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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO
History & Genealogy

BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder,
Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
1915

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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  JOHN B. SCHEY.  In the laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a substantial career on the part of the average farmer, there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter, but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual, who, with no other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and toiling, wins not only pecuniary independence, but what is far greater and higher, the merited respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have brought him
in contact. Such a man is John B. Schey, of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, a successful farmer and a well-known citizen of this section.
     John B. Schey was born on Nov. 20, 1865, in Franklin county, near Grove City, Ohio, the son of Philip and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, whose life histories are found on another page of this volume. Mr. Schey is also a brother of Peter Schey.
     When the Schey family moved to Putnam county in 1868, John B. Schey was only three years old but, nevertheless, he has a vivid memory of their arrival at the log cabin where they were to live for a number of years.  John B. Schey grew up on this farm and saw it cleared and drained and made a profitable and productive property. He recalls also the huge swarms of mosquitoes from the surrounding swamps and the vexations suffered by the people who lived in their vicinity before the swamps were drained.
     John B. Schey bought the farm where he now lives in section 3, of Liberty township in 1896, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres. When Mr. Schey purchased the farm it was an old dilapidated-looking place that had been deserted for some time. Mr. Schey cleaned up the house and put in doors and windows and lived in it for about fourteen years.  He built the present handsome dwelling in 1908 and has also put up various outbuildings in the meantime, as well as fenced and drained the land.  He has one of the finest farms in Liberty township. His land was among the first settled in this part of the county, and up to that time the old house had been used by cattle and sheep for shelter. When he purchased the land, the fireplace in the old house had fallen in, and the soil was worn out and blue.  Mr. Schey went to work to improve the place and for years toiled to this end.
     John B. Schey was married, in 1892, to Mollie Ginther, who died two years and six months after their marriage.  She was the mother of one daughter who died about two months before the death of Mrs. Schey.  During this period, Mr. Schey was farming the old home place, but about a year after his marriage, purchased forty acres in the southwest quarter of section 4, of Liberty township.  This farm was mostly cleared and he lived here until he purchased his present farm, in 1896.  Mr. Schey was married a second time, in 1895, to Emma K. Feight, who was born at New Bedford, Coshocton county, Ohio, along the line of Holmes county.  She is the daughter of William and Margaret (Laudenschlager) Feight, the former a native of Pennsylvania and a life-long farmer.  Mrs. Schey's mother was a native of Coshocton county and is the daughter of Frederick and Catherine Laudenschlager, who came from Germany in their youth, but who were married in
America and early settlers in Coshocton county.  Mrs. Schey was about five years old when her parents moved to Elm Center, Liberty township, Putnam county, where they lived until about 1903, when they moved to Townwood in Van Buren township. They lived here until 1912, when they moved to Tecumseh, Michigan. Mrs. Schey was living at Elm Center when she was married.
     To John B. and Emma K. (Feight) Schey ten children have been born one dying in infancy and two dying when a little more than a year old The living children are Rollin, Arthur, Dorothy, Clyde, Carrie, Victor and Gladys Another member of the family circle was Eva Crone, who was born west of Glandorf and who had lived with Mr. and Mrs. Schey since she was eight years old, and until her marriage, Mar. 22, 1915, to Victor J. Feight.  She is considered as one of the family.
     John B. Schey is a member of the Grange at Leipsic and he and his family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Schey and family are highly respected citizens of Liberty township, where he has gained an enviable reputation for honesty, progressive spirit and enterprise in" his vocation.  He is a man who, in every respect, merits the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page
  PETER SCHEY.  Though Nature affords excellent opportunity for carrying on certain lines of labor in every locality, there is demanded of every man great industry and diligence, if he succeeds.  Competition makes him put forth his best efforts and it requires great care to conduct any business enterprise along profitable lines.  This is especially true of farming, and from the time of the earliest spring planting, until the crops are harvested, the farmer's life is a busy one.  Even through the winter months, he prepares for the labors of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success for the ensuing season.  Yet the farmer leads the most independent life and always has the satisfaction of getting a day off whenever he desires.  Putnam county farmers are not excelled anywhere in the state, and among these excellent farmers in Peter Schey.
     Peter Schey was born on July 14, 1862, at Elm Creek, Franklin county, Ohio, the son of Philip and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, the life history of whom is given on another page of this volume.
     Peter Schey was a boy of seven years when the family moved to Liberty township, Putnam county.  He lived on the home farm until he had attained his majority.  He began farming for himself at this time and rented land for three years.  Subsequently, he purchased forty acres in Henry county and lived there four years.  He then moved back to Liberty township and sold out his farm holdings in Henry county and purchased the eighty acres where he now lives.  At the time Mr. Schey purchased this land, there were few improvements on it.  He erected a splendid house and commodious and comfortable barns.  Mr. Schey has made out of this land a good farm.  He purchased eighty acres more about 1906, and in 1912 he added forty acres, making two hundred acres, all in one body and all good land; in fact, no more fertile or more productive land can be found anywhere.
     When a young man, Mr. Schey did some ditch contracting and hauling timber; in fact, he has never hesitated to do any honorable work which might bring him success.  His first eighty-acre farm was purchased for forty-two dollars per acre, and in 1912 he paid one hundred and sixty dollars an acre, in all cases, getting practically no improvements except the bare land.  Practically all of Mr. Schey's farm was a swamp and appeared absolutely worthless at the beginning, but since he has drained and improved it, no better land is to be found anywhere.
     Peter Schey was married in Mar., 1893, to Lenna Hensel, who was born in Baden, Germany, and who is the daughter of John and Magdaline (Weaver) Hensel.  She came to America with her mother at the age of eight years, her father having died in Germany, of smallpox, and her brother died on the way to America.  The mother and seven children who arrived safely in America and located in Franklin county about twelve miles northwest of Columbus.  There Mrs. Schey lived until her marriage.  To this union five sons and one daughter have been born, John, Fred, Edward, Frank, Emil and Florence.
     Peter Schey served three years on the school board and is now the trustee of Liberty township, Putnam county.  He is also a trustee of the Mutual Telephone Company of Leipsic, a successful, co-operate company, the success of which has been due to a considerable degree to Mr. Schey's able directions, who, together with his family, are members of the Lutheran church.  In Liberty township, where Peter Schey lives, his name means all of those things which stand for honor and respectability in the community.  Mr. Schey and his brothers and all of their families are prominent in Liberty township and well-known throughout Putnam county.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1066
  PHILIP SCHEY, JR.  The life of the farmer of today is the most independent existence that can be enjoyed.  With all the modern inventions to facilitate farming, it is rapidly losing those objections which have always appeared so ominous to the average farmer lad.  Again, the public school has taken cognizance of this subject, and today, in the schools of Ohio, farming is being taught and in many cases, given as much attention as arithmetic.  Our colleges are granting degrees in agriculture, and farmers' short courses are being given everywhere.  No better farming land can be found in the state than in Putnam county, and among the many good agriculturists of the county there is none who has made more of a success of this time-honored occupation than Philip Schey, Jr.
     Philip Schey, Jr., was born, Nov. 27, 1858, on Elm Creek, seven miles south of Columbus, Ohio.  He is a son of Philip Schey, Sr., and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, the life history of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume.
     Philip Schey, Jr., was ten years of age when the family moved to near Medary, Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio.  Here the lad bore his full share in the toil and hardships of the early settlers of the Black swamp.  He lived at home until his marriage, assisting his father with the farm work, and thus early learning all the principles of good farming.
     Philip Schey, Jr., was married in 1884 to Pauline Yenner, a sister of John Yenner, whose biography tells of Mrs. Schey's parentage.  Mrs. Schey died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Cora Louise, the wife of John E. Hathorn, who is school supervisor in the northwest part of Putnam county, and who lives at Continental.  They have two daughters, Pauline and Mabel.  Mr. Schey was married a second time to Magdalene Wirth, in 186, who was born in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Samuel and Magdalena (Bauer) Wirth.  Samuel Wirth came from Breis-Darmstadt, Germany,  about 1850, and first located at Columbus, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Samuel and Magdalena (Bauer) Wirth.  Samuel Wirth came from Breis-Darmstadt, Germany, about 1850, and first located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked for a time in the quarries, getting out stone for the state house.  He came to Liberty township, in this county, abut 1852, and located in the southwest part of Liberty township, where he purchased a farm, and here he lived about twelve years ago, when he moved to Holgate.  Later he moved north of Holgate, where his wife died in 1906, after which Mr. Wirth spent the remaining years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Schey, and died at her home, in Oct., 1912.
     When a youth, Mr. Schey purchased eighty acres of land, but later sold half of this tract and began farming on the remainder, where he is now living.  This land was partly cleared, but not drained.  From the time of his marriage, Mr. Schey lived on this farm, and from an humble beginning he has made his own way in the world, until he is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land which is well improved with a neat and substantial brick house, equipped with a private lighting plant, with commodious barns and other outbuildings, making it one of the best farms in the county.
     Seven children have been born to Philip Schey, Jr., by his second marriage: George, who married Olive Hyde, lives just north of his father, and has one daughter, Catherine; Walter, who married Jessie Pickens, lives on a farm adjoining his father's, and they have two sons, Woodrow and Donald: Will, who married Mabel Kratzer, lives at home; Charles, of New Orleans; while Homer, Samuel and Amelia are living at home.
    Philip Schey, Jr., has always taken an interest in public affairs in his community, and has held nearly al of the official positions in his township.  At present he is township treasurer.  He is a busy man always and faithful in his endeavor to improve, not only his own condition, but that of the community as well.  Mr. Schey and family are members of the Lutheran church, in which he especially is an active worker.  He teaches a Bible class in both the Lutheran and Evangelical churches, the former in the morning and the latter in the afternoon of Sunday.  In all respects he must be considered a representative citizen of Putnam county and one, therefore, entitled to rank among the progressive men of his day and generation, whose life histories are told in this volume.  Mr. Schey is not only a man of influence in his community, but he is a man who has always wielded this influence for the public good.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1064
  PHILIP SCHEY, SR.  A review of the life of the honored and lamented Philip Schey, Sr., must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article.  He filled a large place in the range of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation, and the luster of his good deeds, and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. He is entitled to the honorable position he long occupied among the brave and energetic self-made men of Putnam county, Ohio, who, by enterprise and unswerving integrity, forged to the front, surmounting all opposition and winning for the grand old Buckeye state a place second to none in the bright constellation which comprises the union of American states.  That he did his work nobly and well cannot be gainsaid, and though dead, he yet speaks in the work which he founded and in the many kindly deeds and noble influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, prize as a grateful heritage.
     Philip Schey, Sr., was born in Preisen-Darmstadt, Germany, on Sept. 22, 1832. He came to America first at the age of fourteen, and after spending several years in this county, returned to his native land, but again, at the age of twenty-five, returned to the United States, locating south of Columbus, Ohio.
     It was while living here that Mr. Schey was married on Nov. 25, 1856, to Catherine Bouch, who was also a native of Germany, her birth having occurred in Wurttemberg, June i, 183 1, and who was a daughter of Jacob and Magdaline (Walter) Bouch. She came to America with her brother, Philip Bouch, while a small girl.
     Philip Schey's mother was before her marriage, and Philip was one of nine children. His parents both died while he was a lad.  When he came first to America he lost all trace of his relatives, and for more than forty years was unable to locate them. When past middle life he advertised in numerous newspapers, and as a consequence of this advertising, located an old school mate of his boyhood days. Through this old schoolmate he found some of his brothers.
     When he went back to Germany in his youth, he served in the German army, and while there learned considerable about veterinary practice. Upon his return to America, he also learned the trade of wagon-making, and, until he came to Putnam county, he practiced as a veterinary and also worked as a wagonmaker.
     He moved to Putnam county in 1868, locating near where the old town of Medary once stood, in the north part of Liberty township.  Here he purchased forty acres of land, on which was a log cabin. Very little of this land was cleared and almost all of it was too wet to produce anything.  At that time, the family was poor, but Philip Schey was joined in the labors on the farm by his wife and eldest son.  Mr. Schey himself worked for more fortunate people who owned farms on the ridge.  Ague, at that time, was a veritable plague on account of the swampiness of the soil.  After the stave factory came to Putnam county and created a demand for timber, Mr. Schey sold some timber and thus acquired the means to drain his land.  This gave him a start toward material success.  He soon purchased another eighty acres, and his sons improved the land and made out of it a good farm.
     There were eight children born to Philip, Sr., and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, six of whom are still living, Annie, the wife of J. T. Culver;
Philip, Jr., who is referred to elsewhere in this volume; Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Samuel W. Gross; Peter, of Liberty township; John, of Liberty township; William A., deceased; Catherine M., the wife of William Heffner, and Caroline E., the wife of Frank Semler.
     Philip Schey, Sr., died on Nov. 17, 1879, while his widow survived him nearly twenty years, her death occurring in 1897. Both were earnest and active members of the Lutheran church, and took an active interest in its welfare.
     Philip Schey, Sr., was a lover of all that was good and honest, a despiser of hypocrisy and shams of any sort. Pie was never able to obtain much education, but managed to acquire considerable information by home study and observation. He and his wife brought up a large family of children, whose lives prove that they were well reared and well trained in their youth.  All have their homes and are useful and honored members of the community, and all have an active part in the affairs of their respective townships, and for all of this, they are indebted to the good judgment and the loving kindness of their deceased parents, whom it is their delight to honor.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1069

