Seneca Township (part 59 of 60)

On June 20, 1905, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Amelia Kimmet, daughter of Adam F. and Eva (Hammer) Kimroet, of Liberty township, and they are the parents of two sons: Melvin, aged five and Walter, aged three. Mr. Jones owns the attractive home on Jacob street.

The subject is a loyal Republican and he and his family belong to the Catholic church of Kansas, Ohio. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modem Woodmen of America.

Edward T. Naylob. - The name of Naylor is one which has for a great many yeare been associated in the most honorable and prominent fashion with the affairs of Seneca county. Edward T. Naylor, a retired hardware merchant and identified with the TifSn National Bank, has spent fifty-four years within the boundaries of this progressive Ohio city. Not only does this gentleman combine in himself all the fine qualities which make for ideal citizenship in the quieter walks of life, but althou^ a very young man at the time the first guns were fired at Fort Sumter he was one of the earliest to offer his services for the preservation of the integrity of the Union, and few can look back upon a more interesting Civil war record.

Mr. Naylor is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred at the village of Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio, March 22, 1843. Until his ninth year he resided with his parents upon their farming property near Alexandria, but when he was about that age they removed to Newark, Licking county, and there resided for one year. They then went farther afield, taking up their residence in Berlin, Wisconsin, where they resided until 1857, or, more accurately, Mr. Naylor 's tenure of residence ended with that year, when in October he came to make his home with his brother, the late J. N. Naylor, who at that time was in the hardware business under the firm name of J. N. Naylor & Brother. The subject had attended the schools of the various places in which his early years had been spent and he continued Ms studies in the schools of Tiffin, literally leaving his desk in the school room to shoulder a musket in the defense of the nation. He became a member of the first organization of Seneca county. Company A, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Regiment. The first enlistment was for ninety days and at the termination of that period he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. His regiment was incorporated in the Army of the Potomac, imder Oeneral Winfield Scott Hancock. The Eighth Ohio found itself in the thickest of the fight and participated in seventy-six battles and skirmishes, among them some of the greatest engagements of the war, such as Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. At one engagement in Virginia he was captured by Mosby and prior to that he had several hair-breadth escapes from guerrillas. For a short time he was United States mail agent and upon being attacked upon one occasion he made his escape in the following manner. He was the bearer of about twenty thousand letters and a large amount of money which the soldiers were sending home to their families. As he was making his way through a narrow pass between the two armies, he was suddenly covered by the guerrillas. Believing himself at their mercy he would gladly have surrendered, but, as he himself expresses it, the mule that conveyed him ** thought different.'' The mule started to run and as he did so some of the guerrillas' shot found lodgment in Mr. Naylor 's shoulders and also in the anatomy of the mule, which increased the speed of the latter to recordbreaking point, and the pursuers were soon outdistanced. Thus a remarkable escape was effected by a member of that much ma- ligned species of the brute creation. On the occasion of the above-mentioned capture by Mosby, Mr. Naylor was released only upon condition of his turning over his horse and equipage. His captors were also robbing him of his clothing when he made a personal appeal to Captain Thompson, who restored to him all of his personal effects, among them a solid gold watch in a hunting case, the same being still in his possession.

The Eighth Ohio Regiment for ijieritorious service at Gettysburg with others was chosen to go to New York to quell the draft riot in August, 1863. At Gettysburg the company to which Mr. Naylor belonged lost fifty per cent of its members. He was mustered out at Cleveland, July 13, 1864, and thereupon returned to Tiffin. In the ** Reminiscences of Gettysburg" an interesting narrative by Mr. Naylor published in a Washington, D. C, paper, is related that the sharp shooters of the advance guard of the Rebels were located along Emmetsburg Road and General Hancock commanded General Carroll to send one of his regiments down that way. The Eighth Ohio, of which Mr. Naylor was a member, was chosen. In the battle his particular company served through the night of the second day until the charge of Pickett's command. Mr. Pickett was in front of the charge and would have been captured, but owing to the cannonading, which was so heavy it made great breeches in the charging party, they would close up to it and pour in cross fire. The regiment brought in 13,005 battle flags and at Antietam Mr. Naylor 's regiment captured some three hundred of these banners. At the battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, the regiment lost thirteen color bearers, the last one sinking the staff in the ground as he fell, and when the smoke of the conflict at last cleared away Old Glory was still waving.

One of Mr. Naylor 's friends, Tommy Connor, when but a lad sought to join the army, but owing to his youth he was refused admission to the ranks. Upon the journey Master Tommy was hidden by Mr. Naylor under the seat in the railway coach, was fed by the soldiers, who thonght it a huge joke and rather admired the lad for his plucky persistence, and he remained with the army until after Gettysburg, when so many of his heroes were slain and the real meaning of war so impressed upon him that he was willing to return home. While in the army young Connor sent eight hundred dollars back to Tiffin by Mr. Naylor, who was on leave. He subsequently became a famous speculator of Joplin, Missouri, but he did not forget his well loved Tiffin and gave the city one hundred thousand dollars, also donating an equal amount to Joplin.

Soon after returning to Tiffin Mr. Naylor began upon the business career which was to prove so successful, associating himself with the firm of J. N. Naylor Brothers, hardware merchants. Mr. Naylor continued thus engaged for a great many years and it is doubtless due to his executive ability, sound judgment and ability to inspire confidence that the business became one of the most substantial and prosperous of any to be found throughout the length and breadth of Seneca county. He retired in 1899 from the active duties and management of the concern.

marriage to Miss Louiaa Pettinger, a representative of one of the fine families of the locality, bom June 2, 1842, and a sister of the wife of the late J. N. Naylor. This happy union was further cemented by the birth of two children : Edna Marie, bom December 27, 1874, the wife of Thomas Wylie, of Ripley, Ohio; and Earl Benjamin, born December 4, 1878, residing with the subject and associated with the banking house founded by the late J. N. Naylor, now under the caption of the TifBn National Bank.

Mrs. Naylor 's father was the late Judge Benjamin Pettinger, who was one of those pilgrims from Fredericksburg, Maryland, to Seneca county in the '20s. When he first made the journey across country he was accompanied by his wife, and he subsequently returned to bring back that lady's sisters, one of them, Martha, becoming the wife of the late General William H. Gibson, one of the country 's greatest orators and a noted veteran of the Civil war. A famous monument has been erected to his memory. Another of the sisters married John D. Breslin, who founded the Tiffin Adi>ertiser and later was elected state treasurer, succeeding Mr. Gibson.

Mr. Naylor was a member of the Gibson Memorial Committee and also of the Ohio Antietam Battlefield Committee. Naturally he takes a great interest in his comrades of other days, and is a Grand Army man, having been one of the organizers of Gibson Post, No. 31, G. A. R. In politics Mr. Naylor gives allegiance to the Republican party, his suffrage having ever been at the disposal of the Grand Old Party. The Naylor residence is a handsome and commodious one, situated at 200 Monroe street and it is one of the favorite social centers of the city, its hospitality and attractiveness being proverbial.

Earl Benjamin Naylor was graduated from the higher department of the Tiffin public schools with the class of 1897. He supplemented this educatiimal discipline with attendance at Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware. After finishing his education he went to St. Louis, where he became associated with the Emerson Electrical Manufacturing Company, and remained in that city for four years. His ability was of a high order and he was sent by them to New York city and there placed in charge of their eastern business, continuing with this important trust for two years. But attractions of his home place never grew dim with him and he returned to Tiffin, becoming associated, as previously mentioned, with the Tiffin National Bank. He has large Interests in this important institution. His wife before her marriage was Miss Beckley, youngest member of the family of John M. Beckley, a native of Germany, and one of those loyal adopted sons of America who gave her valliant service in her day of need. Mr. Beckley was a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Regiment. Mr. Naylor and his wife have one young daughter, Jane Cornelia.

The subject's daughter, Mrs. Wylie, and her husband have two children, William Naylor , born October 14, 1907, and Emma Louisa, bom January 15, 1906.

Elmer E. Peasel, one of Liberty township's most progressive agriculturists, has been a resident of this township for only about three years, for he came here in the year 1907. For twenty years previously he had been identified with agricultural interests of Jackson township and preceded this by valuable service to the educational cause of Seneca county, having for thirteen years been a teacher in the district schools. He was bom in Liberty township, near Centre, on September 9, 1861, and is the son of Alexander and Mary (Turner) Peasel, who were natives of Fairfield and Seneca counties, respectively. He came from Pairfield county, Ohio, in the year 1837 and became identified with the agricultural life of the county. He passed on to his reward in the year 1881, but the death of the mother occurred in June, 1863, when the subject was a child only a little under two years of age He was reared by an uncle and aunt, Jacob and Sarah Peasel, citizens of Seneca county. He received his preliminary educa tion in the district schools and in the meantime engaged in various occupations, saving sufficient money to pursue a supplementary course in the college at Ada, Ohio. Receiving a license to teach when he was twenty years of age, he at once secured a position in the county schools and for thirteen years was recognized as one of the most excellent and enlightened of local instructors. He followed farming in the summer and eventually found it expedient to devote his entire attention to that industry. He purchased a property in Jackson township and there lived for twenty years, engaging in general farming and meeting with unqualified success, but in 1907 he changed his residence to Liberty township where he is the possessor of a tract of eighty fertile and well situated acres. He likewise owns one hundred and two acres in Jackson township.

