Wayne Township (part 6 of 15)

1813. The land was a dense forest, the haunt of wild animals and equally wild Indians. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., March 3, 1785, and the mother, nee Nancy Elder, in Franklin County, Penn., December -4, 1787. They were married in Beaver County, Penn., September 22, 1806. The father was a blacksmith, and followed his trade at Wooster until 1824, when he moved to a farm five miles south of that place. There he lived about seven years, when he moved to near Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, where he died March 1, 1867. He was quite a politician, and in his earlier years was a Jackson Democrat, but later became a Kepublicau. He was also an active member of the Seceder Church, afterward by the union was a United Presbyterian, and a man of positive convictions on every subject. Nancy (Elder) McClellan, mother of the subject of our sketch, was of an English family, the date of whose coming to this country is lost. Her father, John Elder, became totally blind twelve or fifteen years before his death. Nancy lived with her son, William E. McClellan, after her husband's death, she dying in 1874, at the age of eighty-seven years. Like her father, she became blind some fourteen years before her death, and remained so for twelve years, when her sight was partially restored, so that she could distinguish objects, colors, etc. She and her husband had six more children born to them after coming to AVayne County, viz. : James, Jane, Clark Beveridge, William E., Mary Ann and Harvey Robert. All are now living except James.

John McClellan, our subject, received his first education in the typical log school-house of the day. At eighteen years of age he became a clerk, and having established a reputation for integrity and tact, he was two years later furnished with capital with which to stfirt in business for himself, which he did at Fredricksburgh in 1832. In 1836 he sold out and returned his borrowed capital, with interest, having been quite successful. He then entered into partnership with his former employer in Wooster, but he, becoming embarrassed, became a burden to Mr. McClellan, so the latter retired from the firm, and in 1842 went back to Fredericksburgh, again engaging in business there, and there remained until 1853, when he again sold out, and purchased a farm in Wooster Township, four miles south of Wooster, on which he lived four years, when he went to the latter city to live. His success had been ample enough to warrant his retiring from active life, but desiring to keep his boys employed \vl en not in school, he started a shoe store, which he carried on some three years, till the breaking out of the war, wlien his elder son, Jesse, enlisted, and the younger.

Wavxe Cocxtv

Lewis, went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained twelve years. In 1868 Mr. Mc- Clellau took an active part in the founding of the University of Wooster, being one of its originators. In 1870 it was opened, and Mr. McClellan became its first treasurer, retaining that position for fifteen years, loaning all its moneys and having charge of its funds. He devoted most of his time to the cause of the university, for whose advancement he did as much as any person connected therewith. He is still a member of its Board of Directors.

We speak now of the domestic life of Mr. McClellan. November 13, 1837, he was married to Miss Maria M. Mitchell, daughter of Samuel and Mary (McGugen) Mitchell, of Franklin Township, of which they were pioneers, having settled there in 1812. The father was a native of Franklin County, Penn., born June 5, 1776, and went with his parents to Washington County, Penn., where, on January 6, 1808, he was married to Mary Mc- Gugen, and they became the parents of four children. To Mr. and Mrs. McClellan were born five children: Maria Antoinette became wife of J. B. Motherwell, of Geneseo, 111., and is now deceased; Jesse is in business in Wooster ; Mary is wife of L. J. Barker, of Great Bend, Kas., who had been revenue collector in Wooster for twenty years; Lewis is a resident of Wooster, and a partner of his brother Jesse, and Martha E. lives with her parents. In November, 1887, the parents celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding, at which a host of friends were present and tendered their congratulations.

Mr. and Mrs. McClellan are members of the Presbyterian Churcli, and he is one of its elders, and for many years has labored earnestly for its advancement. Politically he was formerly a Whig, then joined the Republican party on its formation, and has ever since been one of its supporters. During the war he was an active friend of the Union, and aided much in lessening suffering and sorrow among the distressed in Wayne County. He has filled various positions, and is still a trustee of the University of Wooster, and a member of its finance committee. Not only is Mr. McClellan in comfortable circumstances, but he is marked as one who uses his means to help every worthy cause and to benefit others. He is essentially a self-made man, who, by his steady application to business, good judgment and integrity, has made a marked success, and has won the esteem of all with whom he has been brought into contact, and made many friends. Himself and his beloved wife are now advanced in years, and, like pious Christians, are calmly awaiting the summons home.

Qeoege B. Siegenthaler

QEOEGE B. SIEGENTHALER. ' This geutlemau is a native of Wayne County, born in Wayne ' Township February 9, 1833. His parents, George and Mary (Bresler) Siegenthaler, were both natives of Pennsylvania, who, in search of cheaper lands and virgin soil, immigrated to this county about 1831, and secured a farm in Wayne Township. In his native State the father had been a weaver by occupation, but after comincr to Ohio gave his entire atteution to agricultiaral matters. His wife was a daughter of John and Rebecca Bresler, and of their union eight children were born, of whom five are now surviving, our subject and his brother Alfred residents of Wayne County. In 1872 the husband and father went to his last home, at the age of seventy-two. His widow died May 25, 1889, in Wooster, in her eighty-fourth year.

The subject of our sketch attended the schools of his native township, and in 1851 began learning the trade of tanning in Wooster, and three years later, in 1854, began business for himself, continuing in it for twenty-five years. In 1875 he opened a shoe store on West Liberty Street, Wooster, at the same time carrying on liis tanning business. This latter he afterward sold, and has since given _his entire attention to his shoe trade, and now carries the largest stock of that line in

Wooster. December 25, 1856, Mr. Siegenthaler was united in marriage with Lydia, daugliter of Jacob and Catherine Summers, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Wooster in 1888, in his eighty-second year, and the mother died April 12, 1889, in her seventy-fifth year. On November 9, 1886, Mrs. Lydia Siegenthaler passed to her last home, at the age of fifty-two. She had borne our subject four children, all of whom are now living, viz. : Hai'vey, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Cai-oliue, wife of H. H. Miller, of Canton, Ohio; Martha and Edward, living with their father. Mrs. Siegenthaler was a member of the Baptist Church.

The parents of Mr. Siegenthaler were counted among the pioneers of Wayne County. When they came here they had to clear in the forest a place on which to build a home, and the timber felled was used to make the log cabin in wliicli they first lived. They endured the hardships incidental to a pioneer life, and had the satisfaction of seeing their children all well settled. Our subject has made his own way in the world, and has been successful. He started a poor boy, but by untiring energy, industry, and habits of th.rift and economy, has amassed a fair competence. Better than all, he h;is justly earned, ami now enjoys, the esteem and good wishes of all wlio know him. In liis political

K Jf f ICHAEL MILLEK is a wellliVl known citizen of Wayne County, Jj -^ and is a native of Penns3']vania, born in York County, November 12, 1813. His parents, both natives of the same State, were Michael and Ann M. (Horn) Miller, who had eleven children, of whom four are yet living, our subject and two others in Waj^ne County, and one in Williams County, Ohio. In the spring of 1835 the parents came west with their family, settling in Wooster Township, where both died, the father at the age of eighty-three years.

The subject of these lines had but limited opportunities for learning. As a lad he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and he attended night school to obtain an education. When he was twenty-two years old he settled in Wooster, working at his trade. December 21, 1837, Mr. Miller was married to Hannah, daughter of John and Polly Kauke, a native of Wayne County, born in 1820. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to maturity. They were named: Perry; Elizabeth, now Mrs. H. Myer; Jane, now deceased, who was the wife of John Stevens; Araminta, also became the wife of Mr. Stevens; Kate, wife of Lambert Sellers; Henry Harrison, Otto and Benjamin, all of Wooster; Ellen was Mrs. C. Webster, of Indianapolis, Ind., and is now deceased; Nellie is the wife of Frank Maxhimer, of Stark County, Ohio; John is deceased; one child died in infancy, and Anna is the wife of Aug. W. Eberly, of Wooster.

On first coming to Wooster our subject, not finding work, went to Cleveland in search of it, going on foot, not being able to pay stage hire. Returning to Wooster, he found employment, and from a poor journeyman he grew to be the most extensive contractor and builder in Wooster, where he has erected most of the principal buildings and many fine residences. He built all the school buildings in the city, the university, count)' jail and infirmary. Politically he is a Democrat, and has filled a number of public offices. He has been township trustee, township treasurer, and for a number of years a member of the city council. He and his devoted wife are members of the Disciples Church, and in 1887 had the pleasure of entertaining a large number of friends at their golden wedding. Mr. Miller is one of Wayne County's best known and most highly respected citizens, whose success in life is solelj- the result of his own energy, integrity and business tact. Beginning life a poor boy, he has won for himself not only wealth, but an honorable name and place in the community. About ten years ago he partially retired from active labor, and although still engaged in business, takes life much easier.

Otto, next to the youngest son of our subject, was born in Wooster January 13, 1861. He attended the Wooster High School, and in 1882 entered a medical college in Cincinnati, but his health failing he returned to Wooster and engaged in the grocery business with his brother Benjamin, the firm being Miller Bros. June 7, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Maud Jackson, daughter of William and Hannah Jackson, and a native of Wooster. The father died in Crestline, Ohio; the mother is now living in Wooster. Mrs. Miller is a graduate of the Crestline High School.

