FRANK D. BAIN, M.D., who stands at the head of his profession in Hardin County, is a native of this state, and was born in Kenton, where he at present makes his home, Aug. 24, 1850.  His father, Judge James Bain, born in 1817, in Greene County, Ohio, came to Kenton two years prior to our subject's birth, and here was an attorney of admitted ability.
     James Bain served for some years as Probate Judge of Hardin County, and was a member of the first Board of Education in this portion of the state.  He was an influential member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in the denomination at Kenton was Elder for many years.  He departed this life in 1879.  His father, who also bore the name of James, was a native of Pennsylvania, and served as a soldier during the war of 1812.  He moved in early life to Greene County, Ohio, and was classed among the well-to-do pioneers of that section.
     The mother of Dr. Bain was prior to her marriage known as Miss Jane McBride.  She died in 1857, when Frank D. was a lad of seven years.  The following year his father was again married, the lady on this occasion being Mrs. Winget Dodds, who was born in Delaware county, this state, in 1819.  She came to Kenton in the year 1837, and since the death of her husband has made her home with the Doctor.  She has now passed the age of three score years and ten, and is as bright and happy as many who are only half that age.  Having been a resident of this place for over fifty years, she has seen Kenton grow from a hamlet of one hundred inhabitants to a thriving city of eight thousand people, and can relate many an interesting tale of life in the early days.  She has been a devout member of the United Presbyterian Church all her life, and devotes much of her time to Christian work in her neighborhood.
     Our subject has two brothers.  Rev. Henry Bain, a prominent Presbyterian minister located at Pittsburg, Pa., where he has been a pastor of the church for a quarter of a century, is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, in the Keystone State, and received a diploma from the Western Theological College of Pittsburg.  The church over which he is presiding at the present time has had but four pastors during one hundred years.  Henry Bain was a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, and with his regiment participated in many well known engagements.  The other brother of our subject is Charles.  He, too, served his country in the late war, being on the field of battle during that entire period, as a member of the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery.  He is now living in Jasper County, Ill., where he is engaged in cultivating a valuable tract of land.  The Doctor also has two sisters: Mary B. Miller, who is in charge of the Pittsburg (Pa.) Hospital for Children, and Mrs. Nelson Robinson, whose husband is a tile manufacturer of Kenton.
     Our subject received his literary education in the common schools of his native city, and when only thirteen years of age went into a drug store as clerk.  He continued in that capacity for five years, when he took up the study of medicine under the instruction of the late Dr. W. H. Philips.  In 1872, after attending lectures at the Bellevue Medical College of New York, he was graduated therefrom, and then spent one year in the East, after which he returned to Kenton and entered into partnership with his former preceptor.  This connection existed for two years, when our subject practiced alone near Pittsburg, Pa., for three years.  In 1879, on the death of his father, he returned to this city and has been in active practice here ever since.
     Dr. Bain was for several years physician to the County Infirmary, and at the present time is Secretary of the Board of Health, with which he has been connected ever since its organization.  He has also been Surgeon for the Cincinnati & Eastern, the Toledo & Ohio Central, and the Big Four Railroad Companies for many years, and has acted in the same capacity for the Second Regiment Ohio National Guards.
     In n1881 Dr. Bain took a post-graduate course at Rush Medical College of Chicago, six years later entered the Medical College of New York, pursuing an advanced course of study, and in 1892 was graduated from the Post-Graduate School of London, England.  He is a member of the American Medical Association, the National Association of Railroad Surgeons, the Ohio State Medical Society, and the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, of which he was at one time President.  He now holds the office of Vice President of the Ohio Medical Association.  He stands very high in Masonic circles, and is regarded by all to be one of the most skillful surgeons and physicians in the state.  The Doctor is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
     Dr. Bain was married, Sept. 16, 1875, to Miss Kate, daughter of Col. James Purdy, of Mansfield.  She died two months after her marriage, and June 27, 1877, our subject was married to Miss Eleanor Armstrong, the daughter of Wilson Armstrong, of Galion, this state.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 268

JAMES M. BAKER.  One of the valuable farms of Goshen Township is located on section 7, and is owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch.  It is conveniently located six and one-half miles northeast of Kenton, and on it are a commodious residence, necessary buildings, and farm machinery of improved designs.
