Williams County

William Rittenour.— It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the township where he has his home. William Rittenour was born on the farm which he now owns, in Jefferson Township, on February 17, 1859, and is a son of George and Sarah (Hisey) Rittenour. George Rittenour … Read more

Martin Troxel for many years occupied a prominent place in the agricultural and civic affairs of Madison Township. While he recently sold his fine farm and removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, his influence and interest will not be lost to Williams County, where he was born and reared and has spent the most productive part of his life. Mr. Troxel was born three miles south of Pioneer on March 1, 1866, son of Henry and Amanda (Grindle) Troxel. His parents were both born in Wayne County, Ohio, were married there and after their marriage moved to Williams County, settling in Madison … Read more

William Hawkins.— With indisputable evidence of culture and development on every hand, it seems a long way to look back to the time when Williams County called her settlers pioneers, but one of these, who is a veteran of the Civil war, William Hawkins well remembers pioneer conditions when he came here in 1842. William Hawkins was born in Westchester County, New York February 28. 1833. His parents were Joseph and Matilda (Crissy) Hawkins, who were natives also of Westchester County and were of English descent. When Mr. Hawkins was three years old he was taken to Fulton County, Ohio, … Read more

John A. Leavy. — The subject of this sketch has spent practically his entire life in Williams County and his persistent and commendable efforts have benefited alike himself and the community, for he has always had deeply at heart the well being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever possible for the promotion of enterprises of public benefit, besides taking a part in all movements for the advancement of the community along social, civic and moral lines. Consequently he richly merits the high standing which he enjoys among those who know him best. John A. Leavy, the well-known … Read more

William H. Gardner has found in his native county ample scope and opportunity for successful business exploitation and is one of the representative figures in the mercantile circles of the county seat, where he is president of the Bryan Hardware Company. He is a member of a family whose name has been identified with the history of Williams County for more than three-fourths of a century and was born on the parental homestead farm, in Center Township, this county, August 10, 1860, a son of Moses and Jane (Taylor) Gardner, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania and whose marriage … Read more

E. E. Vernier. — The recent controversy which has become widespread throughout the country in regard to the emoluments granted the educational profession is one that has established the fact that the interest taken in our educators is national and that regardless of the compensation which they receive their value to society is recognized and their worth in the development of future citizenship cannot be surpassed. In many intelligent communities the citizens have evidenced their appreciation of the value of educators by elevating them to positions of public trust and responsibility, notably at Stryker, Ohio, where E. E. Vernier, a … Read more

Guy Mignin.— The life of Guy Mignin, of Stryker, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been true to every trust reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large. Guy Mignin was born in Stryker, Ohio, on March 30, 1881, and is the son of Frederick and Anna (Bostetter) Mignin, both of whom were natives of Springfield … Read more

Roy E. Oberlin. — A prominent and influential citizen of Brady Township, Roy E. Oberlin has been profitably engaged in general agriculture on section 30 for upwards of twenty years, owning and occupying one of the best improved and most desirable farms in this part of Williams County, it being advantageously located three miles northwest of Stryker. He was born, March 14, 1873, in Jefferson Township, Williams County, a son of Orlando Oberlin, and a grandson of Jacob Oberlin, who settled in Jefferson Township in 1854, and on the farm which he reclaimed from its primeval wildness spent his remaining … Read more

J. E. Alspaugh. — The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been characterized by unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a good business and … Read more

Eli R. Sheline.— Possessing shrewd business sense and being able to put into his enterprises the full force of well-directed efforts Eli R. Sheline, now living retired at Edon, has been one of the men who has raised the standards of production in manufacturing in this region, and still maintains a prestige in his community because of the interest he always manifests in civic affairs. Born in Carroll County, Ohio. December 4, 1848, Eli R Sheline was but six years old when he was brought to Williams County by his parents, Andrew and Ann Sheline. so that he has spent … Read more