HENRY SCHINDEWOLF, one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Ada, Ohio, has been in business here during the past twenty years and over.  In 1889 he assisted in organizing the Ada Building and Loan Association, and is now one of the Directors of the same.  Besides this, he is a stockholder in the Ada Bank.  He owns much valuable property, besides a beautiful home in the village, and lends his aid to whatever tends to promote the good of the community in which he has so long resided.
     The father of our subject was a farmer and hotel keeper in his native land, Prussia.  He died when Henry was but seven years of age, and therefore he has little recollection of a father's protection and care.  The mother was Julia Ries before her marriage.  Her brother, Philip Henry, served in the capacity of Mayor of a city in his native land, as did also his father before him.  The good lady departed this life in 1885, at the ripe old age of eighty years.
     Our subject is one of five sons, and he also had three sisters.  Philip is a farmer in the vicinity of Kenton; William, who served in the Civil War, is a leading business man of Kenton, and Treasurer-elect of Hardin County; George remained in Prussia, and is operating the old home place.  He fought in twenty-one battles during the Prussion and French War in the early 70's.  The sisters have all been called to the silent land.
     Henry Schindewolf was born in Prussia, Jan. 18, 183, and grew up in his native place.  Until he was fourteen years old he attended the excellent schools common to the Fatherland.  When he had arrived at a suitable age he began learning the tailor's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, furnishing his own clothes and paying the sum of $50 besides.  Then until 1866 he was employed as a journeyman in his birthplace.  In the year just mentioned he sailed for America, and soon located in Kenton.  Later he went to Cincinnati, in which city he was employed until he concluded to cast in his lot with the inhabitants of Ada.  Since 1869 he has been in business here, meeting with good success, and four years after opening a store he added readymade clothing, hats and gentlemen's furnishing goods.
     In 1874 our subject was married to Margaret Sleiner, of Kenton.  Their union has been blessed with four children.  The only son, Karl, died when three and a half years old; Helena is a graduate of the union schools; and Florence and Edna are attending school.  The family are regularly to be seen in their places at the Lutheran Church, to which our subject belongs.   In his political belief he is independent, through the Republican party comes the nearest to meeting his views, and thus usually receives his support.
†Source #4 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 560

THOMAS SLOAN.  On the 29th of July 1880, there passed from earth a gentleman who for years had been closely connected with the history of Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, and whose life was a clear and blotless page of noble deeds nobly done.  He it is whose name introduces these paragraphs, and whose history we thus briefly record for posterity.  His life from boyhood years was passed in this county, and he had a large circle of friends among the people here.
     A native of Ireland, Thomas Sloan was born in June, 1820, and there the first fourteen years of his life were uneventfully passed.  In 1834, in company with his parents and the other embers of the family, he took passage in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of seven weeks, during which time severe storms were encountered,  He landed in Philadelphia, where he remained with relatives for six weeks.  Thence he proceeded with his parents to Beaver County, Pa., and two months later came to Ohio, journeying with team and covered wagon to Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County.
     Arriving at his destination, the father of our subject bought one hundred and thirty-two acres, for which eh paid $2 per acre, and the larger portion of which was heavily timbered.   Upon the farm stood a cabin, 16x18 feet in dimensions, and into this primitive structure the family at once moved.  Eight years later a new house was erected, 18x24, and in it the father continued to reside until his death.  Being industrious and persevering, he succeeded in clearing about one hundred acres, and his farm became one of the most valuable in the county.
    John and Sarah (McClellen) Sloan, parents of our subject, were natives of Ireland, and their family consisted of the following children, namely:  William, Joseph, Samuel, John, James, Thomas, David, Robert, Fannie, Margaret and Eliza.  March 22, 1853, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Sloan, a native of Ireland, and to their union eleven children were born, of whom ten are still living.  John J., the eldest, was born Mar. 23, 1854, and married May Walters Oct. 14, 1880; Eliza Ann, who was born Aug. 23, 1856, married E. A. Silwright Oct. 4, 1893; Robert S., whose birth occurred Aug. 13, 1857, married Della Rogers Feb. 10, 1886; Letecia E., who was born Aug. 29, 1859, became the wife of Charles Wharton June 21, 1887; Sarah was born Aug. 29, 1859; William M. was born on the 15th of March, 1862, and married Anna M. Cheppell Sept. 5, 1894; Thomas H. was born Sept. 8, 1866; Emily J., June 30, 1868; David, born Mar. 24, 1871, died June 28, 1886; Margaret I., born Oct. 17, 1873, and George J., Dec. 12, 1875, complete the family circle.
