History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 115

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744

USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 115

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John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon emigrated to the United States and first located at Philadelphia, where they remained a short time. Later they removed to Richland county, Ohio, where they were pioneers and where they purchased a tract of land. After living there until 1836 they removed to Putnam county, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of land in the woods, built a log house, cleared and drained his land. They lived on this farm until 1863, when, on account of failing health, John P. Simon moved to Ottawa, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. John P. Simon was a Mason, having joined the lodge at Kalida. He was a com- missioned officer in the state militia and was a foremost citizen in the com- munity where he lived and stood for law and order. He died on April 29, 1888, at which time he was a devout member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Savilla (Genshimer) Simon died in 1856, and subsequently Mr. John P. Simon married Mrs. Margaret M. Landis, who bore him one son, Adam, in 1859. After her death, Mr. Simon married Mrs. Margaret Hedges, who died on March 25, 1895.

The late John A. Simon's father, Lewis Simon, a venerable resident of this county, was reared on a farm and educated in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse. He was married to Margaret M. Dangler on April 13, 1861. She was the daughter of George and Fannie (Fender) Dangler, and by this union four children were born: Anna, who married H. J. Kirkendall; Veronica, who married George Rinedour; John A., the subject of this sketch, and Barbara, who died in infancy. Mrs. Simon died on May II, 1868. Mr. Simon was married, the second time, March 18, 1870, to Jennie Apger, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Apger, who was born on Feb-

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ruary 10, 1847. To this second marriage seven children were born: Mary L., who died on October 31, 1876; Charle E., Chester L., Ora A., Lewis W., Blanch, Ralph B. and an infant who died unnamed. Lewis Simon is still living in Putnam county, and, although disabled, is a man who retains all of his mental faculties. His life has been eminently connected with the history of Putnam county and he is a man highly respected throughout the county. He is a member of Masonic lodge No. 325, at Ottawa, and is also a member of the United Brethren church.

The late John A. Simon was educated in the Greensburg township pub- lic schools and lived on his father's farm until early manhood. He was married on October 1, 1891, to Millie Mullet, daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Crow) Mullet. Jacob Mullet was born in Switzerland, in 1840, and was the son of John and Maria (Ratz) Mullet. About 1847 they came to America. They were three months making the voyage on a sailing vessel. John Mullet, after spending about a year at Cincinnati and a few years at Columbus, Ohio, located near Elm Center, about 1852, while the land was still covered with timber. Later, when the Nickel Plate railroad grade was made, it gave the people work and the land upon which he settled became the finest to be found anywhere in Putnam county. Here Jacob Mullet grew to manhood, and, in 1864, he married Elizabeth Crow, who was born in the northeast part of Greensburg township in January, 1842, and who was the daughter of W. R. and Bersheba (Brower) Crow. W. R. Crow came from Columbiana county, Ohio, where he was born on April 12, 1821, and he was the son of James and Elizabeth (Morland) Crow, who settled here in 1835. James Crow was the son of Abraham and Rachael (Craven) Crow. Abraham Crow was born in 1748 and was among the early set- tlers of Pennsylvania. He was married in Berks county to Rachel Craven and moved to Pennsylvania in 1787, settling in Washington county. They removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, about 1815. A brother of Abraham Crow was killed in the battle of the Brandywine. Abraham and Rachel (Craven) Crow had eleven children. Abraham, Jr., married Sarah Thomp- son and was a pioneer settler in Greensburg township. He left numerous progeny and died in his ninety-seventh year. W. R. Crow's wife, Ber- sheba Brower, was born in Randolph county in 1819, and was the daughter of Frederick and Helena (Staley) Brower. Frederick Brower was born in North Carolina and was a son of Adam Brower, a native of Pennsylvania. Adam's father was the founder of the family in America. Frederick Brower was born and reared in North Carolina and there learned shoemak- ing and tanning. He married Nellie Staley, in Randolph county, North

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Carolina. Her father was a cousin of the royal family of Germany. Fred- erick Brower moved to Florida and thence back to Ohio, and thence to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. After several other moves, the family came finally to Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and entered ninety-three acres. of land. He was the fourth settler in Greensburg township and when he came to Allen county he brought with him a hand-mill which he used to grind corn. In time he became the owner of four hundred and ninety- three acres and cultivated it until his death, in June, 1875. His wife died in 1889. He was the first justice of the peace in Greensburg township, and also the first trustee in that township. After Jacob Mullet's marriage, he first engaged in the butcher business, in Ottawa, and then spent a short time on a farm in Greensburg township. Subsequently, he removed to Leip- sic and engaged in the butcher business for six years, after which time he moved back to Greensburg township and farmed until his death. He and his wife owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mrs. Jacob Mullet died in 1887, and he died in 1900. They had eight children: William G., of Greensburg township; John A., of near Continental; Amelia B., the widow of John A. Simon, the subject of this sketch; Anna Florence, the wife of William H. Wisterman, of Toledo; Mary Emma, the wife of Amos Ridenour, who lives near Wabash, Indiana; Luther H., of Toledo; Fred- erick, of Three Rivers, Michigan, and Everett, who lives near Butler, In- diana. After the death of his first wife, Jacob Mullet married Mrs. Sarah Shardeman, and one child was born to this marriage, Jacob Mullet, Jr.

