USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 115
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934
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
In 1835 came Joshua Cole on Section 2; Henry Southward, on Section 13; James Duddleson, on Section 4; Robert Reynolds, on Section 1; John Ward, on Section 1; James McConnell, on Section 2; John Quin, on Sec- tion 1; Albert Wickiser, on Section 21.
Jacob Wentz moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1837, and settled in Richland Township, entering eighty acres of land in Section 12. He mar- ried Elizabeth Capenheffer and had nine children. James Crites, born in Stark County, Ohio, November 9, 1816, came and settled in Richland Town- ship in 1836, entering 400 acres of land. Some of those who came about that period or a little later are David Anway, Joseph McClurg, John and Alexander Crider, John Derringer, Henry Williams, David Armstrong, George Stansel, Benjamin Carey, Dr. Adams, Jacob Striker, Robert Gibson and Isaac Burk.
In 1841, Solomon Spoon came from near Mccutchenville, this county, and settled in this township. He was born in Perry County, Penn., April 28, 1802. Removing to New York State he remained there until he emigrated westward, coming to Ohio, a distance of 500 miles with an ox team. After remaining one year near Cleveland, he moved to this county.
Isaiah Liles, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, born in 1818, bought in 1839 eighty acres of land where he now resides, but did not move on it till 1842. Among other settlers may be named George James, W. W. Duffield, David Morrison, Andrew and George W. Reynolds.
FIRST EVENTS.
Among the first settlers the first wedding which took place in this town- ship was in December, 1834, celebrated at the residence of Conrad Wickiser (Section 21), the contracting parties being John Roberts and Abigail Wickiser; the first birth was that of Maria James, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) James, on the 1st day of March, 1835, in the northeast quarter of Section 1; and the first death was that of Elijah Benjamin, a child aged four years, who was killed December 25, 1834, by a tree, in the northwest quarter of Section 28; he is buried in the Stradley Grave- yard, Delaware Township, Hancock County.
In the fall of 1838, James P. Ward created no little sensation by bring- ing into the township the first buggy. The first grist mill was built in 1855, by John and George Sterling at Whartonsburg; they also erected the first saw mill in 1858. There are now two saw mills in Martinsburg, one owned by John Sterling, andthe other by William Bristoll. The first and only store was opened by James E. James in Whartonsburg. Previous to this store coming into existence, settlers had to go for their supplies, those in the southern part of the township to Burlington, now Marseilles, or Mt. Blanchard, and those in the more northern part to Big Spring and Old Tymochtee. The first election was held April 6, 1835, in the northeast quarter of Section 4, at the house of James Duddleson. There were then elected: Justices of the Peace, Silas Burson and Charles Smith (both Whigs); Constables, John Wickiser (Democrat) and James McCormack, (Whig); Trustees, Conrad Wickiser (Democrat), Ira Bristoll (Democrat) and James Duddleson (Whig); Treasurer, Abijah Smith (Whig); Clerk, John W. Cole, (Whig); Fence Viewers, Robert Reynolds (Whig), Silas Burson, (Whig), and William Benjamin (Democrat); Overseers of Poor, Conrad Wickiser (Democrat), Robert Reynolds (Whig) and John James (Whig); Supervisors, Joshua Cole and Charles Smith (both Whigs). On this occa- sion there were thirteen votes polled, and several of the voters had not been
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
in this State one year. The first blacksmith shop was erected in 1835, in the northeast quarter of Section 1, by Robert Reynolds, and the first house was built in January, 1832, by Hescot Pickett; it was of round logs, and 16x18 feet in dimensions.
Following were the owners of real and personal estate in Richland Township in the year 1845:
OWNERS OF REAL ESTATE.
