REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

MARION COUNTY, OHIO

1907 HISTORY

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O. S. RAPP, vice-president of The Prendergast Company, at Marion, was born in this city in 1872, and is a son of W. C. Rapp, who settled in Marion County in 1850.

O. S. Rapp was reared at Marion, where he completed the public school course and then entered Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, where he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Ph. D. Upon his return to Marion he was connected with the engineering department of the city for one year, and for an equal length of time was with The Implement Manufacturing Company; after which he took charge of the circulating department of the Marion Transcript. In February, 1890, he formed a business connection with the firm of W. & J. F. Prendergast, lumber and coal dealers at Marion. In March, 1895, the business was incorporated as The Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company, with Mr. Rapp as secretary. Twelve years later, such was the growth of the business, especially in the wholesale lumber trade, the retail department was disposed of and The Prendergast Company succeeded The Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company, Mr. Rapp becoming vice-president of the new concern. He is also secretary of the Marion Timber Company and of the Marion Land Company. He belongs to a body of active young business men who have made Marion well and widely known as a commercial center.

In 1902 Mr. Rapp was married to Mary Jane Hane, a daughter of the late John J. Hane, extended mention of whom will be found in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Rapp belong to St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church..

Mr. Rapp is a member of the Marion Commercial Club, and is chairman of its house committee. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and to all the Masonic bodies at Marion.

GEORGE WASHINGTON RAUB, ,one of the leading young farmers of Bowling Green township, was born September 18, 1880, in Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Hon. William L. and Jane (Baldwin) Raub. A sketch of the father of our subject will be found elsewhere in this work.

George Washington Raub attended the public schools of LaRue and was graduated at the LaRue High School in 1900, after which he took over the management of his father's large agricultural and stock interests. He has gven particular attention to cattle and stock, making a specialty of raising first-class draft horses. He feeds several car-loads of cattle annually and, ships many hundred head of sheep and hogs every year. At the time of this writing he has 700 head of sheep. He is much interested in his work and conducts the business in a scientific manner and with abundant success.

On October 6, 1904, Mr. Raub was married to Mildred A. Norris, who was born in Bowling Green township, Marion County. Ohio, and is a daughter of Elmer and Ella Norris, residents of Richwood, Union County. Mr. and Mrs. Raub have a beautiful home which was erected in 1905. The attractive young mistress of this home is a lady of culture and refinement. She graduated in the same class with Mr. Raub from the LaRue High School and completed her education at the Ohio Wesleyan Female College. at Delaware. She is an active member of the LaRue Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Raub is affiliated with the Democratic party but has been too busily engaged in business to accept any political honors.

HENRY RAUB, whose fine estate of some 410 acres of valuable land is situated in Bowling Green township, is one of the extensive farmers and stock-raisers of this section and one of the most successful breeders of road horses. Mr. Raub was born in Marion County, Ohio, January 20, 1866. and belongs to a well-known family of this section, being a son of Hon. William L. and Jane (Baldwin) Raub. Extended mention of Hon. William L. Raub will be found in another part of this volume.

James Henry Raub attended the district schools in his boyhood, afterward spent two years at the LaRue High School and then became a student at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. Following the completion of his education, Mr. Raub taught school for three winters, his summers being occupied with farming. After his marriage he settled on the farm which he still occupies. When his father assumed the duties of county commissioner, our subject took charge of the home farm and managed it for five years with great success, but in 1895 he gave up superintending his father's farm and began operating on his own account, beginning with 100 acres, which since 1899 he has increased to 410. This land is managed scientifically with improved machinery and is valuable from every point of view. Mr. Raub has been successful in growing and feeding stock, principally sheep, buying in the West and selling in the East. He has taken a great deal of intelligent interest also in breeding fine horses and has raised some of the fastest on record in this section, notably "Charlie R.," with record of 2:11 1/4. This fine roadster Mr. Raub traded for another horse with a poorer record, being given also the sum of $1,000 in cash.

On January 8, 1890, Mr. Raub was married to Laura B. Henderson, a daughter of Montgomery (William?) and Sarah E. (Virden) Henderson. Mrs. Raub's father died in 1876, aged 45 years; her mother is still living, at the age of 70 years. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Raub were William J. and Sarah Ann Virden, of Delaware, who were among the very earliest settlers in Montgomery township. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson had three children, namely: Eva A.; Ella J., wife of S. I. Clements, of Montgomery township, and Mrs. Raub.

Mr. and Mrs. Raub have two children, namely: William Henderson, born October 7, 1896, who attends school at LaRue; and Paul Henry, born October 3, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Raub occupy an ideal rural home, which was built in the year of their marriage.

Politically, Mr. Raub, like other members of the family, and his father, is a Democrat and has filled a number of the important local offices, serving four years as township clerk, several years as a member of the School Board (being president of the board for three years) and frequenty has been sent as a delegate to both county and State conventions. He is a stockholder in the LaRue Bank at LaRue and is a director in three oil companies which are paying, handsomely. He belongs to the Marion County Agricultural Society and also to Walter Scott Lodge, No 214, Knights of Pythias, at LaRue.

S AULTMAN RAUB, a representative citizen and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Bowling Green township, operating a fine farm of 175 acres, was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 25, 1876, and is a son of Hon. William L. and Jane (Baldwin) Raub. Exttended mention of Hon. William L. Raub, one of the prominent men and leading capitalists of Marion County, will be found in another part of this work.

S. Aultman Raub was educated in the public schools at LaRue and at Valparaiso, Indiana completing his literary education at LaRue in 1896 and his business course at Valparaiso, following which he was engaged for two years in the clothing business at LaRue and Crestline. After disposing of his mercantile interests, he returned to Bowling Green township and operated his father's farm until June, 1903, when he married. For two years, Mr. and Mrs. Raub. resided at LaRue, but in 1904 they came to the present farm and in 1906 the handsome residence they occupy was completed. Mr. Raub carries on general farming and stock feeding.

On June 28, 1903, Mr. Raub was married to Mrs. Carrie M. Wiant, who is a daughter of Benjamin F. Waples, of Marion, cashier of the Marion Savings Bank, who was formerly auditor of Marion County. The Waples family is an old and prominent one of this section. Mrs. Raub had one son born to her first marriage, Benjamin F. Wiant, a schoolboy of 11 years. In November, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Raub had a son born to them, who bears the name of John Aultman.

Politically, Mr. Raub is a stanch Democrat and he takes considerable interest in township and county affairs of public moment. Fraternally, he is a member of Walter Scott Lodge, No. 214, Knights of Pythias, at LaRue.

HON. WILLIAM L. RAUB, a prominent citizen of Bowling Green township, formerly a member of the State Legislature, in which he served from 1900 to January 1, 1902, from the district composed of Marion and Morrow counties, has been identified with the public affairs as well as agricultural interests of this section for many years. Mr. Raub was born October 27, 1833, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Henry and Hannah (Aultman) Raub.

Henry Raub was born in 1802 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and belonged to a family of German descent. He was a cabinetmaker and undertaker during the period of his business life in his native place. In 1840 he moved to Knox County, Ohio, where he followed farming, continuing in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1870, at the age of 68 years. He married Hannah Aultman, who died in 1871. They had five sons and one daughter, as follows: Elizabeth, who married Samuel Statler and died in Richland County, Ohio, aged 23 years, leaving four children; Eli, who died on his farm in Alabama, whose wife, Ruth Iker, is also deceased-they are survived by two sons and three daughters; Henry Aultman, engaged in a milling business at Bucyrus, Ohio, who married Sarah Haunstean and has three sons and one daughter; William L.; Samuel, deceased in California, whose wife Mary Guthery, daughter of David Guthery, of Knox County, Ohio, survives with three sons and three daughters, one son being prominent in public affairs, serving in the California State Legislature; and Jackson, almost fatally injured while serving as a soldier in the Civil War, who married Alice Gillespie and has two sons.

William L. Raub was seven years old when his parents moved to Knox County, Ohio, and was reared on his father's farm. When 28 years old he moved to Marion County and settled at LaRue. He was 18 years old when he started out for himself, hiring out to a stock-dealer, for whom he worked for eight years. Alter his marriage, he resided for one year at LaRue, and in 1866 moved to the home he has occupied ever since. His wife owned an interest in the place and Mr. Raub bought out the other heirs and subsequently acquired 1,100 acres of fine farming land in Bowling Green township, all in one body. He has not only been one of the township's largest landowners but also one of the largest feeders of stock. He has improved his land with substantial buildings and has done some ditching where needed, sparing no expense to make the property exceedingly valuable.

On January 19, 1865, Mr. Raub was married to Jane Baldwin, who was born in Bowling Green township, Marion County, and is a daughter of James and Ellen Baldwin, who came to Marion County from Madison County, Ohio, at a very early day. James Baldwin died in 1851, aged 42 years and his widow, in 1890. James Baldwin settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Raub in 1840, entering the land from the government. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin had eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and two sons died in the Civil War.

Mr. and Mrs. Raub have had the following children: James Henry, a resident of Bowling Green township engaged in farming, educated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, who married Laura B. Henderson and has two sons William Henderson and Paul Henry,; Emmogene, who married Isaac S. Guthery, an agriculturist and stockman of Bowling Green township and president of the Campbell National Bank at LaRue, and has two living children-John Damon and William Sherman; Ella, a highly educated lady residing at home who has successfully taught school for several years; Lillian, educated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, who in the fall of 1906 married W. H. Johnston, who runs a grain elevator at LaRue; Susan, educated also at Ada, and at Valparaiso, Indiana, who is engaged in teaching at Barberton, Ohio; S. Aultman, educated at Valparaiso, Indiana, engaged in farming and stock-raising in Bowling Green township, who married Mrs. Carrie M. Wiant, daughter of Benjamin F. Waples, of Marion, and has one son, John Aultman; George Washington, a graduate of the LaRue High School, who married Mildred A. Norris, daughter of Elmer and Ella Norris, of Richwood, Ohio, and operates the home farm; Dessa, residing at home and much interested in her music, who spent one year at Wooster University after graduating from the LaRue High School; Maude, who graduated from the LaRue High School and completed her education at Wooster University-she married A. Quick Covert and they reside at Perrysville, where he is engaged in the timber business; and two children that died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Raub has been one of the Democratic leaders of the western section of Marion County for many years. For 12 years he served as township treasurer, and for six years was county commissioner, during which time many important public improvements were completed, his term extending from 1887 to 1893. His election to the State Legislature occurred in 1899. His record during his stay at Columbus showed the good judgment and devotion to the best interests of his section which have always characterized his career.

