REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

MARION COUNTY, OHIO

1907 HISTORY

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MEDFORD L. PADDOCK, proprietor of the Paddock Transfer & Storage Company, and one of the representative business men of Marion, was born in 1864 in the southern part of Illinois, and is a son of Hiram and Belle (Basden) Paddock.

Hiram Paddock, who is a stone-mason by trade, was born in New Jersey, and his wife in Illinois. They are residents of Marion.

Medford L. Paddock was 10 years old when his parents moved from Illinois to Marion County, Ohio. Here he was reared and educated and early in life entered the employ of the Hocking Valley Railway Company, with which he remained for four years. In 1889 he engaged in draying in which he has since continued. He has just completed a fine two story brick structure, 40 by 80 feet, on Oak street, where he conducts the only transfer and storage business of the city.

Mr. Paddock was united in marriage in August, 1887, to Cora M. Stevens, daughter of the late Benedict Stevens, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Paddock's mother, Adelaide (Brewer) Stevens, is a resident of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have two children: Marion, who is associated in business with his father; and Thorp, who is attending the Marion High School. Mr. Paddock is a member of the Eagles and the Maccabees.

THOMAS WARD PANGBORN, (PICTURE) who is a successful farmer and large stockraiser of Big Island township has a well-improved farm of 221 3/4 of which the home place is situated in section 14. The farm throughout is made up of valuable, fertile and well-cultivated land. Mr. Pangborn was born February 10, 1844, In Big Island township, in a little log cabin that then stood on the site of his present residence. and is a son of Joseph Dexter and Matilda (Ward) Pangborn, a grandson of Maj. Joseph and Beersheba Pangborn.

Maj. Joseph Pangborn was born in 1774 and died October 7, 1843. His wife was born in 1775 and died September 29, 1848. Major Pangborn served throughout the War of 1812, with the rank of major, being wounded at the battle of Plattsburgh. He owned a farm near Lake Champlain, in New York State, and kept a great many horses, his main business being. the transporting of travelers, supplying teams and vehicles, and being kept especially busy during the long and stormy winters characteristic of that region. In March, 1821, Major Pangborn removed with his family to Ohio, settling on a farm in Delaware County near Radnor. The following year he came to Big Island township, Marion County, where he entered an 80-acre tract of wild land in section 11. Here the last 21 years of his life were spent.

Joseph Dexter Pangborn, father of our subject, was born September 27, 1811, in the State of New York, on his father's farm not far distant from the shores of Lake Champlain, and in his l0th year accompanied his parents and other members of the family to their new home in Central Ohio. His boyhood was spent in hard work, he and his brother Dennis doing the most of the clearing on the frontier farm. on January 27, 1839, he was married to Matilda Ward, who was one of 11 children born to Thomas and Mary (Calrow) Ward, and the only one born in America. The parents of Mrs. Pangborn were both natives of England. Thomas Ward was born January 1, 1775, and died August 4, 1835 ; his wife was born September 23, 1787, and died August 12, 1835. Thomas Ward and his brothers were weavers by trade. but after they came to America they took up farming. The mother of Mrs. Pangborn was a daughter of the famous builder of the Calrow docks, in England, which are still owned by his heirs. At the time the Wards came to America, there was an English law which forbade English workmen possessed of a trade to leave their own country and pursue the same in another land, and.when the family had prepared, as a family, to come to America, it was found that they could not come in that way. Mrs. Ward then came alone, her husband and sons Joining her later in Ohio. The Ward family located in Washington County. Ohio, where Mrs. Pangborn was born, March 7, 1820. Later Thomas Ward entered 80 acres of land in Big Island township, just two miles north of our subject's farm.

After their marriage, Joseph Dexter Pangborn and wife settled on the Pangborn homestead where they lived until death, the father passing away on August 19, 1883, and the mother on December 17, 1901. They had but two children-Mary B., deceased, who was the wife of Ebenezer Corey; and Thomas Ward, of this sketch, who was five years younger than his sister.