J [AMES C. SIDLE, son of John and Joanna (Carson) Sidle [see sketch - of John C. Sidle], was born February 13, 1850, in Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. He was married April 27, 1871, to Mina Tyler, of Plain Township, Wayne County, and by her has the following-named children: Cliffe, born July

James C. Sidle has followed farming and stock growing in Plain Township, Wayne County, since he first commenced for himself. He is interested in the famous " Abdallah " and other fine breeds of horses, as well as Jersey cattle and improved blooded sheep, and took first premiums on his stallion " Foster " at the Wayne County Fair held at Wooster in 1887. Mr. Sidle is now living on the elegant farm formerly occupied by John Gillis, on Section 8, Plain Township. With the rest of the family, he is in politics a stanch Republican.

ill: AM H. WILER. This wellknown citizen of Wooster is a native of the county, born in Wooster Township, April 18, 1855. Both of his parents were natives of Peiinsvlvania, and had migrated to Wayne County early in the thirties. His father's name was Philip Wiler, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Weirich. They settled upon a tract of new land in Wooster Township, where he had to clear away the forest to make room for his home. There they endured the hardships and di-'^coni- forts of a pioueer life, tbeir labors sweetened by the kiiowletlcre that they were creating a comfortable home for the children growing up around tlieir cabin. Their principal crop, in fact the only one they could turn into ready money, was wheat, and the nearest market for that was Massillon, Ohio. This home the pioneer occupied with his family until a few years before his death, when he removed to Wooster, dying there in 1880, at the age of seventy years. The mother and wife is now living in Wooster, aged sixty-nine. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. To this worthy couple had been born six children, of whom we make the following record: Sarah is now Mrs. Christian Shelley, of Plain Township, this county; John is living in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Christiana, now Mrs. Andrew Branstetter, lives near Wooster; Mary died in 1874; Ella is Mrs. James Miller, of Wooster; William H. is the youngest of the family

William H. Wiler, of whom we write, received his education in Wooster, and learned in his youth the trade of carpentry. Upon reaching his majority, however, he established himself in the boot and shoe business at Wooster, and has ever since continued therein. In 1876 he was married, taking for his life partner Miss Mary Lucas, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Bitter) Lucas, and a native of

Pennsylvania. Three children came to bless their union, one of whom, Roy, born in 1878, died when six months old; Zella, born in 1880, and Charles, in 1882, are the survivors.

Mr. Wiler holds an honored place in the business and social circles of Wooster, and he is justly esteemed as a business man whose word may always be depended upon, and a citizen who takes a pride in and does his share toward the growth and pi'osperity of his native county. His fii'st start in the shoe business was in partnership with his father-in-law, Josiah Lucas, which connection continued until 1882, since when our subject has been alone. In the beneficial and secret fraternities Mr. Wiler takes much interest. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, of the Iron Hall, and of the Boyal Arcanum. He and his wife are both members of the Lutheran Church of Wooster.

Count}-, Penu., December 2-1, 1833. His father, William Day Barrett, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 2, 1809, and when twelve or fourteen years of age came to America with his father and maternal grandfather, latter of whom died in Pennsylvania. The paternal grajidfather of our subject was drowned in the Schuylkill Eiver, Pennsylvania. William Day Barrett was a carpenter and cooper by trade, and also a produce dealer. In Pennsylvania he was married to Maria Morris, a native of Lycoming County, Penn., whither her parents had come from New Jersey. Her ancestors were Welsh and German, the name on lier mother's side being Shipman. To this union were born ten children, nine of whom still live. The father was an active politician, and a strong Abolitionist, becoming in 1850 a RejDublican; the mother was born in Lycoming County, Penn., in 1811, and died March 20, 1880, aged sixtyeight years.

The subject of this commemorative record, as a boy, spent his time in his native town, obtaining his education in the public schools of Wooster, Ohio, and at eighteen he became a school-teacher, a profession he followed several years. He then went to the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1861, having acquired part of his medical knowledge in the office of Dr. Timothy H. Baker, of Wooster, Ohio. In 1862 he went as assistant surgeon of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, first becoming State surgeon, and resigned in the fall of 1865. He had been commissioned full surgeon of the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; v/as then made chief operator of the Army of the Shenandoah, and for a time was in charge of a division hospital ; had the care of all the wounded officers of the Eighth Army Corps after the battle of the 19th of September, 1864. The Doctor attended the hospital duties until the spring of 1865, remaining during the winter at Winchester, Va. On the 4th of August, 1863, he was married to Orrilla, daughter of Charles Boydson, of East Union Township, Wayne Co., Oliio, and then returned to Kanawha River, opposite Charleston, West Va., where Iiis regiment lay encamped, taking up his quarters in a tent, in which he remained all the fall and winter, in the same yard with Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Hayes, and several other officers and their wives. After resigning his commission the Doctor returned to Wooster, Ohio, where he began the practice of medicine, and has since continued. To Dr. and Mrs. Barrett have been born four children, viz. : Alpha, Edward Jenner, Grace and Lucy Hayes, all at home. Dr. and Mrs. Barrett are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Sunday-school of which the Doctor has for ten years been superintendent. He is secretary of Wayne County Medical Society and a member of the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been senior warden of Blue Lodge and Chapter, and is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has served as a member of the Board of Health for some time, and has always been an active worker in whatever might tend to improve his county and its people. Politically he is a Republican, and ever an out-and-out temperance advocate, both by precept and in the practice of his profession. He graduated in the class of 1882 (Chautauqua Class), becoming second president of the same, and continued a member for some six or seven years after graduating. He passed through all the excitement and exjieriences of the army without tasting intoxicating liquor; and never in all his life has he drank a glass of whisky.

P.ERRY WEAVER, son of David Weaver, was born in Centre County, Penn., May 15, 1822. His father, who was also a native of that county and State, came to Ohio in 1831, locating in Congress Township, Wayne County, wliere he purchased 160 acres of land, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying in his sixty-eighth year. He reared and educated a family of ten children, who "rew to manhood and

His son. Perry, the subject proper of these lines, received a liberal education at the public schools, and in his boyhood and early manhood experienced the Arcadian life of a farmer's boy, from which he evolved, by his own individual exertions into the successful and highly respected agriculturist he is to-day. December 31, 1841, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of John Funnalman, who was one of the early pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio. To this union were born fourteen children, six of whom survive. Mr. Weaver commenced life with $500 given him by his father, and by hard work, indomitable jaerseverance, careful industry and judicious management he has now one of the finest improved farms in the county, embracing 228 acres. He and his estimable wife have long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church ; in politics he is a Democrat.

ly Jl ARION B. IHRIG, farmer, Wayne yf/\ Township, Wayne County. Jacob -^ Ihrig, grandfather of M. B. Ihrig, was born in Washington County, Penn., February 25, 1792, and during the War of 1812 was a contractor for the supply of provisions to the western army. In 1815 he immigrated to Wayne Coun- ty, settling in Wayne Township, and helped to organize the township in 1816. He was in the same year elected captain of a militia company, and in 1825 was made major of the regiment. Mr. Ihrig was justice of the peace from 1824 to 1851. and was elected commissioner of the county in 1827. He was an active, public-spirited man, taking a prominent part in the politics of the county. He served in the Ohio Legislature from December G, 1830, to December 4, 1837, and in the State Senate from December 3, 1838, to December 7, 1840. In 1852 he was made district assessor, and in 1853 was elected a member of the Board of Equalization. His wife was Elizabeth Eberly, whose parents were Pennsylvanians, and she became the mother of five children, whose names were Susan (Mrs. Kintner), Elizabeth (Mrs. Breuizer), Rachel (Mrs. Goodyear), Sophia and Simon P. Jacob Ihrig entered a quarter section of land, and made additional purchases, having sold but eighty acres prior to his death. He identified himself with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in early manhood, and remained a faithful member to the time of his death, in 1877. His widow is now aged ninety-two years. Simon P., their only son, was born in 1827. He married Elizabeth Sonnedecker, daughter of John Sounedecker. Marion B. was the only child born to this marriage. In 1850 Simon P. Ihrig immigrated to California, and met his death by drowning, in the north branch of the Feather River, April 19, 1851. His widow, who was left in charge of the farm, afterward married Thomas Barton, who is now deceased. The mother is still living on a farm in Ashland County owned by her, and her son makes his home with her.