Herman Schubert		   HERMAN SCHUBERT

Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 592

John A. Schutz Family		 JOHN A. SCHUTZ.   Success in life comes to the deserver.  It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, with a reasonable interest on the investment.  The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man.  He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value, is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession.  But the man who starts in the world unaided and, by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead, and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow-citizens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes cannot understand nor appreciate.  To a considerable extent, the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country, and has added to the stability of our government and its institutions.
     John A. Schutz was born on Nov. 30, 1861, in Berne, Switzerland.  He was the son of Jacob and Anna (Gruber) Schutz.  Jacob Schutz was born in April, 1829, in Berne, Switzerland, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Schutz.  Jacob Schutz, Sr., and his wife were farmers and reared a large family.  He was a cheesemaker.
     Jacob Schutz, Jr., moved from the canton of Berne to the canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland, when John A. was only one and one-half years old.  This county is along the French border, and here his parents again took up farming.  John A. Schutz attended the schools in his neighborhood until he was thirteen years old.  For three years afterward he attended the night school.  He helped his father until he was twenty-one years of age and then came to America in 1883, direct to Pandora, Ohio.  Jacob Schutz, Jr., and wife were the parents of fourteen children—Elizabeth, Jacob, Gottfried, deceased; Albert, John A., Mary, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Anna, Amiel and Louisa.  Four children died in infancy.
     Jacob Schutz, Jr., and wife came to America and settled in Allen county, Ohio, in 1884.  Four years later they moved to Tippecanoe county, ten miles southeast of Lafayette, Indiana, and here he died about seven or eight years later, in 1895.  His wife then returned to Ohio and lived with her son, John A. Schutz, and her daughter, Louisa, until her death, in October, 1906.
     John A. Schutz was twenty-one years of age when he arrived in America, Apr. 1, 1883.  He came directly to Putnam county, and worked in the stone quarries in that district.  He followed other odd jobs for about three years and then learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for two years.  At the age of twenty-six Mr. Schutz had saved considerable money.
     At this time, May 24, 1887, John A. Schutz was married to Mary Bixler, who was born on the old Bixler homestead, June 22, 1860. She was the daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Welty) Bixler, the former of whom was born in Wayne county on June 4, 1831, and the latter in Wayne county on Apr. 14, 1832.  Jacob Bixler was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kammerman) Bixler, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, the former of whom was born in 1801 and the latter on Sept. 28, 1797.  They emigrated to America on the Danish ship "Tetes," whose voyage took, forty-four days to cross the water.  Mrs. Bixler was the daughter of John and Barbara (Lugibihl) Welty, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter a native of France.  She came to America in 1821.  Jacob Bixler and wife had two children, Sarah, who married Albert Schutz, and Mary who married John A. Schutz.
     Jacob Bixler, Sr., started for America on May 14, 1821, and landed in July of that year at New York City, and later became a pioneer of Putnam county.  Jacob Bixler and wife were the parents of the following children - Anna, who died in infancy; Abraham, deceased; Barbara, Peter, Christian John, Elizabeth, Jacob Jr., Anna, Abraham, Daniel, deceased; Daniel Catherine, deceased; Mary and David, only two of whom are living.
     John Welty was born on Nov. 14, 1797, a native of Switzerland, he came to America in 1824 and settled in Wayne county Ohio . Later came Barbara (Lugibihl) Welty, his wife, who was born in February 1807 and who died on November 4, 1883. She came with in her parents to America 1825, when she met and married John Welty in Wayne county.  To them were born nine children- Christian, Catherine, Barbara, Peter, Anna Madalena, May, Fannie and John, who died in infancy, only two of whom are living at this time.
     After Mr. Schutz's marriage he rented the old Bixler homestead, one and one-half miles east of Pandora, which he later bought.  At this time it comprised eighty acres, to which Mr. Schutz later added twenty acres, and then he purchased the old John Suter farm of one hundred acres, on which he now lives.  Mr. Schutz has always done general farming, and during recent years has made a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs.
     Mr. Schutz purchased a lumber yard and planing mill at Pandora about 1902, where he moved on account of his wife's failing health.  He operated this mill for five years, and then sold out and returned to the farm. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Schutz is a stockholder in the Farmers' Banking Company at Pandora.
     Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schutz—Martha, who died in infancy; Lavina, who is the wife of Walter Geiger and lives on the old home place; Hiram, who lives with his sister, Lavina; Elmer, who is unmarried and a student in Otterbein University; Hula, who is unmarried and at home, and Matilda, who died in infancy.
     John A. Schutz has been a member of the Putnam county fair board for eight years.  He is a Democrat and has served his township as trustee for twelve years.  He and his wife are members of the Grace Mennonite church.  John A. Schutz is one of the most substantial citizens of this community.  He is a man of resolute determination and high ideals, and enjoys the entire confidence of the people who live in his community.  No better evidence of this can be cited than the long term which he has served the people of Riley township as trustee, the duties of which office Mr. Schutz has discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 784
  BENJAMIN F. SEITZ, SR.     The future of this country lies in the hands of the present generation.  Those who contribute most to the welfare of future generations are those who are at this minute keenly interested in progressive movements affecting all lines of human endeavor—those who are ever active in their business, their trade or profession.  These are the men who acquire splendid fortunes, accumulate vast and fertile farms and a lucrative and enviable professional practice.  These are the men who serve their fellow men faithfully, whatever may be their chosen profession.  One of the well-known citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, and a man who has been foremost in the business affairs of this county is Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., vice-president of the Exchange Bank, of Columbus Grove.
     Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., was born on Sept. 16, 1853, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm.  He first saw the light of day in an old log cabin and has slept many a night under a slab board roof of a log cabin, through which the snow sifted in his face.  His parents were pioneer settlers of Putnam county.  He is the son of David and Lydia (Hufford) Seitz.  David Seitz was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1819.  His parents were David and Catherine Seitz.
     The father of Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., grew up in Fairfield county, Ohio, and while living there married Lydia Hufford, who was born and reared in Perry county, Ohio, the daughter of Daniel Hufford.  David Seitz and wife moved to Putnam county in 1847, settling in Union township.  They purchased land for one dollar and seventy-five cents an acre, all of which was wild wood.  Until Mr. Seitz could build a log cabin, the family lived at the the home of Abram Funk, nearby.  Before the family was brought to the cabin, David Seitz had partly furnished it.  The first night after the arrival of the family, he finished enough floor upon which to place a bed, and the wife cooked the first meal beside a sugar stump.  It was in this cabin that Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., was born and spent his boyhood days.  He still remembers seeing a few wild deer and many turkeys during his youth.  On this farm his parents lived and died.  David Seitz had more than ordinary political influence in his community.  He was a justice of the peace, land appraiser and township trustee.  Benjamin F. Seitz lived on this farm until his' marriage. 
     He was married in 1877 to Sarah J. Funk, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Clevenger) Funk, a grand-daughter of Abraham Funk, who sheltered them when his father's family first came to Putnam county.  Mrs. Seitz was born in Sugar Creek township.  Her father and mother both grew up in Putnam county.  Abraham Funk came from Fairfield county before the arrival of the Seitz family.  Elizabeth Clevenger was the daughter of Samuel Clevenger, who was reared in Putnam county and the son of pioneer parents, coming from Franklin county.  They settled where Vaughnsville is now located.  Samuel Clevenger's father owned considerable land along Sugar creek.
     After Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., were married they settled on a tract of wooden land in Sugar Creek township.  The land was just as it had been left by the Indians, except for a small patch of deadened timber.  Mr. Seitz still has the sheepskin deed that was signed by President James K. Polk.  He and his wife went to housekeeping in a log cabin until Mr. Seitz:
could build a house.  He owned eighty acres of land then and he improved this farm and added an adjoining eighty.  Later he added one hundred and fourteen acres across the road in the same township, a total of two hundred and seventy-four acres.  He continued farming there until 1905, when he moved to Columbus Grove, and has lived here since that time.  He still owns this farm, except fifty-seven acres, which he sold.
     About twelve years ago Mr. Seitz purchased an interest in the Exchange Bank, and upon the death of Mr. Crawford, who was then president, in 1911, he became president of the bank and served in that capacity until it was reorganized as a state bank.  He decided that the president should be at the bank regularly during business hours and that another should hold the place, so he gave up this office and the present incumbent has served as president, Mr. Seitz serving as vice-president.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., seven children have been born, one of whom, Bessie, died at the age of fourteen months.  Those living are John D., Maude, Peter, Benjamin F., Jr., David and Marion.  John D., who lives on part of his father's farm, married Nellie Reynolds, and has four children, May, Helen, Lucile and Margery.  Maud, who married J. D. Guffy, lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and has four children, Roy, Russell, Fay and Vestina. Peter, who lives in Sugar Creek township, on the old homestead, married Dula Dresky and has four children, Charles, Clarence (deceased), Blanche and Myrtle.  Benjamin F., Jr., who lives in Columbus Grove, married Myrtle Reiger and has three children, Emerson, Christine and Mildred.  David, who lives in Columbus Grove, married Vida Sakemiller and has one daughter,  Donna.  Marion F. is now fifteen years old.
     Mr. Seitz recalls the early roads of Putnam county, when it required a whole day to go six miles from the farm to Columbus Grove, and back again.  At the time Mr. Seitz was rearing his family it required a day to haul four or five, hogs to Columbus Grove.
     Mr. Seitz and wife belong to the Christian church and Mr. Seitz is a trustee in this denomination, also being chorister for some time in the church at Columbus Grove.  Formerly he was clerk of the Ottawa River church, in Sugar Creek township. Mr. Seitz is a member of the Knights of Pythias.  Few men in Putnam county are better known than Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., and a few men are more entitled to the confidence and esteem of the community which he enjoys to the fullest measure, than he.  He is one of those men of whom it may be truly said when his last work is finished, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 349
  PETER SEITZ.     The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well-defined purposes which won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens.  His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted, not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the gaining of material prosperity for himself.
     Peter Seitz was born in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, on Oct. 30, 1882, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Sarah J. (Funk) Seitz.  For a sketch containing his paternal and ancestral history, the reader is referred to the sketch of Benjamin F. Seitz, which appears elsewhere in this book.
     Peter Seitz was reared on the paternal homestead, four miles northwest of Vaughnsville, and his education was received in the old Seitz district school.  After completing his common school course, he took a normal course of study at the Palmer University at Muncie, Indiana.  Upon the completion of his studies, he returned home and for a while farmed a portion of his father's land.  In 1904, he was married and during the following four or five years continued to operate a part of the paternal farm and then took charge of the entire place, his father having moved to Columbus Grove.  In the spring of 1913, Mr. Seitz bought eighty acres of land west of Hog creek, to the operation of which he gave his attention for to years and then, in the spring of 1914, returned to the old home place, where he now resides.  Because of his character and the success which he has attained in his chosen vocation, he is well and favorably known throughout this section of the county.  He maintains the farm at the highest standard of agricultural excellence and, by following up-to-date and progressive ideas, has succeeded in receiving a noteworthy success.
     On Feb. 10, 1904, Mr. Seitz was married to Dulia Dreasky, who was born in Jackson township, Putnam county, on Apr. 7, 1880, the daughter of Arthur and Nora (Dray) Dreasky.  She was one of three children, the others being Myrtle and Alonzo.  Arthur Dreasky was born on Sept. 28, 1853, near Bucyrus, Ohio, the son of George and Rebecca (Meadly) Dreasky, the former of whom was a native of Germany and a pioneer settler of Ohio.  He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  His wife, Rebecca Meadly, was a native of this country.  Mrs. Seitz's mother, Nora Dray, was born in West Virginia, near Steubenville, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1860, the daughter of John W. and Judith (Fisher) Dray, both of whom were natives of Steubenville, Ohio.
     To Peter and Dulia (Dreasky) Seitz have been born four children, Charles, on Mar. 21, 1905; Clarence, Apr. 13, 1906, died on Sept. 25, 1907; Blanche, Sept. 27, 1907, and Myrtle, Oct. 15, 1909.
     Mr. Seitz is a Democrat and takes an intelligent and commendable interest in local affairs.  He is a member of the Ottawa River Christian church, of which he is a trustee and of which Mrs. Seitz is also a member.  He is also a member of the Valley Grange, of which he is the present overseer.  In every phase of life's activities, he has performed his part to the best of his ability and has earned the commendation and approval of all who know him.
     To Peter and Dulia (Dreasky) Seitz have been born four children, Charles, on Mar. 21, 1905; Clarence, Apr. 13, 1906, died on Sept. 25, 1907; Blanche, Sept. 27, 1907, and Myrtle, Oct. 15, 1909.
     Mr. Seitz is a Democrat and takes an intelligent and commendable interest in local affairs.  He is a member of the Ottawa River Christian church, of which he is a trustee and of which Mrs. Seitz is also a member.  He is also a member of the Valley Grange, of which he is the present overseer.  In ever phase of life's activities, he has preformed his part to the best of his ability and has earned the commendation and approval of all who know him.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1243

David C. Shank		 DAVID C. SHANK

Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 376
  WILLIAM H. SHERRARD, trustee of Adams township, and owner of a fine farm of 157 acres, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1855, and is a son of John C. and Anna M. Waggener) Sherrard, the former of whom was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Apr. 15, 1831, and died Jan. 2, 1909.  John Sherrard was left fatherless when he was five years old, and at the age of twelve years he was the practical head of the family.  He remained with his mother until he was twenty-three years old, and at the age of twelve years he was the practical head of the family.  He remained with his mother until he was twenty-three years of age,  then married and started in life for himself.  He followed the trade of carpenter for a few years and then began farming on rented land.  He removed to Putnam county, Ohio, and lived there on a farm until his removal to Atchison, Kans., from which city he drove overland to Sabetha, Kans., Nov. 1, 1868, accompanied by his brother-in-law.  They rented land for four years three and one-half miles south of Sebetha and then bought 120 acres of land in Capioma township, in partnership with his son, William H.  He developed his farm and lived thereon for twelve years, then engaged in the grain and elevator business at Oneida, Kans., for a period of six years.  After disposing of his elevator and farm he bought a tract of thirty-one acres in Oneida and resided there until his demise in 1909.  John Sherrard was a member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal church and was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He was married in 1854 to Anna M. Waggener, born in Athens county, Ohio, in 1834, and who was a teacher prior to her marriage.  They were the parents of eight children, as follows:  William H., subject of this review; Mrs. Mary E. Stewart, a widow living in Portland, Ore.; James C., living on a farm near Oneida, and father of seven children, three of whom were killed in a cyclone; Edwin S., farmer near Oneida, has three children; John E., police judge **(at Mul S., farmer near Oneida, has three children; John E., police judge and mine owner at Mullen, Idaho); George U., traveling for a Louisville tobacco firm with headquarters at Salt Lake City, father of one child; Charles P., deceased, and Guy, Arcadia, Kans.
     William H. Sherrard resided with his parents until he was twenty-five years old and then rented eighty acres of land in Capioma township for two years, after which he bought eighty acres within two miles of Woodlawn, Kans., erected thereon a house 22x24 feet, with six rooms, together with a barn and other out buildings.  He resided on this farm until 1909, then sold it and purchased 157 acres in Adams township, which is his present home.  Mr. Sherrard has practically retired from active farming and his land is being cultivated by his son-in-law, Arthur Farnham.
     Mr. Sherrard was married to Eliza Johnson, Mar. 15, 1882, and two children have been born to this union:  Mrs. Ina B. Bridson, Perry, Kans., and other of a son, Gale H., and Mrs. Grace E. Farnham, whose husband is operating the Sherrard farm.
     Mrs. Eliza (Johnson) Sherrard was born Dec. 22, 1859, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Lafferty) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Ireland in 1831, left an orphan at the age of seven, and was thrown upon his own resources.  He immigrated to America at the age of nineteen and located in Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the lime quarries.  In 1858 he removed to Illinois and farmed there until 1870, and then immigrated to Nemaha county, Kansas, buying 160 acres of land in Capioma township.  He developed a fine farm ad resided thereon until his demise, Apr. 14, 1908.  His wife, Mary, was born in Ireland in 1835 and was married to Mr. Johnson in Pennsylvania, in 1857.  There were ten children born to William and Mary Johnson, as follows, Eliza, wife of W. H. Sherrard; Ella, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Reed, a widow with five children, living on a farm near Woodlawn, in Capioma township; Margaret, deceased; Samuel H., Oneida, Kans., trustee of Gilman township; William E., trustee of Rock Creek township; Anise, deceased; Mrs. Ida Foster, whose husband is treasurer of Capioma township, mother of three children; Albert J., druggist at Falls City, Neb.; Mrs. Della Carpenter, Rock Creek township.
     Mr. Sherrard is a Democrat in politics and is one of the leaders of his party in Nemaha county.  He is the present trustee of Adams township and held the office of trustee of Capioma township when he was twenty-two years of age.  He and Mrs. Sherrard are members of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which lodge he was the efficient clerk for eighteen years.
Source:  History of Nemaha County, Kansas by Ralph Tennal - Illustrated - Publ. Standard Publishing Company, Lawrence, Kansas - 1916 - Page 704
NATHAN C. SHIRLEY.     Examples that impress force of character upon all who study them are worthy of record.  By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the characteristics and worthy career of Nathan C. Shirley, who is now living in Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, having, through his industry and perseverance, accumulated a competency.  He has pursued the even tenor of his way in a quiet and unostentatious manner, which never courts publicity, attending strictly to his own affairs, doing the right as he understands it, and keeping his conscience void of offense toward God and man.  It is not a matter of wonderment that the elements of a substantial and practical nature, which unite in his composition, should win him a conspicuous place in his community, when we learn that he comes of a sterling family, a family that believed, not only in keeping busy along legitimate lines of endeavor, but also in living up to the highest standards of citizenship in every respect.
     Nathan C. Shirley was born on Dec. 1, 1862, in Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio.  He is the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Prowant) Shirley.
     Philip Shirley was a native of Ross county, Ohio, born in February, 1820, and a son of Nathan and Mary (Minear) Shirley.  Nathan Shirley was born in Burks county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and left Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio during his boyhood days.  His parents were Robert and
Mary (Gilbert) Shirley, who were natives of Pennsylvania, also.  They settled in Ross county, where they farmed, but later moved to Defiance county.  He farmed in Ross county for a time and removed to Defiance with his family in 1825.  After his marriage, he made a trip to New Orleans by flatboat down the Mississippi river with flour, pork and shoes, and sold the outfit and boat, returning to Portsmouth, Ohio, from here by horseback to his farm in Ross county.  He was gone a long time, and waited for increases in the market prices of his commodities.  The family made the trip with several other families in covered wagons to Defiance county during the Indian scare, and made use of the blockhouse at Defiance, Ohio, for a while.  Nathan was captain of a military company at that place and served  as drill master.  Robert Shirley died in 1840, in Defiance county, where he is buried, near the west terminal of the upper Auglaize bridge.  His wife died there also.  At the time they first came to Defiance county, Robert Shirley and his family spent some time in the blockhouse at Defiance.  The Indians were not thoroughly pacified, and there was continual fear of uprising.  This caused much unrest among the settlers. Robert was among the early settlers, a brave and courageous man, who lent a willing hand in all the work of the little community.  In his later years, Robert Shirley conducted a tavern at Defiance, Ohio.  He was largely identified with the history of the town, having been in charge of the canal at that point.  He was a hard worker, a man of sterling character, and suffered all the privations incident to the early pioneer life.  He experienced many sorrows and also much happiness.
|     Nathan Shirley was reared a farmer, and this he followed to his death, in 1871, at Junction, Paulding county, Ohio.  His wife died about 1850.  After her death, Nathan was again married to a widow, Mrs. Hankins, who survived him a number of years, and died in 1885. Nathan also experience the hardships of pioneer life, and did his share for the uplift of the county.  Philip Shirley, the father of the subject, grew up in Defiance county, being only five years old when he was brought to the county with his, parents.  He grew up on the homestead farm, and located at the Power dam, where his father, Nathan, owned two farms.  He married Elizabeth Prowant, daughter of Christian and Catherine (Gable) Prowant, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and who came with her parents to Putnam county about 1834, where she grew to womanhood and married.  She was born on June 5, 1829, and died on Feb. 13, 1914, at the age of eighty-four years, eight months and eight days.  Philip Shirley came to Putnam county, Ohio, and settled in Perry township, about 1847, and was married in 1848.  He died in Dupont, Ohio, Mar. 29, 1901, at the age of eighty-one years one month and twenty-four days.  Originally, Philip Shirley owned a farm, upon which the town of Dupont is now situated.
     The seven children born to Philip and Elizabeth (Prowant) Shirley were as follow: Mary C.; Clara M., who is Mrs. Remus R. Brown of DeKalb county, Indiana; Anna E., later Mrs. Thomas Conkle, who died in 1890; Nathan C., the subject of this sketch; Nancy R., now Mrs. Oscar Lamont, of Belmore, Ohio, whose husband is the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad agent at that place; Alice D., now Mrs. George Lafferty
of Edmore, Michigan; Jennie C., who is now Mrs. George Cockrun, of Alluwee, Oklahoma.
     Nathan C. Shirley grew up in Perry township, on the homestead farm and was educated in this township.  He spent one year at Delphos, Ohio in the high school, and one year at the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, Indiana, as a student in the scientific course.  He taught school in Paulding county, Ohio, for two years prior to going to school at Valparaiso, Indiana, and subsequently taught school in Putnam and Paulding counties for thirty-three terms.  After his marriage, he removed to a farm of seventy acres, and farmed and taught school in the district near by.  He removed to his present farm in Monroe township in the spring of 1898.  This farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty-six acres, but Mr. Shirley now farms one hundred and eighty-six acres.
     Nathan C. Shirley was married, Aug. 12, 1888, to Emma Ridenour, who was born in Perry township, Putnam county, Jan. 16, 1863, and who is the daughter of Jacob and Fanny (Fretz) Ridenour.  Jacob Ridenour was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county, Ohio, with his parents when nine years of age.  He grew up in Perry township, where he was reared a farmer.  He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two years.  He was a Democrat in politics.  His wife, Fanny Fretz, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.  To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan C. Shirley six children have been born:  Ashley R. was born on June 22, 1889, she married Preston H. Miles and lives at Syracuse, Indiana, having no children; Hazel I. was born on Nov. 21, 1890; Ross R. was born on Oct. 16, 1892; Mary E., who was born on Oct. 19, 1894, married Floyd Groff, of Monroe township, who lives near the farm of Mr. Shirley; Lynn L. was born on Nov. 18, 1898; Claude L. was born on Aug. 13, 1905.
     Nathan C. Shirley has made most of his present farm by his own efforts and has cleared most of the land, and built all of the improvements to the farm.  He has a fine barn, with modern appliances and conveniences and a milking machine.  He believes strongly in progressive farming.  The dimensions of his barn are ninety-six by fifty-six feet on the south side and ninety-six by eighty feet on the north side, and is laid out with six thousand feet of cement floor and twelve hundred feet of cement outside.  A silo has been erected, equipped with trackage for cleaning out barn and carrying feed.  A cement water tank, with a capacity of fifty barrels, has also been erected.
     Mr. Shirley has been township trustee of Perry township for one term, and has also been a member of the board of school directors of Continental city schools three different times.  He is not now active.  He is a stanch Democrat.  He is a member of the United Brethren church at Continental, and has always taken a prominent part in church work.  He has held most of the offices in the church, and is now secretary of the congregation, a circuit comprising five churches.  He is also actively identified with the Sunday school, is a class leader and a teacher of the young men's and women's bible class.  Nathan C. Shirley is a strong advocate of temperance, and, locally, has been closely identified with the farmers' institute.  He was among the organizers of the Continental Farmers' Institute.  His wife and family are members of the United Brethren church and take an active interest in the work of the church.  Nathan C. Shirley is a man well liked.  He bears a high standing for honesty of purpose and integrity in the community where he lives, is a man of strong and fixed convictions, and is frank and open in his dealings with his fellow men.  In every way he is entitled to representation in this volume.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 600
  LEWIS SIMON.  One of the influential citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, is Lewis Simon, who, for many years, has been a well-known farmer in Greensburg township.  He is a man of excellent endowments and upright character and has been a valued factor in local affairs.  Mr. Simon has long commanded the unequivocal confidence and esteem of the people of Putnam county.  He has been loyal to the upbuilding of his community and ever vigilant in his efforts to promote the interests of his county, morally and otherwise.  Although Mr. Simon is enfeebled and is no longer able to work, as he formerly did, he is possessed of a remarkable memory and is, personally, familiar with the most interesting details of the entire growth of this section of Putnam county.
     Lewis Simon was born on Apr. 24, 1838, in Putnam county.  He is the son of John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, the former of whom was born in Kintingheim, Germany, on the Rhine, and the latter of whom was also born in Germany, in 1812.
     John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon had several children, as follow: John, a farmer near Dupont, Ohio, who was born in Germany; Catherine and Philip have long been deceased; Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Jacob, who died in childhood; Barbara, who became the wife of Michael Rinkle, of Dupont; Louisa, deceased; Sophia married the Rev. Philip Kesler, of Dupont; Mrs. A. L. Hauck, of Ottawa; Anna, who became the wife of W. J. Varner, of Greensburg township; Savilla, who married J. W. Parnell, of Greensburg township; Elizabeth, deceased, and John Adam, who died at the age of ten years.
     After their marriage, John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia.  Subsequently, they located in Richland county, Ohio, where they were pioneers.  They located in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1836.  John P. purchased a tract of wild land, upon which he lived until 1863.  During all of this period he was closely identified with the pioneer history of the county.  He became a general merchant at Ottawa, in 1863, and was successful.  He was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Defiance and afterward became a charter member of the lodge at Kalida.  He was a commissioned officer in the state militia and stood high in Putnam county as one of the leading exponents of law and order.  Before the Civil War, he was identified with the Democratic party, but after that, was independent in politics.  He was prominent in politics, locally, and filled many offices.  He died on Apr. 29, 1888, at which time he was a member of the Presbyterian church. John P. Simon's first wife, Savilla Genshimer, the mother of all of his children except John Adam, died in 1856.  Later he married Mrs. Margaret M. Landis, who bore him one son, John Adam, in 1859.  His third wife was Mrs. Margaret Hedges, who died on Mar. 25, 1895.
     Lewis Simon, the son of John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the log school house, typical of his day and generation.  Lewis Simon was first married on Apr. 13, 1861, to Barbara M. Dangler, daughter of George and Fannie (Fender) Dangler.  Four children were born to this marriage, Anna married H. J. Kirkendall; Veronica married George Ridenour; John A. lived to be forty-five years of age, and Barbara died in infancy.  Mrs. Barbara M. (Dangler) Simon died on May 11, 1868.  Mr. Simon was next married to Jennie Apger on Mar. 13, 1870. She was a daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Apger, and a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born on Feb. 10, 1874. To this second marriage seven children were born, Mary L. died on Oct. 31, 1876; Charles E., married Carrie Shafer, and lives in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and they have six children, Paul, Helen, Mary, George, Margaret and Ruth Anna; Chester L. was first married to Maud Jenkins, daughter of David Jenkins and wife, and had three children by this marriage, Edna, Gale and Lowell; he was married a second time to Carrie Holbgewoks, daughter of John Holbgewoks, of Putnam county, and lives in Palmer township, Putnam county; Ora A. married P. D. Russell, son of John P. and Carolina Russell, of Iuka, Illinois, and they have one child, Jennie; Lewis W., Jr., married Grace Keck, daughter of Levi and Lucy Keck, of Continental, Ohio; Lewis W., Jr., died in 1911; he was survived by his wife and three children, Edna, Robert and Howard, the widow and children now living in McBride, Michigan; Blanche married Ralph Schaefer, son of John and Ruth Schaefer; they live in Perry township, Putnam county, and have two children, Geraldine and Howard; Ralph B., the youngest living child, was born on Sept. 15, 1887.  He attended the common schools of Putnam county, and also attended the Continental high school.  After that he entered the Ohio State University and took the degree of Bachelor of Science.  Raph B. Simon was a student from 1908 to 1912.  During his college life, he was a director of the glee club. He married Rowena Kuntz on May 22, 1913, and makes his home at his father's farm.  His wife's parents were natives of Putnam county and were farmers.  Her father died in 1912.
     Lewis Simon is a man of remarkable memory. He has led an active life and chafes at the thought of enforced idleness on account of his sickness.  His farm consists of one hundred and fifty-five acres of splendid land, where general farming is carried on. Ralph B., who has active charge of the farm, also specializes in stock raising. The buildings on the farm are models of completeness. The farm is one of the best in Putnam county. The barn especially is not excelled in Putnam county for size, substantiality and convenience.  Mr. Simon is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 325, at Ottawa.  Until recent years he has been active in the United Brethren church and an active Sunday school worker. Lately, he has been identified with the Prohibition party.  He has filled the office of justice of the peace of Greensburg township in a most satisfactory manner.
     Mrs. Lewis Simon is an active woman of cheerful disposition. She has been a great inspiration to her husband.  Her father, John R. Apger, was born in New Jersey, in 1816, and was a son of Isaac Apger, also a native of New Jersey and of English descent. Isaac Apger was one of the pioneer farmers of Carroll county, Ohio, and moved to Wood county in 1847, when, that county was unbroken wilderness.  John R. Apger, Mrs. Simon's father, was educated in New Jersey and reared as a farmer.  He learned the shoemaker's trade and worked at it occasionally.  He married Elizabeth Atchley, in 1837.  She was a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Van Horn) Atchley, natives of New Jersey, but who later resided in New York.  To this marriage the following children were born: Mary C.; Mrs. Lewis Simon; Marion M.; Isaac N., deceased; Anderson S., who was a soldier in the Civil War; Alletty A., deceased, and Lizzie, also deceased.  Mrs. Elizabeth Apger was born in New Jersey in 1812 and moved with her parents to New York before her marriage.  Mr. Apger settled in Carroll county in 1865, farming there for ten years.  He then moved to Wood county, Ohio, and entered a tract of land, clearing the land and teaching school in the meantime.  His first wife died on Mar. 25, 1865.  She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. Apger was next married in Wood county, in 1866, to Mrs. Matilda Wyckoff, and four children were born to this marriage, Benton, Earl J., Cloise and Blanche.  Mr. Apger was a Democrat in politics.  He died on May 12, 1882.  He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 709

Archie A. Slaybaugh		    ARCHIE A. SLAYBAUGH

Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 544
  ANTHONY SMITH.  Pride of family is one of the most commendable of human virtues.  "Rely upon it that the man who does not worthily estimate his own dead forefathers will himself do very little to add credit or do honor to his country " This quotation, from William E. Gladstone, touches at the very heart of the matter.  The desire, therefore, on the part of so many of the prominent citizens of Putnam county to preserve family records in this volume bespeaks a very high degree of patriotism as well as the most justifiable pride of family and the community at large cannot but be bettered and strengthened by this display of patriotism, this interesting manifestation of a general desire on the part of well-thinking people to create a closer degree of family unity and to preserve for the coming generations invaluable family data that inevitably would be lost without this or some similar form of preservation.  The readers of this volume will notice with interest that the five sons of L. Jacob Smith have very properly availed themselves of this general medium as a means of handing down to their posterity in orderly array the data upon which to base a family unity that will be a source of pride of the most commendable sort to generations yet to come.  Frank, William, Hubert, Aug. and Anthony Smith have furnished to the biographer data relating to their immediate families and it is a pleasure here to present the biography of the last named, the others being found on other pages in this volume.  In the biography of Frank Smith, the eldest son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, there is presented at length the genealogy of the paternal branch of this family in Putnam county, while elsewhere the Verhoff side finds equally interesting presentation under the head of Theodore Verhoff, of Greensburg township, brother of the mother of the Smith brothers.
     Anthony Smith, son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhofif) Smith, was born on a farm near the town of Kalida, Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, on Apr. 17, 1885, and grew to manhood on the parental farm, receiving his education in the excellent schools of that township.  He remained on his father's home place until his marriage, in 1911, after which he bought fifty acres of his father's farm and established a home for himself.  He erected the buildings now standing upon this place and has otherwise improved the same, bringing the farm to a high state of cultivation.  He has but recently built a substantial addition to his house and now has one of the most comfortable and delightful homes in that part of the county.  He is a young farmer of the progressive type to which Putnam county is beginning to owe so much and in his methods follows up-to-date principles of farming, assuring for himself a degree of success which is most gratifying to his friends.
     On May 3, 1911, Anthony Smith was united in marriage to Magdalena Schroeder, daughter of William and Anna (Rieman) Schroeder, both of whom were born in Greensburg township, this county, and who were the parents of ten children, Katherine, Henry, Clara, May, Nora, Magdalena, Francis, Caroline, Elizabeth and Laura.  Of these Katherine married W. Schierloh and lives in Greensburg township, this county; Henry married Theresa Verhoff and also lives in Greensburg township; Clara married William Verhoff and lives in Union township; Mary married Ignatius Verhoff and is now a widow, and Flora married Frank Verhoff and lives in Greensburg township.  Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder are still living on their farm in Greensburg township and enjoy the highest esteem of all who know them.  The paternal grandparents of ancestry of subject's wife, Magdalena Schroeder, wife of Anthony Smith, Henry and Catherine (Hohenbrink) Schroeder, who were natives of Germany and came to this country and located near Glandorf, Putnam county.  They were the parents of the following children: John, Mary, William, Charles, Anna, Theresa, Mathias, Clara, Doratha, Ignatius, Catherine, Philomena and Frank.  Her maternal grandparents were John and Clara (Mahinne) Rieman, who also were natives of Germany, and came to this country, where they settled near Glandorf, in Putnam county. They had the following children: Frank, Mary, John, Bernadina, Henry, Bernard, Anna, Charles and Ignatius.
     To Anthony and Magdalena (Schroeder) Smith two children have been .born: Gilber, on July 10, 1912, and Edward, May 16, 1914.  Anthony Smith and wife are devoted members of St. Michael's Catholic church and have submitted their children to the ordinances of that historic communion.  Mr. Smith is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and is otherwise active in the work of the parish, being regarded as an energetic exponent of all measures which have to do with the good of the community at large, one of the leading citizens of that part of the county.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 824
  CHARLES R. SMITH.  The farmers' interest" in road-building is universally recognized Good roads furnish easy access to market and reduce the wear of his vehicles and machinery.  They are civilizing agents that open up to him the outside world even more than railroads or trolley lines. Moreover, the farmer is interested not so much in gigantic expenditures for road-building, which amount to six hundred million dollars each year, but in getting the worth of his money invested in this enterprise. He has a right to know whether the forty-four million dollars, expended in state aid of road-building in 1914, was economically used.  He ought to know enough about making roads to find the answer for himself.  One of the prominent farmers of Sugar Creek township Putnam county Ohio, who is extremely interested in road-building and in markets, is Charies R. Smith.
     Charles R. Smith was born on June 28, 1863, in Allen County, Ohio.  He is the son of Benjamin O. and Margaret A. (Hines) Smith.  Benjamin Smith was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in Oct., 1832 and was the son of James and Mary (Stover) Smith.  James Smith was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, in 1810, and died in 1893.  He was a farmer in Virginia, where he grew to manhood and was married.  He came to Ohio, overland, in a covered wagon, arriving in Vaughnsville on Jan. 1, 1837.  He then entered land from the government in section 22, about two miles northeast of Vaughnsville.  He remained in Vaughnsville until he had built a cabin and then moved to his new-found home. He proceeded to clear his land arid succeeded in getting about fifty acres in cultivation. He spent the remainder of his life on the old homestead, where his wife died in Apr., 1888, he surviving her by five years. They had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom Charles R. Smith's father, Benjamin O. Smith, was next to the eldest. Benjamin O. Smith was only five years of age when his parents came to Putnam county, where he grew to manhood. He attended the district schools and helped his father to clear the land and farm the home place. At twenty-seven years of age he was married to Margaret A. Hines, who was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, in 1836, and who was the daughter of Peter and Fanny (Stover) Hines, who in turn were both natives of Virginia and immigrated to Randolph county, Missouri, when their daughter, Margaret, was a child. Here her parents settled on a farm and remained the balance of their lives. Margaret Hines was one of seven children, five sons and two daughters.
     Benjamin O. Smith went to Missouri, where he met and married Margaret Hines. After their marriage, they returned to Ohio and settled just northwest of his father's homestead, where they remained for a short time.  Subsequently, they removed to a farm in the extreme northern part of Allen county, two miles west of Columbus Grove. It was here that Charles R. Smith was born. Benjamin O. Smith moved again, shortly afterward, to a farm northeast of Gomer in Allen county, where he remained for a few years.  Later, he moved to a farm in Allen county, about one and one-half miles west of Charles R. Smith's birthplace. He bought this farm, but two years later, sold out on account of his wife's health, and moved to Missouri, in the fall of 1871. Here she died, in Jan., 1872. They had four children, three sons and one daughter, Cornelius F., Charles R., the subject of this sketch; Paschal M. and Mary F., deceased, who married George W. Foltz,
and has one child living, Donald. Benjamin O. Smith returned to Ohio, with his family, immediately after the death of his wife, to the old homestead, where Benjamin O. was again married, in 1876, to Mrs. Rebecca (Stover) Pearson.  To this union were born three children, Clayton, who died in childhood; Carl, who died in infancy, and Nellie, who died about the age of seventeen.  Benjamin O. Smith died on the old home place on Dec. 16, 1888. At one time he was a member of the Christian church.  He was a Democrat in politics.
     Charles R. Smith was eight years old when his father returned from Missouri and has continued to live on the home place of his father and grandfather since that time. He attended the Smith district school and, after finishing the common school, helped his father on the farm until he became of age, after which time he went to Randolph county, Missouri. There he remained for one and one-half years. At the end of this period, he returned to his home to take charge of the farm, after his father's death in 1888.
     Charles R. Smith continued to farm here until 1890, when he again went to Missouri and was married to Susie W. Furnish, who was born in California, in Jan., 1861. She was the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Riggs) Furnish.  After his marriage, Mr. Smith again returned to Ohio, and has resided here ever since. Charles R. and Susie W. (Furnish) Smith have had three children. Earl F., who was born on Dec. 10, 1891; Erma C., June 12, 1893, and who is the wife of William J. Jones, and Paul Raymond, May 21, 1895. Both boys are students of Defiance College. Mrs. Smith died on June 19, 1899.  About three years after the death of Mrs. Susie Smith, Mr. Smith was again married on Jan. 1, 1902, to Mrs. Lillie V. (Jenkins) Gordon, who was born in Union county, Ohio, Sept. 2,
1867.  She is the daughter of William and Lucinda (Holycross) Jenkins. The former was born in Muskingham county, Virginia, Dec. 25, 1840 and died in Paulding county, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1905. Lucinda Holycross was born on Aug. 21, 1836, and died on July 31, 1900, at Grover Hill Paulding county, Ohio. William and Lucinda Jenkins had eleven children six daughters and five sons, Abraham M., Lydia A., William Lawrence; Tabitha J., John A., Lillie B., the wife of Mr. Smith; Eli Clemens; Earl P.; Mattie B., Nellie W. and Cassie Maude, all of whom are living, except Eli C. To Charles R. and Lillie V. (Jenkins) Smith have been born two children, one daughter, who died at birth, and Russell Dale, on June 3, 1905
     Charles R. Smith has always done general farming and has been successful.  He, with his wife, are members of the Christian church. Mr Smith has been clerk treasurer and trustee of the church.  Mr. Smith is a member of Vaughnsville Lodge No. 711, Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat and has served as a member of the school board. He was a member at the time the new school house was built at Vaughnsville. Charles R. Smith is well and favorably known in Sugar Creek township and well merits the esteem and confidence in which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 741
    FRANK J. SMITH.  For four generations the Smith family, one of the best known of the many families of German origin in Putnam county, has been counted as a factor of the development of that section of the county in which their influence has been most largely felt. In all that time the influence for good exerted by this family, has been steadfast and sure, and there can be no doubt that it has been potent in aiding the advancement of the cause of good local government wherever it has been felt. In thus making its impress upon the life of the community this family is entitled to mention in any work that attempts to deal with the history of this county, and the attention of the reader is called to this brief biography of the gentleman, a prosperous representative of the family here referred to, one of the most progressive farmers of Union township.
     Frank J. Smith was born on a farm in section 34, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, on Apr. 28, 1873, the son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff ) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Germany, the son of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith, and the latter of whom was a native, of Erie county, Ohio, the daughter of Francis and Anna Maria (Kramer) Verhoff. For further details regarding the genealogy of the Verhoff family the reader's attention is directed to the biographical sketch of Theodore Vernhoff, presented elsewhere in this volume.
     Jacob Smith, who was born in Germany, was one of the issue of his father's second marriage. By his father's first marriage there were two children, Peter and John Jacob, both of whom are now deceased; and by the second marriage there were eight children, all of whom are deceased: Jacob, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Joseph, Anthony, Frank, Mary, Christina, and two whose names have been lost to the present generation.
     All these children were born in Germany and came to America with their parents, the family settling on a farm in Erie county, Ohio, where the parents spent the remainder of their days.  The Smith home was five miles south of the city of Sandusky, and the various members of the family became prominent members of that section.  All were members of the Catholic church and were devoted to the affairs of the local parish; also being diligent in the good works of the community in general. It was there that Jacob Smith
grew to manhood, and there he married Wilhelmina Harb, the daughter of Hubert and Cecelia (Anselm) Harb, the latter of whom was born in Germany, and upon their marriage came to America, settling in Erie county, Ohio, where they made their home on a farm during the remainder of their lives, and where they reared a family of six children : Wilhelmina, Uplonia, Cecelia, Amelia, Louis, Anthony and Hubert.
     Jacob Smith remained in Erie county for three years after his marriage,and then came to Putnam county, locating on a farm of forty acres in Union township, to which he later added sixty acres, and on this farm he and his wife reared their family and he spent the remainder of his life. To Jacob, and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith there were born eight children: L. Jacob, Hubert, Cecelia, Wilhelmina, John, Mary, Theresa and Anthony.  These children were brought up in the Catholic faith and were members of the church at Glandorf, as were their parents.  Jacob Smith predeceased his wife, and upon his death she married, secondly, William Rampe, a shoe manufacturer at Glandorf, who, after this marriage, moved to Ottawa, and there the paternal grandmother of Frank J. Smith spent the remainder of her days.
     L. Jacob Smith, first-born of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith, was reared on the paternal farm in Union township, this county, and received his education in the schools of Union and Greensburg townships.  During the early years of his young manhood he worked on his father's farm, but after his marriage moved to a farm of one hundred acres in section 34, in Union township.  He found this tract practically unimproved, and has brought it up to a state of cultivation second to none in that part of the county. As his farming operations extended, and their success became amply proved, he gradually added to his holdings, until at the time of his retirement from the active work of the farm he was the owner of slightly more than three hundred acres of choice farm land. Upon deciding to retire, he divided the greater portion of his lands among his children and bought five acres in the town of Kalida, on which he erected a splendid residence, and there he and his wife are now living in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of their early industry.  In order that he might not "rust" in his old age, Mr. Smith, at the
time of his retirement, bought twenty-three acres near his new home, to the cultivation of which he gave considerable attention. Though practically retired, he is active enough to do a good day's work yet and would reject with scorn any implication that he is "on the shelf." Mr. Smith is an active, intelligent old gentleman, highly respected, as is his good wife, both of whom enjoy the esteem of all who know them. In his more active days, Mr. Smith gave much attention to the public affairs of his neighborhood and had served the community very acceptably in the capacity of township trustee. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, in which faith they reared their children, and he is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society at Kalida.
     On June 10, 1872, L. Jacob Smith was united in marriage with Florentine Verhoff, a member of one of the county's old families, and to this union there were born seven children, as follow: Frank J., with whom this sketch particularly treats; Hubert, born on Jan. 26, 1875; Wilhelmina, born on Apr. 5, 1877; J. Aug., born on May 13, 1882; Anthony, born on Apr. 17, 1885; Harry, born on June 19, 1888, and died on Sept. 1, 1892, and William.
     Frank J. Smith, first born of the above union, received his early education at St. Michael's parochial school, assisting his father on the farm
during the vacation periods. During the years of his young manhood he "worked out" for three years and on June 10, 1903, was united in marriage with Helena Kahle, the daughter of Frank and Bernardina (Brinkman) Kahle, members of an old family in this county, whose genealogy is given special mention in the biographical sketch which appears elsewhere in this volume under the name of Frank Kahle, the father of Mrs. Smith.
     After his marriage, Frank J. Smith moved onto the farm on which he now resides and which he bought from his father a couple of months previous to his marriage. This farm originally consisted of one hundred acres, which Mr. Smith enlarged in 1911 by the purchase of forty acres in Greensburg township, which he uses for pasture. Since taking over this farm, he has greatly improved the same and now has one of the best and most completely appointed farms in that part of the county.  In addition to general farming, Mr. Smith engages quite extensively in the raising of cattle, his herd of fullblooded Herefords providing him with considerable profit.
     To Frank J. and Helena (Kahle) Smith there have been born six children, as follow: Ignatius Albert Jacob, born on May 8, 1904; Franz Othmar Heironomous, born on Dec. 1 , 1906; Hubert Norbert Oscar, born on May 15, 1908; Franz William Harold, born on Jan. 10, 1910; Marie Francesca Clara, born on Nov. 13, 1911, and Maria Anna Wilhelmina, born on July 1, 1913.
     Frank T. Smith and wife are devoted members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida and are earnest workers in all the beneficences of that parish.  Mr. Smith is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and is likewise interested in all the good works of his community, he and Mrs. Smith being active in the various local movements designed to elevate the common welfare. He is one of the trustees of the Kalida Mutual Telephone Company and finds time, in connection with the multifarious duties of his farm to give proper attention to the public affairs of the township, in the good government of which he is deeply interested.  The Smith family are known far and near for their amiability and hospitality and are quite popular among all classes throughout that section of the county.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 744
  GEORGE FRANKLIN POLK SMITH.  An enterprising newspaper man, of Leipsic, is George Franklin Polk Smith who is the able editor of the Free Press, in that place.  His father was the editor of this same paper for many years, and Mr. Smith has worked in newspaper offices from his boyhood days.  He has had a very interesting career, having spent many years in professional baseball, where he made a record as a player.  He received an injury, in 1910,  which compelled him to leave the profession and since that time he has given all of his time to newspaper work.  Since the death of his father, in 1912, has had sole charge of the Free Press.
     George F. Smith, the son of William W. and Viola Ann (Baughman) Smith, was born at Leipsic, Ohio, June 14, 1888.  His father was connected with the Free Press in Leipsic for many years, and was editor and owner up until the time of his death, Feb. 16, 1912.
     Mr. Smith spent his boyhood days in Leipsic, and after finishing two yeas in the high school in this place, entered Lima College, as a student, but did not complete his college course.  When he was sixteen years of age, he became a member of the Leipsic Baseball Club, and while with this club had a state-wide reputation.  When he was about eighteen yeas of age, he branched out as a professional baseball player with the Zanesville team, in Ohio.  This team was in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League, and he remained with Zanesville for two years, and then spent one season in Galveston, Texas, playing with the team of that city, after which he went to Peoria, Illinois, and joined the Three I League.  After spending half a season with this team, he went to Kewanna, Illinois, where he finished the season.  The next two seasons were spent in the Ohio State League, and he was in his league when he injured a ligament, in 1910, and had to retire from professional baseball.  Since that time he was given all of his attention to newspaper work, and upon the death of his father assumed control of the paper which that parent had so ably edited for many years.  During all of the time he was playing baseball, he spent the rest of the year in his father's newspaper office, and when he took over the paper in paper in 1912, he was abundantly able to take charge of the paper and he has already demonstrated marked ability in its management.  He conducts a first-class paper, all of which is printed in his own plant.  He is constantly on the alert for up-to-date methods, and has added a number of features which have increased the circulation as well as the usefulness of the paper.
     Mr. Smith was married on Apr. 5, 1910, on his father's sixtieth birthday, to Mary Magdalene Orians, who was born near Kirby, Ohio, and reared at Upper Sandusky.  She is the eldest of ten children born to Frank J. and Rachel (Cooper) Orians.
     Mr. Smith and his wife are the parents of three children, George F., Jr., born on Jan. 29, 1911, who died five days later; Robert James, born on June 19, 1912, and Mary Janet, born on Apr. 21, 1914.
     Mr. Smith is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and advocates its principles in his paper.  He belongs to the Findlay Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ottawa Council, Knights of Columbus, and the Wadras Caravan of the Alhambra, of Toledo.  He also holds his membership in the Leipsic Club.  He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 343
  HUBERT SMITH.   Elsewhere in this valuable work of biographical reference, mention is made of the value of the services to this commonwealth of the Smith family, descendants of one of the best-known German emigrants of the early days of Putnam county.  That reference is contained in the interesting biographical sketch of Frank J. Smith, elder brother of the subject of this sketch, and It is a pleasure for the biographer here to present some additional facts relating to this family in connection with this sketch of the life of Hubert Smith, one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of Greensburg township. 
     Hubert Smith was born in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, Jan. 26, 1875, the son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, the genealogy of the former of whom will be found by the reader in the sketch of Frank J. Smith, above referred to, and the genealogy of the latter of whom will be found contained in the sketch presented elsewhere under the head of Theodore Verhofif, of Greensburg township, a brother of Mr. Smith's mother.
     Hubert Smith was reared on the paternal farm in Union township and received his education in the township schools. He remained on his father's farm until his marriage, after which he moved upon his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres, in Greensburg township, which he purchased, and where he has ever since made his home, being today reckoned as among the leading farmers of that section of the county.  Since buying this farm, Mr. Smith has greatly enlarged upon its improvements, erecting all the buildings now standing upon it, and which are of a very high class, his home in particular, being one of the models of that neighborhood.  In all its appointments, his farm is kept up to the highest standard of modern agriculture, the surroundings are neat and orderly and the general air of the place speaks loudly of the systematic methods and precision of the owner.
     On Nov. 7, 1900, Hubert Smith was united in marriage to Amelia Kahle, the daughter of Frank and Bernadina Kahle, one of the old families, of Putnam county, whose genealogy is set out in the biographical sketch of Frank Kahle, of Greensburg township, presented elsewhere in this volume.
     To Hubert and Amelia (Kahle) Smith have been born eight children, as follow: Wilfred, on Dec. 26, 1901; Bertha, Sept. 15, 1903; Joseph, Aug. 29, 1905; Leo, Nov. 5, 1907; Alfred, May 21, 1909; Ignatius, Feb. 5, 1911, and Peter and Paul, twins, Apr. 19, 1914.
     Hubert Smith and wife are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, in the affairs of which parish they are warmly interested and to which they are deeply devoted, and they are rearing their children, in the same faith.  Mr. Smith is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and takes an active part in the affairs of that beneficent organization.  He is a Democrat
and gives a good citizen's attention to political affairs, being much interested in all matters relating to good government. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are very popular in the wide social set in which they move in the Kalida neighborhood, and are very properly regarded as among the leaders in the life of that community.  He is a man of advanced ideas in the science of agriculture and is known as an intelligent, business-like farmer, who is making a fine success of his life's work.  In addition to general farming in which he engages, he has given considerable attention to the raising of blooded stock, his choice Hereford cattle and thoroughbred Belgian horses have something more than a local reputation.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 829
  J. W. SMITH, the son of Manley B. and Abigail (Pickerill) Smith, was born in Brown county, Ohio, on May 21, 1873.  His father was a son of John G. and Keziah (Beveridge) Smith, and was born in Hoclcng county, Ohio, in 1845. John G. Smith was the son of Harrison Smith, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Hocking county. Abigail Pickerill was born in Brown county, Ohio, the daughter of Josiah W. and Eleanor (West) Pickerill. Josiah W. Pickerill was born in Brown county, in 1818, a son of Samuel Pickerill, Jr., who was born in Kentucky in 1793, a son of Samuel Pickerill, Sr. Samuel Pickerill, Sr., was born in Charles county, Maryland, in 1757, and served for three years in the Revolutionary War in Captain Gallahue's company. This company was a part of Colonel Brent's regiment of Virginia troops. In 1792, Samuel Pickerill, Sr., came to Kentucky and in 1809 he moved to Brown county, Ohio, with his family, where he lived until 1850, dying at the age of ninety-three.  Twelve children were born to Samuel Pickerill, Sr., and wife.  Each one of these twelve children grew to maturity and reared families of their own, and by 1905 Samuel Pickerill, Sr., had over one thousand seven hundred descendants.
     Eleanor West, the wife of Josiah W. Pickerill, was born in Brown county, Ohio, about 1820, and was the daughter of John and Lovina (Stewart) West. John West was born in 1797 and was the son of John and Eleanor West. John West, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving in a Virginia regiment.
     Manley B. Smith was a teacher in the public schools of Brown county for many years, but is now farming.  J. W. Smith grew to maturity in Brown county and after finishing the public school course of his own township, became a student at Lebanon, Ohio, in the National Normal University.  Later he was a student at the Northern Ohio Normal at Ada, and graduated from the latter school in 1894.  Before he finished his college course, he had taught school a few years and, in fact he paid his way through college by teaching.  In 1899 Mr. Smith came to Putnam county as superintendent of schools at Ottawa, and remained in this capacity for three years.  In the meantime he studied law and, in 1902, was admitted to the bar. In politics he is a strong Democrat and from 1909 to 1913 held the office of prosecuting attorney of Putnam county. He has served on the state central committee
of his party for six years.
     J. W. Smith was married, in 1893, to Winifred Beck, a native of Brown county, Ohio, and a daughter of Herman and Sarah Beck.  Mrs. Smith died in 1895, leaving two children, Winifred, who died a few months after her mother's death, and Lucile, who is now a student in college.  In 1899 Mr. Smith married Mary Klein, a native of Brown county and a daughter
of John and Catharine Klein, natives of Germany and now deceased. To this second union one son has been born, Stewart S., who is now eleven years of age.
     Mr. Smith is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, is a thirty-second degree Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1435
  J. Aug. SMITH.  The object of a work of this character is not so much to portray the virtues of the present generation as to preserve for posterity the family records upon which, in succeeding generations, a proper degree of family unity may be based and maintained.  The compilation of the records herein presented, and in which the leading familes of Putnam county have taken so large and so commendable a degree of interest, is not only valuable as a source of information to the present generation in this county, but will be the object of deepest gratitude on the part of generations yet unborn, for here are arrayed facts of family history, which, without being thus assembled and preserved, inevitably would have been lost, at least in a large part, to the very great deprivation of that sense of family unity, so properly prideful a quality in human kind.  Among the old families in Putnam county which have been properly aroused to the value of this form of preservation of family records, the family of L. Jacob Smith is entitled to special mention, for in this volume of biography five of Mr. Smith's sons have modestly sought to preserve the data upon which their families are founded, for the benefit of posterity, a most commendable ambition and one worthy of the widest emulation.  In the biographical sketch relating to the eldest brother of this family.  Frank Smith presented elsewhere in this volume, the genealogy of the family is set out at length, and it will be sufficient, in this connection, in this connection, to deal in a merely introductory fashion with that feature of the biography of the gentleman whose name is noted above.
     J. Aug. Smith was born on a farm near the town of Kalida, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, May 13, 1882, the son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, both of whom were members of old and prominent families in this county.  J. Aug. Smith was reared on the paternal farm and received his early education in the excellent schools of Union township.  He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began working the farm of his brother-in-law, Joseph Kahle, where he remained four years, at the end of which time he bought ninety-three acres of land in sections 20 and 21, in Union township, a portion of the Frank Kahle estate, and moved upon this farm after his marriage, in 1908, and has lived there ever since, firmly establishing himself as one of the leading young farmers of that part of the county, his progressive and up-to-date methods of farming having insured his success in his chosen calling.
     On May 6, 1908, J. Aug. Smith was united in marriage to Leonora Annesser, daughter of William and Theresa (Myers) Annesser, who lived at that time in Union township, but who later moved to a farm in the province of Ontario, Canada, where they now reside.  Mrs. Smith is the eldest of the six surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Annesser, the others being John, Wilhelmina, Anna, Helena and Alice.
     To J. Aug. and Leonara (Annesser) Smith have been born three children, as follows:  Harry, on Jan. 10, 1911; George, May 28, 1913, now deceased, and Gerald, Feb. 25, 1915.
     J. Aug. Smith and wife are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, and are warmly interested in the good works of that parish, Mr. Smith being one of the trustees of the local branch of the Catholic Knights of Ohio.  He likewise is interested in all other good works in the community, and is, as well, interested in the general public welfare, being an earnest promoter of public improvements of a general character.  He is one of the directors of construction of the Mutual Telephone Company, at Kalida.
     J. Aug. Smith is a substantial young farmer and he and his wife are deservedly popular in their large circle of acquaintances, their unvarying courtesy and gentle qualities making them favorites with all.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 821
  JOHN MILTON SMITH.  One of the successful farmers of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, is John Milton Smith, who was born on Dec. 27, 1852, in Pleasant township, the son of William and Barbara (McLaughlin) Smith.
     William Smith was born and reared in Licking county, Ohio, and there married.  He came to Putnam county, about 1846, and located in Pleasant township where he entered government land and made his permanent home.  Later, he bought more land.  His wife died, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of Edward Mack of Leipsic.  After the death of his wife, William Smith went back to Licking county and was there a few years when he married Barbara McLaughlin, a native of Licking county. He returned to his old pioneer home in Pleasant township and lived there until 1866, when he moved to Liberty township and located in the northeast quarter of section 27, where he bought one hundred and twenty acres and farmed it the remainder of his life.  He took an active interest in public affairs and died in 1880, at the age of fifty-seven.  His wife died in 1893.
     There were six children born to this second union, Charles, John, Martha, Lawrence, Elmer and Laura.
     John Milton Smith was married in 1881 to Mary E. Henry.  She was born on the farm where she now lives, in the southeast quarter of section 3, Liberty township, the daughter of John and Rebecca (Knop) Henry.  Her father was born in Pennsylvania and came to Putnam county when a boy with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Henry, who located first in Wyandot county, during the Civil War, and afterward in Putnam county in Liberty township. Rebecca Knop was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Knop, who came from Pennsylvania, settling in Liberty township.
     John Henry farmed in Liberty township all of his life. He died in 1887, and Mrs. Henry died during the early seventies, while Mrs. Smith was a little child.
     When Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married, he began farming for himself on the farm where he now lives, in Liberty township, and has farmed there ever since.  He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land consisting of two well-improved farms with good houses, barns and fences.
     John Milton and Mary E. (Henry) Smith are the parents of three children living and one dead, Mark W., Clyde H., Clarence and Everett. Mark W. married Gertha White and is farming on one of his father's farms.  They have three children, Marie, Dale and Forest; Clyde H. married Eva Miller and lives on his own farm near Prentiss. They have two children, Domer and Ray; Clarence died at the age of seventeen, and Everett is unmarried and at home.
     During the last ten years, Mr. Smith has been a member of the school board and is also a trustee of Liberty township. He has given entire satisfaction in performing the duties of these offices.  He is a member of the Republican party.  Mr. Smith and his wife are members of the Evangelical church, earnest and active in their religious life.  Mr. Smith is a progressive man of excellent standing in the community. He is quiet and unpretentious but, nevertheless, one of the substantial, citizens of Liberty township.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page

