JOSEPH O. ALLEN, M. D., long numbered among the representative physicians and business men of Fulton county, has maintained his home in Fayette for more than half a century and is one of the most honored citizens of the town. He was born in Clarkson, Monroe County, N.Y., September 20, 1830, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Terry) Allen, both of whom were born in Connecticut. Dr. Allen passed his boyhood days in his native town, where he was afforded the advantages of the Clarkson Academy, later attending a seminary at Lima, N. Y., after which he took up the study of medicine under private preceptorship, in Clarkson, and finally entered the medical department of the Buffalo University, being graduated in February, 1851, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the same year he came to Fulton County and located in what is now the town of Fayette, though at that time there was no vestige of a town on the site. Here, under the disadvantages which attended the lot of the average pioneer physician, he labored with all of zeal and self-abnegation, ministering to those in affliction and devoting his entire attention to his professional work for fifteen years, in the meanwhile erecting the mill which he still owns and operates, the same being equipped for the manufacture of both flour and lumber. In the conducting of this enterprise the Doctor was associated with Renselaer S. Humphrey until the time of the latter's death.  He continued in active practice of his profession until 1870, when he was employed as a representative by the Chicago and Canadian Southern Railroad Company to secure the right of way for their proposed line between this section and the city of Chicago. He devoted two years to this important work, and then took charge of the timber interests of the same road. When the company went into liquidation he resumed his active connection with his milling business and also with the practice of his profession.  He is now practically retired, but gives his general supervision to his two fine farms and to his milling and other interests, and he has the affectionate regard of the people of this community, where he has labored so long and faithfully as a true friend of humanity.  In politics Dr. Allen is a stanch adherent of the Democratic Party. He has held various local offices, including those of township trustee and treasurer, and he has also been the candidate of his party for sheriff and for representative in the State Legislature. He has twice served as Postmaster of Fayette, OH.  He is a member of various medical societies and is identified with the Masonic fraternity. In 1856, in Columbiana County, Dr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. McLean, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Rosa, who is deceased; Lillie, who is

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the wife of Edward Crittenden, of Fayette; Donald A., who is a successful dentist in Toledo; Viola, who is deceased; and Earl, deceased, who was a drug sales man, residing in Grand Rapids, Mich.

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WILLIAM BURR ALLEN, proprietor of a livery and sales-stable at Swanton, was born in Lucas county, one and one-half miles east of his present home, on October 27, 1858.  He is the son of Frederick and Amanda (Herrick) Allen, both natives of Ohio. Frederick Allen was born in Norwalk and from there removed to Lucas County.  He was a carpenter and joiner by occupation and lost his life on August Is, 1869, by falling from the scaffold of a building in process of erection at Toledo. His widow is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Atkinson of Canton, 0£  Here follows the names of the seven children born to this couple:  James L., a locomotive engineer of Toledo, 0.; Emma, the wife of Lewis Chambard, a resident of Rathdrum, Idaho; William Burr; Catherine, who married in Silver King, Idaho; Viola, the wife of Jacob Gehring, station agent at Swanton of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway; Minnie, now Mrs. Atkinson, and one child that died in infancy.  William Burr Allen grew to manhood at the homestead, receiving a public school education. He learned the occupation of locomotive engineering and in that capacity was employed by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company for more than eleven years, his residence being at Toledo, where he lived for eighteen years.  After his marriage he located on a farm in Fulton Township and followed farming for six years.  On September 13, 1893, he removed to. Swanton and embarked in the livery business and in that of buying and selling horses, in which enterprise he is still engaged.  His stable, well stocked with the best of horses and up-to-date vehicles, has proved a paying venture. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modem Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican.  On May 15, 1883, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mable Witt, a native of Fulton County and the daughter of Horatio and Alvira Witt.  No children were born to this marriage. His first wife having died on the 22nd day of December 1891, on May 13, 1894, he was wedded to Miss Mary Duncan of Fulton County.  This union has been blessed by two children, named Frederick Seymour and Herrick.

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CHARLES ARNSBARGER, one of the progressive young farmers and business men of Fulton county, residing in the village of Brailey, is incumbent of the office of trustee of Swan Creek township, and is a member of one of the old and well known families of this favored section of the Buckeye state, four generations of the same being at the present time resident in the village of Brailey.  He is a son of Orlando Arnsbarger, of whom individual mention is made in the succeeding memoir, so that further reference to the family history is not demanded in the present connection.  Charles Arnsbarger was born on a farm in Chesterfield Township, this county, on

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the 10th of October, 1872, and when he was still a small child his parents removed to Dover township, where he was reared to maturity on the homestead farm, and his educational discipline was secured in the excellent public schools of North Dover.  On the 12th of May, 1897, he located on the farm which he now owns, in Swan Creek Township, adjacent to the village of Brailey.  The farm is under effective cultivation, is equipped with excellent buildings and is otherwise well improved.  The village of Brailey was platted about 1901, and ever since it began to assume aught of pretentiousness as a trade center Mr. Arnsbarger has here been engaged in the sale of farming implements and machinery, pumps, etc., and he also operates a well-drilling outfit, in the meanwhile continuing to give his supervision to his farm.  He has been enterprising and has manifested much discrimination in his business affairs, and he is the owner of the Charles Arnsbarger addition td the village of Brailey, having platted the same into a considerable number of most desirable building lots which have met with an appreciative demand.  In his political allegiance Mr. Arnsbarger is a consistent and uncompromising Republican, taking a loyal interest in the public affairs of the nation and especially in local matters.  In November, 1904, he was elected trustee of Swan Creek Township, with jurisdiction over the northeast portion of the township, in matters pertaining to general improvements, construction of bridges, care of the indigent, etc.  He is a member of Swanton Lodge, No.590, Knights of Pythias.  Mrs. Arnsbarger is a zealous and valued member of the United Brethren church, taking an active part in the various departments of the church work and being held in high regard in the social circles of the community.  December 24, 1896, Mr. Arnsbarger was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Free, who was born in York Township, this county, being a daughter of John and Adeline (Andrews) Free, now residents of Wauseon.  Mr. and Mrs. Arnsbarger have three sons, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows: Perry, March i6, i898; Coy, September 24, 1900, and Howard, January 3, 1903.

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ORLANDO ARNSBARGER, one of the substantial farmers and honored citizens of Swan Creek township, owning a well improved farm a short distance east of the village of Brailey, is a native of the adjoining State of Michigan, having been born in Adrian, Lenawee county, on the 27th of June, 1851, and being a son of Daniel and Abigail (Barber) Arnsbarger, the former of whom was born in Cumberland county, Pa., September 2, 1826, and the latter was horn in the State of New York, in 1831, their marriage being solemnized in Williams county, Ohio, where their respective families located in the early pioneer days.  The parents of Daniel Arnsbarger located in that county in 1840, and there he was reared to maturity, continuing his residence there for a number of years thereafter and for a time residing in Lenawee county, Mich., but after the Civil war he took up his abode on a farm which he purchased in Dover township, Fulton county, where he and his wife
 
 

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remained until 1897, when they took up their residence in the village of Brailey, where they now make their home, venerable in years and held in unqualified regard by all who know them.  Mr. Arnsbarger is a stanch Democrat in politics and both he and his wife are members of the Christian or Disciples' church.  It is interesting to record that in the village of Brailey four generations of the family are now found represented.  Orlando Arnsbarger was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, in Williams and Fulton counties, and is indebted to the common schools for his early educational advantages, which were somewhat limited.  He became one of the representative farmers and citizens of Dover township and continued to give his active supervision to the operation of his fine farm until 1901, when he took up his residence in Brailey, purchasing forty acres of land contiguous to the village, having platted a portion of the tract into village lots, which he has placed on the market as Arnsbarger's addition to the village of Brailey, and he is also devoting special attention to the handling of wood for fuel purposes, cutting and preparing the timber to a large extent from the land in his own possession.  In politics Mr. Arnsbarger has ever given his allegiance to the Democracy, and while a resident of Dover township he served several years as school director.  Mrs. Arnsbarger became a member of the Disciples' church when fifteen years of age, but in later years has been identified with the United Brethren.  In 1871 Mr. Arnsbarger was united in marriage to Miss Mina Cameron, daughter of John D. and Margaret (Lee) Cameron, both of whom were born in Holmes county, Ohio.  Mrs. Cameron died on the 20th of June, 1S98, and her husband is now living in Ossian, Indiana Mr. and Mrs. Arnsbarger have four children, namely:  Charles, Franklin, Della and Lucelia.  Charles is individually mentioned elsewhere in this publication; Della is the wife of Lewis C. Winzeler, a farmer near Brailey and Lucelia is the wife of Ernst L. Kirkman, who is a resident of the village of Brailey.

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FRED F. BANISTER, to whom the practical details of farming and stock-growing are familiar, through ample experience, is numbered among the successful and popular agriculturists and valued citizens of Clinton township, his homestead being eligibly located one and one-half miles to the northeast of the county-seat, the city of Wauseon. Mr. Banister was born in Lorain county, Ohio, on the 21st of June, 1860, and is a son of Julius and Sabrina (Mead) Banister, the former of whom was born in Huron County and the latter in Portage County Ohio.  The' 'patents were residents of Lorain county for many years, having come thence to Fulton county in 1880, and they are now residing on their well-improved farm, in York township.  Fred F. Banister was reared to the discipline of the farm and his educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools.  He  has  found  scope  for  satisfactory  and  profitable  enterprise  in  continued  identification with - the  industry  of  agriculture  and  in  1890 he  purchased forty  acres  of  his  present  homestead,  securing  an adjoining

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tract of equal dimensions, in 1900.  He has made many improvements on his farm, which is among the many attractive places which lend charm to this favored section of the county, and he is known as one of the progressive farmers of the county and as a citizen ever loyal in spirit and action.  He is a Republican in his political allegiance and has served his township in the office of road supervisor, though he has had no overweening ambition for public office of any description.  He is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church.  In '885 Mr. Banister married Miss Abiah Kline, who was born in Freedom township, Henry county, Ohio, March 26, 1862, being a daughter of Harmon S. and Phoebe (CaIdwell) Kline, the former of whom was horn in Sparta, Livingston county, N. Y., in 1827, and the latter in Philadelphia, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 28th of May, 1830.  The father died in '900 and the mother on the 9th of April, '905.  Mr. and Mrs. Banister have had two children:  Orville K., who was born March 19, 1888, and who died April I, i89o, and Rinaldo C., who was born January 25, 1893, and who is now attending school in Wauseon.

