History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 60

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Mary Fernbauch; Henry (2), the subject of this sketch; Philomena, wife of Fred Bertke; and Christina. Mr. Fiely died March 8, 1894. His wife is still living and resides at Cranberry Prairie.

Henry Fiely was reared on his father's farm in Granville township, has always lived in Mercer County and has never been away from home for any length of time. He was married July 31, 1895, to Anna Neuhardt, who was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, August 12, 1875, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Boehmer) Neuhardt, both natives of Germany. Mr. Neu- hardt came to this country when a young man and first settled at Indiana- polis, Indiana, where he was married in 1869. Shortly after his marriage, he moved to Mercer County, Ohio, and located at Cassella, where he fol- lowed his trade, having learned wood carving and carpentering in Germany. He worked on all the principal churches in the county and built a great many houses, among them our subject's house, which is a seven-room brick struc- ture, erected in 1876. He lived in Mercer County for about 30 years, and then moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he is now a foreman in a furniture factory. His wife is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Neuhardt are the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, who married Bernard Forsthoefel; Carrie, wife of Valentine Leonard; Anna; Maggie, who married Frank Staver; Henry, who married Bertha Ugal; Agnes, who married Joseph Long; Anthony; Frances; Fred, deceased; and Fred (2).

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiely, as follows: Edith, Will- iam, Alfred, Andrew, Henry (deceased in infancy), and Henrietta. Mr .. Fiely and his family are members of St. Francis' Catholic Church at Cran- berry Prairie.

SILVERIUS GEBELE

SILVERIUS GEBELE, a representative farmer of Granville township, own- ing 120 acres in section 20, was born November 30, 1840, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Sebastian and Crescent (Rodgaber) Gebele.

Sebastian Gebele accompanied his father, from Bayern, Germany, to 'America, in 1840. His mother, who was also a member of the party, died at sea. There were but two children in the family, Sebastian and Joseph, who died when he was about to enter the German Army. The grandparents of our subject had conducted an inn in their native land and there Sebastian learned the brewing business. Sebastian Gebele and his father bought a farm of 40 acres in Perry County, Ohio, and there the father died in 1849. In Germany Sebastian had married and when he came to America he brought with him his wife and his two children: Sebastian, who married Rebecca

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY

Flower and lives in Zanesville, Ohio, and Mary, also a resident of Zanes- ville, who married Edward Markel. The other members of the family were born in America, as follows: Silverius, of this sketch; Jacob, who married Addie Keck, served four years in the army during the Civil War and died at Zanesville; Leonard, who married Rose Reitleman and lives at St. Henry; George, who married Felice Garney and died at Celina ; Julia Ann, who mar- ried Liebolt Lauber and lives in Missouri; and Catherine, who married Fred Fiesley and lives at Zanesville.

Sebastian Gebele lived in Perry County until November 1, 1849, when he came to this county. This was nothing but a wilderness at that time and neighbors who lived many miles away were considered near. He bought 40 acres of land from Bernard Romer, cleared the tract and on it erected a round-log cabin. Here he died in September, 1854. Later his widow bought 40 acres from Peter Bert, making the homestead 80 acres in extent. When she died in February, 1887, our subject bought the home place and at a later date bought 40 acres, which the grandfather had left to the grand- sons.

In May, 1867, Silverius Gebele was united in marriage with Elizabeth Romer, who died December 28, 1870. She was born April 20, 1847, and was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Klinetrimp) Romer. Two children were born to this union: John Edward, who married Anna Smith, and George William, who married Mary Zarringer; and both sons are residents of Fort Recovery.

On November 28, 1872, Mr. Gebele was married (second) to Mary Crush, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 22, 1850, and is a daughter of John and Margaret Crush, natives of Germany, who settled in Seneca County, Ohio, upon coming to this country, where Mr. Crush followed the coopering business. Later they moved to Maryland and fol- lowed farming for a time and then removed to Mercer County and settled on a farm near St. Henry, where John Crush died in 1870, aged 77 years. His wife then removed to Pulaski, Indiana, where she died aged 78 years. They had children as follows: Lena, who died in childhood; John, who married Christiana Soefelman, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; Frances, de- ceased, who was the wife of Mathias Beck; Margaret, who married Charles Studer and lives at Wheeling, West Virginia; Catherine, widow of Casper Rieterbuch, residing at Pulaski, Indiana; Elizabeth, who married Anton Miller and lives at St. Henry; Peter, who married Elizabeth Brenkman and died in Indiana; and Mary, the wife of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Gebele have had 10 children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Joseph Albert, who married Catherine Tangeman and lives at Fort Recovery; John Henry, who married Agatha Staggler and lives

