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	HON. THEODORE DAMAN.  A member of the Northwest Ohio bar for the past twenty years.  Judge Daman has been distinguished by his former service as probate judge of Henry County and more recently by his fine records as chief executor officer of the Napoleon State Bank.  Banking has proved as worthy a field for his talents and energy as the law, and he has brought the Napoleon State Bank into a position hardly second to any among the financial institutions of Henry County.      He was one of the founders and incorporators of the bank on Dec. 31, 1908, and the bank on Dec. 31, 1908, and the bank opened its doors for business Apr. 4, 1909.  An interesting part of its record is the fact that in six years it has earned a surplus of $20,000.  The first executive officers were:  David Meekerson, now deceased, who was the first president and was succeeded by Mr. Daman; Henry Rhors, vice president; and H. L. Vey, cashier.  In 1913 Judge Daman succeeded Mr. Meekerson as president.  The capital is $50,000, and at the beginning of 1916 the resources aggregated $600,000.  The bank has its home on Washington Street, near the postoffice, and its quarters are excellently furnished and equipped for all branches of general banking business.      Judge Daman served as probate judge of Henry County from 1906 to 1913.  He acquired his legal education under the late Judge Donnelly, and was admitted to the bar in 1895.  He carried on a general practice until elected probate judge, an office which he filled with credit to himself and with an admirable service to the litigants before his court and the various important interests entrusted to his charge.      Judge Daman was born in Shelby County, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1872, and has lived in Napoleon since 1881.  He graduated after leaving the public schools from the Ohio northern University at Columbus.  He is of German stock, and his parents were Louis and Ann (Schnoor) Daman, both natives of Germany.  His father was from Hanover and his mother from Holstein.  They came to America when young people, making the journey by sailing vessels, and were married in Shelby County, Ohio.  Louis Daman entered the Lutheran ministry and is now the oldest pastor in continuous service at Napoleon, being past seventy-five years of age and having preached at Napoleon since 1881.  Both parents are still living, and hale and hearty.      Judge Daman was married at Napoleon, to Miss Nellie Brown who was born, reared and educated in that city.  For some time before her marriage she served as court stenographer.  Both her parents are now deceased.  Judge and Mrs. Damant have one daughter, Clara E., born July 18, 1908, and now in the public schools.  Judge Daman is a member of the Lutheran Church while his wife is a Catholic.  In politics he is a democrat and for a number of years has wielded a considerable influence in local politics and business affairs generally, and has served as a delegate to various conventions and has been a member of several committees. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 730
	MATHIAS F. DIETRICK.  Pleasant Township, Henry County, is noted for its many fine farms, as well as for the progressive spirit shown by its agriculturists, and in this connection attention is called to the handsome property owned by Mathias P. Dietrick, one of the enterprising and energetic farmers of this community, whose homestead comprises 200 acres of well-cultivated and productive land lying in sections 14 and 24.  Mr. Dietrick has been a lifelong resident of Henry County, and is a member of a family which has long been known in this locality, where its members have ever displayed qualities of industry and good citizenship that have won for them the respect and confidence of their fellow-towns men.      The Dietrick family originated in Prussia, Germany, where the name had been known for many years in connection with agricultural pursuits, as well as with the Roman Catholic Church.  The grandparents of Mathias F. Dietrick, Joseph and Mary M. Dietrick, were born, reared and married in Prussia, and there their four children were born.  In 1847 the family came to the United States on a sailing vessel, which, after a long and tortuous voyage made port at New York.  From that point the Dietricks made their way to Lorain County, Ohio, which continued to be the family home until 1859, the year of their arrival in Marion Township, Henry County.  The grandparents were in modest circumstances, but possessed the sterling qualities of their race, and through tireless perseverance and unremitting labor converted their wilderness home into a good and valuable farm.  There they rounded out their long and useful lives, the grandmother passing away in 1881 and the grandfather in 1883, both being seventy-two years of age.  They devoted their entire lives to the pursuits of the soil and made their labors count for success.  