Wayne Township (part 9 of 15)

dl A. BONEWITZ is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Franks) Bonewitz, ^ - natives of Fayette County, Penn. About 1832 they came to Wayne County, Ohio, and purchased the farm where their son, J. A., now lives. The father was a shoemaker by trade but after coming to Wayne County he gave his attention entirely to farming, and at his death left an estate of 160 acres of land. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, also a leader in the Democratic party. He died in 1868, and his widow in 1885. They reared nine children, one of whom, M. v., died at the age of thirty-nine years. Those living are F. J., in Van Wert, Ohio; H. W., in Huntington County, Ind. ; Sarah J., wife of O. E. Jameson, of Nebraska; D. R., in Van Wert, Ohio; Julia G., wife of Abraham Eymon. of Portland, Ind. ; Elizabeth Ann, wife of John R. Kling, of Sherman County, Kas. ; Martha C, wife of Wilson Richwine, of East Union Township, Wayne Count)', and the subject of this memoir, who was born on the homestead, December 4, 1S43. He attended the township schools, and has always remained on the homestead in East Union Township, where he follows agricultural pursuits. In 187(3 he married Miss Nancy J., daughter of Robert C<iok, of East Union Township, and bj- this union the^y have had six children: Mary Belle (deceased), Anna Lee, Lula Idella, Jennie C, and Robert C. and Ethel J., infant twins. Mr. Bonewitz and family attend the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the Democratic jjarty.

^rPi) ENJAMIN DOUGLASS was born f I in Plain Township, Wayne Co., - ' Ohio, --Vugust 13, 1838, and is next to the youngest son and child of James and Elizabeth (Wallace) Douglass, and on both the paternal and maternal sides he is of Scotch ancestry. His mother crossed the ocean at the age of ten. His father was a large, stout, muscxilar man, full of strength and courage, and was by occupation a successful farmer. Mr. Douglass i-emaiued with him upon the farm until he was twenty years old, in the meantime attending the village school at Jefferson, five miles west of Wooster. His first teacher was George Phillips, subsequently a quite prominent Methodist minister and writer of religious books.

For five years he was a pupil of the late Judge Joseph H. Downing. Later he attended Yermilliou Institute, at Hayesville, Ashland County, for about three years. That place of learning was then under the presidency and management of Dr. Sanders Diefendorf, a distinguished educator and Presbyterian divine, under whose superintendency it enjoyed signal prosperity. For a number of years it bore the title of "the Ohio Annex" to Cannonsburgb (Penn. ) College, as its contributions of students to that flourishing iustitiition were copious and constant. Three and four hundred students were in regular attendance, and among those who were in his classes were Hon. Joseph Reed (for many years a member of the Supreme Court of Iowa, now a member of Congress from the Council Bluffs district) ; the Hons. John Bruce and John Glenn (both of whom are United States district judges, the former in Alabama, with residence at Montgomery, and the latter in Illinois, with residence at Monmouth) ; Robert Quincy Beer, of Ashland (who became a member of the publishing hou.se of Wilson, Hinkle & Co., now Van Antwerp, Bragg vfc Co., of Cincinnati) : Frank Wise and L. Tannahill (who entered the Confederate service frt)m Missouri, and won the star of " brigadiers").

Messrs. William M. Orr aud John Irvine, with whom he remained a year, when he went to the Cleveland Law College, from which he graduated in 1861, iu the meantime having been admitted to the bar by the supreme coxirt at Columbus, Ohio.

He was married the same year to Miss Nercissa L. Newkirk, of Big Prairie, Ohio, a graduate of Urbana Seminary, Ohio, and has two daughters, Mabel and Dail, the former graduating from the University of AYooster, in the class of 1887, the latter from the high school of Wooster, in the class of 1888, aud is now a student in the Wooster University. He began the practice of law during this year, having formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, the late Joseph H. Downing.

The threatened war-cloud was then bursting upon the country, and the law office of the firm was soon converted into a recruiting station, Mr. Downing administering the oath to the soldiers as fast as they were recruited. Mr. Douglass wrote the first call that was made for volunteers in the county, and that call, in his handwriting, was framed by his friend, the late E. B. Spink, and now hangs in the hall of Given Post, G. A. E., at Wooster. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Downing enlisted in the military service, and, as it ; was next to impossible to conduct business in the courts, on account of witnesses ' and lawyers being iu the army, the law office was, therefore, abandoned, and Mr. Douglass, until the close of the war, was principally engaged in recruiting work. He made patriotic, thrilling speeches in almost every church and school-house in the county, aud was largely instrumental in recruiting many companies. For reasons possibly best known to himself, he never returned to the practice of the law, although the writer of this sketch is of the opinion that, had he done so, he would have stood at the front of the bar, the peer of McS weeny, Critchfield, Eex, or Hemjjhill. He seemed, however, to dislike the evasions, deceits, tergiversations, combats and collisions of the practice.

In 1808 Mr. Douglass went to the Pacific coast, by invitation of the National Executive Eepublican Committee, and made twenty-five speeches for Grant and Colfax, in Nevada and California. He made the first speech advocating the Fourteenth Coustitiitional Amendment delivered in Nevada, at the opera hoiise in Carson Citj', presided over by Gov. Blaisdell, and it was the first State in the Union to ratify the amendment. On his return he was publicly requested by the citizens of Wooster to deliver an address, which he did, under the title of "A Trip Across the Continent," whicli was afterward pre- sented in Illinois and other points in the "West. He went the overland route, by rail to Benton, one hundred miles west of Cheyenne, Wye, and thence by Concord coacli across the Rocky Mountains, a distance of 400 miles, to Salt Lake City; thence by stage to Austin, and thence across the great alkali desert to Reno, and thence to Virginia City, his destination, traveling in coaches 1,000 miles, among hostile Indians, white bandits, and other desperate characters. He paused for a week in the City of the Saints, inspecting the principal points of interest, there being then but 500 Gentiles within its borders, presenting a paradox in the fact that the Gentiles were principally Jews. He bathed his feet in the rockborn Jordan, and floated in the lake of salt. He walked amid the stones and foundations of the temple; attended worship with the apostles in the tabernacle; interviewed President Brigham Young within his gates and palaces, and sent to the New York Times and other Eastern papers the results of his ieie-a-tete with the eagle-nosed champion wife-owner of of the Western Hemisphere. Returning from his trip by steamer, and after arriving in New York City, he called upon and presented letters of introduction to Hon. Henry J. Raymond, editor and proprietor of the New York Times. So favorably impressed was Mr. Raymond with Mi",

Doiiglass that he was solicited to go to Old Mexico in the capacity of correspondent for the Times, which proposition Mr. Douglass was favorably considering when Mr. Raymond suddenly died.

As a part of his literary labors Mi-. Douglass wrote and published in 1878 at Indianapolis the history of Wayne County, Ohio, a book of nearly 900 pages, and the best county history in the State. In 1879 he completed for the publishers a work entitled the " Oddities of Colonial Legislation," writing and adding thereto about 300 pages for John B. Dillon, historian, of Indiana, who died in the midst of his editorial labors. He has written, and now has ready for publication, a history of the Grand Army of the Republic, a book of 550 pages. Mr. Douglass did not confine himself to history and prose writing, but occasionally sang with the muses, and he has written poetry that compares favorably with that of Whittier, Dr. Holmes or Moore. The following is a specimen, written for the Clirouicle while he was at Washington, and it indicates that lofty sentiment found in all his verses: lu 1882 he was appointed to a position in the Government service, in tlie postmaster-general's office, and was there three years. While in Washington City he published in the Daihj Shir a history of the colonial postal service, and wrote many interesting letters, which were published in the Wooster Republican and other papers. His first contributions of literary pretensions were to the " Waverly Magazine" a sort of a type-trap for verdant prose dabsters and half-feathered songsters. He has written articles acceptable to such magazines as the " Galaxy," in the day of its prosperity. He was a regular correspondent for years of "Leisure Hours," and before the consolidation, a frequent correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial and Gazefte, which latter published, during the concluding days of the war, his letters advocating manhood suffrage, which were widely copied and extensively circulated. In politics Mr. Douglass is a Republican, but the writer knows him to be a conservative one. He has always been active in local campaigns, and was a candidate of his party for county auditor in 1864, but, -vvith the balance of the county ticket, was defeated at the election, the county then being strongly Democratic. While at Washington, that whirlpool of vices and vanities, he became thoroughly disgusted with politics and politicians, believing that one party can manage the affairs of Government about as well as the other, as both are equally honest and patriotic.

Mr. Douglass is a fine specimen of manhood, six feet three inches high, and weighs over two hundred pounds. He is a scholarly, entertaining gentleman, a true friend and congenial companion, and the writer of this sketch will be greatly pleased if it is preserved in the annals of the county.

America in 1832, and located in Franklin Township, "Wayne Co., Ohio, on the farm now owned by their son David. They purchased 100 acres of land for $700, there being at the time but two houses between them and the town of Wooster. George James and his family were members of the Episcopal Church of Wooster. He died in 1859; his widow in 1870; politically he was a Whig. Their family consisted of four children, viz. : William Alfred, who died at the age of twentythree years; John S., in Franklin Township, Wayne County; Amelia, widow of J. C. James, in Wooster, Ohio, and David, who was born m England, October 7, 1826, and came to Wayne County with his parents. He was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, but never followed it as an occupation, and has always lived on the homestead in Franklin Township, making great improvements in the buildings, etc., and now owns over 250 acres of land.