     Mr. Baker was born in Brooke County, W. Va., Oct. 19, 1824, and is the son of Morris and Mary (Campbell) Baker, representatives of old and prominent families of the above state.  When twelve years of age James M. came to Hardin County with his parents.  A family by the name of Jones, from the same neighborhood in West Virginia, also came with them.  They located in Goshen Township, one mile east of where our subject now lives, and there the father entered a quarter-section of land from the Government, making it his home until his decease, at the age of eighty years.  His wife had passed away before him, when in her sixtieth year.  They were among the earliest residents of the community, and together worked to establish a good home for themselves and children.
     Five of the seven members of the parental family are now living.  Those besides our subject are Fannie J., who married John Simms, of this township; Rachael, now Mrs. G. W. Armstrong; William, who lives in Adams County, Neb.; and Nathan, of Marion County.  James M. was twenty three years old when he started out in life for himself.  His first purchase of land consisted of seventy-one acres, for which he paid $300.  He was married, Jan. 9, 1851, to Miss Susannah Scott, of Wyandot County, and the young couple at once settled on this farm, determining to accumulate for themselves a competence.  That they were successful is made evident when we state that at one time our subject was the possessor of six hundred acres of land.  He now, however, has only ninety-five acres, the remainder having been divided among his children, who are farming in this locality.  In addition to raising the usual amount of grain, he paid a great deal of attention to breeding fine grades of stock, which business he found to be a very paying one.
     The family belonging to our subject and his wife is composed of the following children: Chester J., operating a farm in Pleasant Township; Matthew A., living in Kenton; Mary Elvira, who married Marshall Miller, a farmer of Pleasant Township; Guernsey Marshall who is farming in Goshen Township; Sarah Jane, the wife of James Graffmiller, of Jackson Township; and Eva Rodella, who married Henry Hommel, and is now living on a tract of land adjoining the old homestead, in which vicinity Thomas Robinson also lives.  The mother of this family died Oct. 11, 1891, aged sixty years, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.  Our subject is a member of the Methodist Church.
     Apr. 16, 1895, Mr. Baker married for his second wife Miss Rose Schorer, daughter of Rudolph Schorer, both residents of Kenton.  Politically our subject votes in favor of the Democracy.  He has served acceptably as Trustee, but has not otherwise been interested in township affairs.  Reliable in citizenship, kindly and considerate in neighborly associations, and honorable in his dealings, he is held in respect by his fellow-men, while as an agriculturist he always stood above par.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 371

JAMES BASTABLE, a successful financier and businessman of Ada, Hardin County, occupies the responsible position of Cashier in the Ada Savings Bank.  For over two decades he has been numbered among the leading citizens of the village, and in any enterprise or public improvement under consideration he is confidently relied upon to assist in every way possible.
     Thomas, father of James Bastable, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland.  When he arrived at mature years he came to America and followed his trade, that of shoemaking, in Philadelphia and Cincinnati.  Subsequently, going to Crawfordsville, Ind., he ran a grocery for several years.  His death took place in Ada in 1875.  His good wife, formerly Ellen Glen, is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in County Galway, and is now a resident of this town.
     Mr. Bastable of this sketch was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., Jan. 17, 1852.  At the time of the family's removal to Ada he was but six years of age, and for a few years thereafter he attended the local schools to some extent.  When he was in his sixteenth year he began learning telegraphy, to which he devoted himself up to 1873.  The enterprising young man ten decided to embark in business for himself, and opened a hardware store.  From the start he met with success, and ere long accumulated a large fortune.
     In 1893 the old Ada Bank failed, and Mr. Bastable became much interested in the formation of a new and more reliable one in its stead.  Through his efforts the present institution was organized, and on account of Mr. Bastable's being at the head of the concern it found favor with the public at once.  The advance in the esteem of the citizens has since been steady and marked, for it is known that every transaction of the bank is strictly business-like and open to the scrutiny of all.  Mr. Bastable still retains his interest in his extensive hardware business, of which he has been the mainspring for many years.
