Seneca Township (part 55 of 60)

Mr. and Mrs. Billiard are the parents of two children : Harry Rubard, born March 23, 1906, and Gertrude, bom June 16, 1909. Mr. Billiard is interested in public matters and his political faith is given to the Republican party. Mrs. Billiard is affiliated with the Evangelical church and is active in its good works. The subject's fraternal relations extend to the Woodmen of the World. He once taught penmanship, being skilled in this respect.

Thomas F. Boljg - Although Thomas F. Bolig is accounted one of Seneca county's successful agriculturists, he is comparatively new to this occupation, his career as a general farmer and stock raiser having covered a space of only about five years. Previous to that he worked at his trade, which was that of a carpenter, conducting a carpenter shop at Bellevue, and he spent several years in California engaged in carpentery. Mr. Bolig is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred July 31, 1871, in Middle Creek township, Snyder county, that state, his parents being Amos and Mary (Hummel) Bolig, also natives of the Keystone state, the father having been bom in the year 1840 and the mother on the day preceding Christmas, 1849. The family were Lutheran in their religious belief, the paternal grandfather, Jacob, being one of the prominent members of the church in his section. The subject's maternal grandfather and grandmother were Andrew and Barbara (Mayer) Hummel, Pennsylvanians. Amos Bolig was a farmer, and his only child was he whose name initiates this article.

Mr. Bolig acquired his early education in the district schools of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, later attending the Pennsylvania Central College, from which he was graduated in 1891, and early in life he learned the trade of a carpenter. About the time that he attainrd his majority he came to Ohio, the date of his arrival within the boundaries of the Buckeye state being March 29, 1892. He located at Bellevue, and with an uncle, Theodore Dauberman, pursued the trade of carpentry. About a year thereafter he mar- ried and for the following eight years continued at his trade, after which he conducted a blacksmith shop for four years. Mr. Bolig made a radical change by removing to the state of California, where he located at Los Angeles, and remained in the west for some three years, making a livelihood as a carpenter. The charms of the Buckeye state remained vividly in his memory, and in 1903 he returned with his family and took up the cultivation of an eighty acre farm inherited from his wife's parents. This tract is located in Thompson township and is the scene of successful operations in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Bolig joined the ranks of the Benedicts on January 1, 1892, the lady to become his bride being Bertha E. Eberhard, born January 6, 1870, to George and Susan (Burgher) Eberhard, citizens of Ohio. George Eberhard was bom October 26, 1834, in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of George and Barbara Eberhard, who came to Ohio when the Indians were still numerous here. Their home was located across the road from an Indian hut, and the children of the family were delighted at having little redskins for playmates. When the father first came to the state there was only one house at Bellevue. The elder Eberhard secured large tracts of land from the government, one being located in Thompson township, Seneca county, and one near Bucyrus. George Eberhard resided upon the homestead until the demise of his parents, the father living to the ripe old age of ninetythree years. At the age of twenty-seven George married Susan Burgher, an Ohioan, born May 3, 1836, and they became the parents of three daughters. Tillie became the wife of William Bickel, of this township; Bertha married the subject; Catherine resides with her parents. Mr. Eberhard votes the Democratic ticket and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. The issue of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bolig are Murray E., born July 3, 1893; Myrtle M., bom Pebmary 2, 1895; and Pern L., born January 2, 1897. All are attending school and Pern received the township gold metal in a spelling contest.

Mr. Bolig gives political adherence to the Democratic party, although independent in his inclinations, believing that the best man and the best measure should be supported irrespective of party. - He and his family belong to the Lutheran church and are to be numbered among the active members.

Upon the subject's farm is an oil well which furnishes oil of a superior quality, forty per cent better than the oil of Wood county, according to a Columbus expert.

Warren H. Hopple is a son of Conrad Hopple, a pioneer in Seneca county, who came in 1833, when he was eleven years old, and contracted two hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Adams township at one dollar and a quarter an acre. The elder Hopple was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Penner) Hopple, March 11, 1819. His son Warren has the old chest that he brought with him from Germany. Six years after his arrival here Conrad Hopple, the grandfather, died, and on the son Conrad (father of subject) devolved the responsi- bility of making and paying for a farm. He took up his father's work where the latter laid it down and carried it forward to ultimate success. Conrad Hopple, Jr., died February 4, 1888. The mother is now living, at an advanced age, on the old homestead. She is now seventy-one years, having been bom June 8, 1839, in Germany, a daughter of Henry and Barbara Brookholt. She came with her parents to America and they located on a farm of ninety acres in Scipio township. The family were connected with the Reformed church and her father was active in the management of its aflPairs. Conrad Hopple was married September 28, 1857, and became the father of seven children. Anna E., bom August 21, 1858, married Fred Cook, of Scipio township; John, bom June 2, 1859; lives in Adams township; William S. and Henry S., twins, were bom May 2, 1860; Mary, born July 22, 1861, died when she was thirteen years old ; Catharine J., born December 4, 1862, died October 21, 1889; Warren H., bom December 2, 1874, is a member of his father's household. At her death in 1889, Catharine J., who had married, left a child then a week old, which waa reared by its grandmother, Mrs. Conrad Hopple.

Mr. Hopple is a Democrat and a member of the Salem Reformed church. He is helpful in all local aflPairs which he deems of public moment. Among his relics of bygone days he cherishes a cane more than one hundred and fifty years old that one of his uncles carried in Germany.

JosiAH H. Young is one of the prominent and progressive yjcJ^ . citizens of Seneca county, being at the head of one of the large industries within its borders, the Young Tile and Brick Plant. This was the first concern of its kind in Adams township, having dated from the year 1881 and having successfully weathered three panics, it is now in a flourishing condition, turning out three hundred and sixty-four thousand tile and one hundred and fifty thousand bricks each year.

Josiah H. Young is a native son of this section. He was born December 5, 1852, in an old log cabin situated somewhere near the line between the townships of Adams and Pleasant. It was near here that he passed his boyhood and received his education in the school near Bunker Hill and at Greenspring. His parents were Charles and Mary C. (Spangler) Young, who were bom in Germany. It seems almost incredible to the present-day traveler who makes the same voyage in less than a week that these good people were eighty days on the way, about fifteen of these being spent on a sand bar. They landed finally near Chesapeake Bay Like so many of Seneca county's emigrants, the elder Mr. and Mrs. Young first settled in Maryland, and it was some years after their marriage that they came to the Buckeye state, two children having been born in the former state, these being by name Henry F. and Charles M. They bought land here which the father i^^ proved and upon the homestead thus established they reared a family of ten children. The eight who can claim Ohio as a birthplace are Lewis W., John P., George, Albert R., Josiah H., D. W., Edward A., and Minerva E., as it will be observed boys greatly predominating in this family. The only daughter became the wife of Perry T. Perin, one of Qreenspring's prominent citizens. Mr. Young's mother was one of a family of three children, o whom George Spangler of Dayton is a member.

On the 18th day of February, 1879, Mr. Young was married in Tiffin to Miss Caroline E. Schuster. The lady who became his wife was a native of Eden, Erie county. New York, her birthdate being July 3, 1856. She is the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Hauck) Schuster, who were natives of the fatherland and who crossed the ocean to share in the opportunity of the new world. Mrs. Young who was educated in her home town and came to Ohio on a visit when she was about sixteen years of age and sometime afterward met her future husband, their wedding in 1879 being the sequel. Three children have been born to them, Ervin D., was born May 27, 1880, and is now in the brick and tile business at his father's old stand; Lura M., born May 11, 1888, receiving her education at Greenspring and for two years taught in the Adams township schools ; and Howard R., bom May 4, 1892, is in the brick and tile business wrth his brother in Adams township near Greenspring.

Ervin D. was married June 25, 1903, to Carrie E. Tannreuther, daughter of Fred and Gertrude (EUinger) Tannreuther, she was born January 8, 1880. They are the parents of one child, Gertn^e Carolyn, born October 20, 1905. Lura M., on June 19, 1909, became the wife of Lloyd E. Peddicord, a son of Marshall L. and Emma C. (Donelly) Peddicord, he was born October 2, 1884. They reside in Mansfield, where Mr. Peddicord is principal of the First Street school.

Mrs. Young is a member of the Evangelical church and is a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, in which organization for the promulgation of good she has held the office of vice president. In the matter of politics Mr. Young is an independent Democrat. He holds the confidence and esteem of his associates and has served eight years and nine months on the township board. He was elected to this trust by a strong majority and is the first Democrat to have been elected in this decidedly Republican township.

