USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Wapakoneta > History of Auglaize County, Ohio : with the Indian history of Wapakoneta, and the first settlement of the county > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Although burdened with a heavy debt the congregation was not satisfied with a church alone, for knowing the importance of religious instruction, they founded a school in 1853, which was conducted in various rooms until a few years later a frame building was secured, which now stands nearly opposite the 11
122
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
present church. In 1869 a two-story brick school was erected at a cost of about $4000, and instruction is imparted in both English and German. This church, consisting of about 180 families, has reduced the debt to less than $6000, besides spend- ing several hundreds of dollars for decorative purposes. In 1879 a beautiful and durable pipe organ was secured at a cost of $1975. The generosity of Catholics and non-Catholics of the town enabled them to pay for this in cash. Priests of the C. PP. S. attended this church since 1857. Among these may be mentioned the present bishop of Ft. Wayne, Rev. Dwenger, X. Griesmeyer, Ch. French, M. Graf, and since July, 1875, the present pastor loci, Rev. Francis Nigsch.
In 1833 John Ruppert entered a half section of land in Pusheta township, and on this land was erected the first church of Petersburg, which was dedicated in honor of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Forty acres of land, still the property of the congregation, was laid out as a town site in 1852, but the lots never sold.
Among the early settlers here were Andreas Voll, who died of the cholera in 1836; And. Seller; J. Hemmert; and And. Nuss. This congregation was weakened considerably in 1868 by many members uniting with the Botkins congregation. This almost caused the abandonment of the Petersburg church, but the following year Messrs. J Hemmert, S. and J. Dingelman, A. Nuss, M. Müller, J. Koenig, M. Warmuth, and others, resolved to build a briek church on the Sidney pike, near the county line. Accordingly, a building was erected, 55 by 35 feet, for about $3000, but no priest has charge, and so some of the members attend services at Freyburg and others at Botkins.
Freyburg .- The first settlers of this congregation were Sam Craft, 1828; George Wiss and G. Seiter, 1833; Simon Dresher and J. B. Kath, 1834 ; Bush and Nippgen, 1835; M. and G. Linder, J. Sellenger, A. Schaub, V. Fischer, Guttman and Weiman. These first attended at Wapakoneta and Petersburg during the visits of Prof. Horstman. For a time also they met at the houses of Messrs. Bush and Craft for services. Jos. Flick and G Seiter laid out the town of Frey- burg in 1848, and immediately a church was commenced, 80 by 43 feet, which was completed in 1850. At this time the congregation consisted of about thirty families. The church was served by Revs. Winands, Mukerheide, Volm, and some priests of the C. PP. S., particularly Rev. M. Kreusch ; after them by Backhaus, Goebels, and during the last eight years Rev. Henry Daniel has labored with success. In 1877 he built
123
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
a fine school-house, 48 by 27 feet, two stories high, at a cost of $2000. The congregation numbers about a hundred and five families.
St. Marys .- We find Charles Murray, one of the original proprietors of the town, was the first Catholic resident of the place. Most of the old traders were French Catholics, as were also many of the raftsmen who labored between St. Marys and Ft. Wayne. Mr. Murray acted as leader of meet- ings as no priests were in reach. About 1825 a priest was passing this place on a missionary tour, and was taken sud- denly ill. Here he remained for a time and died, and was buried by Mr. Murray. Thos. Stone came here in 1836, and from this period dates the origin of the Catholic church. Most of the canal laborers were Catholies, and a shanty on the bank of the reservoir was used. for the celebration of mass. These ceremonies were conducted by a French priest from Day- ton, Tenpont. In 1840 Archbishop Purcell came from Cincin- nati to St. Marys, and remained over night with Mr. Black. The first church was built under the direction of Rev. A. Kunkler, in 1854. In 1867 a brick church was erected on Spring Street, by Rev. Dwenger, present bishop of Ft. Wayne. The build- ing cost about $1200. The congregation consists of about seventy families, and was attended until 1877 by priests of the C. PP. S., among whom were J. Dwenger, P. Rist, M. Kenk, F. Nigsch, A. Guggenberger, and F. Schalk ; and since 1877 by Rev. Joseph Lutz.