     May 11, 1883, Mr. Bastable married Harriet P., daughter of H. P. Gage, of Findlay, this state, and niece of the late General Robinson.  Our subject and his wife have no children of their own, but have taken into their hearts and home a niece and a nephew, whom they are bringing up.  They are named, respectively, Margaret and James.
     His right of franchise Mr. Bastable uses in favor of the Democratic party.  He is open-hearted and liberal toward those in need of help, and is a friend to the cause of education.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 503

DAVID BAUGHMAN.  Few citizens of Hardin County are more deserving of special notice, or a prominent place in the history of the Honored representative settlers within her boundaries, than the gentleman whose name we place at the opening of this sketch, and who has been a resident here since 1855.
     Our subject was born July 3, 1819, in Allen County, this state, to Henry and Mary (Aigler) Baughman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but of German descent.  The paternal grandfather on coming to America located in Bucks County, Pa., where he lived for a time, and then thought to better his condition by cultivating the fertile soil of the Buckeye State.  He came hither when a young man, locating in Franklin County, where he first worked out at fifty cents per day.  He was very industrious and economical, and when twenty-five years of age was married.  With his wife he settled on a tract of one hundred acres of wild land which he had purchased in an uninhabited part of the county, his only neighbors being Indians, who were not at all times as friendly as could be desired.  He was determined, however, to obtain a goodly amount of land and "grow up with the country."  Henry Baughman erected a little cabin built of logs, 18x26 feet in dimensions, and in this rude structure made his home until the year 1829.  That year he disposed of this property, and, moving to Sandusky County, this state, purchased two hundred and forty acres, on which he made his home for a period of eight years.  At the end of that time, his experience as a pioneer in a new country having proved a very hard one, he located in Columbus.  His stay there was of short duration, however, for we soon find him living in Allen County, on two hundred and sixty acres of land.  This he also took up in its wild state, and after erecting a dwelling for his family, and making them as comfortable as possible, began again the task of subduing the primeval soil.  He made many improvements in the seven years in which he was in possession of this farm, and after selling it moved upon another place in the same county.  Four years afterward he traded this last estate for a farm of one hundred acres near St. John's, where he was residing at the time of his decease.  He was a Democrat in politics and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     David Baughman was united in marriage to Rebecca Beaver, and the four children who were born to them were Barbara Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Margaret and Rachel, all of whom are deceased.  The wife and mother died in February, 1854, and May 9 of the following year Mr. Baughman married Catherine Gilman of Hardin County.  Their eight children are named, respectively, George W., Charles, Melissa, Lewis, Silas, Preston, Amos and Sherman.
     When starting out for himself, our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, following this business for seven years in Shelby County.  Abandoning this at the end of that time, he became a carpenter, and for about thirty years was thus employed at various places.  In 1855, however, he made permanent location in Roundhead Township[, and since that time has given his attention to farming.  For the first twelve years he farmed on a rented tract of one hundred and eight acres, which he later purchased.  This piece of property is the same on which he now resides, and from the many improvements in the way of dwelling and barns which have been placed there by our subject, the passer-by-knows it to be owned by a man of progressive spirit and enterprise.
     Mr. Baughman has been School Director and Supervisor of his township, and in politics, during his younger days, was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895

ELI BEAGLE has been a resident of Liberty Township, Hardin County, since 1874.  He is now the owner of a fine estate located on section 4, and during the many years in which his lot has been cast in this county he has taken an active interest in its development and progress.
     Our subject was born in Muskingum County, this state, Dec. 10, 1827, to John and Matilda (Selsam) Beagle, who were married near Hagerstown, Md., about 1824.  The father was born near that place in 1798, and there worked at his trade, that of a shoemaker, until his marriage.  Soon after that event he moved with his bride to Muskingum County, and there made his home until 1853.  That year he sold out and moved to Hancock County, two miles west of Houcktown, and seven miles south of Findlay.  There he was residing at the time of his decease, in 1874, when seventy-six years of age.  He was the only child born to his parents, but he had a half-sister named Elizabeth Williams.  His father died when he was an infant of twelve months so all knowledge of him is lost.