Mr. and Mrs. Dietrick were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church, and attended services at the Sacred Heart Parish, in Pleasant Township.  Of their children, one died in Germany; two daughters passed away in this country, one of whom met an accidental death; and Mathias J. is still living.      Mathias J. Dietrick father of Mathias F. Dietrick, was born in Germany, in 1841, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents in their trip to the United States.  He was brought up in Lorain County, Ohio, where he secured such educational advantages as were available in the primitive schools of the day and locality, and came to manhood in Henry County.  Here he was married, in Pleasant Township, to Miss Catherine Schwable, who was born in this township in 1842, and reared on the old Ridge Road.  She belonged to an old settled family from Bavaria, Germany, and was a daughter of Hugo and Mary Schwable, who were married in this country and cleared up a farm in Henry County.  Mr. Schwable died in his fiftieth year, while his widow survived him for a long period and was eighty-three years of age at the time of her demise.  They were among the most highly respected people of the community and were faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church, and of Sacred Heart congregation.  Mrs. Dietrick, who was a confirmed member of that faith, died at the home farm in Marion Township, in January, 1909, while Mr. Dietrick still lives on the old homestead.  He is now nearly seventy-seven years of age, and his years weigh somewhat heavily upon him, but he still takes an interest in the affairs of the community in which he has spent such a long period of his life. Mr. Dietrick, during his active years, worked out a very satisfying success.  He belonged to the progressive and energetic class of farmers and brought his land to a high state of cultivation, and at this time is still the owner of a valuable property of 275 acres.  He has always been a democrat.  In the civic affairs of his community he took part as an officeholder some years ago, being trustee of his township and holding other minor offices.  There were five sons and three daughters in the family, all of whom grew to maturity, and all now living: Joseph, Mathias F., William, Christina, Mary, Elizabeth, Peter and John.      Mathias F. Dietrick was born July 7, 1867, in Marion Township, Henry County, Ohio, and grew up on the homestead of his father, his education being secured in the district schools during the short winter terms.  He remained under the parental roof until he was nearly twenty-nine years of age, and June 2, 1896, was married in Pleasant Township, to Miss Elizabeth Laubenthal, who was born at Custer, Wood County, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1874.  She was four years of age when brought to Pleasant Township, Henry County, by her parents, Nicholas and Mary (Cotton) Laubenthal.  Her father was born in Prussia, Germany, and when eleven years of age came to the United States with his parents, locating first in Lorain County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood and married, at Elyria, Mrs. Laubenthal being a native of that place.  After his marriage, Mr. Laubenthal engaged in saw milling in various places, and continued to be engaged in that vocation after coming to Henry County, in 1878.b Here he also engaged in merchandising until 1899 when he made removal to Isabella County, Michigan, that being his home at the present writing.  Both he and his wife are hale and hearty, active members of the Roman Catholic Church, and highly respected people of their community.  Mr. Laubenthal is a democrat.      After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Dietrick located on a farm in Pleasant Township, and here Mr. Dietrick has steadily increased his holdings, until he now has eighty acres in section 14, and two tracts, of eighty and forty acres, respectively, in section 24.  This land is all well improved, fenced and drained, and its appearance has been made attractive by the erection of a fine set of farm buildings.  These include a large and commodious barn on section 14, and a fine two-story, brick, twelve-room dwelling house, built in 1910, on section 24.  In the latter section, also, are a modern crib, 28 by 40 feet and two poultry houses.  The equipments show that Mr. Dietrick is an up-to-date farmer, ready to take advantage of everything modern that can assist him in his work.  He has made a study of his vocation and keeps fully abreast of the advancements being made in the field of agriculture.  His reputation as a reliable business man has been built up through years of honorable dealing, and as a citizen he has borne his share of the responsibility for the pushing of progressive movements.  