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This was a FUN series of articles published by the Mansfield News in 1904.   Clues would be given in one issue of the paper, and the next issue would contain the identities of the men described.   Scroll to the bottom of the page for the answers.

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No. 1:  A native of Vermont, his youth was passed in Pennsylvania and at the age of 21 he came to Mansfield where he has resided as an active, prominent business man and identified with the city’s growth and development.  He has served the city in official capacity in several lines.  During the war he served in a Pennsylvania regiment and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va.  He married a Mansfield girl in 1876.  At present, in addition to his active business interests he finds time to serve his fellow citizens acceptably in several positions in which there is more honor than emolument.  Do you know him?  [January 14, 1904]

No. 2:  He wasn’t born here, but this has been his dwelling place for about half a century - although he doesn’t look that old.  He crossed the briny when he was four years old and was just as brave a sailor as his older brothers and several younger members of the family who came over at the same time.  With usual good judgment he married a girl born in Mansfield, but the wedding took place in Galion in the centennial year.  He has been and is actively engaged in business and only made politics a side issue, having filled a prominent public office for two terms, his first election having been without opposition.  He is something of a “jiner” and belongs to three secret societies, possibly more.  Incidentally, it may be remarked that he is a member of the “Williams” society.  Do you know him?  [January 15, 1904]

No. 3:  He’s a good man and weighs considerable.  He is a native of Massachusetts and was born  - a good many years ago, but he is still active.  For a time prior to the civil war he resided in Illinois and at the age of 22 enlisted in the 73d Illinois infantry and was commissioned of the field of battle, first lieutenant for bravery and meritorious service.  He served until mustered out in June, 1865.  After the war he located in Mansfield and in 1867 was married in in this city  Several years after the death of his wife, he married the cousin of the latter in Connecticut.  Few men in the city have a wider acquaintance among its business people than the subject of this sketch who is also prominent in fraternity circles.  May his shadow never grow less.  Do you know him?  [January 16, 1904]

No. 4:  A native of Maryland where he was born a great many years ago he came to Knox county when a child and at the age of 16 commenced the harness trade, but later was a clerk at Fredericktown and was also in business in another Knox county village.  Subsequently he worked at his trade in Frederick again and also in this city where he came before most of the present residents were born.  For many years he has been in a line of business requiring considerable travel and he has always been credited with being one of the liveliest men of his age to be found anywhere.  Do you know him?  [January 18, 1904]

No. 5:  He was born the year before his father located in this city and his father came here in 1840.  The subject of this sketch received his elementary education in this city and in 1861 was graduated from Marietta College.  Although it may be remembered by few he studied for the law and was admitted to the bar in 1864, but since 1865 he has been engaged in business in this city.  He was married in 1865 to a well known Mansfield young lady and they are among the prominent residents of Mansfield today.  Do you know him?  [January 19, 1904]

No. 6:  You would hardly think it to look at him, but he’s - well never mind about the age, at times, when years ago a comparatively young man gave the date of his birth, it’s hardly fair 25 years later, to spring it on him.  But he is young enough yet to have his father living.  He was born in this city and was married here in October, 1876.  He has followed the line of business in which he is now engaged for many years and is well known through out the state.  He is quiet, almost taciturn except with specially well known friends, but can and does appreciate a good joke or story as well as the next one.  Do you know him?  [January 20, 1904]

No. 7:  He was born in this city Nov. 20, 1816, and has lived here nearly all his life.  During the war he was a member of the 32d O.V. I., and served until the close of the struggle.  He was married Aug. 13, 1868, to a young lady of Washington township.  Few men in Mansfield are better known.  He’s jolly, full of fun, always ready for his joke - and takes it equally well, whether it’s on him or the other fellow.  As diversion he is fond of a game of billiards or cards, but for about six or seven months of every year he can’t enjoy these pastimes.  Do you know him?  [January 21, 1904]

No. 8:  He is a native of Troy township, but has resided in this city for over 40 years, during which time he has been actively identified in its business, but in later years beginning a new occupation in which he has been signally successful.  His energy and indomitable will are marked characteristics and they have brought him success.  Do you know him?  [January 22, 1904]

No. 9:  He was born in Bedford county, Pa., but came to this city in 1856 where he has resided ever since.  During the war he served in McMullen’s 1^st Ohio Independent Battery, with which he participated in seventeen engagements.  He was married in this city to a Mansfield girl Dec. 19, 1867.  He has occupied and now holds several positions in connection with municipal institutions.    Do you know him?  [January 23, 1904]

No. 10:  He is a native of Wayne county, but with good judgment preferred Richland county and located here a good many years ago, his wife being a native of this city.  During the war he was a member of Company E. 3d O. V. C., and was in the battle of Stone River.  He was a prisoner of war for eleven months, seven months at Andersonville at the end of which he was far from being the fine looking man he is now and has been for years, his erect bearing, brisk walk, and general activity making him look and seem fifteen to twenty years younger than he really is.  Do you know him?  [January 25, 1904]

No. 11:  He was born one day shortly after the Fourth of July and shortly before the ’50s began, in Monroe township, that home of so many well known Mansfield men.  He worked on the farm for a number of years.  He took a course at Greentown academy, Perrysville, and later studied at Wooster and completing his college course at Amherst, Mass.  He was married in 1877.  He held city, county, and district office and was in his pedagogic days a principal of Mahoning Institute.  Do you know him?   [January 26, 1904]

No. 12:  He is a Hesse-Darmstadter and was born in Neidermodau, July 11, 1845.  He came to this country in 1865 and to Mansfield in 1866, and the next year he was married here.  For nearly 40 years he has been a resident of the city and has occupied official position although not born in Monroe township.  Do you know him?  [January 27, 1904]

No. 13:  He was born in this city a little over 75 years ago and has resided here nearly all his life.  A cabinet maker by trade, he later engaged in mercantile pursuits and for over forty years continued in the same.  He was married Feb. 1, 1854, to a Mansfield young lady, her death occurring a few years ago.  During his long residence and business career in Mansfield the subject of this sketch has lived and conducted business in practically the same localities.  Do you know him?  [January 28, 1904]

No. 14:  He has recently turned his 70^th birthday anniversary.  Born in Lebanon County, Pa., he removed with his parents to this county in 1849, settling in Franklin township.  He learned the trade of cabinet-making, but later clerked in a number of local stores.  Over a quarter of a century ago he was elected to a county office which he filled with signal ability.  He was married in this city July 7, 1853.  Do you know him?  [January 29, 1904]

No. 15:  A native of Portage county - where much of the good old maple syrup comes from - he was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan university nearly 32 years ago and about two years later was married to a lady of Defiance and they have an interesting family.  Though a professional man he devotes considerable attention to agriculture.  Do you know him?  [January 30, 1904]

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Answers: 1. LeRoy Parsons; 2.  W. F. Boegele, Sr.; 3.  Harrison M. Alvord; 4.  Nicholas S. Reed;  5.  Lyman A. Strong; 6.  Richmond Smith; 7.  Pat P. Ford; 8.  Jerome J. King; 9.  James H. Herring; 10.  E. J. Potter; 11.  Norman M. Wolfe;12.  Henry Ackerman;13.  George C. Wise; 14.  Jerry S. Bollman; 15.   A. J. Twitchell.

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