L. Jacob Smith		      L. JACOB SMITH - See William Smith, J. Aug. Smith, Hulbert Smith and Frank J. Smith, herein.
   SANFORD SMITH.  The business of farming has been revolutionized within the last fifty years and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which surrounded pioneer farmers of Ohio.  Scores of inventions have been put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared with the arduous labors which his father had to undergo.  The result is that an ever-increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the cities.  The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country, and all other professions and occupations must bow to him.  Ohio is known throughout the length and breadth of the country as one of the best agricultural states in the union, and Putnam county ranks with the best farming sections of the state.  Putnam county farmers are not to be excelled by any other county, and among its many excellent farmers no one occupies a more prominent place than Sanford Smith, the subject of this review.  The ancestral history of Sanford Smith has been intimately identified with the pioneer annals of Putnam county and the state of Ohio.
     Sanford Smith is the son of Adam and Margaret (Shouse) Smith, and was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Apr. 16, 1857.  Adam Smith was the son of Robert Smith, a native of Scotland, who immigrated to America with his brother, William.  They settled in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and there were tailors.  Robert Smith married Elizabeth Little.  After three children had been born, they removed to Harrison county, Ohio, in 1826, and subsequently, removed to Tuscarawas county, where they died.  Robert Smith was an old-line Whig.  He and his wife were stanch members of the Presbyterian church.  They had eight children, Adam, Leonard, Mary A., Thomas, John, Robert B., Harvey and David.
     Adam Smith, the father of Sanford, was born on June 20, 1821, in Somerset county and came with his parents to Ohio.  He also moved with his parents to Carroll county, Ohio, and in this county was married to Margaret Shouse, in 1844.  She was born on Oct. 3, 1820, and was the daughter of Barnard and Rachel (Palmer) Shouse, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who migrated to Carroll county at the age of sixteen years and was a school teacher there.  Barnard Shouse was n old-line Whig and he and his family were members of the Presbyterian church.  Subsequently, they moved to Decatur county, Indiana, where they died.  Sanford Smith was one of ten children born to his parents.  The others were Sylvester, deceased; Mary E., deceased; William C.; Salathiel L.; Arthur L.; Nettie J., the wife of J. C. M. Doenges; Lorenzo; Madison S. and Edson E., deceased.  Lorenzo is the twin brother of Sanford.  Adam and Margaret Smith resided in Carroll county two years and then removed to Tuscarawas county, where they lived until 1859, when they moved to Hancock county.  They removed to Putnam county in 1860.
     Mrs. Margaret Smith died on July 23, 1907, at the age of eighty seven years.  Her death occurred on the homestead farm, in Monroe township.  The tract of land comprises two hundred and forty acres and, it was here also, that Adam Smith died on Nov. 17, 1880.  Adam and Margaret Smith were members of the Methodist church and influential citizens throughout their lives in the history of Putnam county.
     Sanford Smith remained on the homestead farm with his mother after the death of his father, until Dec. 14, 1909, when he was married to Mrs. Zella D. Hager, the daughter of Jacob and Nancy E. (Hutchinson) Dickey.  The family history of Mrs. Smith will be found in the sketch of S. M. Dickey, which appears elsewhere in this volume.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Smith no children have been born.  Throughout his life, Mr. Smith has been an ardent member of the Republican party and influential locally in the councils of his party.  He now has a good farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, having begun with forty acres, deeded to him by his mother.  Sanford Smith is a quiet, unassuming man, congenial with his neighbors and favorably known in this locality.
     Mrs. Smith taught school for twelve years in Paulding county, Ohio.  She taught her first year when but sixteen years of age.
     Mrs. Smith has two daughters by her first marriage, Ethel C., now the wife of E. D. Harpster, who lives near Continental, Ohio; Beatrice C., with of Charles W. Mansfield of Defiance, Ohio, he being the only son of Lot W. and Lottie R. (Doenges) Mansfield.
 Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 608
  WILLIAM SMITH.  Elsewhere in this volume of biography of the important citizens of Putnam county, there is presented at some length of genealogy of the Smith family, so long and so well known in the Kalida neighborhood in Union township, this county, the fourth generation of which in this section of the state is now doing well its part in the development of the best interests of that excellent community, following nobly the admirable example of social and civic worth set by the forbears of that family in this county.  So admirable has been the spirit uniformly displayed by the members of this family in its attitude toward the communal interests, that it is a pleasure to present here another sketch relating to one of the present-day active members of the family, and to this end the biographer asks the reader's attention to the following brief review of the life of the gentleman whose name appears above.
     William Smith, one of the sons of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, was born on the paternal homestead near Kalida, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1879, and has lived all his life in that neighborhood, occupying today the position of one of the leading men in that community, as were his father and his grandfather before him.  Though the local readers of this biography need no introduction to the Smith family in Union township, it may be said, in passing here, that further details of the genealogy of William Smith may be found in the sketch pertaining to his elder brother, Frank Smith, presented elsewhere in this volume, which traces the family descent from the first of that line to locate in this section.  The genealogy of the Verloff family, the family of Mr. Smith's mother, may be found in the sketch relating to Theodore Verloff, of Greensburg township, her brother, elsewhere in this volume.
     William Smith was reared on the paternal farm in Union township, the same on which his brother, Frank, now resides, and received his early education in the schools of that neighborhood, the period of his young manhood being spent on the home farm.  For six years previous to his marriage, he worked on the farms of others in the neighborhood, the labors of the home farm not requiring the services of all the stalwart sons of the proprietor, but after his marriage, in 1909, he moved to the farm of eighty acres on which he now lives in Union township, he having previously bought this place in anticipation of marriage and the establishment of a new home.  He moved the house in which he now lives to its present location, it having stood a short distance to the north at the time he bought the place.  In many ways he has improved this place and has brought it up to a high standard of cultivation, making it a productive and attractive farm.  Mr. Smith is an intelligent and industrious young farmer and is contemplating numerous other improvements to his already well-ordered place.  In addition to his own farm of eighty acres, Mr. Smith works a tract of twenty-three acres adjoining, which belongs to his father, the venerable L. Jacob Smith, who is living a life of pleasant retirement in Kalida, where he established a comfortable home some yeas ago upon coming to the decision to retire and enjoy the fruits of a long life of honorable activity.
     One Oct. 20, 1909, William Smith was united in marriage to Clara Rampe, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Doepker) Rampe, members of one of the oldest and best-known families in Putnam county, frequent reference to which family is made in this volume, both of whom were born in the Glandorf neighborhood, where Mr. Smith's bride grew to womanhood.  Mr. and Mrs. Rampe some years ago retired from the farm on which they had so long resided and are now living in retirement in the town of Kalida, this county, where they have the esteem of all who know them.  They are the parents of five children, three sons and three daughters, the others being Frank, Hubert, Anna, Ella and Clark.
     To William and Clara (Rampe) Smith four children have been born, as follow:  Louise, Aug. 30, 1910; Rudolph, Apr. 14, 1912; Edwin, Dec. 15, 1913, and Stephen, Mar. 10, 1915, a most interesting little family which makes the Smith home a continuous scene of merriment and joy.
     William Smith and wife are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, in the various beneficences of which they are earnestly interested, and Mr. Smith is a member of the St. Joseph's Benevolent Society, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest, being one of the most generous contributors to the general work of the parish.  The Smith family, in that section of the county, are all interested in the good works of the community in which they live.  With an honorable ancestry back of them it is not unnatural that they should possess a pardonable degree of family pride and it is gratifying to note that this commendable regard for family and a proper desire to perpetuate the family records has prompted five of the sons of L. Jacob Smith to furnish data to the present biographer upon which to construct biographical sketches for this valuable history of the prominent citizens of Putnam county, an instance of family consideration which their descendants will appreciate greatly in the years to come and for which generations yet unborn will thank them.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 822
  WILLIAM W. SMITH.  When a good man passes away, then do people mourn; his family, his friends, his fellow citizens, with whom he has labored for the common good bow their heads in grief.  He is no more, yet his works go on and on. There is no end to the influence of a good man.  Only his body died.  The late William W. Smith was so closely identified with the history of Putnam county for so many years, that this volume would be incomplete if it failed to pay a proper tribute to his life and work.  The late, William W. Smith was so closely identified with the history of Putnam county for so many years, that this volume would be incomplete if it failed to pay a proper tribute to his life and work. 
     The late William W. Smith, former editor and publisher of the Leipsic Free Press, was a son of John and Mary Jane (Boylan) Smith.  John Smith was a son of Nimrod and Mary (Sauer) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Stark county, Ohio, in an early day.  Subsequently, he removed to Hancock county, where he died as the consequence of an accident. Nimrod Smith was one of the pioneers of his day, fond of hunting and fishing.  John Smith was born on Nov. 19, 1826, in Stark county, and was reared as a fanner. He was twice married, first
on June 14, 1849, to Jane Boylan, who died on Aug. 28, 1851.  To this union were born two children, namely: Maroa J., the wife of Irvin Blair, of Hubbard, Iowa, and William W., the immediate subject of this sketch.  The second wife of John Smith was Susan Farver, to whom he was married on May 25, 1854.  To this marriage seven children were born: Mary E., born on Mar. 15, 1855, married David Hoskins, and died on Sept. 5, 1880; Eugene F., born on Feb. 28, 1857, and died on Apr. 6, 1877; Clarissa A., born on Dec. 5, 1858, died on Feb. 26, 1873; Benjamin M., born on Mar. 27, 1862, died on Sept. 25, 1863; Norris A., born on Mar. 18, 1864, died on Mar. 31, T877; Cora M., born on Jan. 12, 1867, is the wife of Otto Hannan; Burton S., born on Jan. 6, 1870, died on Mar. 29, 1877. Of this large family, only two children are living, Mrs. Cora Harmon, of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Maroa Blair, of Hubbard,
Iowa.  The venerable John Smith, the father of these children, is still hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-eight.
     William W. Smith was born on a farm in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio, Apr. 5, 1850. He moved to Putnam county with his parents in 1855, locating on a farm east of Gilboa.
     Mr. Smith attended the country schools, and was such an earnest student that at the age of fifteen he was able to obtain a teachers certificate, and began teaching in 1865.  With the exception of a few years spent in the Findlay high school, and at Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, Mr. Smith, followed the occupation of a teacher until 1878.  He came to Leipsic in 1870
and was married on Aug. 27, 1874, to Viola Baughman, the youngest daughter of Abraham Baughman and wife. Mr. Smith founded the Leipsic Free Press in 1878. His first paper was issued on Sept. 13, 1878.  His whole life was devoted to this paper and its interests. Space was always given in aid to all good causes, and, with it as an instrument, Mr. Smith probably did more good than any other man in Leipsic. Pie was always on the right side of all local questions, and the columns of the Free Press were ever open to discussion of topics for the good of the community.  He was broad and sympathetic, quick to distinguish the right, and not slow to take a decided stand for it. His editorials were little sermons in themselves, and went forth to cheer many a weary soul upon his way to better living.  His whole aim was to bring his paper and his print shop to the highest standard, and to this end he devoted every moment possible, and until just before his death, Feb. 16, 19 12, he was in his editorial chair, guiding and directing his paper.