Marion B. Ihrig was born April 15, 1849. He was educated in the common schools of the township, and has always followed farming, and now superintends the cultivation of the homestead, which has been in the family since its entry. He is also engaged in raising and breaking colts and horses, and has never failed to bring most cases under perfect subjection. He has been moderately successful in his farming operations, and is one of the progressive men of the township, adojDting new and improved methods to facilitate the work of the farm. He deservedly stands high in the estimation of those who know him. In politics he is a Democrat, taking an active part in campaign work. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is superintendent of the Sunday-school, class-leader and chorister. He was married, January 7, 1872, to Retta S. Miller, daughter of Thomas Miller, and they have had six children: Claude, born January 14, 1874; Ernest, October 6, 1876; Roy, April

ENRY B. HOOVER, retired farmer, living on Section 14, Greene Township, and whose postoffice address is Orrville, Ohio, is one of the oldest citizens of the township, and was born in York County, Peun., on June 21, 1813. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Hoover, with his wife, came from Germany long prior to the Revolution, settling first in Lancaster County, Peun. At that early day the Indians were very troublesome, and the settlers had to make their crops with their rifles by their sides. The history of those times gives many incidents of interest in which Benjamin Hoover and family bore a part. His son, Henry, was grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1743, and he became a farmer and minister of the Menuonite Church. Later in life he removed to York County, Penn., and bought a farm of 180 acres near Dillstown, on which he lived the remainder of his life, dying in 1825, when nearly eighty-three years of age. His wife wns Mary Neeswanger, also a native of Lancaster County, Penn., who died in 1831, when she lacked but two days of completing her eightieth year. Tliey had six children: John, Christian, Abraham, Susanna, Barbara and Elizabeth. The latter is the only survivor, and is the widow of Jacob Napp, who died fifty-six years ago. She is a resident of Wayne County, and is eighty-nine years old.

John Hoover, father of Henry B., was born August 31, 1780, and died in Greene Township, this county, December 16, 1863, aged eighty-three years. He was brought up to farming, and lived with his father until he was thirty-one years of age. In 1814 he moved to the adjoining county of Cumberland, where he farmed until 1833, when he and his entire family removed to this county. He bouglit the farm where our subject and daughter now live. This farm contained 167 acres, of which but fifteen acres were cleared. The house was partially built, .nud was the first hewed log house in the towusLip. It is yet a comfortable and pleasant home. John Hoover made this his home until his death, which, however, took jjlace while he was on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Holser, on an adjoining farm. He was an industrious man, was often called upon to act as executive or administrator in settling up estates, and was a strictly upriglit man. He was married in York County, Peun., November 11, ISll, to Catherine Bare, a native of that county, born September 29, 1701. She died iu Greene Township October 5, 1867, aged sixty-six years and six days. This couple had but two children: Henry B. and Elizabeth (wife of Daniel Holser, living on the place where her father died). She was born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 16, 1823.

Henry B. Hoover was iu his twentieth year when he came with his parents to Wayne County. He worked for his father until his marriage. The farm which he inherited from the estate is one of the best cultivated and fenced in the county. Besides the original 1G7 acres, it comprises six acres, with a brick house, which Mr. Hoover biiilt for his own use when he retired from active life, twenty years ago. Mr. Hoover was married April 21, 1853, in Stark County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Christman, who was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., February 1, 1815, and came to Ohio with her mother and brother in 1851. Her brother, Jacob, is yet living in Stark County, aged sixty -two. Previous to her coming here another brother, John, had been living in that county, and on the death of the father the rest of the family joined him. John died April 5, 1888, aged seventy-seven years and two months. Mrs. Hoover comes of patriotic stock. Both of her grandfathers had been Revolutionary soldiers, and the maternal grandfather, Jacob Houk, was in many battles. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have one child, Mary, wife of William A. Fike, whose history is given elsewhere. Mr. Hoover is well known and much respected. He has been appraiser, school dii-ector for twenty years, and has ever discharged the duties entrusted to his care with fidelity. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church at Orrville.

El MIL ROTTHAUS, a native of Germany, came to America in 1866, at ' the age of seventeen. After an extended tour of the Southern and Western States he reached Chicago in 1875, where he learned the baker's trade. In 1876 he came to Wooster, where, after working for two years at his trade, he commenced business for himself, opening a bakery at the southwest corner of the public square. His success shows what a thorough knowledge of and close application to business can accomplish. In 1885 he built the block on West Liberty Street, where, besides conducting a first-class bakery and confectionery, he keeps a full stock of groceries and provisions, and in the rear a well-equipped bar.

cated in Baltimore, Md. Tiieir uniou has been blessed by the birth of five children, only three of whom, Amelia, Herman and Julius, are now living.

JfOSIAH LUCAS, of Wooster, Wayne i^ I Co., Ohio, is on his father's side - ^ of Scottish ancestry, his grandfather having emigrated from Scotland to America many years ago. His father, Solomon Lucas, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in that State was married to Maria Hoof, who was of German extraction. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are yet living, our subject being the only one in Wayne County. The father was a carpenter by trade, and in April, 1858, passed away, at the age of eighty-four, and in 1868 his widow died, aged eighty-six years.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lehigh County, Penn., October 4, 1826. He had but limited school facilities, and when but ten years of age began working on a farm, where he was to receive his board and clothes and three months' schooling a year, but the latter he never had. He remained at this place from 1836 till 1839, and then left and worked a time for others. In IS-ll he was again hired by a farmer, remaining with him until 1844, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, and completed his apprenticeship in 1847. June 5, 1849, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Bitter, and a native of Bucks County, Penn. Mr. Lucas worked at his trade several years in Pennsylvania, and in 1865 migrated to j Wayne County, arriving in Wooster Sep- ' tember 26, with his wife and ten children. For ten years he worked at his trade on I the bench, and in 1876 embarked in the retail boot and shoe business, in partnership with his son-in-law, William H. Wiler, in Wooster. This connection continued until 1882, when he sold his interest, and has since then worked at his trade, manufacturing custom work. To our subject and wife thirteen children were born, of whom three are deceased, viz. : Frank P., John C. and Cassan. Those living are Josephine, at home; Alfred, a resident of Wooster; Mary, wife of William H. Wiler, of Wooster; Elmiua, wedded to A. Kincaid, of Canton, Ohio; Ida, married to George Maeyers, of Houtzdale, Penn.; Annie, now Mrs. William Linn, of Wooster; Harvey H., of Wooster; Tillie, Alberta and Janet, at home.

Our subject is essentially a self-made man, having begun at the very bottom of the ladder and without a dollar. His first start was obtained by working as a journeyman shoemaker, and when he had saved 814: concluded to open a shop. He bought some stock and tools, and was obliged to run in debt for one set of lasts, for which he promised to pay in a week, and at the end of that time was able to meet his obligation. Since about 1851 he lias been an employer, having usually six or more men working for him. His success is due to his steady industry, his sterling honesty and uprightness, which gained him the confidence of those with whom he was brought into contact, and these were the principal factors in building up his business. To-day he is one of the best known and highly respected citizens of Wayne County, and one of whom everyone who knows him speaks in terms of praise. In politics Mr. Lucas was formerly a Democrat, but later he joined the Republican party, with which he is now affiliated. Since May, 1850, he has been a member of the Odd Fellows order, and he and his estimable wife are respected members of the Lutheran Church of Wooster.

GYRUS BOWMAN, distiller, Wayne Township, is one of the represeuta- - ' tive citizens of Wayne County. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1831, of German ancestry, the family being among the early settlei's of the United States. The first of whom we have any record was the grandfather of our subject. Christian Bowman, who was born ia Lancaster County, Penn., and married Ann Horst. They had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Christian Bowman, Sr., died in Lexington, Ky. Their third son, Henry, was born in York County, Penn., in 1808, and died in Smithville, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 18-14. He was a farmer and miller by occupation. He married Miss Martha Musser, daughter of Dr. Joseph Musser, and to them were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, Cyrus being the eldest of the family. He was given fair educational advantages, and began his life of labor by learning the harness-maker's trade. He subsequently was employed three years at clerking and milling, and in 1864 started a distillery at Cedar Valley, where he remained until 1880, when he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and operated a distillery for his son, C. K. Bowman, up to July, 1883, at which time he removed to Wooster, Ohio, where his son, C. K. Bowman, purchased the old Stibbs property, formerly a woolen manufactory, and converted it into a distillery, and he is now superintending the same for his son. This is the only distillery in the State of Ohio that manufactures exclusively all rye whisky, distilled in all

Mr. Bowman was married in 1854 to Mary A. Krysher, and to them have been born four children, three of whom are living: Clarence K., Cora M. and Maud (now Mrs. Keller). Clarence K. married Miss Maggie Landow, daughter of Henry Landow, and they have three children. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; in politics he is a Democrat.

If SAAC BECHTEL. This old and wellknown citizen of Wayne County is of - Geriiiau ancestry, but the family have for several generations been natives of America. He was born in Northampton County, Penn., December 29, 1816. His father, George Bechtel, and his paternal grandparents were also natives of the same State. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Berto, was also a native American, whose ancestors came from France. George Bechtel was by occupation a farmer, and grew to manhood in his native State, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Berto, daughter of Jacob and Franie Berto, and a native of Berks County, Penn.