In 1885 Mr. Peasel was united in marriage to Lenora Bower, bom in Liberty township in 1866, the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Lyberger) Bower. She died October 4, 1888, without issue. On the 12th day of September, 1889, he married Leona Gilson, daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza (McLaughin) Gilson of Jackson township. They have two daughters, Bessie, aged twenty, and Cora, aged twelve.

Mr. Peasel is Democratic in his political convictions and has been very active in the work of the party, his support and endorsement being sought as a valuable adjunct. He is a member of Kansas Lodge, No. 405, Independent Order of Odd Pellows, in which he holds the office of past noble grand, and he also has membership in the lodge of Rebekas, No. 171, Mrs. Peasel and their daughter Bessie likewise holding membership in this organization.

In addition to general farming Mr. Peasel engages in stock raising. He must be counted one of the self made men, all that he has made of himself being through his own efforts.

Ernest A. Wetzel. - The battle for life and success is no longer physical; it is mental. And in order to maintain one's own in this busy world a practical education is essential, and for those who cannot afford or who do not wish to go to college the public school is the best substitute that we have. Teaching, formerly a makeshift to fill in odd time, is now a profession, commanding the best talents of men and women who would have as easily become good lawyers or good doctors as good teachers. These thoughts are suggested by the busy and useful career of the subject of this notice, who has been a teacher since 1896.

Ernest A. Wetzel was bom in Seneca township, Seneca county, Ohio, August 19, 1877, a son of Jacob and Barbara M. (Ruehle) Wetzel. His parents, natives of Germany, were brought to America by their parents. They married in Seneca county. The father was a baker by trade and in the Civil war served the Federal government in that capacity. He was the father of five children, all of whom except Ernest A. are dead. The immediate subject of this notice was reared on the farm which is now his home arid obtained his education in public schools and at Ada University, Ada, Ohio. At the last mentioned institution he pursued the regular scientific course and a special course in civil engineering. He began teaching when he was about nineteen years old and has since made that his life work. He is at this time employed in the McCutcheonville, Ohio, schools.

On January 1, 1910, Mr. Wetzel married Miss Myrtle Qruble, of McCutcheonville, Ohio. They are members of the Lutheran church of that town and he is a member of the McCutcheonville ^lasonic lodge (Number 314) and was for two years its presiding officer. He is identified also with Crawford Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Carey, Ohio. A Democrat politically, he has been elected and re-elected township clerk of Seneca township and has served in the office about five years. He has also represented his township in the Democratic county central committee. A man of broad views and of much public spirit, he is a progressive citizen, helpful to all his fellow citizens, of whom they are proud and whom they like to honor. His fine farm, in section twenty-one, Seneca township, comprises forty acres.

Fred 0. Voorhies, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, September 3, 1880, a son of 0. D. and Sophia (Stahl) Voorhies, both of whom are living in Bettsville. He was reared on his father's farm and attended public schools in his home district. When he was about eighteen years old he became a student at a business college in Toledo, from which he was duly graduated in 1900. lie came from the institution well grounded not only in accounting but in the general principles of merchandising. Thus equipped to enter the field of modem business, he established a hardware store and plumbing shop at Bettsville, with his brother W. B. Voorhies as his partner. They enlarged their facilities from time to time as their business increased until their concern became one of the best of its kind in the county. Recently the Voorhies Company combined with the H. W.* Auld dry goods store, the style of the firm becoming the Bettsville Mercantile Company, and this is the leading mercantile establishment of Bettsville.

Mr. Voorhies married Miss Dora Soloman of Sandusky county, Ohio, and they have a son, Vaughn Voorhies, who was bom January, 1904. In his political affiliation Mr. Voorhies is Republican. He takes an active and public interest in local, state and national affairs. He is not without considerable local influence in his party. Without any expressed wish on his part that political honors should be conferred upon him he was in the fall of 1909 elected clerk of his township, an office which he is filling with signal ability and success greatly to the admiration of his fellow citizens of Liberty township irrespective of party differences. He has brought to this work in this capacity the same conspicuous talent that has made for his success in his private business and is hailed throughout the township as a public official who has the welfare of the community always in mind.

Leonard B. Tomb. - Much of the prosperity of Seneca county depends upon her agricultural element, and one of the ablest exponents of the great basic industry is Leonard B. Tomb, whose property is located in Pleasant township. Here he engages in general farming and stock raising and has met with success in both departments. Mr. Tomb was bom October 7, 1871, and is the son of Benjamin P. and Leonora (Benham) Tomb, the family originally coming from Connecticut. The grandfather, Benjamin Tomb, was the first of the family to come to Ohio and he became one of the leading factors in the life of Seneca county. Benjamin Tomb's grandfather was Jacob Tomb and his father, Philip Tomb, the latter bom March 22, 1782, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, near the present site of Harrisburg, both of his parents being of German extraction. He settled on Pine Creek in that state in later life. When Philip was a child his father in 1786 moved the family up the Susquehanna river, about ninety miles, making the journey by keel boats, this mode of transporation being necessary from the fact that there were no roads. He had hired some men to build a house for him on his new tract and he expected that a shelter would be waiting his wife and little ones, but the men, dishonestly, had not completed the contract.

The journey was begun November 1, 1791, and on the keel boat was stowed not only the family and a few household goods and provisions, but also iron to be used in the construction of a mill. When they reached Pine Creek the water was not suflSciently deep to float a boat, and he had to secure canoes to complete the trip. The remainder of the progress was tedious in the extreme, it requiring six days to go flve miles. When on November 20 Jacob and his family reached their destination what was their despair to find the house quite incomplete. The walls were up and covered with a roof, but there were no chimney, doors nor windows. They managed to pass the night there, although nearly perishing with the cold, and the house was finished in a manner in the next two days. They plastered it and made it otherwise habitable and on the 25th they began work on the mill, splitting and hewing the logs and building a race and dam. By March 1 the mill was finished. As it was three miles to the nearest mill, in the meantime they had to make their meal by pounding their com in a mortar.

Philip, in his day, had many adventures, such as were the lot of the pioneer, and he related many interesting hunting, fishing and snake stories. Game was plentiful and included panthers, bears, elk, deer, bears in particular being very plentiful. The father, who was a great sportsman, made a wager to catch an elk alive, the stake being two hundred and fifty dollars, and he really accomplished this daring feat, which made him a hero among all the hunters of the locality. The elk, which was the first one caught in Pennsylvania, was sixteen hands high and its horns were five and one-half feet across, with eleven branches. The streams were filled with trout, these finny creatures then, as now, being considered a rare delicacy. Rattle snakes were far too numerous and made travel very dangerous. Upon one occasion a party when going up the river found the shore so alive with rattlers that they could not make a landing and were obliged to anchor their boat in the stream where they remained over night.

Members of the Tomb family still reside in the vicinity of Pine Creek and in Philadelphia and Pittsburg. The branch of the familv with which this review is most concerned came to Ohio, first locating in Warren county and then removing to the Spicer section in this county, where two of their descendants, Leonard and Harry Tomb, reside and are influential and admirable citizens, worthy of the stanch stock from which they spring.

Benjamin Tomb, grandfather of the subject, married Ann Blackwell. She was the mother of R. H. Watson, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The father of R. H. Watson, Thomas Wood Watson, was ninety years of age when he died, after a life of great worth and usefulness. His funeral was conducted by the Rev. Dr. D. D. Bigger, assisted by Rev. J. H. Steele. Dr. Bigger read an excellent sketch of the venerable gentleman, which is in the keeping of his son Robert H. Watson. Extract is made from said sketch with only such paraphrase as is deemed expedient for the purposes of a compilation of this nature. He spoke of his life as a simple and unassuming one and that he was tenderly loved in the home and as a friend and neighbor. He was respected universally and remained modest and unobtrusive as a child even to his ripened old age. He was marvellously free from glitter, tiuFel and pretense and he was cordial, genial and never failing in courtesy. His nature was such as to lead him into the quieter paths of living and he achieved all that was of genuine worth in life. Thrown upon his own resources when in his teens he determined to have an education, and to secure the training he desired he toiled early and late. After graduating at the academy be chose law as a profession and when fully prepared met with a bitter disappointment. His health failed and his physician told him that if he hoped to live he must give up all thought of practicing law and take up work that would keep him in the open air. He obeyed this counsel and took the life of a farmer. He finally acquired a competency, every dollar of which represented industrv and toil. Manv farms were cleared bv his hands and form the valuable and attractive homes of his descendants todav. He was a man of strong constitution and though twice stricken with cholera, recovered, his recovery being looked upon as a miracle. He was a man of pronounced views in religion and politics. For two score years he was an elder in the Presbyterian church, in which for over fifty years he was a member, as were his forefathers in this country and those before them in Scotland and Ireland.