Thomas Ward Pangborn was reared in Big Island township, where he has always made. his home. His whole life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is numbered with the representative farmers and stock-raisers of this section. For Some 25 years Mr. Pangborn has given a great deal of attention to raising fine stock, making a specialty of hogs and sheep, and he has done much to raise the standard of stock in his locality. The frame residence in which Mr. Pangborn and family live was built in 1859. In 1900 Mr. Pangborn remodeled and almost rebuilt the house, making it a most attractive, comfortable and modern home. In 1902 he erected a substantial barn and in 1906 built a house on another portion of his farm, where his son, James G. Pangborn, resides. He takes pride in his various properties and continues to improve them as occasion presents.

On September 20, 1870, Mr. Pangborn was united in marriage with Jane Frederick, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (McDaniel) Frederick. To this marriage have been born nine children., all of whom survive with the exception of the eldest, Dallas E., who was born May 19, 1871, and died of consumption, February 11, 1889.. The others are as follows: Mary M., born April 29, 1973, who married John Holand; Corey, born June 29, 1876, who married Edna

Kennedy, and has had three children-Leslie (accidentally drowned at the age of two years), Lola and Kenneth; Nabbie, born January 25, 1879, who married Clyde Smith and has one child, Geneva; James Garfield, born August 1, 1881, who married Pearl Savidge has one child, Helen B.; N. Josephine, born December 31, 1883,; Ida M., born March 8, 1886, who is the wife of Clayton McClung; Susan F., born October 5, 1888; and Ruth: born September 1, 1892. The two sons of Mr. Pangborn are farmers, the older one, Corey, owning a farm Of 40 acres of land in Big Island township, on which he raises a large amount of garden truck for the Marion market and also considerable stock, while James Garfield, the younger son, farms the home place for his father. A group picture. of the Pangborn family accompanies this sketch.

Politically, a Republican, Mr. Pangborn is an active, intelligent and influential citizen. He has served as township treasurer and takes a great deal of interest in educational matters. With his family he belongs to the Baptist Church, of which he is treasurer and trustee. Mr. Pangborn is a director of the Morral Banking Company, and also one of the directors of The Scioto Oil & Gas Company, of Findlay, Ohio.

THOMAS LEONARD PENRY, who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 195 acres located in Prospect and Radnor townships, Marion and Delaware counties, respectively, was born August 7, 1838, in Radnor township, and is a son of David and Joanna (Jones) Penry and a grandson of David and Mary (Pugh) Penry.

David Penry, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Breckenshire, Wales, and his wife was a native of Radnorshire, Wales. They came to America in 1806 and located in Radnor township, Delaware County, Ohio, where they were among the very earliest settlers. They were the parents of 13 children. The oldest child, whom they brought from Wales, died at Baltimore, Maryland. The others were as follows: David, Mary, Hannah, Walter, William, Jane, John, Edward, Thomas, Evan, Amelia and Margaret.

David Penry, the father of our subject, was the first white child born in Radnor township, Delaware County. He was born on his father's farm in 1806. During his boyhood days, there was much trouble with the Indians. During the excitement just prior to "Drake's Defeat," in the War of 1812, David Penry's, parents, fearing trouble with the Indians, packed all the children in a wagon and started for Columbus, Ohio; during the trip, Walter, our subject's brother, was lost out of the wagon, and was picked up and returned to the ,family by a family following them. David Penry always lived in Radnor township and spent his whole life engaged in farming, living to the advanced age of 85 years. He was married November 14, 1833, to Joanna Jones, who was born in Radnorshire, Wales, May 20, 1812, and was a daughter of John P. and Mary (Penry) Jones, with whom she came to this country in 1818 arid settled in Delaware County, Ohio, where her parents later died. Seven children were born to David and Joanna (Jones) Penry, as follows: Reuben, who died at the age of eight years as the result of a fall on the ice; Thomas Leonard; John P.. a resident of Prospect; Mary, who married E. Wolfely and lives in Kansas; Hannah who, married B. M. Hord, a well-known resident of Prospect; Margaret Ann, who died at the age of 16 years; and Amelia Deborah. The mother of our subject died in her 85th year. David Penry lived on his farm of 100 acres in Radnor township from 1833 until his death. He purchased the land for $1.50 an acre and paid for it by splitting rails at 50 cents per 100. He later added more land to the original tract Mr. Penry was a soldier in the War of 1812 serving under Gen. William Henry Harrison He was a member of the Baptist Church an his wife, a member of the Presbyterian.