Adolph Wiluam Dearsman - This prominent German-bom citizen of Seneca county first saw the light of day in Westphalen, Prussia, February 18, 1840. His parents were Adolph William and Catharine (Elstroth) Dearsman, Prussians by birth and members of families long known there. He came to the United States in 1862, found his way to Seneca county, Ohio, and took up a farm of ninety acres in district number five, Adams township. In 1860 he married Catharine Stegemeyer, who was born in Prussia February 8, 1826. They had three children, Henry and William, and another who died in infancy. William married and lived until May 1, 1910, when he was killed by a horse. Henry had children named Fay, Ellis and Homer. William's children were named Preston, Lela, Vernon, Ethel and Ovid. Mr. Dearsman 's present wife had by a former marriage the following children:

Mary, born May 24, 1866; Martha, November 6, 1867; and Jesse, May 12, 1874. Jesse married Lillie Westerhonse and they have children named Lola and Donald. Martha is the wife of William Westerhouse of Adams township. Mr. Dearsman's sons Henry and William were born respectively September 1, 1863 and September 21, 1866.

Mr. Dearsman is one of the model farmers of his vicinity, upto-date in all that constitutes well advised tillage in this advanced age, when old methods are no longer practicable. In all important local affairs he takes great interest, and there is nothing tending to the benefit of any considerable number of his fellow citizens that does not find in him a ready advocate and a willing promoter. In politics he is a Democrat, at least so far as national or strictly political questions are concerned. In township affairs he favors good men for office, regardless of political affiliation. He has served as a member of the school board of Adams township, performing the duties of the office with admirable honesty and efficiency.

Orson Jopp is one of Pleasant township's sterling men and progressive citizens. It was here that he was bom, the date of his advent to this mundane sphere being March 20, 1855, and his parents being Luther S. and Emeline (Madison) Jopp. The subject's grandfather, Daniel H. Jopp, was a native of Wmsted, Connecticut, bom before the dawn of the nineteenth century, in 1791. When a lad about thirteen years of age he came to Ohio with his parents, settling in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio. He removed to Thompson, New York, and was married there in the month of December to Mary Demond. He was a furrier and for a number of years also engaged in blacksmithing. After coming here he built a saw and carding mill, which he operated for several years. He was a public spirited man, interested in the development of the new country, and he assisted in the government survey of the Western Reserve. He died in 1849, and his widow survived until 1876. They reared a family of eleven sons and daughters and their names are revered by a large posterity.

Orson Jopp was one of two children, a sister, Lelia, residing at Greensprings. He lives upon the old Jopp homestead, a valuable tract of one hundred and twenty acres, ai^i occupies the old residence, which is a landmark in the neighborhood. On September 14, 1876, he married Miss Florence Myers, born March 18, 1857, a daughter of John and Eunice (Walker) Myers, of Pleasant township. The wife's father was bom in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; in 1821, and his parents were Henry and Margaret (Bostwiek) Myers, also natives of that place. They made several changes in their career, moving to New York, then to Erie county, and in 1836 to Sandusky county, where the father died in 1849. They were the parents of nine children. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Jopp are : Almeda, of Old Port ; Lydia, deceased ; Almira, of 'Old Port; Jane, of Pt. Seneca; Winfield, also deceased; Emma, of Ballville; and Plorence, of Old Port, while the living grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. John Myers number thirteen. The identification of Mr. Myers with Pleasant township has existed since 1859, and soon after coming to this favored portion of Ohio he bought land and improved it and engaged successfully in agriculture for a great many years. He is an unswerving adherent of **The Grand Old Party" and has filled nearly all of the township oflftces, being a man who has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his associates.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jopp and of them two are living at the present day, Blanche and Robert. Blanche is the wife of J. H. Beck, of this township, and Robert is at home, at present receiving his education in the schools of Greenspring. Mabel, John and Earl are deceased.

Mr. Jopp is an up-to-date agriculturist, a good citizen, and one who can be depended upon to support all just causes. He is a stanch Republican and has from time to time been rather active in politics, having filled various of the township offices.

Clarence J. Pry - A son of Orvin J. and Melissa (Decker) Pry, this influential citizen of Seneca county was bom on the old Pry homestead in Pleasant township September 26, 1875. His father was bom in Seneca county, his mother, in Sandusky county, Ohio, the former April 11, 1839, the latter December 1, 1845. Orvin J. Pry was a son of Philip H. and Elizabeth (King) Pry. His father was born in 1809. Melissa Decker was the daughter of B. P. and Catharine (Myers) Decker. Her father was bom in 1818, her mother in 1822. Orvin J. Pry died Pebmary 27, 1904. His entire life was passed on the farm near Old Port where he first saw the light of day.

The immediate subject of this sketch lived with his parents until he married and. was ready to establish a home for himself and wife. He married Miss Mary E. Stiner in December, 1905. She was bom July 8, 1885, a daughter of J. Q. and Laura (Boland) Stiner. Mr. and Mrs. Stiner, natives of Sandusky county, live in BoUville township on a farm. They are prominently identified with the United Brethren church near their home, in which Mr. Stiner holds the office of trustee. Mrs. Pry bore her husband a daughter, Lois M., July 1, 1907. She is a lady of many accomplishments, having been educated at the Old Port high school. She was born July 8, 1885.

Mr. Pry is a Democrat and a member of the United Brethren church. He was educated in the common schools and at Heidelberg College, Tiffin Ohio, and has taught school in Pleasant and adjoining townships for six years. He has long been prominent in connection with local educational affairs and is a member of the school board of his township. He also holds the office of township trustee.

John G. Bonnell - Pirm in the esteem of his numerous friends in this community is John G. Bonnell, a Civil war veteran, who witnessed some of the most stirring scenes in that great con- flict, and the owner of one hundred and sixty of the fair acreage of Seneca county, on which he has for many years maintained a hospitable and attractive home. Although he has lived in Ohio nearly all is life he is a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in that part of the Keystone state on April 10, 1834. At the age of seven years, however, he came here with his parents who located on an eighty acre farm in Pleasant township, the country then being very new and Mr. Bonnell experienced many of the peculiarly interesting and strenuous experiences of the pioneer, although the Bonnells were by no means of the first who came to claim the Buckeye state from the wilderness. The parents of the subject were William and Margaret A. (Buiter) Bonnell. The father was a son of John Bonnell, of Pennsylvania, and the mother was a daughter of George Buiter, a native of Germany, who came to this country with his parents, Mr. Bonnell, thus being to a remote degree of Teutonic stock.

The early years of Mr. Bonnell were spent upon his father's farm in Pleasant township and it was there that he came to the decision to follow in the paternal footsteps in the matter of a vocation. On March 15, 1857, Mr. Bonnell laid the foundation of a happy and congenial married life by his union with Catharine E. Gettinger, a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Dutrow) Gettinger, natives of Maryland, who came to the state at an early date and located in Adams township on the Portland Road. Mrs. Bonnell was born February 6, 1836, and is bound by many ties to Seneca county, where she has lived all her life. She is one of the valued members of the Methodist church.

Mr. Bonnell for the first few years after his marriage resided upon and sultivated rented land. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war he came to his country's aid, joining Company I, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain M. M. Barns. He went into camp at Monroeville, Ohio, being first transferred to Covington, Kentucky, and then to Louisville, that state. With the Fourth Corps he marched from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nashville, Tennessee, and then to North Carolina, being two years and ten months in service. After the declaration of peace he returned home and purchased a farm of eighty acres, clearing it and bringing it to a high state of fertility. It is here that his present home is maintained. About fourteen years ago he erected a fine house on this farm and removed to it, his son George residing in the dwelling vacated. Mr. Bonnell is a Republican in his political convictions, but is liberal minded enough to vote for other policies if he believes them to be just. His record as a public servant is good, he having held the office of township trustee and member of the school board for a number of years. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic he maintains the old relations with the comrades of other days.

Four children were borij to Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell. The eldest, Anna A., became the wife of John Strickland, of Clinton township, and is the mother of four children: Rollins, George, Myrtle and Hallie; Margaret married Ivan Goettschius, of Clinton township, and has two sons, named George and Ray; George R., married

Ella Miller, daughter of A. J. Miller, of Pleasant township, and they reside on the home farm adjacent to that of the former's father; Frederick, the youngest child, died when only nine years of age.

John Holtz. - The name of John Holtz is one which is generally respected in the community where its owner is best known and to which he is bound by many ties made in the course of a useful and active life. He is a native son of Seneca county, his birth having occurred in Pleasant township on February 15, 1850. His citizenship has always been of the highest character, for he has always assisted in no uncertain manner in the furtherance of all those measures which he believed likely to prove beneficial to the whole community. The parentage and ancestry of Mr. Holtz is extremely interesting and on the maternal side is found one Phillip Feaga who so desired to become a citizen of the United States (about-to-be) that he deserted from the Hessian army and joined the ranks of the colonists, fighting for the cause of independence with the greatest of enthusiasm and self sacrifice. When he fully realized his probable fate should his deflection be discovered by his former government, he changed his name from Fiege to Feaga, to escape detection and his descendants have ever since been thus known. They have as well inherited that unusually bright admiration for the land of the stars and strips which burned in the breast of their forbear to the point of his risking his life to be able to pay fealty to it. It is possible that the bonny eyes of some fair Colonial maiden increased the natural courage of the adventurous young Hessian, at any rate he married in America and became the father of children whose descendants became excellent American citizens.

The parents of Mr. Holtz were Jacob P. and Susan (Huss) Holtz, both of whom were natives of Maryland who came to Ohio in the earlier half of the nineteenth century. The date of the father's arrival in the new state was about 1834, but the mother preceded him by about two years, coming with her parents, David and Nancy (Umsted) Huss, and when she arrived in Ohio the present site of TiflSn was a tract covered with trees and swamps, upon which no effort of imagination could have called up the existing beautiful city.

The Holtz family were agricultural people and they became landowners and the early years of John Holtz were passed upon his father's farm in section 36, Pleasant township. He attended the district school and under the excellent tutelage of his father was initiated into the secrets of successful farming and the surest methods of coaxing Mother Nature to productiveness. He obtained his education in the district schools and this he has since amply supplemented on his own account, his general knowledge and information being extensive. He resided with his parents until his marriage, this happy event being celebrated September 26, 1883, the lady to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Miss Lucinda B. Corthell, whose birth was on September 11, 1858. Mrs. Holtz' parents were George and Susan (Engler)

Corthell, the father of Rockland, Maine, and the mother of Maryland, who had come to Ohio at an early day and had given good . measure of assistance in the development of the state. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Holtz has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, named Fanny, born Pebruarj^ 26, 1885. Mrs. Holtz died on May 18, 1889, her untimely demise being a matter of deep regret to the whole community, and Miss Fanny now presides over her father's household in the most efficient manner. She has enjoyed the educational advantages of the district schools and Heidelberg College at Tiffin.

Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Holtz built his home across the road from the family homestead in which he had spent his youth, and after residing some time in the new location, went back and still resides on the older Holtz place. In politics he is an independent Republican, having inclinations towards the Grand Old Party, but still believing that mere partisanship should not outweigh other considerations or prevent the inspection of a current issue from all sides. He has given fine service as township trustee for seven years. He is one of the prominent Masons of Ohio, having attained to the thirty-second degree and having held many of the chairs. He is a man who has made his own way and has always been hard working and thrifty, and he touches the life of the community from all points.

Leroy M. Frontz - The hope of Seneca county is founded upon its young men and women. Among them are the influential citizens of the future ; among them may be numbered some who will eventually enjoy far more than local reputation. A young man of undeniably excellent promise is Leroy M. Frontz, whose years are among the fewest of the native sons of Seneca county to find record in these volumes. He was bom December 10, 1892, and is therefore within several years of the attainment of his majority. His birthplace was a log house, which stands a reminder of early days upon the homestead of Samuel Metzger, the son of Alfred and Lavina (Metzger) Frontz.

Mr. Frontz has taken advantage of the excellent educational facilities offered by Seneca county. His preliminary education was secured in the district schools and in 1907, at the age of fifteen, he passed the Boxwell examination. Later he became enrolled in the Republic High School and is at present in attendence there. He has always resided with his parents upon the farm and has also had an excellent training in the various departments of agriculture. His church membership is with the Detterman Trinity Evangelical church and he is identified with the many good causes advanced and fathered by that institution.

He enjoys the respect and confidence not only of the younger generation of which he is a part, but as truly of the older, for his character is of high moral standard and his habits exemplary. He has a well trained mind and an interesting personality.

Mr. Frontz is the youngest in a family of three children, his sisters being: Mrs. Daniel Weiker, of Adams township, Seneca county, and Mrs. E. T. Clark, of Sandusky county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Prontz, was bprn near Buflfalo, New York, and was a veteran of the Civil war, he having served four years in the same and was mustered out in 1865. Grandfather. Metzger was bom in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1813. He came to Ohio in 1815 with his parents, and they settled near Circleville, in Pickaway county. They removed to Seneca county later, where his father, Jacob, took from the government the tract of land known as the Metzger homestead. Later he removed to Sandusky county where he died in 1893. The grandmother, Rebecca (Heltzel) Metzger, was bom in Hardy county, Virginia, in 1812. She came to Ohio with her parents when a child and was married in 1836, in Pickaway county, Ohio. She was the mother of five children, three sons and two daughters. She died in Sandusky county on June 5, 1891. The subject's mother was the youngest of the family, she was born November 22, 1849, and was married to Alfred Prontas at Greenspring August 26, 1875.

Prank C. Sonner, one of Seneca county's most prosperous agriculturists and valuable citizens, is a native Virginian, his birth having occurred in the Old Dominion on August 26, 1874. On the paternal side he is of Irish and English extraction. He is the son of R. W. and Sarah (Bowman) Sonner, both of whom were likewise natives of that charming and historic state. The father served four years in the Confederate army under General Jackson. He was a musician and the family were slave owners prior to the war.

In 1894, when Mr. Sonner had not yet attained his majority, he came to Ohio and, attracted by Seneca county, located here, working for local agriculturists by the month. In 1900 he found himself in a position to marry and chose as the lady to preside over his household Miss Cecile Myers, the ceremony which made them one being solemnized on August 22, 1900.

Mrs. Sonner, who is the daughter of Oscar Myers, a sketch of whom appears on other pages of this volume, was born November 11, 1880, in Adams township. The scene of her birth was the old Myers homestead which had been entered by her grandfather in the early half of the nineteenth century and the deed for which, signed by Andrew Jackson, is one of her father's most prized possessions. Its parchment has well withstood the lapse of time. Mr. Myers is one of the most prominent and influential farmers in the township and is interested in numerous business interests, among them saw milling, automobiles, apiaries, etc. Mrs. Sonner was educated in the Greenspring Academy and finished a business course with the class of 1898.

Mr. Sonner received his education in the schools of his native state. He is a loyal Democrat and gives his enthusiastic support to that party. He has numerous lodge relations and finds no small amount of pleasure and profit in them. These affiliations extend to the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Pellows and the Woodmen of the World. In the Knights of Pythias he holds the office of vice chancellor. Shortly after their marriage, about ten years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Sonner took up their residence upon a farm owned by the latter 's father and they have ever since successfully engaged in its cultivation. They have three hundred and sixty-four acres of land and an elegant home. They enjoy a large circle of acquaintances in Seneca county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sonner are : Enid Mar, born August 4, 1904, and Marjorie Jane, bom March 10, 1910.

Oscar Myers is one of the representative citizens of Seneca county and his activities and interests touch the life of this favored portion of the great state of Ohio at many different points. He is a large landholder, a successful agriculturist, has a good sized apiary in connection with his farm, supplies Greenspring with ice and is one of the exponents of the great automobile industry, conducting a large garage in the town, while in addition he is well known in connection with public and political affairs. He is the son of the late John Myers, who for many years was one of Seneca county's leading citizens. Oscar Myers was born Ortober 9, 1856, in Adams township, and is thus a native son of the locality in which he now plays such an important role. His father is a native of Virginia, born November 6, 1808, and his mother, whose name previous to her marriage was Elizabeth Rine, was a Pennsylvanian, her birth occurring in 1814.

When John Myers was a young man he came to the Buckeye state and secured from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land, then a part of the virgin forest, which with mighty effort he cleared and brought to a high state of cultivation. He first cleared a place to raise his log cabin and here were born his two children, Oscar and his elder sister, Catherine. The deed giving him a right to the land and signed by Andrew Jackson, who was president of the United States at the time of the transaction, is preserved and one of the most highly prized heirlooms of his son, Oscar Myers. The father became a man of substance and influence, adding to his original land until his holdings were three hundred and sixty-four acres, and in addition lie owned a large amount of town property, consisting of some four blocks. He was a stalwart Democrat and played an important role in pioneer affairs and he was deeply regretted when he died, July 2, 1891.

Oscar Myers was reared upon his father's farm, and received his education in the common schools of the locality. Until some time after his father's death he resided upon the old homestead, conducting agricultural matters and also running a saw mill. His residence in Greenspring dates from about nine years ago and his success within its pleasant limits justifies him in making this his permanent home. Although living in town he finds it possible to direct his farming and apiary interests from long range, at the same time conducting his ice and automobile business in town.

Mr. Myers was married December 17, 1876, to Emma Gibbons, who was born March 28, 1857, to William and Jane (Stiwell) Gibbons. To their union were born three children. Prank, Cecil and Ethel, all of whom have achieved useful citizenship. Prank who is a resident of Clyde and engaged in the show business, is married to Alta Hughes and has one child, Harold Oscar. Cecil became the wife of Frank C. Sonner and they and their daughters, Enid M. and Margery, reside upon the old Myers' homestead. Ethel is located at the same place, and has been teaching school for the past two years.

On December 29, 1904, Mr. Myers was a second time married, wedding Minnie Witte. Mrs. Myers, who was bom June 18, 1867, is the daughter of John and Sophie (Brockmann) Witte, both natives of Germany. They sought a new home in the United States when Mrs. Witte was a child about three years of age and they subsequently came on to the Buckeye state, locating at Fremont.