Mr. Raub has also been very active in business. he has been president of the LaRue Bank ever since its organization, is one of the stockholders of the Marion Savings Bank and also of the LaRue Telephone Company.

FRANK REBER, one of the prosperous and representative farmers of Marion township, who resides upon his well improved farm of 276 acres, situated in section 8, was born February 23, 1861, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Felix and Harriet (Brobst) Reber.

Felix Reber, father of Frank Reber, was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He was connected with the well-known Reber and Peters families of Pickaway and Fairfield counties. His uncle, John Reber, was one of the largest land-owners in Pickaway County and one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Walnut township, where he resided for many years. He gave to the township the fine Reber Hill Cemetery, which is one of the most beautiful rural cemeteries in the State of Ohio. In 1871 Felix Reber came to Marion County, where he bought and located on a farm of 320 acres, the greater part of which is now owned by his son Frank. he married Harriet Brohst, a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Brobst, nativcs of Pennsylvania. Mr. Reber died March 11, 1887, and his widow survived him until November 12, 1905, when she was 73 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Reber were the parents of the following children: Samuel; Mrs. Sarah King; Mrs. Ida Hill; Frank; Eugene, who died September 15, 1897; Mrs. Cora Oborn; and Mrs. Nellie Holverstott.

Frank Reber was 10 years old when he came to Marion County with his parents, who settled on the farm where he now resides and which he now owns. He has never married. He has always engaged in general farming, and stock-raising and has many head of cattle, sheep and hogs. He is a Knight of Pythias.

LENOX REBER, a prominent citizen and large land-owner has been a resident of Marion for the past 10 years. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1841. In 1853, when I 2 years of age, he moved to Wyandot County, where he was reared and educated and later engaged in farming until his removal to Marion County. In 1868 he located in Marion township, Marion County, and was very extensively engaged in farming, and feeding and stock-raising until 1896, when he moved to Marion, but still retains his farming interests and is one of the largest land-owners in the county. He is also concerned in several business enterprises of Marion, and is interested in the lime and stone industries of the county.

In 1867, Mr. Reber married Jennie McBeth, of Wyandot County, Ohio, and they have had two children, namely: Clara, who married Clifford Cass, shipping clerk for The Marion Steam Shovel Works Company, and has one child, Mary Ellen; and Mary E., who married Edward Holverstott, of Claridon township, and died in 1898, leaving two children-- Mildred and Bernice. Mr. Reber is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion.

JAMES M. RHOADS, residing on his valuable farm of 155 1/2 acres of fine lands in Bid Island township, is one of the representative men of this section and has long been one of its best agriculturists. Mr. Rhoads was born December 31, 1839, in this township and is a son of George and Drusilla (Yoakam) Rhoads.

The Rhoads family originated in Hessen Darmstadt, and the Yoakam family came to Ohio from Virginia. The paternal grandfather of James M. Rhoads was James Rhoads, who served in the Revolutionary War and later offered his services in the War of 1812. The maternal great-grandfather, Michael Yoakam, and probably the maternal grandfather, Absalom Yoakam, both served in the Revolutionary War, and the latter in the War of 1812, also, George Rhoads, father of James M., was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, February 1, 1810, and died January 20, 1884. He was a son of James and Susan Rhoads, who came to Big Island; township, Marion County, in 1828. James Rhoads entered 12O acres of land at that time to which he subsequently added. In later years the Big Island homestead was purchased by George Rhoads and during his subsequent life he accumulated land up to 700 acres. He became prominent in his township, which he served for 15 years as trustee. In his youth he was noted for his strength and could always clear more land than his companions. Perhaps it was his strong constitution, built up by an open-air life, that enabled him to survive an attack of cholera in 1844. In 1853 he erected the substantial residence still standing on the farm, which is occupied by his son, Alpha 0., who is serving as trustee of Big Island township.

On March 17, 1839, George Rhoads was married to Drusilla Yoakam, who was a daughter of Absalom Yoakam, and a granddaughter of Michael Yoakam. She was born January 4, 1819, and died July 25, 1896. Her father lived to the age of 85 years and her mother to be 99 years of age. The children of George and Drusilla Rhoads were: James M., John, Absalom P., Jesse B., Rachel A. (deceased), Winfield Scott, Mrs. Mary E. Wynn, Francis M., Alpha 0., Martha Ellen (deceased at the age of four months), George H. (deceased at the age of eight months), and George H. (2nd) (who was accidentally drowned in a kettle of water when 14 months old.

James M. Rhoads was reared on his father's farm in Big Island township and attended the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. He was engaged in farming when the Civil War broke out and before many months had passed he decided to offer his services for the preservation of the Union: At Scott Town, on October 21, 1861, Mr. Rhoads enlisted in Company D, 64th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for three years, and was honorably discharged December 10, 1864, on the day before the battle of Nashville. He had seen enough of war, having participated in some of the greatest battles of that terrible period. His first regiment became a part of the Army of the Cumberland and the first real battle in which he was called on to take part was the two days' struggle at Shiloh. He escaped injury there, but at Chickamauga he was slightly wounded by a spent ball and later, at Dallas, received a serious wound in the right leg. He participated in all the battles, skirmishes and long marches during the Atlanta campaign and the siege of Atlanta and fought also at Spring Hill and Franklin. Upon his release from the army, he returned to Marion County and resumed farming.

On February 21,, 1867, Mr. Rhoads was married to Lovira Lewis, who was born in Salt Rock township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Lawren Porter and Julia Ann (McElvy) Lewis, and a granddaughter of Kenyon and Sally (Porter) Lewis, who came from New York State to Marion County, Ohio, in the fall of 1834, bringing their family and household goods in wagons, and settled on a farm of 80 acres one mile east of Carpenter's Corners in Salt Rock township. On April 24, 1835, Mrs. Sally Lewis, when returning from a visit to a sick daughter, was accidentally killed by being thrown from her horse, the accident occurring one and a half miles west of Carpenter's Corners. Lawren P. Lewis, father of Mrs. Rhoads, was born in Genesee County, New York, and accompanied his parents to Marion County. He was twice married, his first union being with Julia Ann McElvy, whose father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Julia Ann Lewis died August 4, 1856. when Mrs Rhoads was 12 years of age. There were three children born to Lawren P. Lewis' first marriage, namely: John L. Lewis, who is cashier of the Harpster Bank, at Harpster, Wyandot County, having been connnected with that financial institution ever since its organization; Lovira (Mrs. Rhoads); and Ida Jane, who died in infancy. Mr. Lewis was married (second ) to Mrs. Maria Bowers, and four children were born to this marriage, namely: Flora, who died aged four years; Etta, residing at Marion; Lyman P., who is a railroad passenger agent, residing at Columbus; and Truman C., who is a resident of Marion.

Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Rhoads taught five terms of school in Salt Rock township and was a very popular educator. Her father was one of the pioneer teachers of that section, commencing to teach school in Salt Rock township at the age of 19 years; he had 76 pupils when he taught his first term in Big Island township. He taught 13 terms, later was elected a justice of the peace and served 11 years as clerk.

Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have four children, namely: George L., residing at Marion, engaged in the feed business, who married Almeda Riley and has one son, Harold; Julia, who married William Sidney Davis, resides Grand township and has one daughter, Gladys; Marion M., who was educated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada and a business college at Columbus and occupies a. position as secretary and treasurer of an optical school, in Columbus; and Princess L., an accomplished teacher of several years' experience, who was also educated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada and has successfully taught in Big Island, Grand and Montgomery townships.

Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads settled on their present farm on April 1, 1867, and have resided here ever since. For a number of years Mr. Rhoads operated the land himself, but has now satisfactorily rented it and has practically retired from active life. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and still enjoys meeting his comrades and recalling the old days when, in the vigor of youth, they so Bravely faced the enemy's bullets and fought for their country. Mr. Rhoads' two sons are members of the Knights of Pythias.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are members of the Baptist Church. Both belong to old pioneer families of this section, the memory of whom it is the aim of this work to perpetuate. Few of that old guard remain. They have disappeared from the haunts of men, but their names must not be forgotten. The fertile fields, the blooming valleys, the churches, schools and hundreds of happy households, where once roamed the Indian and the savage beast, testify to the courage and industry of these ancestors.

MILTON H. RHOADS. (PICTURE) breeder of fine sheep and raiser of a large amount of first-class stock, is a leading agriculturist and representative citizen of Marion County. His fine farm of 330 acres is situated jointly in Salt Rock and Grand townships, and he resiedes in section 30 of the former. Mr. Rhoads was born in this township, and he resides in section 30 of the former. Mr. Rhoads was born in this township September 24, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Crabb) Rhoads. James Rhoads, the paternal grandfather of Milton H., came from Pickaway County to Marion Comity in 1822 and entered land from the government in Salt Rock township. Henry Rhoads was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 30, 1807, and was 15 years old when he accompanied his parents to Marion County, where he grew to manhood and subsequently married Elizabeth Crabb. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Daniel Crabb, one of the early pioneers there. Made an orphan in early life, she was taken by her aunt, Mrs. Martha Harvey, by whom she was taken to Marion County. Her death, occurred February 5, 1859.

The children of Henry Rhoads and wife were: Milton H., of this sketch; Susan, who died in infancy: John Elliott, who died at Marion: George Bigelow, who died October 11, 1867; Mrs. Leah Ann Krouse, of Marion; and Martha D., who died October 6, 1855. The father died March 11, 1855, aged 47 years.

Milton H. Rhoads was 14 years of age when his father died, and as the eldest of the family more or less responsibility fell on his shoulders. He remained on the farm until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering the 64th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served for eight months before being honorably discharged on account of illness. He had spent about half this period in the hospital at Stanford, Kentucky. His rank was that of corporal.

For a number of years Mr. Rhoads has been one of the leading stock-raisers in Marion County and has done much for the sheep industry. While he raises many hogs also, he gives the most of his attention to the breeding of Delaine and Merino sheep and has made many exhibit of the same his sheep easily carrying off the main prizes at the Marion and Wyandot county fairs as well as the La Rue Street fairs. he is one of the active members of the Ohio Merino Sheep Breeder's Association and has served both as 2nd and 1st vice-president of this organization. Few men have a better knowledge of the sheep industry.

