ily on the side of reform and advancement, supporting in the columns of his paper all progressive public enterprises. He has been instrumental in this way in gaining many needed civic improvements and it was largely through his influence that the city waterworks plant was erected. Although a democrat personally, Mr. Thrall keeps his paper independent of political lines and free from all suspicion of partisanship, thus making his work doubly effective, because it is known to be sincere.

In 1863 Mr. Thrall was united in marriage to Miss Emma Boudinct, a native of Liverpool, England, and they have three children, Linus G., Josephine and Eloise. Mr. Thrall is well known in business and social circles and is regarded as one of the leading newspaper men of this section of the state. His genial manner, unfailing courtesy and his distinct and valuable achievements have made him prominent and have gained for him the high place which he holds in Carey.

BEN WAGSTAFF.

Ben Wagstaff is proprietor of a plumbing and steamfitting establishment in Sycamore, in which connection he has built up a business of growing and gratifying proportions. Ohio claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Zanesville, November 18, 1865. His father, Benjamin F. Wagstaff, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1830, and devoted his life to the trades of blacksmithing and wagon making, in which connection he won a substantial measure of prosperity, enabling him in 1909 to retire from active life and spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is now living at Dunkirk, Ohio. He married Cecelia Crites, who was born in Virginia in 1834, and their children were Harry B., Homer J., William H., James, Ben, Carrie C., Albert O. and Charles C. Of these, James died in 1879.

In taking up the personal history of Ben Wagstaff we present to our readers the life record of one who has shown in his business activity much that is commendable. He deserves considerable credit for his success in that he started out in life on his own account when but fourteen years of age, up

to which time he had been a pupil in the district schools. He then began learning the tinner's trade, at which he worked for others until 1897. During that period he most wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to start in business on his own account. He opened his present establishment in Sycamore in 1903 and now owns one of the most thoroughly modern and up-to-date plumbing and steamfitting shops in Wyandot county. In connection with his work in that line he is engaged in the roofing and tinning business and from the time he became an independent factor in commercial circles here, he has been very successful, being accorded a liberal patronage by reason of his excellent workmanship, his reasonable prices and his fair and honest dealing.

Mr. Wagstaff was united in marriage to Miss Angie I. Vanness, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vanness, on the 4th of September, 1889, at Wapakoneta, Ohio, where her father is a prosperous farmer. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagstaff are Cora, Ethel, Avery, Hobart, Ruth and Wendell. Mr. Wagstaff votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also to the United Brethren church. He and his wife are held in high esteem in Sycamore, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

WILLIAM L. BLAIR.

The life record of William L. Blair is but another proof of the fact that ambition, paired with industry and energy, leads to success. Starting out with no particular advantages in this world, he has become one of the foremost landowners of his section and his activities have extended to so many fields that their effect can hardly be estimated. Not only has he given his ability to the promotion of numerous financial institutions and the raising of agricultural standards but he is largely interested in manufacturing enterprises, and there is no man who can lay greater claim to a career of public benefit than William Blair. He now makes his resi

dence in Nevada, Wyandot county, enjoying the position of a leader among its people. Born in Warren county, New Jersey, December 20, 1831, he is a son of James and Sarah A. (Linderry) Blair, of New Jersey. The father, who was a farmer, was born in 1801 and died in 1867, his wife passing away in 1853.

William L. Blair attended school in his native state until sixteen years of age, when he laid aside his text-books and assisted his father with the work on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen. He then began his independent career and in 1853, when twenty-two years of age, came to Wyandot county, where he engaged in the stock and sheep business, driving stock overland to the eastern markets and deriving gratifying results from this enterprise. Ever ready to embrace new opportunities, he made a study of the land of the Sandusky valley and bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved farm property in Sycamore township, his sound judgment leading to a wise selection. There he settled permanently in the spring of 1854 and has ever since been a prominent figure in the agricultural advancement of Wyandot county. As the years have passed he has increased his holdings and now holds title to over two thousand acres of farm land and also has become one of the most successful financiers of these parts. He is considered a power in financial circles and at present serves with circumspection and conspicuous ability as president of the Nevada Deposit Bank. Mr. Blair was one of the incorporators of this institution, which commenced business on May 5, 1873, and at its first meeting of the stockholders on that date he was elected president and has since served in that important position without interruption-a period of more than forty years. He is also a stockholder and director of the First National Bank at Upper Sandusky and the Commercial National Bank at that place, and also the First National Bank of Bucyrus, Ohio. He has also interests in numerous other financial institutions throughout Wyandot county and is connected with a number of manufacturing plants and other industries of varied character not only throughout this section but throughout the state. His advice is often sought by the most able business men and generally heeded, and he has come to be considered an authority upon practically all commercial enterprises inaugurated in this neighborhood. As highly as he is to be