He has been a member for fifteen years of the South Ridge Special School District, is a director of the Holgate Mutual Horse Insurance Company, a director of the Holgate Farmers Grain and Supply Company and a director of the Holgate Farmers State Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Dietrick are members of Sacred Heart congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Dietrick belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Ohio.      Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dietrick, namely:  Helen C. born Aug. 28, 1897, a graduate of the graded schools and the high school, and now residing at home; Edith M., born Dec. 30, 1903, who is in the eighth grade of the local school; Beatrice E., born Feb. 13, 1910; Mathias N., born Dec. 5, 1915; and Rufus J., who died at the age of six years. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 942
	PATRICK H. DONNELLY.  The dense forests stretched for miles almost unbroken over Henry County when the Donnelly family arrived in 1844 and made their first settlement in section 36 of Washington Township.  It was a notable contribution to Henry County citizenship, and not only were the first members of the family strong and self-reliant pioneers, but subsequent generations have produced sterling men and women.      The arrivals in 1844 were Peter and Alice (O'Hearn) Donnelly.  Peter Donnelly was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1814, and his wife was born in County Tipperary in 1829.  Peter was a son of Michael and Bridget (Glynn) Donnelly, both natives of Ireland, where they spent all their lives and were devout Catholics.  In the spring of 1837 Peter Donnelly came to America with his brother John.  They lauded in Quebec, Canada, but soon afterward started for Detroit and subsequently came to Toledo.  Peter Donnelly was employed on the Maumee Canal for several years, and it was with the earnings from this occupation that he came to Henry County in 1844 and bought eighty acres in section 36 of Washington Township.  There he located, and with the aid of his good wife he started to make a home.  This old farm was one mile north of the old canal, and their first log cabin was in the midst of the woods, with no neighbor near.  There were no roads, and Peter Donnelly is said to have walked all the way to Lima in order to pay for his land at the land office.  Like many of the early settlers, he and his wife were inspired to go ahead and endure the hardships of a log cabin home, not only for the sake of the promise of the future, but also because thereby they were helping to develop the new country and lay the foundations for a great civilization in the western states.  After a few years Peter Donnelly was able to construct a better home, and some years later he added and remodeled and made the present substantial house of ten rooms.  In that home he and his wife spent the rest of their active lives.  Peter Donnelly acquired a fine farm of 160 acres, and it comprised some of the best land found anywhere in the county, being apparently of inexhaustible fertility.  For many years it has produced abundant crops of corn, wheat, oats, barley and potatoes, and while it has been intelligently managed with a view to conserving its fertility, much of its original fruitfulness is still retained, and many think that the sandy loam with clay subsoil could not easily be worked out.      On that farm Peter Donnelly died Apr. 29, 1891, at the age of seventy-seven.  His widow survived until Dec. 26, 1899, and was seventy-two years of age at the time of her death.  As an American citizen he was a democratic voter, and he always took much interest in local affairs and current topics of political discussion.  Both he and his wife were confirmed Catholics.  Some of their children attained prominence.  Michael, the oldest, who died at Napoleon in 1914, leaving a family, was long prominent as a lawyer in Henry County, and served on the bench as Probate, Common Pleas and Appellate Court judge.  The son James became a physician, and is also deceased.  John died in San Diego, California, leaving three sons.   Edwin was a farmer and died unmarried.  Mary died when two and a half years of age.  The next in order of age is Patrick H.  Elizabeth is the wife of Frederick Ruhm, a farmer near Whitehouse, in Lucas County, and they have two children, Carl and Fred.  Doctor Peter became a physician in Toledo, where he died, and was married, but left no children.      Patrick H. Donnelly was born on the old homestead, in Washington Township, Sept. 4, 1864.  He still lives there and is one of the well-to-do farmers and land holders of that section.  He grew up on the home farm, was educated in the local schools, and has applied his energies most industriously and wisely to his business as a farmer.  Besides the 160 acres of the old homestead, he has another 120 acres in the same section, and also a farm of 160 acres in another part of the same section, 80 acres in section 35 and 165 acre in section 34.  