September 11, 1862. Mr. Rhoads was married to Jane D. Davidson, and they had one son James Henry. Mrs. Rhoads died September 19, 1897. Mr. Rhoads was married (second) on April 27, 1899, to Elizabeth Jane Hastings, Mr. Rhoads' son has been twice married, his second union being to Ida Peters they have one daughter, Mildred Marie; they reside on the homestead, the son being interested also in farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Rhoads has always been one of the township's foremost citizens. He has served as trustee and for six years was a member of the Fair Board, having membership in both the Marion and the Wyandot county fair associations. For the past 45 years he has been affiliated with the Odd Fellows, of which his son is also a member; both he and his son are members of the Masonic fraternity.

Portraits of Milton H. Rhoads and James Henry Rhoads are shown on a, preceding page, in connection with this sketch.

J. A. RICE, foreman of the carpenter department of the Susquehanna Silk Mills of Marion, was born in Marion., Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of Philip Conrad and Katherine (Steinbrenner) Rice. Philip C. Rice was one of the early settlers of Marion County and was a brick-maker by trade.

J. A. Rice was reared in Marion and obtained his education in the public schools of the city. Early in life he learned the printer's trade at which he worked for five years, when he went West to the Dakotas and Minnesota because of poor health. There he worked on farms for three years, after which he returned to Marion where he remained for one year. He was one of the organizers of the Leader Company, with which he remained connected for 10 years, both as an expert machinist and as a traveling salesman. He then engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Court & Rice for about two years, when Mr. Rice became sole owner of the business and conducted it for five years. In 1902 he entered the employ of the Susquehanna Silk Mills of Marion as foreman of the carpenter department, which position he still retains.

Mr. Rice was (first) married in Wisconsin, in November, 1878, to Carrie Steinbrenner, who died March 15, 1883. They had two children, Jesse L. and Charles Arthur, both deceased. Mr. Rice's (second) marriage occurred May 15, 1887, to Ida M. Spring; they have three children Verna R., Ralph and Gertrude N.

Fraternally, Mr. Rice belongs to the Home Guards of America, the Protected Home Circle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Red Cross order. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

SIMEON BENNETT RICE, formerly sheriff of Marion County, a highly efficient official for four years, has resided on his well-improved farm in Scott township since 1899. Mr. Rice was born in Marion County, Ohio, near Caledonia, August 18, 1858, and is a son of John and Sarah (Bennett) Rice.

John Rice was born April 22, 1822, in Canaan township, in what was then Marion, but is now Morrow County, Ohio, one of the first white children born in this locality. He was a son of Jacob and Lydia (Wickizer) Rice. Jacob Rice, who, was probably born in Pennsylvania, served in the War of 1812 and came to Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1817. In 1821 he came to Marion County and secured a farm of 80 acres from the government, on which he built a log house, which, the family occupied in the following year. It was situated in a wild region and was 60 miles distant from the nearest mill, which was at Mount Vernon. His family consisted of 10 children, the one survivor being Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, who resides with her son at Martel. Jacob Rice left all estate of 500 acres.

John Rice assisted his father in operating the latter's farm and sawmill and later, with two of his brothers, built a grist-mill which they ran to great advantage. John Rice bought a farm in Canaan township on which he lived until 1870, when he came to Scott township and until he retired lived on the farm which his son, Simeon B., now, owns. He died at Caledonia July 21, 1896. He married Sarah Bennett, who was born in 1834 at Caledonia where she died October 14, 1906. In 1835 her father, Rev. Isaac Bennett, united with the Michigan Conference and died in that State; his wife was Eleanor Barrockman. Mrs. Rice was reared in Michigan but before her marriage frequently visited kindred in Caledonia. The children of John Rice and wife were: Simeon B. , two babes that died in infancy; Ellen, who married William Weir and lives in Morrow County; Ida, who married Noah Garver, of Morrow County; and Cora, who married James Noblet. All living members of the family with the exception of Simeon B., live in Canaan township, Morrow County. John Rice was a Democrat in his political views and held a number of local offices.

Simeon B. Rice was 12 years old when he came to Scott township. He was educated in the Caledonia schools and at Buchtel College, Akron. For some years he followed farming and stock-raising, also dealing in stock. In 1884 he left the farm and removed to Marion, where he filled the office of deputy sheriff for eight years. In 1892 he was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket and served for four years in this responsible office. For two years after his retirement from office he continued to reside at Marion, although he still kept the management of the farm in his own hands, and then returned to the farm where the free, open door life has restored his failing health. He carries on a general line of farming and is also an agent for fertilizers.

On October 23, 1890, Mr. Rice was married to Flora Ruehrmund, who. was born at Caledonia, and is a daughter of Ferdinand Christian and Mary (Loebrick) Ruehrmund, both of whom were born in Germany. For many years the father of Mrs. Rice was a dry-goods merchant at Marion and was also connected with banking institutions. He died October 24, 1884, at Marion, where he, was interred. His widow still survives, at the age of 78 years. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have four children, namely: Anna Marie, born at Marion, October 26, 1891 ; Inez May, born April 16, 1893; Marion F., born September 18, 1895; and Edith, Rose, born June 4, 1897. Mr. Rice is a member of Oliver Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. at Caledonia.

ELMER O. RICHARDSON, M. D., physician and surgeon at Marion and a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, and throat, was born in 1860 in Union County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. A. J. Richardson, who has been one of the leading physicians of Union County for half a century.

Elmer O. Richardson was reared in Union County and after completing the public school course entered upon the study of medicine, being graduated in 1884 from the Columbus Medical College. For eight years he carried n a general practice at Bowling Green, Ohio, and Carthage, Missouri, and then turned his attention to specializing. For one year he served in the Eye and Ear Infirmary of New York, and then as house surgeon for the Chicago Eye and Ear College, for six months. Dr. Richardson then settled permanently at Marion, where he devotes his entire attention to diseases relating to the eye, ear, nose and throat and has established a reputation for skill in this line. A certain knife, for use in special practice and for catract operation, is the invention af Dr. Richardson and is in general use in the profession.

Dr. Richardson was married to Martha A. Davenport, a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Fraternally, he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and is serving as scribe of the chapter, having previously been captain of the host, and is also junior warden of the commandery. He belongs also to Fraternal Lodge, No. 14, Knights of Pythias, Carthage, Missouri; to the Tribe of Ben Hur at Marion, and to the American Insurance Union. Professionally he belongs to the American Medical Association, Ohio State Medical Society, Marion County Medical Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology and National Association of United States Pension Examining Surgeons. He is eye, ear, nose and throat examining surgeon for the Pension Department and is also oculist for the Erie Railroad Company.

DEAN C. RIDGWAY, a leading citizen OF LaRue, the owner of a large amount of land in Marion and Hardin counties, was born October 31, 1870, in Grand township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Basil and Rosanna (Hastings) Ridgway..

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject came from Scotland and settled in Maryland, and in 1810 removed to Muskingum County, Ohio. C. C. Ridgway, the grandfather of Dean C. Ridgway, was born in St. Georges County, Maryland, in 1809, and was reared from the age of one year in Muskingum County, Ohio. He later moved to this section and located on the line of Marion and Hardin counties. Here he took up 160 acres of land and reared his family, and on this farm Basil Ridgway, father of our subject, was born and grew to manhood. The paternal grandmother died in 1852 and the grandfather married again, in 1858, and died February, 15, 1896. His second wife died at Galion, Ohio, in 1900.

The maternal grandfather, Spear Hastings, lived on a farm adjoining that of C. C. Ridgway. This he inherited from his father, Patrick Hastings, with whom he came from Ireland when about 16 years old. He married Rachel Dalzell, of Marion County. Here they reared their family and remained until about 10 years before their deaths, when they removed to. LaRue.

Basil Ridgway was born on his father's farm in Hardin County, Ohio, on the Marion County line, August 5, 1840. Here he was reared and grew to manhood. In the Civil War he served in the 34th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., for three years and four months. He was one of two who returned to Kenton out of 64 who went into the army. He is a member of Owen Gray Post, G. A. R., at LaRue. He is a stanch Republican in politics and all his life has been an active worker for the success of his party. For 40 years, Mr. Ridgway, who is now a resident of LaRue, was one of the foremost citizens of Grand township, where he engaged in farming after his marriage. Soon after his return from the war, he was married at LaRue to Rosanna Hastings, who was born January 5, 1844, a daughter of Spear and Rachel (Dalzell) Hastings. Four children were born to them, two sons and two daughters: Ida May, born March 11, 1868, who died September 24, 1889; Dean C., the subject of this sketch, and his twin, Dell E. born October 31, 1870; and Basil, born September16, who died September 4, 1874. Dell E. Ridgway was graduated from the LaRue High School the class of 1891, and was married November 1892. to Hon. Grant E. Mouser, at that time a brilliant young attorney of the city of Marion, who is now serving his second term in congress, representing the 13th Congressional District of Ohio. A sketch of Mr. Mouser will be found elsewhere in this work.

Dean C. Ridgway was reared in Grand township and attended the district schools. He is truly a self-made man. He started out in life by renting a farm and after two years time purchased a farm Subsequently he entered into partnership with his father, and both are now large land-owners in Marion and Hardin counties He is a successful trader and has made considerable money as a stock dealer. He moved from Grand township to LaRue, December 11, 1905. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in the affairs of both the township and the county. Fraternally he is a mernber of Day Lodge, No. 328, I. 0. 0. F., of LaRue.

Mr. Ridgway was married June 16, 1898, to Lillie May Benschoter, who was born in Ohio on the banks of the Maumee River and is a daughter of Jerry and Rachel Benschoter, a highly respected family of Wood County, Ohio. Two children blessed this union: Keith B., born January 3, 1900; and Clara C., born May 16, 1901. Since Mrs. Ridgway's death, September 7, 1902, the children have lived with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Ridgway, of LaRue.

JOHN REICHARDT, owner of a farm of 43 acres in Green Camp township, upon which his son, John H. Reichardt, resides, as well as of a fine residence at No. 359 Olney avenue, Marion he is now enjoying retired life, was born November 22, 1841, in Huttengesass, Hessen-Nassau, Germany, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Reidle) Reichardt.