Thomas L. Penry was reared on the born farm in Radnor township, Delaware County and obtained his education in the old round log schoolhouse which had seats and desk made of puncheons, and later attended the hewn-log schoolhouse. As he was the first of the sons to reach maturity, it was necessary for him early in youth to assist his father with the farm work. At the age of 12 years he helped his father with the plowing. He assisted in clearing most of the land and remained at home until 1862 , when he was married on New Year's night to Lucinda Arnold, who was born December 3, 1843, in Licking County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Yates) Arnold , who originally came here from Virginia. Mrs. Penry died September 9, 1906, and was buried in Prospect Cemetery. She had been a member of the Baptist Church since the age of 14 years. Five children were born to them, as follows: Elizabeth Joanna, born September 8, 1863, who married Dr. G. W. Jones, of Radnor, Ohio, and has two children-Murry and Ethel; Harvey 0., born April 19, 1867, who married Jennie Lloyd, resides in Prospect township near his father and has one child, Evan L.; William, born December 11, 1869, a resident of Jackson Center, Shelby County, Ohio, who married Nettie Reynolds; John Quincy, born November 10, 1873, who resides at home; and Watkin D., born September 3, 1877, who married Ella G. Emery and resides on his father's farm Mr. Penrys farm, of which 26 acres, in Radnor township, Delaware County were inherited from his father is situated on the Penry and Landon turnpike about one mile east of the village of Prospect. The large, eight-room brick house which he and his family occupy was erected after he purchased the farm; he has made many other important improvements since taking possession of the place. He has always been engaged in general farming. Mr. Penry purchased his land at various times, buying 54 acres from John Rhoads; 48 3/4 acres of the William Jenkins land; 48 3/4 acres of the farm settled by Thomas Cratty at an early day, which Mr. Penry purchased of David Sawhill; 8 1/2 acres from Juliet Landon and 8 1/2 acres from David Curren.

Mr. Penry is a namesake of his uncle, Thomas Penry, an old soldier of the Mexican War. He has been a resident of Prospect township since coming here in 1866, and has always given his support to such enterprises as have been calculated to advance the development of the country, which was, still in a wild and unsettled condition when he first came here. Politically, Mr. Penry is a stanch Republican.

DREW J. PETERS, one of Marion's most highly respected citizens, who has been a resident of this city for the past 15 years, was born in 1829 in Madison township, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Mr. Peters was reared and educated in Pickaway County and there followed farming until 1859, when he moved to Wyandot County and bought 80 acres of timberland. This he cleared and placed in a state of high cultivation, erected all of the necessary farm buildings, and remained there until 1892, when he came to Marion where he has since continued to reside. During his residence in Wyandot County he took a very active interest in politics and served as trustee of Antrim township. He has been a member of the Free Baptist Church for a period of 40 years and is a deacon of the church at Marion.

Andrew J. Peters was married in 1856 to Almira Wolsey, of Wyandot County, who died in 1884. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peters, the five survivors being: Jennie, who was educated at the Ohio Normal University and has been principal of the Silver street public school at Marion ever since its erection; Alice, who was also educated at the Ohio Normal University and is a teacher in the Marion schools; Josephine, who married R. E. Osbun and resides on the home farm in Wyandot County; Ida, who married Henry Rhodes, a farmer of Marion County; and Harley, who was also educated at the Ohio Normal University and is a teacher in the Marion County schools. Two children died in infancy; Hattie, who was a successful teachers died in 1902.

FRED. W. PETERS, who is engaged in a general insurance business at Marion, and who for a number of years was very prominently identified with the Ohio National Gnard (Company G. 14th Regiment), is one of the city's substantial citizens. Mr. Peters was born at Marion, January 5, 1871, and is a son of the late Harvey Peters and a grandson of Nathan Peters, the first mayor of the village of Marion, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

Harvey Peters was born in Marion, Ohio, March 4, 1828, about two years after his parents, Nathan ancl Alice (Wilson) Peters, located here. For over a quarter of a century he was engaged in the drug business at Marion, first entering it in 1854 and continuing, with one small interruption, until his retirement in 1881. He was married in Baltimore, Maryland, December 29, 1864, to Martha A. Boyd, daughter of Hiram and Matilda (Harbaugh) Boyd. Three children were born to this union, namely: Fannie, Walter B. and Fred W. Mr. Peters served as a member of the City Council a number of terms and also, for many years, as a trustee of Marion township. His death occurred January 1, 1883.