After the marriage of the late John A. Simon and Millie Mullet they moved to a farm in Palmer township, consisting of eighty acres, which farm had been given to Mr. Simon by his father. Here he built several buildings, drained and cleared part of the land, and later acquired forty acres, which he added to his original purchase. He continued to live on this farm until his death, which occurred on November 29, 1910. He is- buried in the Varner cemetery, in Greensburg township. To the late John A. Simon and wife was born one child, Leonore, in 1897, who was educated in the district schools and in the high school. She also took a course in music in Taylor University and later took a course in the Toledo Con- servatory of Music. She is a splendid pianist and has also taught music. She has a splendid reputation in musical circles. Miss Simon's friends pre- dict for her a brilliant future in the profession to which she is so keenly devoted.

Mrs. Millie Simon and her daughter Leonore still live on the farm, where Mrs. Simon is the overseer and manager. She is a woman of rare

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charm and grace of manners. She has splendid business qualifications and has made a remarkable success of the farm since the death of her husband. They are the center of a wide circle of friends and are beloved by all the people of Palmer township.

The late John A. Simon was a Democrat. He served as supervisor and school director of Palmer township. He was an earnest worker and a highly honored citizen, a good husband and a kind father. The late John A. Simon belonged to the United Brethren church. Mrs. Simon and her daughter are also members of this church.

WILLIAM T. REMLINGER.

Putnam county, Ohio, has been especially favored in character and success of its pharmacists and druggists. Among the representatives of this profession in Putnam county is William T. Remlinger, of Ottoville, Ohio. Mr. Remlinger, as a consequence of years' experience in business for him- self at Ottoville, has not only won for himself a rather large measuse of suc- cess, but has, through his personal influence, stood for the best things in the community life, and is now regarded as one of the active, progressive and successful business men of Monterey township. He is one of the best citizens in this community from whatever standpoint he may be judged.

William T. Remlinger, the subject of this sketch, was born on March 23, 1873, in Pleasant Valley, Jennings township. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (Heffel) Remlinger. Andrew Remlinger was born on November 30, 1836, in Lorraine, then a part of France. His wife, who before her marriage was Mary Heffel, was born in Huron county, Ohio, on March 21, 1843. Her parents were natives of Germany. Andrew Remlinger came to the United States with his parents in 1847 and located at Milan, Erie county, Ohio. From this place the family moved to Wyandot county, where- they purchased a farm and lived until 1865, when they moved to Putnam county. They purchased a farm in this county and lived there the remain- der of their lives. Here, also, the paternal grandparents of William T. Remlinger lived the remainder of their lives. His grandmother died on February 14, 1877, and his grandfather, who was Sebastian Remlinger, died on November 28, 1890. Both are buried in the Ft. Jennings Catholic cemetery.

Andrew Remlinger, the father of William T., while a young man,.

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learned the ship-builder's trade and followed this from 1853 to 1865. Dur- ing this period he was employed by the United States government as a ship- builder at Nashville, Tennessee, and at Bridgeport, Alabama. In February, 1865, he was employed in the federal service on the Tennessee river and continued in this service until the close of the Civil War. In May, 1865, he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he worked until the fall of that year. He then removed to Fremont, Ohio, and, leaving Fremont, he went to Nor- walk, Ohio, where he worked for five years in the railroad shops. Sub- sequently, he located on a farm in Erie county, Ohio, and, on June 19, 1866, he was married to Mary Heffel, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Beyer) Heffel. They had five children, four of whom are now living : Louis P., who died at the age of thirty-six years ; Charles P., who lives at Milan, Ohio; William T., the subject of this sketch; Cornelia, the wife of Louis H. Grote, of Ft. Jennings, and Henry, who lives on the old homestead.

Andrew Remlinger moved to Jennings township in 1871 and purchased eighty acres of land, farming this for three years, when he sold it and pur- chased a farm of ninety-eight acres. Later, he purchased forty acres more and lived on this farm the remainder of his days. He died in 1897, and his wife died in 1914. Andrew Remlinger was a Democrat and served as township trustee for a number of years. He and his wife were both devout Catholics.

William T. Remlinger received his education in the schools of Jack- son township. He also attended Crawford College for one year and then taught school for three years. He took up the study of pharmacy in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, in 1893, graduating from this in- stitution on March 1, 1894. On April 25, 1894, he purchased a drug store in Ottoville, where he has been engaged in business ever since. It is one of the best drug stores in Putnam county.