George Reichardt was born in Huttengesass, Hessen-NassauGermany and came to this country on board the Devonshire from London, arriving at New York Aug 15, 1855, as did his father and mother, John and Catherine Reichardt, both of whom died in Marion County, Ohio. George Reichardt and his family located in Waldo township, where he resided until 1861, when he sold his land and moved to Green Camp township. Here he resided the remainder of his life, engaged in general farming operations. He was the father of eight children, of whom our subject is the third oldest. John Reichardt spent his early boyhood days in Germany and there obtained his education. He came to this country with his parents when 14 years old, landing at New York on August 15, 1855. The family immediately located in Waldo township, Marion County, Ohio, where the father bought a tract of land. In 1861 his father moved to Green Camp township and bought a tract of timberland, and John assisted his father in clearing over 150 acres, This farm is now owned and occupied by George C. Reichardt, a brother of our subject. Subsequent to his marriage, Mr. Reichardt bought a farm of 45 acres about one mile north of his present farm, and later purchased 32 acres from his father. He cleared all of this land, after which he traded it for his present place, which was partly cleared. This he cleared and placed in a state of excellent cultivation, and made a great many improvements on the place, including the erection of a house,, a large barn and other buildings. The house which stood on the place at the time of the purchase burned down in 1894, and was replaced by the present home. Mr. Reichardt disposed of a large portion of his farm before removing to Marion, and his son now farms what is left of the homestead.

Mr. Reichardt was as married April 11, 1867, to Caroline Neidhardt, who was born and reared in Pleasant township, and whose parents were both natives of Germany and early settlers of Pleasant township. Mr. and Mrs. Reichardt have had six children, as follows: John H., operating his father's farm, who is married and has three children; Emma, who, married J. J. Munsell, of Dayton, Ohio, and has two children; Hannah, who married John Severn, of Marion; Lydia, who married Frank Thatcher, of Marion; William, deceased in infancy: and in unnamed infant, deceased. Mr. Reichardt is a Democrat and served two terms as township trustee of Green Camp township.

JOHN A. RESLER, wholesale dealer in grain; hay, flour, coal, lumber and building materials, is one of the leading merchant citizens of Caledonia. He was born September 11, 1859, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hoopergarner) Resler, and a grandson of John Resler.

Frederick Resler was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and came to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, with his parents when a boy of 13 years. Here he was reared and later engaged in farming until his retirement, when he removed to Caledonia and resided until his death, in October, 1905, at the age of 79 years and 8 months. He married Elizabeth Hoopergarner, a native of Tuscarawas County, and a daughter of Jacob Hoopergarner. The following children were born to Frederick and Elizabeth Resler: Daniel D., who is a resident of Marion; Samuel, who resides in Portage County, Ohio; Sarah J., married Simon Blaugh and resides in Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Mary Ann Sandagro, who resides in St. Louis, Missouri; Joseph, a resident of Caledonia; Rachel M., deceased at the age of 18 years; John A., the subject of this sketch ; and C. D., a resident of El Dorado, Kansas, engaged in the real estate business, who is the owner of 1,200 acres of land and a stockholder in the electric light plant and the ice and cold storage plant of that place.

John A. Resler was seven years old when his parents moved to Daviess County, Indiana, where they lived for two years, moving then to Christian County, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood. Mr. Resler was engaged in the hay, grain and lumber business at Owaneco, Illinois, for some time, removing in 1882 to Hastings, Nebraska, where he worked at his trade of carpenter for four years and also operated two steam threshing machines and a steam corn-sheller. He was the first man in Hastings and vicinity to operate a steam threshing machine. Owing to a boom in that locality, he was enabled to in crease his originial capital of $370 to such all extent, that when he disposed of all his property but one threshing machine and returned to Illinois, he was able to buy a farm which he leased, and a grain elevator which he operated very successfully until 1897, when he came to Caledonia. In July of that year, in partnership with his brother, C. D. Resler, he established his present wholesale business. He and his brother also built the mill now operated by G. W. Thuro. In 1901 they dissolved partnership, C. D. Resler retaining the flouring mill which he sold two years later to Mr. Thuro, and our subject continuing in his present business. He makes a specialty of handling flour in car-load lots. Mr. Resler is a stockholder in the Caledonia Deposit Bank, of which he was for three years a director.

Mr.. Resler was married October 9, 1888, to Emma Brookens, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Brookens, both of whom died in Holmes County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Resler as follows: Loyal, born March 17, 1890, and died December 10, 1891; Florence, born August 21, 1892; Wilmer, born May 9, 1895, and Maude, born January 23, 1898. Mr. Resler and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican in national politics.

HORACE W. RILEY, a representative agriculturist and well-known citizen of Big Island township, owns an excellent farm of 120 acres, which is situated in section 4. Mr. Riley was born in Marion township, Marion County, Ohio, December 27,1846, and is a son of John P. and Sarah (Malone) Riley.

The parents of Mr. Riley were of Irish extraction, both born in Pennsylvania. They came to Marion County, Ohio, at an early day, and both died in Marion township. They had a family of seven children, our subject being the third in order of birth.

Horace W. Riley was reared in Marion township and has always resided in Marion County, with the exception of eight years spent in Hardin County. He has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits since completing his education, and his well-cultivated and improved farm of 120 acres shows the effects of intelligent and careful management. He is one of the best known horse men in Marion County, and is half owner of the most valuable stallion in the county, which is valued at over $3,000.

Mr. Riley was married at Kenton, Ohio, September 18, 1872, to Jennie Brisendine, who was born in Georgia, September 3,1853. They have four children, namely: Almeda who is the wife of George Rhoads; wife of Ralph Smith; Frank and Harry.

As one of the township's responsible and substantial men, Mr. Riley has frequently been chosen by his fellow-citizens to officiate in responsible offices. He has served as township trustee for some years and for six years was a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He has always taken an intelligent citizen's interest in township and county affairs and casts his vote only for men in whom he can place full confidence.

JOHN C. RILEY, a representative citizen and prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Green Camp township, where he owns a valuable farm of 265 acres, an additional 80 acres being situated in Marion township, was born in Marion township October 21, 1849, and is a son of William and Mary (Court) Riley.

William Riley, father of John C., was born February 14, 1802, in the State of Delaware; his death which occurred February 15, 1887, was caused by an accident on a railroad crossing, just south of Marion. He was a son of Jacob Riley, who moved to Ohio from Delaware in 1810, and located on farming land in the vicinity of Chillicothe, but died in the year following. His three sons were: Jacob, William and Elias. Jacob was a soldier of the War of 1812 and died in the service. William and Elias came to Marion County in 1821 and both entered large tracts of land. Later William Riley married Mary Court, who was born in Virginia, and was a daughter of James Court, who settled in Pleasant township, Marion County, .about 1821. She died in 1879. The children of William Riley and wife were nine in number, eight of whom reached maturity, and the following four still survive: Hiram William, of Portland, Oregon; Elias E., of LaRue, Ohio; Mrs. Amanda Shaffer, of Marion; and John C., of this sketch. Those deceased are: Martin, George, Mary, Sarah and Louisa.

John C. Riley was reared a farmer and to this business he has always devoted his attention. He was educated in the district schools of Marion township and many of his neighbors of the present time were old schoolmates. He owns a fine, productive farm-214 acres of which he received from his father which is located in Green Camp township; the other land, in Marion township, across the road from his home place, he subsequently purchased. With the exception of the year 1884-85, which he spent at Topeka, Kansas, Mr. Riley has lived in Green Camp township since 1877.

On November 5, 1874, Mr. Riley was married to Mary A. Thomas, a daughter of David Reese and Eliza Ellen (Hord) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Licking County, Ohio, and the latter at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Mr. Thomas came to Marion County in young manhood and was married at Marion. His two children were: Mrs. Riley, and Mrs. Viola Shaw, of Marion. Mr. Thomas died in 1887, and his wife in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Riley lived for one year at Upper Sandusky, where he was engaged in a butchering business in 1876. He has always been an active, public spirited citizen since settling in Green Camp township and for five years served as a township trustee. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Prospect, and to Marion Lodge, No. 70 F. & A. M., at Marion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Riley are consistent members of the Baptist Church.

CHARLES LESLIE RINKER, a successful farmer and representative citizen of Claridon township, was born July 30, 1875, on the Rinker homestead, situated half a mile from Caledonia, and is a son of George C. and Sophia (De Roche) Rinker.

George C. Rinker, father of Charles L., was born in Wuerttemberg, Germany, February 12, 1828, and is a son of George D. and Margaret (Krause) Rinker, the former of whom died in 1855 and was survived by his widow until she was between 90 and 100 years of age.

Mr. Rinker was instructed three years in the cabinet-making trade in his own country, and then, in 1853, came to America. For a time he worked at his trade on Franklin street, New York, and then moved to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he continued at this trade for two years more. Mr. Rinker then located at Caledonia and opened a cabinet-making shop and was also the first practical undertaker of the town. He conducted a first-class furniture store and a modern undertaking business. For many years he was in partnership with his son-in-law Frederick Bush, under the firm name of Rinker & Bush, the junior partner having learned his trade with Mr. Rinker. He continued actively in business until his retirement in recent years.

In 1860 George C. Rinker married Sophia De Roche, and they have had 13 children, namely: Mary, who is the wife of Frederick Bush; Emily; William; Frank, Ada and Ida (twins) ; John; Clara; Charles L.; Ella; Lewis; and Wesley and Leslie (twins).

In 1872 George C. Rinker moved on his farm which consists of 118 acres, half a mile west of Caledonia; he also owns a farm of 80 acres four miles west of the town. In 1880 he erected a fine, modern, two-story, brick residence which has been the family home ever since. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Caledonia. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow.

Charles L. Rinker remained on the home place until his marriage, when he removed to the farm he now occupies. He was educated in the schools of Claridon township and has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits.

On December 29, 1898, Charles C. Rinker was married to Nannie Eighinger, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Byerly) Eighinger, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rinker, came at an early date from Pennsylvania to Ashland County, Ohio, where he married Margaret Dale and they reared a family. The maternal grandfather was Jacob Beyerly, also of Ashland County.

Mr. and Mrs. Rinker have one daughter, Ruth. Politically, the subject of this sketch is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Caledonia,. The Rinker family is one which is held in very high esteem throughout Claridon township.

LUDWIG RISCH, one of the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Marion township, who resides upon his fine farm of 90 acres, also owns a farm of 80 acres in Salt Rock township. he was born May 20, 1860, in Zusenhausen, Baden, Germany, and is a son of Georg Andrew and Elizabeth (Freimueller) Risch. Ludwig Risch was reared on his fathers farm in Germany and received his education in the common schools. He was 17 years old at the time of his father's death. Three years later, in 1880, he came with his mother and sister to America. They located on a farm in Grand Prairie township, Marion County, Ohio, and for seven years he worked out by the month. His mother, who is now in her 77th year, subsequently married Rudolph Wirt and now resides in Marion. After leaving Grand Prairie township, Mr. Risch rented a farm in Green Camp township for seven years, in 1897 purchasing his farm of' 90 acres, upon which he has since resided and where he has made many improvements, converting it into one of the best improved farms in the township. In 1901 Mr. Risch bought a tract of 80 acres in Salt Rock township, which he has also improved and which he rents.