Fred. W. Peters was reared at Marion and attended both public and private schools. In youth he learned the carpenter's trade, being of a mechanical turn of mind, and worked at his trade for six years, leaving it to enter the real estate business. Realizing how valuable a knowledge of the law would be in this line, he entered upon its study, under the direction of John A. Wolford, completing the course during the five years in which he continued in the real estate business. In 1896 he took up fire and casualty insurance and is now the representative of the largest and leading companies. He is one of the directors of The Miller Manufacturing Company, at Marion.

Mr. Peters' connection with the Ohio National Guard dates back to July 13, 1892, when he enlisted in Company G. 14th Regiment Infantry, at Prospect, Ohio. He was appointed corporal, August 3, 1892, when the headquarters of the company were transferred to Marion. On November 9th of the same year he was appointed sergeant and detailed as I st sergeant at the same time, being relieved from such detail, at his own request, on March 16, 1894. He served in Tuscarawas County from June 6 to June 19, 1894, during the coal strike, and was discharged August 2, 1895, in order to accept a commission as 2nd lieutenant; was discharged from this office July 14, 1896, in order to accept a commission as Ist lieutenant and on February 25, 1898, was discharged from this office in order to accept the commission of captain.

On April 25, 1898, Captain Peters reported with his company at Camp Bushnell, where he joined his regiment for muster-in to the United States Army. Captain Peters on May 9, 1898, was mustered into the service as captain and was assigned to Company G. Fourth Regiment, for duty in the Spanish-American War. He was ordered to Chickamauga Park, Georgia, with his regiment, remaining in camp there until July 22nd, going then to Newport News. From this point he embarked with his company and regiment, on July 26th, for Puerto Rico, landing at Arroya on August 3rd. He was with his regiment and company in the attack and capture of Guayama on August 5th and was ready to enter into an engagement at Cayey, on August 13th, when hostilities were stopped. He was continually on duty with his company and took part with it in all the campaign, and in garrison duty alter hostilities had stopped. On October 25th, in commend of his company, he embarked with his regiment on the transport "Chester," for Nev York, which port was reached some six days later. The company then attended the reception given the regiment by the President William McKinley, at Washington, and then returned to Columbus, Ohio, where a 60 days furlough was accorded it and Captain Peters was placed on waiting orders. On December 26, 1898, he reported at Columbus for duty and was mustered out on January 20, 1899, but still remained a member of the Ohio National Guard, having been given a leave of absence during the war. He was mustered out with his company, on February 8, 1899. During his whole period of service, Captain Peters was noted for the qualities which adorn a true soldier and popular officer.

In Mr. Peters Marion has always found a public-spirited and progressive citizen, ready to do his part in building up the best interests of his native place. He was appointed a member of the Board of Public Safety, from which he retired February 6, 1906, after having served two years and eight months. Fraternally, lie is prominent in a number of organizations. He belongs to all the Masonic bodies at Marion--blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery; is a member of Canby Lodge, No. 51, Knights of Pythias, a member of Uniform Rank, Company No. 15, now serving his second term as adjutant of the Ninth Regiment, and is imperial nawab of Marion Lodge, No. 104, D. O. K. K. He is an Elk and is also a member and one of the stockholders of the Marion Commercial Club Company.

NATHAN PETERS was born June 20, 1799, in Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland. When he was 18 years old he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio. On January 10, 1825, he married Alice Wilson and in April, 1826, with his wife and eldest child, arrived in Marion. So deep was the mud that it required four horses to draw the wagon with their belongings. At the first election of village officers he was elected Marion's first mayor. At the same election his brother Henry was chosen marshal, but was excused from serving because his brother Nathan was mayor.

Mr. Peters was married to Mrs. Mary Ballentine, January 2, 1842, his first wife having died October 13, 1838. His second wife died December 18, 1850. He died at his residence on Mount Vernon avenue, September 22, 1881.

In politics Mr. Peters was a Whig and later a Republican. He assisted in the rescue of "Black Bill" but was an anti abolitionist in his sentiments. He was a man of strong convictions, to which he did not hesitate to give expression when occasion required. By his indomitable will and restless energy he amassed a handsome fortune. He was universally respected as an honorable and upright man.

CHARLES N. PHILLIPS is a young man who stands high in the good opinion of the business men of Marion and as the cashier of The Marion National Bank not only deserves but enjoys the confidence and esteem of the patrons of one of the leading financial institutions of Central Ohio.

Mr. Phillips was born in Marseilles, Wyandot County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel Phillips, one of the most highly respected citizens of Marseilles, who but recently retired from business. After laying a substantial foundation for a successful business career by obtaining a practical education in the village schools, Mr. Phillips left Marseilles and accepted a position as a clerk in a dry goods store at Kenton, Ohio. Later he identified himself with the clerical force of the Erie Railroad Company and in due time was made cashier of the company at Akron. His success in this; capacity was such that in 1894 he was selected for a position as collector with The Marion National Bank. This was but a minor position, but as his acquaintance with the business of the bank and its patrons ripened he was gradually advanced until he was promoted to the position which he now occupies.

As to church and social affiliations, Mr. Phillips is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion and during a period of 12 years has occupied a position as treasurer of one of the departments of that church. He is a member of the Tally Wag Club and is held in the highest regard by the members of that organization.

JAMES E. PHILLIPS, of the firm of Uhler & Phillips , the leading dry goods firm of Marion, was born December 16, 1865, in Wyandot County, Ohio, and was reared and educated at Marseilles.

The parents of Mr. Phillips were Samuel and Mary A. (Ellis) Phillips, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. They had a large family of 10 children. The father, who was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade, is now retired, living at Marseilles, Ohio. The mother died October 6, 1905.

When 17 years of age, James E. Phillips went to Kenton where he began his years of training in the dry goods business, entering the mercantile house of Metellus Thompson, in the capacity of clerk. One year of faithful, intelligent service was sufficient to prove the worth of the young man to his employer and, when 18 years of age, Mr. Phillips was advanced to the position of assistant manager of Mr. Thompson's branch store at Huntington, Indiana. One year later he entered the employ of John Frash, in the same line, at Huntington, where he remained three months and was then transferred to Mr. Frash's store at Marion, Ohio, as assistant manager and he continued with it for six years, severing his connection when the business was removed to Indiana. Shortly afterward, Mr. Phillips formed a partnership, with Ira and E. K. Uhler, under the style of Uhler, Phillips & Company, beginning business April 21, 1891. Changes have come about in the business and the makeup of the firm, Ira Uhler dying within a few weeks of the forming of the above partnership. George H. Uhler was then admitted to the firm, and upon his withdrawal, in 1900, the name became, as at present, Uhler & Phillips. This firm has been one of the most enterprising and progressive houses in this section of Ohio. It deals exclusively in dry goods and stands at the head in this line. Its large capital, its favorable trade connections, its liberal policy and its honorable methods have contributed largely to this condition.

In 1896 Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Carrie Fulton, of Bucyrus, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Isabelle. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion.

Few citizens of Marion have displayed a more sincere interest in public improvements or have worked harder to bring to Marion industries of a beneficial nature, or to provide for the future enlargement and further importance of this city, than has Mr. Phillips, He is a councilman-at-large and many of the public improvements of the last five years are the direct results of his vigorous campaign in their interest, notably the establishing of public parks, the building of the Carnegie Library, the installing of various utilities, sewage system, the sewage disposal plant, disposal of garbage and others. As a responsible business man and large taxpayer, he has advocated street paving and sand stone sidewalks throughout the city, realizing the utility as well as necessity. Mr. Phillips is, a member of the finance committee of the City Council, its able chairman, and his liberal policy is seen in his advocacy of increased pay to first-class city officials. He is a charter member of the Marion Commercial Club, the leading business organization of the city. He was one of the organizers and is a member of the board of directors of the Marion Savings Bank, and is interested in many other business enterprises.

Fraternally, Mr. Phillips is very prominent in the various Masonic bodies from the blue lodge to the shrine. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum.

THOMAS JEFFERSON PITTMAN, assistant cashier of the Caledonia Deposit Bank, was born August 16, 1862, in Morrow County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Jane M. (Parcels ) Pittman.

Solomon Pittman, who was a prosperous agriculturist of Morrow County, Ohio, was born July 5, 1828, and was a son of John and Ann (Clark) Pittman. John Pittman, a native of Pennsylvania, was born May 17, 1786, and died June 28, 1870; his wife was born January 26, 1789, and died in 1865. Solomon Pittman was married July 1, 1850, to Jane Parcels, who was born February 9, 1828, in Knox County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Mercy Parcels, natives of Pennsylvania and Vermont,. respectively. Mrs. Pittman was the oldest of a family of six children, namely: Jane M.; Solomon W.; Lavina, wife of James Irwin; Henry; Lucinda, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Cress; and Susanna D., deceased, who, was the wife of Andrew Irwin Solomon Pittman died January 20, 1874. He was a member of the Masonic order and also of the Odd Fellows. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Pittman: John W., born September 12, 1852; Andrew C., born November 15, 1853; Addie E., born February 2, 1856, who married Thomas L. Miller; Eva L., born February 7, 1858, who married Hiram Hart; and Thomas Jefferson, the subject of this sketch.

Thomas J. Pittman was reared on his father's farm in Morrow County until 12 years of age. After his father's death he accompanied his mother to Caledonia. He attended the schools of Caledonia and then engaged in the mercantile business. In partnership with A. R. Hunter, he purchased the store of T. J. Anderson, which they conducted under the firm name of Hunter & Pittman. About a year and a half after the establishment of the business, Mr. Hunter was found dead on the railroad track. Our subject then conducted the business alone for eight months, at the end of which period he sold a half interest to J. C. Irwin. The firm of Pittman & Irwin continued the operation of the store, carrying a full line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and men's furnishings, until March, 1906; when Mr. Pittman sold his interest to J. C. Irwin & Son, who still conduct the business. On April 1, 1906, Mr. Pittman entered the Caledonia Deposit Bank as assistant cashier having previously been connected with the institution in the capacity of stockholder and director. Mr. Pittman had had a very successful business career. He has been enterprising and public-spirited and. has always been among the foremost to aid in the development of the community. Politically, he is a Democrat. He served on the Village Council for four years and as township treasurer four years. He is a member of Calanthe Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias, at Caledonia.

Mr. Pittman was married in January, 1888, to Laura Hipsher , who was born in Scott township one mile north of Caledonia, and is a daughter of Lafayette and Amanda (Dilts) Hipsher, the former still living, the latter deceased September 2, 1887. One child has been born to our subject and his wife, namely, Naomi Belle, born January 9, 1890. Mrs. Pittman and daughter are members of the Universalist Church and take an active interest in all church work.

CHRISTIAN POMMERT, (PICTURE) a prominent old pioneer of Caledonia, where he has resided since 1835, was born March 9, 1830, in Reitsheim, Baden, Germany, and and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Pommert.

Frederick Pommert, who was a linen weaver by trade, died when our subject was two years old. He and his wife, who died in 1840, reared a family of eight children, of whom the four youngest came to America. The record is as follows: Jacob; Wilhelmina, who never married; Mrs. Molina Lemler; Gabriel; Mrs. Elizabeth Keller, who resides in Tully township; Peter who located at Sandusky, Ohio, when he came to this country and resided there until his death; Adam, who lived at Sandusky for many. years but died at Edgerton, Ohio: and Christian.

Christian Pommert was reared in Germany and prior to coming to this country served for three years in the Prussian Army The ship that brought him to America was 32 days on the ocean. He first located at Sandusky, Ohio, where he worked for some time as a journeyman shoemaker, after which he started a small shop for himself. In October, 1853, he came to Caledonia and worked at shoemaking for several years. He then added two chairs and made boots and shoes, building up quite a business. In 1887 he first retired, transferring the business to his son John, who, conducted it most successfully for six years, when our subject again took charge of it. In 1899 he again retired; his son Charles now has charge of the business. Mr. Pommert, though past 77 years of age, is very sturdy and active for a man of his years. All of the business men of Caledonia, with whom he was associated when he located here, have passed away. Politically, Mr. Pommert is a Democrat and served on the Village Council for three years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but was formerly connected with the German Reformed Church, of which he was a deacon.

