Daniel Lory
Daniel Lory resides on his farm of 80 acres in section 34, Richland township, which he purchased about 35 years ago, soon after coming to Allen County. He grew to manhood on the farm upon which he was born May 26, 1847, near La Chaux de Fonds, in Canton Neuchatel, Switzerland. This property had been in the Lory family for more than 150 years, and was the home of his parents, Henry Louis and Marion (Herschey) Lory during their lifetime. Our subject was one of 12 children, three of whom died in childhood. Three of his brothers, Louis, Frederick and Ulysses came to this country and settled; Louis in Illinois and Frederick in New York. Ulysses returned to Switzerland and died there.
Daniel Lory came to America alone at the age of 18, and after spending one year on a farm in Wayne County, Ohio, came to Allen County and hired out by the year as a farmhand for three years. He purchased 40 acres of land in section 34, Richland Township and was afterwards able to secure an adjoining 40, which he has in an excellent state of cultivation. He has erected substantial buildings on his property and is one of the progressive farmers of the county. A man of comprehensive knowledge and a deep thinker, he brings to his work an intelligent understanding that places him among the foremost agriculturists of his section and a leader in whatever he undertakes. Mr. Lory has had the advantage of a good education and is a fluent speaker in German, French and English, which he writes with equal facility. The German language was taught in the home, the French was acquired in schools in his native land, while the English was picked up after coming to this country. Mr. Lory was married in 1867, soon after coming here, to Katherine Basinger who was born in Richland township, Allen County, Ohio, December 26, 1843, and is a daughter of Simon and Barbara (Steiner) Basinger. Her parents were among the first settlers of Allen County, coming here from Alsace, France, the place of their nativity. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lory, four of whom died in infancy. The others are: Ferdinand, a resident of Bluffton; Louis, living at home; Emanuel, who lives in Lima; Marianne, who died at the age of 20 years; Ida, living at home; and Daniel, who also lives at home. They are members of the German Reformed Church, of Bluffton, of which our subject was one of the first elders, serving in that capacity for a number of years. He has always been a prominent citizen and has served as trustee of the township for six years and as supervisor for eight years, having been elected on the Democratic ticket.