Glynwood .- Irish Catholics built a frame church in Moul- ton township, on the land of J. L. McFarland, in 1861, under the direction of Rev. P. Henneberry. The first members were J. L. McFarland, John Naughton, Anton Bailey, and the three Cogan brothers-Thomas, Jolin, and Patrick. The congrega- tion was attended by the priest of St. Marys until 1877, but at present from Wapakoneta by Rev. S. Kunkler.
These facts illustrate to some extent the important part the Catholics have performed in the settlement and improve- ment of the county. From its infancy they have contributed to the material development of the county ; and though some may have left the fold of the Church, and others right indif- ferent as to their duties, the Church still sustains the hope that it will grow in the future as it has in the past.
POLITICAL.
The following list exhibits the mayors and recorders elected each year since 1852 :-
124
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
MAYORS.
J. S. Williams,
1853.
B. F. Devore, 1865.
I. F. Coples (resigned),
1854-55.
H. B. Kelly, 1866-67.
C. Barr (appointed),
1855. J. D. Marshall, 1868.
G. W. Andrews,
1856.
W. V. M. Layton, .
1869-71.
A. H. Trimble,
1857. H. B. Kelly (resigned),
1872-74. 1874.
WV. V. M. Layton,
1858-59. William Miles (app'ted)
H. B. Kelly,
1860-61. R. McMurray,
1875-77.
B. F. Devore,
1862. H. Moser,
1878-79.
S. B. Ayers,
1863.
Levi Hamnaker,
1880-
Edward Meyer,
1864.
RECORDERS.
H. B. Kelly,
1853-54. J. D. Marshall, 1866-67.
A. H. Trimble,
1855-56. L. N. Blume, 1868-73.
H. B. Kelly,
1857. J. Wilson, Jr.,
1874-79.
A. H. Trimble,
1858-64.
C. A. Stuve,
1880-
Anthony Dieker,
1865.
VILLAGES.
Cridersville was organized in 1856 by Ephraim Crider. The first store was owned by John Mumaw about the date of or- ganization. The second place of business was a General Sup- ply Store, kept by James MeMillin. Then came in succession John Weiser and N. A. Murdock, drygoods merchants.
At this writing there are two drygoods and general supply stores, two groceries, and one furniture store, one hotel, one steam grist mill, one steam saw mill, one grain warehouse, two blacksmith shops, one harness, and one shoe shop. Prior to the last eight years the number of stores at once was limited to a single one.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Dr. G. W. Holbrook is justly considered one of the pioneers and builders of Auglaize County and Wapakoneta, having set- tled here early in the spring of 1<34. He was born in Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, Sept. 12, 1808, in that portion of said county bordering on Lake Ontario which subsequently consti- tuted Wayne County. At the age of eighteen he abandoned home and commenced the study of medicine and surgery in the office of Dr. Win. Robinson, of Palmyra, one of the most dis- tinguished physicians and surgeons in western New York. After pursuing the usual four years' course of study, attending the lectures at the medical department of the University, he graduated in 1831, receiving the medical degree from the Re- gents of the University of New York. In the autumn of 1832 he came to Ohio and commenced the practice of his profession
125
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
at Lockbourne, Franklin County, where he remained a short time, but after travelling over most of the Western States he finally located at Wapakoneta, where he still resides. At that period there were but about 150 inhabitants in the town. The day after his arrival he entered his professional career, having been called to visit the family of John Tam, who owned and lived on the half section of land of which a part now constitutes the land of Milton Tam. Here he continned the practice of his profession about twenty years, when he retired, and turned over his office, library, instruments, and medicines to Dr. J. H. Nichols, whom he had adopted when a boy of fourteen, and gave him his education, and finally his practice. Dr. Holbrook has ever been public spirited, and identified himself with all improvements for the benefit of town or county. He first sug- gested the erection of Auglaize County, having originated and mapped it out in 1846, when he submitted the map to Col. Van Horne, Robert J. Skinner, and others. Col. Van Horne pro- nounced the project "visionary," but added, "there is no tell- ing what this Yankee Doctor may accomplish!" The Doctor did accomplish much, and the erection of the county may, per- haps, be considered the most important achievement of his life. This work is a monument to his energy and enterprise, as is shown by the effort he put forth in this project. Ile attended the sessions of the Ohio Legislature while the bill for the erec- tion of the county was under consideration. In the session of 1846 the bill passed the House, but failed in the Senate; the next year it failed, but Feb 13, 1848, the bill passed and Au- glaize County took a place on the State map. The Doctor sacrificed his personal