In 1853 he married Miss Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Dorotliy Gilmore, of Holmes County, and seventeen children have been born to them, as follows: a son, who died at the age of seventeen years; a daughter, who died at the age of five years ; one that died in infancy, and the following named yet living: Thomas A. and Dorothy Ann, at home; William Alfred, in Franklin Township, Wayne County, married to Minnie F., daughter of Hugh and Sarah Morgan, of Franklin Township (they have one child, Hugh C. ) ; Jesse Gilmore, at home ; Mary Nellie, now Mrs. Frank E. Langell. of Wooster, Ohio (they have two children, Mark B. and James M. ) ; Martha Nettie, at home ; Wesley David, in Illinois, and John Charles, George Walter, Frederick H., Frances Asbury, Amelia, Sealy and Anna Hortense, all at home. Mr. James and family are members of Moorland Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and class-leader; politically he is a Republican.

d[ W. BRINKERHOFF, M. D., the youngest son of John Brinkerhoff, ^ - of Wooster, was born in Wooster, February 16, 1852. He received his classical education at the high school of Wooster, and immediately entered the ofiice of Dr. L. Firestone, where he read medicine, and in 1873 he graduated from the medical department of Wooster University at Cleveland. He first began the practice of medicine in Missouri, but remained there only six months, when he returned to Wayne County, locating at

Burbauk, where he now enjoys an extensive practice. He is also teacher of physiology in the public school of that place. He is a member of tlie borough council; a member of the Northeastern Ohio and Waj'ne County Medical Societies.

In November, 1874, Dr. Brinkerhoff became united in marriage with Miss Ella M., daughter of James C. Hemler, of Licking County, Ohio. Both Dr. and Mrs. Brinkerhoff are prominent members of Burbank Methodist Episcopal Church ; politically he is a Eepublican.

DANIEL T. HOFFMAN has been a resident of Wayne Township since - ' 1853, and has by his long residence become one of the well-known citizens. He has devoted his attention to agriculture, and now has a good farm of 100 acres, all under cultivation, with good improvements, thus making it one of the pleasantest homes in the county. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Anna Mary, daughter of Samuel Groff, and to them were born three children, two of whom are living: Sybilla, wife of William Switzer, and Mary Ann, wife of Jacob Switzer. Mrs. Hoffman dying, Mr. Hoffman afterward married Miss Matilda, daughter of Joseph Grosh, and liy her had eight children: Joseph, Daniel, Martin, Jacob, Benjamin, Lawrence, Laura and Clara. Of these, Joseph died when nine mouths old, and Laura when two years old; Daniel is married to Miss Anna Groop; Martin is married to Miss Lola Heringtou. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the Church of God.

Mr. Hoffman's father was Jacob Hoffman, whose father, a native of Eurojie, came to this country when single, and was married to Miss Shriner, a native of Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed with six children - three sous and three daughters - Jacob being the youngest in the family. He was born in Manor Township, Lancaster Co., Peun., Januar}- 16, 1792, and December 16, 1816, was married to Magdalena Thomas, a native of the same township, born December 13, 1791. They had a family of twelve children. Father Hoffman came to Wayne County in the year 1850, purchased a farm of 200 acres in East Union Township, and afterward moved to Wayne Township, where his wife died in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She was converted when sixteen years old, and was a faithful servant of the Lord until her death. Father Hoffman died August 8, 1884, aged ninety-two years, six months and twenty-two days. He was converted when about forty years of age, and lived a Christian life until his death. This estimable couple had twelve children

Hl\f/ f^i'"^®!" o^ Plain Township, was born in Wayne County, OJiio, in 1820. His father, William Rouch, was a native of Maryland, of Dutch ancestry, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Miss Mary Stair, and to them were born nine children, six of whom are living, viz.: John, Polly, Nancy Elizabeth, Susan Rebecca, Lydia Sarah and William. At an early day William Rouch, Sr., with his wife and three children, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he bought 160 acres of land, on which he lived several years, and in 1815 came to Wayne County and entered 100 acres of land, a part of which is now the home of his son William. At the time of his death he owned 320 acres of valuable land. He in early life learned the mason's trade, but gave his attention wholly to agricultural pursuits during the last years of his life. He died at the age of eighty-three years and three months, his wife having preceded him, at the age of seventy-four years.

on the farm which is now his home. He has been a successful farmer, makinjr practical use of the lessons taught him in early life. He is a representative citizen of Plain Township, a public-spirited and progressive man, and is respected by all who know him. He was married in 1S55 to Susan, daughter of Jacob Bower, of Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and they have a family of five children, viz. : Treadwell S., William P., Sarah Agnes (now Mrs. Eoufli), Lydia A. (now Mrs. Mullinger), and Mary, at home. In politics Mr. Rouch is a Democrat. Mrs. Rouch is a member of the Lutheran Church.

i LYSSES CHATELAIN was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, April 7, 1828, and immigrated to America in 1818. He first engaged in manual lalior in Hoboken, N. Y., remainingr there for eleven months. He then spent three months in Cleveland, Ohio; thence moved to Wayne County, where he worked near Maysville and Fredericksburgh, for about one year. January 1, 1851, he married Miss Lena, daughter of Lewis Dodez, of Paint Township, Wayne County, and followed farming near Mount Eaton, remaining there until 185G, when they purchased their present farm. Although Mr. Chatelain came to this country without capital except his hands, he has, by industry and perseverance, made himself and is to-day one of the wealthiest and most prosperous farmers in Paint Township, owning between 400 and 500 acres of land. His family consists of nine children, viz.: Celia E. is the wife of J. B. Finney, of Holmes County, Ohio, and has four children: D. Alvin, Laura, Lena and Ward; Lewis A., at home; Emma, wife of Randolph Eosenberg, of Paint Township, has four children: Ida L., Orie D., Clyde and an infant ; Lucy, wife of Israel Stuck, of Stark County, Ohio, has two children: Beatrice and Raymond Wilbur; Laura, Julia, Rebecca, Ida and William. In connection with general farming Mr. Chatel ain does considerable in stock breeding. He has held the office of president in the French Reformed Church for many years ; he is a member of Massillon Lodge, No. 346, F. & A. M. ; politically a Democrat.

Man's sociality of nature evinces itself in spite of all that can be said with abundant evidence, by this one fact, were there no other: The unspeakable delight he takes in biography. - Caiii/le.

Lord Bacon expressed his regret that the lives of eminent men were not more frequently written; and added that, "though kings, princes and great personages be few, yet there are many excellent men who deserve better than vague reports and barren elegies. ' '

The history of the world is principally the record of conspicuous names and the biogral)hy of illustrious characters. The history of Rome is little more than the biography of twelve men who were contemporaries, and all enclosed within the walls of the Eternal City. No marvel that the proud metropolis that can boast of Julius Cfesar, Pompey, Brutus, Cato, Atticus, Livy, Cicero, Horace, Yirgil, Hortensius, Augustus and Marcus Yarro, should aspire to the proud title of mistress of the world, and vaunt herself secure from all mortal wounds, save only those that might be inflicted in an evil hour by parricidal hands.

Mankind delights to register the acts and syllables of men who risk investments in the thought exchanges of the world. The standard of civilization and the advancement of human progress has been made and determined by the augmentation in the proportion of those who achieve intellecttial triumphs, and by a corresponding decrease in the ratio of those who are consecrated to pleasurable pursuits, and neglect the higher moral and mental development and discipline. The principle of leadership is acknowledged and universal. It commands our respect and veneration. Among the North American Indians each tribe has its oracular leader, who summons to the camp-lire the dusky faces, and regales them with chapters from the unwritten bible of savagery.

When King Harold went westward, followed by the chosen men of Norway, to conquer France and England, though his men were distinguished for wisdom and courage as a body, yet they recognized and rewarded the leadership of those most prominent in energy and valor. The true Briton of to-day venerates the names of Hengst and Horsa, his Saxon prototypes, for the inspiration and memory of their horsemanship is ever present at the boiling heats of Ascot and Newmarket. Through the grim galleries of the centuries, the Deity has spoken through his own chosen interpreters. It is the few indeed, who are genius-anointed. The lines of history from the first records of Grecian story to the moment when Elsinore heard the war moan along the distant sea, and, further on to later combats amidst hieroglyphic obelisks and near the shadow of the Sphynx, vividly expose the records of grand men who clenched opportunity and forced her to decree and command their triumph. In the progress of events marching on with power and grandeur, we discover the hand of Phidias among the features of the gods; the trowel of the Egyptians; the philo.sophy of Socrates and Plato; the swords of Ciesar and Alexander; the orations of Cicero, Burke and Webster; the speculations of Newton, Copernicus and Kant; the metaphysical wisdom of Bacon and Locke; the prowess of Charlemagne, Murat and Sheridan; the achievements of Sir William Hunter and Sir Astley Cooper; the legal profundity of Blackstone, Erskine and Story; the religious zeal of Baxter, Hooker and Bossuet; the military skill of Wellington, Von Moltke and Grant; the statesmanship and martial grandeur of Washington; the astute and overmastering sagacity and judgment of Lincoln; the romantic intrepidity of Columbus and Hudson; the grand poetic outbursts of Sophocles, Homer, Shakespeare, Milton and Longfellow. Their lives, their thoughts and deeds have imparted stability, character, example and inspiration to humanity and civilization, and, in their individual

Wherefore, it may properly and naturally be affirmed, that history may be contemplated as but the biography of a few earnest, toiling, self-reliant men.

