REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1907 HISTORY
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AMOS TAYLOR was for many years one of the substantial and highly respected citizens as well as successful agriculturists of Salt Rock township, where he was born December 16, 1836, and died February 2, 1897, aged 60 years. He was a son of William and Elizabeth (Davis) Taylor.
William Taylor was one of the pioneer settlers of Marion County. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, and came first to this section as a drover, with cattle, which he had driven the whole distance. The land in Salt Rock township was ready to be entered and he secured a large tract here, while still a young man making it his permanent home. Subsequently he married Elizabeth Davis, who had also come early to the township. William Taylor and wife both died here and were buried in the township.
Amos Taylor spent his life in Salt Rock township where he became a man of consequence and large possessions. At his death his estate of 480 acres was equitably divided among his heirs. He was a man of large heart, kind disposition, honest purpose and exemplary
life. His word was always consider as good as his bond and his death removed from Salt Rock township a good and useful citizen.
In early manhood Amos Taylor was married to Sarah Martin, a daughter of Robert and Jemima (Smith) Martin. Mrs. Taylor was born in Salt Rock township, which has always been her place of residence. Her father, Robert Martin, was born in Maryland, and her mother, who was Mr. Martin's second wife, having been previously the wife of John Green, was born in New Jersey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin died in the house which Mrs. Amos Taylor still occupies.
To Amos Taylor and wife were born the following children: Louisa, who is the wife of Thomas Hedges; Elizabeth, who is the wife of James Bender, of Delaware, Ohio; Cora, who is the wife of James Lewis, of Pitt township, Wyandot County; Kate, who is the wife of Ozias Washburn; Anna, who is the wife of Perry Lawrence, and the mother of one son, Amos Taylor-they reside with Mrs. Taylor on the homestead; Hortense, who died aged eight years, and Harpster, who operates the home farm, being part owner, with his mother, of 130 acres of fine land.
HARPSTER TAYLOR was born in the house in which he still resides, August .29, 1875. The main part of the comfortable old home was built by his grandfather, Robert Martin, in 1853. After the property came into the possession of his father and the family increased, it was remodeled. Mr. Taylor carries on general farming and stock-raising. The family is onee which is well known all through this locality and in all its branches is held in the highest respect.
JOEL B. TAYLOR, M. D., (PICTURE) physician and surgeon has been a resident of Marion since 1900. Dr. Taylor was born December 6, 1846, at Norton, Delaware Comity, Ohio, and is a son of Elam and Mary Ann (Glaze) Taylor.
On the maternal side, the grandparents of Dr. Taylor were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were of Virginia stock, and came to Ohio in 1810, locating on a farm near Inspip Corner, Marlborough township, Delaware County, Ohio. Elam Taylor, father of Dr. Taylor, was born near Norton, Ohio, January 24, 1815, and died June 6, 1884. During the Civil War, he left his home to enlist in the service of his country, becoming a member of Company D, 121 St Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Four of his sons followed his example, namely: Adam H., who enlisted in Company A, 40th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., was later transferred to the Second Regiment, U. S. Cav., in which he served until the close of the war; George Albert, who enlisted in Company C, 26th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., was captured by the Confederates, was confined in Libby Prison, at Danville and at Andersonville, where he died of scurvy, in September, 1864; Henry Walter, who enlisted in Company B, 48th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. ; and Joel B., the subject of this sketch, who enlisted at Ashby, Ohio, in 1863, in Company G, 88th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served as a bugler through the war.
Joel B. Taylor attended the common schools of Delaware County, and after his return from the army began the study of medicine, with Dr. E. H. Hyatt, of his native locality, and then attended medical lectures at the Columbus Medical College, during 1878 and 1879. the latter year he entered the office of Dr. Free, at Green Camp, with whom he studied and practiced until 1880, when he returned to college, where he completed his studies, being graduated March 31, 1881. He then located at Green Camp, but remained but a few days, removing on, March l4th to Broadway, Ohio, where physicians were wanted on account of an epidemic of scarlet fever then raging. Thus at the beginning of his practice he found opportunity to prove his skill and his success in treating this dreaded disease and did much to establish the confidence In his medical ability which has increased until he now commands a large and lucrative practice. Mainly to give his daughters the advantages offered by the Marion High School, Dr. Taylor located in this city, as above stated. For a number of years he was pension examining surgeon, at Marysville, Ohio.
On February 23, 1882, Dr. Taylor was married to Emma L. Wolford, a daughter of J. G. Wolford, of Green Camp, Ohio. They have had the following children: Arvilla Blanche, born October 25, 1883, who died in September, 1884; Mayme Alberto, born August 18, 1885; Hazel Lillian, born May 29, 1888; and Auguste Rue, born August '20, 1896.
Dr. Taylor has been physician of the Children's Home, at Marion, since its organization. He is a man of unassuming disposition and is enthusiastically devoted to his profession. Socially he belongs to the Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows.
Portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Taylor accompany this sketch.
JACOB H. THIBAUT, a prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen of Prospect township, who is joint owner with his father of a farm of 150 acres located two and a half miles east of Prospect village on the Bethlehem road, was born August 4, 1860, in Fairview township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jacob and Minnie (Shrimber) Thibaut.
Jacob Thibaut, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Friedrichstal, Baden, Germany, and after serving his time in the German Army came to this country at the age of 24 years. He first located in New York City, and having no money worked for some time in a hotel, after which he went to Erie, Pennsylvania, and worked on a railroad for four years. For one year he worked on a farm in Illinois, going from there to Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he worked in a whiskey distillery. He then came to Marion County and helped erect the first telegraph poles from Marion to Sidney, Ohio, when the railroad was being built through this section. He subsequently returned to Pennsylvania and purchased a farm in Erie County, which he later sold and located on a farm of 80 acres in Waldo township, Marion County, Ohio. After residing some time in Waldo township, he sold the farm, removed to Prospect township and purchased from Henry Knickel 80 acres of land, now included in our subject's farm. After farming on this property for about 25 years he retired from farm life and is now residing in the village of Prospect. He married Minnie Shrimber, also a native of Germany, who, came to this country when young, locating first in Pennsylvania. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thibaut, of whom the oldest, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. The others were as follows: Eliza, who married Frank Shuster and resides in Union County, Ohio; Jacob H.; and Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of George Dutt. Mr. Thibaut is now in his 78th year, and his wife is 77 years old.