David Adams, David Adams, Jr., David Anaway, Joseph Bumthacker, Jacob Barnard, Aaron F. Burson, Ira Bristol, Silas Burson, Thomas Bur- son, Nathan Brown, Joshua Brown, Peter O. Brown, Obed Brown, William Benjamin, George E. Brown, Elijah Brown, Jacob Bowman, Jacob Bowman, Lindell Brown, James Bowman, Oliver Batchelor, Lovina Beaver, William Bennett, Daniel Bennett, John Barnhart, Elijah Barna, Margaret Batter- son, John Case, William D. Carlin, Philip Cole, Abijah Cole, Joshua Cole, Abraham Cole, David Cole, Aaron Cole, William Corbin, William Crites, Jonas Crites, George Crites, Lydia Crites, William Crites, Harvey Chilson, James Clark, Benjamin Covey, Juda Chase, Charles C. Crandall, Daniel Daringer, James Duddleson, Joshua M. Drake, Samuel Dunlap, Charles Ely, Harvey Eldridge, Minerva Eastman, Bailey Fritter, Hiram Fuller, James Fisher, Samuel Frahem, Abraham Fry, William Fort, Robert Gib- son, David Gaskill, Israel Hulse, David Hagerman, David Harrington, Har- riet Hendricks, Thomas Hershberger, Peter Hines, John Hines, George James, Simon Jennings, James Kelly, David Kimball, Adam Kaln, John Krider, David Kimmell, John Knisely, Joseph Kimmell, Alexander Krider, George Long, Joseph H. Luce, David Moe, Peter Mikesell, Joseph Mc- Clurg, Jacob Mucher, James McCormick, Mary Murray, John A. Morrison, Edward Miller, James Mitchell, William Mansfield, Aaron Moore, Chris- tian Motz, Henry Neible, Patrick O'Neil, Albert Pangburn, James M. Phillips, Erastus Pratt, Lowman Pratt, Abraham Parsell, John Pogg, John Quinn, Moss Quinn, Robert Reynolds, Margaret Rutlidge, Joseph Rich- ardson, State of Ohio, Charles Smith, Paul Suber, Henry Suthard, George Stansil, George Stansil, Jr., Michael Schwab, Jonathan Swihart, John Shall, John Sager, Charles Steward, Morgan Savage, Joseph Stewart, Eli B. Sprague, William Sutherland, Solomon Spoon, John Steward, Hezi- kiah Shaffer, George Stansil, Peggy Thompson, James Thompson, Tarr & Kaln, Isaac B. Turner, Martin Vocht, Jacob Wentz, Conrad Wickiser, James Ward, Benjamin Ward, Jacob Wickiser, Albert Wickiser, Joseph H. Warner, J. P. Ward, Edward Warner, John H. Yambert, Adam Yambert, John Yambert, John Young, Conrad Yarian, Joseph Yam.
Inlots from 13 to 24 inclusive of Jamestown were then owned by the State.
OWNERS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Dr. David Adams (a practicing physician), David Anaway, David Armstrong, William Benjamin, David Baird, William Barker, Irwin Barn- hart, Henry Broughf, Daniel Baughman, Ira Bristoll, Silas Burson, Daniel M. Brown, Benjamin Carey, David Cole, James Cole, Joshua Cole, Abra- ham Cole, Dam't Cole, William Corbin, Henry Crites, George Crites, Jo- nas Crites, William Crites, John Case, James Duddleson, Robert. Gipson, David Hagerman, Isaac Hahn, George James, Alexander Krider, Benjamin Koch, Joseph Kimmell, Michael Kimmell, John Krider, Isaiah Liles, Jacob B. Mansfield, James McCune, Joseph McClurg, Samuel Mann, John A. Morrison, C. D. Murray, Erastus Pratt, Hezekiah G. Phelps, James Petty,
936
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
Moses A. Quinn, Robert Reynolds, George Stansell, Henry Southard, Daniel Snowfer, Solomon Spoon, Jacob Stryker, Albert Wickiser, Henry Willard, Jacob Wentz, Benjamin Ward, Benjamin W. Ward, James P. Ward, Jesse A. Ward, John Ward, Jacob W. Wickiser, Coleman Woodward.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse in Richland Township was built in 1835, and the first school was held therein. The building stood in the southwest quarter of Section 17, a 16x20-feet structure of round logs, having a roof made of clapboards held on by poles, a puncheon floor, and a door made of split boards, hung on wooden hinges. The windows were holes cut through the logs and covered with oiled paper. The chimney, which shivered in winter on the outside of the institution, was composed of sticks and mud.