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

at Dayton; Casper Leonard, who married Emma Hammon and rents his father's farm; Silverius M., who resides at St. Henry; Philip Ernest, born November 17, 1892; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Rosner, formerly a resi- dent of Fort Recovery, but now of St. Henry; and Grace, who married Frank Bany, and lives at St. Henry. The names of the grandchildren are : John, Elizabeth, Paulina and Chrisenthia Gebele; Edwin, Viola, William, Marcella and Louella Gebele; Mary and Lilliosa Rosner; and Evalina, Lenora, and Leroy Gebele. Three sons, Joseph, Henry and Leonard, were married on the same day, at St. Henry.

The old homestead is a picturesque residence, a part of the old log house having been retained and remodeled, while all is beautifully shaded by trees. Here Mr. and Mrs. Gebele are spending the evening of life sur- rounded by all that will tend to render them comfortable and happy. The sons and daughters take all the burdens from the parents and the grand- children swarming around their knees bring back the years of their early married life. They are very highly respected in this community. Both are devout members of the Catholic Church. Politically, Mr. Gebele is a Demo- crat; he served through one term as constable, three terms as township trustee and for a number of years was a member of the School Board.

WILLIAM FREDERICK PAUSCH

WILLIAM FREDERICK PAUSCH, merchant, dealer in groceries and queensware, at Fort Recovery, was born at St. Marys, Ohio, December 20, 1857, and is a son of Fred Christian and Caroline ( Ankerman) Pausch.

Fred Christian Pausch, father of our subject, came in early manhood to America, landing at New Orleans in 1854. He was a native of Germany and had learned the milling trade in his own land. From New Orleans the youth went to Cincinnati, where he transferred from the big river steamer to the packet boat on the canal, on which he reached New Bremen, in Auglaize County. He remained there about two years, working in a flour mill, and then moved to St. Marys and was employed in the mills in the vicinity for 20 years. He then returned to New Bremen 'and worked in the mills there for six years. When the railroad was built through Fort Re- covery, in 1879, Mr. Pausch was one to quickly recognize the fact that this place was destined to be a town of some importance, hence he located here, buying a mill in partnership with Abraham Rantz. The business was run under the firm name of Pausch, Rantz & Company and the partnership con- tinued until Mr. Pausch's death, of typhoid fever, on September 17, 1893. His widow still survives.

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The eight children of Fred Christian Pausch and wife were: William Frederick; Laura, who died in childhood; Edward J., who married Minnie Reedy and lives at Piqua, Ohio; Henry, who died in 1886 in young man- hood; Anna, who married George Reedy and lives at Piqua; Louie and Frank, deceased in infancy; and Theodore, who married Ethel Thompson and lives at Detroit, Michigan.

William Frederick Pausch started to work for his father in youth; worked in a mill at New Bremen for six years, at Cincinnati for one year, and at Minster, Ohio, for two years and nine months. From 1882 until 1886 he worked for Higby & Company, at Belleview, Ohio. In the latter year he came to Fort Recovery, where his father and two brothers, Henry and Edward, had conducted a store for one year, but the death of Henry made a vacancy, which William Frederick filled. In 1901 he bought his brother Edward's interest, the latter going to Piqua. Our subject has continued to operate the business ever since and is one of the village's sub- stantial, representative citizens. He has invested in property and owns a nice place on Main street, which he bought in 1893, remodeling and mod- ernizing the 10-room house.

In 1883 Mr. Pausch was married to Elizabeth Rabe, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Myers) Rabe, natives of Germany, the latter coming to America when 16 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Pausch have two children, namely : Rolla, born March 17, 1884; and Helen, born July 3. 1891. The mother of Mrs. Pausch resides with her daughter, the father having died at New Bremen, where Mrs. Pausch was born May 14, 1861. She has two surviving brothers, namely: Theodore, a merchant in New Bremen, who married (first) Catherine Wiemyer, and (second) Ida Trautwine; and Henry, of St. Marys, Ohio, who married Catherine Limbacher.