Jacob H. Thibaut was six years old when his parents removed from Erie County, Pennsylvania, to Marion County, Ohio. He was reared in Waldo township and attended district school. When still a boy in years he began assisting his father in the fields and in clearing the timber, and remained on the farm until he was married. He has always been engaged in general farming and raises all kinds of farm produce.
Mr. Thibaut was married March 2, 1882, to Catherine Lauer, who was born July 12, 1860, in Prospect township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Fred (born in Wiesloch, Baden, Germany) and Mary (Schweinfurth)( born in Wiesloch, Baden, Germany) Lauer, both natives of Germany, who came to America at an early period and located in Prospect township. Mr. and Mrs. Lauer came, to this county when it was still unsettled and entirely without improvements, and were obliged to take their grain to the mills at Cleveland and Sandusky. They both died in Prospect township, Mr. Lauer at the age of 72 years and his wife, when 68 years old. They reared a family of seven children: Englehardt, deceased; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Ernest Dennig; Catherine; Fred, a resident of Pomeroy, Washington; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of C. Zieg; Sophia, who married John Kraner of Columbus, Ohio; and Lewis, who resides at Pomeroy, Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. Thibaut have four children: Minnie, who married H. D. Wilson, of Norton, Ohio; Carl, who is attending business college at Columbus; and George and Zella, who reside at home. Mr. Thibaut is a Democrat in politics. He served for six years as township trustee of Prospect township and is now one of the school directors. He is also a member of the Marion County Fair Board, having finished his first term in January, 1907. Mr. Thibaut and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is one of the deacons.
JOHN PETER THIBAUT, one of the representative farmers of Pleasant township, who owns an excellent farm of 120 acres situated in section 8. on Prospect turnpike, was born in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio, January 26, 1866. He is a son of William and Amelia (Gornflo) Thibaut.
The parents of Mr. Thibaut were born and married in Friedrichstal, Baden, Germany, and their coming to America, in 1863, was their wedding trip. Their objective pomt was Erie, Pennsylvania, where they lived for one year, during which period. Mr. Thibaut worked in a tannery. At the end of this time he bought 40 acres of farming land in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio, to which he later added 40 acres, and on this farm the family lived until 1880, when the father purchased the present farm of our subject from Samuel Fish. His death occurred on this farm February 19,1881. His widow still survives and is an esteemed resident of this county. The children of William and Amelia Thibaut were: William Jacob, an infirmary director of Marion County, engaged with his brother, Frederick William, in a mercantile business at Marion, who married Mary Hoch; John Peter; Gustavus A., who married Dora Sockman and lives at Marion; Max E., who married Alla Cratty and is farming in Thompson township, Delaware County; Frederick William, who married Emma Fisk and is engaged in business at Marion; Albert, deceased, who married Fannie Poiser, nov a resident of Marion; and Otto, who married Gertrude Carlysle and lives at Cleveland. John P. Thibaut completed his education in the schools of Pleasant township and grew to manhood a first-class farmer. In 1894 he bought the old Farnem farm which he sold in 1904. In 1902 he purchased his present farm from his mother's estate, having lived on it ever since his marriage, and here he carries on mixed farming and raises some excellent stock.
On January 26, 1892, Mr. Thibaut was married to Annadell Gooding; who was born in Marion Cbunty, Ohio, June 7, 1870, and is a daughter of Charles and Marian (Jordan) Gooding. Charles H. Gooding was born in Ohio, and his father, Sylvester Gooding, came to the Western Reserve from Connecticut. The mother of Mrs. Thibaut was born in Maine. Both parents live retired at Marion, Their children were: May, wife of Oscar Gompf, of Idaho; Clara, wife of Frank Keenan; Annadell (Mrs. Thibaut); Clifford C., and Harry J., who married Bertha Moore.
Mr. and Mrs. Thibaut have four children, namely: Ralph G., Gilbert R., Anna Marie and. Charles W. The family belong to the Lutheran Church.
Politically, Mr. Thibaut has always been a Democrat. He has served eight years as road supervisor and has been a member of the School Board for six years. In 1903 he was elected township trustee, having previously filled an unexpired term.
J0SEPHUS THOMAS, a prosperous farmer of Prospect township, residing on his farm of 157 acres situated two and three-quarter miles east of Prospect on the Waldo and Prospect turnpike, has been a resident of Marion County but a short time, having located here on April 1. 1906. He is native of Monongalia County, West Virginia, and was born March 12, 1857, on his father's farm, where five generations of the Thomas family have been born, he being of the fourth.
It was William Thomas, a native of France and great-grandfather of our subject, who came to America in 1774 and established the family in Monongalia County, West Virginia. He was killed by the Indians when his son William, grandfather of our subject, was but a child. The grandfather, William. was reared on this farm of which he subsequently became the owner. He was a farmer and stock-raiser in, which and also operated a grist and sawmill, which was run by water power. He spent his entire life on the home farm and died at the advanced age of 74 years. He married Amelia Swan, of Greene County, Pennsylvania, and they were the parent, of nine children, namely William, father of our subject; Ellis, Saul, Thomas and Simri, all deceased ; Remembrance S., who resides in West Virginia; Sarah, who married William Lantz--both now deceased: Parmelia, who married George Johnson-both now deceased; and Macy who married now Simeon Lantz. William Thomas, the father of our subject, was also reared to manhood on this farm and later became the owner of the same. He followed farming, dealt in live-stock and also operated the mill. He married Amelia Minor, also a native of that locality and of German extraction. Her father, who moved to West Virginia from Greene County, Pennsylvania, was twice married and was the father of 21 children by the two marriages, and on his tombstone was placed the following inscription : Some have children, Some have none, But I'm the father of 21.
There were 15 children born to the parents of our subject: Minor; Mazie, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph McNeely; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Neff; William, deceased; Rebecca, who died young; Amelia; Rachel and Mary, deceased; Minerva, who married Samuel Morris; Margaret, who married James Knight; Saul and Ellis, deceased; Josephus, the subject of this sketch; Simon P.; and an unnamed infant, deceased.
Josephus Thomas was reared on the old homestead farm and obtained his education in the country schools. He continued to be engaged in farming on the home place until 1905, when he sold it to D. S. Keck and removed to Marion County, Ohio, and bought his present farm in Pospect township from William Almendinger. The large nine-room house and other improvements were on the place at the time of the purchase.