William T. Remlinger was married on June 17, 1896, to Nellie G. Huysman, the daughter of Walter and Henrietta (Blockberger) Huysman. Walter Huysman was born in Holland and his wife in Saxony, Germany. Both came to the United States when they were small children. Mrs. Rem- linger was born and reared in Putnam county, Ohio, and is one of a family of eight children. To William T. and Nellie G. (Huysman) Remlinger two children have been born, Walter and Harold. Walter, who was born on May 8, 1897, is a graduate of the Ottoville school and also of the Del- phos high school. He entered the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, in September, 1914, and is now a student at this great institution, and Harold, who was born on May 25, 1900, is attending the Ottoville schools.

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Fraternally, William T. Remlinger is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Catholic Knights of Columbus. He is a Democrat and is a member of the school board of Ottoville, and is clerk and treasurer of this board, which office he has filled since 1898. Mr. Remlinger is president of the Ottoville Loan and Savings Company. He was vice-president in 1898, and became president in 1900, having served in this position ever since. Mr. Remlinger is also president of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Otto- ville, and treasurer of Monterey township, now serving his first term. Mr. Remlinger and all the members of his family are devout members of the ·Catholic church.

GEORGE E. ALTENBURGER.

The record of George E. Altenburger is that of a man who, by his own unaided efforts, has worked his way from a modest beginning to a po- sition of influence in his community. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. The systematic and honest methods he has fol- lowed have won for him the unbounded confidence and esteem of his fel- low citizens in Putnam county, whose interests he has ever had at heart and for which he has always labored. George E. Altenburger is a well-known business man of Ottoville, Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is interested in the real estate, loan and insurance business, and, during re- cent years, has built up a comfortable and growing business.

George E. Altenburger was born on August 27, 1867, in Auglaize county, Ohio. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Miller) Altenburger. Peter Altenburger was a native of Alsace, France. His wife, who before her marriage was Mary Miller, was born in Alsace and came with her par- ents to the United States at the age of two years. They settled at Waynes- burg, Ohio, in Stark county. Peter Altenburger came to this country about 1838 and settled in Stark county. He was born in July, in 1818. His wife was born in 1830. Peter Altenburger served in the regular army of France for six years and three months. He and his wife were married in Stark county, Ohio. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living, one dying in infancy; John died at the age of fifty; Louis lives at Delphos, where he is a retired farmer; Magdeline is the wife of Joseph Krabach. They live at Wapakoneta; Joseph lives in Monterey township; Peter, Jr., lives at Bodkins, Ohio, where he is a contractor and builder ; Mary is the wife of John Hohlbein, and they live in Jackson township; An-

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drew lives in Cloverdale, Ohio; George E. is the subject of this sketch; Flora lives at Ottoville with George E .; William died at the age of two years; F. X. Altenburger lives at Delphos, Ohio, where he is in the real estate and insurance business.

Peter Altenburger was a farmer and followed this occupation in Stark county, Ohio. After living for some time in Stark county, he removed to Auglaize county, where he was engaged in farming until about 1877, when he removed to Van Wert county. There he followed farming until about 1898, when he retired and moved to Ottoville. He died in Ottoville in August, 1905. His wife died on April 14, 1910. Both were devoted mem- bers of the Catholic church. During the Civil War, Peter Altenburger drilled two companies at Waynesburg, Ohio, and was appointed captain, but was unable to serve.

George Altenburger received his education in the public schools of Van Wert county and in 1894 began clerking for the firm of Winkelman & Vincke, at Ottoville, where he was employed for about ten years. He opened a gen- eral insurance office at Ottoville in 1904, where he also conducted a real estate and loan business. Mr. Altenburger is a justice of the peace, notary public and secretary of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, at Ottoville. He assisted in the organization of this company, in 1904, and has been secre- tary since that time. Mr. Altenburger is a director and vice-president of the Building and Loan Savings Company at Ottoville.

George E. Altenburger was married on September 29, 1897, to Dora Schlagbaum, a daughter of Bernard and Clara (Helmkamp) Schlagbaum. To this union five children were born. Alberta was born July 4, 1898. Clara was born May 2, 1900. George was born May 17, 1903. Lovena was born November 27, 1914. Watler was born December 25, 1906. Mrs. George E. Altenburger died April 4, 1907.

Bernard Schlagbaum, the father of Mrs. George E. Altenburger is a suc- cessful farmer of Monterey township. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 26, 1840, and here his parents were married. They were both natives of Germany and had ten children, Bernard Schlagbaum, the father of Mrs. Altenburger, was brought to Putnam county by his parents when three years of age. They settled on a farm of eighty acres, one mile east of Ottoville where the father and sons worked to clear the timber off the land. Mrs. Altenburger's father was married on February 12, 1874, to Clara Anna Helmkamp, who was born in Hanover, Germany, July 24, 1846, her maiden name being Grave. Her parents came to the United States at an carly date and settled at Delphos, Ohio. She first married Bernard Helmkamp and

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they had two children. After his death, she married Mr. Schlagbaum. Mrs. Altenburger was one of five children.

George E. