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Miss Eliza S. Stone, a New Yorker, and daughter of Granville and Maria (Butler) Stone, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. Mrs. Stubbs is of the Universalist faith, and the mother of two children, viz., Walter L. and Cora L. Dr. Stubbs has officiated as Trustee, Clerk and Treasurer of Springfield Township, and as Treasurer, Councilman and School Director of Stryker. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F., one of the leading citizens of the place, and a Democrat.

WALLACE W. STUBBS was born in Springfield Township, Williams Co., Ohio, January 26, 1850, and is the only remaining child of John H. and Mary M. (Miller) Stubbs, both natives of Tompkins County, N. Y. Mr. Stubbs got his education and worked on his father's farm until of age, after which he was variously employed at grafting, clerking, and in the post office department until 1873, when he went to Chase County, Kan., and engaged in stock business for one year; he then returned to Ohio, and was employed at farming and hotel business for four years, when he came to Stryker, which has since been his home, where he is engaged in the grocery and provision trade. He is one of Stryker's most active and enterprising business men, a member of the City Council and of Lodge No. 611, I. O. O. F. Mr. Stubbs was united in marriage November 22, 1874, to Miss Lucinda Fay, a native of Wood County, Ohio.

FRANKLIN H. SULLINGER was born February 13, 1845, in Defiance County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of five living children of Andrew and Martha (Collins) Sullinger. When young, Andrew Sullinger came to Tiffin Township, Defiance County, and bought eighty acres of unimproved land, which he cleared. In 1855, he sold out and removed to Springfield Township, purchased land, then selling out and removing to Evansport, where he now resides. Mrs. Sullinger died in 1881. Franklin H. Sullinger labored on the farm until Aug. 15, 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Regiment, serving until 1865. On November 7, 1867, he was married to Anna Umstead, a native of Springfield Township. They are parents to four children-Florence L., Theoda B., Harrison L. and Frederick E. In 1869, he moved to Wolcottville, Ind., engaging in saw-milling and planing. In 1771, he came to Farmer Centre, Defiance Co., Ohio. He is now with Von Behren & Shafer in Stryker, as foreman of their saw-mill and oar factory. Mr. Sullinger is an Odd Fellow, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAQUES VERNIER was born November 16, 1818, in France. He is one of the six children of John J. and Susan (Pecler) Vernier, also natives of France. Jaques Vernier, at the age of sixteen, began to acquire the trade of a weaver with his brother, with whom he remained one

year. In 1837, he came to America, and applied himself to learn candymaking in New York, remaining but three months. He then came to Stark County, Ohio, but soon returned to New York, and worked in Delmonico's restaurant for three months. He then went to New Orleans, thence to New Albany, and thence again to New Orleans. In 1845, he came to Springfield Township, buying seventy-four acres of unimproved land; this he sold, and purchased again in German Township, Fulton County; he sold this farm in 1874 and removed to Stryker. Mr. Vernier was first married, in 1846, to Margaret Pecler, to which union issued one daughter-Eugenie, now Mrs. Barber. Mrs. Vernier died in Springfield Township in September, 1852; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Vernier then married, in 1854, Mary C. Charpiot. To this second union issued one son-Charles J., who is in the hardware trade at Stryker. Mr. and Mrs. Vernier are members of the Presbyterian Church, and early settlers of Springfield Township.

CHARLES VERNIER was born in France August 19, 1844, being one of thirteen children born to George and Catharine (Certier) Vernier, also natives of France. In 1847, George Vernier emigrated to America and settled in German Township, Fulton Co., Ohio, where he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, and began carving out a home from the wilderness. In 1854, he sold this and bought 160 acres in the same township, also unimproved. In 1874, he moved to his present residence, Archibald, Fulton Co., Ohio. He and Mrs. V. are members of the Lutheran Church. Charles Vernier, at the age of eighteen years, commenced to learn the trade of a wagon-maker. In 1868, he removed to Stryker, where he opened a wagon and blacksmith shop, continuing until 1872, when he engaged in the grocery and provision business, and selling agricultural implements. In 1881, he was burned out, and in 1882 he bought an interest in a hardware store, the firm being C. Vernier & Co. Mr. Vernier was married, October 26, 1867, to Julia Bourquin, daughter of Peter and Suzette (Mettetall) Bourquin. Mr. and Mrs. Vernier have had five children-Julius C., Charles P., Harmon G., Alford W. and Alcide G. Mr. V. is a member of A., F. & A. M., and one of the enterprising citizens of Stryker.