Thomas was married December 23, 1883, to Minerva J. Johnson, a daughter of William and Sarah (McDougal) Johnson. Four children were born to this union: Sarah P., who married Harley R. Reed and died in 1904, aged 20 years, leaving one child, Ralph T.; William, at home who assists with the farm work; Elliot, also residing at home; and Mary Ruth. Mrs. Thomas died in June, 1901, aged 35 years. he was married (second), in July, 1902, to Minnie A. Keck, a daughter of William L. and Sarah Jane (Reeves) Keck. They have had two children: Ross and Carl R. Mr. Thomas is a Democrat but has never entered actively into politics. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM WASHINGTON THOMASSON, a prominent farmer of Bowling Green township, a member of one of its old pioneer families, was born in this township, May 21, 1846, and is a son of Albert and Emily (Manley) Thomasson.
Albert Thomasson was born in Virginia, October 9, 1814, and was a son of Henry and Elizabeth Thomasson, who were natives of that State. When 21 years of age, Albert Thomasson started out in life for himself; after serving an apprenticeship to the bricklayer's trade, he came to Ohio and settled in Bowling Green township, Marion County, in 1838. He worked at his trade for 40 years and was also interested in the tile business during the later years of his active life. He also acquired a farm of 200 acres. Albert Thomasson was married December 14, 1837, to Emma Manley, a daughter of Richard Manley, and they had a family of 12 children, seven daughters and five sons, as follows: Sarah, who married George R. Carey and died in December, 1906, in Montgomery township; Richard H., a veteran of the Civil War, for many years a citizen of Bowling Green township, who now lives retired at LaRue; Andrew Jackson, also a Civil War veteran, residing at LaRue, who married Belle Walters; William Washington; John Dever, residing at Bloomdale, Wood County, Ohio, who was first married Emma E. McCormick and later a Miss McGee; Lovie, deceased, who was the wife of Orren Carey; Meekey, deceased, who was the wife of John Clayton; Benjamin Rhodes, deceased, whose wife was Jennie Watson, of Hardin County; and Eliza Ann, Susan, Rachel and Jemima, all of whom died young. Albert Thomasson served several years as township trustee. He was a Royal Arch Mason, belong to the blue lodge and chapter at Marion.
William W. Thomasson was reared on what is known as the Kinnamon place, on which he lived until his marriage and for four years following it, working for two years for Noah Clark. On July 2, 1872, Mr. Thomasson was married to Josephine Jones, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lynch) Jones. The father of Mrs. Thomasson was born in Sussex County, Delaware, October 2, 1816, and the mother in the same section, September 1, 1826. John Jones was a son of London Jones, who was of Welch extraction, while his wife, Margaret Jackson, was of Irish ancestry. Few citizens were better known or more highly estimated than was the late John Jones. He was thrown entirely upon his own resources at the age of 17 years and worked as a laborer on the canal and as a railroad hand for eight years. In the fall of 1837 he moved to Marion County
and later to Indiana, where one daughter, Josephine ( 1 ) was born and . Two, years later he returned to Montgomery township and settled near Agosta, where he lived for a few years. In 1853 he removed to a timber tract in Bowling Green township, having to cut a road through the forest to reach the place. Here the Jones children were reared. After all his children were married, he and his venerable wife moved to LaRue , where he died August 13, 1905, at the age of 88 years. His wife died aged 79 years.. Although Mr. Jones had commenced life with no capital, he accumulated a large estate and at one time in 1883, owned as. much as 1,492 acres of land. Up to the time of his last illness, he gave attention to business affairs. For many years he had been a large raiser of cattle and other live-stock and for years was one of the leading grain growers of the township.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones were: Jeremiah, who married Margaret McClain and resides in Bowling Green township: Josephine (1), deceased in infancy; Mary Jane who married Robert Bonner and lives at LaRue Andrew Jackson, residing Bowling Green township, who married Catherine Price: John Wesley, residing in Bowling Green township, who married Mary McNeff, a daughter of Thomas McNeff; Josephine (2), wife of our subject: and Emma who is the wife of William Gaston, a resident of Bowling Green township.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomasson have had five children, namely Mary Elizabeth, born February 13, 1873, who died March 24, 1874; Emma Naomi, born March 13, 1874, who married C. McCormick (who built the first canning factory at LaRue), and has two children-William Loudon and Andrew Carles; John Albert, born May 19, 1876, residing on the home farm, who married Sarah Rebecca Lamb, of LaRue, and has one child, Artensa Pearl; Jerry Arthur, born November 12 , 1877, in the employ of the "Big Four" Railroad, in Indiana, who married Lorena Wilson; and Mildred Dakota, born July 8, 1889, who resides at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomasson have resided on their farm for the past 31 years. When they settled here, the land was but partly cleared and Mr. Thomasson built the present comfortable house and substantial barn. He continued to farm until 1906 and still likes to look after the property, although his son manages it very capably. Mr. and Mrs. Thomasson own 252 acres of land in Bowling Green township, all of which is under a fine state of cultivation.
Politically, Mr. Thomasson is a Democrat but he cares nothing for political preferment.
OREGON THOMPSON, a well-known citizen of Big Island township, who resides on his highly cultivated farm of 145, acres, was born September 13, 1859, in Salt Rock township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Lavina (Brady) Thompson and a grandson of Edward Thom pson, who was one of the very earliest settlers of Marion County. Thomas Thompson and his wife both died in Big Island township, his death occurring in 1899 at the
age of 68 years, and that of his wife, in the spring of 1893 when 72 years of age.
Oregon Thompson was less than a year old when his parents moved to Big Island township, in the spring of 1860, and here he was reared to manhood. He has always devoted
his time to an agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and has one of the best improved farms
in the township, with good substantial building that he has himself erected.
Mr. Thompson was married January 25, 1882, to Mrs. Josephine Richardson, who was born in Big Island township, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Wilkins) Stanley. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson - Thomas W. and Jesse C. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics; he served one term of three years as township trustee. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a number of years.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON THOMPSON, deceased, who for many years was a prosperous agriculturist and representative citizen of Salt Rock township, was born in the house now occupied by his son, Rollin H. Thompson. on the homestead farm in section 20, April 18, 1841, and died at his home in Marion, February 7, 1893. He was a son of John McClum and Patti (Alcott) Thompson.