Mr. Pommert has been married four times. His first marriage occurred in 1851 at Sandusky, Ohio, when Elizabeth Gartner became his wife. This union resulted in the birth of four children : Caroline, George, Elizabeth and Annie all deceased. Mrs. Pommert and all of the children died within two years of one another, that of the mother occurring in 1861.

His second marriage was with Mary Hoenich, by whom he had six children : Caroline, deceased at the age of three years; John, who is in charge of the Marion County Telephone Company's exchange at Caledonia; Louisa, who married Andrew Fulton, of Boston, Massachusetts, and has two children-Royal and Charles; Ella, who married Samuel Maley and resides in Mansfield, Ohio; Charles, who has managed the shoe business since his father last retired-he married Cora Estella Blue and has three children-Melvin, Chester and Luella; and Mary L., who married George Metzger, who was killed in Illinois, after which she married Horace H. Haraman-she had one son, George C., by her first marriage. Mr. Pommert's second wife died March 12 1876 and he subsequently married Henrietta Hart: who died April 27, 1893. On October 22, 1893, he was married to Mrs. Eliza Mathias a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Wise) Howser, who came front Huron County, Ohio, and located in Scott township, Marion County, where they both died. Mrs. Howser came to Ohio from Crawford County, Pennsylvania, with her parents when 12 years old. Mrs. Pommert was formerly a member of the German Reformed Church, but is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A portrait of Mr. Pommert accompanies this sketch.

JAMES CALVIN PORTER, township trustee and a leading farmer of Green Camp township, resides on his well improved farm of 150 acres, the management of which he has largely delegated to his son. Mr. Porter was born in this township, December 4, 1843, and is a son of John H. and Nancy (Berry) Porter.

Alexander Porter, the paternal grandfather, was born in Ireland and probably settled at Lebanon, Ohio, after the termination of the War of 1812, in which he participated. Later he moved to Marion County, becoming one of the very first settlers in Green Camp township, where he owned property and subsequently died.

John H. Porter, father of James Calvin, was born at or near Lebanon, Ohio, in 1805. He did not accompany his father to Marion County, but soon followed him and later married Nancy Berry, a daughter of a very large land-owner of Marion County. Mrs. Porter's father came here from Virginia and invested in 1,000 acres of land just west of Green Camp. and at the time of his death owned about that acreage. John H. Porter owned a farm two miles west of Green Camp and it was on that farm that our subject was born, and there the father died in 1873. The mother then took up her residence at the home of a daughter at Agosta, where she died September 6. 1884.

They had nine children, as follows: Clara, deceased, who was the wife of M. G. Miller; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of James Fletcher; James Calvin, of this sketch; D. H., a merchant at Green Camp; John A., deceased; W. N., who is in the butchering business at Green Camp; T. C., a farmer of Green Camp township, who owns the old homestead; and Ada and Eva (twins), the former of whom died at the age of 15 years and the latter, aged six years.

James Calvin Porter was reared in Green Camp township and educated in the district schools. In 1864 he left the farm to enlist in the service of his country, entering Company H, 82nd Reg, Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private, the regiment being a veteran one; he served until the close of the war, participating in a number of battles. He was wounded at Dallas, Georgia, May 25, 1864, and was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga for seven days, and was then transferred to Nashville, where he spent 30 days in the hospital and then 30 more in the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. When he was finally permitted to rejoin his regiment it was in the rear of Atlanta, doing guard duty, and on the following day the city fell. Although still weak from his unhealed wound, he marched with the triumphant army into Atlanta. He was with Sherman's army on the historic "March to the Sea" and enjoyed the Grand Review of the troops at Washington. His release papers were made out before he left Louisville, Kentucky; he was honorably, discharged and paid off later at Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Porter then returned to the homestead and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since, for many years actively; but recently he has turned the management over to his son and has practically retired. Since the spring of 1869 he has lived on his present farm, which, when he took possession, was nearly covered with timber. He has made nearly all of the excellent improvements here, erecting his commodious frame house in 1881 and the other buildings at various times.

On November 19, 1868, Mr. Porter was married to Mary Bricker, a daughter of John and Barbara Bricker. For a few months they resided at Green Camp and then came to the farm as above mentioned. They have five children, namely: Flora, wife of Jacob Wolfinger; John B., who married Eva Petty and resides in Green Camp township; Elmer, who married Allie Carmine and resides in Green Camp township; Clara, who, married Alonzo Thompson and lives in Big Island township; and Calvin Luther, who has taken over the operation of the home farm.