It has been said that the hardy growths of nature are tho.se which battle the storms ; the fiercer the conflict the more robust becomes the trunk, and the deeper down do the roots descend. Man is biit a segment of nature. The successful one is not he who dreams or toys with images, but he who acts, and when we see a man who has hewn his way through difficulties and endured the storms of life from childhood, he is the strong man, the man of will and genius. Such was the subject of this memoir.

Dr. Firestone was born in Salt Creek Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, April 11, 1819. His father, Daniel F. Firestone, removed from Beaver County, Penn., to Wayne County, in 1815. With him he remained until he was fourteen j^ears old, performing such work as he could on the farm in the Slimmer, and attending the country school in the winter. He then entered the academy at Salem, Columbiana County, and under the tutorship of Mr. Mills and Mr. Kingsbury, received prelibations of that education which he had an ambition to acquire, but which was beyond his power to then attain. He thence went to Portage County, Ohio, where he contracted with a farmer for three months to chop cord wood, at three shillings per cord. His stout arras felled the forest monarchs., notwithstanding the lines of Morris: oak, did not dwell on masts of navies in its ribs; of storms; of battles on the ocean; of the noble lyrics of the sea; of Robin Hood and his merry men; of old baronial halls with mellow light streaming through diamondshaped panes upon floors of oak, and wainseotings of carven oak ? I doubt not that his boyish fancy saw all this.

At the age of sixteen he returned to Wayne County, going to Chester Township, where, with his uncle, John Firestone, a few miles north of New Pittsburgh, for two years, he made his home. He was penniless, but eager and ea'-nest. The history of these two years could be given in a line - "The short and simple annals of the poor." Thrust upon his own resources, he became the architect of his own fortune. He toiled in the fields during the day, and after the drudgery of it was over, he devoted himself to his books by the light of the tire of kindlings carefully prepared as a substitute for lamp or candle. AVith him it had to be nothing, or, self-schooling, always the firm, sure substratum upon which the successful student, whether at home or school, or at the university, must erect his superstructure. In whatever he engaged, whether in contact with the products of the soil, or the resistance of the forest, or in the path of mental improvement, he was distinguished for unquailing diligence and energy. Under such circumstances and suiToundings he laid the basis of his education and life, and that a man who can thus educate himself, possesses intellectual morale, no one, however captious, will deny.

During the winters of these two years spent with his uncle, he taught school, his first term being in the region now known as Perry Township, then in Wayne, but now in Ashland County. For his services he received S12 per month. He was now equipped for teaching, was a good grammarian and mathematician, exceeding, in fact, the standard of the average English scholar. By the reading of standard authors, such as Tacitus and Plutarch, Hume and Gibbon, Shakespeare and Milton, Dr. Johnson and Fielding, etc., which he had borrowed, he was introduced to the best style and thought of these brilliant writers, and in early life acquired a degree of familiarity with their language, and found sincere pleasure in the companionship of their reflections. Meantime, he had not circumscribed the area of his studies to such as merely equipped him for the service of the teacher. His range of .penetration and vision was lifted to wider and higher skies. He had been making periodical recitations to Rev. Thomas Beer, a scholarly Presbyterian minister of Ashland, familiarizing himself with botany, geology, philosophy, chemistry, and natural science in other departments. His inquiring mind impelled him to make researches in germs and plant-life, and its organic and inorganic nature, and into flowers, their organs and food, and the physiology of the vegetable world; to explore Olil Red Sandstone and the Cosmos; to sit with Plato in the academy, or Seneca at the Symposium of death; to wander with Silliman and Berzelius amid reactions and relations, the composition of substances and the mysterious laws of combination.

At the age of nineteen, August 26, 1838, he was married to Miss Susan Firestone, a lady of dignified and affable manner much esteemed by her acquaintances as a wife, mother, friend and Christian. The intimacy which resulted in this union was formed in early life, and his ardent attachment to his wife was evinced on all occasions to the period of his death. By this marriage eight children were born, five boys and three girls, all of whom are dead, except W. W. Fire- stone, M. D., who inherits many of the strong traits of his father, and under whose tutorage he studied his profession and its collateral sciences.

At the age of twenty, Dr. Leander Firestone began the study of medicine with Dr. S. F. Day, a noted practitioner and eminent surgeon, under whose care and instruction he continued for three years, when be attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. When he received his diploma, unlike many students who relinquish or abridge their reading and hours of study upon graduation, he realized that he was but and that he was just in the lirst stages of discipline which would ultimatelj' enable him to grapple with the broad and almost illimitable field of medical and surgical literature. His passion for these investigations was manifested in his writhings in the grip of his first clench with life, and continued until time bad faintly blurred into gray background the splendid picture of his former years. His steadfast assiduity and zeal in his professional work gave him the applause of co-laborers and brothers, and won him leadership where to win it was to be crowned ; won him believers and imitators, where to be imitated and to be recognized as an example, was to have attained to the eminence of humanity's benefactor.

But the time had come when he must lift his shield and bare his arm to "the sad, stern ministry of pain," and on March 28, 1841, he opened an office in the village of Congress, where he continued for thirteen years, acquiring a wide and remunerative practice, and a degree of jjopularity and eminence not confined to his visiting circuit. During this time, and expanding the horizon of his aims, he graduated from the Medical Department of the Western Reserve College, then located at Cleveland, Ohio, and in 18-17 was summoned to that institution as demonstrator ot anatomy, which position he held until 1853. Here he achieved new honor and distinction, and bore the reputation of being one of the most popular, fluent and instructive lecturers in the colleges. In the same year he was appointed first superintendent of Northern Ohio Asylum for the Insane, at Newburgh, now a part of the city of Cleveland.

In 1859, being vice-president of the Ohio Medical Convention, then in session in Columbus, Ohio, in the absence of the president he presided, appointing all the committees, and otherwise controlling its deliberations. June 7, of the same year, he was elected president of the convention, and ' ' in remarks accepting the office tendered him, thanked the society in a brief but manly speech, and urged the members to consider carefully and earnestly the importance of the work before them."*

June 13, I860, he delivered his valedictory address to the Convention. In ISG-t he was promoted to the professorship of obstetrics and diseases of women in Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio. In 1808 he was elected to the chair of surgery. In 1870 the college at Cleveland was made the medical department of Wooster University, where he continued as professor of obstetrics and the medical and surgical diseases of women, and class lecturer on anatomy, physiology and hygiene, to the students at W'ooster University.

June 24, 1874. the title of LL. D. was conferred upon him, at Athens, by the University of Ohio. Gov. William Allen appointed him, February 1, 1875, one of the trustees for three years, of the Northern Ohio Hospital for the Insane. In 187S, Gov. Bishop designated him as superintendent of the Institution for the Insane at Columbus, Ohio, and during his administration of the office, he established a reputation in the public benevolent circles of the States, as being one of the siTccessful and efficient professional and executive superintendents, of which any State might be consistently jealous.

In private life he was characterized by great benevolence of character. Other remarkable traits were his disinterestedness, his regard for the rights and enjoyments of others, his generous disposition, his gentle and forbearing temper, his plain, easy and unostentatious manner. He was an unswerving friend and a delightful companion. In social circles he charmed with the grace and full, rich naturalness of his expression. "Conversation to him was the music of the mind, an intellectual orchestra, where all the instruments should have a part, but where none should play together." He was possessed of warm and wide and ardent sympathies, and his genial natiire unconsciously called for sympathy; yet, he was heroic and independent, and bore the occasional uneven frictions of circumstance with placid etpianimity and stately strength. He had the ability to sustain the mind's tone under adverse environments and preserve it sensitive to work, study, meilitatioa, nature and to God. In the relation of father and son, of husband, brother and friend, lie always displayed the highest excellencies of feeling and character. Expanding our view to the comprehensive circle of his personal friends, rarely did any man win a stronger hold upon the confidence of those with whom he was associated. He has with o(|ual propriety mingled in the free and open exchanges of private life, and sustained the dignity and honor of official station.

In professional life we may speak of him in the language of eulogy employed l)y him on the death of Prof. Delamater, who occupied a chair in the medical college with Dr. Firestone:

He was no ordinary man. Indeed he was a great man, in possession of learning witliout pedantry, and skill without ostentation. He never was known to harbor hatred or ill-will, had a pleasant smile of approbation and a word of encouragement and hope for everv man in the faithful discharge of his duty. He was eminent aa a physician, and his lectures were clear, forcible and logical. In conversation he was agreeable, instructive and illuminating, imparting pleasure and intelligence to all around him. The mementoes of his example are a rich boon to posterity, and, while benevolence, philanthropy, social order and religion survive, the virtues of this great and good man will shine in all the majesty of light.

He was not a specialist in any branch of the profession, but in all of its apartments vindicated his title to pre-eminent distinction. In surgery he particularly excelled, and to bo an expert in that domain is to approximate the mastery of the profession, as in its several branches are compassed all the other departments of the healing art. In the sick room he seemed to engender and radiate health, as if he were the possessor of a superabundance of it. He was pervaded, if we may feebly reach out after a receding idea, with the mys terious odic force of the healer, which is above science and beyond experience and behind theory, and which we call magnetism, or vitality, or tact, or inspiration, according to our assimilating power in its presence, or our reverence for its mission.

As a politician he had no full defined or cherished aspirations. He was a member of the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1850-51 which assembled at the State Capitol, May 6, 1850, and of which Hon. William Medillwas president, W. H. Gill, secretary, and J. Y. Smith, reporter. It was composed of 1 1 5 officers and delegates, in which there were eight physicians besides himself. In his representative capacity it will be observed that Dr. Firestone aided by his vote and voice in advancing measures which, by legislation, were crystalized into the salutary laws of the State, and under which its citizens have been happy and prosperous for nearly forty years. It was, indeed, no paltry honor to occupy a seat in such a deliberative assembly, presided over by a subsequent governor of the State, and which was composed of the Ranneys. Groesbecks, Nashes, Kennons, Stanberrys, Kirkwoods, and Peter Hitchcock, -- the father of the Ohio bar," some of whom became supreme judges of the State, governors, authors in the law. United States Senators and cabinet ministers. During his membership of the convention he participated actively in the discussion of questions before it for deliberation. He was a champion of the right of petition, the purity of the ballot, economy in the administration of the affairs of the State, advocating biennial sessions of the Legislature, and antagonizing the increase of salaries of public officials. He signalized his opposition to corporations in a speech, of June 11, which brought him to prominence, and fixed his status before the convention as an extemporaneous debater and orator. He exhibited an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of public affairs and great readiness and resources in disputation. A Democrat, and yet Republican in habits and principles, depending for the maintenance of his dignity upon the esteem of others, and not upon his own assumption, his manners at once conciliated the good will of the convention. When he was elected to this position he was a young man of thirty-two summers, the age of Lord Clive when he established the British power in India, and of Hannibal, when at Cannse, he dealt an almost annihilating blow at the Roman republic. He resigned his seat before the labors of the convention terminated, on account of a pressure of professional work demanding his exclusive time, when Elzy Wilson, of Ashland County, was chosen his successor.

He kept thoroughly enlightened upon all the issues and matters of political interest before the public, and was a Democrat in his political affiliations. He was one of the best cami^aign orators in the Democratic organization in Ohio, and in several State and national conflicts he entered the arena with the avowed Titans of his party. In open assault he could lash his political enemies with a whip of scorpions, or punish them over a prostrate hero, as Marc Antony did Brutus over the dead body of Csesar. He was once a candidate for Congress, and came within a few votes of obtaining the nomination, when Hon. H. H. Johnson was chosen and elected from this district.

As a patriot his allegiance to his country is immutably written upon the record. When the first gun flung its iron challenge at Fort Sumter, as a true American, Dr. Firestone felt the insult. He realized that war was upon us, and with Dr. Holmes believed that "war is the surgery of crime," and that the disease of the nation was not functional but organic, and demanded the knife and not opiates and lotions. It must not be that the most beneficent of all governments must fall by the basest of all conspiracies. Better, if it must, that all should be pushed into that ocean whose astonished waves first felt the Mayflower's kiss and keel. There was no middle ground then: the conditions were for or against the Union. To bo a neutralist was to have pointed against you " the stony finger of Dante's awful Muse." Dr. Firestone at once declared for the Union, in prompt, eloquent, and unmistaken tones.

On July 4, 1861, ten weeks after the red lights of war were kindled, he addressed his fellow citizens of Wooster and Wayne Counties, in a thrilling, patriotic and impassioned speech, from which we make a brief extract :

Shall the dawu of some future 4th of July flnil your watch-towers abandoned, your altars overthrown, your banners forsaken, your smiling land devastated by a storm of ruin, your peaceful hamlets resounding with the maiden's shriek, your fertile hills and sunny plains scathed by havoc and death, trodden by foreign hirelings, and desolated by internal strife? Look through the world and show me a clime so prouilly matured in the days of her 3'ouih. Shall the freedom won by the mightiest of nations ill the da}'s of her feebleness be lost in the hour of her might? Shall we permit the bright foliage and buds of promise to be stripped from the Tree of Liberty - its blooming beauty in the rich spring of unclouded gloty, and the banner of Washington desolated and trampled in the dust! Perish the thought forever!

That glorious banner that has waved in triumph amid the clash of arms and the din of battle, tliat has inspired the heart of heroes with deeds of noble daring, and been the antidote to danger at the head of charging squadrons, as they rushed with fearless tread to the field of death, must not be desecrated. That honored ensign, now the heirloom of the sons of freedom, consecrated through all coming time as a sacred memento of tlie dead, that has been baptized in blood, sanctified by the pure light of heaven, and wedded in undying memory with immortal names, illustrious deeds and ennobling recollections of all that true patriots deemed worthy of life or death, can never be desecrated by foreign foe, nor crushed beneath the heartless tread of a traitor's foot. Its sublime mission, its exalted destiny, is far higher and holier than this. The whirlwinds of war, of pestilence and devastation, may sweep the green earth, spreading destruction and death; proud monuments of grandeur may crumble into dust; but the glorious scintillations of living light and luster streaming from the starlit flag, like the countless lights in the constellation of heaven, are destined to shine on and on, illumining our hillsides and valleys, lighting the halls of genius and learning, penetrating the imperious sackcloth of bigotry.

Let us, the heirs of hallowed birthrights, again renew our pledges here this day, that we will be faithful in the discharge of the duties entrusted to us. Let us vow that, these stately columns of American liberlj', erected by our fathers, shall not be broken by the rash acts of their inconsiderate and ungrateful sons; but that they shall still tower in unparalleled grandeur, raising their heads upward, high above the loftiest summits of the world. Nor shall moss nor ivy outstrip the builder's hand, till a free, prosperous and patriotic people arise in their omnipotent might, and, amid the shoutings and acclamations of millions, lay the corner-stone of glory and renown.

In 1861 he was chosen Chairman of the Wayne Coiinty Military Committee, which was empowered to appoint auxiliaries in the various townships to solicit donations, in cash and articles of food and wearing apparel, for the soldiers. It was authorized, also, to urge and encotirage volunteering and report the names of those who desired to enlist in the military service. In this sphere of duty he was active and energetic, and beyond the fulfillment of these functions, he supplied apjjointments throughout the county and made the most intense and fervid war speeches. At the banquets and reunions of the old soldiers he was frequently present, and invariably extended encouragement to such occasions. His Decoration addresses were models of earnest, burnijag patriotic national devotion. Surely, if eloquence is lodged in the human soul, it should be aroused on that day, so prolific of gallant deeds and the memories of immortal heroes. The historian, Alison, relates that the statesmen of Athens, when they wished to arouse that tickle people to any great or heroic action, reminded them of the national glory of their ancestors and pointed to the Acropolis crowned with the montiments of their valor; and that the Swiss peasants, for live hundred years after the establishment of their independence, assembled on the fields of Morgarten and Laupen. and spread garlands over the graves of the fallen warriors, and prayed for the souls of those who had died for their country's freedom.

It is sorrow's day, and yet our mourning is mingled with some share of gladness in the reflection that those whom we luourn were the brave, honorable and manly, and fell with their armor on in the faithful discharge of their duty. Thej' sleep, but their deeds remain bright. They have fallen, but left a well-earned fame that will survive, unimpaired, the revolution of time. They commingle no more with companions they loved, enjoy no longer the pleasures and sweets of home, 3'et it is pleasing to know they left an undivided country, a Union preserved, a flag honored, and the constitution, as given b}' the fathers, respected. Among the fallen we recognize those who, as patriots, were fearless and devoted ; as gentlemen, polished and graceful ; as citizens, lilieral and generous ; as husbands, kind and affectionate ; as fathers, tender and instructive; as Christians, consistent and pious, and as men, honest and brave. Flowers will be strewn on the sod beneath which slumbers the soldier in gray as well as the soldier in blue. This is in accordance with the promptings of the human heart, and would seem to be Nature's plan. The light of the sun, treasures of the clouds, pearls of the star-lit night, evening's zephyr and the fragrance of the flowers are distribuied to all, and afford us lessons of wisdom, not alone on this occasion, but in every day life. As on Horeb, when the tempest, the flame and the earthquake had passed away, there came a still small voice

So here, this still small voice is pleading the cause of man. and that equal rights, under tlie law of love, sustained by the love of law, shall be the order throughout the federation of the world When these things shall have been accomplished in sjiirit and in truth, we may walk about our political Zion, and go around about her, tell the towers thereof, mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces.

and the key to her sacred haunts, but in the rush and hurry of life he did not often court her smiles or seek her bower or wait the natural flowering of her thought. His muse was ready and sat near the Pierian waters. But, perhaps, the silence of the lover when he clasps his maiden is better than the passionate murmur of the song which celebrates her charms. He had the temper which animates the imaginative student and man. His intellect was dextrous, and, while he occasionally wrote genuine poetry, he indulged in rhyme like an apt craftsman who in different directions seeks to test his skill. His poems sort of grew and builded themselves. One of his best poetic ranges is represented in his Decoration poem of 1 882, which was published and widely circulated by the press. It was contemplated at one time to make it the national song of the Grand Army of the Kepublic. It is here subjoined:

He possessed, in a high degree, all the requisites for a successful and popular platform lecturer, and in ISOO, the Boston Literary Bureau requested permission to make appointments for him for the ensuing season, which was declined. His intellectual equipments would have served him grandly in such a field. He was familiar with the best thoughts of the best thinkers and wi'iters. and believed that a book was the best anodyne for either suffering or solitude. There is always a pleasure in sympathetic propinquity to the utterances of a great aitthor. Reading his book is but opening his grave, pressing your ear to his coffin and whispering through his dust, to his finer spiritual hearing. We do not see him, yet, through embattlements of earth and sky and space we know and hear him. We must converse with the dead in the unsealed testament of their thoughts and live among the unreal. Gibbon asserted that he would not exchange his enjoyment of books for the riches of the Indies. Montesquieu affirmed there was no annoyance or vexation he could not fly fi'om in his library. Lessing said that, if the alternatives were offered him by the Creator, to acquire knowledge immediately by intuition, or in his usual way, by laborious study, he would choose the latter, for study is itself a felicity. His readings were extensive and varied. He stitdied Rembrandt to learn how to enjoy the struggles of light and darkness: Wagner to appreciate certain musical effects; Dickens to give a whirl to his sentimentality: Mark Twain to flavor his humor; Emerson to kindle new light within; Edwards to catch glances of the spiritual world, and Chalmers and Hotlge that he might touch the chain that led on to the hiding places of the soul. His public addresses, lectures and magazine publications if collected would make several volumes. At the dedication of Arcadome Hall, December 18, 1857 (destroyed by tire March 23, 1874), he responded to the toast: "Our orator - whether at driving out a fever with jalap, or a fit of the blues with a joke, tuning up a bass fiddle or a broken constitution, he is always equal to the emergency, and like a true flint (as his Dutch name indicates), strikes fire every time the steel touches him." In this hall, January 12, ISoS, he delivered one of his most scholarly and scientific lectures on the completion of the laying of the Atlantic cable, entitled " The Marriage of the Old and New World." The parties were living on the two sides of an ocean, and were married by extending their hands acro.ss it, and the telegraphic cable was the wedding tie. The lecture was thoroughly scientific, and its treatment of electricity, the method of its generation by friction and chemical action, and the machinery constructed to develop and intensif}' the subtle agency, the galvanic battery, and the researches of Le Sage in 1774, to the triumphs of Morse in 1844, was lucid, elaborate and instructive. Among all of his public platform performances none were more popular or evinced a profounder thought, or a keener analysis of propositions and subject matter, or gave him a wider reptitation, than his disquisition upon the Reciprocal Influence of Mind and Body. He had in contemplation and partially completed for publication, a work on Anatomy, Physiology and

He became a Free Mason, at Harrisvillo Lodge, Medina County, Ohio, in 1848, and was worshipful master of Ebenezer Lodge, "Woostor. for eleven years. He was grand scribe of the Grand Chapter in 18nO-6l, and high priest of Wooster Chapter for fifteen years, and held the office until his death. In 1862 he was grand king of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of Massillou Coinniandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, for a number of years. At the laying of the corner stone of Wooster City Court House, October 9, 187S, which was conducted with high ceremony by the Ancient order, he delivered the address. It was a masterly effort, opulent in its reproductions of the traditions and antiquities of the Ancient order, and, withal, diffused with the soundest patriotism and the keenest intelligence upon the legal science and the maxims of jurisprudence.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Independent Order of Red Men; of the Knights of Pythias, Rising Star Lodge, and holding its highest office, that of Chancellor of the State; of the Royal Arcanum, and was supervising medical examiner of Ohio for six years, and died maintaining that position. Dr. Joel Seaverns, medical examiner-in-chief, Roxbury Mass. , in a letter referring to his death, wrote :

The Dnclor w.as active, earnest and faithful in his duties as supervising e.vaminer, and thoroughly careful and scrupulous in seeing that instructions were complied with. His correspondence witli me had always been brief but to the point, and I had learned to regard his opinions as conservative and valuable. It will be hard. I think, for us to select a successor as well qualified and as faithful as he had been.

where he lived and which was his home until his death, which occurred from apojslexy November 9, 1888. He was above the medium height, weighing over 200 pounds, with full projecting brows and sharp penetrating eyes. The expression of his countenance, in rest, was grave, but its serious cast was often relieved by a peculiarly pleasant smile, indicative of the geniality of his disposition. His face was plainly illustrative of the buoyancy and vivacity of his mind. He did not think the best way to become old was to let the heart grow gray. To the writer he said a few months before he died: "Yes, I am approaching seventy; the light is on. I am over the hill -top and hurrying down the slope to the river. " As he passed en the thought of the poem he so much loved flashed upon me, and I quote its first stanza:

Not yet, my soul, these friendly fields desert. Where thou with grass, and rivers and the breeze, And the bright face of day, thy dalliance had; Where to thine ear lirst sang th' enraptured birds; Where love and thou that lasting bargain made. The ship rides trimmed, and fromth' eternal shore, Thou hearest airy voices; but not yet, Depart my soul, not yet awhile depart.

The consciousness seemed upon him then that there were but a few remaining bars of rest between the strains of his remaining life. On matters of religion and the ultimate existence, he gave the evidence of his utmost belief and faith in Christianity, a Savior, a Resurrection and a God of Redemption ; and this was emphatically confirmed for many years, by his visible union with the chtirch. Many of his reflections, reverently indulged, on matters pertaining to the soul, its iuiinite possibilities and eternal destiny, are remembered, and many were unexpressed, which neither takes from nor adds to the abysmal depth of the mystery which surrounds us all.

L. KIEFFER, ESQ., is the second child and eldest son of Adam Kief- - fer, and was born May 12, 1S29, in Greene Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. His infancy was one of marked peculiarity, there being, perhaps, no one born in the county under a more hopeless condition than he. At his birth his weight was not quite one and a half pounds, and he scarcely filled a quart measure. He was pronounced devoid of vitality, but, to satisfy her curiosity, an old lady in attendance pressed the point of a needle into his forehead, and he made a sudden jerk with his arms, which was the first sign of life made visible. It is said of Fohi, the founder of the Empire of China, that at the moment of his birth he stood erect and then walked across the room ; but not so with "Squire Kieffer; it took over two years before he was able to walk. When about six years old he began to grow rapidly, and when his sixteenth year was finished his height was six feet, two inches, in his stockings; his matured height is six feet, four and one half inches, and his average weight about 200 pounds. He is a man of extraordinary talent, from youth showing an ardent desire for mental imjjrovement; but, under strict parental restraint, the greater part of his minority passed away without education. Afterward he attended the academy at Canaan under Prof. Xotesteiu, select school in Seville under Prof. Foster, and college at Edinburgh under Prof. Hill. His design in life was to be a man of letters, but feeling unable to endure the constant bitter opposition of all his immediate relatives, among whom he wished to live in peace, he took up the art of building. After acquiring a thorough knowledge of architecture and civil engineering, he became a noted master of the profession, which he followed for about thirty years; and much is due him for the discovering, inventing and adding new and useful features to the art. D. L. Kieffer is the first one of the numerous descendants of his great-grandfathei", Michael Kieffer, who saw and appreciated the propriety of education. He felt that a kind Providence had given him his talents and bade him to improve them. Stimulated under these impulsions, in the fall of IS-tG he embarked for the " Canaan School."" He was the first one to engage (as it was then looked upon) in the degenerating enterprise. It was thought that sloth and corruption prompted him to resort to this perversion of principle. Suspicion marked liim as a rascal of the lowest grade. But, however, rectitude has won him, and he is a man of freedom from any moral obliquity. He believes in helping to bear the burdens of one another. This he cannot refuse, and with a heart overflowing with merciful kindness, he helped and endorsed, even for his bitterest enemies, until they reduced him to poverty, and now utterly despise him for being in want. For ten years, during the winter season, he followed school-teaching in Milton, Greene, Wayne and Canaan Townships, in Wayne County, Ohio. In the summer of 1854: he was married to Miss Kebecca Spangler, a native of Wayne Township, and a daughter of Peter Spangler, Sr. Her grandfather's name was Yost, that of her great-grandfather was Peter, and that of the father of her great-grandfather was Casper, the latter of whom came from Palatinate, upon the Rhine, and, with a crew of 109, sailed on the ship " William and Sarah," under captaincy of AVilliam Hill. They landed in Philadelphia Sep- 21, 1727, and on the same day attended a meeting of what was called " The Board of the Provincial Council," at the old court-house in Philadelphia, and took the oath of allegiance as a colony in the province of Pennsylvania, then subject to the crown of Great Britain, to the majesty of King George II and his successors, kings of Great Britain, etc.

D. L. Kieffer and wife are the parents of one child, George Lincoln Kieffer, a youth of much })romise and intelligence. In 1881 D. L. Kieffer was aj)- pointed family historian of the great Kiefl'er family, of which he kindly furnishes the following historical sketch:

We trace our ancestral lineation back to France - to the fifteenth century - to tbe commencement of the persecution of the religious reformers in ihat kingdom, who, because of their meeting for worship in the night time in subterraneous vaults near the gate of the city of Hugon, were, by way of contempt, called "Huguenots;" this being previous to tlie permanently estiiblisliing of surnames among mankind, the custom of which took rise in France about the twelfth century, but was not universally assumed until about 80;) years thereafter. About this time there existed a large relationship in the southern part of the Kingdom of France, known by the name of "Michael." These claimed descension from the illustrious Michael, surnamed Audronicus, whose glory shone in ancient Byzantium in the thirteenth century, and, on the assuming of surnames, one of these Michaels in France was surnamed Tonnellies (the French name of cooper), hence his name was Michael Tonnellies. He was the great-great-grandfather of my great-greaigrantlfather. and one of his sons was named De Wald Tonnellies. About the year 1063, at the time the darkness of persecution and massacre of the Huguenots hung over France in ils direst aspect, under the heinous scepter of Queen Catherine, this De Wald Tonnellies departed from France to tind peace and refuge in Germany. He was a native of Paris, and was of wealiliy and noble ancestry. But under the inspiration of the love, light and guidance of the Gospel, he chose abandonment of friends, ease, rank, nativity and heritage of estate, and became striker at the anvil for a blacksmith at Kettenheim. And now, under comp\ilsion of change of language, habits, society, occupation and circumstances all around, he deemed it eligible also to change his name from Frencli to (Jerman, namely: from De Wald Tonnellies to De WaUl

Kuefer (Tonnellies being the French name for the coopering trade, and Kuefer the German name for the same). He now saw that he must, as it were, commence life anew. Stimulated under these convictions, he unstrung ever}' nerve to rectitude, industry and economy, and in course of time he came to be master of the forge himself. Late in life he was married, and came to be the father of one son, whom he named Michael, in honor of his native ancestrj'. At the time of his arrival at Kettenheim, Germanj- was under the imperial power of the wise and humane Emperor Maximilian II, who is said to have been the most amiable prince that ever swayed the imperial .scepter. With most sanguine benignity he tolerated religious reformation, which seemed to have a benign influence upon the hearts of all of his people, and, with vehement salutations, they welcomed to their open arms those who fled from martyrdom in France.