A second educational establishment was erected in 1839, on the north- east quarter of Section 2, similar in construction to its predecessor, except- ing that it was 20x40 feet in size, and had the distinguished addition of an upper floor of round logs, having the cracks filled with leaves and mud.
Charles Smith was the first dominie in the township, and taught in the schoolhouse first built, during the winters of 1835, 1836 and 1837, the at- tendance averaging about twenty scholars. Abraham Cole was the first teacher in the schoolhouse built in 1839, and his duties were limited to wrestling with some twenty tyros, in their deep researches into the mys- teries of Lindley Murray, etc. There are now ten school buildings in this township, located one on each of Sections 1, 9, 11, 21, 23, 32, 34 and 36, and two in Whartonsburg, all brick structures, excepting one of the two in Wharton.
CHURCHES, ETC.
The first sermon preached in Richland Township was June 28, 1835, in the house of Joshua Cole, in the northwest quarter of Section 2, on which occasion the expounder, James Peters (an Old School Baptist) took for his text the entire twenty-fifth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. Shakes- peare has said: "Brevity is the soul of wit," and he might have added "of some sermons," but, perhaps, in Brother Peters' case, what may have appeared superfluous in the length of the sermon (as judging by the length of his text), was conscientiously deducted from the depth of the same.
The Methodist Episcopal denomination has the credit of having erected the first church building in Richland Township. It was built in 1852, in the northwest quarter of Section 28, constructed of hewn logs, and 24x30 feet in size.
Star Bethel Church of God .- This society held its first meeting in the fall of 1854, in the Morrison Schoolhouse, by Moses Coats and J. W. West, and was organized about the same time, in the same schoolhouse and by the same parties. The membership then numbered eleven souls, as follows: Solomon Spoon, Hannah Spoon, Jacob Wentling, Sarah Wentling, John Yambert, Elizabeth Yambert, Mrs. Hersberger, N. B. Coates, Mary A. Coates and Mr. and Mrs. Dowed. Their first church building in this town- ship was erected in 1876, on the northeast quarter of Section 13. It was of wood, 30x40 feet, and cost $1,200. The pastors have been: 1876, J. V. Updyke; 1877, J. H. McKee; 1878, G. W. Wilson; 1879-80, T. Koogle; 1881-82, M. C. Mowen; 1883, J. P. Heppard; 1884, J. H. McNut. The present membership is about sixty; Elders are, G. W. Kear and John Wentz; Deacons, Theodore Wagers and B. Green. The church was much revived and built up by the labor of Revs. J. V. Updyke and T. Koogle. The
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
present incumbent, Rev. J. H. McNut, is also doing good work. There is an excellent Sunday school in connection with this church, which now meets nine months in the year.
Beech Grove United Brethren Church .- This society meets for worship in a frame built house, 30x40 feet, erected at a cost of $600. The present membership numbers twenty-four, and the existing officers are H. B. Pratt, George James, P. Hibens, E. S. Wells and P. Davis.
St. Mary's, Kirby Precinct .- The organization of St. Mary's Church, Kirby, this county, dates from the year 1861. Among the first settlers were Nic Noel, John Brimeyer, Ensminger, Stephen Pfeifer, John Wagner, Nic Kar- icher, Stephen Brucher, Reinhart Donnersbach, Anthony Molter, Charles Neimerscury, George Klaus, Paul Molter, Math Muller, George Thiel, Nic Gadert, Andrew Deatrich, John Puri. Rev. Mr. Patrich was the first priest to visit the Catholics of Kirby. Mass was read in private dwellings, espe- cially in the spacious store rooms of H. Ensminger. The first impulse, how- ever, to the building of a church was a donation of one and a half acres of land for this purpose by Mr. Freas. In 1863, by the united efforts of all the heads of families, especially Nic Noel, John Brimeyer and H. Ensmin- ger, who formed the first council, a frame church was begun and inclosed. On account of financial difficulties it could not be finished until the ensu- ing year, when George Thiel, an active member, was elected Councilman, who pressed the matter, and made many a sacrifice in traversing the neigh- boring towns, collecting for this church. The church is situated on Main street, is 50x35, and cost $2,000.