and family interests by this expenditure of time and money, for the journals of the Ohio Legislature show he was in Columbus devoting his whole energy to this undertaking during the sessions of 1846, 7, and 8. The jour- nals also show that at one time he was arrested on a charge of bribing a member of the House, but at the trial by the House he was honorably acquitted and fully vindicated. The same Legislature gave him a hearty endorsement by electing him to the office of Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which position he retained until the office was superseded by that of the Probate Court under the new Constitution. HIe has been an active worker in behalf of all improvements, and especially has he labored for railroads through the county. The Ohio and Penna. R. R. bill was even engrossed, to pass through Kenton, Wapakoneta, and St. Marys, and thence toward Chicago; but the citizens of St. Marys opposed the road; it was defeated, and running north of the county, passed through Lima. In this enterprise our subject was deeply inte-
11*
126
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
rested. At that time the Charter Act of the Dayton and Michigan R. R. was before the Legislature. The charter only called for a road terminating at Sidney, and the Doctor wrote to Senator Myers and others of Toledo, to have it taken up and chartered through to Toledo. Myers in his letter of thanks said the reason he had not inserted in the charter the clause "passing through to Toledo" was " that he thought the coun- try too new to undertake an enterprise of such magnitude." The Doctor labored and contributed largely of his means to make this enterprise a success, and acting with Col. Andrews as agents, they raised about $75,000 toward the construction of the road. The Company took property on stock subscrip- tion, and he deeded several improved lots, for one of which he received $800 in stock, while in a short time the same property sold for $2000. The other property advanced in the same ratio. The Doctor became one of the directors of the road, and at one time held about $10,000 in stock, which he was afterward compelled to sell at from fifteen to twenty cents on the dollar. The success of this railroad project has been the cause of the growth of the town. This untiring zeal in the advancement of the county has caused our subject to be considered one of the most enterprising and public-spirited of our citizens.
Gen. Geo. W. Andrews was born in Medina, Orleans County, New York, Sept. 1, 1825. He is the son of Joel and Anne (Lewis) Andrews. His father was a Quaker, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. His grandfather, on the maternal side, John Lewis, was a major in the Revolutionary army, and was a descendant of the Lewis family of Rhode Island, who, as Baptists, took a prominent part in the religious con- troversies of the Roger Williams period. The earlier cul- ture of the General was received at the Quaker institution, "Nine Partners' College," in Duchess County, New York, and in Oberlin University, of Ohio. At the age of eighteen, he began the study of law at Granville, Licking County, and in 1845 was admitted to the bar at Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio. He subsequently entered the practice of his profession at Lima, Allen County, and was at once elected prosecuting attorney. During his stay of three years at this place, he established and edited the "Lima Argus" with marked ability. In 1848, he came to Wapakoneta, and established the "Au- glaize Republican." The same year he was elected prosecut- ing attorney, and was re-elected in 1850. In 1856, he was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1858 and 1860. In 1861, at the request of Governor Denni- son, he left the Legislature, and returned home, and within two days raised a company of volunteers, and entered the service
127
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
with the commission of captain. He was afterward successively promoted to the rank of major, lientenant-colonel, colonel, and brevet brigadier-general. In 1864 he left the service, after an honorable career as a soldier, and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1873 he was elected to the State Senate, and upon the organization was made chairman of the committees on "Judiciary" and on "Military Affairs," and a member of the committees on "Public Works," "Fees and Salaries," "Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home," and "Privileges and Elections." He has been a distinguished member of the bar, and has conducted to successful issues many important cases, while, as an official, he has a record free from blemish ; having often, under difficult circumstances, labored successfully for the interests of his constituency, and the welfare of the gen- eral community. In 1875 he was re-elected to the Senate. He is still engaged in the practice of his profession at Wapako- neta, Olio.