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EDWIN L. BARBER, president of the Bank of Wauseon, is a native of that city, having been born there February 5, 1862.  He is the son of Col. Epaphras Lord and Sophia H. (Watkins) Barber, both natives of Ohio.  His grandparents were Epaphras Lord and Jerusha T. (Sargent) Barber Col. Epaphras Lord Barber was born in Cleveland, December i6, 183o.  He grew to manhood on his father's farm near that city and attended the public schools until eighteen years old.  His first employment was with the engineering corps of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago railway company. Then for two years he attended a private school to perfect himself in the profession of civil engineering.  In 1853, while in the employ of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway company, he came to Wauseon.  After acquiring land at this city and in other parts of Fulton county, he quit the railway company and embarked in the real estate business.  From i8~8 to i860 he served as agent of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway company at Wauseon.  In 1861, on the first call for troops by the general government, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio infantry, with the rank of captain.  After three months' service he was appointed major of the Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry.  In this capacity he served eight months in Kentucky, when, owing to the death of his partner. Samuel Leggitt. he found it necessary to resign.  Soon after, upon being commissioned colonel by Governor Todd, he organized the One Hundredth and the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio regiments, and was, placed in command of the latter He served in this capacity until the fall of 1862, when he returned to Wauseon. Through his instrumentality the Bank of Wauseon was established in April, 1863 with which institution he was connected at the time of his death. April 3. 1899.  Upon the organization of the Ketchum national bank of Toledo, he was chosen vice-president of

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that institution.  From 1895 to 1899 he was president of the National Bank of Commerce of Toledo.  He was associated with Mr. N. H. T. Yaryan in the plant of the Toledo Heating and Lighting company, one of the largest concerns of that city.  Colonel Barber was a patriotic citizen, a brave soldier, and a successful business man.  He possessed those sterling qualities that characterize the true man and that make success in life a certainty. On October 20, 1853, he married Miss Sophia H. Watkins, the daughter of Timothy Watkins of Cleveland, at present a resident of Detroit, Mich.  Timothy Watkins, whose ancestors came from Connecticut, was prominent in the public affairs of Cleveland and Cuyahoga county, having served as mayor of the former and as commissioner of the latter.  The children of Colonel Barber and wife are: Addie L., who resides with her mother at Detroit; Edwin L., and Herbert, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Edwin L. Barber was reared in Wauseon and received his elementary education in the public schools of that city.  He was of the class of 1882 of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  Afterwards he entered the employ of the Standard Oil company at Titusville, Pa.  He next turned his attention to railroading, being in the service first of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern at Cleveland and afterward in that of the Santa Fe at Topeka, Kansas. In 1887 he resigned his position with the Santa Fe to enter the Bank of Wauseon as cashier. Four years later he was made its president and is now serving in that capacity.  In order to give Wauseon the benefit of an independent telephone system he, together with other progressive citizens, organized and installed the Wauseon Independent Telephone company.  So successful did this venture prove that Mr. Barber entered with his accustomed zeal into the independent telephone construction business, with the result that- he is to-day recognized as one of the leading spirits, if not the leading one, in this business. Under his able direction no fewer than sixty systems have been installed in as many different towns and cities throughout the country, one of the last to be established being at Kansas City, Mo., whose subscribers number thirteen thousand five hundred.  He is president of the Central Telephone Construction company of Wauseon, 0.  Mr. Barber is affable, courteous, quick, alert, accurate and combines all the social and business qualities that go to make up a leader in business-in short, a captain of any industry to which he may devote himself.  Edwin L. Barber was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E., the daughter of A. W. McConnell, a retired merchant of Wauseon.  This distinguished man was born in Wayne county, OH, in 1831, his parents being William and Mary (Russell) McConnell His prominence in public affairs is evidenced by the fact that he was twice honored with the auditorship of Fulton county.  William McConnell was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and served with credit in the War of 1812.  A. W. McConnell married Miss Rosanna Smith, a native of Trumbull county, 0.  The following children were horn to Mr. McConnell and wife: Edward (deceased); Rolla A., of Lorain, OH Florence, the wife of C. E. Guilford, treasurer

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of Fulton county; Mary F. and William S. (deceased).  The children of E. L. Barber and wife are Harold M. and Mary Louise.

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HERBERT A. BARBER, cashier of the Bank of Wauseon, of which his brother, Edwin L. is president, is a native of that city. His distinguished father was at the time of his death one of the most prominent and successful business men of Northern Ohio. A sketch of his equally prominent brother, Edwin L. Barber, in connection with that of his father, appears immediately preceding this one.  Colonel Barber certainly had just cause to be proud of his children, and it is equally certain that they will honor his name by leading pure and honorable lives and by ranking among the foremost of their fellow citizens.  Herbert A. Barber was educated in the public schools of his native city.  Great care was taken to fit him thoroughly for the responsible position he now holds.  To fill successfully an office in a great financial institution requires executive ability of a high order and sound judgment. No mistake has been made in placing him in this position, for he has clearly demonstrated his ability to manage the business successfully.  Busy as he is with banking interests, he finds time to devote to public affairs. He is always ready and willing to do all in his power to promote any enterprise that is calculated to benefit Wauseon and Fulton county. The King Wind Mill company, the Wauseon Canning factory and the Ohio Dairy company are some of the business concerns in which he is interested, holding as he does the treasurership of all of them. These concerns have brought prosperity to Wauseon and to the farmers of Fulton county.  Mr. Barber married Miss Edna M. Kerr of Pittsburg, whose people are quite prominent in that city.  Two very interesting children, William Allen and Sophia Adeline, have been born to Herbert A. Barber and wife.

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JOHN H. BARDEN, the able arid popular mayor of Lyons, and one of the leading representatives of the agricultural interests of Royalton township, was born in this township, December 20, 1862, and is a son of Benson L. and Mary- F. (Young) Barden, the former of whom was born in Collins, Erie county, N. Y., and the latter in Lorain county, Ohio.  The paternal grandfather, John L. Barden, was likewise a native of the old Empire State, and he settled in Royalton township about 1857, taking up eighty acres of land in Royalton township and developing one of the valuable farms of this section.  He died on this homestead, in i886, and his wife also died on the home farm. Their children were John, Francis, Benson L., George L. and Allen, all of whom are deceased ; Almira, deceased wife of Stephen Bowen; Mareda, wife of William Potter; Ann, wife of Lyman Jeffers; Augusta, deceased wife of James Jenkins; Frederick and Henry, who reside in this county, and Adelaide, wife of Herbert Smith.  John Young, maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a pioneer carpenter of Lorain county, where he died; Benson L. and Mary F. Barden came to Fulton county in 1857, and the former took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in Royalton township, reclaiming the property from its wild state and becoming

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one of the honored citizens and prosperous farmers of the township. He continued to reside on the homestead until his death.  He was a man of sterling character and much ability and wielded considerable influence in local affairs, having served several terms as township trustee and two terms as infirmary director of the county.  He was the chief promoter of the cheese factory in Amboy township, being associated with others in the erecting and equipping of the plant, which was the first of the kind in this part of the county.  He and his wife were devoted members of the Christian, or Disciples' church, and he was affiliated with the Royalton Union Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.  Following is a brief record concerning his children:  Alice married Alonzo Patterson and after his death became the wife of Charles L. Seward, their residence being in Royalton township; Eliza is the wife of Melvin D. Seward, of Gladwin county, Mich.: Ermina is the wife of Alfred Viers, of Royalton township; John H. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Lottie and Cora are deceased, and Charles W., who married Alta Smith, is a farmer of Royalton township.  John Henry Barden was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools.  While farming has been his principal vocation from his youth he has also been identified with other lines of enterprise, manifesting his public spirit by supporting such business undertakings as have met the approval of his judgment, and being one of the leading citizens of his native township, where his entire life has been passed  His homestead farm, in the village of Lyons, comprises eighty acres, and is one of the model places of this part of the county, improved with fine buildings and conducted according to the most modern ideas and scientific principles.  In politics he is an uncompromising Republican, and he served one term as trustee of Royalton township, and he was one of the first members of the village council of Lyons, which was incorporated in 1900.  He took an active part in securing the village charter, and he continued a member of the council until 1904, when he was elected to the office of mayor, and his administration has justified the mark of appreciation thus accorded by the voters of the village.  He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and fraternally, he is identified with Royalton Union Lodge, No.434, Free and Accepted Masons; Lyons Chapter, No.75, Royal Arch Masons: and Lyons Lodge, No. 622, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  In 1882 Mr. Barden was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mobus. who was born and reared in Amboy township a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Ottgen) Mobus and of the three children of this union two survive, Elma, who remains at the paternal home, and Floyd A., who married Miss Opha Noble, and who is associated in the work of the paternal homestead farm. Mrs. Barden's death occurred on the 21st of February. 1904. and in 1905 Mr. Barden married her sister, Mrs. Rose Warren, who presides most graciously over their attractive home.

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OLIVER P. BARNES, who is a contractor and builder at Lyons, and the owner of a valuable farm in Royalton township, has

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passed the major portion of his life in Fulton county from which he went forth to do yeoman service as a soldier during the Civil war, and the same loyalty of purpose has marked his course in all other relations of life, so that he has not been denied the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact.  Mr. Barnes was born in Freedom township, Holmes county, Ohio, June 12, 1840, a son of Leonard and Mary (Day) Barnes, both born in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Holmes county- in the pioneer days, there residing until October, 1849, when they- came to Fulton county, and located in Clinton township, where the father purchased 120 acres of land, south of Wauseon, reclaiming much of the same from the wild state and developing a valuable farm.  He died on this homestead, at the age of seventy years, and his widow attained the venerable age of eighty-two years.  Of their large family of children ten reached years of maturity, namely: Catherine, wife of Robert Foster; William; Sarah E., wife of Judson Jones; Samantha, wife of Dennis Foster: Louise, wife of George Biddle; Hortensa, wife of George Scamp; Oliver Perry; Francis Marion; Thornton and Winfield.  Oliver P. Barnes was eight years of age at the time when his parents took up their residence in Clinton township, where he was reared to manhood on the home farm, receiving a good common-school education, and there he remained until July, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundredth Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he took part in the battles of Knoxville, Jonesboro, Limestone Station and other engagements of minor importance, remaining in the service until the close of the war and receiving his honorable discharge in June, 1865, at Lexington, Ky.  He then returned home and for the ensuing four years was engaged in farming in Clinton Township. In 1869 he went to Missouri, where he followed the same line of enterprise until 1876, when he returned to Clinton township, where he resumed farming on the old homestead, there continuing operations until i88i, when he purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres in Royalton township, clearing a portion of the place and making numerous improvements of substantial description,  and he there remained until 1903, since which time he has maintained his home in the village of Lyons and has here followed the carpenter's trade, being a good workman and having followed this trade as an avocation to a greater or less extent for a number of years.  He is a popular and well known citizen, is a Republican in his political proclivities, and is a comrade of Baxter Post. No.238. Grand Army of the Republic, in his home town.  In February, 1868, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Andrews, daughter of Matthias and Mary (Strock) Andrews, pioneers of Clinton township. and the four children of this union are Winfield. Frederick. William and Lulu, the last named being the wife of George Evers.

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JOHN BAUMGARDNER, one of the representative farmers of the younger generation in German township, has here made his home from the time of his birth, being a member of one of the well-known

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pioneer families of this section of Fulton county. He was born on the homestead farm on which he now lives, the date of his nativity being September II, 1873, and he is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Zimmerman) Baumgardner, the former of whom was born in Canton Berne Switzerland, and the latter in what is now the German province.
Alsace-Loraine.  In 1848, at the age of twenty-three years, Samuel Baumgardner immigrated to America, and after visiting various portions of the Middle West he located in Fulton county.  In his native land he had followed the vocation of cheese-making, but after taking up his residence in Fulton county he learned the carpenter trade, which he
followed for some time, being a good workman.  As his resources increased he began to buy land, and he became one of the extensive farmers and prominent citizens of German township, having been the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land at the time of his death, in 1894, and his devoted wife passed away about fourteen months later. Of their ten children four are living: Fanny is the wife of Adam Moll, of Ridgeville, Henry county; John is the immediate subject of this sketch; Emma is the wife of John S. Bruehlman of Alberta, Canada; and Rebecca is the wife of Benjamin J. Weiderkehr, of Phoenix, Ariz. John Baumgardner was reared to maturity on the home farm and is indebted to the public schools of German township for his educational advantages. He continued to be associated with his father in the management of the farm until the latter's death, and since that time has continued to reside on the homestead, owning one hundred and five acres and giving his attention to diversified farming and the raising of good grades of live-stock. His farm is well improved and constitutes one of the attractive rural homes of the county. Mr. Baumgardner is one of the stanch adherents of the Democratic party in his township, having been for some time past a member of the township central committee of the same, and he is also incumbent of the offices of justice of the peace and member of the school board. December 20, i896, he was married to Miss Eliza Zimmerman, daughter of Jacob Zimmerman, a substantial farmer of German township~ where he died in '904, having been horn in this township, where his parents settled in the early pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgardner have two children, Roland and Harold.

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GEORGE F. BEATTY is one of the thorough and popular hotel men of Fulton county, being proprietor of the Hotel Beatty, at Lyons, and he is also a dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements and machinery, being one of the well-known and reliable business men of this part of the county.  He was born in Chesterfield township, Fulton county, on the i6th of June, 1850, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county.  He is a son of Holoway H. and Elizabeth (Jefferson) Beatty, both of whom were born in Sussex county, N. J., the respective families having been established in America in the Colonial era. Holoway and Elizabeth Beatty came to Fulton county in 1845, passing the first three years in Royalton township and then removing to Chesterfield township, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, in Section 24
reclaiming the same from the wilds and eventually developing a good farm.  There both he and his wife remained until death. He died in 1879, aged seventy-seven years, and she passed away in i8&7, aged seventy-nine years.  They became the parents of eight children, namely: Nancy, who is the wife of James Stutesman; Margaret, who is the wife of Henry Fisher; Sidney S., who is a resident of Morenci, Mich.; Julia, who is the wife of William Gates; Mahala, who is the wife of Isaac Davidson; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Gorham, and George F., whose name initiates this sketch. The last named was the youngest of the family and was reared on the homestead farm, while he received such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the locality. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming and dealing in live stock, in which he continued until 1900, being very successful in his operations and becoming the owner of a fine farm property in Chesterfield township.  In the year mentioned he engaged in the hotel business in Lyons, and he has shown himself admirably fitted for the business, his house being most popular with the traveling public, which fact is the best voucher as to its being ably conducted. He purchased the hotel property in 1902, and he still owns his homestead farm, in Chesterfield township. In March, 1905, he engaged in the agricultural implement business, giving the same his personal supervision and having the agency for a number of the leading manufacturers of implements and machinery, and he is securing a representative patronage in this department of his enterprise. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is affiliated with Royalton Union Lodge, No. 434, F. & A. M. In 1875 Mr. Beatty was united in marriage to Miss Emma Sellers, who was born and reared in Chesterfield township, being a daughter of John and Lavina (Sanford) Sellers. Of this union five children have been born; Holoway H. is at the hotel with his father; Johnston is in charge of the homestead farm; Ada, who became the wife of Warren Acker, is deceased; and Lizzie and Libbie are twins, the former being the wife of Eugene Tuckerman, and the latter the wife of Wilton Johnston. William E. is at home in Lyons.

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ARTHUR BEEBE, one of the representative young farmers of Chesterfield township, Denson being his post office address, was born on the old homestead farm, not far distant from his present residence, on the 17th of November, 1884, being a son of David L. and Eunice E. (Butler) Beebe. He was reared on the home farm and continued his studies in the public schools of Denson for a period of ten wears, after which he was a student in the high school at Morenci, Mich., for one wear. Since leaving school he has given his attention to systematic and successful farming, owning a fine landed estate of two hundred and sixteen acres, which he is managing with marked energy and discrimination, though he has but recently attained to his legal majority, in November, 1905.  He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and in a fraternal way is identified with the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America at

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Lyons.  He is distinctively popular in the community which has represented his home from the time of birth and is a member of one of the prominent families of this section, a review of the career of his father being incorporated in the succeeding memoir, so that it is not demanded that the record be repeated in the present connection.  On Christmas day of the year 1904 Mr. Beebe was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Mead, who was born in Chesterfield town-ship, April 3, 1887, being a daughter of Oscar J. and Cora (Sanford) Mead, the former of whom was born in Fulton county, in 1859, and the latter in Michigan, in 1869, and they now reside on their homestead farm: one and one-half miles northwest of the village of Lyons, in Chesterfield township.  Mr. and Mrs. Mead have five children, namely: Mabel, wife of Clarence Force, of N\'7eston, Mich.; Ethel, wife of the subject of this sketch; and Myrtle, Lloyd, and Velma, remaining at the parental home.

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DAVID L. BEEBE, one of the prominent farmers and extensive landholders of Chesterfield township, is a member of one of the influential pioneer families of Fulton county, which has' been his home from the time of his nativity.  He was born in Chesterfield township, June 20, 1853, and he was here reared and educated, being afforded the advantages of the common schools and growing up under the grateful discipline of the farm.  February '9, 1874, Mr. Beebe was here married to Miss Eunice E. Butler, who was born in Chesterfield township, May 29, 1853, being a daughter of John S. and Lavina Butler, early settlers of the county.  Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have five children, namely: Roa H., who is the wife of Walter Fay, a successful young farmer of Chesterfield township; Arthur, who is individually mentioned on another page of this work; and Myrtie and Clara, who remain at the parental home. Mr. Beebe is the owner of three hundred and forty-four acres of valuable land, and in addition to his extensive agricultural operations he is also a large grower of and dealer in live stock of all kinds. In political matters his support is given to the Republican party, and both he and his wife are valued members of the church. David L. Beebe is a son of Lyman L. and Hulda Beebe. The father was born in Bloomfield, Ontario county, N'. Y., July 7, i8oS, being a son of A. M. and Lucretia (Huntley) Beebe, both born in Connecticut, while they passed~ the closing years of their lives in the State of New York. For his first wife Lyman L. Beebe married Miss Julia Clement, who was born in Ontario county, N'. Y., a daughter of John and Esther (Niles) Clement, the former born in England and the latter in New York State.  Mrs. Julia Beebe died on the 4th of September, 1849, her children having been as follows: Nelson, born December 14, 1836, died February 22, 1855; Esther, born May 26, 1839, died September, 3, 1849; and James W., born June 12, 1842, died December 6, 1849.  In Fulton county, on the 12th of February, 1852, Lyman L. Beebe consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Hulda Lee, widow of David Lee and daughter of Peleg and Sarah (Hamlin) Standish, both of whom were born in Massachusetts, the latter's death 'occurring in 182 I, while the former died in 1853. Mrs. Hulda Beebe had two children by her first marriage, Adaline, born November 27, 1842; and Peleg S., born November 27, 1845. Of the second marriage David L., subject of this sketch, was the only child.  Lyman L. Beebe was one of the early settlers of Fulton county, having here taken up his residence in 1840, and having purchased a tract of land in Chesterfield township, where he developed a farm, also building the first steam sawmill in the township and county, in 1844, and twelve years later he erected another mill, in Section 13, this township. Lyman Beebe died March 25, 1885.

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LOUIS O. BENNER has been engaged in the jewelry business in Fayette for more than thirty years, is a veteran of the Civil war and is one of the well-known and highly-esteemed citizens of Fulton county.  He was born in Low Hill township, Lehigh county, Pa., on the 11th of August, 1839, and is a son of Israel and Judith (Rupp) Benner, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, being representatives of pioneer families of the State and of stanch German lineage. The father taught school for more than thirty years, in Lehigh and Schuylkill counties, and was also a jeweler, being engaged in business for a long term of years.  He was a man of much ability and of sterling character, commanding the esteem of all who knew him. In later life he devoted his entire time to watch-making, having been a skilled workman.  He died in Kutztown, Berks county, Pa., in iSS5, at the age of seventy-three years, having there been engaged in watch-making up to the time of his demise. His ancestors settled in the old Keystone state many years prior to the Revolution, in which a number of representatives of the family were patriot soldiers. Judith (Rupp) Benner was born in Low Hill township, Lehigh county, Pa., and she died in 1904, at the very advanced age of ninety-one years, and her remains rest beside those of her husband, in the cemetery at Kutztown, Pa. Louis O. Benner secured his early education in the common schools of Schuylkill county, Pa., and supplemented this discipline by attending night school, and he had the further advantage afforded by a cultured and refined home. He was the first in order of birth in a family of ten children, of whom two died in early childhood. Elias F. is a resident of Rome City, Ind.; Rose is the wife of John Saunders, of Reading, Pa.; Samuel is a watch-maker and resides in Kutztown, Pa.; Louis O. is the immediate subject of this review; Eliza resides in Kutztown, Pa., and the others of the family are deceased. As a boy Louis O. Benner worked with his father at the jeweler's trade, he learned the silversmith and engraving trade under the direction of a skilled engraver employed by his father, and he also became proficient in the chemical part of goldsmithing, including plating, and is thus a master of all details of the watch-making and jewelry business, being known as one of the most expert workmen in this section of Ohio. In 1859 he came to Ohio and located in Wadsworth, Medina county, where he was engaged in the watch-making business at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. September 14, 1861 at Cleveland,

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he enlisted as a private in Company ~G, Second Ohio volunteer infantry, proceeding wit his command to St. Louis, Mo., and being thence ordered to Fort Scott, Kan., the regiment being identified with the operations in Northwestern Missouri and -Southern Kansas, taking part in several fights with the Indians and with the Confederate guerillas and border outlaws, and continuing in service until he was attacked with fever, which rendered him unfit for further duty, so that he was honorably discharged in 1863, on account of physical disability. He then returned to the parental home in Kutztown, Pa., where he was associated with his father in business for one year. In i&65 he came to Fayette, Ohio, and established himself in the jewelry business, in which he has ever since been engaged, being thus one of the pioneer business men of the town, and he has a well equipped and appointed establishment and commands a representative patronage, doing a general manufacturing and watch-making business, including repair work, and he also has an excellent optical department, having learned this branch of the business under the instruction of his father and making a specialty of the same. He is an excellent musician, having much talent in the manipulation of brass, reed and stringed instruments and taking much interest in the art. He is a Republican in politics and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Eel-lows. In i866 Mr. Benner was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Jane Ely, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pa.; being a daughter of Caleb Ely, who came to Fulton county in the pioneer days, settling in Franklin township, where he became a successful farmer Both he and his wife are deceased, and their remains are interred in the cemetery at Montpelier, Williams county. Mr. and Mrs. Benner have five children: Minnie is the wife of Charles Lewis, of Paulding, Ohio; Cora is the wife of Frank Fish, who is engaged in the clothing business in Fayette; Orilla is the wife of Frank Roberts, of North Adams, Mich.; and Zoe remains at the parental home.