His has been a generous section, 80 acres in section 35 and 165 acres in section 34.  His has been a generous prosperity, and it has been well earned by his ability to adapt his mean and opportunities to the work he has chosen for a life and cultivation with the exception of forty acres of valuable timber.  His business is general farming and stock raising, and he keeps some excellent grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and has the distinction of maintaining the best flock of sheep in the entire county.  Mr. Patrick Donnelly has never married and has found contentment and happiness in the supervision of his extensive interests.  He is a democratic voter and a member of the Catholic Church. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 842
	HON. DENNIS D. DONOVAN.   For many years one of the leading figures in the law and in the public life of Northwest Ohio has been Dennis D. Donovan of Napoleon.  As a lawyer he stands in the front ranks of the Henry County bar, and his activity in democratic politics has brought his name into national prominence more than once.  For two terms he served as representative from Henry County in the Ohio Legislature, and for two terms he served from his home district in Congress, and a more recent political incident of national importance brought his name before the public.      Since the acquisition of a strip of country across the Isthmus of Panama known as the Canal Zone, a law was passed providing for a sort of supreme court known as the Mixed Claims Commission.  This commission was made up of two commissioners appointed by the President of Panama and two by the President of the United States, and one was chosen as chief justice or umpire by both the President of the United States and teh President of Panama.  In April, 1915, while he was still a member of President Wilson's cabinet Mr. Bryan strongly supported Mr. Donovan's appointment as chief or umpire of the commission.  In fact his selection was definitely settled and had been publicly announced.  Mr. Donovan at that time was absent on business in Canada and after he returned home his friends congratulated him on the appointment, but just before he had prepared to leave to assume his official duties a misunderstanding arose between the appointing powers, relative to his appointment, and he then retired from the candidacy and declined to the considered in connection with the office.  At the present writing early in 1916 his successor has not yet been appointed.      Dennis D. Donovan was born in Washington Township of Henry County, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1859.  He obtained a public school education, became a teacher, and qualified himself for mature responsibilities by work as a teacher.  He also attended the law department of Valparaiso University in Indiana, and in 1895 was admitted to the Ohio bar.  In the same year he graduated from Georgetown University at Washington, D. C.      Mr. Donovan was first elected to Congress in 1890 and was re-elected in 1892.  A fellow member of Congress at that time was William J. Bryan, and while at Washington the two became warm friends, and Mr. Donovan has always had an ardent admiration for the silver tongued orator of the Platte.  When Mr. Bryan became a candidate for president Mr. Donovan was one of his strongest supporters in Northwest Ohio.      After his admission to the bar Mr. Donovan began practice at Deshler in Henry County in partnership with E. N. Warden.  These two well known attorneys are still associated and since 1897 they have conducted their office at Napoleon.  Mr. Donovan has since been admitted to practice in all branches of the United states Court and has an immense amount of important litigation, especially in connection with large business interests.      His activity in local politics brought him election twice as mayor of his home town of Deshler, and he also served as county school examiner.  He was elected to Congress while a resident of Deshler.  Mr. Donovan was a prominent candidate for governor in 1898 in the democratic convention but was defeated by Mr. Chapman.      Mr. Donovan and his partner have extensive farming and land interests in Northern Ohio and in Canada and much of his time is required in looking after these interests.  Mr. Donovan is of Irish stock and parentage and a son of John and Catherine (Hannin) Donovan.  His mother is a relative of Father Hannin, a prominent Catholic priest at Toledo.  The parents came to America and were married in Ohio, and his father became a prominent early settler of Henry County, where he spent his active career as a farmer.  Both parents died at Deshler when eighty-eight years of age.  They were earnest members of the Catholic Church.      Mr. Donovan was married in Baltimore, Maryland, to Ginevra Waltimire, who was born in Henry County, a daughter of J. C. and Nancy (Stovenour) Waltimire, who were natives of Ohio.  They were married in this state, and they still live at Deshler, and her father is an extensive land owner and served in the office of county treasurer.  Mr. Donovan has a brother, George C. Waltimire.  Mr. Donovan is an active member of Lodge No. 929, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he is past exalted ruler, and is also a member of the MOdern Woodmen of America. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 689
