SOLOMON ZARBAUGH.  This representative and prominent citizen of Holgate, Henry county, was born Mar. 24, 1847, in York county, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Mary (Bookman) Zarbaugh, also natives of that county.  The father died in Van Buren, Ohio, at the age of seventy-seven years, but the mother is still living at an advanced age.  When three years old our subject was taken by his parents of Van Buren, Hancock county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education.  In October, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and although only seventeen years of age he became a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented.  He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and participated in six important engagements besides many skirmishes.
     On receiving his discharge at the close of the war Mr. Zarbaugh returned to Hancock county, Ohio, and for about four years was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Van Buren, after which he engaged in the grocery business on his own account for two years.  Under President Grant's administration he was appointed postmaster of Van Buren, but before his term expired, he resigned, sold out his business and removed to North Baltimore, Wood county, Ohio, where for three years he was employed in a sash, same place and in March, 1881, came to Holgate, where he has since made his home.  Here he engaged in merchandising until 1889, when he disposed of his store, and under President Harrison's administration served as postmaster for four and one-half years.  He also filled the office of justice he is now filling.  As a business, he is now interested in real estate and collecting.
     While living in Van Buren, Mr. Zarbaugh was married in Findlay, Ohio, Sept. 29, 1870, to Miss Rachel Poe a native of Hancock county, and a daughter of George L. and Jane (Wilson) Poe, who both died in Findlay.  Mr. and Mrs. Zarbaugh have one child, Lyman L. now a dentist of Toledo, Ohio.  The presents are both active and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, while socially Mr. Zarbaugh belongs to E. Gleason Post, No. 644, G. A. R., and was formerly an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  At ten different times he has been a delegate to the State Encampment of the Grand Army, was twice alternate delegate to the National Encampment, once acting as delegate, and in 1892 was elected delegate to the silver anniversary of the National Encampment held at Detroit, Michigan.  Since 1888 he has been chairman of the Indigent Soldier's Board, and has always taken an active and prominent part in everything tending to advance the interests of his old army comrades.
     Mr. Zarbaugh is one of the leading representatives of the Republican party in Henry county, is a member of the County Executive Committee and County Central Committee, and is also a member of the State Republican League.  In 1894 he refused the nomination for Congress from the Fifth Congressional District, but has twice been the candidate of his party for the State Legislative and once for county treasurer.  In 1895 he came within three hundred votes of being elected to the office of representative.  The cause of education has always found in him an earnest advocate, and as a member of the school board he has done much to advance its interests.  He has also served as an efficient member of the village council, and is numbered among the valued citizens of Holgate who have been devoted to the public welfare.  On Aug. 1, 1898, he was appointed by President McKinley postmaster at Holgate, the duties of which office he commenced May 1, 1898.  He has manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as in days of war, and all who know him have for him the highest regard.  At the declaration of war with Spain Mr. Zarbaugh at once made application to Governor Bushell for permission to recruit a company of men, and had the war lasted any length of time or more men been needed, he would again have been at the front defending "old glory."
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton - Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 335