C. P. Davis was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1833. His father was a prominent Democrat in that district, of which this county was then a part. He was an elector on the Democratic Presi- dential ticket of 1840. Our subject's first instruction in the printing business was received in the Empire office in Dayton, Ohio, which he entered May 1, 1846. Commencing at the bottom of the ladder, as devil, he continued through 1849 and 1850, and completed his course in James's book establishment in Cincinnati. He next printed the Union County Tribune for the proprietor, Hon. C. S. Hamilton, then a member of the Ohio Constitutional Convention. Leaving Marysville, we next find him at his old home at Dayton, engaged with two other printers in editing and publishing the Daily City Item, a paper which earned such popularity that it acquired the largest circulation of the city papers, which gave it the P. O. advertising. Selling out in 1852, he shortly afterward went to St. Marys, this county, and engaged in the grocery and con- fectionery business, but withdrew in 1854, and crossed the plains to California, spending about five months on the way. Here he tried his luck in the mines, but found it less profitable than printing. After a year or so, he, with a junior partner, purchased the Mariposa Democrat. In 1858 he sold out to his partner and returned to Ohio by the way of the Isthmus. In the winter of 1858 he became manager of the Dayton Daily Empire, with which he was connected until Nov. 1860. In 1859 he married a daughter of Anthony Dieker, of Wapako- neta, Ohio. After severing his connection with the Empire, he came to Wapakoneta, with the expectation of purchasing the Democrat, but failing in this, he engaged in the hardware
128
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
business, and built up a large and growing trade. In 1869, lie was elected clerk of the courts, on the Democratic tieket, and served nine years and three months, having received the third-term nomination without opposition. In 1875, he pur- chased a half interest in the Democrat, and in 1876, he pur- chased the interest of his partner, the late Robert McMurray.
Judge Hamaker was born in Dauphin Co., Pa., June 6, 1813. He remained at home, working on the farm until 18 years of age, when he went to learn the milling trade, and settled in Dayton, Ohio, in 1839, where he taught school sev- eral terms. In 1840 he married Miss Susan Randall, of Day- ton, Ohio. He was candidate for Auditor of Montgomery Co. in 1850, when C. L. Vallandigham was candidate for the Legislature from the same county. At the election both were defeated, and the next year Mr. H. settled in St. Mary's, this county, where he taught school, and became deputy collector on the canal. In 1866 he was elected Probate Judge, in which office he served twelve years. At the April election of 1880, he was elected a justice of the peace, and Mayor of the village of Wapakoneta, where he resided since his election as Probate Judge.
O. T. Dieker was born in Prussia June 2, 1827, and came with his parents to Wapakoneta when eleven years of age. Here he learned the tanner trade with his father, and worked at this business about six years, when he went to New Bremen and accepted a clerkship. This position he held about three years, when he took charge of a boat, which he managed until 1848, wlien he returned to Wapakoneta and entered the mer- cantile business, in which he is still engaged. He was also in the livery business from 1864 to 1880. He has been township treasurer two terms, and has served as councilman several years.
Justus Romshe came from Germany to this township in 1838, and purchased seventy-five acres of land from J. C. Bothe for $400. After the payment of the land he had but $15 left as his year's capital. He first secured work on the canal at Troy, and continued at this work while the canal was constructing through this county. Mrs. Romshe did a large portion of the farm work at home, often carrying grain to the Wapakoneta mills upon her head. She met her death Sept. 1, 1854, by falling from a load of ashes on the home farm. Mr. Romshe died Oct. 12, 1879.
George Romshe, son of the above, was born in Hesse Darm- stadt, Germany, Nov. 2, 1827, and came with his parents to this township. He and a sister, who lives at Springfield, are the only survivors of his father's family. He now occu-
129
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
pies the old homestead of his father. In 1850 he married Mary McClintock, who came from Ireland in 1848. Mr. Romshe's first purchase of land consisted of twenty acres, which he bought in 1852 from John Everett for $120. His second piece was also twenty acres, purchased in 1856. To- day he and his children represent six hundred and forty acres in Duchouquet and Logan townships, all joining, although not in a regular body. He was elected township trustee in 1879, and re-elected in 1880. His family consisted of ten children, of whom five sons and one daughter are still living.
G. W. MeClintock was born in Ireland Feb. 28, 1821, and at the age of ten years came with his parents to New Brunswick. Here he lived several years, and married Miss Margaret Steen, when in 1842 he came to Miami County, Ohio. Here he re- mained until 1848, when he moved to this county, and located on the farm he now occupies. Here he built a cabin in the timber, and commenced clearing the land. In 1851 his wife died, leaving six small children. Two years later he married Mrs. Elizabeth Barr, by whom he had eight children. Of the fourteen children ten are still living, of whom all are married except two sons and one daughter.