Mr. Myers gives his heart and hand to the men and measures of the Democratic party and plays an active part in partisan matters, and he has likewise given public service of a distinguished character, always furthering those policies which he believes likely to result in the greatest good to the greatest number. He is the friend of good education and is at present and has for some time been a member of the Central Committee. As before mentioned, the Myers* honey and ice are important commodities in Greenspring and the large garage erected by him in 1909 is one of the important acquisitions of the town. He is a lodge man and takes great pleasure in his fraternal relations, which extend to the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, he having filled all the chairs and in the former having held the rank of past chancellor for the past fifteen years. Mr. Myers believes in being familiar with one's own country and is an extensive traveler, the scenes of his pilgrimages having been chiefly throughout the west and southwest.

Hiram Zimmerman was bom January 24, 1855, a son of Jacob and Catharine (Rapp) Zimmerman, natives respectively of Maryland and of Ohio. His parents located in Pleasant township where his father had a farm and a sawmill. He was reared and educated in Pleasant township and was a member of his parents' household until his marriage. He married Emma J. Flory September 3, 1882. She was born June 17, 1865, a daughter of Joseph and Rachel (McConnell) Flory, who had lived in Liberty township since 1862, when they were married. Her grandparents were Jacob and Mattie (Leicher) Flory, Pennsylvanians who came to Wayne county, Ohio, where her grandfather, who was a cooper, worked at his trade and farmed.

To Hiram and Emma J. (Flory) Zimmerman have been bom six children, of whom the following brief mention is offered: Catharine E. died in infancy. Flora L.. born July 6, 1885, married Alva Kustler, of Trumbull county, and has a daughter, Martha E., bom January 10, 1908. Another daughter married Willis Hade, of Scipio township, and has a son, Russell E., born February 16, 1909. Margaret E., bom November 24. 1889, is living with her parents. She qualified for teaching school and has taught with distinguished success. Joseph E., bom June 12, 1891, assists his father in the management of his farm. His youngest son, Paul C, died in infancy.

Mr. Zimmerman is a successful farmer because he is up to date in all things pertaining to his business. He is a friend of education and a man of great public spirit, who is ready at any time to assist to the extent of his ability any movement which in his opinion promises good to any considerable number of his fellow citizens. He has pronounced political convictions, but has no desire to figure in public life. While adhering to the policies of his party in matters of national importance, he believes that local interests are best served by the election of honorable men of good judgment to office irrespective of party affiliation. Yet he never forgets that he is a Democrat. He is a member of St. Jacob's Reformed church. He moved from Pleasant township to Adams township three years ago.

George Prank Stigamire. - The parents of this citizen were Stephen and Elizabeth (Schaberg) Stigamire, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1836 and arrived at Baltimore June 3 of that year, after a five weeks' voyage. In their overland journey the father walked all the way from Baltimore, the mother every alternate day till they reached Mansfield, Ohio, and from ]\Iansfield on to Bloomville, Seneca county, every day. It may well be imagined they were glad beyond words to reach their destination after such long and arduous hardship. They located on Honey Creek, west of Bloomville, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and cleared thirty-two acres of timber and put it under cultivation. After residing on this farm for six years they moved to Adams township, Seneca county, where the husband bought a farm of eighty acres and they were able to eventually make for themselves a good farm and home. They were members of the Evangelical church zealous for its advancement and helpful to all its interests according to their means and opportunities. Mr. Stigamire was one of the founders of the church of that denomination at Detterman settlement in Adams township. He was a friend of public education also, but it was to the church and to evangelical work that he was most devoted.

George P. Stigamire was born April 7, 1862, was educated in district school and was instructed in farming by his father. He was a member of his parents ' household till his marriage. He married Katie Shadley May 23, 1886. Miss Shadley was a daughter of Jacob and Agatha (Steibley) Shadley, natives respectively of Prance and of Switzerland. She was bom December 10, 1862. Her parents came to the United States in 1847 and settled in Michigan. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stigamire took up their home en a farm of seventy-three acres which he bought. He has given his attention mostly to general farming and has achieved a noteworthy success. He is a member of the Evangelical church, generously helpful to all it work. Since 1892 he has been a trustee of this organization, and he has been leader and assistant superintendent of its Sunday school. He is a Democrat in his politics, strongly inclined to independence. He is a Junior and is trustee of his local division of that order. He is a good judge of stock and has bred some of which anv stockman might be proud.

A reader and a thinker, he has the reputation of being one of the best informed men in the township on all subjects of general interest. Mr. and Mrs. Stigamire have a daughter, Ruth, bom April 20, 1893, who is attending school at Greenspring and who successfully passed the Boxwell examination at the early age of fifteen.

William Dudrow, Jr., is the worthy inheritor of a worthy name and is a veterinary surgeon, practicing successfully in Greenspring. A native son of Adams township, he was born November 18, 1884. and is the son of William and Adelle (Crockett) Dudrow. His paternal grandparents were David and Mary (Rule) Dudrow, the former of whom, a native of Maryland, having founded the family in Ohio was among the first settlers in the locality. The mother of the subject is a representative of another fine pioneer family, and is related to the Wallaces and Sherricks, whose names figure prominently in the history of the early days. Some of the Wallaces were killed by Indians and there were valiant Crocketts in the war of 1812 and the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. William Dudrow Sr. were married in 1881 and became the parents of the subject and of a daughter named Mary, who resides with her parents. The father is an agriculturist in Adams township and is a prominent and much esteemed man.

William Dudrow enjoyed the fullest advantages of the educational opportunities offered by the county, attending the district schools, passing the Boxwell examinations at Tiffin and attending the Greenspring high school. Having assisted his father for a year in the stock shipping business he concluded to adopt the profession of a veterinary surgeon and to this end went to Grand Rapids, where he matriculated in the veterinary department of the Medical College of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1910, with the well earned degree of D. V. M. He hung out his shingle at Greenspring and has met with general recognition in the brief period of his career.

William Dudrow Jr. became the head of a household of his own on October 1, 1905, the lady to become his wife being Eunice E. Perin, bom January 16, 1885, her parents being W. T. and Bessie (Pool) Perin. The Perin family, originally from England, came to Ohio early in the nineteenth century and located in Sandusky county. John Perin, of England, founded the family in the United States. Ira Pool, Mrs. Dudrow 's grandfather, was in the Civil war, having enlisted with Company K, and became first lieutenant of the Fifty-second Ohio Regiment. He was wounded and died on his way home from Nashville in 1862.

Charles Detterman. - The parents of this well known citizen were Harmon and Rachel (Farmer) Detterman, natives of Germany, and he was born January 7, 1856. His grandparents were pioneers in Bloom township, at Melmore, on Honey Creek, his grandfather having walked to that point from Cleveland. His father fought for the stars and stripes in the Civil war in the Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he enlisted in 1862. He died of measles in the service and is buried in a government cemetery. Rachel Farmer was reared and educated in Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio. Her mother was Anna Beigh, daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (DoUman) Beigh, natives respectively of Germany and of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Detterman was married February 10, 1880, and has one child. Wade Hampton, born May 7, 1889, who was educated in local schools and has taken up the profession of teaching. He is a member of several secret societies which meet at Tifiin, the headquarters of his several lodges. Mr. Detterman is a Democrat in his political affiliations. In local affairs he is active and helpful. He was for a time a member of the township school board. He is identified with St. Jacob's Reformed church, of which he was a trustee four years. He has lived on his farm in Adams to^^^lship about sixteen years, and is regarded as one of the model farmers of his neighborhood. His farm consists of eighty acres and is well improved, with modern accessories of all kinds. His success in life has been won by honesty and industry and his course is often referred to as a worthy example to those of a later generation who are just taking on responsibilities which they should bear with good judgment and with determination to win surely but worthily.

Henry H. Drown. - One of Seneca county's representative citizens is Henry H. Drown, a man of versatile talents who has made a success of many lines of endeavor, - such as general agriculture, produce, stock buying and selling, hardware and real estate. In the capacity of a public spirited benefactor he has served the interests of the community well and one of his most notable achievements was his assisting in securing the right of way for the Nickle Plate Railroad. Although from time to time Mr. Drown has made a change of residence and has engaged in business in other states, he has always paid Seneca county the compliment of returning.

Mr. Drown was born September 29, 1839, and is the son of Solomon and Fannie (Dennis) Drown, natives respectively of Maine and New Hampshire. They were married in New England, but came to Ohio in 1836 and took up their residence on Butternut Ridge in Adams township, Seneca county, where they farmed until his death in 1858. Solomon Drown was a good business man as well as a judicious agriculturist and he finally became the possessor of a fine six hundred acre farm. He was a man much respected in the community and his advise was greatly sought in public matters. He was active in politics and he was the champion of good education and the building of schools. He was a Whig and later, upon the organization of that party, became a Republican. He was married twice, first to Betsy Hatch and afterward to Fanny Dennis, who bore him the following nine children : Dennis, Charlotte, D. C, J. B., Rebecca, J. R., Lucy J., Henry H. and Elvira.