JOHN A. VON BEHREN was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 7, 1838, and is the eldest of nine children of Frederick and Margaret (Seifort) Von Behren, the former a native of Hartoum, Prussia, born May 3, 1814, the latter of Shakendorf, Alsace, born September 9, 1818. Frederick Von Behren emigrated to America in 1833; settled in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where, after serving a three years' apprenticeship at the tanner's trade, he was married, and in 1841 removed to Evansport, Defiance Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Von Behren died in 1848.

In August, 1849, he married Caroline Rein, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to this union were born eight children, of whom five sons and one daughter are still living. Four of these boys are engaged in the lumber business in and about Logansport, Ind. On his arrival at Evansport, Frederick Von Behren established a tannery, following this business until 1865, when he removed his family to Burlington, Iowa, doing business himself at Fort Howard, Wis.; his death occurred at his latter home, January 15, 1881. John A. Von Behren learned his father's trade, working with him until 1861, and the year following, in company with George Shoner, purchased the tannery at Stryker, which they operated for several years; some firm changes have been made, and the firm is now Von Behren & Shafer; in 1866, they added a saw-mill, and the year following an oar manufactory, now the second largest establishment of the kind in Ohio. Their shipments of oars to all parts of the United States and Europe have been large for several years. Mr. Von Behren and Miss Elizabeth Gares were married November 6, 1881. She is a native of Ohio, of Bavarian descent, and mother of five children, four living. Mr. and Mrs. Von Behren are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Von Behren has filled the offices of Township Trustee and Treasurer for several years; is an ex Mayor of Stryker, and has served on the School Board for eleven years, and is one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Stryker and vicinity.

CHARLES C. WAGNER was born in Bavaria June 17, 1838, the son of John and Catharine (Renner) Wagner, natives of the same country. At the early age of twelve, John Wagner became a soldier in the Bavarian Army, and served until twenty-four. During this period, Bavaria was in alliance with France, and, under the Great Napoleon, John took part in the campaign against Russia. In 1836, he was transferred to the revenue service, and did duty at sixteen different custom houses on the Bavarian frontiers, dying in the service July 20, 1864, in his sixty-fifth year, at Munich, in the Catholic faith. His wife was a member of the Lutheran Church. Charles C. Wagner learned the barber's trade in his native land, and worked in various cities in Bavaria, Austria, Prussia, and Saxony until 1860, when he entered the Bavarian Army and served two years. He then followed his trade at Munich until August, 1865, when he came to this country, worked a year and then opened shop in New York, and in 1870 sold out and went to Scottsboro, Ala.; thence, in a few months, to Atlanta, Ga., and thence, a year later, to Memphis, Tenn., from which point the yellow fever drove him to Water Valley, Miss., where he opened a shop and remained four years. In 1876, he came to Stryker, where he is now conducting his business with great sucOctober 19, 1865, Mr. Wagner married Dina Kruse, a native of

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Hanover, and to their union seven children have been born, of whom four are yet living-Charles J., Benjamin J., Anna D. and Gertrude D. Mr. Wagner is a member of Stryker Lodge, No. 611, I. O. O. F., and is an enterprising citizen.