In the year 1877, a sacristy, 20x15, was annexed, likewise a tower, which adds considerable to the beauty of the church. In 1874-75, a pastoral resi- dence was built at a cost of about $1,000. A school was necessary, and again Rev. Mr. Rosenberg made many an appeal, until his efforts were crowned with success. It was commenced in 1879, under his supervision, and finished by the present pastor, John G. Mizer. At present it is in charge of a lay teacher, and attended by about sixty children. A small piece of ground next to the church was used as a cemetery. However, this being within the corporation and not a suitable place, a piece of land containing two and three-fourth acres was purchased for a cemetery in the year 1881.
Rev. Mr. Patrich was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Henry. It was then attended successively by Revs. G. Spearings, 1863-66; Joseph Reinhart, 1866-68; A. Girardin, George Peter, 1868-73; Charles Braschler, D. Zinsmeyer, 1873-75. Rev. Joseph Rosenberg was the first resident priest, who also attended Craw- fordsville from Kirby, 1875-80. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. John G. Mizer, July 18, 1880. The congregation numbers between fifty-five and sixty families, mostly all farmers, and Luxemburgers. The present church officers are George Thiel, Nic Muller, Joseph Rall and Mike Weber. The principal missions were held in 1871, by Redemptorists and, in 1877, by Franciscan Fathers.
There are now seven church buildings in Richland Township, distribut- ed as follows: Two Methodist Episcopal Churches, one in Section 28 and one in Whartonsburg; three United Brethren Churches, one in each of Sections 1, 2 and 9; one Church of God, in Section 13, and one Dunkard, in Section 33.
Of the burial places in this township, one is located in Section 2, one in Section 12, one in Section 21 and one in Section 35, besides some private grounds. There is an old Indian burying ground on an island in Potato Creek Swamp, where quite a number are buried.
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTT.
MISCELLANEOUS.
"Lo! the poor Indian," has left behind, in Richland Township, some souvenirs of the days when he wes " great in the field and foremost in the chase." Flint arrow-beads have been found in all sections of the township, and in the northwest quarter of Section 14 there exists an ancient mound, and another in the northeast quarter of Section 23.
The State election returns for 1879 and 1880 showed the following re sult: For Governor (1879), Charles Foster, 132; Thomas Ewing, 193; Gideon T. Stewart, 1; A. Sanders Piatt, none; total vote, 307; for Secre- tary of State (1880), Charles Townsend, 146; William Lang, 192; Charles A. Lloyd, none; William H. Doan, none; total vote, 340; for President (1880), James A. Garfield, 152; Winfield S. Hancock, 195; James B. Weaver, none; Neal Dow, 1; total vote, 349.
The town of Whartonsburg was laid out in 1848 by Samuel Rathbun; the first house was built by N. De Pew, and the first store by James E. James, who was the first Postmaster. The Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleve. land Railway passes through the village.
The population of the township, including the town of Whartonsburg, in 1880, was 1,676, an increase of 405 in the decade from 1870.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS SINCE 1865.
Trustees, 1865, G. W. Reynolds, John Rummel, Hiram Taft.
1866-G. W. Reynolds, John Rummel, John S. Shaner.
1867-G. W. Reynolds, John S. Shaner, W. L. Rummel. 1868-Jacob Bott, Hiram Cole, Robert Gibson.
1869-W. W. Duffield, George Eatherton, Hiram Cole. 1870-W. W. Duffield, George Eatherton, John S. Shaner.
1871-John Plott, William Swearingin, Lewis Baughman.
1872-John H. Plott, William Jenkins, A. J. Shellhouse.
1873-Jacob C. Wentz, J. P. Ward, A. J. Shannon. 1874-Jacob C. Wentz, W. W. Duffield, R. Bennett. 1875-Z. G. Murry, George Eatherton, William Swearingin.
1876-Z. G. Murry, Loran Bartlett, George Eatherton.
1877 -- Simon Kachely, R. Bennett, J. D. Wickiser. 1878-Simon Kachely, W. B. Murry, J. D. Wickiser.
1879-J. A. Bell, W. B. Murry, W. H. Worley. 1880-J. C. Wentz, J. A. Petty, A. J. Shanon.