R. H. Watson, son of the foregoing, married a daughter of Rasselas R. Titus, a native of Litchfield, Connecticut. He was bom June 21, 1819, of Erastus and Lucinda (Wilerman) Titus, of the Nutmeg state, and came to Adams township, this county, in 1833, with his parents. Here Erastus died in 1835 and his widow in 1846. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, namely: Celina, Wilhelmina, Miles M., Rasselas R. and Hulda. The father of Erastus was in youth and middle age a sea faring man, but subsequently abandoned that life and engaged in agriculture in the state of New York. He was a Democrat and a Mason and received the title of captain on account of having given some time to drilling the militia in the Empire state. His grandson, Rasselas R., in his younger days engaged in job wotk. He lived a short time in Michigan and in 1838 went to Illinois, where he was employed by the government to assist in removing the Indians from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He returned to Seneca county in 1839 and for some time worked by the day or month. In 1840 he bought land in Indiana, selling the same one year later and purchasing property in Pleasant township. He prospered and at his death owned nearly one thousand acres of land. In 1859 he was elected to the state equalization board, and he was a member of the state legislature for two terms, serving from 1861 to 1865. He was married in 1844 to Elvira S. Clark, of this township, she having been bom in 1820 in New York. Her parents eventually located in Huron county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Titus became the parents of four daughters, namely: Augusta, wife of P. J. Pry, of Tiffin; Celina M., wife of Lorenzo L. Abbott, of TiflSn ; Plora, wife of 0. S. Watson, of Tiffin ; and Lillie, wife of R. H. Watson. Purther mention of the history of the Tomb family and its connections appears on other pages of this work, additional data appearing in the sketch of the subject's brother, Harry W. Tomb.

To return to the immediate subject of this review, Leonard B. Tomb resided with his parents until the age of eighteen years, at that time going to the city of Cleveland. He had received a good education, the first of it in the school house located on his father's farm and the latter part in Heidelberg University. Upon arriving in the Porest City he found employment with the Standard Oil Company and spent four years with another company. Subsequently he went to Akron, where he was engaged with the Akron Printing & Paper Company, and after a commercial career, varied and successful though it was, he returned to Seneca county and resumed that occupation with which he had been familiar in his youth and of which he stands at present as one of the best representatives, keeping in touch as he does with the newest ideas and believing in the application of science to this most important of industries.

Miller, the daughter of John W. and Mettie E. (Brown) Miller. They have one child, a daughter, born May 27, 1901, and through her mother she is a descendant of Captain Perry of the battle of Lake Erie fame. Mr. and Mrs. Tomb are members of the Congregational church and the former casts his vote with the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Akron, Ohio.

Mr. Tomb's mother, Leonora F. Benham, was one of a family of ten children. One of her brothers, General W. D. Benham, had charge of the Seventh Regiment of Infantry in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American war. Previous to that he had command of Fort Logan. George is a business man located in the south. James was connected with the Standard Oil Company and patented certain naptha refining process. W. W. is a business man of Cleveland. Nora F. and Amelia died young, and Bruce is a sergeant in the regular army.

Eli Streng is a native of Big Spring township, Seneca county, bom April 24, 1856, a son of Frederick and Eliza (Bruner) Streng, of old families of Alsace, Germany, both of whom came as emigrants to the United States. After their marriage, which was celebrated in TiflSn, Mr. and Mrs. Streng located in Big Spring township. Mr. Streng who was a shoemaker by trade and occupation, enlisted for service in the Civil war in the Forty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and followed Sherman in his historic march from Atlanta to the sea. He died in Loudon township in 1908. His wife died in 1907. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living in 1910. Mary became the wife of Andrew Sharf and lives in Fostoria. Eli, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth. Elizabetii was the third. Catharine married Lewis Manecke, of Loudon township. Anna and George have not married.

When Eli Streng was about seven years of age his parents moved from Big Spring township to Loudon township, and there he was early initiated into the mysteries of farming and attended district schools until he was about thirteen years old. In the course of time he developed into one of the most successful farmers in this vicinity. He now owns a fine farm of sixty-three acres, well improved and fitted up for stock raising, to which he gives attention in connection with mixed farming. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the improvement and advancement of the farm and of farm life and has from time to time been a member of important organizations of farmers. In politics he is no less active and public spirited. He is a Republican and the fact that he is the only Republican in his family is worthy of note. It should be noted also that in Loudon township, which usually goes Democratic by about two hundred majority, he was elected ditch supervisor, which office he has filled to the present time so faithfully and efficiently that it would surprise no one if he were re-elected.

She bore her husband one child, whom they named James H. Streng. Mr. Strenp: is a regular attendant upon the services of the Protestant Reformed church.

John Fruth was bom in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob and Syvillia (Sherdon) Pruth, both natives of Bavaria, the former born in 1812, the latter, in 1818, and they were married in the fatherland. Their son John first saw the light of day June 17, 1851. and the family came to America in 1854 and located near Cleveland, Ohio. About two years later they removed to Seneca county, where the parents lived out the remainder of their days. The father died in 1872, the mother some years later. They were members of the German Evangelical church. Mr. Pruth owned at one time two hundred and forty-eight acres of land which eventuallv he sold.

When his parents took up their residence in Seneca township John Pruth was about five years old. He grew up on his father's farm, doing such work as a boy can do in such environments and attending district schools a good deal of the time until he was about fifteen years old. He helped his father, as was the custom at that time in the country round about, until he attained his majority, then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed for some years.

Mr. Pruth married Magdalena Mergenthaler, a native of Loudon township, and they became the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom are living in 1910. Mary S., is deceased; Ja<»ob P., lives in Postoria; William, in Loudon township; David, in Hancof^k county. Ohio ; Ida, is the wife of Henry Zuem, of Big Sprinsr township; Christina, married George Heilman; Daniel L., lives in Loudon township ; Clara P., is the wife of Jacob Reiss, of that township; Abraham, Sarah A., John C, Clarence H. and Lena M. have not married.

John Pruth owns seventy acres of farm land in section 5 Big Spring township, and one hundred and thirty acres in section 32, Loudon township. The last mentioned property, on which he makes his home, he has developed into a fine farm, well stocked and bavins: good improvements. In the days of farmers* granges he was active in grange work and was master granger of his home organization. He now adheres to the Democratic party, taking an active interest in its local work. He has served faithfully and efficiently as township assessor and has twice been elected a member of the sf»hool board. He was at one time a county committeeman and is now filling the office of assessor. He is influential not only politically but socially and in business circles and is recognized as a public spirited man who has the best interests of his community close to his heart.

George W. Henry, carpenter and painter and trustee of Tjoudon township, was born in Big Spring township, Seneca county. June 12, 1855, a son of Daniel and Anna (Simmons) Henry. When he was about a year and a half old his parents moved from Big Spring township to Loudon township. There he worked on his father's farm, attending district schools as opportunity wa8 afforded him, until after he was eighteen years old. He then found work, from the earnings of which he was enabled to contribute to the support of his mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. His mother died on the 20th of November, 1909. He married Miss Mary Huff, June 21, 1881, who died August 6, 1907, sincerely mourned by all who had known her. Mrs. Henry bore her husband several children : John W« ; Clara, who is the wife of Merle Hall; Delia, who became Mrs. Ed Watts; Mary and Augusta.

At the age of seventeen years while still with his mother, Mr. Henry took up the carpenter's trade, at which he was successful and to which he added that of painter, frequently undertaking contract work of more or less importance. He owns three acres of fine land a mile and a half east of Postoria, on the Tiffin and Fostoria road. In his political affiliations Mr. Henry is a stanch Democrat. He has since early manhood taken a deep interest in all public questions affecting his township, county, state and country. Though Loudon township usually goes Republican by about three hundred majority, he was in the fall of 1909 elected township trustee by a vote that was highly creditable to his personal popularity. He was for seven years assessor of Loudon township. His administration of the affairs of these offices have commended him to the good opinion of his fellow citizens of all political parties. AH mortals are liable to reverses of one kind or another and despite his general success Mr. Henry is no exception to the rule, as was proven in January, 1904, when his right hand was torn off by a com husker while he was at work on the farm of E. A. Dillon.

James Stultz is one of several sturdy Republicans of Loudon township, Seneca county, who though politically influential are not aspirants for public office. He is a successful farmer and stockraiser, a man of prominence in his community. He has never married and his sister is his housekeeper. Mr. Stultz was bom at Tiffin, the county seat of justice, March 9, 1850, a son of Isaac and Martha (Dailey) Stultz. Isaac Stultz was bom in Frederick county, Maryland. Martha Dailey was a daughter of Samuel Dailey, who was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and a pioneer at Tiffm. Mr. Dailey operated a tannery in that city, at the northeast corner of Market and Monroe streets, where the building of the Tiffin fire department has since been erected. He ended his days at Tiffin, where he left an enviable name as citizen and business man. Isaac Stultz removed from Tiffin to Loudon township in 1867, when his son, James Stultz, the immediate subject of this brief notice, was about seventeen years old, and located on a farm of fifty and one half acres, which he operated successfully until his death. James Stultz was reared as a farmer's boy of all work and gained his early education in the public schools at Tiffin. When his father's estate came to be settled he bought the interest in it of the other heirs and, taking possession of the old home farm, has since operated it with much gratifying success, giving his atten- tion to general farming and stock raising. The place is well improved and is in all respects up-to-date, provided with good buildings and the best machinery and appliances. Its owner is known throughout the county as a careful, well informed^ progressive farmer who keeps abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his business and who as a stock raiser takes rank with the best in his vicinity.

Conrad Pruth is of German descent, and Prank Pruth, his grandfather in. the paternal line, and Jacob Peter, his grandfather in the maternal line, were both born in Germany. The latter came to the United States in 1833 and was a pioneer in Loudon township. There the former located in 1855. Conrad Pruth was born in that township March 6, 1868, and has lived there continuously to the present time. His parents were Conrad and Mary (Peter) Pruth. He was brought up to be a practical farmer and gained his education in the public schools, in which he studied until he wab about sixteen years old. He was then employed as a farm laborer by the man who was later his stepfather. His father died in 1868, the year in which the son was born. In 1890 he rented a farm which he operated until 1905. At that time he had saved about live hundred dollars, with which he wa^ able to negotiate the pul*- chase of one hundred and thirty-six acres in sections 31 and 32, Loudon township, which he has improved until it is a fine farm well stocked and with the best appliances for its cultivation. He owns also two acres and a half of valuable land on the corporation line of Postoria. His home farm is only four miles and a half south of Postoria. Devoting himself to general farming, he gives considerable attention to buying and selling land, stock and general farm property, in which business he has been quite successful.

Mr. Pruth married Emma Herbert, who was bom in Loudon township, a daughter of Andrew Herbert, who now lives on Columbus Avenue, Postoria. To Conrad and Emma (Herbert) Pruth have been born three children: Lester, aged about fifteen years; Norman, now aged about thirteen years; Marie, aged about ten years. In politics Mr. Pruth is a Democrat. Although he is very modest in his political aspirations, he was persuaded to accept a nomination to membership of the school board. He was duly elected and has served his fellow citizens greatly to their satisfaction. He is a communicant of the United Brethren church of West Independence and a liberal supporter of all its interests.

Adam Grine. - It is doubtful if anyone is better or more pleasantly known in Big Spring township than Adam Grine, who resides upon a valuable farm in section 28. He is a. progressive agriculturist who understands bringing the land to the highest state of cultivation, but the exercise of his powers has by no means been limited to rhis and he has given to the community public service of a high character. It is a favorable comment upon the confidence reposed in him and upon his personal popularity as well that he was elected land appraiser of Big Spring township by a majority of one hundred and one, Mr. Grine being a Republican, and an unswervinpr one, and the township being two hundred and fourteen Demoeratie. He is a councilman at the present time and he has displayed much conscientious efficiency in the handling of public affairs.

Adam Grine was born in Big Spring township, Seneca county, July 23, 1858, the son of John and Mary (Shortgen) Grine. The father was a native of Belgium, as was also the mother, the former having been born in that country September 24, 1810. In 1847 he and his wife, born in 1827, decided to cast their fortunes with the new world across the Atlantic. Shortly after coming to the United States they found their way to Seneca county, and were fortunate enough to have their dreams of the adopted country come true, for they became prosperous and respected citizens. The father, who owned one hundred and one acres of land,, was a Republican, and he and his family attended the Catholic church. He was the father of fifteen children, five of them born to his first marriage and ten to his second, which was contracted in 1849 with Miss Mary Shortgen, daughter of John and Mary Shortgen. The subject was the sixth in order of birth of the latter family, his brothers and sisters being Catharine, John, Joseph, Peter, Margaret, (then Adam), Anna, Nicholas, Henry, Thomas, all living except Peter and Margaret and all living in Seneca county except Catharine, who is living in Trumbell, Nebraska.

In the fashion of the usual farmer's son Mr. Grine attended the district school in the winter months, when the duties of the farm were somewhat lessened, and in the summer devoted his time to assisting his father. When he was fourteen years of age he left his desk in the school room and gave his entire attention to farming. He remained under the parental roof until his thirty-first birthday, when he was married and established a household of his own. Through the exercise of thrift he was able to purchase two hundred and forty acres of land in sections 28 and 33 and to this he and his wife removed. He subsequently found it expedient to dispose of a part of this and to invest elsewhere, and he now retains eighty acres in section 28, upon which he lives. He has cleared and improved this tract and has brought it to an excellent state of development, the principal secret of his success having been hard work and presistence.

Mr. Grine 's wife before her marriage was Philomena Pethe, of Big Spring township, a daughter of August Pethe. She was born April 3, 1863, and was educated in the public schools of tiie township. Their union was celebrated September 24, 1889, and it has been blessed by the birth of eight children. They are Merle A., Cletus H., Stephen E., Mary A., Leo N., Anna C, Susan C. and John. The various members of the family are affiliated with St. Nicholas Catholic church of Big Spring township.

As previously mentioned Mr. Grine is a councilman, a position he secured by unanimous consent. He is a stalwart supporter of the principles taught by Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, McKinley and Roosevelt, and takes a keen and intelligent interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. He is pleasant, courteous, and obliging and one of the substantial citizens of Big Spring township. He is the present treasurer of his church.

Mr. Grine's father died in 1889, his mother having preceded him to the Great Beyond in 1884. They were married at New Biegel, Seneca county, Ohio.

John W. Lamberjack, a native of Lake Superior, Michigan, was born January 30, 1864, a son of John and Margaret (Haimes) Lamberjack, natives of Germany, who emigrated to ,this country, locating at Detroit, Michigan, whence they removed to Lake Superior, Michigan, where they lived until 1865, when they came to Loudon township. When they arrived their son was not much more than a year old. He was brought up to a working knowledge of farming on his father's homestead and was educated in convenient district schools. He was employed by his father until he was twenty-six years old. He married Miss Ella Kuhn on April 29, 1890. She was born at Tiffin, Ohio, June 9, 1865, and was brought by her parents to Loudon township when she was only a child. There her father and mother both died. John W. and Ella (Kuhn) Lamberjack are the parents of four children: Mary E., born December 22, 1891 ; John M., bom April 17, 1893 ; Margaret E., born February 14, 1896 ; and Florence, bom May 5, 1906.

After his marriage Mr. Lamberjack passed the first year operating a farm in Hancock county, Ohio, which he rented of his father. For nine years thereafter he farmed for his father in Loudon township. In 1900 he bought the Beiter farm of eighty acres in section 23, Loudon township, eight miles and a half west of Tiffin and six miles and a half southeast of Fostoria. He has since bought thirty acres formerly of the Frankart estate. Devoting himself to general farming, he gives considerable attention to stock raising. He is an ardent member of the Democratic party, and as a Democrat he was elected a trustee of his township and is now filling that office most efficiently. He and his family are communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic church in Loudon township. His success in a business way has been won by most commendable methods and he is prepared to meet possible future obligations by negotiating insurance in the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company.

John Lamberjack, the father of our subject, is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty years, in Fostoria, being retired. The mother died June 1, 1903.

Chables N. Feindel was bom in Seneca county and like many of his associates has found it a sufficiently favored portion of the globe to warrant his remaining here ever since. He rents of his father in Loudon township one hundred and five acres, upon which he makes his home, and forty acres in Hopewell township, and he is well known in connection with public affairs, being the present township assessor. The date of the nativity of Mr. Feindel was January 26, 1876, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Basel) Feindel. The former was a native of Big Spring

The early years of Mr. Peindel were spent on his father b homestead, located south of Fostoria on the Tiffin and Findlay road. lie attended the district school in the winter and in the summer assisted his father in the manifold duties and tasks of farm life. He left school at the age of sixteen and when twentyone years of age he rented a farm of forty acres in Loudon township and proceeded to establish himself upon an independent footing. At the age of twenty-two years he became a married man. Flora A. Peter, of Loudon township, becoming united to him in matrimony on the 4th day of November, 1897. They lived upon the above mentioned rented place for about one year and then removed to Hopewell township, where they engaged in farming for two years. The first few years of their married life were indeed full of change, for they left Hopewell township for Liberty township, in which they remained only a year and returning to Hopewell were for three years residents of that township. Their last move was to Loudon township, which they intend to be their permanent home.