	GEORGE H. DREWES.  More than seventy years ago the members of the Drewes family, of German stock, came to Henry County and established themselves in what was still a wilderness.  Here for three generations they have lived, prospered, enjoyed to the full community esteem, and have left as monuments to their labors and enterprise many acres cleared, many buildings erected, and at the same time have performed their duties and upheld their responsibilities as citizens, so that the name is associated with honest work and upright manhood and womanhood.      One of the well known members of this family is now a successful farmer in Napoleon Township.  George H. Drewes was born in Henry County Aug. 30, 1870, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Freytag) Drewes, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, where they were born in 1844 and 1845 respectively.  When children they came with their respective parents to America.  Grandfather William Drewes was a tailor, and on coming to the United States located in Henry County, where in connection with his trade he also took up farming.  He acquired a large estate of 400 acres or more, and was one of the very prosperous early settlers.  His death occurred at the age of seventy-eight in Napoleon Township.  His wife had died there not long after coming to this country.  Both were members of the Lutheran Church. George H. Drewes' maternal grandfather, Fred Freytag, came with his family about 1850, and also secured and improved lands in Napoleon Township, where he died when past eighty years.  The Freytags were also Lutherans and both families supported democratic principles in politics.  Henry Drewes and wife both grew up in this wild timbered country, were married in the county, and eventually by their idustry secured 160 acres, eighty acres in Adams Township of Defiance County and eighty adjoining it in Napoleon Township of Henry County.  On that farm Wilhelmina Drewes died in 1880, when in middle life.  Her husband married for his second wife Mrs. Sophia (Imbroch) Rohrs, who was born in Henry County of German parentage.  Henry Drewes and his second wife a few years ago moved to Ridgeville and are living there retired and in comfort.  Both are members of the Lutheran church and he is a democrat.      George H. Drewes was one of five children, three of whom died young.  His only brother, William, is now married and a prosperous farmer in Napoleon Township, the father of two sons and a daughter.      Reared and educated in Henry County, George H. Drewes finished his schooling with the district advantages and early applied his labors to making his own way.  By thrift and earnest endeavor he was able to make his first purchase of eighty acres in 1898.  This purchase was in section thirty-three of Napoleon Township.  Later a subsequent purchase of eighty acres gave him a farm of 160 acres, and this is one of the well improved places of that section of the county.  He grows all the staple crops including sugar beet, and he has made that a profitable item of his agricultural efforts, usually raising from fifteen to seventeen tons per acre.  In 1899 he erected his large barn, 80 by 40 feet, which constitutes one of the conspicuous improvements along the country highway in that section of the county, and he has another barn 25 by 40 feet besides various outbuildings.  He keeps a lumber of good graded stock.      In Freedom Township of Henry County Mr. Drewes married Sophie Mahnke.  She was born in Freedom Township, where her parents had settled on coming from Germany. Her father died in 1903, while her mother is now living with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Ida Panning, and is sixty-seven years of age.  This family also are Lutherans, and her father was a democrat.  Mr. and Mrs. Drewes are the happy parents of eight children.  The three oldest. Arnold, George H. Jr. and Lorena, have all been confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Flatrock, and are attending school.  The younger children are Harold, Richard, Edwin, Erna and Luther.  Mr. Drewes takes an active interest in local affairs, and is now serving as a member of the school board.  Politically he is a democrat. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 1521