1881 -- J. C. Wentz, Isaac Cole, John Phelps.
1882-J. C. Wentz, Isaac Cole, J. H. Sterling.
1883-M. A. Ridenour, William Plott, W. W. Duffield.
Clerks-1865, John Sterling; 1866-68, J. C. Waltermire; 1869, Francis Wood; 1870-72, Isaac Cole; 1873-74, R. B. Bell; 1875, J. A. Petty; 1876, S. R. Coates; 1877, R. B. Bell; 1878, R. V. Rummel; 1879-80, R. B. Bell; 1880-83, John McClelland.
Treasurers-1865-68, Z. G. Murry; 1869, William Bristoll; 1871-71, Hiram Cole; 1872-73, H. P. Marshall: 1874-76, William McClelland; 1877-80, J. S. Shaner; 1881-82, L. W. Ranchler (or Renshler); 1883, W. A. Bristoll.
Justices of the Peace-1865, Z. G. Murry: 1868, James Southward; 1870, William Bristoll; 1873, William Bristoll; 1874, James Southward; 1877, James Southward; 1879, William Bristoll; 1880, Jehu Baker; 1881, William Swearingin; 1882, Jehu Baker; 1883, David Kauble.
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL AHLEFELD was born near Mansfield, Ohio, February 28, 1849. He is a son of John and Catharine (Fetzer) Ahlefeld, natives of Germany. They came to this country before their marriage, but after that event settled in the above locality, where they both died. The father oper- ated a grist mill near Mansfield, and died in 1853 ; the mother died in 1880, aged seventy-four years. Of their eight children, but five are living. Samuel, the youngest, was left an orphan at four years of age. He obtained a common school education, and subsequently spent ten years at the paint- er's trade. He married Miss Emma C. Jones, May 9, 1871, her parents being Henry and Catherine (Smith) Jones, natives of Ohio and of English birth. Her parents were early settlers in this county, her father having been a merchant, first at Carey and later at Tymochtee. He became wealthy and reared a family of fifteen children-eight now living. The mother died in 1866, aged forty ; the father in 1870, aged forty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Ahlefeld have three children-Leroy A., born April 18, 1872 ; Albert H., September 12, 1873 ; Myrtle R .. September 7, 1875 ; Mrs A. was born June 29, 1853. Mr. Ahlefeld resided two years after his marriage in Upper Sandusky, and then moved to his present farm, now of seventy acres, well stocked and improved, valued at $100 per acre. He erected a fine frame residence, at a cost of $1,500, in 1883, and has made many other im- provements in clearing, draining, fencing, etc. In politics, Mr. Ahlefeld is a Democrat.
JUSTIN ALLIS was born in Hampshire County, Mass., June 16, 1825. His parents, Lemuel and Lydia (Beels) Allis, were natives of Maryland, and of English ancestry. His grandfather served entirely through the Revolutionary war. His parents came to Ohio in 1833, purchasing 300 acres in Medina County, and owning at one time, with a partner, a tract five miles long and a mile wide. Their children were Lucius, Roxanna, Rhoda and Rebecca, by first wife; Justin, Sarah, Elisha, Caroline, Per- thenia, Wells, Alonzo, Marilla, Hiram and Amanda, by second wife. The father died in 1854, aged seventy-two years ; the mother is still a resident of Medina County, in her eightieth year. Mr. Allis resided with his par- ents till twenty-one years of age. He then purchased sixty-six acres near his father's farm, where he resided seventeen years. In 1863, he sold this property, moved to Chatham and Dover, Ohio, three years, and in 1867 came to this county and purchased his present farm of 160 acres. He was married, September 15, 1857, to Miss Jeanett E. Blake, daughter of Orrin Blake (see sketch), and born February 27, 1831. They have one child- Burton W., an exemplary young man, the owner of 125 acres of land. Mr. Allis is a strong Republican, and has always been an industrious and well Mrs. Allis is a member of the United Brethren Church.
respected citizen.