John McClum Thompson was born in Clark County, Ohio, and came to Marion County in young manhood with his brother Edward. In 1822 they entered the land in Salt Rock township, on which the grandson still resides, it never having passed out of the possession of the family. On this farm the late William H. H. Thompson was reared, his education being obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood. He continued to reside on the farm until 1875, when he moved to Marion, where he purchased a comfortable and attractive home at No 525 East Center street, which is still occupied by his widow and unmarried children. Mr. Thompson never entirety gave up the management of his farm property and the handling of a large amount of live stock. While he preferred to live in Marion, on account of the better educational opportunities offered his children, he went back and forth to the farm as long as his health permitted. At the time of his death, he owned 545 acres of farming land in addition to town realty. He was known as a man of sterling integrity, fine business ability and exemplary life.
In 1869 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Louisa Concklin, a daughter of the late George Washington Concklin, who was born on the day the "Father of His Country" died and was named in honor of the great man. An extended sketch of the prominent Concklin family will be found elsewhere in this work.
To William H. H. Thompson and wife were born 11 children, as follows: Patti S., who resides with her mother at Marion; Rollin H., who resides on the farm in Salt Rock township; Wilhelmina, who is the wife of Edwin Weyand, an attorney at Beaver, Pennsylvania; Harry C., an attorney residing at Marion, William and Louisa, both, deceased; Alice E. and Fred, both at home; Beatrice, who is the wife of Raymond Martin, secretary of the Henry Martin Implement Company, of Marion: and Maud and George W., both at home, the latter a student in the Marion High School.
JOHN CLEVELAND TITUS, proprietor of hle Titus Machine Works, at Marion is a prominent business citizen and an old and experienced man in his line, having been identified for years with industries of a like nature before the establishment of his own plant. :He is also an honored survivor of the Civil War. Mr. 'I'itus was born September 22, 1842, at Kingsville, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
The parents of Mr. Titus moved to Pennsylvania in his boyhood. When he was 11 years old the family returned to Ohio, four years later removed to Kansas, which remained his home until after the end of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the 10th Regiment, Kansas Vol. Inf., and during his service of three years was mainly with the forces in Kansas, Missouri and Indian Territory, in the third year being transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. He entered the army as a private, later was promoted for gallantry, and was mustered out with the rank of 2nd sergeant.
Soon after his return home, Mr. Titus started with a partner to cross the plains to California, with an ox team. They proceeded as far as Denver, when the partner decided to wait another year, and the enterprise was abandoned and Mr. Titus returned to Kansas. For six months he engaged in a saw mill business and then returned to Ohio, with the express purpose of learning the machinist's trade, for which he had natural qualifications. For the following 18 months he worked in machine shops in Cleveland, and then, as a competent workman, came to Marion, where he was employed for a short time by William Hazen prior to embarking in a lumber and sawmill business, in which he continued from 1868 until 1875. When The Huber Manufacturing Company was organized, Mr. Titus took stock and became one of the expert machinists of that plant, remaining there for the next seven years. Following this for three years he had charge of the Fostoria Brass & Iron Works, and for 10 years of the New Bremen Machine Works. Mr. Titus then returned to Marion, where he was superintendent of The Marion Manufacturing Company for one year, and was foreman of the Fairbanks Machine Works during the following year; for the next three years he had charge of the VanDusen Gasoline Engine Works and then for a period of 18 months he had charge of the Atlas Machine Works, at Fostoria. It was during his stay at Fostoria that his son, William E. Titus, purchased the machine shop of the Huber estate, which he conducted one year alone, when his father became a partner.
The Titus Machine Works are located on the comer of State and Mill streets, thus ensuring easy transportation facilities, and it is thoroughly equipped for the manufacture of its extensive output. The business is conducted in that intelligent and systematic manner that insures best possible results and the trade territory is constantly increasing.
In 1869 Mr. Titus was married (first) to Barbara Kraner, who died in 1876, the mother of two sons, William E., of the Titus Machine Works, and John C., deceased. Mr. Titus was married
(second ), in 1878, to Fredrika Reisor.
Fraternally, Mr. Titus is a Mason, being a member of Marion Lodge, No. 70, F. & A. M. He belongs also to Cooper Post No. 1l7, G. A. R., at Marion.
CALVIN HORATIO TOPLIFF, a prominent, prosperous and substantial citizen of Montgomery township, residing on his valuable, well-improved farm of 125 acres, which adjoins the corporate limits of LaRue, was born in Marion County, Ohio, December 13, 1855, and is a son of Lewis and Dorcas (Bent) Topliff.
Tracing the ancestry of Mr. Topliff, on the paternal side, it is discovered that he belongs to one of the earliest established families in the American Colonies., Clement Topliff, who was born in England, November 17, 1603, came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1635. His wife, Sarah, died July 29, 1693, and he died December 24, 1672. They had five children.
Samuel Topliff, the fourth child of Clement and Sarah, was born May 7, 1646, and died October 10, 1722. He had 11 children.
Samuel Topliff (2), Son of Samuel and the 10th born in the family, was born May 30, 1695, and died November 1, 1754. He had nine children.
Calvin Topliff, the seventh child of Samuel. (2), was born August 24, 1729, and died December 23, 1809. He had 16 children-eight sons and eight daughters.
Horatio Topliff, the 15th child of Calvin, was born August 31, 1785, and died April 16, 1851. He had five sons and seven daughters.
Lewis Topliff, the eldest born of Horatio, was born August 12, 1807, at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and died in Marion County, Ohio, February 20, 1867. At LaRue, Ohio, on March 12, 1850, he married Dorcas Bent, who was born in Grand township, Marion County, Ohio, December 9, 1820, and still survives. She is a daughter of Abner and Elizabeth (Dilly) Bent.
On the maternal side, as will be seen, Mr. Topliff comes also of one of the earliest families of English extraction that settled on the shores of New England, their landing following the coming of the "Mayflower" 18 years.
Few families have so carefully preserved their records as has the Bent family and thus the biographer is able to clearly trace the ancestral line through many generations. John Bent, the founder of the family in America, was born at Penton-Crofton, England, in 1596, Married in 1624, and was in his 42nd year When, with his wife, Martha, and their children, he set sail in the good ship "Confidence," out of Southampton, and came safely to port at Sudbury, Massachusetts, where he died September 27, 1672, and his wife died May 15, 1679.
Peter Bent, son of John and Martha, was born at Penton-Crofton, England, in April, 1629, and died May 1, 1678. He and his father were among the 13 petitioners of the colony, in 1656, for the laying out of the town of Marlboro, which was destroyed by the Indians, on March 26, 1656. Peter Bent built a mill on Stony Brook and was evidently a man of substantial qualities.
Hopestill Bent, son of Peter and Elizabeth Bent, was born at Marlboro, Massachusetts, January 17, 1672, but spent all but his early boyhood at Sudbury, Massachusetts, where he died August 18, 1725, on the original Bent farm, the present site of Wayland, Massachusetts. In 1710 he kept the Bent Tavern and was the owner of a large estate. He saw service, in 1690, in King William's War. He was married on November 27, 1700, to Elizabeth Brown, who was a daughter of Maj. Thomas Brown, of Sudbury, and was born March 17, 1678.
Elijah Bent, son of Hopestill and Elizabeth, was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, August 15, 1713, and died at Barre, Massachusetts, May 2, 1797. He kept an inn known as the Pequot House. He married Susannah Stone, who was born April 24, 1720, and died at Barre, Massachusetts, July 3, 1801.
Silas Bent, our subject's Revolutionary ancestor, was a son of Elijah and Susannah, and was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, April 14, 1744, and died at Belpre, Ohio, April 4, 1818. From April, 1760, to December of the same year, he served in Capt. Ephraim Jackson's company in Canada, participating in the French and Indian War. In 1766 he moved to Rutland, then called Rutland District, and owned a farm in the east part the town. At the Lexington Alarm, in 1775, he marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a private in Capt. Thomas Eustus' Company, and was out 12 days; was an ensign in Capt. Adam Wheeler's company, and on Jannary 1, 1776, he was made 1st lieutenant in the Fourth Continental Infantry, and in 1781, was commissioned lientenant-colonel of the Seventh Massachusetts Militia. This office he held until 1789. From this patriot ancestor, our subject secured his commission in the Sons of the American Revolution, receiving his certificate on December 28, 1904. About 1789 Mr. Bent started with his family, in an ox cart, to the rich land opened up in what is now Ohio, and settled at Marietta, which town had then been just laid out. He married Mary Carter, who was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, March 22, 1747, and died at Belpre. Ohio, June 10, 1831.
Abner Bent, the maternal grandfather of our subject, a son of Silas and Mary, was born at Rutland, Massachusetts, September 22, 1780, and died in Marion County, Ohio, July 12, 1834. In 1789 he accompanied his parents from Massachusetts, to Ohio, and was mainly reared at Belpre, where he lived with the exception of the years of 1806-7-8, which were spent at New Orleans. in 1821 he moved on a large farm on the Little Scioto River, in Marion County, Ohio. He was a man of fine education, and sterling qualities, served as a justice of the peace and was more or less prominent in all that concerned his community. On January 18, 1802, at Marietta, Ohio, he married Elizabeth Williams, who was born at Detroit, Michigan and was a daughter of Nathan and Eleanor (Lovelace) Williams. She died in 1807 at New Orleans, Louisiana. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Dilly, who, after his death, moved to Wabash, Indiana, where she died in May, 1854.
The three survivors of the family of eight children born to Lewis and Dorcas (Bent) Topliff are: Calvin Horatio, of this sketch; Emma Josephine, who is the wife of William J. Myers, of Montgomery township; and Princess Calista, who is the wife of J. E. Moore who resides at LaRue.
Calvin Horatio Topliff was educated in the local schools at LaRue and later enjoyed superior educational advantages at Springfield, Ohio. He then turned his attention to farming, settling on his present valuable property on the Scioto River. In addition to managing his own farm, he also operates one of 110 acres belonging to his mother. His sons own 102 acres
near his land. The Topliff family is a representative one in all that pertains to the progress and advancement of this section and is prominent in its pleasant social life. In 1905 Mr. Topliff erected a handsome residence which is fully equipped with all modern improvements. Its surroundings are very attractive, and its appearance indicates a large amount of comfort.
On March 20, 1879, Mr. Topliff was united in marriage with Lenora Lenox, a daughter of Luke and Mary E. (Mealey) Lenox. The father of Mrs. Topliff was born at Baltimore, Maryland, June 13, 1823, and died at LaRue, January 16, 1904. He was a son of John and Margaret (Philips) Lenox, who were of English and Welsh extraction, but natives of Maryland. John Lenox and his wife came to Ohio in 1836 and settled in Knox County, removing in 1837 to Delaware County, where Mrs. Lenox died in 1840 and John Lenox, in 1853. They had the following children: Ruth, Mary, Susannah, Luke and Richard, of whom the last named is the only survivor. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Topliff were Michael and Elizabeth (Marrimore) Mealey, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Ireland, both
accompanying their parents to America in childhood.
Luke Lenox was educated in the common schools and remained at home until the death of his parents. He was married on April 16, 1846, to Mary E. Mealey, and they had the following children : Harriet A., born April 19, 1847, who died May 18, 1866; Charles, born June 23, 1849, who died August 3, 1849; Perry, born June 20, 1850, who died December 7, 1857; Mary E., born April 18, 1854; and Lenora, born January 7, 1857. In 1862 Mr. Lenox purchased a farm of 156 acres, one mile west of LaRue, on which he remained until the death of his wife. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges at LaRue. Both he and his wife belonged to the Protestant Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Topliff have had five children, as follows: Harry Lewis , born September 24, 1880, who is a graduate of the Ohio State University; Bertha, born August 23, 1882, who died in September, 1882, Mabel, born September 4, 1885, who was educated at Oberlin and Oxford colleges; Floyd Lenox, born November 10, 1886, who completed his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and is bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the Campbell National Bank at LaRue; and Lelia, born May 5, 1890, who is attending the LaRue High School.
For more than 20 years Mr. Topliff as been identified with LaRue Lodge, No. F. & A. M., at LaRue and belongs also to the Knights of Malta, of the same place. Politically he is a Republican but takes no very active part in party deliberations. He has served as township treasurer, as a member of the School Board, being on the building committee, and for 12 years was a member of the Village Council. He is one of the leading members of the Free Baptist at LaRue.
JOHN B. TRAVIS, one of the representative agriculturists of Green Camp township, whose fine farm of 150 acres is located in Survey No. 10,240, was born in this township July 20, 1845, and is a son of Oscar and Margaret (Humphreys) Travis.
