidelberg Theological Seminary, and ceased altogether from language work in the college. In 1901, in consequence of advancing years, he was appointed professor emeritus of hermeneutics and instructor in the Heidelberg Catechism. In 1872 Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

In addition to his duties as professor Dr. Rust was the eflScient pastor of the Second Reformed congregation in Tiffin for over twenty-one years. During his administration the present beautiful church building was erected at the comer of Madison and Jefferson streets.

He was prominently identified with Tiffin's industrial affairs, and was one of the city's most highly respected citizens. For a number of years he served as a member of the board of education, and was honored with the presidency of that board. He retained his strong mentality to the end of his earthly life, and always mani-

In October, 1855, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Rust to Miss Elizabeth Giesy, the youngest daughter of John Ulrieh and Magdalene Giesy, of Lancaster, Ohio, and in every sense of the word she proved to be a faithful companion in his arduous ministry. She was devoted to her home and to the proper rearing of her children. The students also in college and seminary who learned to know her, always found in her a sympathetic, helpful and motherly counselor. Four children are the fruit of this marriage: Rev. John B. Rust, Ph. D., Miss Mary C. Rust, Herman S. Rust and Rev. Eugene C. Rust. Mrs. Rust was summoned to the life eternal on April 22, 1902, at the age of about eighty years.

As the sun sank in the west on Tuesday, August 8th, 1905, Dr. Herman Rust, at the age of eighty-eight years and eight months, entered into eternal rest. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, August 11, 1905, and the services were held in the Second Reformed church. The following ministers were present at the funeral: Rev. B. S. Stern. D. D. ; Rev. D. A. Winter; Rev. F. W. Horstmeier, D. D. ; Rev. D. R. Raiser, pastor of the Second church ; Rev. Dr. A. S. Zerbe ; Rev. L. B. C. Lahr, D. D. ; Rev. C. M.Schaaflf, D. D.; Rev. Dr. C. E. Miller; Rev. L. C. Martin; Rev. J. P. Stahl, D. D.; Rev. J. I. Swander, D. D.; Rev. C. W. Good; Rev. F. W. Hoffman; Rev. B. II. Roth; Rev. J. D. Buhrer; Rev. A. E. Baichley, D. D. ; Rev. F. E. Zechiel ; Rev. F. W. Kennedy and Rev. Jacob Ihle. In his sermon at the funeral Dr. David Van Home, president of Heidelberg Theological Seminary, said: **IIis death was a peaceful and fitting climax to a long and useful career. It is difficult to estimate aright the influence of such a long and eventful life as that of Dr. Herman Rust. In it we see the sterling qualities of the Germanic character. He could not be swerved from the line of duty as he understood it. He was a successful man in the proper sense of the term, a plain practical man, a sound thinker, leaving behind him a wholesome influence in the church, the school and the community. His grasp upon church history, that great record of past ages, was comprehensive and sure, and the hundreds of students who have passed under his instruction will bear witness to the thoroughness of his knowledge on this subject. He was ever genial and companionable, a friend and brother indeed, and has left behind him gifts to benevolence that testify to his hearty interest in the cause and kingdom of the Redeemer. He excelled most, perhaps, as an evangelical preacher of the gospel in the German language. He was always scriptural, devout and energetic, fluent, impressive and free in the pulpit. All his powers were subsidized in his preaching. His countenance was animated, his voice clear, strong and sonorous, and often, with tears in his own eyes, he awakened responsive emotions in his hearers. He loved to preach, and when the period of retirement drew near he regretted most of all that he could no longer speak to the people on the momentous theme of *Sin and Grace,' and salvation through a divine Redeemer. With him the gospel trumpet never gave an uncertain sound, and it is a great satisfaction now, since he has finished his earthly course, that he ever fought the good fight and kept the faith, and that henceforth there is laid up for him, and for all the faithful in Christ, a crown of eternal life."

Rev. John Benjamin Rust, Ph. D., the oldest son of Herman Rust, was born on the 5th of September, 1856, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was named after his maternal grandfather, John Ulrieh Giesy and Rev. Dr. Benjamin Bausman, oriental traveler and for many years pastor of Reformed churches in Reading, Pennsylvania. Dr. Herman Rust and Dr. Bausman were roommates at Mercersburg College and were lifelo/ig friends.