     Matilda Selsam, who was born near Hagerstown, Md., about the year 1811, was the daughter of John Selsam, who, it is believed, was also a native of Maryland.  Mrs. Beagle had three brothers, John, George and Daniel.
     To John and Matilda there were born eleven children.  Martin is living in Williamstown, this state; Eli, of this sketch, was the next-born; Alva occupies a good farm northeast of Arlington, Ohio; Eliza is now Mrs. Joseph Tracy, and also lives in the same direction from Houcktown; Elizabeth, Mrs. Reuben French, is a resident of Fostoria; Sarah, Mrs. Washington Waltermeyer, lives one mile west of Houcktown; Hester, whose home is three miles northeast of Williamstown, is the wife of Timothy Sherer; Matilda died in infancy; David is a merchant of Houcktown; and Thomas is station agent at Eagle Creek.
     Our subject was reared to mature years in Muskingum County, attending the subscription schools near his home in the summer season, and in the winter months was a student in the public schools.  This continued until he was about twenty years of age, and the following year he began the battle of life for himself.  He first operated a rented farm for one season, and the next summer worked out by the month for a Mr. Granger, who lived on Jonathan's Creek.  Then, with the assistance given him by a cousin in Hagerstown, he erected a shop, and began working at the shoemaker's trade, which he had partially learned from his father.  After removing to Hancock County, he carried on his trade for five years, and on taking up his abode at Dunkirk still continued to be a shoemaker until 1871, when he injured his thumb and was obliged to abandon the business.  March 17, 1874, he located upon his present farm, which he had purchased the previous fall.  It is a nicely improved tract, and yields him a good income..
     Mr. Beagle was married, Jan. 17, 1850, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Sears, whose birth occurred in Fairfax County, Va., in 1829.  She was the daughter of Presley W. and Harriet (Caton) Sears, who were married near Centerville, that county, about 1828.  Her father was the son of Presley, Sr., a native of England, who married a Miss Wooster, and for many years kept the tollgate in Washington D. C.  He died in Virginia.  His son, the father of Mrs. Sears, came to Ohio about 1835, and hauled the first load of stone through Muskingum County, which was used on the canal.  In 1858 he moved to Appanoose County, Iowa, settling near Moravia, where he made his home until his death, in 1891, when in his seventy-second year.  His wife died in 1878.  To them were born ten children, namely: Jane Elizabeth, Mrs. Beagle; William, engaged as a civil engineer in East Saginaw, Mich.; Charles L., who when last heard from was in Nashville, Tenn., employed as an architect; Virginia Eleanor, who died when five years of age; Ann, Mrs. McCloud, a resident of Nebraska; John, who has not been heard from since leaving home for California; Cornelius, Albert and Amanda, deceased; and Susan Cordelia, Mrs. Horner, who makes her home in Appanoose County, Iowa, on the old home place.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Beagle there were born ten children, of whom we make the following mention: Mary Ellen is deceased; Eliza Ann married Daniel Shaw, and is living on a farm near Bluffton; Jennis is deceased; John is living near his father's place; Howard is farming in Wells County, Ind.; Charles and Willie Elsworth died when young; Hattie M. is the wife of Charles Hammer, a farmer in this section; Lydia Margaret is now Mrs. George Rayl, and with her husband, occupies a farm one mile west of her father's place; and Bessie R. and her husband, George Klinger, live west of Ada.