Mr. Pausch has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He served for eight years as a member of the Village Council of Fort Recovery, and is now a member of the Board of Public Affairs. He belongs to Pisgah Congregational Church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Eagles.

THOMAS HART

THOMAS HART, who has been a resident of Gibson township since 1872, resides on his farm of 96 acres in section 23. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, January 2, 1866, and is a son of Thomas and Kate (Ennis) Hart.

Thomas Hart, Sr., was born in Ireland, where he grew to manhood. Upon coming to the United States, he located at New York, where he worked for a number of years and was married. About 1861 he moved to Fayette

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County, Ohio, where he settled on a farm on which he lived until 1872, when he moved to Mercer County and bought the farm now owned by our subject and his brother James, who is engaged in teaching school. Thomas Hart died in 1901 and his wife died in 1897. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living. The record is as follows: Patrick, who lives in Re- covery township; John, a resident of Granville township; Thomas; Peter, who died aged 21 years; James, who teaches in the Koester school district, Gibson township; Mary, who died aged 22 years; and Margaret, wife of Michael Resh, living in Recovery township.

Thomas Hart came to Mercer County with his parents when six years of age, and has since lived in this township and on the farm, where his father first located, the land at that time being chiefly covered with timber. Mr. Hart was married in the fall of 1898 to Clara Stachler, a daughter of Henry Stachler. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have no children. They are both members of St. Wendelin's Catholic Church at Wendelin.

GEORGE KLINGSHIRN

GEORGE KLINGSHIRN, who resides on his well-developed farm of 80 acres, located in section 30, Gibson township, was born June 4, 1864, on a farm in Gibson township directly across the road from his present property, and is a son of Sebastian and Kunigunda (Friedmann) Klingshirn, natives of Ger- many.

Sebastian Klingshirn was about 14 years old when he came to the United States with his father, who located on a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, near French Creek. His mother died in Germany when he was quite small, and he was reared by his step-mother. After living in Lorain County for about 16 or 17 years he moved to Mercer County, about the year 1862, one year after his marriage. Here he bought a farm of 40 acres in Gibson township, to which farm he added from time to time, at one time owning as much as 360 acres of farm land, 200 acres being in Gibson township and the remaining 160 acres in Granville township. He divided 240 acres of this land among his children, and now lives on the remaining 120 acres. He was the father of II children-six girls and five boys-seven of whom are now living.

George Klingshirn was reared and educated in Gibson township. After his marriage, he located on his present farm of 80 acres and has since lived here engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has a well-improved farm, with good and substantial buildings, having erected a large farmhouse in 1892 and a fine large barn in 1902.

Mr. Klingshirn was married, January 31, 1893, to Mary Magdalene

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Frank, a daughter of John Frank, a well-known farmer of Recovery town- ship. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klingshirn, namely : Joseph Sebastian, Kunigunda Mary, Leo Joseph, Urban Peter and Edward Joseph. Our subject is a member of the Sharpsburg Special District School Board. He is also a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg.

BERNARD HUERKAMP

BERNARD HUERKAMP, a prominent farmer of Washington township, re- siding on his well-improved farm of 120 acres, was born in Germany, June 3, 1855, and is a son of Bernard and Gertrude (Grapperhaus) Huerkamp.

Bernard Huerkamp, Sr., was born and raised in Germany, where he lived until 1881 when he came to America with his wife and four children, and lo- cated on the farm now owned by our subject in Washington township. He was the father of five sons and two daughters, namely : Philomena, who married Bernard Gumme and lives on a farm adjoining the home farm; Bernard; Joseph, deceased in 1893, who conducted a general store at Monterey ; Henry, a merchant of Santa Ana, Kentucky; August, proprietor of a general store at Covington, Kentucky; Elizabeth, deceased in 1903, who was the wife of Joseph Schroer, of Washington township; and Martin, living at Ellinger, Kentucky, who is a partner in a large wholesale business in Cincinnati. Mr. Huerkamp died in 1904 and his wife died in 1902.

Bernard Huerkamp, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Germany, and received a good common-school education in that country. He came to this country with his parents when 25 years of age. After landing at New York, they spent one day in that city and then located in Cincinnati, where they remained for about six months. Our subject was unmarried when he came to Mercer County, and located on his present farm which he purchased, and his parents made their home with him the rest of their lives. He has a well-improved farm and in 1893 he erected a fine, large frame house and a barn. Mr. Huerkamp is recognized as one of the township's most successful and prosperous farmers. Mr. Huerkamp was engaged in farming in Germany prior to coming to this country, owning a large estate of 900 acres. He contemplates taking a trip to the old country in the near future.

Mr. Huerkamp was married in 1894 to Magdalene Rose, a daughter of Henry Rose. Mrs Huerkamp died September 23, 1906. The subject of this sketch is a man of enterprise and public spirit, and has always been among the foremost in the development of the interests of the community. He is a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church at Padua.

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PHILIP DEHAYS

PHILIP DEHAYS, who owns 100 acres of land, 80 acres being located in section 5, Recovery township, and the remaining 20 acres lying in section 7, Washington township, was born on his present farm, in Recovery township, October 29, 1851, and is a son of Isaac and Margaret (Snyder) DeHays, and a grandson of William DeHays.

William DeHays was born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated. After his marriage, he moved to Ohio and settled in Preble County, subsequently locating in Jay County, Indiana. He had four sons, three by his first marriage and one by his second, namely: Samuel, Briggs, Isaac and Joseph, who is now a resident of Findlay, Ohio.

Isaac DeHays was born at Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, April 7, 1822, and was reared on his father's farm. In young manhood he entered 80 acres of land in Mercer County, paying $1.25 per acre. This land, which is now owned by our subject, was then covered with timber. He cleared all this land and built a log cabin, in which he lived alone for a number of years. He was married in 1850 to Margaret Snyder, who was born May 12, 1832, in Cham- paign County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jesse Snyder, a resident of Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. DeHays became the parents of five children, namely : Elmira who married John Isenhart, a leading liveryman at Fort Recovery ; Mary, who married Adam Nearon, of Fort Recovery; Catherine, wife of David Money, of Montpelier, Indiana; Jesse, who married Birdie Robinson, of Van Wert, Ohio, and has one child, Georgia; and Philip. Mr. DeHays spent the remainder of his life on his farm in Mercer County, his death oc- curring April 11, 1890. His wife is still living and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.

Philip DeHays has spent all his life on his present farm. He has made many improvements on the place, and in 1884 built a fine large barn. The house in which he resides was raised in 1861 on the day Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President of the United States. Mr. DeHays is engaged in gen- eral farming, raising principally wheat, corn and oats. He has never been married. He has served nine years as trustee of Recovery township, being elected on the Democratic ticket. He retired from the office in January, 1905. He also served one year on the School Board.

FELIX METZGER

FELIX METZGER, a successful farmer of Gibson township, who owns 240 acres of valuable and highly cultivated land in sections 35 and 36, was

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY

born in Baden, Germany, January 14, 1836. He is a son of Anthony and Tillie Metzger, both natives of Germany.

Felix Metzger spent his early boyhood days in Germany, and when IO years old accompanied his parents to America, making the three-months' trip in a sailing vessel. They landed at New York and after staying there four! days located in Richland County, Ohio, where the father of our subject bought a small farm, on which he lived until his death.

Mr. Metzger was reared and educated in Richland County. In 1883 he sold a farm of 60 acres which he owned and moved to Mercer County. Here he purchased a farm of 160 acres situated in section 35, Gibson township, on which he made his home for many years, making many improvements, among which was the erection of a fine large barn. In April, 1902, he bought 80 acres adjoining his first farm and one year later built a fine large barn on the place; in 1905 he erected a frame house and moved on the place, renting the other farm.

Mr. Metzger was married in 1866, while a resident of Richland County, to Mary Keeler and they have had four children, as follows : Rosa, who lives at home; Frank, Joseph and Anthony. Mr. Metzger and his family are con- nected with the Catholic Church.

GEORGE F. HELLWARTH

GEORGE F. HELLWARTH, one of the leading citizens and representative agriculturists of Hopewell township, the owner of the choice property known far and wide as the "Bonanza Farm," which is situated in section 28, belongs to one of the pioneer families of this locality. He was born in this township, March 5, 1849, and is a son of George M. and Margaret (Wappas) Hellwarth.