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CHARLES E. BENNETT, M. D., a prominent and highly successful physician of Wauseon3 was born in Evansport, Defiance county, of that State, March j, i8~6. He is the son of Dr. J. H. and Triphena R. (Denman) Bennett, both natives of New York State. His grandfather, Joseph Bennett, was a native of Bennington, Vt., whose father, a Scotchman by birth, was a Revolutionary hero from the Green Mountain State. The family came to New England in early Colonial times and became thoroughly identified with the stirring events of the Revolutionary period.  The subject of this sketch is also connected with the struggle for American Independence through his paternal grandmother, who was Miss Lucinda Bonney, of French birth, and whose father was a New Jersey soldier in the Continental Army. Dr. J. H. Bennett was born in Genesee county, 'N. Y., in 1824, and graduated from Starling Medical college of Columbus, 0. In 1849 he located at Evansport for the practice of his profession, and there established an enviable reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon, attaining to a high degree of prominence as a public man. He served as coroner of the county by appointment of the Governor and filled various other professional offices with honor to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents.  In October, 1863, Dr. J. H. Bennett moved to Wauseon and for many years maintained high rank in the medical fraternity of Fulton county.  He continued in active practice until about ten years before his death, in March, 1904.  His wife, who died at the age of thirty-six, was the daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Hardenberg) Denman.  Israel Denman was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., and from there removed to Defiance county, O., being one of the earliest settlers of Tiffin township, when Toledo was a small trading post on the shore of the lake.  He died in Wauseon in 1895, at the ripe age of eighty-seven years. Dr. Charles
E. Bennett is the only member of his family living in Fulton county, having lived in Wauseon since his seventh year. He received a liberal education in his youth, and at an early age decided upon medicine as his life profession, having been led to this decision by his father's devotion to the profession and his unusual success in it. In 1876 he graduated from the Detroit Medical college and at once engaged in practice at Wauseon, being associated for some years with his father. In a short time he succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative practice, which has continued to grow with passing years.  The doctor has also held prominent official positions of a professional nature, being surgeon of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and the Detroit Southern railway companies for many years. In 1878 he was elected county coroner and re-elected in i88o, thus serving four years in that official capacity.  He has always been devoted to his profession and has never sought official honors of a strictly political nature.  The tongue of public repute places him safely at the head of the medical profession in Fulton county. In keeping abreast of his high calling he has for many years affiliated with the leading medical societies of the county, State and nation, and surrounded himself with the current literature of the times. In recent years he has been associated with Dr. Jay H. Miller, a talented and successful physician whose connection with the firm lightens the burden of professional life during the rigors of encroaching years. Politically Dr. Bennett has always affiliated with the Republican party and has manifested a deep interest in the supremacy of its principles.  Of the social fraternities he is a Mason of exalted rank and high standing in the counsels of this time-honored fraternity: he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and has been honored with important positions in connection with each.  In religious affiliations, the family attend the services of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Bennett is a zealous member.  Dr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Celia, the daughter of Joel Brigham. a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. She is also closely related to the late Col. J. H. Brigham, whose life history is an integral part of Fulton county's historical annals. The sketch of this distinguished man also appears elsewhere in this volume.  Dr. and Mrs. Bennett have a son and a daughter, the elder of whom is Walter, a student at Howe Military school at

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Lima, Ind., and Florence H. a student in the Wauseon public schools. The names of the Doctors Bennett, father and son, have been household words in Wauseon and vicinity for considerably more than forty years, and the good they have rendered to suffering humanity is incalculable.  The venerable father traversed the country in the early days, in all kinds of weather, and over almost impassable roads, and who can say that the pioneer physicians endured the hardships and perils of those days for the few paltry dollars which their nightly vigils brought to their pockets?  True, that was a consideration, but the relief of human suffering was vastly greater, since many of the early physicians, and Dr. J. H. Bennett among them, often performed this philanthropic service without the thought of remuneration. This was notably true during tile Civil war while the "boys" were at the front and their dependent ones at home. For many years the practice of Dr. J. H. Bennett was bounded only by his powers of endurance, and no other physician in this section of the state was more widely or favorably known.  He was the first surgeon appointed for the territory west of Toledo, for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway, and officiated in that capacity during most of the years that he remained in practice. He was well known in high official circles and counted as personal friends some of the Nation's leaders.

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CHANCEY BERKEBILE, assistant superintendent and foreman of the A. D. Baker Manufacturing company of Swanton, is a native of Spencer township, Lucas county, where he was born on a farm three miles northeast of Swanton, on January 31, 1871.  He is the son of Levan J. and Mary (Farner) Berkebile, both natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Northwestern Ohio in pioneer days. Levan J. Berkebile was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He is both farmer and mechanic by occupation.  At present he and wife are residents of Swanton.  Chancey Berkebile was reared and educated principally in Spencer township.  On March 1, 1895, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the machinists' trade with his present employers.  As a master iron-worker he has become so proficient, that, notwithstanding his youth, he has been promoted to his present responsible and lucrative position.  During the four years he has had charge of the shops the business has grown very rapidly, until it is no longer limited even to the county.  His skill as a workman and his ability to direct those under him have been largely instrumental in bringing about this satisfactory state Of affairs. Mr. Berkebile is a Republican in politics and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Wood-men of America and the Knights of Pythias organizations.  On August 8, 1893, he was wedded to Miss Laura Salsbery, a native of Lucas county and the daughter of William and Alice (Barnes) Salsbery, now residents of Toledo, 0. To these parents there have been horn two daughters. Fern was born April 28, 1898, and died April 6, 1899. The younger daughter is Levern, born April 15, 1900.

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JACOB T. BIDDLE who was an honored pioneer of Fulton county, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1801, and was there reared to manhood, receiving such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. Upon coming to Ohio he first settled in Wayne County, where he maintained his home about a quarter of a century, after which he passed about five years in Knox County and two wears in Richland County, whence he came to Fulton County in the year 1855. A few years later he removed to Missouri, in 1869, but in about seven years later he returned to Fulton County, where he again established his home, but he (lied soon afterward while visiting his former home in Knox County.  He devoted his entire active career to agricultural pursuits, and was especially fond of fine horses, a predilection manifested in the entire family.  Mr. Biddle was twice married, first to Mary Hay, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799, and who died about two years after her marriage, the only child dying in infancy.  Mr. Biddle later married Miss Sarah Duncan, who likewise was born and reared in the old Keystone state, and of the eight children of this union the following is a brief record:  Rachel is deceased; Joanna is the wife of John Wineland, of Knox County, Ohio; George D. is individually mentioned later on in this article; Jacob is a resident of Goshen, Indiana; Mary Jane is deceased and Andrew died in Missouri; James is a resident of Wauseon, this county, and Daniel of Delta.  George D. Biddle, eldest son of Jacob T. and Sarah (Duncan) Biddle, was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 3d of November, 1830, and his educational advantages were limited to the somewhat primitive schools of the pioneer days. His vocation throughout life has been farming, and he has also dealt somewhat extensively in horses.  He has been a resident of York township since 1855, and he has occupied his present residence since 1859. He has a well-improved farm of fifty-five acres and is one of the popular citizens of the township, having served two years as township trustee, and his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. In Richland County, Ohio, on the i3th of October, 1852, Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Aungst, whose death occurred March 26, 1895.  They became the parents of three children, namely:  Samuel A., who is individually mentioned in this work; Stillman, who is a successful farmer of York township: and Nora who is the wife of Edward W. Ruppert, of this township.

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JAMES M. BIDDLE, a retired farmer of Wauseon, O., was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne County, O., on November 20, 1838. He is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Duncan) Biddle, both natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, also named Jacob Biddle, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., and married Miss Elizabeth Todd. Peter Biddle, the great-grandfather of James M. Biddle, served as a captain in the Maryland militia in the Revolutionary war. The Biddies originally came from Germany, some saw from Holland and called themselves "Bittle." Peter was one of three brothers that came to

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America in an early day. Jacob Biddle, the father of James M. Biddle, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa. In 1855 he came to Clinton township, Fulton county, where he bought a farm of Elisha Williams, a pioneer settler of that township.  His wife Sarah was horn in Beaver county, Pa. The following are the children born to this marriage; Rachel, the wife of Jefferson Worley, of Wayne county; Johanna, the wife of John Wineland of Knox county, 0.; George of York township, Fulton county; Jacob of Goshen, Ind.; Andrew, deceased, who served during the Civil war in the Tenth Ohio cavalry and the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and died in Davis county, Mo.; James M., the subject of this sketch, and Daniel of Delta, Fulton county, who served throughout the Civil war in the Forty-fourth Illinois infantry, with the rank of lieutenant when mustered out of service. James Nit. Biddle was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of his home township. He enlisted for three years in the Third Ohio cavalry and saw very active service.  His regiment was assigned to the army of the Cumberland for a time under the command of Gen. George H. Thomas, and took an active part in all the battles and campaigns from the Autumn of 1861 to the fall of Atlanta, when he was discharged.  In 1864 he located on a farm in Clinton township, Fulton County.  He then removed to Davies county, Mo., where he farmed for six years and then returned to Clinton township, where he farmed until 1904. Selling his large farm he bought a smaller one and removed to Wauseon, where he is now building a fine residence in which to spend his remaining day in retirement from active life. In the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic he takes a deep interest.  He married Miss Samantha Williams of Clinton township, the daughter of Jeremiah and Matilda (Biddle) Williams.  Jeremiah Williams is the son of Elisha and Hannah (Harrison) Williams, who settled in this township in 1835. The sketch of Judge Williams, a brother of the wife of the subject of this sketch, is found elsewhere in this work. James M. Biddle and wife have had one child, Anna, the widow of Benjamin F. Rupert of Clinton township.

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JOHN L. BIDDLE, who was for many years actively engaged in farming and stock-growing in Fulton township, where he still owns his fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, is now living retired in the village of Delta, being one of the well known and popular citizens of the county. Mr. Biddle was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on the 21st of March, 1846, and is a son of George and Nancy (Lawrence) Biddle, the former of whom was born in Bedford county, Pa., March 11, 1808, and the latter of whom was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 25, 1813.  Their marriage was solemnized in Wayne County, Ohio, July 3, 1832, and there the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he removed with his family to Fulton County and located on a farm one mile west of Delta in York township. Later they removed to a farm in the western part of the same township, and there George Biddle's

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death occurred on the 7th of August, 1877. His wife survived him by many years, her death occurring in the village of Delta, on the 21st of August, 1902.  0f their children we incorporate a brief record, as follows:  Henry, who was born June 4, 1833; died in Wooster, Ohio, though he was at the time a resident of Fulton county.  He left a wife and three children.  Nancy J., born September 9, 1835, resides in Wayne county, being the widow of Adam Geitgey. Rachel, born December 18, 1837, is the wife of Simon Snyder and they reside in Delta. Benjamin, born April 28, 1840, is engaged in the real estate business in Toledo, Ohio. Jacob, born February 5, 1843, died in Delta, in middle life.  John L., of whom this article is more specially written, was the next in order of birth. Samuel, born November 11, 1848, died at the age of two and one-half years. George W., born November 23, 1851, is a well-known farmer of Clinton Township., Mary E., who was born May 23, 1854, became the wife of Alonzo Watkins and after his death married George W. Watkins, and they reside in Fulton township. All of the children were born in Wayne County, and there John L. was reared to maturity on the home farm, in the meanwhile duly availing himself of the advantages afforded in the common schools of the locality.  His active career has been one of intimate identification with agriculture and allied pursuits, and through his well directed efforts he has gained a competency, so that he has lived retired since 1896, having a pleasant home in Delta, where he and his wife are held in high esteem by all who know him. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Fulton County, in 1861, and a few years later he purchased a farm in Fulton township which he still owns, and there he maintained his residence until his retirement from active labor, as noted. The farm homestead has been well improved under his supervision and personal efforts, having a beautiful residence, barn and adjunct buildings, and it is regarded as being one of the model farms of Fulton Township.  In addition to his attractive residence property in Delta, Mr. Biddle also owns a fine brick business building, on Main street, the same having been erected by him in the summer of 1905. He is a man of liberal and progressive ideas, and is loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. He devotes his attention to the management of his various properties and takes much interest in public affairs of a local nature, and in his political allegiance he has been arrayed with the Democratic party from the time of attaining his majority. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past thirty years, earnest in the support of the same and in its work, and he is now a member of the board of trustees of the church in Delta.  September 4, i8~, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Biddle to Miss Margaret J. Watkins, daughter of John and Margaret Watkins, who were honored pioneers of Fulton County.  Mrs. Biddle was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and was a child at the time of her parent?s removal to Fulton County. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle the following data are consistently entered: Dora May was born in Fulton County, O., December 23, 1872, and died August 31, 1878. Nora was

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born in Fulton County, O., September 15, 1878, and was married to Dr. F. D. B. Waltz, on August 22, 1904; and Gertrude, who was born in Fulton county, O., December 23, 1881, and graduated from the Delta High School in 1899, is now a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Delta.