Oscar Travis was born January 1, 1822, in the southern part of Green Camp township, near the Scioto River. He was a son of Scureman Travis, one of the earliest pioneers of the township. Oscar Travis married Margaret Humphreys, who was a native of Wales. They became the parents of six children, two of whom were reared to maturity: Mrs. Mary Doran, who died in 1892; and John B., the subject of this sketch. The mother of our subject died August 2, 1850, and the father, December 10, 1900.
John B. Travis was reared in Marion County and has spent the greater part of his life in Green Camp township. When a boy he traveled considerably, taking a trip to the West, down the Mississippi River, and also visited St. Paul and St. Louis. In 1863 he enlisted at Mansfield, Ohio, in Company F, 179th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, participating in several skirmishes and also in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. After his marriage, he located on his present farm which was at that time covered with timber and of the 150 acres he has cleared and cultivated all but five acres. He has always been engaged in general farming and stock-raising and is one of the most prosperous representative of his calling in the township. He served for eight years as a member of the Marion County Agricultural Society.
Mr. Travis was married April 3, 1866, to Mary Elizabeth Baldwin, a daughter of Francis C. and Charlotte (Cooper) Baldwin, who were well known early residents of Green Camp township. Three children were born to this union, as follows: Laura May, who married Harry Landon, lives in Prospect township and has three children-George, Rhea and Margaret; William 0., living at home, who is now taking an extended trip through the West; and John F., who is at the head of the department of mathematics at the Temple College, Philadelphia. John F. Travis attended the district schools until able to teach, at the age of 16 taking charge of his first school. He continued in that vocation. for four years, and then entered the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he remained for six years, teaching part of the last two years, and graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, afterward securing the degree of Master of Arts. He then took a three-years' course at Harvard, after which he taught for two years in the State University of Iowa and one year in a college at Atlanta, Georgia. In the fall of 1906 he accepted his present position as professor of mathematics at the Temple College, Philadelphia. He is one of the best mathematicians in the United States and contributes to several mathematical journals. He is vice-president of the Ohio Society of Georgia, and belongs to a mathematical society whose home office is in Italy.
DAVID TRIHAFT, a successful farmer and leading citizen of Bowling Green township, was born December 23, 1866, in Hungary, and is a son of Benjamin and Rosa Trihaft, both of whom lived and died in Hungary. The parents of our subject died when he was quite young, after which he lived with his grandfather, Jaborah Trihaft, also a native and resident of Hungary. There were born to the parents of Mr. Trihaft four children, as follows: Rosa, who is married and resides in Hungary; Emanuel who resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he is engaged in the clothing business; Hannah, a resident of New York; and David, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Trihaft lived with his grandfather until he was 15 years old, when he left his native land and came to Marion County, Ohio. He traveled for one year selling goods to the farmers, after which he engaged with Andrew J. Jones as a farm hand for eight years, during which period be attended district school some of the time He afterwards engaged in farming for two years and in 1893 bought 116 3/4 acres of his present farm, and to the original tract he subsequently added 75 acres. By hard work and good business management Mr. Trihaft has accumulated what he has; he was wholly dependent on his own exertions when he came to the United States. When he purchased his farm, February 18, 1893, he had just $1,200; by skillful management he has paid for all the land, of which the greater part he has cleared and placed under cultivation. He has tiled and ditched the farm, and has three wind pumps on the place. Mr. Trihaft has one of the most desirable residences in Bowling Green township which he built in 1901. In 1898 he built the barn on the place, and at various times has erected other necessary buildings and effected desired improvements. He is engaged in mixed farming and in feeding hogs for the market, selling but little of his grain.
On February 29, 1891. Mr. Trihaft married Mary Ann Rizor, a daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Dodd) Rizor, who was among the very early settlers of Bowling Green township. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Trihaft, namely: Iva Dell, born December 28, 1891; John David, born June 29, 1893: William Harold, born July 12, 1898; and Ollie Ruth, born August 18, 1902.
Politically, Mr. Trihaft is a Democrat. He is a man of, public spirit and enterprise and
enjoys the confidence and esteem of all whose privilege it is know him. By industry, honesty and good business management, he has risen from the position of all humble farm hand to a state of prosperity, owning nearly 200 acres of valuable land, a fine residence and barns, without a dollar indebtedness on the same.
JACOB TRON, whose valuable farm of 80 acres is located in sections 11 and 12, Big Island township, was born August 5, 1859, in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Catherine Tron.
Both parents of Mr. Tron were natives of Palmbach, Baden, Germany. The father, who was born in 1826, came to America in young manhood, landing at New York with but 75 cents as his sole capital. He was energetic and industrious and followed his trade, as a stone-mason in New Jersey for some years. He married soon after coming to this country and after the birth of two children removed to Marion County, Ohio, locating in Pleasant township, where his first wife died in 1862, after which he moved to Montgomery township, where he bought a farm of 180 acres. John Tron was married (first) to the mother of Jacob Tron, and they had four children: John, born in New York, who resides in Kansas; Kate, born in New York, who married John Cook, and resides in Michigan; Jacob; and Minnie, who married Joseph Ploch, and resides at Versailles, Ohio. John Tron was married (second) to Julia Stingel, and they had three children : Michael, a farmer of Montgomery township; and William and Louis (twins). Mr. Tron died February 3, 1906, having survived his second ,vife, who died September 8, 1905.
Jacob Tron was but three years old when his mother died and that same year his father removed to Montgomery township, and located on a farm which was principally timberland. Jacob spent a great many of his boyhood days assisting with the clearing. He attended the district schools of the township and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He is engaged in general farming and raises cattle, hogs and horses.
Mr. Tron was married April 7, 1887. to Wilhelmina B. Oehler, who was born in Botenheim, Wuerttemberg, Germany and came to this country when about three years old with her parents, Jacob and Margaretha Barbara (Buhler) Oehler, who located near Waldo, Marion County, Ohio. Jacob Oehler was born, reared and married in Germany and subseqently emigrated to this country with his wife and six children, namely: Christian, residing in Union County, Ohio; John; Jacob, deceased; and Frederick, Charles and Wilhelmina B. In 1883, Mr. Oehler purchased the farm which Mr. Tron now owns and lived here until 1900, when Mr. Tron bought it and moved on the place. Mr. Oehler died in October, 1903, in Pleasant township, and his widow resides with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Tron have two children: John and Joseph. Mr. Tron is a member of the German Reformed Church.
LEWIS TRON, who is serving his second term as a trustee of Montgomery township, is a prosperous farmer of this section. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, October 1, 1864, and is a son of John and Julia (Stengel) Tron.