In search of a better home and cheaper lands on which to settle the family growing up around them, George Bechtel and wife came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1836, arriving at Wooster May 8. He first purchased a small farm, about three miles from Wooster, and by industry and thrifty habits, aided by a good wife, was, after a time, enabled to increase his possessions, becoming the owner of 200 acres of good land, and a grist-mill and a sawmill on Crawford's Kun. The good wife and mother was called to her last rest in September, 1854, at the age of sixty-four years. She had borne eight children, as follows: Jacob B. and Hetty, both now deceased; Sarah, widow of Henry Hess; Isaac; Franie, now Mrs. J. Bahl, of Wilson County, Kas. ; Abraham, living in this county ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Allen, of Seneca County, Ohio, and Reuben, who was a Union soldier, and died while in the service, near Vicksburg, Miss., June 11, 1863, at the age of thirty-three years. After the death of his wife George Bechtel retired from the harder labors of life, and was later married to Catherine Beerbaugher, who died January 18, 1876. In November of the same year her husband followed her to the grave, at the age of eighty-eight years. His life had been an active one, and having always enjoyed good health, he was able to do much for the upbuilding of his adopted county. Though not in any sense a politician, he was an old-line Whig, and cast his ballot

Isaac Bechtel, the subject proper of these lines, had but limited school advan- 1:ages, and early worked on his father's farm. He was twenty years old when he came to Ohio. In 1843 he was married to Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Troutman, all natives of Berks Peuu. Her mother died in Henry County, Ohio, and her father in Wooster Township, this county. Our subject and his wife have had but one child, Lizzie, who attained the age of nine years, when she joined the silent majority. In politics Mr. Bechtel was first a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks, and acted with it until he became convinced that the cause of prohibition, of which he is an earnest advocate, would never be aided by either of the old parties, and he then joined the Prohibition party ranks, of which he is now one of its most active members. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Bechtel became superintendent and treasurer of the Wooster Cemetery Association. Since 1846 lie has been affiliated with the Odd Fellows order, and he and his wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. Widely and favorably known throughout the county, Mr. Beclitel will long be remembered, not only as one of its early settlers, but as a citizen whose character and conduct is above reproach, and who has done his share to advance its prosperity.

NDREW MILBOURN is a son of Josiah and Eunice (Pratt) Milbourn, and was born on the homestead he now occupies, in East Union Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, June 26, 1822. Josiah Milbourn, with his mother, Jemima, and two brothers and four sisters, came from Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1816, and located on Section 3, in East Union Township, Wayne Count}'. Andrew, his eldest brother, was in the War of 1812, and died in Michigan; Thomas, the next brother, died in Richland County, Wis. ; Keziah died in De Kalb County, Ind. ; Jane died in Huron County, Ohio ; Sarah died in Iowa; Deborah died in East Union Township, Wayne County. Josiah was born in Loudoun County, Va. , in 1799, and died in 1880. He was the youngest of the family, and when first starting out for himself he worked on the farm now owned by our subject, on Section 10, East Union Township. In 1827 he purchased one-half of the present quarteiof land occupied by the latter, where he died. He was a prominent Democrat, and held various towusbip offices. His widow died iu Wayne Township in 1889. Their family consisted o£ six children: Maria, wife of Samuel Swinehart, of East Union Township, Wayne County; Andrew, our subject; Sarah, deceased wife of Charles Boydston ; Eunice, deceased wife of Peter Mowrer ; Sophronia, wife of Israel Grady, of AVooster; Jane, who died in infancy.

Andrew, whose name heads this sketch, attended the schools of that period, and has always followed farming. December 7, 1845, he married Miss Matilda, daughter of Henry Mowrer, of East Union Townsliip, Wayne County, and by this union were boru eleven children, two of whom (sons) died in infancy. Those living are Maria, who is the wife of Thomas Grody, of Illinois, and has two children - Andrew and Samautha; Amanda, wife of Stephen Mowry, of Smithville, Ohio, has one child, Effie; Martha, wife of Joshua S. Bowman, of East Union Township, has three children: Walter, Sloan and Alma; Mary, wife of William S. Fisher, of East Union Township, Wayne County, has one child, Perry ; Laura, wife of Jacob Holtser, of Orrville, has one child, Ellis; Eunice, wife of Isaac J. Smith, of Wayne Township, Wayne County, has three children: Harvey, Laura and Glen; Kate, wife of Calvin Culler, of Wooster Township, Wayne County, has one child, June; Alma, wife of J. Edgar Frick, of Wayne Township, Wayne County, has two children, Charles and Gail ; Tillie, wife of William Culler, of Wooster Township.

Mr. Milbourn is a Democrat in politics. He served as postmaster at East Union for four years under the administration of President Buchanan, and has been supervisor and trustee of the township. He has also been treasurer of the East Union Insurance Company. He and family attend the Lutheran Church. His mother was a daughter of Oliver Pratt, a native of Boston, and his wife, Jedidah Luce, was a native of Martha's Vineyard. They settled in the State of Maine, where the mother of Andrew Milbourn was born, and then moved to Albany, N. Y. Coming to Ohio iu 1814, thej' remained iu Trumbull County for one year, and in 1815 they entered the tract of land which was afterward purchased by Josiah Milbourn, and is now owned by our subject. Mr. Pratt engaged in farming and the raising of silk-worms. He was a prominent member of the Baptist Church.

GW. LESSITEK, son of William Lessiter, a native of England, who ^- came to the United States in 184H, was born November 10, 1848, in Franklin Township, Wayne Co., Oliio. His

The subject of tliis biographical memoir was educated at the local schools of his township, and learned harness-making, a trade he has followed for a considerable period of time. He was also for some time United States mail carrier between Wooster, Wayne County, and Ashlaud, Ashland Co., Ohio, and in 1881 he was appointed postmaster at Plain, which office he still holds. In same year Mr. Lessiter opened a general country store at Jefferson, Plain Township, in connection with harness-making, and is meeting with good success. March 10, 1870, he married Emma H. Gardner, of Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and by her had the following-named children: William W., Frank W. and Frederick C, all yet living.

TpijEED. H. HAKDING, of the firm of ll Harding & Co., hardware mer- -^ chants, of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1858. His father, William A. Harding, is a native of the city of New York, born in a house on Vandewater Street, the site of which now forms a part of one of the arches of the great Brooklyn bridge. He went to Wisconsin in 1843, and there remained a number of years in the mercantile business, when he returned to New York, and went into the Panama Railroad office, and afterward for some years he was a dry goods jobber. He is now a professional accountant. His father was an Englishman by birtli. On the maternal side, our subject's great-grandfather was of French Huguenot blood; his maternal grandfather was born in America, and held for many years an official position as harbor master at the port of New York. William A. Harding, father of Frederic H., was united in marriage, in the city of New York, with Miss Kate S. Fountain, daughter of Capt. Gideon Fountain, who was of an old Staten Island, N. Y., family, and was born in New York. Of this union seven children wei'e born, of whom Frederic H. is the only one living in Wayne County, Ohio. A brother, William A. Harding, Jr., had preceded him to this county, coming here about 1873, but he died in 1881.

The subject of this sketch came to Wayne County in 1878, and was established in the hardware business with his brother, William A. Harding, Jr.. as Harding & Co., and has ever since been engaged there. He is one of the younger merchants of Wooster, and by his thorough business-like ways and scrupulous honesty in all his transactions has acquired the coufidence of the people, and in consequence thereof he has a good and growing trade. He is well known, and is respected by all. He is a Republican in politics, and socially has membership in the I. O. O. F., K. O. T. M. and National Union.

AVID W. BECHTEL, merchant, Wooster, was born in Wooster Township, July 1, 1843. He is of German ancestry, and his father, Jacob B. Bechtel, was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation, and the owner of a saw-mill. Upon reaching manhood, Jacob B. was married to Elizabeth, daughter of George Ridenhour, and in 1842 the family came to Wayne County, and settled upon a partially improved farm. Here the parents of our subject I)assed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in December, 1885, at the age of seventy-three years, and three months later the mother followed him to the grave, also aged seventy-three. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and she of the German Lutheran Church. This worthy couple were the parents of fourteen children, nine now surviving, and all hut one making their homes in Wayne County. Jacob Bechtel was an industrious man, who mndo jiis

David W. Bechtel attended the common schools in winters for a few mouths, and stayed on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, then going to Sandusky City to learn the trade of carriagemaking. The firm failing, he I'eturned to Wooster, where for a few months he worked at his trade. August 13, 18G2, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Second Ohio Infantry, and served almost three years. After receiving his discharge he returned to Wayne County, and in October, 1865, became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which he remained ten years. For a year after that he traveled for a Philadelphia firm, and then for six years he was in the office of the supreme reporter of the K. of H. at Wooster. Following this he was again employed in a dry goods house, and in June, 1885, began for himself, dealing in wall-papers, window-shades, toys, fancy goods and novelties, of which he keeps a large and well - assorted stock.

In 1S6S Mr. Bechtel was married to Rebecca, daughter of J. C. Plumer, sketch of whom appears elsewhere, and four children have been born to them, Harvey C, Marv A., Bessie and Julia, all at home.

Mr. Bechtel is a member of the Kuights of Honor and of the Royal Arcanum, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Wooster. He is one of Wooster's bright young business men, who is by his upright character and life winning the esteem of all who know him.

-p^jE ANK SNYDER was born in Bucks |[ County, Penn., in 1830. Hisgraud- ^ father, Andrew Snyder, was a native of Zweibrilcken, Germany, on the Rhine, and came to this country in 1760, and for over five years served in the Revolutionary War. He had a family of twelve children, one of the older ones being George, the father of our subject.