Mr. Risch was married Oct 26, 1885 to Caroline Rotefuce (Rothfuss), (Caroline Magdalena Rothfuss was born Apr 30, 1857 in Kullenmuhle, Wuerttemberg the daughter of Johann Adam Rothfuss and Magdalena Elisabetha Bauman) and they have five children: William, Lydia, Rudolph, Minnie and John. On August 10, 1906, Mr. Risch sailed for Germany, where he visited his; old home in Baden, for almost three months, returning late in October. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILSON OSCAR RISH - THE LA RUE CITY MILL, which has a capacity of 50 barrels per day, was established 30 years ago by C. G. Allinger and has been in operation ever since. For the past five years the mill has been owned and operated by Wilson Oscar Rish, one of the leading citizens and business men of La Rue. He was born July 24, 1861, in (New) Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew H. and Jane (Cox) Rish.

Andrew H. Rish is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a son of Jacob Rish, a native of Pennsylvania who moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers of that section of the State. Jacob Rish was the father of seven children, among whom were the following: David, who died at the advanced age of 80 years on his farm eight miles north of Kenton, Ohio; Henry, who resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Anthony, a miller, living at Salineville, Ohio; Mrs. Jane Merick and Elizabeth Dott, both living in Columbiana County, Ohio; and Andrew H. Andrew H. Rish and his wife, who moved to Harclin County, Ohio, in 1880, are still residents of that County, the former now being in his 77th year and his wife in her 72d. To them were born the following children: Andrew, who resides on a farm near Tiffin, Ohio; William, who lives on a farm eight miles north of Kenton, Ohio; Wilson Oscar; Elizabeth, whose husband, Frank Mitchell is an employee of The Fairbanks Steam Shovel Company, at Marion; Mrs. Flora Redick, a widow; Ellen, who is unmarried and lives at home, and two children that died in infancy.

Wilson O. Rish was reared in Columbiana County, Ohio. His education was obtained in the district schools of Hanover and East Rochester, where he studied until 16 years old, after which he worked for several years as a tanner and then engaged in farming for two years. He subsequently embarked in the milling business at Forest, Ohio, and then followed the trade of a millwright, except for two years when he was on the road as a traveling salesman. For seven years he was employed by the Marion Milling Company. On November 1, 1901, he purchased the La Rue City Mill, which he has since successfully operated. Mr. Rish devotes his whole time to milling. He started in life entirely upon his own resources, having nothing but a strong will and a determination to win.

Mr. Rish was married April 24, 1884, to Laura Calvin, a daughter of Stephen and Mary Calvin, of Forest, Ohio. To them one son has been born--Harry, now 21 years old, who works in his father's mill. Mr. Rish is a Republican in politics and fraternally, is a member of La Rue Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M., and Day Lodge, No. 328, I. O. O. F., of La Rue.

F. H. RITZHAUPT vice-president of The Marion Brewing & Bottling Company, and the capable manager of its large volume of business, was born In 1875 at Marion, Ohio, and is a son of the late Andrew Ritzhaupt who was born September 1, 1847 in Wiesloch, Baden..

F. H. Ritzhaupt was educated in the public schools of Marion after which he went to, Chicago, where he learned the plumbing business. For some six years he worked at his trade in the various large establishments of that city, but later returned to Marion, where he found a good opening in the liquor business and subsequently went into partnership with Mr. Seckel, under the firm name of Ritzhaupt & Seckel. For the past five years he has been connected with The Marion Brewing & Bottling Company, and since July 1, 1906, has been manager. He is a man of business enterprise and is popular in the city of his birth, where, on many occasions, he has proven his public spirit as well as his charitable and benevolent tendencies.

In 1899, Mr. Ritzhaupt was married to Ida Catherine Yochum, a daughter of Mathew Yochum, who is a business man of Chicago Junction, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ritzhaupt have one daughter, Alfreida A. Mr. Ritzhaupt is a member of the German Evangelical Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Eagles, Druids, Knight of Pythias and the Deutscher Bund.

BENJAMIN J. W. ROADS, a well known citizen of Prospect village, who is engaged in conducting general farming operations on a tract of 125 acres located in this township, was born on the Roads home farm March 30, 1869, and is a son of John Quincy and Margaret Ann (Arnold) Roads.

The Roads family is of German ancestry and was first established in this country at a very early period in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; at a later date the family home was in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The great-grandparents of our subject, John and Catherine (Brubaker) Roads, settled in Licking County, Ohio, in 1814. John Roads, our subject's grandfather, was born March 22, 1803, in Page County, Virginia, and was married May 25, 1825, to Margaret Winegardner, who was born in July, 1807, in Loudoun County, Virginia, and died in Licking County, Ohio, August 14, 1835.

John Quincy Roads, father of our subject, was born August 17, 1828, in Licking County, Ohio. near Newark, and at the age of 15 began learning the milling business, hiring out for two years and nine months, for which he was paid $100. He then worked as a journeyman miller until 1847, after which he took a trip out West. In the spring of 1848 he took charge of a mill at Chatham, Ohio, and the following g fall took charge of the Old Summit Mill, at Newark, remaining there until 1850. In October, 1849, he had made a visit to Marion County, and in March, 1851, he purchased a tract of 150 acres in Prospect township, to which he later added 25 acres. He cleared most of the land, which he bought for $9 an acre, and resided here engaged in farming until 1885 when he retired to Prospect village, where his home continued to be until his death, which occurred February 12, 1890. He was extensively engaged in sheep-raising and with very satisfactory results as regarded profits secured from the business. He was a stock-holder In the first bank established in Prospect, and in partnership with A. J. Blake, S. M. Blake and T. P. Cratty, organized the Union County Bank at Richwood, Ohio. He was what was known as a Free Soil Democrat, but became a Republican in 1854. He was a member of Prospect Lodge, No. 444. F. & A. M., and he and his wife were both members of the Baptist Church. He married Margaret Ann Arnold, who was born August 6, 1828. in Fauquier County. Virginia, her parents being

John and Elizabeth (Gates) Arnold. Three children were born to this union: Arminta, deceased: Harvey, deceased: and Benjamin J. W., the subject of this sketch.

Benjamin J. W. Roads spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Prospect township and attended the district schools, also helping his father with the farm work. Since leaving school, he has been engaged in following farming and buying and selling stock, but lives in Prospect village in a large 10-roorn house. Mr. Roads is very fond of music, to which he has given a great deal of time and study, and was for many years a member of the Prospect Band

He was united In marriage January 22, 1891 with Clara A. Gast. a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Feister) Gast. Mr. and Mrs. Roads have one daughter Anna Gast, who was born September 5, 1893.

Politically, Mr. Roads is an ardent Republican. He is a member of Prospect Lodge No 444, F. & A. M., and Durward Lodge, No. 155, K. of P., both of Prospect.

JOHN J. ROBERTS, postmaster and one of the leading citizens of the village of Prospect, was born April 7, 1852, on his father's farm in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Letty L. (Jones) Roberts.

Isaac Roberts came from Wales to this country at an early period and first located in Utica, New York, remaining there for two years, after which he located on a farm in Delaware County, Ohio, where he lived until his death. Three children were born to Isaac Roberts and his wife: John J., the subject of this sketch; Isaac M. and Levi V.

John J. Roberts was reared on his father's farm. dividing his time between work on the farm and attending school at Prospect. He subsequently taught school for five years in Delaware and Marion counties. In 1876 he secured a position as clerk in the general store at Prospect conducted by P. C. Sells and Joseph Cratty, and later by Joseph Cratty alone, for whom our subject continued to work for a couple of years. He was appointed postmaster and opened a general store in Prospect in 1881 and conducted the store until 1886, when he closed out the business. Later he reopened the store which he operated for several years, and then sold it again, engaging as a traveling salesman for the mills at Prospect and Green Camp. In 1898 Mr. Roberts was a second time appointed postmaster of the village of Prospect, receiving his commission from President McKinley, which position he is still very satisfactorily filling.

On October 16, 1876, Mr. Roberts married Bertha Knachel, who was born and reared in Prospect township, and is a daughter of Emanuel Knachel, a native of Marion County, who was one among the many who went to California in 1849 in search of gold. Six children were born to our subject and his wife: Myrta L., who died aged five years; Daisy May; Grace, who married Dr. Charles A. Finefrock, of Green Camp; Shirley Bell; Cleo L. and Gerald M.

Mr. Roberts is a member of Prospect Lodge, No. 444, F. & A. M.; Durward Lodge, No. 155, K. of P., of Prospect: Marion Lodge, No. 104, D. 0. K. K., of Marion: and Camp No. 4102, M. W. of A., of Prospect. He is a member of the Baptist Church and clerk of the same. He is a Republican in politics,

ALEXANDER ROBINSON, an old resident and prosperous farmer of Montgomery township was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1833, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Forbee) Robinson.

Daniel Robinson, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, moved to Washington County, Ohio, settling on a farm near Marietta, where he lived until his death and where his wife also died. Eight children were born to them: Thomas, who, died in Washington County, Ohio: John, now deceased, who moved to Ringwood, Oklahoma; Mrs. Jane Burnfield, deceased: Abbie, who married John Berry-both now deceased: Samuel, who died in Washington County, Ohio; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Mary Ann, who married David Martin and died in Washington County, Ohio; and Nancy, who married James Ball and died in California, as did her husband.

Alexander Robinson was, 13 years. old when his father moved from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Washington County, Ohio. He attended school in both counties. In 1856 he and his brother John moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, where he remained only a short time, moving in 1857 to Marion County and settling in Montgmery township, where he worked on a farm for some time. After his marriage, Mr. Robinson located on his present farm of 130 acres, where he has resided for nearly 50 years. He cleared the farm of its dense forest growth and now has a well-improved tract of land, with good, substantial buildings. He and his son have made all the improvements on the place, including the erection of the house and barn.