JOSEPH WIBIRT, JR., born May 23, 1840, in Waterloo County, N. Y., is the youngest of eight children born to Joseph and Polly A. (Reynolds) Wibirt. In 1842, the elder Mr. Wibirt moved with his family to Springfield Township, and settled on eighty acres entered the previous year, built a cabin, and began the work of clearing, residing thereon until his death, April 19, 1876; Mrs. Wibirt died April 27, 1880; both were Quakers. Joseph Wibirt, Jr., has always lived on the old homestead, which he now owns. He was married, August 14, 1862, to Lucinda C. Colgan, of Springfield Township, and daughter of Daniel Colgan. Mr. and Mrs. Wibirt have two children-Alice A. and Mary J. He is a member of Springfield Grange, No. 499, and also of A., F. & A. M. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is in politics a Republican, also an enterprising farmer. Joseph Wibirt, Sr., was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., and his wife in New Hampshire; both were of English-German extraction. The parents of Mrs. Joseph Wibirt, Jr., Daniel and Christina A. (Haller) Colgan, were both natives of Connecticut.

FLORENCE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN BOMAN, son of George and Christine (Hachenbarg) Boman, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 28, 1839. His father was a shoemaker, but occasionally worked at farming; he came to Williams County in 1853, settling on the place now owned by our subject. John Boman's early life was passed on a farm, yet he acquired a fair education. In September, 1861, he became enrolled in Company H, Third Ohio Cavalry, continuing in the military service for three years and three months, and taking part in the battles of Perrysburg, Stone River, Chickamauga, Snow Hill, Woodsonville, Bardstown and others. He was under Gen. Thomas during his Georgia campaign, and was discharged at Nashville December 30, 1864, since which time he has been employed in farming. It was largely due to Mr. Boman's influence that the town of Blakeslee can trace its origin, he having donated about four and one-half acres to the Wabash & St. Louis Railroad Company, for depot and grounds; he also caused a survey and platting of the town, which was done November 15, 1880. At that time the only improvements were one log house and a grocery, built for the railroad company. Since then,

Blakeslee has grown rapidly, Mr. Boman having erected a building now used as a hardware store, as well as disposing of about twenty-nine acres of land in town lots and for depot grounds. He still has, however, a snug farm of fifty-seven acres. He is a Free and Accepted Mason.

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J. A. BOWSER was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 25, 1826, being one of a family of three born to John J. and Barbara (Opt) BowMr. Bowser left Fairfield County for Seneca County when about twenty-one years old, learning while there the trade of a shoemaker. At this place he married Nancy A. Bordnet; on January 13, 1852, remaining four years, when he returned to Fairfield County, coming to Williams County in 1857, and settling on the place he now owns, a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres; this farm is now nearly all cleared, and has good buildings, but was only partly cleared when Mr. Bowser took possession. His family comprises four children-Laura E., John J., Ida J. and Alta L., the two eldest being married and residing in this township. Mrs. Bowser died January 1, 1873. Mr. Bowser is a communicant of the German Reformed Church.

STEPHEN E. BURKE was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 27, 1839, one of a family of four children born to Thomas and Theodosia (Morris) Burke; but two are now living. His parents came to Williams County, Ohio, in 1841, when Mrs. Burke's failing health decided their return, but ere they reached their old home, death claimed his victim, and the children were motherless. Mr. Burke returned to Williams County in 1843, after his second marriage, where he resided until his death, in 1866. Previous to 1872, Stephen E. was engaged in farming, at which time he purchased an interest in a saw-mill, of which. in connection with other mills, he had charge for nearly eight years. In 1880, he formed a partnership with Mr. Johnson in the agricultural implement business in Edon, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1881 he purchased a hardware store, of which, in connection with the trade in agricultural implements, he is now sole proprietor, keeping a large general stock and doing a good business. Mr. Burke was married, in 1858, to Miss Sarah Lee, and their family consists of five children, viz., Solon, Susetta, Edmund, James and Flora. The two eldest are married and living in Williams County.

J. G. CAMERON, M. D., has been a successful practitioner of medicine in Edon and vicinity for the past fifteen years, and is necessarily identified with the earlier business interests of this place. He is a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, of the class of 1868 and 1869. He was married February 5, 1869, to Hannah Webb, of Williams County, Ohio, and they have a family of three children, viz., Edna, Blaine and Beulah. Dr. Cameron was born in Steuben County, Ind., January 22,

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