     Mr. and Mrs. William W. Smith were the parents of two sons, Clyde L. and George F. Clyde is now a practicing physician at Fremont, Ohio, and George F. succeeded his father as editor of the Leipsic Free Press.
     Mr. Smith was an ardent Democrat, and took an active interest in the councils of his party. He was postmaster of Leipsic, at one time, filling this position to the entire satisfaction of the patrons.  Mr. Smith was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, from the blue lodge to the thirty-second degree, and next to his family and his work, he loved this fraternal order.  He was affiliated with the Leipsic lodge, the encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also a member of the Leipsic lodge of Knights of Pythias.  Mr. Smith was a devoted and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the Sabbath always found him in his church pew, an attentive listener to the pastor.
     It seems fitting to close this sketch with a tribute made to the late Mr. Smith at the time of his death : "Loving and generous even to a fault, there was nothing father could do that was not done.  He was a dutiful husband, always considerate of every wish of his devoted wife and their two children.  He is gone, but the loving deeds of husband and father will ever remain a sweet memory of one who has made the world better by living in it."
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 536
  Aug. STECHSCHULTE.  A native of this county and a resident here for more than half a century, Aug. Stechschulte has been prominently identified with the history of Putnam county.  Beginning the tailor's trade at the age of seventeen he has made it his life work, and for more than thirty years he has been engaged in the tailoring and clothing business in Leipsic.  He has always taken an deep interest in the civic life of his community and has held several township and city offices, with universal satisfaction.  He has the unique record of being appointed sergeant-at-arms of the General Assembly of Ohio when he was only twenty-two years of age and it is probable that he is the youngest man who has ever held this position in the state.
     Aug. Stechschulte, the son of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stechschulte, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1862.  His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, in 1825, and came to America in 1833 with his parents and located in Putnam county in Ottawa township.  He arrived in this county about two months after Professor Horstman had settled with his colony of emigrants from Germany.
     Henry Stechschulte was about two months after Professor Horstman had settled with his colony of emigrants from Germany.
     Henry Stechschulte was about eight years of age when his parents came form Germany to this county, and consequently received part of his education in his native land.  After completing his schooling in this county he remained at home until he was grown.  He then went to Cincinnati and learned the cooper's trade, and in 1854 was married to Bertha Kahle, who was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of I. H. Kahle, whose history elsewhere in this volume gives the main facts concerning the Kahle family.  Mr. Kahle was one of the pioneers who came to this county with Professor Horstman in 1833, and walked with the party of emigrants from Detroit to this county and helped to found the village of Glandorf.  After his marriage Henry Stechschulte spent the remainder of his life on a farm on the line between Ottawa and Greensburg townships.  He died about 1908, his wife having passed away two years earlier.  Henry Stechschulte and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1904, at which there were forty-five grandchildren present.  Six sons and two daughters were born to Henry Stechschulte and wife, Ignatius, who was a former commissioner of this county, and now a resident of Owosso, Michigan; Joseph, a farmer of Union township; Frank, also a farmer living in Union township; Aug., of Leipsic; Barney, a farmer of Liberty township; Henry A., who is living on the old home farm; Bertha, the widow of William Hoffman who lives in Pleasant township, and Theresia Klausing, who died on Apr. 1, 1908.
     Aug. Stechschulte remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age and then began to learn the tailor's trade.  When he was only twenty-two years of age in 1882 he started in the tailoring and clothing business at Leipsic, and has been in the business continuously since that year.  He was sergeant-at-arms of the sixty-sixth General Assembly of Ohio in 1884 and 1885, and filled the duties of this arduous position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.  He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as township clerk, township treasurer, corporation treasurer and city councilman, and in all of these positions rendered his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service.  He takes a genuine interest in the civic life of the community in which he has resided so many years and never fails to give his hearty support to all measures of general welfare.
     Mr. Stechschulte was married in 1886 to Anna Rampe, the daughter of William and Thresia (Ellerbrock) Rampe, and to this union have been born four sons and three daughters, Amanda, Adolph, Victor, Clarence, Mary, Agnes and Norbert.  Adolph, who married German Graney, of Columbus, is a partner with his father in the tailoring and clothing business.  All of the other children are still single and living at home.  Mrs. Stechschulte's father was born in Glandorf, Germany, and was a pioneer shoemaker in Glandorf, in this county.  He built up a large industry for a town of this size, at one time having from fifteen to twenty men working under him, making shoes.
     Mr. Stechschulte and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church.  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of his sons, Victor, is a member of the Society of Jesus.  Mr. Stechschulte is a wide-awake, genial and courteous man and is one of hte best known citizens of the community.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 379
  BERNARD I. STECHSCHULTE.  Mental and physical activity go hand in hand with material success in life.  The success of individuals generally means the success and prosperity of the community.  The community honors its most active men by entrusting to them the responsibilities demanding careful and wise attention, and one of the most important positions is that of school trustee, and it is with great pride that we may mention here the work of Bernard I. Stechschulte, now president of the aboard of trustees of Liberty township.
     Bernard I. Stechschulte, the son of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stechschulte, was born in Ottawa township, near Glandorf, Ohio, in Putnam county.  The sketch of Aug. Stechschulte, found elsewhere in this volume, gives in details the family history.
     Bernard I. Stechschulte was married at the age of twenty-six years to Thersia Morman.  She was born in Greensburg township, about four iles west of Ottawa, and is a daughtr of John and Gertrude (Verhoff) Morman.  John Morman was born in Hanover, Germany, and is a farmer, of Greensburg township, in this county.  His wife, Gertrude Verhoff, was born one mile west of Glandorf, the daughter of Frank and Mary Verhoff.  Mrs. Stechschulte was reared on his father's farm in Greensburg township.
     After his marriage, Mr. Schechschulte farmed one year in Van Buren township on rented land, after which he bought sixty acres near Elm Center, in Liberty township, and has lived there since that time.  He is now the owner of one hundred and ninety-six acres of fine farming land, having gradually added to his original purchase as his prosperity increased.
     The farm premises of Mr. Stechschulte are neat and attractive, with good buildings and modern equipment.  He has recently engaged in the horse-breeding business and keeps a full-blooded Percheron stallion which is registered by the American Percheron Association and is of splendid pedigree.
     Bernard I. and Theresia (Morman) Stechschulte are the parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, while one child died in infancy.  These children are as follow: Agatha, the wife of Albert Karhoff, who lives in Ottawa township; Amelia; Lawrence; John; Gertrude; Bernard and Frank.
     Bernard I. Stechschulte is a Democrat, and is now serving as trustee of Liberty township.  He has served in other important official positions, such as a member of the school board, and is now serving his third year as trustee and is president of the trustees of Liberty township.  In all of his official duties, Mr. Stechschulte has discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of the people to whom he is responsible.
     Bernard I. Stechschulte and family are all devout members of the St. Nicholas's Catholic church at Miller City.  He is a genial, active and popular man in the community where he lives.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1119
  EDWARD BERNARD STECHSCHULTE.  The attention of the reader is now directed to the following sketch of the career of the well-known and enterprising young farmer whose name forms the caption of this article.  Mr. Stechschulte has passed his entire life in this community, and the high degree of esteem in which he is held, by friends and neighbors, is ample testimony to the fact that he is one of the worthy citizens of his community.  Mr. Stechschulte is a member of one branch of the well-known Kahle family, who were pioneer settlers in this section and people of great influence, who did much in the early days to establish a high standard of living in this then new territory.
     Edward Bernard Stechschulte was born in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, on Jan. 12, 1884, being a son of Ignatius and Magdalena (Niese) Stechschulte, both of whom were born in this same county.  Ignatius Stechschulte was the eldest child of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stechschulte, the other children in the family being: Joseph, Frank, Gustav, Barney, Bertha, Theresa and Henry.  He was born on his father's farm in Putnam county on June 2, 1854, and when a youth attended the district schools of his home neighborhood.  He was noted as a most intelligent and studious pupil, and when quite young engaged in teaching school in Pleasant township.  He was united in marriage on Nov. 22, 1878, to Magdalena Niese.  Shortly after marriage they took up their residence on a farm in Greensburg township, consisting of one hundred and ten acres, which farm he had at that time purchased, and upon which he proceeded to make valuable improvements in the way of buildings, etc.  There the family lived, until 1912, when Mr. Stechschulte purchased a ninety-acre farm near Owosso, Michigan, where he intends to make his future home.  He is succeeding well in his chosen field of general and dairy farming, combined, and has recently disposed of forty acres of land of which he has long been the owner in this county.  Ignatius Stechschulte was one of the leading farmers of his community and his absence has been felt by many to whom he had proved himself a true friend and neighbor.  He was a man who took an active interest in public affairs and for six years served Putnam county as commissioner, and had at various other times filled different offices of minor importance.  Mrs. Ignatius Stechschulte, who before her marriage was Magdalena Niese, was a daughter of Barney Niese and wife, both natives of Germany, who came to this country while still quite young.  The families of both of whom located in Glandorf, where the young people met and were married.  After marriage they removed to a farm near Glandorf, and there lived many years until the time of her death.  The father then made his home with a son in Liberty township for the remainder of his life.  They were the parents of six children, namely:  Elizabeth, deceased; Theresa, Anna, deceased, Agnes, Barney and Magdalena, the latter being the mother of the immediate subject of this sketch.
     Henry Stechschulte, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, having been born in Glandorf, province of Hanevr, on Sept. 25, 1825, died on his farm home in this county on Dec. 16, 1908.  He came to this country alone, when a young man, and first located in Cincinnati, where he worked at the cooper trade for three years.  He then came to Glandorf, this county, where he had friends, and where he met and married Bertha Kahle, a native of this county.  Immediately after marriage they settled on a farm where they passed the remainder of their lives, having spent many years in the proper rearing of their family and their endeavors to accumulate a modest amount of this world's goods.  They lived industrious and consistent lives and were well respected by all who knew them.
     Edward Bernard Stechschulte is one of a family of nine children, the others being: Catherine, Henry, Lewis, George, Delia, Hugo, Oscar and Rudolph.  When a boy he attended the common schools of his home district, and from earliest boyhood was trained by his father in the practical work about the farm home.  He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, in his twenty-fifth year.  He was joined in wedlock on Oct. 27, 1910 to Miss Elizabeth Fortman, a daughter of Barney and Rose (Hermiller) Fortman.  They took up their residence on the farm which they have since made their home.  This is located in Greensburg, township and consists of eighty-eight acres, all in an excellent state of cultivation. Since making his home on the farm in question, Edward Stechschulte has greatly remodeled the residence, has built barns and other out-buildings and generally improved the place, until it is at the present time one of the most up-to-date homes in the community.  He engages in general farming and, in addition, gives considerable attention to the raising of cattle and hogs for the market.  He is of large and strong physique, an excellent specimen of manhood, and possessed high ambition and tireless energy.  These excellent characteristics are making for him an enviable reputation among those who know him.