After De Wald Kuefer, the great-grandfather of my greatgrandfather, who fled to escape the persecution in France. had enjoyed true peace in Germany for about fiftj'-five years, "papal wrath" here, too, .spewed vengeance, and now baptized with tears and blood the peaceful plains of Lutzeu. Now the religious war commenced in Germany, and raged for thirty years, commencing in 1G18. and ending in 16-18. When this war commenced the Kuefer family, which is now so large, was in its mere infanc3', consisting of but our revered great-grandsire, De Wald, and bis only child, son Michael, the wife and mother being dead. Michael, like his father, too, came to be a blacksmith; was. too, advanced in years when married, but came to be the father of three sons - Jacob. Slichael and De Wald. And these three sons and brothers were the first ones of our name to cross the ocean for America. The}' came over with Francis Daniel Pastori(jus. a native of Sommerhousen, in Franconia, who brought over a small colonj' chieflj- from Cleves. in Westphalia. June 8. 1683, they took passage on board the ship "The America," and sailed from Rotterdam, under Capt. Joseph Wasey. landing on the soil of the New World, at Philadelphia, August 20th of the same year. Philadelphia having Just been laid out previous to their arrival here, and the rude aspect of the new country, in contrast with their native home, presenting to them most lonel}' and fearful forebodings, the three Kuefer brothers were induced to return to Europe. Jacob. the eldest of these three brothers, had five sons - Michael, Valuntine. Leouhardt, Friederich and

Jacob. In 1689 he and his two eldest sons went up to Denmark. In 1699 these two brothers. Michael and Valuntine. through the conflict between Lord Nelson and the confederacy of what was called "The Northern Powers against the Naval superiority of Great Britain." crossed the ocean and came to settle in the province of Canada. In 1732 the other three brothers - Leonhardt. Friederich and Jacob - came to America on the ship "Samuel," under Capt. Piercy. sailing from Rotterdam August 11. 1732, and landing at Pliiladelphia October 10; after a stay of about two months, they returned to Germany. Michael, the second of these three brothers, had two sons, and these, after arriving at manhood, went back to France to enjoy the life of the fatherland and of their ancestr}'. Here their name of Kuefer became changed to Kevere. De Wald. the youngest of these three brothers, was the grandfather of my grandfather; he had four sons - Abraham. Casper, Martin and Michael. Of these four brothers, about sixty-five years after their father and two uncles had visited America, and while the great war between Great Britain. Germany. France, Spain. Austria. Sardinia and Holland was raging in its highest heat, the two eldest, namely: Abraham and Casper, came to America. They took passage on board the ship "Two Brothers." under Capt. Arnatt, sailing from Rotterdam July 20, 1748. and landing in port Philadelphia September 15 of the same year. About this time the spelling of our name became changed from Kuefer to Kicffer. so as to pronounce the same in English as in German. The third of the four brothers, Martin, never crossed the ocean. But Michael, the j'oungest of the four, was my great-grandfather. He was born May 8, 1724. near Kettenheim, in Europe; May 10. 17o0. he was married to JIargaret Miller, of the same place, born December 11, 1729. They were the parents of eleven children, born and named as follows; Anna Elizabeth, February 21, 1752; Anna Odilia, December 12, 1753; Anna Barbara, October 16, 1755; Anna Eva, May 5, 1757; John Jacob, October 15, 1759; Anna Elizabeth, July 26. 17G1; John Michael, November 4, 1763; John Adam, August 7, 1765; Anna Margaret, August 23. 1767; John Valuntine. May 1, 1769; J. Valuntine, the second, born November 26, 1772. Anna Elizabeth, the first born, and the first-named John Valuntine, died in infancy, and are buried at Zweibriicken, in Europe. In the year 1773. about the time of the threatening crisis which, from the great revolution in Sweden, the dismemberment of Poland by Russia, Prussia and Austria, filled every heart with constenialion throughout the German Empire, Michael Kieffer, our great-grandfather, with his wife and nine remaining cliildren, started from Zweibriicken for America, sailing on sliip " Britannia," under Capt. Peters, April lo, 1T73. AVhile on their voyage his wife took sick, and on the 10th of May she died, and was buried amidst the waves of the Atlantic. After a voyage of over ninety days of " troubled farings on the sea," he, with his nine children, landed in the port of Baltimore. On his arrival here, Anna Odilia, his eldest daughter, suddenly sickened and died, and was buried at that place. His family was now completely scattered: two of the children lay in the earth of Zweibriicken, his wife was buried at sea. and the oldest daughter in Baltimore. He now took the remainder of his family and went to Bedford Count}', Penn., where he remained eight years. He then crossed the Alleghany Mountains, and settled in Somerset County, same State. Here, March 26, 1805, he died, in the eight3--first year of his age, and was buried in Brother Valley Township, Somerset Co.. Penn. His eldest son, Jacob, our grandfather, was born October 15, 1759, and was fourteen years of age when he came from Europe. September 2, 1787. he was married to Eva Margaret Fritz, a native of Lancaster County. Penn., born September 37, 1769. To them were born nine children: Michael. Margaret, Elizabeth, Adam, Mary, .Jacob, Susanna, Joseph and Eva, all born in Somerset County, Penn.

In the spring of 1814 he, with his family, immigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 35, Milton Township. This was the second family in the township. Their hardships and privations were manj-. The Indian, the bear, stag. wolf, porcupine and the rattlesnake were their daily visitors. After enduring the trials and privations consequent to pioneer life, after battling with the forest for about thirteen years, when the wilderness just began to put forth the first buds of hope and promise, he was summoned to his death-bed, and on February 23, 1828, he died, in the si.xty ninth year of his age. and was buried in the family graveyard on his place. His widow died September 29, 1843, and was buried by the side of her husband. Michael, their eldest son, was born August 7, 1788, and was married to Elizabeth Giedig, of his native place; in 1820 she died, and was buried in the graveyard of his father; in 1823 he married Barbara Hoffman, a native of

Elsas. in Europe; in 1836 he died in Milton Township, on the farm whereon he settled in 1815. in the forty-ninth year of his age, and was buried by the side of his first wife. Margaret, the eldest daughter, wiis born Septeml)er 22, 1789. and was married to Benjamin Sanford, a native of the State of Vermont: she died November 5, 1839, in Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, in the fiftieth year of her age, and was buried in the center of Copley. Elizabeth, the second daughter, was born June 12. 1793, and was married to Peter Flickinger, a native of Hagerstown, Md. ; she died August 23, 1843, in Greene Township, on the farm whereon she and her husband had settled in 1815. and was buried in the family graveyard of her father. Adam, the second son, was born October 23, 1795, married Maria Lasure, a native of Lancaster Count}', Penn. ; he died in Greene Township, November 20, 1853, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, on the farm where he and his wife settled in 1830, and was buried in the graveyard at Smithville. Mary, the third daughter, was born September 10, 1798, and married James Medsger; she died in the forty-first year of her age, in Milton Township, September 14, 1839, on the farm whereon she and her husband settled soon after thej' were married; she is buried in the old family graveyard. Jacob, the third son, was born February 21, 1802, married Rachel Kemmerer; his wife died February 5, 1843, and was buried in the old family graveyard; in 1806 he died, in the sixty-fourth }'ear of his aire, on the farm where he and his wife had settled soon after they were married, and was buried in Milton Township. Susanna, the fourth daughter, was born April 29, 1804, married John Young; she died in the seventy-first year of her age, in 1875, in Milton Township, on the farm whereon she and her husband had settled in 1825. Joseph, the youngest son, was born January 5, 1807, and married Mary Blacher: he died in Milton Township in 1800, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, on the farm where he had settled with his parents in 1S14. Eva, the youngest child, was horn August 11. 1809: in 1830 she married Jacob Billman; in 1844 she died on the farm where she and her hu.sband had settled in 1830, and was buried in the graveyard of St. Paul's Church, in Wayne Township. This may truly bo said to have been a generation which had to encounter many trials and hardships. Thej' settled in Milton Townshi]) before tliere were any roads established in or near the township. Coming here, they had to make the road as fast as they went from Canton, in Stark County, to where they located in Milton Township, Wayne County. Rather remarkable, as. in course of time, one after another conimenced for himself, they settled on farms of their own, whereon they remained until they died^ not one of them moving once until taken to the grave. The faith of their religion was the creed of Luther. Mine were the parents of ten children, viz.: Elizabeth, Daniel L., Jacob J., Quincy A., Jesse S.. Mary M., Joseph J., Catherine E., Josiah M. and Isaiah N., all born and reared on the farm, and all principally following the calling of the farmer, except the last named, who follows the ministry.

tr^INCLAIR JOHNSON, a son of James and Mary Johnson, was born February 23, 1824, on the farm now owned by him in Salt Creek Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. His grandfather, Thomas Johnson, jjrevious to the War of 1812, moved from near Baltimore, Md., to Fayette County, Penu., where he remained several years, and then came to Wayne County, arriving April 9, 1816; he died in a fit of apoplexy on the road southwest of Dalton, this county. He was the father of five children, three sons and two daughters, all now deceased.