     From the time of making settlement in Hardin County, the Sloan family has been closely connected with the progress of this section, and its members have uniformly been honorable, able, energetic and upright.  Our subject spent much of his life in Taylor Creek Township, and such were his honesty and kindness of heart, that he numbered many friends among his fellow-citizens.  He was a sincere Christian and held membership in the United Presbyterian Church.  He was attached to the doctrines of the Republican party, and earnestly advocated its interests with his voice and vote.
†Source #4 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 126

LUTHER M. STRONG, M. C., was born near Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, June 23, 1838.  He is a son of Jesse and Sarah (Myers) Strong, both natives of Frederick County, Md.  His father came to Ohio first in 1814, but returned after a time to his native state, where, in 1827, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Myers.  In 1830 he emigrated to Ohio and settled in the then forest of Seneca County, where he remained until his death, in 1876.
     The subject of this sketch spent his youth upon his father's farm, depending upon the common schools and an academy for his education.  At the age of nineteen he became a teacher during the winter months and a student at the academy during the spring and fall terms.  At the breaking out of the Rebellion he left his school and raised Company G, of the Forth-ninth Ohio Infantry, of which he became Captain.  About the 1st of September, 1861, the regiment proceeded to Kentucky, and was among the first to report for duty in that state.  This regiment, with a few other troops, became the nucleus of what was afterward the Army of the Cumberland.  Captain Strong remained constantly at the front with his command during all the trying scenes through which that army passed, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Lawrenceburg, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge.  At the battle of Chickamauga he was for a time in command of his regiment, and received special mention by his brigade and division commanders for coolness and gallantry.  At the battle of Missionary Ridge he was among the first to reach the summit, and was promoted to be Major, in which capacity he took part in all the battles and almost continual skirmishes of the Atlanta Campaign among which were the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Picket's Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesborough.  Soon after the fall of Atlanta he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel and became the senior officer and commander of his regiment.  In that capacity he took part in the Hood campaign, participating in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville.  At the bloody charge of Picket's Mills, May 27, 1864, Major Strong was shot in the right shoulder while leading his men, and when within a few feet of the enemy's breastworks.  Again, while leading his regiment in a charge on the second day of the battle of Nashville, Dec. 16, 1864, Colonel Strong was severely wounded in the left arm by a musket ball, which cut off the bones of the forearm.  This was the last charge the regiment ever made, and practically the final engagement of the Army of the Cumberland.  This ended Colonel Strong's military career, which was one of loyalty, gallantry and well merited promotions.  With one exception, there was not an engagement in which his regiment participated during the entire war in which he did not take part.
     After the close of the war Colonel Strong commenced the study of law in the office of Lee & Brewer, at Tiffin, Ohio.  On the 3d of January, 1867, he was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and at once located at Kenton, where he has continued in successful practice of his profession.  For years he has been recognized as a sound, able and painstaking lawyer, and has won an honorable place among the distinguished lawyers of Ohio.  The connection of Colonel Strong with public affairs has been a most honorable one.  In politics he has ever been a Republican, faithful, earnest and diligent in his support of his party.
     Colonel Strong's public career may be said to have begun in the fall of 1879, when he was elected to the State Senate.  Two years later he was re-elected, serving four years in that capacity.  In 1883 he was appointed by the Governor to the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas to fill a vacancy.  In Nov., 1892, he was elected to represent the Eighth Congressional District in the Congress of the United States, and the appreciation in which his services were held was proven by his re-nomination by acclamation and his re-election by a greatly increased majority.  As a legislator, his acts are marked by great prudence, and a due regard for the will of his constituents.  His devotion to principle, his careful discrimination of men and measures, and his intellectual ability have secured him recognition among the able statesmen of our country.  He is a concise, logical reasoner, and when in the practice of his profession the facts and the law governing his cases are always well in hand.  In his character he combines those qualities of intellect and heart which render him deservedly popular and secure to him the warm friendship of all who know him.    
†Source #4 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 117