Mr. Robinson was married December 31, 1857, to Sarah Ann Carter, who died in January, 1898. They have one child, James Willis, born August 27, 1859, who grew to manhood on his father's farm and afterwards went to Illinois where he was married November 29, 1883, to Abbie Thue, a daughter of Jesse and Amanda (Slick) Thue. Mr. and Mrs. James Willis Robinson have two children, namely: Anna, born April 27, 1885, who married James Lingo, a hardware merchant at Hepburn, Ohio, and has one child, Pauline, born November 27, 1904; and Jesse Clyde, born November 29, 1894, who is attending school. Our subject's son is engaged in farming in Montgomery township. He is a member of the Maccabees' tent at LaRue and he and his wife are both members of the Montgomery Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

Alexander Robinson was in the service of the United States in the Civil War, as a member of Company 1, 135th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. he served in the Shenandoah Valley at Harper's Ferry and was discharged April, 1865, after a service of four months. He is a member of Owen Gray Post, No. 126, G. A. R.; Walter Scott Lodge, No. 214, K. of P. and Day Lodge, No. 328, I.0.0.F., all of LaRue. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife also. Mr. Robinson sustained a wound at Harper's Ferry, but enjoys splendid health except for being a little hard of hearing; his deafness was caused by a sunstroke he sustained while in the army, close to Harper's Ferry.

CHARLES WILLIAM RODGERS, merchant of LaRue, was born July 5, 1870, in Claiborne township, Union County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph N. and Mary (Baumgartner) Rodgers.

Joseph N. Rodgers was born in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1845, and his wife in 1854. They have had five, children, the four survivors being: Charles William; Hattie who is the wife of Paden Welsh of Delaware County, Clara, who is the wife of Norton R. Hildreth, of Marion; and Ray, who is engaged in clerking in Columbus.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Rodgers was Joseph Rodgers, who was born in Virginia of Irish ancestry. The maternal grandfather, Harvey Baumgartner, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and his wife Katie was born in Delaware County. The Baumgartner family came to Ohio from Pennsylvania.

Charles William Rodgers was reared on a farm and was educated in the schools of District No. 8, in Claiborne township, Union County. He acquired a farm of 100 acres in Bowling Green township, one mile west of LaRue, on which he settled in 1903, this being but one of the farms he has purchased. at various times. Mr. Rodgers possesses what is known as business faculty and he has always made money on his investments. He continued on the farm until November, 1905, when he purchased the interest of W. F. Kniffin in the dry goods firm of Kniffin & Kreinbihl, at LaRue, and in June, 1906, he purchased Mr. Kreinbihl's interest. Since taking full charge, Mr. Rodgers has greatly enlarged the scope of his business, now carries a stock of goods valued at $11,000 and has one of the largest and most modern store in LaRue. He give employment to three clerks and has a highly satisfactory patronage.

On September 10, 1891, Mr. Rodgers was married to Mary White, a daughter of David and Anna White, who resides in Jackson township, Union County, Ohio, where Mrs. Rodgers was born. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers have three children, namely: Mabel, Mildred and Ralph. The family belong to the LaRue Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically, Mr. Rodgers is affiliated with the Republican party. He belongs to LaRue Lodge, No 463, F. & A. M. He is a man of sterling character, is public-spirited to a sufficient degree and is justly numbered with the representative citizens.

SALOMON F. ROSENCRANS, deceased, late an esteemed resident of Scott township, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, near Wilkes-Barre, July 2, 1847, and was less than one year old when he came to Marion County with his parents, Hon. John and Margaret (Fairchild) Rosencrans.

Hon. John Rosencrans was born in Pennsylvania, August 8, 1804, and was a son of John Rosencrans, Sr., who came from Germany. The father of our subject came from Pennsylvania to Marion County by team in 1848. He purchased a tract of 160, acres in Scott township, which is now part of the Rosencrans farm, being situated to the east of the house on the farm. About four years before his death, which occurred in 1885, he moved to Bucyrus and retired from active work, at which time he was the owner of 1,100 acres of land. Politically, he was a Democrat. For 33 years he was a justice of the peace; for two terms-six years in the '60'- he was county commissioner and for one term he was State Senator. To him and his wife were born the following children: Mrs. Mary A. Clutter, who resides in Scott township; George, William and John deceased; Mrs. Emily Burtnett, who lives in California; Ella, a twin of Emily, who resides in Indianapolis; Solomon F.; and Mrs. Margaret R. Linn, who lives at Bucyrus.

Solomon F. Rosencrans was reared in Scott. township and remained on the home farm until he was 25 years of age, when he married and settled on a farm of 130 acres one mile south. In 1881 he returned to the home farm of 240 acres of which he became the owner, making a total of 370 acres that he owned. From 1875 to 1887, inclusive, he was extensively engaged in buying and selling livestock.

Mr. Rosencrans was married in March, 1872, to Amanda Lee, who died in 1876, leaving three children: Rose, who married George Lee and resides west of Marion; Flora, who married Daniel Shonsey and resides in Scott township; and John, who was born January 27, 1875. His second marriage occurred January 29, 1878, when Mrs. Mary E. (Epley) Fairchild, a sister of Frank Epley, became his wife. Mrs. Fairchild was the widow of Daniel Fairchild, by whom she had one son, Francis M., who was born January 23, 1876, and resides three miles east of Marion. Four children were born to our subject's second union, namely: Emma May, born June 25, 1880, who died October 2, 1895; Solomon Earl and Ellen Pearl (twins), born January 12, 1884 the latter married Howard Ward and resides one mile and a half from Caledonia; and Grace, born February 3, 1886, who married Edgar Likins, of Marion township.

Mr. Rosencrans died very suddenly, November 14, 1906, at the age of 59 years, 3 months and 12 days, after a 15-minutes illness of neuralgia of the heart. He was buried at Caledonia.

Mr. Rosencrans was a Democrat in politics. He was a justice of the peace for about 19 years, and also served as township trustee for several years. He was a member of Calanthe Lodge, No. 116, 16, K. of P., of Caledonia, of which his son Solomon Earl Rosencrans, is a member.

JOSIAH BAKER ROSS, a respected resident of Marion township, carries on agricultural operations on, the old Search homestead of 141 1/2 acres, located four and a half miles north of Marion, which was purchased of Elijah Russell by Charles Search, Mrs. Ross' grandfather. Mr. Ross was born in 1856 in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Reason S. and Jane E. (Davidson) Ross.

The Ross family was established in this country by our subject's great-grandfather, Talmage Ross, who came from England and located in New York City. He had two children-Moses L. and Mary. Moses L. Ross married Mary Fraizy in New York State and with his bride moved to Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, making the trip in wagons. When he first came to Ohio, Moses L. Ross bought 160 acres of land now included in the corporation limits of the city of Cincinnati, which he finally sold and returned to Pickaway County, where he purchased a farm of 100 acres and on it spent the remainder of his life, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ten children were born to Moses L. and Mary (Fraizy) Ross, as follows: Permelia, Guy, Talmage, James, William, Abigail, Fraizy, Reason S., Elizabeth and one child that died in infancy.

Reason S. Ross was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood, attending for a limited period the primitive country schools of his childhood days. He married Jane E. Davidson, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Sarah (West) Davidson, the former a Virginian. The West family came originally from England and settled in New Jersey, from which State Samuel and Elizabeth West, maternal grandparents of Mrs. Reason S. Ross, came with their family to Ohio, settling in Pickaway County. Their family consisted of three daughters-Sarah, Nancy, and Isabelle-and one son-John. Sarah became the wife of John Davidson and the mother of four children, namely: Cyrus, Samuel, Amos and Jane E. (Mrs. Reason S. Ross). Nancy married a man by the name of Edwards and moved to the State of Indiana, where both died; they had two children. Isabelle married Gershom Saxton and had five children, namely: Wesley, Silas, John, Eveline and Matilda. John West married Sarah Raymond and had one child which died in infancy.

After their marriage, Reason S. Ross and wife lived in Pickaway County seven years, removing in 1858 to Crawford County, Ohio, where they resided eight years. Shortly after the close of the Civil War, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. After seven years in the West, they returned to Ohio, settling at Circleville, where Reason S. Ross died two years later, being buried in Salem Cemetery in Pickaway township, between Kingston and Circleville. He was the father of these children: John Franklin, Mary Belle, Josiah Baker (subject of this sketch), David Seymour, Linas Alwood, Dollie Grant and Sarah. Dell. In 1881 Mrs. Reason S. Ross, with her family, moved to Marion township, Marion County; she now lives with a son at Marion.

Josiah B. Ross was married on September 23, 1884, to Josephine Search, daughter of Charles B. and Eleanor M. (Mills) Search. Her great-grandfather, Charles Search, a native of England, was disinherited and disowned by his father for marrying against the latter's wishes an Irish girl. So Charles Search, and two brothers, Christopher and Thomas, left London, England, and came to America, settling in New Jersey, where Christopher and Thomas were married. Five children were born to Charles Search-William, James, Mary, Priscilla and Charles. The last named was born January 16, 1782, and married Catharine Shaffer. They removed to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe. Thirteen children were born to Charles and Catharine (Shaffer) Search, as follows: William, born December 6, 1806; Elizabeth, born in 1809; Mary, born in 1810; Henry, born in 1812; Sarah, born in 1813; Martha, born in 1814; Margaret, born in 1815; Harriet, born in 1816; Francis, born in 1818; James, born in 1820; Jacob, born in 1822; Catharine, born in 1824; and Charles B., born in 1826.

Charles B. Search, father of Mrs. Josiah B. Ross, was born in Ross County, Ohio, near Chillicothe, and lived there 10 years, removing then with his father and mother to Marion County, Ohio, where his father purchased of Elijah Russell the Search homestead in Marion township, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah B. Ross. Charles B. Search married Eleanor M. Mills daughter of John and Anna (Walker) Mills, who lived near Baltimore, Maryland, before coming to Ohio; Eleanor was their fourth child. Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Search's only child and daughter, Josephine, was horn on the old Search homestead April 22, 1854, was reared here, received her education in the schools of the county and subsequently taught school for 11 terms, prior to her marriage to Mr. Ross.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Josiah B. Ross, namely: Melville Charles, a graduate of the Marion High School, who recently completed a course of electrical engineering and now has a position in the electrical department of the tube mills at Lorain, Ohio, probably the largest tube mills in the world; Emerson True, who is in his second year at the Marion High School; Clarence Lowell, who is in his first year at the Marion High School; and George Sterling and Blanch Goldith, who are attending the public schools. All the children were born on the Search homestead, which continued as the family home until November 5, 1900, , when they moved to Marion. They lived in the city until April 1, 1907, when they returned to the farm.