John Tron was born in Pambach, Baden, Germany in 1826 and came to America in early manhood, settling first in New Jersey, where he followed his trade of stone-mason for several years and then came to Marion County, Ohio. By work as a mason and through industry and economy, John Tron accumulated enough capital to buy a farm in Montgomery township, on which he lived for 55 years and where he died February 3, 1906. He was twice married. By his first marriage he had two sons and two daughters, as follows: John, a stone and brick mason, who has resided in Kansas for 33 years; Jacob, a farmer of Big Island township who married Wilhelmina B. Oehler; Kate, who married John Cook and resides at Manistee, Micgihan; and Minnie, who married Joseph Ploch and resides with her family at Versailles, Ohio. John Tron was married (second) to Julia Stengel, who died September 8, 1901. To this union were born three children, as follows: Michael, a farmer of Montgomery township, who married Rosa Curry; William, also engaged in farming in Montgomery township, who married Louise Snyder; and Lewis. The father's estate consisted of 180 acres of fine land.
Lewis Tron was educated in the district schools of Montgomery township and has spent the greater part of his life in agricultural pursuits. After his marriage, he worked his father's farm for six years and then came to his present property which he has made one of the finest farms of the township. It is located one mile west of Agosta and three miles east of La Rue and contains 155 acres, all well-improved. In 1898 he erected his attractive residence, and at various times, as the increase in his business has demanded, he has built his substantial farm buildings. He carries on general farming and raises much grain, selling none of the latter but feeding it to his stock. He gives a great deal of attention to raising fine hogs and markets some 60 head annually.
On March 24, 1888, Mr. Tron was married to Rosa McColley, who is a daughter of Benjamin McColley, of this county. Politically, Mr. Tron, like his late father, is a stanch Democrat, but before everything he is a good citizen. His fellow-citizens have shown their appreciation of this fact by twice electing him to the office of township trustee.
ANDREW H. TROUT, president of the board of trustees of Claridon township, and one of its leading men, resides on his valuable farm of 237 acres, situated in sections 21, 22, 27 and 28. Mr, Trout was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 3, 1865, and is a son of Andrew H. and Lucy (Miller) Trout.
The father of Mr. Trout was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in young manhood. He married Lucy Miller, who was born in Amanda township, Fairfield County, where her parents were old and respected residents. After their marriage, Andrew H. Trout and wife continued to reside in Amanda township. They became substantial farmers and representative people there, the father serving as township trustee for six years and taking part in all that concerned his neighborhood. In politics he was identified with the Democratic party.
Andrew H. Trout, our subject, was reared to man's estate on his father's farm in Amanda township, Fairfield County, and there, with other agricultural details, learned the best methods of improving his stock. Later he became interested in breeding Aberdeen-Angus cattle and this industry he has continued since coming to his present farm in Marion County. He has a fine herd of registered animals and has exhibited at numerous fairs. This industry he carries on in connection with general farming.
On March 1, 1888, Mr. Trout was married to Laura B. Shepherd, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and they have five children, namely Chester L., Emmet L., Harry R. Clara and Mildred.
In politics, Mr. Trout, like his father, is a Democrat and he exerts considerable influence in his locality, being a man of excellent judgement mid sterling character. He is serving in his fourth year as a member of the board of trustees of Claridon township and is president of the board. He has shown his interest in the public schools by consenting, in spite of being a very busy man, to serve as school director in his district. He is well known and very highly esteemed
HARRY TRUE. Among the mass of good citizens who discharge their routine duties effectively, there occasionally arises a man whose tastes, ability, public spirit and sense of responsibility brings him inevitably to the front in his community. Such a man was the late Harry True, who had been actively and earnestly identified with the remarkable growth and upbuilding of Marion for a quarter of a century. He was born at Marion, January 26, 1848, and was the son and only child of Dr. Henry A. and Elizabeth (Reed) True.
The late Dr. Henry A. True was born in 1812 in Knox County, Maine, and for a period of 40 years was a physician and surgeon at Marion, where he died December 12, 1876. He married Elizabeth Reed, who was born in 1821 and died in 1881. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. True was interested in mercantile lines and banking. In 1843 he became cashier of the Marion County Bank, a position he held until 1865, when he was succeeded by R. H. Johnson. From 1872 to 1875 he was city surveyor.
Harry True was primarily educated in the schools of his native city and then entered Harvard College, where he remained two years. In 1871 he engaged in a drug business at Marion, in which he remained interested for 10 years and then was appointed assistant cashier of the Marion County Bank, of which he was president at the time of his death. He had many other important business interests, being treasurer of the Home Building, Savings and Loan Company; treasurer of The Norris & Christian Lime & Stone Company; treasurer of the Central Ohio Loan and Trust Company; and of many smaller enterprisees and was trustee and treasurer of the Old Ladies' Home.
On September 13, 1876, Mr. True was married to Flora P. Bowen, and they had two children, namely: Henry A. and Mary A., the latter of whom died August 12, 1879, aged 23 months. Mrs. True and son survive and reside at No. 129 East Church street, Marion.
During a long period, Mr. True had been a prominent member and official of the First Presbyterian Church and he was one of the leaders in the movement which resulted in the erection of the present magnificent church edifice. He contributed a large measure of the needed money and gave generously of his time and interest. he was a trustee of Wooster University.
Mr. True was prominently identified with the organizing of a number of Marion's fraternal societies, it being his belief that in union is strength, and that the principles of these organizations tended to personal improvement. He was a charter member of Marion Lodge, No. 32, B.P.0. E.; Marion Lodge, No. 402, K. of P.; Olentangy Council, Royal Arcanum; and Marion Commandery, No. 36, K. T. In the Masonic order he was prominent all over Ohio, having attained the 32nd degree, and at the time of his death he held the office of right illustrious grand treasurer of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Ohio. He was also a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and displayed great interest in its aims. An example of this interest was his recent activity in having proper markers placed on the tombs of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War known to be located in Marion County.
In Mr. True was found a combination of those attributes which make good citizenship, He was energetic, eager, enthusiastic and broadminded and took an honest pride in the increasing prosperity of his native city, and willingly cooperated with his fellow-citizens to promote the same. His business methods were above reproach, and education, charity, religion and morality all found places and a hearty welcome in his heart and life.