In politics Mr. Feindel is a Democrat, having been elected township assessor on that ticket, and*his term of office not expiring until January 1, 1912. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Bascom and has passed all the chairs. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church of Bascom and give their sympathy and support to all the good causes promulgated by it. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Marion, bom January 9, 1899.

Mr. Feindel was the oldest in order of birth of a family of four children, the other members being: George, Laura and Mary, but the latter died in infancy. His parents are living a retired life in Bascom, Hopewell township.

Frederick Rosen. - One of the most progressive, successful and honorable of the citizens of that favored portion of Ohio - Seneca county - is Frederick Rosen, whose eighty acre homestead is one of the most valuable of its size to be found in the locality and whose resources are developed in the most scientific manner, Mr. Rosen being one of those who keep in touch with the latest discoveries and investigations in his chosen profession - agriculture. Although it would be difficult to find any one more enthusiastically loyal to the community in which are centered his interests and his affections, he is an adopted son of the Buckeye state, and his birth occurred on the 8th day of September 1853, his parents being William and Mary Rosen, whose ancestors came from Germany.

When Mr. Rosen was but a child his parents moved from their native state, crossing the Delaware river and taking up their residence in Pennsylvania. When he was a lad of twelve they settled in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, which is situated rather centrally in the Keystone state, and it was there that he grew to young man- hood. About this time his parents, who had earned the respect and consideration of the community, passed on to their reward. Left upon his own resources Mr. Rosen was a little perplexed as to a choice of life work and he finally concluded to try the carpenter's trade. While engaged in learning its preliminary details he decided that he was not fitted for this vocation and not being one of those timid souls fearful of miaking a change and trying a hazard of new fortunes, he pulled up stakes and started west. The next twelve years were full of change and adventure and Mr. Rosen can assuredly not be counted one of those poor Americans who, although situated so that they can travel, yet have never seen their own country. In the dozen years of this period of change and travel he traversed twenty-five states and territories, which was in itself a liberal education. If there be truth in the Shakespearean adage **Home keeping youth have ever homely wits," Mr. Rosen need never have been in any fear of its application.

In 1882 Mr. Rosen concluded that he had had enough of wandering for a time and came to Postoria. It was here that he met and married Miss Syvilla E. Rinebold, daughter of Abraham and Barabra (Peters) Rinebold, of Loudon township. Mr. Rosen considers this to have been one of the most judicious and satisfactory steps in his career. Their union Has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Barbara, Emma, LenaT, Anna P., Nellie, Abraham and Lola. Barbara married Oliver Hunker, a farmer of Liberty township ; Anna P. married Ora Raney, a farmer of Loudon township; Nellie married Huber Welsh, of Hancock county, an employe of Uncle Sam; Emma and Lena died when children ; Abraham and Lola still reside with their parents.

With his faithful helpmeet Mr. Rosen removed to the banks of Wolf Creek, on land entered at Upper Sandusky in 1835, and the parchment grant bears the name of Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. The desirable tract owned by Mr. Rosen consists of eighty acres in section 3, of high and constantly increasing value. He engages in general agriculture with the most excellent results and is well known throughout the neighborhood.

Mr.- Rosen is a man who has always stood for the betterment of affairs in his community and among his good deeds may be numbered the fact that he is one of the first promoters of good roads, and was prominent among the petitioners for the first rural mail delivery. He is a wide reader, not only of those journals having a bearing upon the great basic industry of agriculture, but those of a general nature, and he is a subscriber to seven different publications. Added to this is the fact that he is a writer of no small ability and is a frequent contributor to local as well as agricultural papers. lie is a member of the Zion Lutheran church of Jackson township and is strictly temperate in his convictions. Mr. Rosen, in short, is a man who is widely and favorably known and enjoys that consideration which invariably comes to a man who is ever honorable, charitable and just, being best liked where best known.

Ephbaim Rinebold, one of the prominent men of Seneca county, was born in Loudon township, on the farm now owned by him, January 15, 1869. His father, Abraham Rinebold, and his grandfather, John Rinebold, were pioneers in Loudon township, the latter a native Pennsylvanian. The family is German, and the descendants possess those excellent traits which make the Oermans the most desired of emigrants to American shores. John Rinebold upon coming to Ohio located for a time in Perry county, and it was there that the subject's father first saw the light of day. The land entered by the grandfather, about the year 1830, has ever since been in the family, Mr. Rinebold 's highly developed two hundred acres, in sections 2 and 3, and lying three and one-half miles east of Postoria, being part of the original tract..

Barbara Peter, mother of Mr. Rinebold, was bom in Germany and came to the United States with her parents in about the year 1840. They located in Loudon township and there spent the residue of their lives. The father, Abraham Peter, was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars. The father of the subject was twice married, his first wife having been Elizabeth Pruth and the union being blessed by the birth of two children, Rebecca and John, the latter a resident of Loudon township, where he is engaged in farming. To the second marriage with Barbara Peter the following children w^re born: Catherine, Levi, Henry (deceased), Syvillia E., Abraham P., Mary L. (deceased), Anna E. (deceased) and Ephraim. The father, Abraham Rinebold, passed from this life on the 22nd of August, 1909, and the mother is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years.

Mr. Rinebold obtained his education in the district schools and remained under the parental roof-tree until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he married and established a household of his own. He is now the owner of two hundred acres, which in this favored section means much and he engages successfully in general farming and stock raising. He takes a wholesome amount of interest in politics and gives enthusiastic allegiance to the Democratic party. He has been twice elected assessor, in the years 1896 and 1897, and he has been twice elected trustee, at the present time serving in that capacity.

Mr. Rinebold 's marriage took place on the 23rd day of January, 1890, the lady to become his wife being Miss Bertha Kisabeth, daughter of Henry and Isabel (Henry) Kisabeth. They have one daughter, Jessie P., bom April 28, 1894, who attends the public schools. The Rinebold family are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran church, to which they give ample sympathy and support.

Mrs. Margaret Reiss, widow of Henry Reiss, who owns and operates a valuable eighty acre farm, three miles southeast of Postoria, is one of the widely known and influential women of Seneca county. She is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret O'Brien, and although Irish in extraction, the family having been foimded in America in 1835, by the father of our subject, she is a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, her birth having occurred there April 25, 1847. When only three years of age she came with her parents to Seneca county, the journey being made by stage. Her parents secured land in Loudon township, became prominent in the life of the community and here passed their days until their demise. Mrs. Reiss is one of seven children, the members of the family being: James, Thomas, Terence, all deceased; Ellen, Mary, Margaret and Catherine.

Mrs. Reiss was reared upon the farm and received her education in the district schools. She was married in October, 1868, to Perry J. Ramsewr, by occupation a blacksmith, living in Fostoria. The death of this well known citizen of Seneca county, who was a veteran of the Civil war, occurred in 1884. There was no issue to thifl union. Mrs. Reiss' second marriage was contracted with the Rev. Thomas Parker, a clergyman of the Congregational church and an Englishman by nationality. Mr. Parker died two and one half years later. Her union with Henry Reiss, a prominent agriculturist of Seneca county, took place in Tifl&n, Ohio, May 3, 1900, and they lived throughout their married life on Mr. Reiss' estate in section 20, Loudon township. He had been married previously to Miss Anna Hammer, and had three children : Henry D., born September 30, 1893* Emma C, born January 30, 1895; and Carl J., bom June 7, 1896. Mrs. Reiss has reared these children, and now since the death of the father, October 30, 1905, with the assistance of the sons manages the farm. Mrs. Reiss is a woman of strong character and much executive ability and is favorably known throughout this section. She is a member and liberal supporter of St. John's Evangelical church of Loudon township, known as the Cramer church, Mr. Reiss having also been a member and liberal supporter of the same.

Charles W. Cramer was bom, reared and lived until recently on the same homestead, but during the first of the present year he and his wife moved to a new home in Fostoria, where they are living a retired life. His parents were Henry and Mary (Richards) Cramer. Henry Cramer was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and came to Loudon township in 1826, when he was about eighteen years old. There he lived for sixty-three years, until 1889, when he removed to Fostoria, where he died March 4, 1907. Mary Richards was bom in Clinton township, Seneca county, in 1818, and died in 1904. This worthy couple were farmers in the pioneer days, through the years of development, and in later days, when farming in Seneca county had become quite another thing than the farming they had known in their youth. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living in 1910. One of these, Charles W. Cramer was bom at the old family homestead on the McCutcheonville road in Loudon township, three miles and a half from Fostoria, September 3, 1854. He was brought up to a complete knowledge of farming in all its details and gained a fair common school education, to which he has added by studious reading and observation throughout his career to the present time. He married Miss Alice Shaflfner in 1882. She is a native of Bloomville, Seneca county, and was bom April 27, 1856. After their marriage they took up their residence on rented land, which

Mr. Cramer farmed quite successfully. In 1889 he bought a farm of seventy-five acres in section 21, Loudon township, which he has improved until it is one of the best and most productive in that liieighborhood.