Mr. Drown was educated in the district schools, and upon his father's farm received his training in the most successful methods of the great industry of agriculture. He resided upon the old homestead until his father died and engaged in farming until he was about twenty-three years of age. His first venture far afield was when he went to the state of Illinois and his stay there was of six months* duration. He returned to Ohio and in Green Creek township bought eighty acres of. land, upon which he began operations in the produce business and proved sufficiently successful. He then took up the buying and selling of stock. He again decided to try his fortunes in another locality and removed his goods and chattels to Iowa, where, in Liscomb, Marshall county, he engaged in a hitherto untried line of endeavor, the hardware business. This was a new settlement and it was his distinction to build the first business house in the town, which property he subsequently exchanged for a farm of one hundred and forty acres located near the town, and received in addition some six hundred dollars. He again returned to Seneca county, making the journey from Liscomb, Iowa, a distance of one thousand miles, driving a span of colts, and during the entire trip having slept in a house but two nights. He proceeded to dispose of his Iowa property, getting in exchange the farm known as the Chapen farm and located in Green Creek township, Sandusky county, the said tract consisting of about sixty-five acres. He was also the possessor of two hundred acres on the county line. Again he followed his inclination for change, and disposing of this property bought two hundred and forty-five acres in Pleasant township, Seneca county. He at once assumed a position of importance in the locality where he and his family were so well known, and it was about this time that he assisted in securing right of way for the Nickel Plate Railroad through the section, which has proved of immeasurable value and advantage to those effected. He was also in the employ of Smith & Company, buying stock, wool, etc., for them, and managed his own farm meantime.

In 1886 the love of change which has ever seemed to be innate in Mr. Drown again asserted itself and he removed to Wichita, Kansas, and in this thriving city he engaged in the hardware and real estate business. This again was a new departure. In his two years in the Jayhawker state he built three large business, houses, and otherwise had dealings of an important character. Again his native Seneca county drew him as the magnet draws the steel and he came back to engage for a time in the wool business, in which he had previously achieved success. A few years later he retired from life of such an active character as that in which he had previously been engaged, having an ample competence and being well justified in enjoying its comforts in greater leisure. He is a large landowner, possessing hundreds of acres in this and other states. One of his properties is a drug store in Logan, Kansas, which is operated by his grandson. Earl Drown. He is of a social nature and finds no small amount of pleasure and profit in his lodge relations, which extend to the Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythias.

When eighteen years of age, in 1858, Mr. Drown married Susan Hihlman, of Seneca county. They had one child, Melville W., bom in July, 1859 and died in April, 1900. He studied to be a Physician, being educated in the Medical College at St. Joe, Missouri, and also at St. Louis, and he practiced his profession at

Lenora, Norton county, Kansas. He took as his wife Mabel Emery in 1882 and seven children were bom to their union of whom only two are living. They are Earl M., who married Blanche Eckerman, and Dale, who resides with them.

On the 6th day of August, 1863, when he was twenty-three years of age, Mr. Drown married Miss Barbara H. Stephens, of Castalia, bom November 27, 1838, in Dundee, Scotland. She is the daughter of Alexander and Jessie (Grant) Stephens, natives of Scotland, who left the land of the thistle to seek better fortunes in America in 1839. They resided in New York city for three years and went from that metropolis to Canada, where they stayed but a short time, then going to Detroit, from Detroit to Huron, Michigan, thence to Monroeville, and thence to Castalia, Erie county, Ohio, in which latter town he settled permanently and engaged in business, his death occurring some twenty-eight or thirty years thereafter. A family of children were born to the unicm of Mr. and Mrs. Drown. Mary, born February 15, 1865, became the wife of P. A. Burress, of California, and they have oiie child, Harold Drown Burress. Mrs. Burress was a teacher and the principal of the Wichita city schools for fifteen years before she married. Mr. Drown 's second child is Jessie G., who was bom August 16, 1866, and is now engaged in teaching in Cleveland. She received her education in the Greenspring Academy, graduating with the class of 1885, supplementing this with literary and scientific courses. She is a successful teacher, standing high in her chosen profession, and having had fourteen years * experience in Wichita, Kansas, and seven as one of the teaching staff in the Halle school located at Cleveland. The third child. Myrtle, was born September 20, 1867, her short life being terminated by death July 19, 1887. The fourth child, Elmer L., was born July 13, 1874. He has been twice married, his first wife, Catherine Schwan, dying August 6, 1900. They had three children : Howard H., born February 14, 1897 ; Willard G., born May 12, 1898; and Helen, bom October 25, 1899. He married Ruth Woody, of Wichita, Kansas, in 1901. She was a teacher in the public schools there for a number of years. Elmer Drown is a business man of Greenspring and is very prominent in all of its affairs.

Elmer E. Neikirk, a general dry goods merchant, is one of Greenspring 's most progressive business men and his career in good citizenship has contributed in great measure to the growth and prosperity of the town. The founding of few American families can be traced to an earlier period than that of the Neikirks, one Guerb Cornilissen Von Menckercke Garret Cornelius Neikirk, having sailed across the seas with his wife, son and small babe in the good ship Moesman and landed at New Amsterdam in the month of April, 1659. As his name very clearly indicates he was of that solid Dutch stock from which so many of the most prominent of Americans have descended, this including a certain illustrious expresident of the United States.

ried on Christmas Day, 1862, at Republic, Ohio. The ancestry can be traced in an unbroken line from the above mentioned emigrant to these shores. The father, Martin H., was the son of Henry H. and Catherine Neikirk, the former being descended from Ezra Neikirk and he being the son of Samuel, who was the son of Joseph, who was born in 1804. This great-great-grandfather, Joseph, was the son of Michael and Catherine Pence Neikirk, and the former was a son of one John Neikirk, who resided at Sharon, Pennsylvania. John was the son of George N., who was the son of Tenis S., who was born at Princeton, New Jersey, he being the son of Abraham N., born in 1723 in that state. Abraham's father was Henry, bom in 1690, and Henry was the son of Arien and Elizabeth Huyberts Brink Neikirk, who was the son of the previously mentioned ancestor who came to these shores only about a generation after the landing of the Pilgrims, his birth having occurred in Holland in the vear 1630. The mother of Mr. Neikirk was the daughter of Enoch and Rhoda (Wolf) Fry, natives of Maryland, who resided in Seneca county, Ohio, near Republic.

Elmer E. Neikirk was educated in the district schools of Scipio township and later entered Heidelberg College at Tiffin, where he attended for two years. Being naturally inclined towards a commercial career, he took a business course at Fostoria and subsequently engaged in the grocery business. He sold this after a time and went to Tiffin, where he was first identified with the dry goods trade, in which he was ultimately to experience such entire success. He remained in Tiffin for four years, gaining golden experience, and then returned to Greenspring, where he entered into dry goods fields in partnership with C. L. Smith and has been thus engaged for twenty years, the firm being known as Smith & Neikirk. A steady and wholesome growth has been experienced and the firm now conducts one of the important enterprises of this locality.

Mr. Neikirk is a stanch and loyal Democrat and has filled the offices of treasurer and councilman for several terms, his zeal for advancement and his advocacy of all those measures likely to result in the attainment of the greatest good to the greatest number making his services of particular value. He is an enthusiastic lodge man and holds membership in the Masonic order and with the Knights of Pythias, and in both of these he has filled many of the chairs. These associations are fruitful of much pleasure and profit and have greatly added to his acquaintanceship. Mr. Neikirk 's executive talents are such that he has energy for other enterprises than his dry goods trade. For example he is one of the founders of the local telephone company, is one of the managers and at present holds the office of secretary.

Mr. Neikirk in no relation appears in a more admirable light than in his championship of good education and of everything designed to benefit the town in whiich his affections and interests are centered. He belongs to the Methodist church and here also he is a power for good. On April 24, 1894, he laid the foundation of a happy home life by his marriage to Miss Mary R. Turner, born January 18, 1876, at Greenspring, the daughter of James and Hannah Turner.

Charles J. Young is engaged with his father in the furniture and undertaking business, their thriving business being known, under the firm name of A. R. Young & Son. The Youngs, father and son, are among the most progressive in their line in the state and they do a very large business. He whose name initiates this sketch was born March 5, 1876, and is a native son of the town of Greenspring. Likewise his parents, Albert and Ida J. (Miller) Yoimg, were natives of Ohio, but his grandfather and his wife, |i Charles and Mary (Spangler) Young, came from RheQishJBavaria, locating first in Baltimore and subsequently coming on to Ohio. Thus that excellent German element whose value is everywhere recognized enters into the composition of Charles J. Young. His father lived for a time in Dayton, where he pursued the vocation of a carpenter, but finally located in Greenspring, where he has built up a substantial and ever-growing business and where he has obtained recognition as one of the sound men of the town.

Mr. Young received his education in the schools of Greenspring. When still of tender years he began to assist his father in his business and his efficiency was of such high character that he soon made himself indispensible. Good taste, elegance and the most modern ideas are manifest in the conduct of mortuary affairs by the Youngs, and everything that science has discovered in this line they have made theirs.

