HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                          133

owning now nearly the whole of the parental homestead, and having title
to over nine hundred acres of improved land, all being located in Cass
township. As a stock-raiser Mr. Sonnefield is particularly fortunate, his
horses, cattle and hogs, all of the best grades, doing well under his wise
management, and as a general farmer he stands second to none in the
township.
    On December 11, 1879, Mr. Sonnefield married Fredericka Katt-
man, who was born in Washington township, Indiana, August 4, 1852, a
daughter of Christopher and Clara Margaret (Menke) Kattman, natives
of Germany. Her grandparents, John G. and Catherine (Cullenbergh)
Menke, came to the United States with their family, hoping in this
country to find remunerative work for their children. Christopher Katt-
man emigrated to this country about 1836, and for a few years thereafter
worked as a stone mason and a stone cutter. In 1842 he bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, where he
cleared and improved a homestead. Seven children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Sonnefield, namely: Clarence, born August 1, 1881, lives
with his parents; Martha, born June 12, 1883, died in infancy; Walter,
born December 21, 1885, died at the age of six years and six days; Mary
E., born April 14, 1888, is at home; Henry A., born April 17, 1890, died
in infancy; Roy Alvin, born May 21, 1891; and Lester, born September
12, 1895. Politically Mr. Sonnefield invariably casts his vote in favor of
the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of Poland Lodge,
No. 364, K. of P. Religiously, true to the faith in which he was reared,
he belongs to the German Reformed church.

    GEORGE W. BROWN.—An enterprising and practical agriculturist in
the early prime of life, George W. Brown is prosperously engaged in the
prosecution of his independent calling on one of the most desirable home-
steads in Harrison township. He is a stanch and true citizen, always using
his influence to promote the best interests of the community in which he
resides, and well deserves the esteem and favor in which he is held by
all, He was born December 28, 1861, in Hocking county, Ohio, a son of
Louis Frederick and Catherine (Guyer) Brown, of whom a brief per-
sonal history appears elsewhere in this volume.
    A bright and active lad of five years when he came with his parents
to Clay county, Mr. Brown has a vivid recollection of many of the inci-
dents connected with the journey. He received his early education in
the district school, and assisted his parents in the work of improving
the farm, remaining with them until his marriage. Beginning then to
farm on his own account, he rented land, and in its care and management
met with such good results that in three and one-half years he was
enabled to become a land owner. Buying, therefore, a farm in section
twelve, Harrison township, he lived there until 1902. In that year, at the
urgent solicitation of his father, Mr. Brown rented his own farm and
returned to the old homestead, where he has since been actively employed
in tilling the soil.
    On January 11, 1885, Mr. Brown married Mary Ida Boardman. She
was born in Putnamville, Putnam county, Indiana, June 28, 1865, a
daughter of James M. Boardman. Her grandfather, James R. Board-
man, removed from Kentucky, his native state, to Putnam county,
Indiana, in pioneer days, locating first near Bainbridge, on land that he
purchased from the government. Subsequently disposing of that, he