To Charles W. and Alice (ShaflPner) Cramer have been born four children, named as follows in the order of their nativity: Ray, born October 26, 1883; Leroy, December 19, 1885; Maud, October 8, 1888; Nellie, December 16, 1890. Ray and Leroy are married. Mr. Cramer and his family are communicants and he is a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fostoria. He is also included in the Brotherhood Sunday school class of that city. Though he is a stanch Republican of no little influence he has never taken an active interest in politics. His sturdy traits of character are recognized and respected by his fellow citizens of all classes.

Alvin D. Lennbr. - One of the most prominent and prosperous of the citizens of Big Spring township, as indeed of S^eca county, is Alvin D. Lenner, who owns a splendid tract of three hundred and twenty acres, all lying compactly situated in Big Spring township. He constitutes in himself a shining example of the self made man, for he started with nothing and has achieved his present substantial position by the exercise of good management, thrift and industry, coupled with good principles and the ability to inspire confidence. Qoing back two generations to his grandfather we find Mr. Lenner to be of German origin and he partakes in high degree of those traits which make the German one of the most welcome of emigrants to the * * Land of the free and the home of the brave."

Alvin D. Lenner is a native of Big Spring township, born here July 7, 1860, his parents being Daniel and Frances (Ribbley) Lenner. The father was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and his father, Christian Lenner, as before mentioned, was a German, his birth having occurred in the town of Swybrick in about the year 1800. He and his good wife, Mary (Sprow) Lenner, a native of the same place as her husband, severed previous associations and sailed across the Atlantic for America sometime about the year 1837. First locating in Ashland county, they remained there only about a year, the father of the subject being bom within that period. In 1838 they located in section 27, Big Spring township, upon the farm upon which Jay Lenner now makes his residence. Here the grandfather spent the remainder of his life, his demise taking place after he had attained to the venerable age of ninetyone years. He was the father of five children, the members of the family other than Daniel Lenner, the father of the subject being: Catherine, Elizabeth, Jacob and Christian, all deceased but Daniel and Catherine.

An infant when he came to Big Spring township, Daniel Lenner here grew to manhood, adopted the vocation of farming, married, and reared a family of eight children, seven of whom are living at the present time (1910). The names of his children are : Alvin D., Mary, Rollin W., Jay, Susan, Cora and Alma. Mr.

and Mrs. Daniel Lenner are respected citizens of Big Spring township. The latter, whose maiden name was Francis Ribbley, was the daughter of John and Mary Ribbley. The parents were bom in 1803, in Alsace Lorraine, and were married before coming from the old country. First locating in Sandusky county, Ohio, they subsequently came on to Wyandot county, and then to the adjoining county of Seneca, residing in Big Spring township the residue of their lives, the father dying in 1894.

Alvin D. Lenner was reared upon the old family homestead of the Lenners and attended the district schools until somewhere near his eighteenth birthday. He then entered upon an active career as an agriculturist, and remained beneath the home roof until he was about thirtv, when he married and removed to his own property. This large finely situated tract, is in a high state of improvement and is adorned with some excellent buildings, the residence being thoroughly modem in its appointments, the only one of this nature in the township, in fact. In addition to general farming stock raising is carried on.

The marriage of Mr. Lenner occurred in Big Spring township, on the 15th day of April, 1891, the lady to become his wdfe being Miss Elizabeth Herbert, of Big Spring township. She was bom in Loudon township in 1860, the daughter of Jacob and Adeline (Slemmer) Herbert, and received her education in the common schools. Five children have been born to them, the following four of whom are living: Francis, bom in 1892; Helen, born in 1894; Gladys, born in 1895; and Herbert, born April 4, 1898.

In the question of politics Mr. Lenner pays fealty to the Republican party, and although interested in current events, is not an officer seeker. He is a quiet, unassuming, modest man and stands well among his associates.

John H. Zeller is a son of Isaac and Catharine (Sponseller) Zeller and was bom in Stark county, Ohio, April 24, 1856. His father was a native of Lebanon, Ohio, and his mother first saw the light of day in Stark county. When John H. was about a year old his parents moved to Loudon township, Seneca county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. There the son was reared to farm work in all its details as it was handled throughout the country at that time. In good district schools nearby his home, which he attended until he was about eighteen years old, he was well grounded in practical education. Not long after he left school he went into business for himself as a thresher and later he operated a sawmill. ^ In both of these enterprises he was satisfactorily successful. It may be said that in a way threshing has been his leading interest through life. Though he now owns two fine farms aggregating one hundred and sixty acres, he does not devote himself primarily to farming but gives his attention particularly to threshing. It may be a surprise to many who know him to learn here that this veteran thresherman has **run with a threshing machine *' about thirty-five years.

sons, as an exemplary wife and mother whose place in the household and in the community it would be well nij^h impossible to fill. Mr. Zeller is a live, up-to-date man, as is evidenced by the fact that he was one of the first in his neighborhood to purchase an automobile. As a Democrat he has taken considerable interest in general and local politics. He served his township faithfully as one of its trustees and has filled other official positions. He is a member of the Reformed church, is a past noble grand of Postoria Lodge, No. 305, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is identified with the A. I. U., a fraternal insurance order.

Frank Y. Knowlton. - Among the representative citizens of Seneca county must assuredly be numbered Frank Y. Knowlton, who was bom in Big Spring township May 7, 1860, and has spent nearly all of his life here, at present owning and operating some one hundred and two desirable acres in his native township. He is the son of Austin and Sarah (Henderson) Knowlton. The father was a native of the state of Massachusetts, but about the year 1822 tame on to the Buckeye state and located at the town of Tymochtee, Wyandot county, subsequently coming across the county line to Big Spring township, when he was about twenty-one years of age. He entered eighty acres of land and there established a home, taking for his wife Louisa McKinsey and becoming the father of four children, all sons. After the death of his first wife he married again, the second wife being Mrs. Josiah Swigart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, and the subject is a child of this union. A brother Richard resides in Michigan and Lucy and Mary, both unmarried, reside in Big Spring township on the old homestead. The father died in 1902, at the venerable age of ninety three years, and his wife died in 1886.

Frank Y. Knowlton was reared upon the farm of his father and under the excellent guidance of that gentleman gained a good insight into many of the secrets of successful agriculture. He secured his early educational discipline in the district schools and remained beneath the home roof until his marriage. By the exercise of previous industry and thrift he found himself in a position to become the possessor of a farm of his own, this being located in section 35, Big Spring township, one mile north and three miles west of the Range. He is of that progressive type of agriculturist who has no disinclination to adopt the newest ideas, and prosperity has attended his endeavors.

On the 31st day of March, 1887, Mr. Knowlton laid the foundation of a happy home and congenial life companionship by his marriage with Jane Johnson, a native of Adrian, Big Spring township, and educated in the district schools. Her parents are William and Nancy (Cline) Johnson, natives of Ohio, the family coming from Pennsylvania originally. The fruit of this union is an only son, William A., bom September 1, 1888, and educated in the district schools. He has chosen farming for his life work.

Mr. Knowlton takes no small amount of pleasure and recreation in his affiliation with Adrian Lodge, No. 494, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he is a past noble grand. He is a stanch Republican, endorsing with his sympathy and suffrage the men and measures advanced by that party, and he is a member of the board of the Adrian Special District School.

Professor Lewis M. Ridenour. - It is given to few citizens to play as useful and varied a part in the life of any community as does Professor Lewis M. Ridenour in that of the town of New Reigel and Big Spring township, Seneca county. Since 1903 he has filled with signal efficiency the position of principal of the New Reigel schools and since 1904 he has been township assessor, while in addition to this he has served the community as justice of the peace and notary public. Professor Ridenour is bound to this locality by peculiarly strong ties, for it was here that he was born, March 31, 1873, and here that he has spent the greater part of his life. His parents were John and Lyd,ia (Hickey) Ridenour, the father a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and the mother of Chester county, Pennsylvania, the former bom in the year 1833, and the latter, in 1839. The subject was the sixth of order of birth in a family of eight children, the members of the family being: Ellen, William, Idlla, Frank, Clara, Lewis, Lillian and Charles.