George Snyder married Mary Mickley, whose father, Philip Mickley, served seven years in the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather also came from Zweibrilcken, Germany, in 1720. Part of the family were killed by the Indians in one <jf their great massacres. Philip escaped by hiding in the underbrush, while a little brother and sister were tomahawked near by. The family owned the grounds at Gettysburg upon which is now the National Cemetery, and their family burial grounds are still there, having been set aside and preserved by the National Government. To George Snyder and wife were born ten children, as follows: Catherine, now Mrs. John King, of Bedford, Iowa; Aaron, of Osage, Iowa; Lewis M., for a long time a map publisher, of Chicago, 111., died in 1888; Eliza, married to William Miller, died in 1853; Henry died in 1848; Frank, whose name head.s this sketch; William, a map publisher, of Chicago, died in 1878; Mary, now Mrs. Pliilip Hine, of Spencer Centre, Ohio; Sophia, wife of Rev. Samuel Coaklin, of Rows, Ohio, and George W., pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Davenport, Iowa, who served three years in the volunteer service and one year in the regular service during the War of the Rebellion.

Geoi'ge Snyder remained in Bucks County until after his father's death, when he was appointed administrator of the estate. In 1834, with his family, consisting at that time of his wife and seven children, he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled in the southern part of Chester Township, near the present town of New Pittsburgh, buying forty acres of land. He afterward sold his first purchase and bought a larger adjoining farm. He lived to make many valuable improvements in his township, and to realize, in a measure, at least, the consummation of his fond hopes in regard to his adopted county, dying at the advanced age of nearly eighty years.

Frank Snyder was reared in Chester Township, being but four years of age when his parents settled here. He was early inured to the work of the farm, receiving the educational advantages afforded in the common schools of those days. When twenty years of age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and when twenty-two years old, the trade of a millwright, at which he continued thirtytwo years, building and remodeling a number of the mills of Wayne and adjoining counties. In 1884 he bought the farm where he now lives of John Myers' heirs. It contains 200 acres of choice land, and the improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. Snyder married Miss Ella Myers, daughter of John Myers, and they have two children: Wayne and Mary. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Methodist Church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

d[ C. PLUMER, a well-known old resident of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, - was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., September 28, 1821, and is a son of Lazarus and Jane Plumer, both natives of the Keystone State. His grandfather, George Plumer, was born at Fort

Pitt, and was said to be the first white child born west of the Alleghanies. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married to a Miss Lowery. Lazarus Plumer was mai-ried to Jane Craig, whose parents were born and died in Pennsylvania. Of their union ten children were born (three of whom are yet living), three in this county. In 1840 the family migrated to Wayne County, to make it their future home. TJie parents had first come here in 1822, but on account of the sickness of the mother had returned to Pennsylvania. They settled in Chester Township, where the mother died in 1843, aged forty-four years. Her husband broke up housekeeping in 1846, and died in 1863, at the age of seventy-one. Both of the parents had been members of the Presbyterian Church.

J. C. Plumer received a common-school education, and early began to learn the trade of blacksmithing, but after coming here worked with his father on the farm. In 1844 he was married to Mary, daughter of Robert and Margaret Patterson, and a native of Wayne County. In the spi-ing of 1846 he volunteered for the Mexican War, and on June 9 left Wooster as a member of Company E, Third Ohio Infantry, and served thirteen months and four days. He lived in Wayne Township until April, 1848, when he removed to Adams County, lud., where he worked at his trade until November, 1855, when he came back to Wooster, and followed his trade there for some time. In the fall of 185G he was made a deputy slieriff, holding the position for two years. In April, 18()1, he removed to Congress Township, and on the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted in Capt. Bailey's company for three mouths' service. Id forming the Sixteenth Ohio Regiment, Capt. Bailey was made major and Aquila Wiley was made captain, and our subject second lieutenant of Company C. Soon after he was attacked with varicose veins and rheumatism, when he resigned his position, returning to Congress Township, removing to Wooster in the fall of the same year. Following spring he entered the employ of Baumgardner & Co., with whom he remained until May, 1862, wlien he again enlisted for three mouths, this time in Company E, Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry, being second lieutenant thereof. They served their term at Camp Chase, and on the expiration of service, in September, returned to Wooster, where he has since made his home.

Our subject and his wife had three children: Rebecca, now wife of David W. Bechtel, living in Wooster, and Margaret J. and Washington J., both deceased. Formerly Mr. Plumer was a Democrat, but in 1854 became a Republican, and voted for Abraham Lincoln for

President in 1860, and has since been a Republican. He takes much interest in the fraternities. Since 1855 he has been connected with the Odd Fellows order - both branches; since 1809 has l)eeu a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in 1875 joined the Knights of Honor, being elected sujDreme reporter, and afterward grand reporter, holding the first position six years and the latter eight years. At present he is grand treasurer of the Knights of Honor. In 1878 Mr. Plumer joined the Royal Arcanum and the G. A. R.

[(-^ H. BOYD, of the firm of Laubach & Boyd, is a native of this county, born in Wooster Township, near the city, February 21, 1851. His father, Hugh Boyd, was born in County Clare, Ireland, and was a surveyor and schoolteacher in his native land. He came to America about 1840, and made liis home in Wayne County, on a farm in Plain Township. About 1848 the family removed to Wooster, and there, in 1852, the father died. He was a Whig in his political preferences, and a member of the United Presbyterian Cluarch. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Boyd has resided in Wooster. She was born in Penn- sylvania, and her maiden uame was Amanda Brown, being a daughter of Eobeit and Jane Brown, l)otli of whom died in Wayne County. Of her union with Hugh Boyd, four chihh-en were born, viz. ; Jennie A., living with her mother; John, a printer by trade, and a resident of Mansfield, Ohio; Eobert B., who resides near Colurnbia City, Ind., and our subject.

S. H. Boyd was educated in the public schools of Wooster, and in October, 1867, at the age of sixteen, entered the employ of Zimmerman & Co. as clerk. There he remained seventeen years, at the end of which time he bought the interest of Mr. Donnelly, and entered into his present business relations. January 5, 1S76, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John Maxwell, and a native of Ashland, Ohio. Her father, who was a stone-cutter by trade, died in Wooster in 1870, and her mother, whose name was Ann, followed him to the grave in November, 187G. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have two children, William and Robert.

Mr. Boyd is one of Wooster's rising young business men, enterprising, sagacious, and of unimpeachable integrity, and stands high wherever he is known, with a bright future before him. He is a member of Ebenezer Lodge, F. & A. M., Wooster Chaptei", and of Wayne Council of Massillou Commandery, K. T., also of the Royal Arcanum ; he is a Republican.

If 1i ON. HIRAM B. SWARTZ, probate |r^ judge of Wayne County, Ohio, was Jj - born in a single-roomed log cabin, in the woods, on what was known as the old home farm of Samuel Swartz, iu Milton Township, this county, May 27, 1816, being fourth in a family of twelve j children. His early life, which was s[)ent on the farm, was very much that of other farmer boys, with nothing special to distinguish it, unless it were his uprightness in dealing with his school-boy friends, and an unconquerable desire to always lead, which latter disposition was so plainly marked as to win for him the sobriquet of "Bully;" not, however, in the sense in which the word is usually applied, but merely to denote leadership. So closely did this appellation cling to him that it was afterward inserted as a middle letter in his name, and thus is explained the "B" which the Judge invariably places iu his autograph.

He remained at home, attending the country school, until the winter of 1.S62, when he entered the academy at Seville, to which he returned in the succeeding school season. The winter of 1864 found him installed as pedagogue in the district where he himself was first taught, and where some five of his own brothers and sisters were placed in his charge. In the winter of 1865 he went to Granville, where he entered upon a college preparatory course, aud there remaiued until he had completed the Freshman year of the classical course. But his work having been too incessant, his health began to fail, thereby necessitating a rest and change of climate, and he returned to his home. In the fall of 1868, having sufficiently recovered, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor.

After some months of study in this department, and his old desire for a thorough classical education asserting itself, he at once abandoned temporarily the law, and entered the literary department of the college in January, 1869. Being an earnest and devoted student, he found he had some time still remaining after preparing his lessons for his regular classes. This time, however, he did not allow to be wasted, but employed it to : still further advance himself in his law studies, to which be intended ultimately to return. Thus earnestly he worked, unbeknown to his professors, carrying a double load, and many a silent morning hour found the earnest student bending diligently over his books. Thus he continued until, with the class of 1872, he graduated from both the literary and law departments of the xiniversity, some- \ thing contrary to the laws of the institution, and only permitted by the special permission of the faculty, who, upon investigation of his work aud standing, found no reason for withholding: their consent. This is the only case of the kind occurring in the history, of the school.

Both departments of the university aim to give their respective students sufficient to keep them fully employed. Tedious, indeed, and irksome must prove the task of him who endeavors to carry, at once, both branches of work, even under the most favorable circumstances. How much more, then, must be the effort, the determination, the self-sacrificing zeal of him who, like our subject, found it necessary to do all manner of manual labor in order to secure the requisite funds to enable him to pursue his studies, boarding himself, or engineering a boarding club of fellow students? Carrying coal, sawing wood and similar work, by which he could earn a dime, was not beneath his dignity, his motto being that " all honest work is honorable if well done," and whatever he undertook to do he did thoroughly. Thus was Mr. Swartz's time fully occupied, and during his entire college course he says he never attended any merrymaking, concert or festivity of any kind. Indeed, time would not have permitted him, even had he the disposition. In his college work he developed a strong love for the languages, and not only did he become proficient in them, but even in-

In 1873, at Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, he entered into partnership with his brother John, wlio was then also a beginner, and is now prosecuting attorney of the aforesaid county. Here he remained until October, 1875, when he removed to Wooster, and opened an office with Hon. John K. McBride. At this time, crippled by poverty, he found himself compelled to borrow §50 wherewith to pay for moving his household goods and family, and, being short of work in his chosen profession, he dug potatoes on shares to obtain his winter's food.