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SAMUEL A. BIDDLE is numbered among the progressive farmers and dairymen of York township and is one of the popular and influential citizens of his community. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 9, 1853, and is a son of George U. and Julia (Aungst) Biddle, who removed to Fulton county when he was two years of age, the father being still resident of 'York township and the mother being deceased. Samuel A. Biddle was reared on the home farm and duly availed himself of the advantages of the local school, and he has been identified with agricultural pursuits from his youth to the present time.  At the age of twenty-one years lie purchased a farm of forty acres, the same being covered with the native timber.  He cleared and otherwise improved this place, which he eventually sold, after which he purchased sixty acres, which he traded in part payment for his present fine farm, comprising 120 acres, all available for cultivation and improved with excellent buildings.  On the 14th of February, 1905, his large and attractive residence was destroyed by fire, and he has since completed the erection of one of even superior type.  Mr. Biddle is a stanch adherent of the Republican party and takes a loyal interest in public affairs of a local nature, being at the present time a member of the school board of his district. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is affiliated with the Wauseon lodge of the Knights of Pythias.  September 26, 1880 Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kesler, who was born in Fulton county, November 3, 1858, being a daughter of Elias and Sarah (Pontious) Kesler. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle have two children, Glenn, born August 19, 1889; and Carl, born December 11, 1898

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STILLMAN BIDDLE is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of York township, where he is a leading farmer and popular citizen. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 8, 1854, and is a son of George D. and Julia A. (Aungst) Bid-die, of whom detailed mention is made in the memoir of Jacob T. Biddle, appearing within these pages. Stillman Biddle was about one year of age at the time of his parents' removal to Fulton county, and lie was reared to maturity on the homestead farm, in York township, where his father still resides, and his educational advantages were those of the public schools of said township. He has made farming and stock-growing his vocation in life and has been successful in his operations, and he has at all times commanded the unqualified confidence and esteem of the community. He purchased his present finely improved homestead farm in 1893, and the same comprises eighty acres of fertile and exceptionally productive land.  In politics Mr. Biddle exercises his franchise and influence in the furtherance of the

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cause of the Independent party, and he served three wears as town-ship trustee, and five years as a member of the board of education showing a loyal interest in all that touches the general welfare of the community.  On the 3d of January, 1883, Mr. Biddle was united in marriage to Miss Almira Highshew, who was born in York Township, this county on the 6th of December, 1859, being a daughter of Enoch and Verlinda (Barnes) Highshew.  Her father was a native of New England and came to Fulton county in 1850, locating on a farm in York Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1861, as the result of his falling from a building.  His wife was born in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized, and she died on the 16th of November, 1882.  Mr. and Mrs. Biddle are the parents of nine children, whose names, in order of birth, are as follows: Harrison S., Zolah, Nora, Mabel, Gladys, Walter T., Ralph, Georgia, and Alfred T.

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WILLIAM L. BIDDLE, who is one of the prosperous and popular farmers and stock-growers of Fulton township, was born in York township, this county, on the 12th of February, 1865, and is a son of Stillman C. and Mary (Mack) Biddle, the former of whom was born in Holmes county, Ohio, June 20, 1834, and the latter who was born in Perrysburg, Wood county, February 17, 1840; died October 20, 1903. The father still resides on the old homestead, in York Township. Of the two children William L. is the elder. His sister, Miss Addie E., remains with her father on the home farm and has had charge of the household affairs since the death of her loved mother. William L. Biddle availed himself of the advantages of the public schools at Delta and later was a student in the Business and Musical college at Fayette, Ohio. As a young man he did efficient work as a teacher in the district schools of his native county, and ever since that, time he has been actively and prominently concerned with the agricultural industry. The present farm of Mr. Biddle comprises one hundred and forts-seven acres and is one, of the finest rural estates in the county, having the most substantial improvements and being maintained under a high state of cultivation.  He gives special attention to the raising of road horses, in which line he has a number of fine standard -bred animals, breeding from the best grades. He is also engaged extensively in the dairy business supplying milk to the cheese factory at AI.   Mr. Biddle is an appreciative member of the time-honored Masonic fraternity. being affiliated with Swanton Lodge, No. 555, Free and Accepted Masons, Octavius Waters Chapter, No. 154, Royal Arch Masons at Delta, and Wauseon Council No. 68, Royal and Select Masons. He also holds membership in Berry Grange, No. 1111 and in the Swanton lodge of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is one of the leaders in the local ranks of the Democratic party. He is at present deputy state supervisor of elections for the county, has served two terms as township trustee and was formerly president of the school board of Fulton township.  August 27, 1890, Mr. Piddle was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Merrill; daughter of Ozias and Jane (Vaughan) Merrill, and a sister of Frank C. Merrill, who is

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individually mentioned elsewhere in this work, the article in question giving further data regarding the family. Her maternal grandfather, Alexander Vaughan, came to Fulton township in 1835, and here his death occurred in 1847. The present residence of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle was erected by the latter's father, in 1870, being a handsome brick structure located on a commanding eminence on the eastern edge of the village of Ai, and this farm was the birthplace of Mrs. Biddle. The place came into the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Biddle partly through inheritance and partly through purchase. Mr. and Mrs. Biddle became the parents of five children. Merrill died at the age of three years, having been the eldest, and the youngest, Robert, died at the age of ten months.  The living children are Meredyth, Clark O. and Rachel.  Mr. and Mrs. Biddle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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SYLVESTER PARKER BISHOP, M.D., a distinguished physician and surgeon of Delta, is a native of licking county, Ohio, where he was born December 3, 1839. He is the son of Zebina and Pluma (Myrick) Bishop, both natives of Canada, where they were married and whence they emigrated to Licking county early in married life. In i8~6 they removed to Williams county and there ended their days, he dying at the age of eighty-three and she at eighty years. Zebina Bishop, who was a mechanic by occupation, and wife were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. Their names follow: Edwin, who died in infancy; Ellen, the wife of B. A. Clark, of Bryan; Julia, who married Henry Barnes and died in Granville, O.; Sylvester Parker; Estella, now Mrs. Jonas McCoy, of Pulaski, O.; Caroline, now Mrs. Amos Lorah, of Hicksville, and Edwin P., a farmer, of Bryan.  Sylvester Parker Bishop received his elementary education in the public schools of Bryan, began his professional studies at the medical department of the University of Michigan, and took his degree at Bellevue Hospital college in New, York City, graduating in 1865. He located at Delta in the spring of 1864, and here has been in continuous practice since that time. He is an active member of the Fulton County Medical Society, of the State, Tri-State, Northwestern and American Medical Associations, being prominent in each. In 1881 he served as delegate to the International Congress of Physicians and Surgeons in London and again at Washington in 1887.  For seven years he served in the capacity of Surgeon of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company.  In the affairs of the Masonic fraternity Dr. Bishop takes a very active part, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Toledo Commandery, No.7, Knights Templar, having taken all of these degrees in i88i; is a member of the A. A. Scottish Rites at Toledo, Valley of Cleveland, and Lake Erie Consistory. and is now a charter member of Toledo Consistory S. P.R. S., Thirty-second degree. In politics he is identified with the Republican party and in religious matters with the Methodist Episcopal church. On February I, '866, at Bryan, the Doctor was married to Miss Florence Dobbs, a daughter of Judge Joshua Dobbs. Four children have been born to these parents, three of whom are still

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living. They are: Eudora, supervising principal of Drawing arid Art in the Fostoria, O., city schools; Opal, the wife of C. P. Geer, of Delta; Parker Selwyn, a graduate of the Detroit College of Medicine of the class of 1901, and now associated in the practice of medicine with his father.

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FRANK G BLACKMAN, a photographer of Wauseon, was born in Adrian, Lenawee county, Mich. He is the son of Demon and Jane (Shepard) Blackman, the former of Michigan and the latter of Connecticut. Demon Blackman was born in Adrian, where he was reared and educated. He was for years engaged in the mercantile business in his home city. His father came from Connecticut to Ohio in an early day. The subject of this sketch was only a babe when his father died. Demon Blackman and wife had a family of six children, three boys and three girls. They are: L. M. Blackman of Knoxville, Tenn., who was colonel of the Fourth Tennessee cavalry during the Civil war, having been promoted to that rank for his bravery in escaping the Confederates at the risk of his life, and who at the breaking out of the war was a state legislator; W. D. Blackman of Napoleon, O., gauger in the United States internal revenue service, who prior to coining to Napoleon had served in the same capacity for twenty-five years at Toledo; Frank G. Blackman, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary E. Murray of Wisconsin; Mrs. Electa Shaw, and Mrs. Emma Cass, a widow, of Adrian. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of his native city and learned the business of photographer of his brother, W. D. Blackman of Napoleon, who from 1862 to 1865 conducted a gallery in Wauseon. After having thoroughly learned the business he came to Wauseon and started a gallery there, where he now enjoys an extensive as well as a lucrative business. From a humble beginning his business has spread out over Fulton county, as well as the adjoining counties. Mr. Blackman has the reputation of doing strictly first-class work, and his numerous patrons throughout that part of the State recognize in him a first-class artist. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in both organizations. Mr. Blackman has devoted much of his time to field work, instituting lodges all over the State, a work in which he has met with remarkable success. Few men have made a stronger record in lodge work than he. It seems that everything that he has undertaken has prospered. It is needless to state that he never permitted his lodge work to interfere with his professional work. With the enthusiasm, energy and push that he possesses, one must succeed.  The subject of this sketch married Miss Mary Woodward, daughter of Jason Woodward of Henry county, O.., where the father followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman are members of the Methodist Church, North, and take an active part in all branches of church work. They have three children, one son and two daughters. The children are Dr.  Wave Blackman, June and Ruth, the latter two being still at home.