When Professor Ridenour was a lad about seven years of age he removed with his parents to Loudon townsliip. He secured the educational advantages of the district and parochial schools and exhibited marked efficiency as a student. At the early age of twenty-one years he had the distinction to be elected aissessor of Loudon township and served two terms. Shortly thereafter he took up the vocation of teaching, beginning upon this career in 1895 and since 1903 he has been at the head of the school in the capacity of principal, his services having been of a thorough and satisfactory character. He again holds the position of assessor, this time of Big Spring township, his tenure of office dating from 1904 and his incumbency of the office of justice of the peace is of seven years duration. Politically Professor Ridenour is a Democrat, giving unfaltering support to the men and measures advanced by that party.

On the 3rd day of October, 1901, Professor Ridenour laid the foundation of a happy married life by his union with Miss Catharine Dell, of Big Spring township. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Woolenschnider) Dell and the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, the members of the family being: Frank, Susan, Catharine, John, Mary, Peter and Joseph. To them have been born six children, whose names are: Marie, Ernestine, Donald, Holland, John and Ruth. The family are members of St. Boniface Catholic church and give their sympathy and support to its various good causes. Professor Ridenour owns the attractive property upon which he resides.

Arthur A. Cunningham. - Honored and respected in every class of society, Arthur A. Cunningham has for some time been a leader in thought and action in the business world of Seneca county and his name is inscribed high on the roll of its foremost citizens, his honorable career adding luster to the history of the state. Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed pui pose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or adventitious circumstances. The successful men of the day ari. they who have planned their ow^n advancement and have accom plished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty thai could have been attained only through their own efforts. This class of men have a worthy representative in Arthur A. Cunningham, who has long resided at Tiffin, where his business interests are of gigantic proportions.

A native son and scion of one of the pioneer families of Seneca county, Mr. Cunningham was born at Tiffin, the date of his nativity being the 26th of January, 1857. His father, George W. Cunningham, was born near Bunker Hill, Virginia, in the valley made famous by Sheridan's immortal ride, on the 23rd of June, 1823. As a youth George W. Cunningham learned the miller's trade and like many other ambitious young men he looked to the west as the best place in which to make his fortune. Accordingly, in 1843, he came to Ohio, locating at Tiffin, where, after a few changes in his business connections, he built the Clifton Mill, which he continued to operate from 1859 until just a few years prior to his death, which occurred on the 18th of May, 1893. He was probably the best known man in Seneca county, both as a business man and as a citizen, although he did not participate actively in public affairs. He was decidedly public spirited and contributed in generous measure to all projects advanced for the good of the general welfare. In 1855 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Marv' Keller, who was born and reared in Seneca county, and they became the parents of four children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated : Arthur A., is the immediate subject of this review; Ella is the widow of E. B. Myers, who was summoned to the life eternal in 1910 ; Frank, whose birth occurred in 1862 is now in business in the city of Chicago, Illinois; and Courtney, bom in March, 1864, who is associated with the subject of this sketch in business. The dearly beloved mother passed into the Great Beyond on the 8th of May, 1911, at the venerable age of eighty-two years.

Arthur A. Cunningham was reared to adult age at Tiffin, to the public schools of which place he is indebted for his preliminary educational training, having been graduated in the local high school as a member of the class of 1873. After leaving school he entered the flouring mill of his father, where he continued to be employed for a period of four years, at the expiration of which, in 1878. he formed a partnership with Colonel S. H. Hunt, of Upper Sandusky, to engage in the grain business at Tiffin. The above alliance continued for four years and in 1882 Mr. Cunningham purchased his partner's interest and continued to conduct the business individuallv until 1890, in which vear he admitted to partnership Ralph D. Sneath, of Tiffin, the firm becoming that of Sneath & Company and so continuing until 1905. In the latter year the business was incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, and under the name of the Sneath-Cunningham Company. Of this concern Mr. Cunningham is president; Ralph D. Sneath, vice president; and Courtney Cunningham, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Cunningham is identified with a number of Tiffin's most important industrial enterprises. He is president of the Citizens Building & Loan Association ; president qf the Tiffin Consolidation Telephone Company; vice president of the Tiffin Savings Bank ; and a director in the Commercial National Bank. In connection with his extensive business affairs he is a valued and appreciative member of the Tiffin Chamber of Commerce. He is a business man of unusual executive ability and tremendous vitality and one who has been met with success in practically every undertaking in which he has been concerned.

Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage, on the 7th of July, 1881, to Miss Minnie B. Holt, who was a class mate and fellow graduate of her husband's in high school. She is a native of Seneca county and is a daughter of William and Belle (Flenner) Holt, pioneers of this section of the fine old Buckeye state. Mrs. Cunningham was bom on the 22nd of August, 1856. There have been no children bom to this union.

In his political convictions Mr. Cunningham is arrayed as a stalwart in the ranks of the Democratic party and while he has never had any ambition for political preferment of any description he is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all matters affecting the well being of Seneca county. He is deeply and sincerely interested in community affairs and his wife is a consistent member of the Trinity Episcopal church, in the different departments of which she is a most active and zealous factor, la the grand old Masonic order Mr. Cunningham has long been prominent in Ohio. He has passed through the circles of both the Scottish and the York Rite branches, having been a thirty-second degree Mason since 1888. In 1910 he was honored by election to the thirty-third degree. He is also affiliated with Tiffin Lodge, No. 77, Free and Accepted Masons; and DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templars, in addition to which he is a member of Zenolia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Toledo, Ohio. In all the relations of life Mr. Cunningham has so conducted himself as to command the unalloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and his entire life has been exemplary in all respects.

residence and occupation in 1857, Mr. Grapes migrated to Minnesota, and was engaged in farming in the west until November, 1859. Returning in that month to Ohio, he came to Tiflfin, and here entered the drug store of John F. Wooster, and while with him became thoroughly acquainted with the drug business. In November, 1861, forming a partnership with E. W. Dubois, Mr. Grapes opened a drug store at Fostoria. In the fall of 1865 he purchased his partner's interest in the establishment, which he managed alone for a time, afterwards being associated with Charles Foster, whom he subsequently bought out. Finally selling his entire stock at an advantage, Mr. Grapes returned to Tiflfin, and having bought the two rooms adjoining the Tiflfin National Bank on Washington street, he fitted and furnished them and put in a choice stock of drugs. He continued here as a druggist for a short time, when he took advantage of an opportunity to sell.

Removing then to Fostoria, he bought the Cunningham Flour Mills, which he rebuilt and operated until he had a good chance to sell. He then bought back the drug business which he had formerly owned in Fostoria and after managing it successfully for a few years disposed of it and retired from that line of business. He subsequently became interested in manufacturing pursuits and built in Fostoria a spoke factory, which he operated for a time before selling it. In 1874 he engaged in the general dry goods, merchant tailoring and boot and shoe business, having bought the business known as the Kenower Dry Goods Company, which he operated until 1880. He then embarked in the hotel business, an entirely diflPerent enterprise, and has since rebuilt, refurnished and managed several hotels, including the following named : The Hays House in Fostoria ; the Turpin House, in Greenville; the Marsh House, which he furnished and opened at Van Wert; the Hotel Plaza in Piqua, Ohio; Hotel Bucklin, which he remodeled and opened at Elkhart, Indiana; the Ball House at Fremont, Ohio, which was re-named the ** Grapes," and while in Fremont he furnished and opened at Jackson, Ohio, the Hotel ** Cambrian,'' known as the Grapes & Grapes.

Coming again to Tiflfin, in February, 1905, Mr. Grapes took charge of the new hotel **Shawhan," which he managed until March 1, 1909, when he went to Middle Bass Island, where he had control of Middle Bass Club six months. On January 1, 1910, he took charge of his present hotel, the Morcher House, which under his management is well patronized, his guests finding him pleasant, accommodating and hospitable.

Fraternally Mr. Grapes is a member of Fostoria Lodge, No. 188. F. & A. M., and a charter member of Piqua Lodge, No. 534, B. P. O. E. He has been twice married. He married first Helen Hayes, of Fostoria, who died in August, 1887. Five children blessed their union, three of whom are living, namely: Will H., Nella, wife of Charles Hamon, Jr., and Charles II. Mr. Grapes married for his second wife Ella Culp, a daughter of Judge Culp, of Greenville, Ohio. She too has passed to the higher life, her death occurring in November, 1891.

Edmund A. Warner is a native son of Seneca county, and no citizen enjoys within its limits a higher degree of personal popularity. He is incumbent of the dual office of freight and ticket agent for the Nickel Plate Railroad, in the city of Postoria, and is an able and valued executive. *

Mr. Warner was born in Liberty township, Seneca county, on the 9th of January, 1872, and is a son of David and Sarah J. (Ash) Warner, the former of whom was bom in Pennsylvania and the latter pf whom was born in Liberty township, Seneca county, Ohio, where the Ash family settled in 1832, becoming prominently identified with the pioneer history of that township. David Warner served as a gallant soldier in an Ohio regiment during the. Civil war and is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is Republican in his political proclivities and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His active career was devoted almost entirely to agricultural pursuits and he is now living retired in the village of Kansas, this county. He and his wife became the parents of two sons and C. P. Warner is living in Cleveland, engaged in the restaurant business.