     Both Mr. and Mrs. Beagle are members of the German Baptist Church.  In politics the former is a Republican, and has voted for the candidates of that party since its organization.  He has never had any desire to hold office, but has been prevailed upon to serve on the School Board for a number of years.  The church to which he belonged was similar to the Society of Friends, in that its members were allowed to pay a bounty and escape draft.  The money was not used in securing a substitute, however, but in paying the nurses on the field of battle.  For some time our subject was a local preacher in that denomination, but of late yeas has retired on account of failing health.  His sons, John and Howard, are preachers in this faith.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 511

JOHN S. BEALE.  This enterprising young citizen of Marion occupies the responsible position of agent of the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad Company.  He was born at Galion, this state, Feb. 19, 1861, and is the son of T. H. B. Beale, whose birth occurred in Juniata County, Pa., Oct. 7, 1838.  The grandfather of our subject, William C. Beale, was also a native of the above county in Pennsylvania.  He was a cabinet-maker by trade and worked at this vocation in the Keystone State until 1846, when he came to Crawford County, this state.  In 1853 he was honored by being elected Sheriff of the county on the Independent ticket.  He was indefatigable in his work as Sheriff and gave satisfaction to all people concerned.  He met his death in 1868 by an accident which occurred on the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad at Bucyrus.
     The Beale family is an old and prominent one in the history of Pennsylvania.  The first to came to America was a native of Sheffield, England, who located in Juniata County, Pa., in 1682.  Many of this name have occupied honored positions in the political, financial and social world.  John Beale, who was a brother of William C., was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and his son, J. H., became a prominent clergyman of a Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and during the Civil War was a Chaplain in the army.  General Beale, who occupied a position on General Grant's staff in Washington, is a member of this family.  Many members served and others fought bravely in the War of 1812.
     T. H. B. Beale was about eight years of age at the time his father came to this state, and growing up in Galion, he had the advantage of its fine schools, completing his education in the high school there.  He soon after became connected with the old Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, and in 1871 went to Urbana as agent for that company.  He proved a valuable man, and in 1882 was made General Passenger and Freight Agent for the Clover Leaf, with headquarters at Toledo.  The following year he was put in charge as joint agent of the New York, Lake Erie & Western and the Chicago & Erie Railroads at Marion, holding this position until 1890, when he resigned in order to accept the position of Secretary of the Marion Steam Shovel Works, which office he resigned in April, 1894.  He is a Mason, Knight Templar, Odd Fellow and also belongs to the order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum.  He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and during the past four years has been Superintendent of the Sunday school.
     The parents of our subject were married in 1860.  The mother, Margaret Sill, was a native of Bedford County, Pa., and was descended from one of the leading families of that state.  To them were born four children, one of whom died in infancy.  Margaret L. is the wife of F. S. Adams, a leading physician of Marion; and Edgar M., is a leading physician of Marion; and Edgar M. is agent for the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad at Delaware, this state.
     John S. Beale attended the public schools of Galion and Urbana, where his parents were living in his boyhood, and when sixteen years of age became clerk for his father in the railroad office in which he was engaged.  He remained in his employ during all the years in which he was thus engaged until 1893, when, on the completion of the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad through this city, he was made agent of the company and has had charge of the station since.
     Our subject was married, in 1883, to Miss Alice O. Doty, of Urbana.  Their only child died in infancy.  Socially, Mr. Beale is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Elks.  He is a strong Republican in politics and an earnest, public-spirited citizen.  A member of the Episcopal Church, he is now serving his congregation as vestryman.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 523

REV. LEROY A. BELT, D. D., Presiding Elder of the Findlay District of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Jan. 13, 1837.  He is a member of a family long and honorably associated with the history of Maryland, where his father, Alvin T., was born in 1807.  The paternal grandfather died in the prime of life, and his widow later became the wife of Samuel Bradford, who was an extensive slave-owner, in Maryland, but becoming convinced that the institution was wrong he freed his slaves, excepting the old people and the little children, who were not able to care for themselves.  These he brought with him to Ohio, but gave them absolute freedom in every respect.  At the time of his death, in 1852, he was serving as warden of the Ohio Penitentiary.
     The youthful years of Alvin T. Belt were passed in Maryland, where the family, originally from Scotland, had been represented for many generations.  While a resident of Beltsville he was an officer of the Methodist Church.  In 1831 he came to Ohio and settled in Delaware County, in the midst of the wilderness, from which he cleared and improved a valuable farm, devoting his attention principally to agricultural pursuits.  After coming to this state he retained his interest in the Methodist Church, and continued for many years a prominent member of that denomination.  His death occurred in 1873.