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Frank T. Blair, a farmer and gravel contractor of Wauseon, was born near Rileysville, Wayne County, PA.  He is the son of James and Sarah (Smith) Blair, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland.  His Grandparents were Brice and Margaret Blair, the former of whom died in Scotland in 1810.  James Blair was born in Scotland in 1810.  Immigrating to America he first landed at New York, where he found employment as superintendent of Section No. 92, of the Croton aqueduct, then in process of construction.  While engaged in this work he was so unfortunate as to lose a leg.  In 1846 he married Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Thompson) Smith, who was born in Philadelphia in 1821.  In 1870 he came to Wauseon, O. and bought a farm in Clinton Township Fulton County, which he cultivated until seven years previous to his death, in 1898. His wife lost two brothers, Samuel and James Smith, while serving in the Union Army, the former having lost his life at the battle of Fair Oaks and the latter having died of wounds received in battle.  To this marriage the following children were born:  Robert S., of Dover Township, Fulton County; Frank T., the subject of this sketch; Crawford, the proprietor of the Blair House, Wauseon; Sarah J., the widow of Luther Orndorm;  Samuel T., of Rose City, Mich.; Margaret A.; Wells C., of Emporium, Pa. Col. Ellsworth (deceased) Jessie F.; Mary E. and Lizzie R.  Frank T. Blair was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his home Township.  He came to Wauseon from Sheffield, now Barnes, Warren County, Pa., in 1871, where he had been engaged in the lumber business for seven years.  While living at Barnes he married Miss Rose Barnes, a descendant of one of whom the town derived its name.  In the same year he bought a farm of two hundred acres in York Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.  Upon this land he at once erected a substantial dwelling, a large barn and other necessary buildings.  In 1883 he was elected sheriff of Fulton County, and conducted the office so successfully that two years later he was re-elected by an increased majority. During his two administrations the affairs of the- County were carefully looked after, and the result was that law and order prevailed through-out the County.  Mr. Blair certainly has just cause to be proud of his official record. At the expiration of his second term the Fulton County bar and friends presented him with a gold headed cane, on the head of which was inscribed, "Presented to Frank T. Blair as a token of his fidelity and efficiency in office."  His wife was the daughter of Erastus Barnes, a native of Yates County. N. Y., who was a pioneer settler of Warren County, Pa.  He was quite prominent in County and Township affairs, having held the office of County Commissioner several terms, also that of justice of the peace and other Township offices.  In the lumber and general merchandise Business he was quite successful and was the owner of the largest saw and Grist mill in the County.  He died in 1894, aged eighty-four years.  Timothy Barnes, his father, was born in Yates County, and his son, Timothy Barnes, was treasurer of Warren County, Pa., two terms.  He died in 1881.  The ancestors of this family came from Connecticut, and took an active part in the Revolutionary war.  The mother-in-law of the subject of this sketch is

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Eliza (Eddy) Barnes, a native of Warren County, Pa., and the daughter of Zachariah and Rose (Stewart) Eddy, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ireland. Henry H. Ham, a prominent attorney of Fulton County, married a sister of Mrs. F. T. Blair. The children of Frank T. Blair and wife are: Eddy, of Wauseon, and Ernest Frank, a commission merchant of New York City.

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EUGENE BLAKE, a retired merchant of Wauseon, has been identified with the public affairs of Fulton County for nearly a half-century. He came to Fulton County with his father in 1856, when Wauseon was the terminus of the Lake Shore railway and when the present site of the city was still nearly all in the woods. His grandfather, Richard Blake, was one of the pioneers of Swan Creek Township, Fulton County, having come to Ohio from New York in a very early day. Lawrence Blake, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Alleghany County, New York, in 1811, where he grew to manhood. When he came to Ohio he settled in Erie County and from there he removed to Fulton County, locating on a farm in Fulton Township, where he spent the remainder of his life.  His wife was the daughter of James Manning, a pioneer of Swan Creek Township, who afterwards removed to a point farther west. Lawrence Blake and wife lived a happy married life of more than sixty years. He died in '90' at the ripe age of ninety years.  Eugene Blake was reared on a farm and received a rudimentary education in the public schools of his County. At the age of twenty-three he came to Wauseon and began his remarkably successful business career. For some time he clerked in the general store of Brigham & Springer. As a salesman he displayed such marked ability that his employers gave him an interest in the business, the name of the new firm being Brigham Springer & Co. That no mistake was made in his elevation to a partnership in the concern is evidenced by the fact that the business grew in volume as long as he was connected with it. For sixteen consecutive years he filled with great credit to himself and profit to the city the office of mayor of Wauseon. He was equally interested in Township affairs, and served as trustee for nine years. He is one of the oldest Masons in the County, having filled the chair of senior warden on the occasion of the institution of the first lodge. He married Miss Sarah Scott of Wauseon, a member of one of the most prominent families of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have one child, Scott Blake, who graduated from the Cincinnati School of Dental Surgery- with the class of 1905, and is now located in his profession at Wauseon. The subject of this sketch certainly has the right to rest from the burdens of active life after having worked so long and so hard, not only to build up a fortune for himself but also to assist in the development of Wauseon and Fulton County.

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WESLEY A. BLAKE is one of the representative farmers and stock-growers of Fulton County being the owner of a well improved landed estate in Clinton Township, and being a member of a family whose name has long been identified with the annals of the Buckeye State. The founder of the family in Ohio, and in Fulton County, was

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Orrin Blake, father of the subject of this sketch. Orrin Blake was born in historic old Litchfield, Conn., in the year 1802, being of stanch English line age, while the original progenitors in the new world came over with the Pilgrim Fathers, in 1620.  Orrin Blake was reared to manhood in his native State, receiving a common-school education and adopting farming as his vocation. Upon reaching maturity he came to Ohio which was then considered on the veritable frontier, and he located in Brimfield Township, Portage County, where he devoted his attention to farming for about a decade, after which he removed to Medina County, becoming one of the pioneers of that section, where he took up a considerable body of wild land, reclaiming a portion of the same to cultivation.  For several years during his residence in 'that County he devoted special attention to the tanning of hides and the manufacturing of gloves and mittens, for which he found a ready demand throughout the various pioneer counties, through which he traveled somewhat extensively.  In 1858 he came to Fulton County, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 27, Clinton Township, where he maintained his home for a number of years9 passing the closing days of his long and signally useful and honorable life in Hardin County.  In Litchfield, Conn., Orrin Blake was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Thomas, who was born and reared in that place, and who died in 1846 at Litchfield, Medina County, Ohio.  Following is a brief record concerning their six children: Jane is the widow of Lowrane L. Svercool, and resides in Medina, Ohio; Jennette is the widow of Justin Allis, of Kansas; Nancy is the wife of Harrison Stowell, of Franklin Township, Fulton County; Angelo W. resides in West Unity Williams County; May is the wife of Daniel Gray, of Fostoria Seneca County; and Wesley A. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Wesley A. Blake was born in Chatham, Medina County, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1841, and was reared to manhood in that County, attending the common schools and also a select school in Chatham, and thereafter he continued his studies one year in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, this State.  In his native town he served an apprenticeship at the trade of harness-making, becoming a thoroughly skilled workman, and he followed his trade as a vocation for six years in Wauseon, having come to Fulton County with his father. His health finally became much impaired through the close and sedentary work, and he then turned his attention to the work of the homestead farm, just west of the town, where he has ever since lived and been successfully engaged in farming and stock-growing, having become the owner of the property in 1861 He is giving special attention to the breeding of fine horses, giving" preference to the heavy Clydesdale type of draft horses, and in this connection he has gained a reputation that far transcends local limitations. His farm comprises 120 acres, and a more eligible location could not be asked, the fine improvements which he has made on the place bringing it into prominence as one of the model farms of the County. In politics he accords allegiance to the Republican Party, and both he and his wife are attendants and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Wauseon. Mr. Blake is a charter member of the lodge, chapter and council of the Masonic fraternity as represented in Wauseon as well as of the local chapter of the adjunct organization, the Order of the Eastern Star, and since 1873 he has been a member of Toledo Commandery, No.7, Knights Templar.  He is also a charter member of the Grange of Wauseon. In 1863 Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Hester Ann Newcomer, daughter of John Newcomer, a pioneer citizen of Fulton County, as is evident when it is stated that Mrs. Blake was the first white child born in what is now the thriving little city of Wauseon. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have four children: George W. resides in Hudson, Mich.; Charles A. is associated in the operation of the home farm; Cora May is the wife of Rev. D. F. Helms, a clergy man of the M. E. Church, and now a resident of Hicksville, Ohio; and Bertha N. is the wife of Charles H. Hodges of Wauseon.

 

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HENRY BLUBAUGH, one of the prosperous and representative farmers and stock-growers of Fulton Township, was born in this town-ship, on the 7th of June, 1847, and is a son of Elijah and Sarah (Schrock) Blubaugh, both of whom were horn in' Somerset count}-, Pa., of German lineage, and they were numbered among the earliest pioneer settlers of Fulton County. Here the father took up a tract of government land, near Luke's Corners, Fulton Township, and he initiated the work of reclaiming his land from the forest wilds, but died in the very prime of his active manhood, in 1857, at which time he was thirty-three years of age. His widow subsequently became the wife of Charles Mason, of Lucas County, and they remained on the old homestead until the death of Mr. Mason, when his widow went to the home of her son Samuel, in Toledo, where she passed the remainder of her life, having been seventy-two years of age at the time of her demise. Of the six children of Elijah and Sarah Blubaugh, Henry was the first born; Mary is the wife of Joseph Griesinger, of Fulton Township; Samuel, a retired farmer, resides in the city of Toledo; Drusilla died at Pettisville, Fulton County, having been the wife of Haman Bulger; the fifth child, a son, died in infancy, unnamed; and Melvina is the wife of George Dennis, of York Township. As Henry Blubaugh was the eldest of the children, being a lad of ten years at the time of his father's death, much of the burden involved in providing for the family and securing the improvement of the home farm devolved upon him. As a boy he went out to work at a shilling a day in order to repay men for cultivating the land of the home farm work which he was not able to perform and he carried bundles of grain after three cradlers, when all harvesting was done in this way, for the princely stipend of ten cents a day. Thus it may be seen that his early life was fraught with strenuous discipline and arduous toil, and self-denial was his portion in all relations of life in that period, his school privileges being limited to an irregular attendance in the school at Luke's Corners. He early manifested a marked predilection for mechanical pursuits, in which line he possesses much natural ability. As a young man he learned the carpenter's trade to which he devoted his attention for several years, and he erected the house and barn on his present farm, where he has lived for many years. For several years he gave more or less attention to market gardening, but his principal vocation during his active career has been that of

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farming and stock-growing, through which important lines of industry he has gained a well merited success and prosperity. He has resided on his present homestead for thirty years, having at first rented the same from his father-in-law, John Farner, after whose death, with consequent settlement of the estate, he purchased the interests of the other heirs and came into the absolute ownership of the fine farm, in conjunction with his faithful wife, who has been a true helpmate. The farm comprises eighty-one acres, and Mr. Blubaugh has been its owner since 1890. Under his direction prior to and since that time noteworthy improvements have been made on the place, a considerable amount of the land having been reclaimed from the native forest, and that which had been under cultivation has been cleared of stumps and brush, and everything about the farm placed in good repair, making it one of the model places of the Township. In addition to diversified agriculture Mr. Blubaugh has been especially successful in the raising of high-grade cattle and swine, and he is essentially progressive in his attitude. In national and State affairs he has always given a stanch support to the Republican party, but in a local way he supports men and measures rather than adhering to strict partisan lines. Mr. Blubaugh has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a quarter of a century, and has been identified with the Encampment of the order for fifteen years, at Delta. He is past noble grand of Swanton Lodge, No.528, and has also taken the degrees of the grand lodge, taking a very ,active interest in the affairs of this well known and beneficent fraternal organization. Mrs. Blubaugh is identified with the adjunct organization, the Daughters of Rebecca, as is also the wife of her son. The family home is a most attractive one, and its conveniences and beauties have been materially enhanced through the handicraft of Mr. Blubaugh and his son, both of whom have much mechanical ability. January 16, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Blubaugh to Miss Elmira Farner, a daughter of John and Catherine (Rhodes) Farner, who were born in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio, settling in Fulton County in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Blubaugh became the parents of four children, and two of the sons are deceased; John Edward, who died at the age of eight years, and Oma, who died at the age of fourteen months Harvey E. lives on the home farm and is associated with his father in its work and management. He is a member of the lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias at Swanton, and in politics he is a stanch Republican. He married Miss Margaret Bayes, a member of the old and well known pioneer family of that name. Orrie Elva is residing at the paternal home.