     Edward Stechschulte's wife (Elizabeth Fortman) was a daughter of Barney and Rose (Hermiller) Fortman, the former being the son of Anthony Fortman and wife, and was born on his father's farm near Ottawa, this county, where he remained on the family homestead until the time of his marriage.  He was one of a family of seven children, the oldest two being sons named Anthony, both of whom died in early childhood, the remaining members of the family being: Gertrude, Theodore, Bernadina, Anna and Barney.  Rose Hermiller, mother of Edward's wife, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and was brought to Putnam county by her parents when a little child of three years.  Her parents were Barney and Bernadina Hermiller, both natives of Germany.  After coming to this county, they settled on a farm in Greensburg township, where they lived for a number of years and where his death occurred.  She then took up her residence in Glandorf, where she passed her remaining days.  They were the parents of eight children, Louisa, Sophia, Rose, Mary, William, Henry, Frank and Minnie.
     After their marriage, Barney Fortman and wife moved to the farm on which they still live in Putnam county.  Their family consists of the following children:  Barney, Dina, Mary, Ignatius, Joseph, Elizabeth, subject's wife; William and Frank.  Mr. Fortman's present farm consists of eighty acres, but his holdings, formerly, were much larger, as he divided two hundred and forty acres among his sons at the time of their marriage.  Mr. Fortman has practically retired form the more active duties of life, having spent many years in hard labor and having won a competency which enables him to pass his remaining years in quiet retirement if he so chooses.
     Our subject votes the Democratic ticket and both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.  They now attend St. Michael's at Miller City, but formerly were of St. John's at Glandorf.  Edward Stechschulte and wife are both held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.  She is a charming young matron, full of appreciation and sympathy for all her husband's undertakings.  there are no children.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 699
  JOHN B. STEPHENS.  One of the conspicuous names on the list of Putnam county agriculturists is that of John B. Stephens, who operates a splendid farm in Sugar Creek township, and who is a gentleman of high sanding, to whom has not been denied a full measure of success.  Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock-raising industries here, he is prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been content to live and follow his vocation.
     John B. Stephens was born in Union township on Jan. 26, 1868, and is a son of Marion and Margaret (Nonemaker) Stpehens.  Marion Stephens is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Union county on July 11, 1843, and there spent his boyhood days and received his early education.  His parents dying when he was but a child, he was reared by relatives, and during his young manhood was employed at farm labor.  At the outbreak of the Civil War Marion Stephens enlisted as a private in the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which command was attached to the Army of the Tennessee.  Mr. Stephens was a participant in many of the most hotly-contested battles of that great struggle, including many campaigns and the historic Mar. of Sherman to the sea.  After the war Mr. Stephens returned to Union county, where, shortly afterward, he married Margaret Nonemaker who was born in Fairfield county about 1845, a daughter of John Nonemaker and wife, both of whom were natives of Germany and who settled in Fairfield county, Ohio.  Later they moved to Union county, settling near Plain City, and there remained the rest of their lives.  Their surviving children were seven in number, namely:  Jacob, who was killed in the service during the Civil War; Samuel, Catherine, Lucinda, Martha, Margaret and Nancy.  Margaret, who married Marion Stephens, died in July, 1875, when her son, the subject of this sketch, was seven years old.  To Marion and Margaret (Nonemaker) Stephens there were born three children, Martha, John B. and Winnifred the deceased widow of Edward Lippencott.
     Some time after the death of his first wife Marion Stephens was married to Elizabeth Best, of Putnam county, the daughter of George and Anna Best. To this union were born six children, three of whom survived them, Joseph, George and Grover.  After his first marriage Marion Stephens remained in Union county for some .time and then moved to Putnam county, where he remained but two years.  During this time John B. Stephens was born.  The family then moved to Madison county, where the wife and mother died.  The father returned to Putnam county in 1879, locating on a farm which he had purchased in Sugar Creek township, in partnership with Jacob Miller, the tract comprising one hundred and sixty acres, located one mile northeast of Vaughnsville.  Here he remained until 1905, when he moved to the state of Michigan, but in 1912 returned to Putnam county.  He now lives in Kalida.
     John B. Stephens was about eleven years old when his father returned to Sugar Creek township, where he remained until attaining maturity.  His education was received in the common schools of Vaughnsville, and his early years were spent in work on the old home farm.  After his marriage in 1893 he lived for a while at his wife's home, and in the following year moved to the Joseph Garner farm, on which he resided for two years.  He then returned to his mother-in-law's home place of eighty acres, and there he has since continued to reside, Mr. Stephens being engaged in the operation and management of the farm.  He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer, giving attention to the most advanced ideas relative to agriculture, and has achieved a noteworthy success in this enterprise.
     John B. Stephens was united in marriage on Oct. 12, 1893, with Olive Vandermark, who was born in Putnam county, Mar. 11, 1872, the daughter of William and Mary Jane (Mayberry) Vandemark.  William Vandemark was born in Putnam county on June 22, 1830, and met his death by the hands of a bank robber at Columbus Grove, his death occurring on Aug. 9, 1891.  Mary Jane (Mayberry) Vandemark was born in Ross county on Dec. 16, 1833, being the eldest daughter of James and May Mayberry.  To William and Mary Vandemark were born the following children: Malinda on Apr. 4, 1856, died on Aug. 4, 1856; James, Feb. 27, 1858, died on Jan. 21, 1894; John M., Apr. 17, 1861, died on May 26, 1864; Serilda, Jan. 5, 1864, died on June 14, 1864; Charles E., Sept. 13, 1866; Margaret L., July 7, 1869, died in infancy; Luella died in infancy on Apr. 2, 1870; Olive, Mrs. Stephens, Mar. 11, 1872; Lawrence, May 1, 1875.  Mary Jane Mayberry had been married prior to her union with Mr. Vandemark, the first husband, Aaron Jones, was born on Dec. 20, 1825, their marriage occurring on Aug. 22, 1851. William Vandemark was one of nine children, Agnes, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Esther, Nancy Ann, Elvira, William and a twin sister, Mary Jane, and Daniel, all of whom are deceased.  To John B. Stephens and wife have been born four children, William, Velma, Lawrence and Ethel.
     Mr. Stephens is a Democrat, and has taken a commendable interest in local and public affairs, having served efficiently as a member of the township school board.  He is affiliated with the Christian church, of which he is a trustee, and of which his wife is also a member.  The qualities which have made Mr. Stephens one of the prominent and successful men of Sugar Creek township have also brought him the esteem of his fellow-citizens, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and .honorable methods.
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 731
  JACOB A. SUTER.  The career of Jacob A. Suter contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well-defined purpose, which, carried to successful issue, has won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. The systematic and honorable methods, which he has ever followed, have resulted, not only in winning the confidence of those with whom he has had business dealings, but also in building up a large and profitable business. The Pandora Overall Company, in which Mr. Suter is superintendent, vice-president and a member of the board of directors, is one of Putnam county's leading industrial enterprises, and to Mr. Suter is due a large share of the credit for its successful career.
     Jacob A. Suter was born on Sept. 25, 1874, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Lugibihl) Suter, the former of whom was born in 1824, in Wayne county, Ohio.  Abraham Suter was the son of John and Elizabeth Suter. John Suter was a native of Switzerland.
     Jacob A. Suter spent his boyhood days on the old homestead farm where he attended the district schools and helped his father durino- the
summer months. 
     At the age of twenty-three, on Feb. 10, 1898, Mr. Suter was married to Barbara Amstutz, the daughter of Abraham M. and Catherine (Hihy) Amstutz. The family history of Abraham M. Amstutz will be found in the sketch of P. A. Amstutz, a brother of Mrs. Suter, and the history of Mrs. Abraham M. Amstutz will be found in the sketch of Isaac Hilty, her brother. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Suter have been born three children, Elda Loretta, who is a student in the high school; Orlo Edison, who is in school, and Royle Kenneth.
     After his marriage, Mr. Suter took charge of the old home place. He lived here for about one year and a half and then removed to Pandora, where he became interested in the Pandora Manufacturing Company. He was one of the organizers of the enterprise, the other members of the firm being the Gerber brothers, John Amstutz and Albert Burry. Mr. Suter took the position of secretary and treasurer of the new company and looked after the mechanical end of the business. About four years later, the mill burned, and the company was reorganized under the name of the Pandora Overall Company. Since the organization of the new firm, which has an annual production of over two hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Suter has acted as superintendent and has served in the capacity of vice-president and a member of the board of directors.
     Reverting to Mr. Suter's family history, John Suter, his grandfather, came with his wife to America in the early days and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, near Orrville.  It was here that his family of twelve children, four sons- and eight daughters, was educated and reared. Abraham Suter, one of the elder children, was bound out at the age of eight years to learn the shoemaker's trade. He remained at home until he was a young man. He then came to Putnam county, where, for a time, he worked for different farmers in Riley township. Subsequently, he entered a tract of eighty acres of land from the government, one mile east of Pandora.  This land was covered with virgin timber and a great deal of water.
     Abraham Suter first built a log cabin and barn and then proceeded to clear his farm.  A few acres were prepared each year until, finally, the whole farm had been put under cultivation.  Before entering his land from the government, Abraham Suter had been married to Elizabeth Lugibihl, the daughter of John Lugibihl and wife. It was shortly after his marriage, that he started in to find a new home in the wilderness. Abraham Suter and wife passed through the usual pioneer experiences in clearing their land, draining it and getting it ready for the plow. It was on this homestead, the family of twelve children lived. This family consisted of John, Mary, Peter A., Barbara, Catherine, Fannie, Susan, Magdalene, Elizabeth, Jacob A., Sarah and one who died in infancy.  Abraham Suter added to his original farm of eighty acres and greatly improved his additional farm holding. He died on the old home place, having been killed by a runaway team, in Nov., 1897. About one year later, in Nov., 1898, his wife passed away.  She was a member of the Mennonite church and was -a splendid Christian woman, a devoted wife and a loving mother. Abraham Suter was also a member of the Mennonite church. He was an ardent Democrat and an industrious, hard-working citizen, a man of high ideals and unquestioned integrity.
     Jacob A. Suter, like his father, is a man of unquestioned integrity in the community where he lives and where his active business work is carried on. He is a Democrat, but has never been especially active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the Grace Mennonite church, as is also his wife. Jacob A. Suter is a clean-cut, progressive young business man and one of the original organizers of one of Putnam county's largest industries.  He is recognized as a good citizen and a man of splendid attainments. 
Source:  History of Putnam County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 344

 

NOTES:

** The script here was messed up in the book.  I don't even want to guess how it was supposed to be written.  ~Sharon W.

 

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