In the spring of 1877, without any solicitation on his part, he was elected mayor of Wooster, in which capacity he served with remarkable success two terms, or until 1881. During his incumbency he revised the criminal ordinances, and had them bound in book form without expense to the city, and this book thus became the first real code of ordinances the city ever had. He was an especial friend of the volunteer fire department, and did all in his power to advance its interests. He also reformed the city prison system, and opposed excessive fines, but insisted on collecting all fines that were imposed. In fact, during his administration the people enjoyed one of the best city governments it ever had. Let the praise rest where it belongs. His administration was " mild but firm,"' and without favor or partiality, and under his care the oflice of mayor was recognized as one of great advantage and dignity, insomuch that criminal causes were brought before him for trial from all parts of the county.

During his terms of office as mayor he built for himself his present home ; working morning and evening before and after his business hours, he cut and prepared every stick himself, and now has the satisfaction of knowing the building is all his own handiwork. In 1881 he again entered a law office, and continued building up a good business until 1887, when he was elected to the ofiice of pi'obate judge, the duties of which he entered upon in February, 1888, and has since maintained its responsibilities to the satisfaction of all. In oflice he has no friends to reward, no enemies to punish. His political friends are mostly among the common people, and by them he is highly esteemed. His political victories have been, undoubtedly, the result of his singleness of purpose. He does no wire-pulling, knows nothing of political schemes, and, although very successful in his political ventures, he can not be called a politician. He has always in his political life been a Democrat, and since 18(34: has never shrunk from any of the party responsibilities laid upon him.

not good for man to be alone," he married Miss Martha J. Davies, of Granville, Ohio, daughter of Deacon and Mrs. Daries, who came to Granville from Wales in 1840. Mrs. Swartz is a lady of refinement and education, having graduated at the Young Ladies' Institute, at Granville in 1869, being then but seventeen years old. At the age of fifteen years she began teaching in connection with her studies, and later she became a teacher in the Granville public schools, where she continued until 1873. She cheerfully accepted the lot of sharing the life of a poor young attorney, and through the early years of her husband's practice, when fees were few and far between, it was her influence that held tlie husband steadily to his chosen work against the temptations held out by more lucrative employments. She is a woman of great commanding powers, "a helpmeet indeed," and makes her influence felt at home and in the church, she being president of the ladies missionary societies of the Baptist Church of Wooster. Five children have come of this union, viz. : Mary D., born in 1874; Josephine A., in 1870, died at the age of one year; Wayne W., born in 1878; Paul A., in 1884, and Esther L., in 1887. The eldest child, Mary D., has learned the art of typewriting and short-hand, and is a student in the Wooster High School.

In 1866 Judge Swartz united with the Baptist Church at Granville, Ohio, since which time he has been without intermission a Sunday-school superintendent - first at Sterling, then at Newark, and for the past twelve years at Wooster, during a portion of which time he had in his charge more than one school, and for twelve years at Ann Arbor, Mich., and Wooster, he was leader of the choir. The present Baptist Church at Sterling, this county, is largely the outgrowth of a Sundayschool which the Judge established there, and led from 1866 to 1872. His religious sentiments may be told in a word, viz. : " The exaltation of the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice, and an entire belief in its inspiration." He is a profound believer in the sovereignty of God, and in the security of believers, and possesses in consequence no doubts. He regards his religious obligations as of a more binding nature than those of his business, and during the last twenty-three years he has been absent from scarcely a dozen meetings of his church. He was chosen deacon of the Baptist Church of Wooster in 1876, and is still serving in that capacity, being now the senior deacon of this church.

The Judge is a man of marked individualities, which some would call peculiarities. For example, at the beginning of each year he adopts mottoes for the en-

Hard work, well done, a nice wife, and a family of children, that's life. - Be kind to everybody. - Speak evil of nobody, but against evil everywhere. - Be terribly down on wrong. - Don't laugh at any sin. - Keep to your work. - Use no trickery. - Always be honest with the court, and never misquote nor conceal the law. - Never argue a cause you do not believe in. - Make God's cause always first. - Be a member of no fraternity except the church. - Be a faithful Baptist, but know why. - God's commands first, man's reason afterward. - Push and pluck are a strong team. - An ounce of promptness is woitb a pound of late work. - Business promptly and successfully done, a few honest causes well won, is better than a multitude of clients and a full purse. - Charge well, but deserve it.

At the close of each year he writes in a diary the results of the year, pointing out the line of thoiTght to which he most closely conformed. His quiet, even temperament is due, he thinks, to his close observance of these rules, and to his unqualified temperance in all things, physical as well as mental. He has never entered a saloon, theater nor opera-house, neither has he spoken a profane word, nor tasted tobacco nor liquor. He believes man should have absolutely no bad habiis, and none can charge him with a violation of this stern rule of life; and in his life he gives proof by his even and genial temper of the value of such a course - the temptations usually incident to office and office-seeking being no temptation to him whatever. He knows very little of the ways of the world, and never had a desire in that direction. No man has ever heard an unkind or abusive word from him, and he has a good word for everybody.

In his law practice the Judge has given considerable time to the study of the patent right laws, and has secured many patents, not only for others, but also for himself, he being, also, an inventor; one of his inventions, a window-sash lock, having proved of considerable value to him, financially. In the temperance cause the Judge became an earnest worker at the age of seventeen, at which time he began lecturing. He is opposed to the principle of license as undemocratic and monopolistic and evil in its tendencies. He believes in the largest freedom consistent with the public good.

Such has been the public, private and religious life of the subject of this sketch, a man whose inherent tendencies to uprightness, honesty and integrity early asserted themselves, and whose success has been largely his own making.

ILBUE D. McCLURE. This y rising Toiiug business man of "Wooster, of tlie firm of McClure & Craighead, is a native of that city, born September 12, 1854. His father, Jonathan McClure, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., came in 1825 to Wayne County, and here remained some time on land belonging to his father, who had bought a large tract near where Wooster now stands. His father being a tinner, Jonathan learned that trade, having acquired which, he established liimself in business in partnership with his brother Charles. He began business for himself about 1834 in Wooster, and continued until after the close of the war, when he went West, and purchased a farm in Missouri, remaining tliere, however, but one j ear, when he returned to Wooster, and, having repurchased his old business, carried it on until his death, which occurred in May, 1868, when he was fifty-seven years of age. In 1835 Jonathan McClure was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of Elisha Yocum, and a native of Lancaster County, Penn. Both her parents died in Wayne County, the father in 1860, at the age of eighty-nine, and the mother in 1852. Jonathan and Martha McClure had eleven children, of whom eight still live (six in Wayne County), viz. : Mary A., widow of AVilliam J. Craighead, in AVayne County; Catherine, wife of Isaac

Johnson, of Wooster; Emma, wife of L. P. Ohliger, also of Wooster; Charles W., AVilbur D. and Lewis Y., all in Wooster; Lucetta, now Mrs. W. L. Burr, in Rockford, 111., and Albert, in Toledo, Ohio. Since her husband's decease Mrs. McClure has resided in Wooster, and although seventy-three years of age, enjoys good health. Jonathan McClure was a man of large acquaintance; he attended strictly to his own business, and was universally esteemed. He and his wife were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wooster.

W. D. McClure, the subject proper of this commemorative record, received his education in the public schools of Wooster, and at the age of sixteen began learning the tinning trade with a brother, his father having been dead some two years. He spent eight years in a large stove manufactory in Cleveland, one year in Chicago, and in 1883 returned to Wooster, where he formed a partnership with his nephew, Edwai-d W. Craighead, which he has since continued. Their business includes plumbing, slating and stoves, and is one of the largest in the county. They give particular attention to large jobs of roofing and plumbing, and do much in that line in the city of Wooster. February 18, 1885, our subject was united in marriage with Sarah E., daughter of Joseph Marshall, l)orn in Plain Township, whose parents came from Pennsylvania at an early day. Mr. Marshall has for a number of years been director of the infirmary. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have one child, Joseph. Mr. McClure is a member of the K. of M. and of the Iron Hall, and for five years was a member of the Wooster City Guards. He is one of Wooster's rising young business men, esteemed by all who know him, and has probably a bright future before him.

DAVID THOMAS, a well-known citizen of Wayne County, was born - November 27, 1827, in that portion of the county which was afterward made a part of Ashland County. He is a son of John and Catherine (Baker) Thomas, the former of whom was of German descent, and both were born in Pennsylvania. In search of a home, John migrated across the mountains by team, with his wife and the children then born to them. The journey was tedious and dangerous, and was made doubly sad to them by an accident. An infant daughter fell from the wagon, was run over and killed, and the bereaved parents were compelled to bury her body by the roadside. One year after arriving in Wayne County, Mr. Thomas bought the farm where David was born. Like so many of the early settlers of the county, Mr. Thomas did not live manj' years after coming to it The hardships incident to the life of the pioneer and the extremely arduous labor necessary were not favorable to a long life. Another cause which undoubtedly hastened Mr. Thomas' death was the amputation of a leg, which he had crushed in the first horse-power threshing machine ever brought into the county. He died in 1837, at the age of fifty-two, and until 1880 his widow continued to live upon the farm, awaiting the summons to join him, which came when she was eightythree years of age. They had eight children, and David Thomas has now two brothers and two sisters living, viz. : Michael and John, both residents of Ashland County, Ohio; Mrs. William Piper, of Chester To^vIlship, this county, and Mrs. George Grindle, of Ashland City.