Mr. Young early in life established a household of his own. Catherine Crockett, daughter of Edward and Eliza Brown Crockett, among the best known of Seneca county's citizens, became his wife, their union being celebrated November 20, 1895. Mrs. Yoimg was bom March 26, 1877, and was educated in public schools. A son and a daughter are growing up beneath their roof, Albert E., named for his paternal grandfather, having been born July 17, 1897, and Alice C, who first saw the light of day on January 29, 1907. A complete account of the various families referred to in this sketch will be found on other pages of this work.

EuzA (Brown) Crockett was bom June 19, 1839, the daughter of Elijah and Catherine (Sherrick) Brown, the former born in 1806, in Maryland, and the latter a Pennsylvanian. These worthy pioneers came to Ohio in a covered wagon, making the journey over the Cumberland Road to Adams township in the year 1841, when Eliza was still a baby. Elijah entered land with his brother Jonas in that year, this being entered for their mother, Catherine Sherrick, who was a shining example of the highest and noblest type of pioneer woman. She was bom July 5, 1811, and her marriage to Elijah Brown was solemnized in 1833. She became the mother of children who were by name: Henry, William, Eliza (who became the wife of J. Crockett), Ann, Miller, Mary A., Theodore and Samuel. When she passed on to her reward December 3, 1909, at the age of ninety-nine years, she had also twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

old home in Frederick, Maryland, he left the mother and children ^\'ith a neighbor-to-be while he built the house for them. The country was at that early period in the nineteenth century an unbroken wilderness and the Indians were very numerous. Amicable relations existed between the settlers and the redskins, and these early days, in spite of hard work and many hardships, were happy and interesting. Elijah Brown and his good and faithful wife had been converted in their youth to the Methodist Episcopal faith and they were very consistent in living up to its prinicples. The minister was always welcome at their home, and indeed their hospitality was open to all who came that way, no one ever being turned away from its portals.

Catherine, the wife, was skilled in all the homely and useful arts of the early days. She carded and spim the wool and wove it into cloth in which to clothe her husband and little ones. She made linen, breaking the flax plant and developing it in the intricate process which is required to attain the finished product and finally made strong and beautiful thread to be woven into garments by herself and her neighbors. She knew how to weave fine baskets of willow and when upon rare occasions she sat down to rest she occupied her time and her capable hands with this basket weaving.

Eliza Brown, daughter of the above mentioned couple, married Edward Crockett. During his life time he was one of the prominent and much respected farmers of Adams township. He was a man of fine appearance and upright character and he was honored by all who knew him. His birth occurred in Pleasant township November 22, 1833, he being the son of James and Mary P. (Haskell) Crockett He was married September 13, 1858, and he and his wife became the parents of ten children. These were Adelle, Harry, Catherine, Elijah, Charles, Metta, Mabel, Alice, Theodore and Frank. Prank, Theodore and Charles are deceased. The father died in the year 1908, regretted by all who knew him, and his widow still resides on the homestead, where she is one of the most honored and admired of women.

Prank Crockett, son of Edward and Eliza, died on December 4, 1880, his years being few. It is safe to say that no young man in the county was more heartily esteemed or more dearly loved than he. He promised to become a successful man, and he had been educated at the Academy of Qreenspring, passing with honors. The following is a record of the other sisters and brothers : Adelle is the wife of William Dudrow, of Qreenspring. Metta married Prank Wolfe and resides in San Jose, California. Harry married Eflfie Heightshu and they make their home in Clyde. Catherine is the wife of Charles Young of Qreenspring. Elijah married Maud Swagert and with his family makes his home in Ashtabula. Mabel resides in San Jose, California, with her sister. Alice remains with her mother at home.

Thus the descendants of those plucky and upright pioneers, Elijah and Catherine Brown, perpetuate their memory in more than one quarter of Ohio, and beyond its borders, and the good qualities, the high ideals of citizenship, which appear in these later generations, may be a heritage from them. Ohio never grows tired of the pioneer pages of her history.

Charles S. Baron. - A splendid representative of the energetic and progressive young business men of Seneca county, Charles S. Baron is prominently identified with the advancement of the industrial interests of Tiffin, being general manager of the Ohio Lantern Company, which located its factory in this city in 1889. It belongs to the estate of the late A. L. Baron, the present company including Mrs. Agnes Baron, Mrs. Howard Nicolai, Mrs. John H. Wells and Charles S. Baron. The plant, which is large and well equipped, is advantageously located on the lines of three prominent railways, the Pennsylvania, the Baltimore and Ohio and the Big Pour.

Charles S. Baron was born in Bellaire, Belmont county, Ohio, where he acquired the rudiments of his education. After coming with the family to Tiffin he completed his early stuides in the public schools, and at the age of eighteen years began learning the trade of making lanterns and lamps in his father's factory, for about two years being employed in various capacities and becoming familiar with the work of each department. On the death of his father, in 1904, Mr. Baron was mode general manager of the plant, and has continued the business successfully. The factory rims the year around, employing about seventy-five people in the making of lanterns, lamps and specialties, its productions finding a ready market in all of the larger and more important cities of the state and of the country.

Mr. Baron is highly esteemed in business and social circles, and is a valued member of the Episcopal church. Praternally he belongs to Tiffin Lodge, No. 94, B. P. O. E. ; to Tiffin Lodge No. 77, P. & A. M. ; to Seneca Chapter, R. A. M., to the Council. No. 47, R. & S. M. ; and to DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T.

G. P. Harpster. - Possessing the energy, ability and judgment that ever command success in the industrial world, Q. P. Harpster, of Tiffin, has attained a noteworthy position in business circles, being financially interested in the petroleum and oil industry and an extensive dealer in real estate. He was born Pebruary 12, 1855, in Thompson township, Seneca county, coming on the paternal side of German and English ancestry. He comes of distinguished patriotic stock, his paternal great-great-grandfather having served as a minute man at the battle of Lexington, the first engagement of the Revolution, from that time until the surrender of Comwallis, at Yorktown, being a soldier in the Revolutionary army. During the entire seven years this brave patriot had no furlough, at the close of the great struggle for independence resuming his farm labors just where he left oflF at the Lexington Alarm.

Prederick Harpster, Mr. Harpster 's grandfather, married Cynthia Barbin, who was born in London, England, and at the age of seventeen years emigrated to America, where she soon after became a bride. Their son, Lewis Harpster, married Elizabeth

Beck, whose parents, Daniel and Julia Beck, were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. Of their union two sons were bom and reared, namely: Ervin, of Postoria, Ohio, and G. P., the special subject of this brief review.

In May, 1888, Mr. Harpster married Jennie M. Mowery, of JCansas, Liberty township, Seneca county, and soon after that important event in his life's history became a resident of the thrivingvillage of Kansas. An enthusiastic worker, he soon became influential in public affairs, and during the administration of President Cleveland was appointed postmaster of Kansas, winning the distinction of being one of the two Democrats that ever had the honor of holding that position in that village or conununity, which has always been a Republican stronghold. When William McKinley succeeded to the president's chair, Mr. Harpster, as a matter of course, resigned his position and was succeeded by a Republican

Since 1900 Mr. Harpster has been numbered among the active and valued citizens of TiflSn, where he is carrying on a substantial and lucrative business as a dealer in petroleum, oil and real estate. He is active in politics, his influence being felt in both primaries and in conventions. Praternally he belongs to Premont Lodge, No. 336, P. & A. M. ; and to Premont Chapter, No. 64, R. A. M.

George Bimer. - Among the venerable and honored citizens of Greenspring, Seneca county, Ohio, George Bimer holds a secure place in popular confidence and esteem. He was bom at Kalamazoo, Michigan, on the 10th of September, 1858. He is a son of George Bimer, who was a native of Germany, the place of his birth being Byron and the date 1823. George Bimer, Sr., received his preliminary education in the district schools in Germany and when fourteen years of age he began to assist his father in the work and management of the home farm. When twenty-one years of age he entered the army, serving for a period of three years, at the expiration of which his father died. He then left the army and, deciding to seek his fortune in America, he bade farewell to native land and the scenes of his youth and embarked for the United States. With a small sum of money which had been his share at the time of his father's death, he landed in New York City, whence he journeyed to Buffalo, New York, where he resided for three years and where he learned the cooper's trade. There he joined his brother, Clemence Bimer, who owned a farm of eighty acres. George Bimer immediately purchased an adjoining eighty acres, but being unacquainted with real estate transactions he did not know until after he had completed the deal that a third party held a heavy mortgage on his land. Being unable to pay the mortgage, he was forced to surrender the farm to the mortgagee. He then departed for northern Illinois, where he secured employment on a railroad in process of construction. A short time later he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he found work in the iron ore mines. It was during his sojourn in this place that he met Miss Mary Rash, to whom he was united in marriage in 1854. In 1860 he removed with his family to Greenspring, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Drury Gale in the brick yard operated by him. Thereafter he was engaged to drive a team of oxen for Robert Smith, who ran a saw mill, and he continued to be identified with this line of enterprise for a period of twelve years, lie next turned his attention to farming on the old homestead just north of the sanitarium and he continued to reside here until 1890, when he purchased a home in Greenspring, where he passed the residue of his life and where he died in 1896, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away in 1892. Mrs. Bimer was likewise born in Germany, and she imigrated to America as a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Bimer became the parents of seven children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated: Lizzie, married Charles Murray and resides at Fort Wayne, Ind. ; George, Jr., is the subject of this review; Clemence D. married Fannie Earhart, who is now deceased, and he resides at Greensprings ; Charlie lives at Fort Wayne, Ind. ; John, wedded Mattie Ridley and they maintain their home at Fremont, Ohio ; Mary died in infancy ; and William resides at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

George Bimer, to whom this sketch is dedicated, received but meager educational advantages in his youth, working in the summers and attending school during the winter terms, but being naturally bright he gathered a vast fund of information and kept well informed on the topics of the day. After his marriage, in 1880, he found employment in a packing house and later he rented a farm in Adams township, Seneca county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits for thirteen years. In 1901 he entered the employ of the Home Telephone Company at Greenspring, in. the capacity of lineman, and he has continued in this line of enterprise to the present time, 1910. In politics Mr. Bimer is a staunch adherent of the cause of the Democratic party and though not an active politician he has ever manifested a keen and intelligent interest in all movements projected for the good of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with various social organizations of representative order and he attends and gives his support to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a devout member.