James Johnson, father of tlie subject of this sketch, and also a native of Maryland, removed from there to Fayette County, Penn., where he married Mary, daughter of John White, of Unioutown, same State. Here they located for a brief time, and then came to Salt Creek Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, where they settled on the farm now owned by Sinclair Johnson. James Johnson died October 26, 1870, and his widow in 1885. Their children were William W., Isaac S., Ruth and Sinclair. Of these, William W. married, and located in Salt Creek Township, AVayne County (he died at his late residence, near Wooster) ; Isaac S. married, and located in Salt Creek Township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and died; Euth married ! W. C. Grant, of Stark County, Ohio.

Sinclair Jobnsou, the subject of this memoir, when a child of eight months was stricken with fever, remaining ill for a period of three days, when he apparent- ]y fully recovered, his mother leaving him at play upon the floor while she engaged in spinning. His screams called her attention, when she discovered that the child could not draw his limbs after him, and found that he had lost the use of his lower limbs. He, however, retained his mental and physical vigor, and persevered in securing an education, receiving an elementary training in the schools of the county. In 1851 he graduated from Jefferson College, and became a professional and eminently successful teacher, having taught at Fredericksburgh, Middletown, Shelby, Apple Creek, and in other schools of the county.

viz.: Mary E. (uow Mrs. Amos B. Deir, of Frankliu Township), James A., Isaac A. aud Sarah I. Cuinnugham. of Valparaiso, Iml. Ill 1880 Mr. Johusoii was again visited with an afHictioii, a stroke of palsy, which necessitated the relinquishment of active business life. Mr. Johnson is a Prohibitionist, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, aud he has been a ruling elder a number of years in his church at Apple Creek, Ohio. In his afflictitni he feels that " He who noteth even the fall of a sparrow must have some purpose in the fate of one like him." Mr. Johnson has been reasonably successful fiuHucially, and is much esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.

GURTIS Y. HARD, a well-known aud highly respected citizen of Wooster City, and a man whose success in life has been of his own making, was born in Wooster, Ohio, August 3, ISiS. His father, M. K. Hard, was a native of Medina County, Ohio, to which county the grandparents of Curtis V. had come from Vermont, in 181U. The ancestral lines on both the father's aud mother's side extend far back in America - on the father's side several members of the family bearing arms in the Revolutionary War, being with Ethan Allen at the storming and capture of Ticonderoga. Originally the family stock was English, and came to America about the middle of the seventeenth century.

M. K. Hard, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in his native county, and directed for a time his attention to the study and practice of medicine, but later devoted himself to the ministry, in which vocation he spent some twenty-five or thirty years of his life. He chose as life's partner Miss Miranda Booth, of Medina County, who bore him six children, all of whom save one still survive, three of them iu Wayne County. Owiug to the nature of his calling, the home of the Rev. Hard was not permanently fixed until 1870, when he aud his aged wife came to Wooster to spend their declining years, and here they still reside.

C. V. Hard received the advantages of the common schools of his native town, and later, for a time, attended Berea College, near Cleveland, Ohio, then returned to Wooster, where his life has since been spent. In 18(34, being yet but a boy, he enlisted iu the One Hundred and Thirtyfifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer lufanti-y, and proceeded at once to the South, and formed part of Sheridan's army iu the Shenandoah Valley. The following j-ear he received an honorable discharge, and returned to his home, where he is now

In 1866 he became identified as bookkeeper with the banking house of Bouewitz, Emrich & Co., and at its reorganization into the National Bank of Wooster was promoted to the important position of cashier, which encumbency he is still most satisfactorily filling. He is a man of sterling business qualifications, possessing few enemies and many friends. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Miss Addie Jackson, a teacher in the Wooster puVilic school, and the daughter of Cyrus Jackson, of Wayne County. Of this union four children have been born.

In political life Mr. Hard is a stanch Republican, having always the interests of his party at heart, working earnestly for his friends, yet never seeking his own political preferment. He is a member of the Masonic order and the G. A. K.

Y^>VID LEHMAN, one of the prom- I Jl inent farmers of Wayne Township - -" and who at the time of his death was one of the oldest citizens of Wayne County, was a sou of Henry Lehman, and was born in Berks County, Penn., September 18, 1802. Henry Lehman was married to Margaret Oberlin, by whom he had six children - three sons and three daughters - David being the second child and eldest son. In 1823 the family left Berks County and settled in Wayne Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, where Henry Lehman paid .$1,200 for 160 acres of land, which he bought of Dennis Driscoll, and later David Lehman purchased from his father previous to the latter's death, thus becoming owner of the tract of land above referred to. David Lehman followed farming all his life.

In 1829 he was married to Susan, daughter of Jacob and Christiana Kintner, and eleven childi-en have been born to this union, as follows: Sarah (Mrs. Elias Snyder), born in 1829; Jacob, born in 1831 ; Christiana (Mrs. Daniel Keifer), born in 1833; Elizabeth (Mrs. Victor I Gallagher), born in 1835; David, born in I 1837; Henry, born in 1839; Harriet, born in 1842; Daniel, born in 1844; Mary, born in 1846; Simon, born in 1849, and Sophia, born in 1851. and died in 1855. Mr. Lehman had always been a ' hardworking man, as the result of which, coupled with his good management, he had been enabled to retire from active labor, and was living in the village of Madisonburgh, enjoying the fruits of his former efforts, until death called him to his final rest, August 10, 1889. In all the relations of life he had the esteem and respect of his neighbors and acquaintances. In politics he was a Democrat.

Aged 86 Yrs

FiRANK SHILLING, sou of John Sliilling, a native of Pennsylvania, -" and one of the early pioneers of Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, was born January 12, 1852. He lived with his father and worked on the farm until he became of age, receiving a fair common-school education. January 16, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Mar}', daughter of William Kiser, and they are the parents of two children, William K. and Nellie L. William Kiser was born in Westmoreland County, Penu., July 18, ISUi, and came to Wayne County, Ohio, with his father-, John Kiser (a native of Maryland), by wagon, in 1822, locating on a farm near Killbuck, in the eastern part of Congress Township. He worked bard and industriously to help support his parents, and in course of time, by economy and judicious management, he was enabled to purchase the old home place, where he lived for many years and where he died.

One Nicholas Prine entered the land which is now the home of Mr. Shilling, and many years ago offered to sell it to Mr. Kiser for $110, payable in sums not less than §10 at a time; but of even this liberal offer Mr. Kiser was then unable to avail himself. Leaving home, however, at tlie time of the construction of the Pittsburgh Canal, in company with one Michael Totten, he and his friend went to work at the then considered good wages of $8 per month; and after several years hard labor he managed to save enough money to buy himself a home. In 182tJ he purchased of Mr. Prine, for $320, the property spoken of above, which was then all in the woods, and he immediately commenced to cut down the timber and clear himself a farm. By hard work, thrift and good management Mr. Kiser amassed a fortune, being at the time of his deatii, March Ki, 188b, owner of 422 acres of line farm land.

Mr. Shilling, the subject proper of this biographical memoir, is much respected, and is recognized as one of the careful, prudent, industrious and progressive farmers of Wayne County.

ILLIAM SHIBLEY, Wooster, was born in Germany in 1842, and is a son of Gottlieb Schible, as he spelled his name. The latter, with his wife and children, immigrated to America in 1854, locating first in Cincinnati, Ohio, and going thence, in 1860, to Missouri, where both of the parents died. Their family consisted of ten cliildreu, all born in Germany.

to this country. For four years after his arrival he worked at various employments in Cincinnati, and in 1858 came to Wooster to learn the ti-ade of a jeweler with his brother Lewis. He served until 1861, and on the outbreak of the Eebellion enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, serving his adopted country for over three years, being in service the entire time, except three weeks he was iu a hospital near Vicksburg, Miss. He was in all of the engagements in which his regiment participated, but was never wounded. He was all through the siege of Vicksburg, his brigade being the first to make the assault at Chickasaw Bayou. October 31, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, and returned to Wooster, where he worked for his brother until 1876. In April of that year he began business for himself in a watch, clock and jewelry store, which he still carries on.

In October, 1869, Mr. Shibley was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Young, a daughter of "Wendell and Rosa (Hahn) Young, and a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Shibley are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wooster. He belongs to Given Post, No. 183, G. A. R., of Wooster, and both he and his estimable wife are widely and favorably known throughout Wayne County as people of integrity, whose good name has never been tarnished. Starting in life poor, the success which Mr. Shiblej' has attained is very flattering to him. It is due to his earnest and industrious character, and to his correct habits, and in a lai-ge measure to the help of a wife who has in all things been a helpmate to him.