J. R. ALTER was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 24, 1839. His parents were Samuel and Ann (Stotler) Alter, natives of Penn- sylvania and of German parentage, the parents of eight children-David, Emanuel, J. R., Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary E., Samuel L. and Joseph H. The father died in 1882, aged seventy-six years ; the mother still a resident of Pennsylvania, in her seventy-second year. Our subject began the black- smith's trade at thirteen, and continued in this occupation several years. He was married, September 8, 1864, to Miss Jane S. Morrison, daughter of William and Rebecca (Walker) Morrison, who died when their daughter was a mere child. Being adopted by John Steel, she resided with him till
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
her marriage, and he now resides at ber home. Mr. and Mrs. Alter are parents of seven children -Maggic A., born December 21, 1865 ; Clara V., December 13, 1867; Elizabeth E., August 3, 1869; Harry F., June 9, 1871 ; Earl G., November 14, 1874 ; M. Dale, October 27, 1878 ; Samuel W., November 4, 1881. Mrs. Alter was born December 16, 1843. Mr. Alter rented land a number of years, but came to this county in 1872, and pur- chased his present farm of eighty acres, which he has thoroughly improved. He is a Republican, and member of the I. O. O. F .; both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Forest, Ohio. He has a comfortable home, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.
JACOB BAKER, son of Peter and Leah (Martsell) Baker, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., October 19, 1816. He remained at home till his marriage, March 1, 1838, to Mary A. Ramp, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Worst) Ramp. They had three children-Ann M. (deceased), William and David-the two boys both soldiers in the late war. Mr. Baker rented land for many years, but in 1852 he came by wagons to Ohio, with three children-Ann M. dying on the way. They buried her in Wayne County, Ohio. He located near Bucyrus, where they resided until 1860, when they purchased their present farm of eighty acres, paying $750. This farm they have cleared and improved by good buildings, etc., and now valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Baker has been a hard working, temperate man. He is a Republican and member of the Church of God. Mrs. Baker has acted well her part, for many years spinning flax and wool to make clothes for the family.
DAVID L. BAKER was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 3, 1843, son of Jacob and Mary Baker. (See sketch.) He was employed on the farm at home till 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and entered the war. He was engaged at Winchester (two battles), Martinsburg, Berryville, Snicker's Gap, New Market, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Hatcher's Run and High Bridge. He was captured at Winchester in June, 1863, and confined one month at Libby Prison and Belle Isle. He was also captured at the latter place, but was released three days later on account of Lee's surrender, receiving his discharge June 12, 1865. Returning home he was married, December 25, 1865, to Emaline F. Coates, daughter of Norris B. and Mary A. Coates; she died October 16, 1880, leaving five children- Florence B., Elma E., Nellie M., Minnie I., Wilbur R. and Wilson R. -the latter deceased. Mr. Baker was again married, May 9, 1882, to Sarah J. Kitzmiller, widow of James Kitzmiller, and daughter of Jacob Guise. They have one child-Mary E. Mr. Baker purchased his present farm of forty acres in 1866; he erected a large barn in 1883, and has made many other improvements, now valuing his farm at $3,500. In politics, Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange and Secretary of the Building Association at Wharton; also a member of the Church of God.
WILLIAM BAKER, son of Jacob Baker, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., November 29, 1840. He remained at home till 1864, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., subsequently be- ing engaged in garrison duty, receiving his discharge in July, 1865. He was married, December 27, 1866, to Miss Malinda Starr, daughter of John and Eva (Bryner) Starr, natives of Virginia. They came to this county in 1835, and entered land in Ridge Township, their children being Malinda,
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Sarah A., Mary A. and Martha J., Malinda being the only surviving mem- ber of the family. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker are Minerva J., September 23, 1867; Alvin E., July 20, 1869; Harrison S., March 9, 1875; Ida M., April 29, 1877; Charles F., October 14, 1879. Mr. Baker rented land till Mrs. Baker inherited 120 acres (to which they have added forty), where they now reside. They also own 160 acres in Ridge Township, 120 of which were inherited. Their farm is in good condition, well stocked and provided with good buildings. Mr. Baker is a Republican; he served as Clerk of Ridge Township two years; is a member of the Grange and Trustee of the Building Association at Wharton, both he and Mrs. Baker being members of the Church of God, with which he was formerly officially connected.
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