Mr. Ross has engaged in farming and has done a large amount of stock-feeding. He has made a feature of raising broom-corn and has also engaged in the manufacture of brooms. If he should succeed in perfecting an invention of his own, for the harvesting of broomcorn, it will give a great impetus to this industry. Mr. Ross is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

JOHN W. ROUSH, who has been a lifelong resident of Richland township, where he owns and operates a fine farm of 93 acres located in section 18, was born March .23, 1869, and is a son of John and Magdalene (Romoser) Roush, and a grandson of Christian and Catherine (Stevens) Roush.

Christian Roush and wife, with their eldest child, Francis, came to America from Baden, Germany,. They stopped for one year in Pennsylvania, when Christian went to Ohio and bought a farm in what is now Marion County, a tract of 55 acres in Prospect township and then returned to Pennsylvania and brought this family to the new home. The country was a wilderness and there were no roads through the woods; the family lived in an old-fashioned log house, there being very few frame houses at that time. Christian later sold this farm and moved to Richland township, where he bought and located on a farm of 95 acres, 40 acres of which are now owned by his grandson, John W. A log house was standing on the land and in this Christian lived the remainder of his life, passing away in September, 1878, aged 80 years; his wife died in June, 1847. Seven children were born to Christian Roush and his wife, namely: Frances, deceased, who was the first wife of a Mr. Rickmeyer; John; Catherine, who married Christian Romoser, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the second wife of Mr. Rickmeyer; Henry, deceased; Anna, who married Charles Wilt; and Jacob, who lives in Kansas.

John Roush was born in Pennsylvania on New Year's Day, 1833, and was two years old when his father moved to Ohio and located in Marion County. He passed his boyhood on the farm in Prospect township, assisting his father in clearing and placing the land under cultivation. Game of all kinds especially deer, was very plentiful at that time, but John had no time to spend in hunting, being obliged to give his entire attention to farm work. He married Magdalene Romoser, who died in Richland township, in 1897, aged 60 years. Her father was one of the early pioneers of the the county, and one of the first carpenters to locate in this part of the country. He also worked in the old Oborn grist-mill which was run by water. His wife when alone was often obliged to throw burning brands out of the door to keep the bears and wolves away from the house. One morning Mrs. Roush refused to let her husband, who was a carpenter, go to work until he had made a substantial door to hold back the wild animals. Mrs. Romoser died when Mrs. Roush was a girl of 11 years, but Mrs. Roush's father lived to an advanced age.

John Roush and his wife moved to Marion after their marriage where he assisted in building the old schoolhouse, but one year later spent a short time in Prospect township, and then returned to the old home place in Richland township, where he added a frame addition to the old log residence. Five children were born to John Roush and wife: Charles; Mary, deceased, who married Henry Behner; Elizabeth, deceased; Christina, who married Frederick Wildermuth; and John Wesley.

John W. Roush was reared on the home place in Richland township and attended the district school during his boyhood days, later assisting his father with the farm work. When about 18 years old he began operating a threshing machine throughout the country for his father and continued in this business for about three years, when he bought a half interest in a machine which he ran for seven years. He remained on the homestead farm until his marriage and then worked his present farm on shares for his father, for a time. In 1892 he bought 40 acres of the home place and two years later added 53 acres on the opposite side of the road, which he purchased from Elmer Oborn. Since that time he has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Roush was married May 22, 1894, to Mary Seiter, who is a daughter of John Seiter and a sister of Jacob Seiter, a full sketch of whom appears in this work. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roush: Irena and Carl. Mr. Roush has always been a Democrat, but has never cared to enter actively into politics. His father, who is now living with his son John W., is also a Democrat as were the grandparents on both sides of the family.

GEORGE W. RUPP, a retired farmer residing at Marion, who for many years was a prominent agriculturist of Pleasant township. was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1827, and is a son of George and Mary (Wolfe) Rupp.

George W. Rupp was two years old when he came with his parents to Marion County from Pennsylvania. The family located on a farm in Pleasant township where George was reared, securing his education in the country schools. Mr. Rupp still owns a part of the farm which his father first bought and prior to retiring to Marion was engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Rupp was married October 22, 1857, to Elizabeth Barnhart, who died October 10, 1882 She was a daughter of Martin Barnhart, who came from one of the oldest families of Marion County. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rupp, both of whom are deceased: Mary, deceased May 1, 1886, who was the wife of Michael Waddell, a prominent business man of Marion; and George Martin, who died August 14, 1888. Mr. Rupp has never taken a very active part in politics, but served for a time as trustee of Pleasant township.

JOHN ALLISON RUSLER, (PICTURE) a trustee of Montgomery township, residing on his valuable farm of 107 3/4 acres, which adjoins the corporation limits of Agosta, is one of the representative citizens of this locality. He was born December 11, 1858, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Nancy A. (Campbell) Rusler.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Rusler were natives of Pennsylvania and were very early settlers of the Western Reserve in Ohio. They were typical of the class and although long since passed to their reward they are still remembered, when the present smiling country, rich, productive, with schools, churches and happy homes in every direction, is contrasted with the deep forests still invaded by both human and brute savages, where they settled so many years ago. On the maternal side, the grandparents were of Scotch descent, the great-grandfather having been born in the Highlands. David and Nancy Campbell, the next generation, were also early settlers in Ohio, and our subject's grandmother, Nancy (McKinley) Campbell, was a sister to the father of the late beloved President William McKinley. The relationship was still further promoted by the grandfather of Mr. Rusler being a cousin of the mother of the great statesman. The family was also connected by business ties, the father of President McKinley and the grandfather of Mr. Rusler being associated in the charcoal business, owning and operating together charcoal furnaces.

The children born to David and Nancy (McKinley) Campbell, were: James, deceased; John, who is postmaster at Warren, Ohio; Alexander, of Warren; Mahlon, deceased, formerly in the lumber business in Michigan; Nancy A., the mother of our subject; Sallie, the widow of M. Aldrich, of Ashtabula, Ohio; and Mary, deceased.

William Rusler, father of our subject, was born June 30, 1827, and resided in Trumbull County, Ohio, until 1878, when he came to Marion County and still resides on a farm in Montgomery township. He married Nancy A. Campbell, who was born April 9, 1831, and died October 10, 1893. They had six children, as follows: George, born November 10, 1852, and Freeman, born September 27, 1856, both of whom are deceased; John A., born December 11, 1858; Mary, born October 3, 1862, deceased; Nyda, born October 8, 1861, wife of Joseph Jones, of Green Camp township; and Clara G., born July 29, 1870, wife of John Walker, of Marion.

John A. Rusler accompanied his parents to Marion County in December, 1878, when his father bought the farm on which our subject has resided ever since. He secured his education in the schools of Trumbull County and has been accustomed to farm life ever since childhood. He was but 11 years old when he went to work in his father's sawmill, where he was employed more or less for the next nine years. His land in Montgomery township is especially valuable on account of it touching the corporate limits of Agosta, a prospering town which in the near future will demand more room on every side.

On January 15, 1880, Mr. Rusler was united in marriage with Alice L. Hathaway, a daughter of Baldwin and Clarinda (Haynes) Hathaway, of Lorain County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rusler, Elihu Hathaway, was born in New York and was an early settler in Lorain County. The maternal grandparents were Abial and Huldah (Carpenter) Haynes, the latter of whom died young. Abial Haynes married (second) Sarah Freeman, who lived to the age of 88 years, while Abial lived to the unusual age of 95 years. He was a native of Vermont and when he came to Ohio settled in Cuyahoga County, near Cleveland. The parents of Mrs. Rusler were married in 1850, and the father died in August, 1903, at the age of 76 years. He was a brave soldier in the Union Army during three years of the Civil War, serving as a member of Company F, 124th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. The mother of Mrs. Rusler still survives, aged 73 years. She accompanied her late husband to Marion County, in January, 1866. They had three children, namely: Nettie, who married (first) Philip Stockwell an(!. (second) E. P. Phelps, of North Baltimore, Ohio; Lewis', who married Eliza Honaker and resides at Agosta, and Alice L. (Mrs. Rusler).

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rusler were: Myron D., born December 14, 1884, who married Gertrude Johnson, lives in Green Camp township and has one child, Hester Lois; Gladys, born April 23, 1888; Freeman, born December 23, 1893; and Mabel, born January 6, 1881, who died in January, 1883.

Mr. Rusler has been a Republican from boyhood. He has always taken an active interest in party affairs, but has not often consented to serve in office. He has been a member of the School Board for a long period, however, and in 1905 was elected a trustee of Montgomery township. He is one of the solid men of the community, intelligent, broadminded and public-spirited, a most worthy representative of the honorable, sturdy old pioneer stock from which he came. His portrait is shown on a preceding page.

LINNAEUS JESSE RUSSELL, (PICTURE) an enterprising business man of Caledonia and president of the Board of Education of Claridon township, was born December 10, 1853, near Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Sarah (Parkins) Russell.

Samuel Russell, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, came from England some time about 1750. Soon after locating in Pennsylvania, he married Sarah Moore with whom he had become acquainted on the journey to Amercia, she having come from Ireland with her parents. Five children were born to this union: Robert; William; Mrs. Rebecca Cummings; John, who was surprised and captured by the Indians from whom he escaped by cutting his buckskins in strings, soon afterward dying at Louisville, Kentucky, of a fever; and a daughter, deceased in childhood.

Robert Russell, great-grand father of our subject, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, April 24, 1753. He was of Quaker stock and always lived in Loudoun County, where he married Mary Leedom. They had 10 children: Mrs. Letitia Blakely; Nancy Ann, who first married a Mr. Rhodes and later a Mr. Briggs; Samuel; Mrs. Mary James; Mrs. Martha Winn; Mrs. Rebecca Lodge, who has a daughter in Lancaster County, Virginia; Charles, deceased in 1834, who resided at Mount Gilead, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Janney, located in the southern part of Ohio: Sarah, who never married; and John, who died near Zanesville, Ohio.

Samuel Russell, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1783 in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was opposed to slavery and in 1804 moved to Belmont County, Ohio, and settled on a farm which is now owned by two of his sons. He married Sarah Moore and they reared a family of 13 children, namely: Alfred, who died in Belmont County, Ohio; Mary, who married Jason Chandler-both now deceased; Hannah, who married Levi Kirk-both died at North Lewisburg, Ohio; Charles, deceased, who lived in Morrow County; John; Wesley, deceased, who resided in Belmont County; Emily, who married Peter Parkins, a cousin of our subject, and died near Cardington, Ohio; Sarah and Elizabeth, who died young; William, who resided in Belmont County; Samuel and Robert (twins), who live on the old home place in Belmont County; and Thomas C., who died in Uhrichsville, Ohio. Samuel Russell died in Belmont County, July 13, 1878, at the age of 96 years.