EWIS SNYDER is one of the wellknown citizens of Wayne Coiinty, within who.se borders he has passed more than half a century. He was boru in Union County, Penn., May 19, 182-4. His father, Jacob Snyder, was also a native of that State, born in Berks County, near Reading; he was by occupation a farmer, and, on reacliing manhood, was united in marriage with Susannah Hock, who likewise was born in the Keystone State, and who became the mother of Lewis Snyder. In the fall of 1836 this couple came to Wayne County with their family, for whom they wished to make a home iu this then new country. Their settlement was on a farm in Franklin Township, upon which the remainder of their lives was passed. The father was called to his eternal rest August 7, 1860, at the age of sixty-nine years, after a residence here of twenty years, and the mother in 1880, at the age of eightyseven years. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, and both

Imd in this county, as well as in their old home, acquired the confidence and respect of the people among whom their lot was cast. The father had been, in his younger daj's, married previous to the union with the mother of our subject, and b_y that marriage had become the parent of two children. Of his later iiniou there were twelve children, eight of whom - four sons and four daughters - grew to maturity. Jacob Snyder was, in his earlier years, an active member of the Whig party, and voted and worked for the grandfather of our present President, Gen. William H. Harrison.

Lewis Snyder, subject of this biographical sketch, was twelve years old when his parents came to Wayne County, and has ever since been a resident here. He stayed on the home farm, assisting his father in the toil of developing it from the wilderness, until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he took the first step toward making a home for himself by becoming united in marriage with Miss Sarah Morr, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Philip and Sarah Morr, pioneers of Wayne County. Her father died when she was a little gii'l, but her mother survived many years, dying on their farm in Franklin Township, at the age of seventy-six years. As pioneers, and as good and useful citizens, who had led honorable and upright lives, they were highly respected, and will be long remembered. Philip Morr, grandfather of Mrs. Suyder, was

1 life on a farm which he had purchased in Franklin Township, and there they I'emained for twenty-six years, working assiduously to clear up and thoroughly develop their land, in which object they succeeded, and thus laid uj) a competence for their old age. This was not accomplished without much hard work, supplemented by frugal habits, but in their declining years they can now take a rest from their toil, and look back with satisfaction upon a life well spent. In 1876 they retired from active labor and removed to the city of Wooster, where they have since resided, in their pleasant home on Vine Street, surrounded by every material comfort. Four children came to bless their home, three of whom are yet living, comfortably settled in homes of their own. The eldest, Ann Maria, is the wife of Andrew C. Miller, of Franklin Township; Sylvester G. married Miss Jane Eeed, of Franklin Township, and also lives in that township, ork his father's farm, and Lavinia Elizabeth, with her husband, William Levers, resiiles in Wooster. The one that died was au unnamed infant.

lie affairs, in which he keeps well posted, but always avoided holding office. He has, since its formation, been a supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Ch arch of Wooster, which counts them among its active workers. Mr. Snyder is a self-made man, as he had no assistance in making his start in life. The financial success he has achieved is due to the inherent qualities of the man, aided by his faithful wife, who has for forty years been a wise counselor and a capable helpmate. In addition to other property they still own 160 acres in Franklin Township, where thej- lived so long and where they laid the foundation of their prosperity. They will long be remembered as among the best class of Wayne County's honored pioneers.

- IILLIAM BLACKWOOD, retired farmer and stock-dealer, Orrville, Ohio, is a native of Perry County, Peiiu., and is a son of Joseph and Hester Blackwood, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Lancaster County, Penn. They were married in Perry County, Penn., and lived there until 1817, when they immigrated to the then western State of Ohio, locating first in Miami County, but a few years after buying a farm in

Shelby Count)', where they spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph Blackwood was an industrious man, was welleducated for those times, and for many years was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which all the family were members. He was born March IT, 177U, and died December 28, 1851, aged seventy-two years and nine months. His wife was born in February, 1781, and died September 22, 1865, aged eighty-one yeais and nine mouths. They were married June 25, 1805, and were the parents of eight children, of whom William is the eldest; next came Polly Ann, born October 18, 1808, who died in Pennsylvania; John, born May 25, 1810, immigrated to Iowa, and died there ; Mary, born October 25, 1813, is the wife of David Dey, and lives in Iowa; Margaret, born February 11, 1816, is the wife of Thomas Skillen, and lives in Shelby County, Ohio ; Robert, bornMay26, 1819, was killed October 31, 1871, by a runaway team : Eliza Ann, born April 2, 1822, is the wife of Henry Young, and lives in Quincy, Mich. ; Sarah Jane, born December 8, 1826, became the wife of John Lawrence, and died in Shelby County, Ohio, September 20, 1854.

William Blackwood was born near Landisburgh, Penn., April 29, 1806, and was eleven years old when his parents came to Ohio. He worked at home until he was twenty-two years old. when he went back to PeDUsylvania, stopping in Cumberland County the first year, and then going to work on the canal, subsequently teaming between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and again on the canal, and at various kinds of work. In the fall of 1831 he returned to Ohio, visiting a few weeks with his future wife's people, who had a short time before emigrated from Cumberland County, Penn. On February 16, 1882, he was mai-ried at Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, to Miss Hannah, daughter of David and Elizabeth Gaixluer. She was born in Cumberland County, Penn., June 5, 1812, and died in Orrville, September 23, 1882. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: Elizabeth, born February 3, 1833, wife of Samuel Taggart, Joseph, born August 28, 1835, Mary, born October 8, 1837, all living in Orrville; Sarah, born December 13, 1839, is the wife of James Brown, of Akron, Ohio; John, of whom further mention is made below; William, born October 21, 1844, lives on his father's farm in East Union Township, Wayne County; and David G., born October 30, 1850, is a resident of Orrville. After his marriage Mr. Blackwood worked around for three years, when he leased a farm near the site of the village of Orrville, on which he lived for five years, then going to Sugar Creek Township for two years ; thence to Stark County, Ohio, for three years, and tlien to the farm of 22(; acres which he yet owns in East Union Township. There he lived until 1872, when he removed to his present home in Orrville, which he built. For twelve years while on the farm he followed threshing, also dealing in stock, continuing the latter business several years after his removal to Orrville. He was of too active a temperament to be contented on the farm, and traveled extensively in pursuit of his business, visiting many parts of the country and the principal cities. He is a self-made man, active and industrious, well thought of by his neighbors, and well known among the older residents of the county. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a stalwart Democrat, as are all of his sons.

John Blackwood, the second son of AVilliam, was born in Stark County June 5, 1842. He was brought up on the farm in this county, living there until his marriage, which took place May 25, 18H-"). His wife's maiden name was Eliza Kliuir, a daughter of David and Matilda Kling, residents of Greene Township, where her father died January 21, 1876, aged sixtyfive years and twelve days. Her mother is still living in that township, within a mile of where she was born and reared, and is now (1888) in her seventy-fifth year. Her parents were among the earliest pioneers of that part of the State, as were also the Klings. Mrs. Blackwood was born April G, 1844:. John Blackwood continued on his father's farm until two years after his marriage, when he I'emoved to Orrville, and carried on the Mansion House Hotel for two years, then engaged in the livery business, which he carried on until 1884, when lie sold business, building and stock, and has since been dealing in horses. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood have two sons, named Guy D. (born January 6, 1867) and Eugene Leslie (born June 2, 1870). The former is express messenger on the Wheeling & Lake Erie Kailroad, and the latter is a pupil in the high-school at Orrville. While a strong Democrat in jjolitical opinion, Mr. Blackwood has never sought political office. He is an active, stirring man, and stands well in the community.

JEEEMIAH E. NAFTZGER is one of Wayne County's best known citizens, and is proprietor of the Empire Flour and Feed Mill, at Wooster, the first mill ever built in Wayne County, having now been in existence for more than sixty years, and being widely known all over that section of the country. He was born in Congress Township, Wayne County, April 8, 1826, a son of John and Elizabeth (Rider) Naftzger, the former a native of Lebanon County and the latter of Fayette County, Penn. The father was a miller and also a farmer, and in 1816 he and his wife migrated to Wayne County, where he resumed those occupations. When he first came to Ohio John Naftzger first stopped in Conotton, where he built a mill. He afterward built two mills on Killbuck Creek, which became noted in the early history of the county, and supplied the material for the "staff of life" to thousands of the early pioneers. About the year 1829 the mother of our subject passed away, and the father later was married to Catherine Haag, a native of Germany, who a few years afterward joined the majority, and he chose a third partner, who still survives. His first wife became the mother of eight children, and the second of two. Of his third marriage there was no issue; of the first wife's children two are now living. Jeremiah R. and a daughter, Mrs. Eliza Hower, of Chautauqua, N. Y. ; her husband was at one time a merchant of Cleveland, Ohio. The two children of the second wife are also living, one in Dakota and one in Indiana. In August, 1866, the sturdy old jjioneer was called home, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years. His life had been one of struggle and hardship, but his steadfast perseverance in the course he had marked out for himself enabled him to overcome all obstacles, and make his life a success in the broadest sense of the word. He bequeathed to his children not only a good estate, but also the priceless heritage of a good name. He was in his younger days a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks and thereafter fought under its banner. He was one of the original founders of the United Brethren Church in Wayne County, and was for years its principal sustaiuer and supporter. His mill served as a place of worship for the protracted meetings, and his house was a harbor of refuge for the ministers who visited this then new region. As indicated by the name, the Naftzger family is of German descent, but their ancestors settled in America at an early day, and one of their descendants was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.