Mr. True died at his home in Marion, April 30, 1906 aged 58 years. His loss was keenly felt by fellow-citizens. We are permitted to append a beautiful tribute written by Hon. Warren G. Harding, who knew him well and intimately. This article is taken from the columns of the Marlon Daily Star, of Tuesday, May 1, 1906.
"Marion loses a most useful and admirable citizen in the death of Harry True. The public was not fully aware of his real worth, it could not be. A more modest, retiring man never attained a position of such far-reaching importance in any community. It has sometimes seemed impossible to harmonize the success he had achieved with his exceptionally modest character. In a hundred undertakings, calcuated to add to the onward Marion movement he has contributed his time and talent and money, and invariably said: 'Let some other fellow have the credit-the main thing is that which is accomplished.'
"Harry True was distinctly a Marion citizen, born and reared here, began his lasting friendships as a Marion boy, grew into broadened manhood as a Marion citizen, and was in the very height of his usefulness and influence when death stole in and closed the book of an admirable life's record.
"Harry True was most loved and most esteemed by those who knew him most intimately. Higher tribute can never be written of any man. The world can depend upon the man who wears well in intimacy. Those who knew Harry True only as a banker and leading factor in financial Marion, knew little of him. They judged him by his conservatism and knew but one side of a man so well worth knowing. He was, indeed, conservative. He knew it himself and confided to his associates that some one must accept the role, to maintain the even balance in any community. And he was right. Mr. True's success is the monument of proof. The great banking house, founded by Messrs. Reed and Johnson of a preceding generation, was strengthened and broadened under Mr. True's guidance until it is a veritable financial work. Twelve years ago, when financial panic spread despair throughout the land, Mr. True did some of those things that proved his admirable conservatism. He provided cash on hand and within ready call to pay every dollar of deposits in his bank, in case of disturbed confidence, and then with this abundance of cash on hand started building enterprises, and practically paid in advance for the building of the Busby Block, relieving the local financial and industrial situation as no other policy could have done. The public never knew of either act of local patriotism.
"The public little knew that Harry True was more than generous in charities, even when measured by his abundant means. He was ever exacting in business transactions, but there was no restraint to his generous heart. There is no record, was no display, of a thousand generosities, and his purse opened wider than any ever guessed. The workers in the church were not the only ones to know his helping hand. He argued that the laborer should possess his own home, and he proved his faith by his works, and the scores of instances of his thoughtfulness would make a story worth preserving. Working men taken in, having installments to meet on homes acquired, would often receive unsolicited funds from Mr. True's private purse, to meet the necessary payment. His gifts were countless, but they were cloaked by the exceptional modesty of the man, and his charities were never written except in the hearts which he made grateful.
"His work in the church, where he was generous faithful and consistent, and his prominence in the lodge life of Marion, to which he gave time and personal interest, are of sufficient record, without more reference here. The most lovable trait of his really admirable character was his devotion to his friends. His intimate friendships were the most carefully guarded assets he possessed. He was never too busy, never too worn or weary, never halting when he could prove the sincerity of his friendships. He was ever seeking opportunity to aid in the ambitions and undertakings of those he counted friends. There was no bitterness to him in another's success.. He loved, to, applaud, and he was too big, too manly, to impede any worthy progress, individual or industrial. Many years will have come and gone and there will yet remain men to cherish his memory for friendly advice and assuring encouragement.
"He delighted to 'boost' Marion and Marion men. His large interests may have given him a selfish inspiration to promote Marion's growth and development, but there was highest unselfishness in his enthusiastic support of the thing that added to the common weal and gave promise of future comfort and pleasure and beauty. And there was singular unselfishness in his enthusiasm to help the ambitions of Marion men. He never wanted anything for himself, but earnestly sought a means of helping others. A hundred times the writer has heard him ask, 'How can we help Mr. So and So?' Every inquiry was sincere, and if the means of assistance was suggested, Harry True never hesitated, nor counted the cost in effort or cash.
"Knowledge of the real Harry True makes it difficult to estimate the measure of loss which. his death brings to Marion. A great, big, clean, generous, moral and manly man is gone-a Christian gentleman and useful citizen, whose example is worthy of emulation, and whose memory will linger in sweetest bloom so long as there is fidelity in friendship and inspiration in unsullied manhood."
FRANK DEAN TUBBS, A. M. D. D. principal of the Marion High School, was born in Mexico, New York, April 9, 1864. He graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, in 1888, in the classical course: in 1893 received the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1898 the degree of Doctor of Divinity. From 1889 to 1894 he was professor of natural sciences in the Mexican Methodist College, located at Pueblo, Mexico; president of the South American School of Theology at Mercedes, Argentine Republic, from 1894 to 1897; professor of biology and geology from 1899 to 1901, and acting president in 1899 and 1900, of Kansas Wesleyan University. In 1902 he was elected professor of science and, in 1903, principal of the Marion High School. He is the translator of several works in the Spanish language. Professor Tubbs is a thorough student and has assisted materially in bringing the Marion High School to its present high standard. He stands in the very front ranks among the educators of our country.
On August 2, 1888, Professor Tubbs married Lottie L. Kerr, who died April 6, 1897. His second marriage, which took place September 7, 1898, was contracted with Euphemia Fowler.
MERRILL A. TURNEY , the leading jeweler at Marion, who is operating a business founded by his father in 1846, was born at Marion, February 15, 1861, and is a son of Weaver A. and Catherine E. (Williams) Turney.
Weaver A. Turney was one of the pioneer jewelers at Marion and continued in the business for more than a half century, until his death, which occurred May 6, 1890. He married Catherine E. Williams, who was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and they reared a family of four sons and two daughters, namely: Joseph R.; Alice M., deceased, who was the wife of Madison Thompson; George W., who is engaged in the manufacturing of automobiles, under the firm name of The Long-Turney Manufacturing Company, at Rome, New York; Henry M., who is engaged in a jewelry business at Claremore, Indian Territory; Merrill A.; and Gertrude, who is the widow of J. S. Duff, of Merritt, Florida.
Merrill A. Turney was reared and educated at Marion and immediately after leaving school entered his father's jewelry store, and at the death of the latter succeeded to the business. It is recognized as one of the standard old business houses of the city.
In 1895 Mr. Turney was married to Catherine Elizabeth Little, a daughter of William S. Little, of Delaware, Ohio, who was a merchant there for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Turney have two children, Hugh Weber and William Little. Mr. Turney is a member of the vestry of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. His late father was one of the organizers of this church and was a member of the first board of vestrymen.