On the 25th of February, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bimer to Miss Eliza A. Peck, who was born and reared in Tiffin, Ohio, the date of her birth being October 8, 1858. She is a daughter of David G. and Ann Catherine (Van Natta) Peck, the former of whom was born in the state of Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio about the year 1855, and the latter of whom claimed the state of Ohio as the place of her nativity. Mr. Peck was a shoemaker by trade and he sacrificed his life in defense of the union in the Civil war. Mrs. Peck was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1892, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mrs. Bimer has one brother, who resides near Greenspring. Mr. and Mrs. Bimer became the parents of five children, Zula, married Arthur Loose and they live in Fostoria, Ohio ; Blanche, died at the age of fifteen months ; Irene, .is the wife of Herman Rathbon and they reside in the vicinity of Greenspring; and Frances and Mildred remain at the parental home.

John M. Naylor - A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it takes cognizance, through proper memorial tribute, of the life and labors of so honored a citizen as the late John M. Naylor, of TiflBn, who died in his home in that city on the 3rd of September, 1910. He was most prominently identified with the civic and business activities of the community for fully half a century and at the time of his demise was one of the most venerable and honorable citizens of Seneca county. He ever stood exponent of the most leal and loyal citizenship, his life course was ordered on the highest plane of integrity and honor and his gracious, noble personality gained and retained to him the unequivocal confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He was president of the TiiRn National Bank at the time of his death and his other material interests in the city and county were of wide and /aried order.

John M. Naylor was a native of the old Buckeye state and a scion of one of its sterling pioneer families. In his career he made of success not an accident but a logical result and he attained to a position of prominence as one of the representative citizens and influential business men of Seneca county. He was known as a man of impregnable integrity, much intellectual strength and intrinsic kindliness of spirit. He lived a sane, normal life, one duly prolific in worthy accomplishment and one that found in each successive stage a full measure of subjective compensation. No shadow rests upon any portion of his record and in contemplating his career both lesson and incentive are to be gained.

John M. Naylor was bom at Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1822, and was a son of James and Eleanor (Musgrave) Naylor, both of whom claimed the old Keystone state of the Union as the place of their nativity ; the father was bom in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Dauphin county. James Naylor was reared to maturity in his native state, where his educational advantages were limited to the common schools of the middle pioneer epoch and where he learned the trade of carpentry. He finally removed to Ohio and for a number of years was one of the successful carpenters and builders at Wooster, this state, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. Both were members of the Presbyterian church and were folk of strong and sterling character.

The native town of John M. Naylor afforded him his early educational advantages and that he made good use of the same is shown by the fact that when he was about seventeen years of age he began teaching in the public schools. Through his application to the pedagogic profession he earned the money which enabled him to continue his studies at Granville College, where he remained a student for some time. His ambition was to secure adequate academic training and then prepare himself for the legal profession, but at the age of twenty years he was induced to assume a clerkship in the hardware store conducted by Jacobs and Kanke, in Wooster. He continued to be thus employed for four years and though his salary was meager his experience gained in this connection proved to be the foundation for the large fortime he ac- cumulated later in life. At the expiration of the period noted he formed a partnership with Harvey Howard and in 1847 they established a hardware store in Tiffin, Seneca county, where the enterprise was conducted under the firm name of Howard & Naylor for four years, at the expiration of which Mr. Naylor purchased his partner's interest. He continued the business in an individual way for some time and then admitted to partnership his brother, William Naylor, whereupon the firm name of J. M. Naylor & Bro. was adopted. After the death of his brother, in March, 1866, he continued the business alone until 1892, when his brother, Edward T., and Burton W. Crobaugh were admitted to partnership, under the firm name of J. M. Naylor & Company, which continued until the year 1899, when he disposed of his interest in the enterprise. Under his able management the hardware establishment was developed into one of the best of its kind in Tiffin, and in scope and importance it was excelled by few in the northern part of the state. Mr. Naylor 's honorable and enterprising methods brought him a continual and increasing patronage and after his business had expanded to the extent of giving him an excellent income he made gradual and judicious investments, in which his holdings eventually became very extensive. He contributed in large measure to the material development of the city of Tiffin and also of the county and, in a quiet way, wielded much influence in connection with civic and public affairs. He was one of the founders of the National Exchange Bank, in which he became a director and large stockholder, and when the same was reorganized as the Tiffin National Bank he continued to retain large interests in the latter, of which he finally became president and to the administration of whose affairs he gave close attention. As chief executive of this bank he was a potent factor in making it one of the most substantial and popular financial institutions of this section of the state and he continued president of the same until his death. He was also president of the Tiffin Electric Illuminating Company, which was merged with the Tiffin Electric Company in 1910. He also served for several years as president of the Tiffin Electric Railway & Power Company and for a number of years was a stockholder and director in the old Tiffin Woolen Mill Company, with which he was thus identified during the period of its greatest prosperity.

In politics, though never an aspirant for public office, Mr. Naylor accorded a staunch allegiance to the Republican party, with which he identified himself at the time of its organization, and during the critical period of the Civil war he was an earnest supporter of the cause of the Union. He did much to further the progress and upbuilding of his home city and was specially zealous in promoting the development of Greenlawn Cemetery, having been the founder of the Greenlawn Cemetery Association and having contributed in large a measure to the development of the beautiful ** God's acre" provided by this association. Mr. Naylor was one of the most zealous and valued members of St. Paul's church, Methodist Episcopal, in Tiffin and contributed with all of liberality to the various departments of its work, as well as to the furthering of the interests of the generic church organization. He served as trustee of St. Paul's church for five years before he formally identified himself with the same as a member, in 1865. He was a member of the official board of the church for a great many years and held this position at the time of his death, besides which he was for a long number of years superintendent of the Sunday School. Concerning his consecrated zeal in the cause of religion the following statements were made in the Tiffin paper at the time of his death: **His interest in his beloved church was worldwide. He was deeply concerned in mission work, especially in Mexico, where he spent the greater part of one year with Bishop Butler, one of his dearest friends, where they made a careful study of mission work. The educational department of his church was also the object of his munificence to a large extent. He was deeply interested in the Methodist Theological Institute, in Denver, and in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, of which latter institution he was a member of the board of trustees at the time he was summoned to the life eternal. Needless to say he contributed generously of his means to all of these institutions. Locally he was always ready with his funds to assist not only his own church but also those of other denominations. Due largely to his generosity is the splendid church edifice of St. Paul's, on Madison street, where he was so long a regular attendant. ' *

From the same appreciative obituary notice are taken the following extracts, which are altogether worthy of perpetuation in this volume, as indicating the estimate placed upon him in his home community: ** Socially Mr. Naylor was affable and easily approached. He was most considerate for others and was never too busy to stop and exchange a pleasant word of greeting with his friends. Up to the time of his last illness he was unusually robust and active for a man of his years and his figure was a familiar one on the street. He was unfortunately afflicted with a defect of vision which made it almost impossible for him to recognize even his closest friends except by the voice. This often created a mistaken impression that he was cold and distant, a circumstance which Mr. Naylor so deeply deplored that he often spoke of it. Few men in Tiffin have been privileged to enjoy a longer or a more honorable and prominent and a more successful career, covering a wider scope of business, religious and public affairs than did Mr. Naylor.** Mr. Naylor was an appreciative member of the timehonored Masonic fraternity, in which he had attained to the thirtysecond degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which his affiliation was with the consistory in the city of Cincinnati. His maximum York Rite affiliation was with DeMolay Commandery, Knights Templars, in Tiffin, and his funeral services were held under Masonic auspices.