     The mother of our subject was Barbara Mead.  Her maternal grandfather was a noted Scotch soldier, who took an active part in the religious revolution in his native country, and who attained the great age of one hundred and four.  His daughter was one hundred years of age at the time of her death.  In 1831 Seth Mead brought his family to Ohio, where he followed the profession of an attorney, becoming quite prominent in his locality.  Among his sons was Daniel, formerly a well known railroad contractor, who died in Chicago.
     The subject of this sketch is an only son.  He has two sisters.  Mrs. Emma Blanchard was the founder of the Girls' Industrial School of Indianapolis, to which she devotes her entire time; Elnora is the wife of Prof. J. P. Patterson, Superintendent of the parish schools at Pensacola, Fla.  Dr. Belt spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, doing the work incident to the proper management of the land and receiving his early education in the neighboring schools.  At the age of about eighteen he entered the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, from which he was graduated in 1861, having prepared himself for the ministry of the Methodist Church.
     At once after graduating Dr. Belt joined the Central Ohio Conference, and was first sent to Van Wert, in charge of the church at that place.  Later he filled pulpits at Wapakoneta, Ottawa, Bellefontaine, Marion and Toledo.  In 1871 he was given the responsible position of Presiding Elder of the Toledo District, and at the expiration of his term of office he was appointed Financial Secretary of the Central Ohio Conference for the purpose of receiving money to endow a professorship in the university.  To this work he devoted four years, accomplishing the great task.   The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him in 1881 by Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.
     On completing his work as Financial Secretary Dr. Belt became pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Toledo, and for the second time was in charge of the church at Marion.  Then followed several years' work as Presiding Elder of the Delaware, and later the Bellefontaine, District.  As above stated, he is now Presiding Elder of the Findlay District, making four different districts over which he has presided.  He has been one of the most indefatigable and successful workers the church has ever had in the state as well as one of the deepest thinkers and most eloquent speakers.  A delegate to the general conferences of his church at Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York and Omaha, he has kept in close touch with the work throughout the entire country.  He was for four years a member of the Book Committee, which arranges the salaries of the bishops and has the supervision of the publicans of the church.  As a speaker he is eloquent, forcible and logical, and an able executive officer and financial manager.
     The first marriage of Dr. Belt was in 1861, when Miss Rachel Burkett, of Pickaway County, Ohio, became his wife.  This lady died in Delaware, Ohio, in 1888, after having had five children.  One son died when nine years old, and another son in infancy.  Hattie, who was the wife of Prof. William Trusdale, of Cleveland, died in 1893.  Two sons survive:  Dr. William A., a physician of Kenton; and Harry, a medical student at Indianapolis.  The present wife of Dr. Belt was Mrs. Anna L. Runkle, widow of Oak Runkle, and mother of Capt. Hugh Rnnkle, Cashier of the Kenton National Bank, and Mrs. Charles Roser.
     For several years Mr. Belt has made his home in Kenton, where he has a fine residence and has other valuable property, including a farm a mile out of the city.  To such men as he the Methodist Church owes its high rank among other denominations of the country.  His interest in all that will promote the spiritual condition of mankind and the moral and intellectual welfare of society makes him a valued citizen of Kenton, where he wields a decided influence for god.  Wherever he is known his noble attributes of character are recognized and valued, and also the spirit of Philanthropy which governs all his actions and wins for him friends, not only among the poor and unfortunate, but also among the rich.  Politically the Doctor is a Republican, with strong Prohibition proclivities.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 317

WILLIAM ALVIN BELT, M. D., though one of the youngest physicians and surgeons of Hardin County, already commands a large and increasing field of practice, and skillfully handles the cases entrusted to his care.  In the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1886, he gained a thorough theoretical knowledge of his profession, which has since been supplemented by actual experience.  He came to Kenton soon after graduating, and has since made his home in this city, where he has attained a reputation for skill that many older practitioners might justly envy.