	HENRY DREWES.  For more than half a century the name Drewes has been worthily linked with the civic and agricultural activities of Henry County.  Throughout that time Mr. Henry Drewes has lived in that section, and though now past the age of three score and ten, and living retired in comfort at Ridgeville Corners, he is the type of man who carries his years gracefully and easily, and would easily be taken for a man twenty years younger.      A native of Hanover, Germany, he was born Oct. 15, 1844, a son of William and Elizabeth (Badenhop) Drewes. His parents were natives of the same kingdom and their respective parents spent their lives there.  William Drewes, while growing to manhood, learned the trade of tailor and also became a practical farmer.  Henry Drewes was the only one of the children born in the old country to survive.  When he was three years of age, in October, 1847, his parents took passage on a sailing vessel at Bremen, and after nine weeks landed in New York harbor.  From there they came on to join the Hanover settlement in Napoleon Township of Henry County.  They were among the earliest people of German stock to locate there.  Selecting a raw piece of land, they cleared off a spot on which the first log cabin was built, and there they lived for several years, surrounded by the woods and the swamps.  It was a difficult region in which to do pioneer work, but William Drewes possessed the energy and resources which have developed many fine farms in this section of Ohio.  The farm he selected has since become known as the richest in the state.  The first land purchased was forty acres, paid for at the rate of $1 an acre.  By many years of hard work it was drained, cleared and improved, and from time to time William Drewes acquired other tracts and was known as one of the most substantial and successful farmers of the Hanover settlement.  While doing his first work in the improvement of his forty-acre farm he followed tailoring for the benefit of his neighbors, and in that way earned much of the money needed to support the house hold until the farm could be made productive.  On the old homestead William Drewes died in 1886 at the age of seventy-eight.  His wife passed away in 1858 at the age of forty-two.  The children, besides Henry, were  Anna, who is the widow of Christian Helberg of Napoleon Township and has a large family of sons and daughters. Mary, the wife of Henry Feddere, a farmer in Adams Township of Defiance County, is also the mother of a number of children.  Dietrich died after his marriage, leaving four, sons and three daughters, his wife being also deceased. Fred married and he and his wife are now deceased, having left three sons.  John A. is a farmer in Monroe Township of Henry County and has two sons.      It was in the wilderness home of his parents in Henry County that Henry Drews grew to manhood.  After his marriage he secured eighty acres of the old homestead and also bought eighty acres in Adams Township of Defiance County.  On this land he spent many of his most industrious years, clearing, grubbing, cultivating and doing all he could to make the farm one of the most representative in that section of Ohio.  Finally, having gained a competence, he retired in 1906 to spend his last years in Ridgeville Corners.  Here he bought a fine house of ten rooms, with all the modern conveniences, on the Ridge Road.  This home is surrounded by two acres of ground, and while he is well able to take life at ease, he finds more or less constant employment around his home.      Mr. Drewes married for his first wife Minnie Freytag.  She was born in Germany, but came in early girlhood to America and was reared in Napoleon Township.  She is a sister of George and William Freytag, a well known family of that township.  William Freytag was for many years a prominent German teacher.  Mrs. Henry Drewes died in 1879 in the prime of life.  She was a devout member of the Lutheran Church.   Five children were born to her, three of whom died in childhood, and the two now living are George Drewes, elsewhere referred to, and William, who is a farmer in Napoleon Township, and by his marriage to Anna Bockelman has three children named Karl, Arnold and Minnie.  For his second wife Mr. Drewes was married in Adams Township of Defiance County to Mrs. Sophia (Imbrock) Rohrs, widow of Herman Rohrs.  By her first marriage Mrs. Drewes had one child, Helen, who is now the wife of Henry Rohrs of Napoleon.  By the second marriage Mr. and Mrs. Drewes have the following children: Herman, who lives on the Adams Township farm of his father, and by his marriage to Henrietta Blosman has two children, named Dora and Henry; Minnie is the wife of George Haase, a plumber at Napoleon, and they have a child named Norman; Erna is the wife of Carl Rohrs, a farmer in Napoleon Township ; Laura and Clara, both educated in the village schools, are still at home with their parents.  Mr. and Mrs. Drewes are active members of the Lutheran Church and politically he is a democrat. Source: History of Northwestern Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page

 

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