Edmund A. Warner was reared to maturity in the village of Kansas, this county, and was afforded the advantages of its public schools. There also he learned the art of telegraphy in the office of the Lake Erie and Western Railroad and when he was seventeen years of age he was given regular employment as an operator for this company, by which he was employed, at various points in Ohio, for several years, after which he was a telegraph operator for the Standard Oil Company for a number of years, within which he was stationed at various places. In 1894 he located in Postoria and assumed the position of clerk in the freight office of the Nickel Plate Railroad. Through faithful and eflPective service he won promotion through the various grades and he has served as freight and ticket agent for this company since 1907.

In politics Mr. Warner is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and he has served as a member of the city council of Postoria, of which body he was elected president in 1910. He is a member of the Seneca County Republican Executive Committee and takes an active part in the local work of his party. By reason of his father's service in the Civil war he is eligible for and is identified with Norris Post, No. 27, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is an associate member. He is affiliated with Postoria Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor; Postoria Lodge, No. 935, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, in which he has represented his tent in the Supreme Tent of the state. Mr. Warner has an attractive home at 542 North Main street and the same is a center of generous hospitality, ^frs. Warner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

On the 15th of September, 1897, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Warner to Miss Louise Hill, daughter of James and Mary Hill, of Postoria, in which city she was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have one son, Caples A., who was born on the 5th of July, 1901.

John H. Jones. - It is pleasing to note in connection with the various personal sketches appearing in this work that many of the native sons of Seneca county have here found ample opportunity for productive effort in connection with the varied industries of life and that they have attained indubitable success in their several vocations. He to whom this review is devoted is known as one of the leading mason contractors of his native county and maintains his home and business headquarters in the city of Fostoria. Here he is president of the Seneca Wire & Manufacturing Company and is also engaged in the manufacturing of cement blocks, besides which he has other local business interests of varied order. He is one of the representative business men of the county and his course has been so ordered as to retain to him the inviolable confidence and high regard of the community in which he has passed virtually his entire life thus far.

In the old family homestead on East North street, in the city of Fostoria, John H. Jones was ushered into the world on the 4tJi of December, 1870, and he is a son of John A. C. and Emeline (Flack) Jones. The father is now a resident of Kansas, Seneca county, but the mother died in Liberty township in 1883. When the subject of this review was a child his parents removed to Liberty township, this county, and located on a farm. There he was reared to adult age and his educational advantages in his youth were those afforded by the public schools, which he continued to attend until he was nineteen years of age. In 1890 he located in Fostoria, where he served an apprenticeship at the mason's trade, under the direction of his father. He finally joined the masons' union and began work as a joumfeyman. Since 1898 he has been independently engaged in contracting and had the distinction of manufacturing the first cement blocks utilized in this section of the state. He has handled large contracts for concrete construction, as well as many important contracts for the construction of buildings of brick and stone, in which lines he is known as one of the most extensive and successful contractors in his native county. Mr. Jones well deserves the title of captain of industry and his progressive ideas and unremitting energy have gained to him a large measure of success, the while his efforts have conserved the material advancement of his home city and county. As before stated, he is president of the Seneca Wire & Manufacturing Company, one of the important industrial concerns of Fostoria, and he is also a stockholder in the Commercial Bank & Savings Company. In connection with his contracting work Mr. Jones has erected many of the best factory and business buildings in Fostoria, besides many residences and a number of public buildings, including a number of Catholic school buildngs.

Though never active in the domain of practical politics and never a seeker of public office Mr. Jones takes a loyal interest in local affairs and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He is aflBliated with Fostoria Lodge, No. 288, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with Fostoria Lodge, No. 305, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Augusta Nique, who was bom and reared in Hancock county, and they have three children, John P., Alice and Carl. In 1902 Mr. Jones erected his fine modem residence on North Main street, and the home is well known for its generous hospitality.

RoLLAND W. Solomon. - The able and popular superintendent of public schools of Fostoria has proved himself a valuable factor in connection with educational work in his native state and his success in his profession has been on a parity with his well proved abilities. He has made of success not an accident but a logical result and his advancement represents the direct result of his own efforts. His career has shown conclusively that while hope is of the valley effort is diming the mountain side. He has ever held in high regard, the result of individual accomplishment, and has ever accorded due credit and honor to the man who has won success by worthy means.

Professor Solomon is a native of the old Buckeye state as he was born on a farm in Scott township, Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 8th of November, 1873, and he is a son of Isaiah N. and Esther R. (Good) Solomon, the former of whom was bom on the farm which still represents his home, in Sandusky county, this state, where his parents settled in the pioneer days, and the latter of whom is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, where her parents were likewise pioneer settlers. Isaiah N. Solomon has given his entire active life to the great basic industry of agriculture, in connection with which he has gained a competency. He served as a valiant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and in the ** piping times of peace" he has shown the same loyalty that prompted him to go forth in defense of the integrity of the nation. Professor Holland W. Solomon gained his early experiences in connection with the practical responsibilities of life from his boyhood association with the work of the home farm and his preliminary educational training was secured in the district schools, which he continued to attend during the winter terms until he was about sixteen years of age, in the meanwhile assisting in the work of the home farm during the summer seasons. He continued his training in the normal schools and finally entered the Northern Ohio University, at Ada, Ohio, in which he was graduated, in the classical course, as a meiaber of the class of 1899, and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1902 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. Since his graduation he has completed an effective post-graduate course in the same university, besides which he has done special post-graduate work of effective order in the University of Chicago. He provided for the expenses of his college education through his services as teacher in the public schools and his work in the pedagogical profession has been of the most earnest and enthusiastical order, so that he has heen able to rouse the attention and interest of his students and to gain the best results in all departments of the work carried forward under his supervision. From 1899 to 1906 he served as superintendent of the public schools of West Mansfield, this state, after which he was incumbent of a similar position at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where he remained until 1908, when he was elected to his present important position as superintendent of the schools of Postoria. All his administration has been most successful and in many ways has he raised the already high standard maintained by the schools which are under his supervision. Professor Solomon and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church; he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including Postoria Commandery of the Knights Templars, and he holds membership in the lodge of the Knights of Pythias, at Kansas, Seneca county. By reason of his father's service in the Civil war he is eligible for and holds a place as associate member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, though he has never cared to enter the arena of public politics and has never sought public office.

On the 10th of July, 1902, Professor Solomon was united in marriage to Miss Ada A. Zeis, daughter of Jacob and Alice Zeis, well known residents of Tiffin, Seneca county. Mrs. Solomon is a woman of culture and gracious personality and has been a successful teacher of music and painting, having been graduated in the art department of Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, as a member of the class of 1899. Professor and Mrs. Solomon have one daughter, Geraldine, who was bom on the 29th of November, 1903.

John W. Baker. - Occupying an honored position among the worthy and respected citizens of Clinton township is John W. Baker, who has spent his useful and pleasant life within its boundaries, and since attaining manhood has been actively identified witu the advancement of its agricultural interests. A son of Williau. Baker, he was born, September 26, 1840, just north of Tiffin, in that part of Clinton township bordering on the Sandusky river.

William Baker was bom, in 1806, in Prederick county, Maryland, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Prederick Baker. Soon after attaining his majority he visited Seneca county, Ohio, spending a part of the year 1828 here. Returning home, he remained there awhile, but about 1831 again came to this part of Ohio, and for awhile worked with his brother Ezra in a saw mill and grist mill, which plant was erected, probably, in 1832, it being one of the first established in this locality. Thrifty and energetic, he accumulated considerable property, and wisely invested his money in land, his first purchase consisting of a tract containing one hundred and twenty acres lying along the north bank of the Sandusky river. He met with satisfactory success, eventually becoming owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and fertile land. lie was a true Christian, and a strong anti-slavery man. lie married Margaret Derr, who survived him ten years, his death occurring on the home farm in 1874, and hers in 1884. Seven children were bom of their union, five of whom survive, as follows : William, Alice, Mary, Ann E., and John W.

Growing to manhood on the parental farm, John W. Baker received a liberal education for his times, attending first the district schools, and afterwards the Heidelberg College. Por four successive winters he taught in the rural schools of Seneca county, but since that time has given his undivided attention to agriculture. His untiring eflPorts and continued industry, combined with practical skill and sound gment, have met with a well merited reward. Mr. Baker's nne farm of one hundred and seventy-four acres, lying near the north corporation line of Tiffin, is in an excellent state of cultivation, and yields abundantly of the crops common to this part of the union. He has made improvements of value on the place, his substantial barns and commodious residence, with the other necessary buildings, greatly enhancing the value as well as the beauty of his home property. Mr. Baker has a tenant on the place, and directs the management of the farm.