     Born in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio, April 23, 1863, the Doctor is the eldest son of Rev. Leroy A. Belt, D. D., a prominent Methodist minister, a sketch of whose life and work will be found in this volume.  Being the son of a Methodist minister, he had no permanent home, but the principal part of his early literary education was received in Toledo, where his father was at one time Presiding Elder and pastor of the First Church.  When seventeen years of age, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and was graduated from that institution in 1884, with the degree of B. S., and has since received the honorary degree of A. M.
     During his collegiate course, our subject studied medicine with Dr. S. W. Fowler, and after finishing the work at the university, he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which, as above stated, he was graduated in 1886.  Soon afterward he located at Kenton and commenced the practice of his chosen profession.  Here he was soon recognized as one of the young physicians destined to make his mark in the profession.  Having gained the confidence of the people, he has built up a remunerative general practice, and has had marked success in his specialty, the diseases of women.
     Socially, Dr. Belt is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the American Medical Society.  During his college life he was prominently connected with the Phi Gamma Delta, the college journal, of which he was manager for two years, and editor for one year, acquitting himself with credit in both positions.  He is one of the leading Masons in the state and is considered one of the best posted members of the fraternity.  At one time he held the office of Master of the blue lodge at Kenton, and is now the Grand Lecturer of the Tenth District of Ohio, and High Priest of Kenton Chapter No. 119.  In the Order of  Elks he is serving as Secretary.  Interested in religious work, he is the present Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a Secretary of the building committee for the new church at Kenton, which is one of the finest edifices in central Ohio.
     The marriage of Dr. Belt Sept. 22, 1887, united him with Miss Alba F. Webster, daughter of Rev. L. C. Webster, a Methodist minister, who at the time was stationed in Kenton as Presiding Elder of the Findlay District, but is now a resident of Marysville, Ohio.  They have two children, Lorin Leroy and Rachel Angelina.  The Doctor and his wife are popular in social circles, and number as their friends the best people of the county.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 197

WILLIAM H. BROWN.  Just thirty years have passed away since this well known and respected citizen of Hardin county took up his abode in our midst.  During this period he has been thoroughly interested in her development, and has aided every enterprise started for the good of the community,  His valuable farm is finely located in Cessna Township, and comprises sixty-two acres.  In 1869 Mr. Brown was elected on the Republican ticket to the position of County Surveyor (prior to which time he had filled out an unexpired term), and in this capacity he acted to the full satisfaction of all for ten years.
     The father of the above gentleman, Loomis Brown, was a native of New York State and of German descent.  His wife, whose maiden name was Amancy Gifford, was born in New York.  They had but two children, William H. and George.  The latter was born July 11, 1837, and is now living in Waterloo, Iowa.
     William H. Brown was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., July 25, 1835.  In 1847 he emigrated to the Buckeye State in company with his parents.  They became residents of Medina County, and there the boy grew to manhood.  The spring of 1865 witnessed his departure from the paternal rooftree, and, coming to this county a few years afterward, he located on section 23, Cessna Township.  The place was covered with dense forests, and no improvements worthy of mention had been made thereon.  Through the untiring efforts of our subject there may now be seen fertile fields, bearing abundant crops, and a thrifty, well kept set of farm buildings.  He is also the owner of a good place in Medina County, this, state.
     Nov. 24, 1859, the marriage of Mr. Brown and Jennie Richards took—place.  There were four children born of that union: Virginia, Florence, Erwin and Celia.  The mother died Nov. 23, 1879, and all but one of the children, Erwin, have also been summoned by the angel of death.  Feb. 19, 1880, Mr. Brown married Miss Mary Scott, by whom he has five children: William L., Georgie, Edwin, Myra and Earl.
     The elementary education of William H. Brown was obtained in the district schools, where he pursued his studies until he was about sixteen years old.  Two years later he entered Baldwin University, taking a four-years scientific course.  In order to meet his expenses the ambitious young man worked, at all spare moments, for his uncle at cabinet-making.  He is a friend to education and to all worthy enterprises and charities.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 516 & 349 (same)