David Thomas spent his early years upon the place of his birth, getting such education as was afforded by the schools of that day. When about twenty years old he began clerking in a store in New Pittsburgh, continuing in that occupation until his marriage, which took place in 1856, his bride being Miss Lizzie A. Norton, a native of Wayne County, and daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Norton, former of whom died in Chester Township. After his marriage Mr.

Thomas established himself iu business ut Keedsbiirgh, Wayue County, iu a general store, and there remained twelve years. Later he bought a farm iu Chester Towuship, which he worked for twelve years more, and then retired from the active labors of life. In 1883 he, with his family, removed to the comfortable house in Wooster which has since been his home. The marriage of our siibject and wife has been blessed by the birth of tliree children: Alice Isadore, now Mrs. C. M. Tawney, of Wooster, Ohio; Norton Emmett (deceased) and Daisy, living with her parents.

Mr. Thomas is a highly respected citizen of the city and county, and has always been a hearty supporter of all right projects for its upbuilding. He is au ardent advocate of the cause of temperance, and several times has been the candidate of the Prohibition party for county offices. He is au affiliate of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the English Lutheran Church of Wooster.

AMUEL MITCHELL. This old resident of Wayne County is a sou of one of its early pioneers, and was born in Franklin Township, September 20, 1820. His grandfather, Jesse Mitchell, was a i-esident of Franklin

County, Penn., and was of Irish extraction. Iu this latter county our subject's father, Samuel Mitchell, was boru, aud was there married to Miss Mary Mc- Gugeu, by whom he had four children: Jesse, who died iu February, 1839; Cynthia, who passed from earth iu 1818; Maria, wife of John McClellau, of Wooster, and Samuel.

In 1812 Samuel Mitchell, Sr., came to Wayne County, to make a home iu the then uew West. The Indians proved so hostile, however, that, after bui-yiug his farming tools, etc., he returned to Pennsylvania. In 1813 he came back to Wooster, where at that time but three families were living. He had left his cows to run wild on going away, and it was with great difficulty they were found. The laud was wild aud totally unimproved, but, building a log cabin, the brave pioneers toiled to make a home aud rear a family. Both the parents lived to an old age, each being eightyseven years old at time of death. The father passed away in 186-1, aud the mother in 1869. These grand and brave old pioneers were of the right material for this new and wild country, aud did the work necessary to develoji its resources, and to lay the foundation of its present prosperity, which is due to such as they. Mr. Mitchell was trusted and relied upon by his fellow-pioneers, aud was by them elected a uumber of times township trustee. For a uumber of years, also, he held a commission as justice of the peace. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Chui'ch, and both were well known and greatly respected by their compeers.

Samuel Mitchell, our subject, was born a pioneer's child, and in his youth had to endure the hardships and trials of those early days. His only educational facilities were such as were to be obtained in the lo^ school-house of the day, so familiar to the children of the early settlers. But these old cabins turned out a sturdy race of men and women, well fitted to cope with the difficulties of life in a new country. In 1849 Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Nancy McClellan, whose history is given on another page in this volume. She was born in Wooster, but when a child her parents removed to a farm six miles from that place, later going to Xenia, Ohio, where she met and married Mr. Mitchell. After their marriage they came to his father's old homestead in this county, and there made their home until 18G8, when they removed to Wooster, where they have since lived. They have no children, but in the Mitchell family lives Miss Sarah Preston, who has been a member of the family since 1824, when she was a girl of ten years of age. Her grandfather, William Nixon, was one of the first residents of Franklin Township, and her father, William Preston, and her mother, nee Ruth Nixon, both died when the daughter was a little girl, the father in 1820, the mother in 1827. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Presbyterian Church. Tiiey have during their lives witnessed many changes in this part of the country. He has often heard his mother tell of being alone in their cabin with l)er two little children while the Indians were prowling around, and no fastening on their door; but by keeping quiet and concealed, the red-skins supposed the cabin to be empty and passed on. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are to-day among the oldest settlers in the county, in which they have hosts of friends whose good wishes attend them through life, and none are more deserving than they of a place in this work.

Penn., who came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1820, and entered a quarter section and a one-half section of land near Jackson, in Canaan Township. The father of James Smith, a native of Ireland, settled iu Washingtou Couuty, Peuu., where James was boru iu 1791. The latter came to Wayne County poor, and experienced all the hardships of the early pioneer. Through perseverance and economy, however, he accumulated a large property, and was in every sense a self-made man, recognized as one of the prominent farmers of Canaan Township. In politics he was a Democrat, iu which party he always took an active interest, and was identified with the Presbyterian Church of Jackson for many years. He died in 1875, his wife in 1863. They reared a family of nine children, viz. : Elizabeth, "William, Adam and Samuel (all deceased) j Margaret, widow of "William P^oot ; Mary Ann, wife of O. A. Frary, of Canaan Townshijj, Wayne County ; David N. ; Kebecca, wife of Samuel Slemmons, of Milton Township, Wayne County; Martha, a maiden lady.

The subject of this memoir was born on the homestead in Canaan Townshij), Wayne County, February 17, 1830, and received his education at the schools of the township. He has always followed farming for his life's vocation. In 1863 he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Emanuel Northrup, of Medina County, Ohio, and she died in January, 1879, leaving two children: De Forest, who lives on the homestead farm, married to Ida, daughter of George Mathes, of Canaan Township, Wayne County, and Clyde, at home. Mr. Smith has always been a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director of the township for eight years. He is a member of Canaan Grange No. 1280, P. of H., and is a prominent member of the Jackson Presbyterian Church, of which he is trustee.

William Foot (deceased) was born in Connecticut, November 17, 1807, and died October 4, 1888. About 1844 he came to Wayne County, and entered a store at Jackson as clerk. He afterward purchased the business, which he conducted for many years. He was a Eepublicau in politics, and postmaster of Jackson for several years. In 1863 he married Miss Margaret Smith, and by her had four children : Joseph Mclntire in Missouri; Amanda, now Mi's. William Wallace, in Iowa; William, in Knox County, Ohio, and Alice, now Mrs. Harry Covert, in Nebraska.

DWARD M. GRANT was born on the homestead in Sugar Creek Township, Stark Co., Ohio, May 31, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Crawford) Grant. George Grant, the grandfather of Edward M.. was a native of New Jersey, where Joseph Grant was born. The latter was brought when two yearsold to Washington County, Penn., where he was reared, and where his parents died. lu April, 1834, he came to the western part of Stark County, and located on a tract of one-fourth section of land adjoining Wayne County, where he lived until his death, he being seventy-six years of age. His wife was born in 1800, and died in 1878. Fifteen children were born to them, of whom those who grew to maturity were "William C, of Stark County, Ohio; Jeremiah, late of Emporia, Kas., and who died June 17, 1889; Kebecca, widow of William N. Lash, of Stark County, Ohio; Kaziah (deceased) ; Cassie Jane (deceased) ; Jesse, of Stark County; John Austin, of Aftou, Union Co., Iowa; Malissa, of Osceola, Clarke Co., Iowa; Alonzo, on the homestead, and Edward M. On November 25, 1857, the subject of this memoir married Miss Parmelia, daughter of Christopher Harrold, of Holmes County, Ohio, and in 1863 they moved onto their present farm in East Union Township, Wayne County. Mr. Grant votes the Kepublican ticket, and is an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Apple Creek. He has always followed farming.

inherited from his father, William H. Keys, and his grandfather, James Keys. For several years he was owner and manager of the Shreve Roller Mills, which, during the last year, he sold, and is now looking after the interests of bis farms. He is a young man of good business habits and a blameless life, and is a much esteemed citizen. He was married, October 9, 1883, to Sadie, daughter of the late Albert Richardson, a successful merchant of Shreve, and they have two children - William Albert and James Brown.