Adam Winemiller was born in Germany in 1796, and came to the United States in 1832, locating first in Butler County, Ohio, where he remained until he came to this county. He reared a family of seven children. George, the second son, is now living on the old homestead. Mr. Winemiller died in 1863.
Andrew Freyman, a son of John M. Freyman, came with his father to this township in 1833. He was then fourteen years of age, and is still living on the old homestead. He relates the following incident touching his father. Wishing to secure assistance to raise a cabin, he went out to call upon his neigh- bors, and becoming lost he wandered about till dark, when he saw a light which guided him to the house of Mr. Bodkin, where Bodkin Station now stands. He further relates that he and his sister-now Mrs. Wintzer-would chop wood and clear land as successfully as two men.
Adam Richie was born in Virginia in 1801; married Mollie Spitzer in 1824; moved to this county ten years later, and settled where he now lives in sec. 8. Mr. Richie cleared his own land, as he entered it while it was all timber. Mrs. Richie died in 1852. He afterwards married Nancy Sprague. They have reared four children, three of whom survive. Mr. Richie, now seventy-eight years old, is hale and hearty, and working upon his farm just as he did during his younger days.
Ambrose Harvey was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1779. He married Rebecca Highland in 1829, and moved to
130
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
St. Johns in 1830. There were no white settlers near here at this time. The first Mrs. Harvey remembers seeing was Mr. Richardson. Mr. Harvey died in 1865. Mrs. Harvey is still living with her son's widow, and is, perhaps, the only person in the township who was married and living here as early as 1830.
George Emerick was born in Pennsylvania in 1808, and while a boy came to Butler County, Ohio. There he married Mary Sarvir, and in 1835 came to Wapakoneta and entered one hundred and sixty acres in sec. 36, on which land he resided the remainder of his life. His family consisted of eight children, of whom seven survive. Jonathan, one of the sons, now owns the old homestead, a view of which appears in this work. Mr. Emerick died in November, 1867.
Benjamin M. Baker was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1802. He married Sevilla Poe in 1825, and moved to Dochou- quet township in 1834. He built the second house on Two Mile Creek north of Wapakoneta. They have raised a family of eight children, four of whom are still living. When he came here his nearest neighbor was James Cheney, who lived abont three and a half miles distant. Mr. Baker has lived to see what was a wild swampy country well improved by draining, clearing, and road construction. He has now retired from active life.
Martin Kantner was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and came from Montgomery to this county in 1834. He and his father had been here in 1832, and sowed some wheat before the land was put on the market. The following winter John attended the land sale and purchased their land in Pusheta township, to which he moved the next spring. Martin came later, as above noted, and still lives on his original land purchase.
N. A. Murdock settled in 1823 in St. Marys township with his parents, where he resided until 1863, when he went to Cridersville where he is still in business.
David Edmiston was born in Tennessee in 1793, and mar- ried Mary Porter in 1820. Mrs. Edmiston died in 1828. He married Jane Beattie about a year later, and came to this county in 1834. Joseph E., his oldest son, is now living on land which his father obtained from the government. He was fourteen years old when he came to this county. He married Catharine Howell in 1846 .. Their family consists of eight children.
Neal Shaw, the father of William H. Shaw, came to this town- ship in 1833. William H. was born in Virginia in 1807, and came here in 1834. He married Elizabeth Lurton in 1837. Their family consisted of ten children. He still resides on the land he first purchased near Cridersville. His father was, perhaps,
131
HISTORY OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO.
the first white settler in the northern part of the township. The road leading from Wapakoneta to Lima was opened after he came to the township. He was the teacher of the first schools in the neighborhood. John Alexander was the first minister he heard preach in the neighborhood. Mr. Shaw has held dif- ferent township offices, and is now justice of the peace, and, although advanced in years, is still active in the management of his farm and office.
Rev. David Bobp was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and came to this county in 1837, when he entered the land on which he now lives. He devoted the greater portion of his life to the work of the ministry, but declining health com- pelled him to relinquish this position. He still acts however in the capacity of a local minister. He has officiated at 95 marriages, and preached perhaps as many funeral sermons as any man in the county.
Samuel Moyer was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1813, and came to this county in 1834. Two years later he married Catharine Delong. Their family consists of three sons and four daughters, all living in this township. There is perhaps no other man in the county who has cleared as much land, as he thinks he has cleared 200 acres with his own hands.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.