John Russell, the father of our subject, was born August 28, 1815, and in 1839 located in what was then Marvin township, Marion County, which township is now included in Morrow County. In 1844 John Russell married Sarah Parkins, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, who came to Morrow County in 1835 with her parents, Isaac and Nancy (Schooley) Parkins, who located on a farm adjoining that of John Russell. Our subject's parents had a family of six children, as follows: Hannah K., who married Silas D. Strong, of Lewiston, Idaho; Isaac P., of Ostrander, Delaware; Mary N., who married Joseph Dibert-both now deceased; Louisa J., deceased, who was the wife of Harmon A. Davis; Linnaeus Jesse, the subject of this sketch; and George W., who died at the age of five years. Mr. Russell died February 15, 1867, and his wife died February 1, 1890.

Linnaeus J. Russell was reared near Cardington and lived within half a mile of the home place until he removed to Caledonia, March 22, 1894, when he bought from J. B. Hinds his present residence. He has built an addition to this structure and now has one of the finest homes in the township. He was married August 6, 1879, to Lanea E. Hissey, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew Jackson and Susanna (Reynolds) Hissey. Mrs. Hissey died many years ago, after which Mr. Hissey married again and moved to Wisconsin. The grandparents of Mrs. Russell were among the early pioneers of Belmont County. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have one daughter, Retta Pearl, who was born September 30, 1883.

Mr. Russell is recognized as one of the Claridon township's progressive and public spirited men, one whose interests are coincident with those of the community. He is a stock-holder in the Farmers Savings Bank of Caledonia, and also in the telephone company, and he and his daughter are both stockholders in the Bank at Edison. He is a Republican in politics, and, as stated above, is president of the Board of Education of Claridon township; when a resident of Morrow County, he also served on the Board of Education. While always taking an active interest in all of the affairs of his party, he has always refused anything in the way of office except that of school director.

Mr. Russell was raised a Quaker. Though not a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he teaches in its Sunday school; his wife and daughter are both members of this church. Mr. Russell is a member of Oliver Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. M., of Caledonia. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Russell and their daughter accompany this sketch, being shown on a preceding page.

C. CHARLES PHILIP RUTH, one of the successful farmers and highly respected citizens of Richland township, residing on 100 acres located in section 3, owns 283 acres of valuable land. He was born, January 24, 1834, in Wuerttemberg, and is a son, of Michael and Magdalena (Kiebler) Ruth.

Michael Ruth was born in 1800, in Wuerttemberg, Germany, where he died at the age of 65 years. He was a blacksmith by trade and owned his own shop, and there taught blacksmithing to four of his sons, one of whom, George Ruth, follows the trade at Columbus, Ohio.He married Magdalena Kiebler, who was born in Germany and died at the advanced. age of 84 years. Nine children were born to Michael Ruth and His wife: Barbara, John, Conrad, Rosina, Charles, Fred, Caroline, Henry and George. Fred, Henry and George were soldiers in the German Army, and the last named took part in the Franco-Prussian War.

C. C. P. Ruth was reared in Germany and attended school until 14 years old, after which he worked in a grist-mill until he was 19 years old, his pay being 40 cents per week. He then emigrated to America, landing in New York December 3, 1853, with just $1.00 in money after a trip of 28 days in a sailing vessel. He at once looked up an old friend in that city, who paid his board at a German hotel and also obtained work for him at Williamsburg. He worked for two years hauling lumber and furniture to New York, for which he received 12 cents a day and his board. The wages were small, but as times were hard and little money was in circulation, the untrained German boy considered himself well off to be assured of that amount considering that there were thousands of English-speaking mechanics out of employment. As Mr. Ruth had a friend in Marion County, in the person of John Brininger, he decided to join him and in October , 1855 , he reached here on an emigrant train, paying $8 for his transportation. For one week he worked at cutting corn, but then contracted the ague and was in for 15 weeks. March 15, 1856, he began learning the carpenter trade, Under Michael Meyer, from whom he received $10 per month. After he became a good workman he engaged in general Contracting for himself, and during the next seven years erected buildings all over the county. He then bought a farm of 40 acres in Claridon township on which he lived for about two years, when he sold it and bought a tract of 56 acres in Richland township from Joseph Blocksom. He subsequently sold this land also and bought the 80-acre Christley farm, and later bought his present farm of 100 acres for $6,000 from Samuel Plotner. To this farm he added 20 acres, and in 1883 83 acres more, east of the home place. The Whetstone River. bounds his home farm on the west. Mr. Ruth also owns a fine house and lot on Elm street in Marion, for which he paid $2,500.

Mr. Ruth was united in marriage April 18, 1858, with, Caroline Seiter, a daughter of John Seiter, and a sister of Jacob Seiter, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Ruth, after an illness of but a few hours, passed away February 7, 1907, aged 68 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ruth had 12 children: Caroline, who married William Fairchild; Mary, who married Jacob Schrote; Charles, who married Matilda Stetsel; Christina, who married Robert Neidig; John, who married Caroline Hault; Elizabeth; William; Christian, who married Olie Schovey; Moses, who married Hattie Seiter; Sarah, who married Frederick Gompf; and Louisa and Jacob, deceased. Mr. Ruth is the grandfather of 29 children. Early in life he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, but is now a, member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN G. RUTH, one of the largest land-owners and most highly esteemed citizens of Green Camp township, whose 255 acres of rich farming land are situated in Green Camp township, in two farms, also owns an equally valuable farm of 50 acres in Union County, Ohio. Mr.Ruth was born in Germany,(Huttengesass, Hessen-Nassau) in the vicinity of the historic old city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 8, 1834, and is a son of Andrew and Catherine (Reidel) Ruth.

John G. Ruth was the pioneer of his family in America, to which land he came in July, 1854. His parents both died in Germany, his mother when he was a child of eight years. In 1856 his brother Philip, who now resides in Missouri, joined him. Still later a sister , Mary, who is now deceased, came to the United States.

Mr. Ruth was about 20 years of age when he reached Marion County, and as he had been trained in farming and stock-raising, on his father's place in Germany, he soon found farm work, although wages at that time were very low. During his first year in Marion County, he received only $6 a month for the hardest kind of labor. As a young man Mr. Ruth displayed the same qualities, however, which, now in the evening of life, make him an honored, respected and esteemed citizen-persevering industry, sterling integrity, a willing spirit and a genial presence-and thus he made friends on every side, even while his material prospects were at the lowest ebb. After his marriage, Mr. Ruth leased a tract of land and began to farm on his own account. On this farm, which is now owned and occupied by J. C. Riley, Mr. Ruth lived for eight years, and then bought 66 acres north of the Riley land. He never lived on this tract, however, it being all timberland, and subsequently traded it for a fully improved farm. On the latter farm he continued to live for 13 years, and when he sold it he bought his present farm. Here he has made important improvements, bringing his surroundings up to the highest standard. Mr. Ruth has carried on general farming, but in the last few years has made a specialty of stock-raising, devoting considerable attention to the raising of sheep.

In 1860 Mr. Ruth was united in marriage with Amelia Baseler, who was born in Waldo township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Charles Baseler, a native of Germany. They have had nine children born to them, as follows: Delzena, who married Jacob Wasserbeck, has four children and lives in Bowling Green township; Charles, a very successful young farmer and a highly regarded man, who died at the age of 28 years and is survived by three children; William Sherman, a well-known farmer of Green Camp township, who has one child; Mary, who married James Denison and has four children; Albert, also married, who lives in Green Camp township; Dora, who married Dr. James Martin, of Bucyrus, Ohio; Matilda, deceased November 23, 1906, who was the wife of Frank Reeley, of Union County; Edward, who is married and resides on the homestead and Lydia Florence, who is the wife of Milton J. Flach, of Butler County. With his family, Mr. Ruth belongs to the German Reformed Church, in which he has been active for many years, being one of the elders and superintendent of the Sunday School.

For years Mr. Ruth has been looked on as one of the township's most substantial and reliable citizens. For 15 years he has, served as a justice of the peace in Green Camp township. Probably no citizen is better known and few stand in higher regard throughout this section.

WILLIAM SHERMAN RUTH, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on his well-developed farm of 80 1/4 acres, located in Green Camp township, was born January 26, 1866, in this township, and is a son of John G. and Emma (Baseler) Ruth, a full sketch, of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

William S. Ruth was reared, educated and has lived all his life in Green Camp township. He has always followed farming. He raises considerable stock, principally cattle and hogs, and is recognized as one of the township's most substantial and enterprising farmers. About one month after his marriage, Mr. Ruth purchased and moved to his present farm, which is located on the Guthery and Imbody turnpike, three and a half miles southeast of Agosta and five miles northwest of Green Camp. Mrs. Ruth owns a tract of 10 acres adjoining this land. Mr. Ruth has made a great many, improvements on the farm and has erected a commodious residence.

Mr. Ruth was married March 9, 1893, to Eliza Wolfinger, a daughter of William and Louisa (Kratzer) Wolfinger, and to this union has been born one son, John W., December 14, 1894.

Mr. Ruth is a member of the School Board, in which capacity he has served for about four years, his present term expiring in the fall of 1908. In 1899 Mr. Ruth was elected land appraiser of Green Camp township. Religiously he is connected with the German Reformed Church.

THOMAS J. RYAN, senior member of the general hardware firm of Ryan & Burke, at Marion, was born in 1858 at DeGraff, Logan County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated and remained until 1881.

In April, 1881, Mr. Ryan came to Marion and entered the employ of Walter Prendergast and subsequently the Prendergast Lumber & Coal Company, remaining with that concern until 1900, when he went into business for himself. He entered into partnership with Martin J. Burke and they bought out the hardware firm of J. Hood & Son. Mr. Ryan has sole control of the business, Mr. Burke taking no active interest. The firm deals in hardware, structural iron, guns, ammunition, paints, oils and varnishes. Mr. Ryan has other business interests at Marion and stands well as a business man.

In 1883 Mr. Ryan was married to Anna Montgomery, a daughter of Hugh Montgomery, and they have seven children, as follows: Mary; John W., who is in the employ of the Erie Railroad; Leo, who is with The Marion Manufacturing Company; and Beatrice, Evelyn, James and Hugh Bernard. Mr. Ryan and family belong to the congregation of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio, Knights of Columbus and the Elks.