William H. Keys, father of James Baker Keys, was born in Beallsville, Washington Co., Penn., October 19, 1820, and died in Shreve, Wayne Co., Ohio, July 18, 1871. No other man who ever lived in Clinton Township filled with more dignity his place, or played with better grace the role of a Christian gentleman, good neighbor and faithful citizen, than did this plain, ingenuous farmer. It was the privilege of the writer to have been associated with him as schoolfellow, then as his teacher, and for many years thereafter as neighbor, patron and intimate friend, and in all these relations he found him the same quiet, companionable, trustworthy man. Though of positive opinions, such was his deference toward the feelings of others that he was never known to give offense to those with whom he differed in opinion. At one of his winter schools, which the writer attended, he found some of the boys remaining at home because they had no pants, except patched ones, to wear. Mr. Keys visited them, and agreed with the boys that if they would attend school in their old clothes he would wear a pair of patched pantaloons too, which, though the only son of one of the wealthiest men of the neighborhood, he did for the entire term. We mention this incident as illustrative of the character of the man. Throughout his life he sympathized with the struggling poor. Though at no time did he own much property in Shreve, yet he and his father, James Keys, were essentially the founders of the town. Their first donation was $450, for the purchase of ground for a road directly west from the town. Then they gave something near $500 for the first church. During the war they paid out about SI, 200 to save the township from excessive draft, and almost the last act of their lives was a generous donation of $1,700 for the building of the present Methodist Church ; and many were their minor gifts to almost every enterprise started in the then struggling village. The chief source of their accumulations was from sheep husbandry. For more than thirty years they followed their (juiet flocks, and from them they reaped the reward that usually follows constant, well-directed effort in a single direction. William H. Keys was married,

May 5, 1842, to Eliza Ann Baker, daughter of William and Margaret Baker, of Millbrook. The late Dr. T. H. Baker, of Wooster, was a brother of Mrs. William Keys. Mrs. Keys was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., October 5, 1825. She is still living, a resident of Shreve.

James Keys, grandfather of James Baker Keys, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, June 7, 1797, and was brought to this counti-y when a child, his people settling in Washington County, Penn. He was married September 30, 1819, at Beallsville, Penn., to Mary Beall, niece of the late Gen. Zejjhauiah Beall, of Wooster, and soon after their marriage they immigrated to Stark County, Ohio, but soon after exchanged their Stark County land for a half section of land in Clinton Township, Wayne County, whither they moved about 1825. James Keys died August 10, 1869, on the homestead farm. His wife survived him seven years, dying in the same house, August 25, 1876. In all the pioneer operations of the township James Keys was an active participant. At the log rollings and cabin raisings of those primitive days his pleasant face and cheerful voice ^dded their full influence to these rough but interesting: entertainments. His last years were pleasantly spent on the farm made valuable and comfortable by the labor of his own hands. He lived and

CHARLES W. McCLURE, of Wooster, is a son of Jonathan McClure, one of the pioneers of Wayne County (of whom mention is made in sketch of Wilbur D. McClure), and was born in Wooster Township, December 27, 1841. His early education was received in the schools of that township, and in the winters from 1856 to 1861 he taught school there. He afterward attended school in AVooster, intending to finish his education in the Ohio Wesleyan College, of Delaware, but the outbreak of the Rebellion changed his plans. On A[)ril 16, 1861, he responded to the first call for volunteers, and enlisted in Company E, Fourth Ohio Infantry, and was speedily at the front. The first call being only for three-months men, he re-enlisted in June of that year for three years, and served the full time. He participated in many of the great battles of the war - was at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the AVilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and in many minor engagements. He was fortunate enough to escape wounds, and never had any serious illness while in the service, being

' worked at that with his father until the latter's death, in 1868. He then continued for himself until 1872, when he engaged as a commercial traveler for a Cleveland and Cincinnati firm, with whom he remained until 1879. He then returned to Wooster, and until 1887 carried on business for himself on South Market Street. In the latter year he formed a partnership with A. G. Coover, the firm dealing in stoves, tinware and house furnishing goods, and doing the largest business in that line of any house in the county. In 1864, soon after his return from the army, he was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of A. and Rebecca Saybolt, naj tives of Pennsylvania, who still reside in Wooster. This union was blessed by the birth of six children. The second child, Charles D., died in childhood, in 1868. The others are all yet under the parental roof, and are Emma T., George M., John S., Florence E. and Glenn E.

Politically Mr. McClure is a Republican, and socially is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Grand Army of the Rejjublic. He has made his own success in life, and is a man of whom all speak in terms of respect as a worthy r^ EORGE EMERY, sou of Jacob and I fi' Christina (Lesh) Emery,wasborniu ^^1 what is now Ashland County, Ohio, in 1840. His grandfather, Jacob Emery, was a resident of that county, and there reared a family of five children, four daughters and one son. The parents of George Emery were also residents of Ashland County, where they were engaged in farming. Their family consisted of Franklin M. (who married Lydia Ortz, now residents of Nebraska), Mary (deceased), John (deceased), George, Zachariah (who married Margaret Wikle, now residents of Ashland County, Oliio), and Violet (now Mrs. A. J. Houser, of Wayne County, Ohio).

Of these, George Emery was reared and educated in Wayne County, and in September, 1861, in response to his country's call for men, he enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs he received a wound, which disabled him, and for this reason he was discharged, and now receives a pension; he however re-enlisted in the 100-days service. Returning home, Mr. Emery married in 1865 Mary A., daughter of John Ginn, and located on a farm in Clinton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, their present residence. To them two children were born, Elizabeth Ellen (deceased) and Isa B. The family are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Emery is identified with the Republican party. He is a practical farmer, and has very desirable property.

dfOHN SHILLING was born in Cumberland County, Penn., February 14, 1814. His father, Adam Shilling, also a native of that county, married Mary Roone, and in 1817 moved to Stark County, Ohio, where they purchased land near Massillon, and engaged in farming, being among the representative citizens of that county. They were prominent members of the United Brethren Church. The mother died there in 1858. The father afterward moved to Indiana, where he died in 1881, at the patriarchal age of nearly ninety years. Their family consisted of eight children, six of whom are living, viz. : John; Polly, now Mrs. George Houke, of Indiana; Barbara Ann, wife of William Kitzermeller, of Stark County, Ohio; Solomon, in Indiana; Daniel, in Stark County; Eliza, wife of Daniel Gratz, of Bryan, Ohio.

memoir, was reared in Stark Couuty, Ohio, aiul obtaiued but little education, as he had to walk three miles to school, and was in constant danger from wolves and Indians. He remained on the homestead until twenty-two years of age. On October 30, 1834, he became united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John Noftzger, of Congress Township, Wayne County, and she bore him three children, viz.: Mary, wife of Ezra Smith, of Canaan Township (they have two children, Lorinda, now Mrs. George Hurd, who has one child, Ezra, and Franklin Smith, in Canaan Township) ; Adam, in Canaan Township, married to Maria, <lautrhter of Jesse Eitchie, of Medina County (they have one son, Jesse) ; Melvina, wife of John Cook, of Canaan Township (they have two children, William and Annie). The mother of these children died in 1840, and in 1841 the father married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George Frank, of Stark Couuty, Ohio. She died March 9, 1878, having borne him three children, viz. : Emma, deceased wife of William Brinkerhoff; Frank, a farmer in Congress Township, Wayne County, married to Mary Keiser (they have two children, William and Nellie) ; Ada, married to Daniel Stratton, of Medina County (they have two children, Blanche and Ira). Mr. Shilling is a prominent member of the Burbank United

Brethren Church. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and has filled various township offices. He moved onto his present farm, in Canaan Township, in the year 1835, and by hard work and perseverance has been successful, being now one of the leading farmers of the township.

GHARLES E. VAN METER, through his grandparents on both sides, is ^-' descended from the earliest pioneer settlers of Wayne County. His paternal grandparents, Abraham and Sarah (Miller) Van Meter, came, in 1815, from Stark County, Ohio, to this county, bringing their children with them. Benjamin Miller, father of Mrs. Sarah Van Meter, was one of the very first settlers of Wayne Couuty, and her sister, Mrs. Matilda Briarton, was the first white child born in the cottnty. Grandmother Van Meter died in 1862, aged seventy-six, and grandfather Van Meter in 1870, aged eighty-seven.

John Van Meter, father of our subject, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1812, and was three years old when his parents brought him to this couuty. He learned in his youth the trade of a carpenter, and after he had grown to manhood was married to Elizabeth Van Blunk McGuire, n native of PennsA'lvania. She was left an orphan when two years of age, auil was reared by an uncle, Mr. Isaac Johnson, father of Judge Isaac Johnson. Five boys were born to tliis union, all now living, viz.: W. C, in Wayne County; John W., in Colorado Cit}*, Colo. ; C. E. ; George A., in Butte City, Mont., and Walter, in Wooster. The parents are yet living, in Wooster, and have many friends. They are regarded as good, upright j^eople, and highly respected.

The subject of this sketch entered the profession of dentistry, but followed it for a few months only, and then opened a grocery store in Wooster, which he carried on for some years. Later, for some five years, he was clerk in a shoe store, and in 1885 he opened a shoe store for his own account, which he is at present carrying on. September 29, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Nettie, daughter of James and Ellen (Higgins) Hutchison, and a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and educated at Mount Carmel, N. Y. Her mother died when she was nine mouths old, and her father was again married; when Mrs. Van Meter was ten years of age both her father and stepmother died. Her father was born in Fredericksburgh, this county, in 1822, and was of Scotch descent, his ancestors settling in this county at an early day. Her grandmother, Mary Higgins, is living in Athens, Ohio, and is ninety years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Van Meter have been blessed by the birth of three children: Joseph Leroy, Jennie Viola and Susie Florence. The parents are members of the Order of the Iron Hall, and members of St. James Episcopal Church. Mr. Van Meter is well known in Wooster and vicinity as a progressive and enterprising business man, of strict integrity, who has gained the confidence of people by his straightforward conduct, and is liberally patronized. He has made his own way, and, although still a young man, his success has been gratifying.