Politically, Mr. Porter is a Republican. For the past 15 years he has served, at various times, as township trustee, an office he now fills, having been elected in 1904. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow.

JAMES F. PRENDERGAST, a prominent and influential citizen of Marion, president of The Prendergast Company and officially identified with a number of other important business interests of this locality has been a resident of Marion almost all his life. He was born September 15, 1863. at Cleveland, Ohio, and is a son of the late Terrence Prendergast.

The father of Mr. Prendergast was actively and prominently connected with railroad affairs, first at Cleveland and later at Marion. After 1865 he resided in Marion until his death in 1904, at the age of 76 years.

James F. Prendergast was two years old when his parents came to Marion and he was reared and educated in this city. He began business life as a telegraph operator, continuing as such until 1881, when, in partnership with his brother Walter, he assisted in establishing the firm of W. & J. F. Prendergast. The death of Walter Prendergast, in December, 1892, made no change in the name or conduct of the business until March, 1895, when it was incorporated as The Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company, with a capital stock of $300,000, with J. F. Prendergast as president and treasurer; Oswald Wollenweber, vice-president; and O. S. Rapp, secretary. This company was recently reorganized as The Prendergast Company, and operates lumber mills in West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, doing a large amount of business in hard wood. Mr. Prendergast is concerned in a number of other local enterprises, and prior to June, 1905, served as president for two years of the Marion Commercial Club.

ROY EDGAR PRETTYMAN, a representative citizen and post master of Agosta, was born November 26, 1879, in Montgomery township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of N. T. and Celia A. (Dodd) Prettyman.

N. T. Prettyman was a native of Marion County and spent his entire life here, dying in 1904. Mrs. Prettyman, his widow, was born in 1848 and is now living in Bowling Green township. She is the mother of eight children, namely: Rolla G.; Ernest R.; Mabel G., who married Frank Forider; Roy Eclgar; Jessie Eunice, deceased; Guy Thomas; Harold Nelson, and Cecil, deceased. The paternal great-grandparents of our subject were of Scotch-Irish descent. The grandfather, Cord H. Prettyrnan, was born in 1825 and in youth came to Marion County, Ohio, from the State of Delaware. He married Comfort P. (Wilson) and they settled in Montgomery township, on the banks of the Scioto River. The country was sparsely settled at that time and was covered with timber. Cord H. Prettyman died in 1904. The maternal grandfather.of our subject was John Dodd, who was one of the early settlers of the county. Both he and his wife have been dead many years.

Roy Edgar Prettyman received his primary education in the old Ebenezer school until 15 years old when he entered the Agosta public school for three years, after which he attended the Ohio Nonnal University at Ada, in order to prepare himself for teaching. He left the university in 1900, having in the meantime taught some, and with the exception of one year spent in the West has been a teacher in the public schools of the county for the last 10 years. He is at present teaching the Cleveland school in Green Camp township.

Mr. Prettyman was married August 23, 1903, to Rosa May Hathaway, a daughter of Lewis and Eliza Hathaway, of Agosta, both of whom are living. Mr. Prettyman is a Republican in politics and was elected justice of the peace in 1905, an office he still holds. In June, 1906, he was appointed postmaster of Agosta and on January 6, 1906, he was appointed notary public by the governor of Ohio. Mr. Prettyman is a man of splendid address and readily impresses those whose privilege it is to meet him, with his strong personality.

W. S. PROBST, vice-president of The John F. Lust Company, secretary of The Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company and treasurer of The Marion Land Company, all of Marion, was born in Marion, and is a son of Siegbert Probst, who came to Marion from Germany about 1877, and for years had charge of the shipping department of The Huber Manufacturing Company, but is now living retired.

W. S. Probst was reared in Marion and attended the public schools, after which he took a business course at Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1896 he entered the employ of The Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company as bookkeeper.

Mr. Probst was united in marriage in 1903 with Edith Lust, who is a daughter of John F. Lust, of The J. F. Lust Company. He has membership in the Hoo Hoo Lodge and the Commercial and Tally Wag clubs of Marion. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Marion.