Though Mr. Naylor attained to the patriarchal age of eightyeight years he retained his intellectual and physical powers to a wonderful degree and the years rested lightly upon him until his final illness. Instead of retiring altogether from business life he continued to give his attention to banking and to the control of his investments and he was a valued factor in financial circles in Tiffin until he was called to his reward. Of a studious nature, he de- voted much attention to the study of standard works and thus he gained valuable and comprehensive information, such as is seldom possessed except by a college graduate. TiflSn found in him a warm and helpful friend, ever ready to promote her welfare along the lines of substantial progress and improvement. For more than half a century he was identified with her business and social interests and during this long period he proved to be a man of excellent executive ability and one of marked perceptive and reasoning faculties. His judgment and prompt decisions were seldom at fault and throughout his entire career his course was characterized by a conscientious desire to be just and fair in his treatment of all. He was a man of even temperament, calm and selfpoised and of refined character, one in whom nature and culture vied in making an honorable and interesting gentleman. In his venerable years his erect form and clear-cut features gave little suggestion that he had almost completed nine decades since starting upon life's journey. Nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and though Mr. Naylor's business cares were extensive, age rested lightly upon him.

It is not the desire of the biographist to lift the gracious veil which guarded the sacred precincts of a home whose associations were of the most ideal character and in conclusion of this memoir are entered only brief data concerning the domestic relations of Mr. Nay lor. On the 11th of December, 1849, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Cornelia T. Pittinger, who was bom and reared in TiflSn, Seneca county, and who is a daughter of the late Benjamin Pittinger, a representative legist and jurist of this state. The great loss and bereavement of Mr. Naylor's life came when his cherished and devoted companion was summoned to the life eternal her death having occurred on the 11th of May, 1896. She was a woman of most gracious personality and her memory is revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence. Mr. and Mrs. Naylor became the parents of two children, both of whom are now deceased. Cora, who was born in 1851, entered into eternal rest at the age of twenty-two years. Prank, who was bom in 1854, died in 1883, while visiting in Florida, and was twenty-nine years of age at the time of his demise. The only surviving near relations of Mr. Naylor are two brothers, Edward T. Naylor, of TiflSn, and Samuel Y. Naylor, of West AUis, Wisconsin. Earl B. Naylor, a nephew of the subject of this memoir, resided in the homestead in TiflSn for some time prior to the death of his uncle.

William Matz pursues the double vocation of veterinary surgeon and farmer, cultivating a tract of seventy-five acres and at the same time engaging in that useful profession of which he is one of the most enlightened exponents. He is a man of versatile abilities and has also to his credit several terms as a teacher. He has an interesting ancestry, his immediate forbears having been Pennsylvanians, a stock from which Seneca county is settled to a considerable degree, and on the maternal side he is justly proud to trace his lineage to certain Royers who came over in the Mayflower.

grandfather of the subject, whose name was Lawrence Matz, was the first of the line in America. He and his brother were both small boys at the time their parents concluded to cast their fortunes with the new country across the Atlantic. To their great sorrow and dismay both of their parents died en voyage and were buried in the sea. The desolate little lad who was to become Mr. Matz's ancestor was bound over to a man in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He grew to be a useful and well-to-do-citizen, married and reared a family, the names of his children being: John, George, Daniel, Samuel, Jacob, David and Christian, and there were two daughters who died young. His wife's maiden name was Richards.

The son William was the grandfather of him whose name initiates this review. He was born April 2, 1789, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and died August 16, 1844. His wife, also a native of Berks county, was bom July 5, 1788, and died September 2, 1844, the period of her life being almost coincident with that of her husband. Both of these good citizens are buried at Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania. The grandmother's name was Mary Catherine Heberling, and she had four sisters and two brothers.

Mr. Matz*s parents were John and Lydia (Royer) Matz, the father a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio. The former was bom January 8, 1828, and the latter, April 7, 1836. When John Matz first came to Ohio he made several changes of residence before he found the location he considered ideal, going first to Fairfield county, thence to Van Wert and thence to Toledo, and from the latter city coming on to the township in which he now resides. He was a contractor and continued at this trade for five or six years before buying a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, in whose cultivation he engaged until his demise, which occurred November 7, 1886. He was a Democrat and served at one time upon the school board. His marriage was solemnized June 3, 1855.

As previously stated, Mr. Matz's mother's family, the Rovers, were of Pilgrim stock, early Royers having crossed the sea with that historic little company in 1620. The parents of the subject's mother were John and Mary (Romig) Royer, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and located in Wayne county. Stephen, the father of John, went to Summit county.

William Matz was bom May 13, 1862, in Reed township, and is one of a family of eleven children. Neri, bom March 16, 1856, died November 7, 1892. He married Elizabeth Woleslagle. September 12, 1876, and became the father of eight children, namely: Charles, born in 1877; Earl L., bom June 4, 1878; George E., born October 20, 1879 ; Lillie D., bora August 16, 1882 ; Arthur L., born June 2, 1884; Ralph P., bom March 11, 1888; John C, bom March 18. 1890; Neda C, born May 30, 1892. The second of the children of John and Lydia Matz was John W., born February 26, 1858. He took as his wife Ida Cole and they have two children, named Dorothea M., born November, 1903, and William Edwin, bom in 1905. Franklin, bom March 3, 1860, married Evaline Hartshorn and their only offspring is a d^^ughter, Georgia, born in June, 1900. The subject was the fourth in order of birth. The fifth,

Mary C, bom September 22, 1864, became the wife of Alfred Bookmyer in 1889, and is the mother of six children, whose names are Lillic, Edith, Charles, Prank, Warren and Mary. Rosie, the sixth child, was bom October 13, 1866, became the wife of Dr. Irvin I. Good, and has two children, named Marian and James. The seventh child, Isaac, born February 11, 1869, married Ellen Spriffps, and their only child, Harold, was bom June 25, 1897. The eicfhth. Lizzie, born May 6, 1871, is the wife of James Spade, and the date of the birth of their son, Leonard, was 1896. Edwin, ninth in order of birth of the children of the Matz family, was bom July 27, 1873, married Susan B. Good, November 24, 1889, and ha« one boy. Russell, the date of whose nativity was June 25, 1900. Edwin and his family reside upon the old homestead. Lillie, the tenth child, was born May 10, 1876, and became the wife of Professor John E. Sherk, of Bloomville. Their issue is as follows: Florence, born in December, 1901 ; Donald, born December 25, 1906; Edwin M., born January 25, 1908; and Charles P., bom in January, 1910. Samuel, the eleventh of the brothers and sisters of the subject, was born July 1, 1878, and died at the age of two years.

William Matz was fortunate enough to receive a good education, his common school training being supplemented by attendance at Northwestern College at Ada, Ohio, after which he taught several terms of school in Sandusky and Huron counties, achieving an unequivocal success in this line of endeavor. He abandoned this calling, nevertheless, and took up the study of veterinary surgery in the college in Chicago which specializes in this department, being graduated from the institution with the class of 1894. He has a large practice in this and neighboring townships and also cultivates with great success his seventy-five acre farm, his agricultural methods being thoroughly up-to-date. His estate is adorned with a modern home, which is also the centre of generous hospitality. In addition to the interests already mentioned Mr. Matz is a director in the Farmers' Elevator and Grain Association at Bellevue. He is likewise one of the managers of the Farmers' Union Threshing Company.

Mr. Matz was married, March 30, 1892, to Emma A. Zieber, daughter of Henry and Mary (Miller) Zieber, her birthdate being June 17, 1870. Her mother was bom October 23, 1842, and was a daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth (Cochran) Miller. These pioneers were born March 20, 1816, and July 10, 1816, respectively. The first of the Cochran family in America was Joseph, a native of Ireland, who was influenced by reports oSf American opportunity to make a radical change of residence. Mrs. Matz's mother was the eldest in a family of three children, she having two brothers. Henry Zieber had nine brothers and sisters, of whom the following is an enumeration: Elizabeth, Mary H., Johanna, Catherine, Joseph. John, Frederick, Rachel and Alice.

Henry Zieber and his wife were married in 1861, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Resriment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his company being in the command of Captain Fernie. The regiment was engaged in scouting duty and in 1863 Mr. Zieber was captured and sent to Richmond as a prisoner. He retaained in that Virginia city from March until September, when he was transferred to Anderson ville prison, whepe he was held until November. Prom there he was sent to Florence and was finally released, his prison experience extending over a period of sixteen months and ten days. He was exchanged and in December, 1864, was discharged and sent home. He had two daughters besides the wife of the subject of this sketch. Etta, bom Pebruary 23, 1866, the eldest, became the wife of David Moyer, and Eskey, born July 18, 1868, is the wife of Calvin Moyer.

The. union of Mr. Matz and his wife has been blessed by the birth of five children. Vera M., bom January 21, 1893, has received her education in the township schools and was graduated in 1908 ; Bernice, bom May 17, 1895 ; Gertrude, bora October 9, 1897 ; J. Willard, bora August 20, 1900; and Charles H., bora July 29, 1904.

In the matter of religious faith the Matz family belong to the Reformed church and are active in its campaign for righteousness. The head of the house holds membership in the Masonic order, No. 173, at Bellevue. Politically he is inclined towards the Democratic party.