The parents of Mr. Hellwarth were born in Germany. When they came to Mercer County, the father bought from the government a tract of forest land, upon which he settled and which he spent the rest of his life in develop- ing. In his death, in 1866, it was generally conceded that Hopewell township had lost one of its most worthy pioneers. Prior to coming to Ohio, he lived three years in Pennsylvania, and in the '30s worked as a laborer on the National Road between Springfield and Columbus, Ohio. He served as township trustee and did much to assist in the early developement of all the township's resources.

George F. Hellwarth was reared amid pioneer surroundings and secured his education in the little log schoolhouse of the district, in close proximity to his father's farm. His early training, as well as his inclinations, made him a practical farmer and he has given his main attention through life to agricul-

RUTH WILLCUTT

LLOYD WILLCUTT

MRS. LAURA W. ROLLER

MRS. MARY BELLE S. WILLCUTT

MARY WILLCUTT

MRS. AMANDA EDITH W. PRICHARD GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLCUTT

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLCUTT

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 681

tural pursuits. This evidently has been to good purpose as his 240-acre farm has acquired a name indicating great resources. His methods have been di- rected along intelligent lines and all the surroundings of his beautiful home give indications that the owner and manager of this estate thoroughly under- stands and takes pleasure in his business. All the buildings on the place are substantial ones. Mr. Hellwarth enjoys the reputation of being a model farmer.

On the 14th of May, 1886, a cyclone passed through our subject's neigh- borhood, and he with others suffered heavy losses, all his buildings being practically destroyed and several members of the family being injured.

Mr. Hellwarth was united in marriage with Catherine Schmidt, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Christian Schmidt, of Hopewell township, Mercer County. To this union have been born four children, namely : Lorenzo D., Clinton C., Oscar and Edith M.

For the past 29 years Mr. Hellwarth has resided on his present place and during this period he has taken an active part in the public affairs of Hope- well township. He has always been much interested in public education and on numerous occasions has served as school director in District No. 7. In politics he is a Republican and in 1905 was chosen by his party as its candidate for county commissioner. By reason of his high personal character, Mr. Hell- warth enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLCUTT

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLCUTT, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Union township, was born in Center township, Mercer County, Ohio, August 30, 1853, and is a son of Edward and Susan (Fox) Willcutt.

Mr. Willcutt comes of Scotch ancestry on the paternal side and of Dutch on the maternal. His father was born in Portage County, Ohio, and died in Mercer County, in 1901, in his 71st year. The mother passed away in 1876, aged 53 years. They were married in Portage County but moved to Mercer County in 1850, settling in Center township, where the father purchased 80 acres of land and established the family home. Here the family of five chil- dren were reared; they were as follows : Louisa, born in Portage County, who married William Ballinger, and moved to the vicinity of Bluffton, Indiana, where she died, leaving a daughter; Emeline, born in Portage County, who married Joseph Ballinger, has five children and resides in Norton County, Kansas; George W .; Mary, a resident of Hoopeston, Illinois, who is the

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY

widow of John Smith; and Jesse, who married Elva Cook, lives on the home farm and is engaged in farming.

George W. Willcutt spent his boyhood and youth in attending the dis- trict schools and working on the home farm. Agricultural pursuits have always claimed his attention and he is an experienced, practical farmer. In 1894 he purchased his present farm of 40 acres, which had been partially cleared. For some years, however, it had been rented to different farmers and was in poor condition. Mr. Willcutt soon remedied the mistakes of those who had preceded him, made all the excellent improvements which now make it a comfortable home, and put the land under a fine state of cultivation. He has always been a hard worker.

On March 3, 1881, Mr. Willcutt was married to Mary Belle Severns, a daughter of Frank and Amanda (Boroff) Severns. Mr. Severns was born near Sidney, Ohio, and his wife, in Union township, Mercer County. In her childhood, her parents moved to Iowa, but subsequently returned to Mercer County.

Mr. and Mrs. Willcutt have five children, namely: Amanda Edith, who married Lloyd Prichard and resides in Van Wert County, where her husband is engaged in farming-they have two children, Lenore and Franklin Eugene; Lloyd, a teacher, now residing in Columbus, Ohio; Laura, who married Wil- lard Roller, resides in Columbus and has one child, Ruth; and Ruth and Mary, both living at home.

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History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 60

Author: Scranton, S. S Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 786

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786