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CHARLES FREDERICK BOGART, a prominent real estate dealer and loan agent of Wauseon was born in Spencer, Tioga County, N.Y., in 1843. He is the son of Isaiah and Roxea (Handy) Bogart, both natives of Ohio. After the close of the Civil war Isaiah Bogart settled in Wauseon, where he died April 6th, 1898, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was a sister of Hon. Michael Handy, during life a prominent attorney-atlaw of this city. Francis Bogart, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, resided in Danby, Tompkins County,

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N.Y., where he followed the occupation of farming. The maiden name of his wife was Martha Manning. His great-grandfather Bogart resided in Dutchess and Tompkins Counties, N. Y.  Charles F. Bogart was educated in the public schools of his native County. At the breaking out of the Civil war he, his father and his twin brother enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninth New York regiment, all three being in the same company. Their regiment was commanded by Col. B. F. Tracy, afterwards Secretary of the Navy, and was a part of the Ninth army corps, commanded by General Burnside. This regiment took an active part in most of the battles after the Wilderness campaign. The father and his twin sons served three years, and all returned without having received an injury. In 1866 Charles and his twin brother, Frederick Charles, attended the Bryant & Stratton commercial college of Toledo, O., where both fitted themselves for an active business life. After graduating from this school they settled in Wauseon, where they for several years were engaged in the marble business, being the first to start such an enterprise there.  From Wauseon they removed to Kansas, where for eight years they were engaged in sheep-raising. Selling their sheep ranch, they removed to California, where Charles F. remained for two years. In 1889 he returned to Wauseon, where he is now actively engaged in the real estate and loan business. For the past fifteen years he has handled the money of an Eastern capitalist as loan agent, doing a business of more than two hundred thousand dollars annually, this amount being left in his care for reinvesting. He has operated in Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams and Defiance counties. He has displayed such good judgment in placing his loans that he enjoys the full confidence of the capitalist whom he represents.  So complete is this confidence that all deeds and abstracts of title to lands on which loans have been made are entrusted to his keeping. Of course this confidence is due to his extraordinary success in all of his business transactions. For two years he served on the council of the city of his abode. That he has prospered in his business is demonstrated by the fact that he with his father and brother erected a fine brick business block on Main street, called the Bogart block, which he now owns, and which, by the way, is one of the finest in Wauseon. Having served his country so patriotically, it follows that he takes an active interest in the Grand Army of the Republic.  He and his twin brother own large tracts of land in the oil fields of Texas. where his brother. Frederick Charles, is now residing, and attending to that part of their business. For some years both were interested in a telephone company in Houston, Texas, of which Frederick Charles was vice president and treasurer. Before going to Texas and California Frederick Charles was a resident of Wauseon.. The Bogart family were originally Holland Dutch, the original name being Vande-Bogart. The two boys, Charles Frederick and Frederick Charles, were promoted from privates to corporals for soldierly conduct in the field.

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NELSON E. BOLLES, a pioneer of the livery and sates stable business of Delta, was born in Royalton Township, Cuyahoga County, O., November 6, 1839. He is the son of Gurdon and Harriet (Paull)
 

Bolles, the former a native of Connecticut, of English descent, and the latter of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Gurdon Bolles was a farmer by occupation and in an: early day removed to Summit County from Cuyahoga County. After retiring from active labor he lived for a time with his eldest son in Ashland County, 0. Later he removed to Oberlin, 0., where he died in July, 1865. He was thrice married, the mother of Nelson E. Bolles being his second wife, who died when Nelson was only eight years old. They were the parents of three sons: Nelson E., the eldest; Avillo, who died at Ada, O., from the effects of disabilities incurred in the Civil war; Julius D., a druggist of Bowling Green, Wood County, who also served as a Union soldier. The third wife of Gurdon Bolles was Catherine Spooner, who survived him about twelve years. They had three children, only one of whom is living, Emma Davis of Lenawee, Mich. Nelson E. Bolles remained in his native County until he was twelve years old, when the family home was transferred to Summit County, he receiving his education in these two counties. He began his life work as a farmer, hauling his grain principally to Akron. In March, i865, lie removed to Fulton County, engaging for two years in the hotel business. Then he embarked in the present business, which he has conducted very successfully for nearly forty years. For the same length of time he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, having been made a master mason in Richfield, Summit County, and demitted to Fulton Lodge, No.248, thirty-nine wears ago. He received the Chapter degrees at Wauseon, is a charter member of Octavius Waters Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and has been a member of Delta Lodge No.460, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, since its organization in 1870. At present he is a member of Fulton Encampment, No.197, being Past Chief Patriarch and past representative of the grand lodge and the grand encampment. For twenty-three years he has served as scribe of the encampment and has just been reelected for another year. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican, having served for twenty-three wears as constable of York Township, in which Delta is located. The official record of Mr. Bolles, both in lodges and in civil offices, is probably the equal of that of any other person in Fulton County. In 1859, in Akron, he was wedded to Miss Martha A. Fauble, born in Richfield, Summit County, in 1842. They have had three children:  Samuel E., a traveling salesman, with headquarters in New York City, where he resides with his wife and one child; Marion E., a druggist of Stryker, O., a soldier in the late Spanish-American war, who is married and has one child, Vaughn E. Bolles, and Dora C., a stenographer by occupation, and at present employed in Delta.

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JACOB BONNELL, a retired farmer of Wauseon was born near the Jersey shore in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1837. He is the son of William and Anna Margaret (Beugter) Bonnell, both natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather was John Bonnell, who married Miss Catherine N. Miller. His great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving on the Colonial side. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, George Buyter, was a field officer in the

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German army at the time of the Napoleonic wars. William Bonnell was born in Lycoming County, Pa. He came to Seneca County, O., in 1839, where he bought timbered land, and, after having cleared it, erected a comfortable house on the ground. Always taking an active part in public affairs, he served both as justice of the peace and trustee of Pleasant Township, Seneca County. No other farmer in that community was more successful and more highly respected than he. His wife was born in Philadelphia, and with her parents removed to Tioga County, Pa.  Both died on the home farm. The children of William Bonnell and wife are as follows: Ann; John, of Seneca County, who served as a member of the me Hundred and First Ohio volunteer infantry in the Civil war; Jacob, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of Daniel Callow, of Seneca County; Richard (deceased), who enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio volunteer infantry and died at Nashville, Tenn.; James, of Fulton County, ltd., who served during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio infantry, and Alfred, of Seneca County. Jacob Bonnell, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his home County. He chose farming as his life's work, having found it very 'agreeable while growing up on his father's farm. in 1864 he enlisted in Company C of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio infantry and served four months in the army of the Potomac under General Augur. He married Miss Sarah Ann Norris, the daughter of Lott and Lorranor (Todd) Norris, natives of Frederick County, Md.9 who entered land in Seneca County in an early day. Lott Norris took an active part in local affairs, having held practically all of the Township offices. His parents were Thomas and Susan Norris. The following are the children of Jacob Bonnell and wife: Ulysses Grant of Clinton Township; Margaret Estella, the wife of Herbert L. Whiteman, of Liberty Township, Henry County, and Herbert Roscoe. of York Township, Fulton County. The children of Lott Norris and wife are: William Henry of Tiffin, O., who served during the Civil war in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio infantry; Ephraim, of Adams Township, Seneca County; Mary (deceased), who was the wife of Peter Vandeveer, of Scipio township, Seneca County; John T., of Tiffin; Sarah, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Charles (deceased), who enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio infantry and died in Louisville. Ky., while in service; Susan, the wife of Peter J. Vandeveer, of Scipio Township. Seneca County, and Emma, the wife of Alfred Bonnell, a brother of Jacob Bonnell, of Pleasant Township, Seneca County.

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JAMES J. BORN, a progressive farmer and popular citizen of Fulton Township. was born on the farm which is now his home on the 9th of March, 1855, and is a son of David and Margaret (Kline) Born. David Born was born in Berks County, Pa., in r8i5, and as a young man he came to Ohio and located in Tuscarawas County. He was a millwright and wagon-maker, and operated a wagon shop in Trenton, that County, until November 10, 1853, when he came to Fulton County and located on the farm now owned by his son, James J., subject of this

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sketch. He purchased forty acres, for a consideration of four hundred dollars, and at the same time paid one hundred dollars for one acre adjoining, this investment having been made by reason of the fact that a log house had been already erected on the plat. This cabin he desired to prevent near neighbors and to use as a wagon shop. He was an excellent mechanic and erected many houses and barns in this section in the earlier years. He was successful as a money-maker, but lost heavily through his going security for his friends, some of whom were unfortunate, while others took deliberate advantage of his kindness. He later purchased adjoining land, making the aggregate area of his farm eighty-one acres, and practically the entire tract was reclaimed from the forest by him and his sons. He died June 4, 1894, secured in the high regard of all who knew him. He was associated with Wells Watkins in the organization of the first Sunday school in Fulton Township, Mr. Watkins being still resident of the Township. David Born was one of those concerned in the organization of Fulton County, and he served many years in Township office, having been trustee of Fulton Township during the Civil war and later. He had been previously married as had also his wife. By his first union four children were born, two attaining maturity. Albert met his death while serving as a soldier in the Civil war, and Priscilla is the wife of John Pulcher, of Tuscarawas County. The first husband of Margaret (Kline) Born was Samuel Cogan, and they had four children, namely: William H., who died as a result of a wound received while he was serving in the Civil war; John is a resident of Toledo; Julia A. is the wife of Richard M. Watkins. of Delta, this County; and Mary is the widow of O. W. Parish of Ontario, Ind. David and Margaret Born became the parents of five children: David Franklin died in Delta, May 6, 1895; Hannah Joan is the wife of A. S. VanNortwick, and they reside in Tennessee; Jacob Sylvester died in early manhood: James J is the immediate subject of this sketch: and Ella died at the age of seven years. The loved mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 13th of May, 1893. James J. Born was reared on the home farm, and is indebted to the district school for his educational discipline in his youth. He assisted in the work of the farm as a young man. and for a period of about six years was engaged as a traveling salesman, selling a washing machine which had been invented and patented by his father and brother, who manufacture(l the same. He did a fine business in the placing of these machines, and he still handles the same, though no longer giving active attention to the manufacture and sale of the article.  In 1895 he purchased the old homestead farm, and he has since devoted himself to its operation, being one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of the Township. while for the past two years he has given considerable attention to the raising of sugar beets, finding this branch of his farming enterprise profitable. In politics he is a stanch Republican, taking a loyal interest in public affairs but never seeking official preferment.  He was for a number of years a member of the Township school board. and has been a strong advocate of the centralization of the school interests of the Township. He was for many years secretary of the Union church Sunday school and is active in

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church work at the present time, both he and his wife holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is affiliated with Delta Lodge, No.199, Knights of Pythias, and with its adjunct organization, the Rathbone Sisters, of which Mrs. Born also is a member, and both are identified with Berry Grange, No.1111, in which he has held office. December 29, i88i, Mr. Born married Miss Lavina Saeger, who was born and reared in Fulton Township, being a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Nobbs) Saeger, well-known residents of the County.  Mr.. Saeger was born in Pennsylvania, of stanch German ancestry.  Mr. and Mrs. Born have two children: Grace, who was born January 28, 1883, is the wife of Minor Smith. a farmer of Fulton Township; and Charles. who was born July 9, 1888, is associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm

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NOAH W. BOWSER, whose attractive homestead farm is located about three miles south of the village of Fayette, in Franklin Township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this part of the County.  He was born on the home farm, in Section 32, this Township, on the 19th of February, 1852, and is a son of Noah and Delilah (Zimmerman) Bowser, the former of whom was born on that same farm, where he passed his entire life, having died at the age of twenty-two years and three months, a short time before his only child, subject of this review, was born. Noah Bowser was a son of John Bowser, who was born in Germany, and who became one of the early early settlers of Fulton County, taking up a tract of wild land and developing the farm upon which his son and grandson were born, as just noted.  He there passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, and he was also a licensed preacher in the Christian Brethren church, being zealous in the work. His remains lie at rest in the Spring Hill cemetery, as do also those of the other deceased members of this well-known family. Of the eight children of Rev. John Bowser none are living, Noah having been the youngest.  Delilah (Zimmerman) Bowser was born in the eastern part of this State, being a daughter of Daniel Zimmerman, a native of Hessen, Germany, whence he came to America when a child. his father having been one of the Hessian soldiers employed by the British Government to aid in suppressing the American Revolution: but after learning the nature of the cause for which he had come to wage war, he soon deserted from the English ranks and became a valiant soldier in the Continental line. After the war he established a permanent home in the country in the winning of whose independence he had assisted. Daniel Zimmerman was a shoemaker by trade, but devoted the greater part of his active life to farming, and after the death of his wife he came to Fulton County, where he passed his declining days. After the death of her youthful husband Mrs. Delilah (Zimmerman) Dowser became the wife of Solomon Snyder, and after residing about six years in Defiance County they came to Franklin Township once more, here making their home until about 1877, when they removed to Metz, Steuben County, Ind. where Mr. Snyder died a few years ago and where his widow still has her home, being

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seventy-seven years of age (1905). Of the three children of her second marriage two are living-Alston C., a resident of Huntington, Ind.; and Sarah M., the wife of James Porter, of Metz, Ind. Noah W. Bowser secured his early educational training in the common schools of Franklin Township, later attending the public schools of Wauseon and the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. He thereafter was engaged in farming on the old homestead for five years, after which be traded farms with his mother, being thereafter engaged in operating the farm at Spring Hill about three years. In the spring of 1884 he went to Metz, Ind., where he was engaged in the hardware business about three years, after which he purchased a farm in Williams County, Ohio, near West Unity, remaining on that place until 1900, when he disposed of the property and purchased his present farm, of eighty acres, in Section 5, Franklin Township, where he is engaged in successful farming and stock-raising.  In politics Mr. Dowser is a stanch Republican, has maintained a lively interest in the party cause. and he has been a frequent delegate to the County conventions.  He has served as Township trustee and treasurer, and is loyal and public-spirited in his attitude.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is affiliated with the Fayette lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. October 19, 1874. Mr. Dowser married Miss Amanda Gortner, of Franklin Township, and she died in 1878.  On the 22d of April, 1880, he married Miss Ada Kump, daughter of Levi Kump, an early settler of Franklin Township, where he died September 17, 1904, aged seventy-five years.  Mr. Dowser has five children: Earl L. is a student in the Ohio State University, in Columbus, and the other children remain at the parental home, namely: Frank L., Eunice D., Stanley W. and Clarence D.

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SCHUYLER BRADLEY is another of the sterling citizens of Fulton County who have gained a competency through active association with the agricultural industry. and he is now enjoying the dignified retirement from active toil which is the just recompense for his many years of persistent application. He has a pleasant home in the village of Lyons. where he has resided since 1893, and he is further worthy of recognition in this work by reason of being a veteran of the Civil war.  Mr. Bradley was born at Summerhill, Cayuga County, N. Y., November 12, 1833. a son of Delos D. and Polly (Sanford) Bradley, both of whom were born in that same County. The paternal grandfather. Micah Bradley, was born in Connecticut. a scion of stanch Puritan stock. and was an active participant in the War of 1812, and the latter?s father rendered service as a Continental soldier in the War of the Revolution. Micah Bradley was numbered among the pioneers of Cayuga County. N. Y., where he reclaimed a farm from the wilderness, residing on the place until he was sixty years of age, after which he passed twenty years in Groton. Thompkins County. N.Y.. then returning to Cayuga County and passing the remainder of his life in the village of Scipio. where he died at the patriarchal age of ninety-one years. The maiden name of his wife was Susanna Bennett. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Isaac Sanford, \Who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and became a pioneer of Cayuga county, that State, where he died. In 1857 Delos D. and Folly (Sanford) Bradley settled in Waupaca county, Wis.. being pioneers of that locality, where he reclaimed a farm in the midst of the virgin forest. In 1875 he removed to Ohio. Winnebago county, Wis., where his wife died, several years later, at the age of seventy 5 years. He then took up his residence in the city of Ironwood, in the northern peninsula of Michigan, where he died in 1896, aged ninety-one years. thus maintaining the family reputation for longevity. Of his twelve children nine attained to years of maturity, namely: Schuyler. Edgar. George. William, Isaac, Helen, Delos, John and Mary. Schuyler Bradley was reared to maturity in Cayuga county N. Y. where he received a good common-school education. When about nineteen years of age he went to Rockingham county, Ma., where he served an apprenticeship at the moulder's and machinist's trades, which he followed from 1852 until 1858. He was residing in his native State at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, and on the 15th of August. 1862. he enlisted in Company E. One hundred and Thirty-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, which was later merged into the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He remained in service sixteen months and fifteen days, and on the 31st of December, 1863, at Central Park hospital, New York city, received his honorable discharge on account of physical disability. For fifteen years after the close of the war Mr. Bradley was engaged in farming in Caledonia township, Waupaca county, Wis., and in 1880 he located in Fairfield township, Lenawee county. Mich., where he followed the same vocation until 1893, when he came to the adjoining county of Fulton, taking up his residence in the attractive village of Lyons, where he has since lived essentially retired. He is a member of Baxter Post, No.238. Grand Army of the Republic, of Lyons, and his political faith is that for which the Republican party stands voucher. March 23, 1865, Mr. Bradley was married to Mrs. Frances Baxter, widow of Lieut. James H. Baxter, who was killed in the battle of Fort Wagner. S. C. in the Civil war. She was born in Moravia, Cayuga county, N. Y., and is a daughter of Cyrenus and Louisa (Gardner) Sanford, who were pioneers of Lenawee county, Mich Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have three daughters, namely: Cora., wife of Thomas Jefferson Terry; Grace, wife of Omer F. Harvey: and Ida, wife of Asa Munn.

 
THE BLAIR HOUSE

Wauseon is especially fortunate in many respects, but particularly so in the possession of the Blair House. Northwestern Ohio does not possess a public refuge for the weary traveler in any respect superior to the Blair of Wauseon. This is not alone the verdict of the writer, but he is sustained in this view by the best of witnesses, the traveling public. As a basis for this conclusion it is necessary to particularize sufficiently to establish the claim. The Blair is a handsome three-story brick structure, erected in 1896 on the site of the old Wauseon House, which was destroyed by fire. The present owner, J. Crawford Blair was also the proprietor of the Wauseon, and he brought to his aid in the construction of the new building a ripe experience in the hotel business. Errors in arrangement, which had proven themselves such under the crucial test of experience, were carefully avoided, and the new building came into existence as nearly perfect in design and workmanship as it was possible to make it. The site of the Blair House has been occupied for hotel purposes ever since the town of Wauseon came into existence. It is conveniently located, near the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railway, and at the same time near the business portion of the city. The hotel fronts upon a neatly kept little park and the Toledo and Indiana Electric railway passes by the door. Though the Blair is the handsomest public building in the city, the guests do not judge of a hotel by its external appearance. Internally the Blair is in perfect accord with its outside design. Every available foot of space is carefully utilized, yet without the appearance of being cramped, the nooks and corners being converted into receptacles convenient alike to guests and the practical utility of the house. The guest rooms are large and airy, handsomely decorated, heated with steam and lighted with electricity. A perfect system of call bells communicates with the office, and assures the guests of safety from fire, while a thoroughly competent night service reduces this danger to a minimum. Competent and obliging help in all departments caters to the comfort and convenience of the guest, and renders his sojourn homelike and pleasant. For the benefit of those who need the inspiration of stimulants, a handsome bar has been installed, where the best of goods may always be found, and the irrepressible "Cy" Snelbaker ready to cater to the public wants. "Cy" is as much a fixture as the house itself, having been in charge of the bar since the opening of the house on July 4, 1896. The-management of the Blair is perfect in all details. There is no clashing or discord. Every one knows his or her duty and performs it with scrupulous accuracy and thoroughness. A speck of dust would be a terror to the eyes of the vigilant landlady and the rooms, halls, stair-ways, bathrooms, closets, snowy white beds, the furniture, etc., are a standing advertisement of her ever vigilant care. But what is a hotel without a dining room?  Take a peep into this, the nucleus to all success in hotel-keeping on the "American"  plan. The room is large and commodious, handsomely decorated and adorned. The tables are tastily arranged to accommodate six guests at each. The principal meals are served in three courses. The menu includes the choicest articles afforded by the market, in great variety, selected and prepared with that intelligent consideration which comes only with long and varied experience. The culinary department is in charge of thoroughly competent persons, whose lone connection with the house has rendered their labors doubly- useful. The service is the best, the whole aim seeming to be to please and satisfy the guests. From this brief review of the salient features of the Blair House, the reader would naturally be interested in knowing something of the private life arid character of him whose means and business capacity have brought this hostelry into existence and maintained it on the high plane herein described. James Crawford Blair was born near Honesdale, Wayne County, Pa., on November 19, 1849. He is the son of James Hunter and Sarah (Smith) Blair, natives of Pennsylvania. James H. Blair was a prosperous farmer. To him and wife eleven children were born. They are: Robert S., Frank, James C., Samuel T., Sarah, Maggie A., Wells C., Mary F., Jennie, Ellsworth B. (deceased), and Elizabeth. Ellsworth died at the age of twenty-four. All of the others are married and have homes of their own, five of the brothers being residents of Ohio and three of the sisters of Kendallville, MD. J. C. Blair was educated in the country schools of his native county. He began his life work by engaging for several years in lumbering in the pineries of Wayne County. For the next few years he superintended a tannery at Glade Run, Pa.; then was superintendent of the nitro-glycerine establishment at Clarendon, Pa., for one year, after which he had charge of a lumber camp near Saginaw, Mich., for a like period of time. On April 1, 1892, he came to Delta, O., and embarked in the hotel business, but was burned out the same year, losing everything except the clothing on his person. In October of the next year he removed to Wauseon and bought the Wauseon House, which was also destroyed by fire within two years of his assuming control. Here he again met with heavy loss. It was to Mr. Blair's pluck and perseverance that the Blair was built on the ruins of the old Wauseon. J. C. Blair has been a Mason for twenty-eight years, uniting with the North Star Lodge, No.241, of Warren, Pa., and has attained to the Thirty-second degree. He also holds membership in the Warren Lodge, No.339, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of Tent No.133, Knights of the Maccabees at Wauseon. In politics he is a staunch Republican. Although reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, he is not identified with any religious organization. On September i6, i886, he was married to Miss Catherine Kriegelsteiner, of Dunkirk,
N. Y. She is the daughter of Wolfgang Kriegelsteiner, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Blair are very affable, congenial people, who take special pains in making their house a pleasant home for those who are entertained under its roof. Music and social games are provided in the spacious parlors and the well-disposed and orderly guest always meets with a cordial reception. The Blair family attend the services of the Congregational church and contribute liberally towards the support of the Gospel. As a reminder of Mr. Blair's former business connections, the following is reprinted from the Warren Evening Mirror of August 19, 1886: "Crawford Blair, who constituted one of the active force of the Oil Exchange when that institution was in its glory, but who is now looking after the oil interests of some Titusville parties at Tiona, took a lingering look at Warren today."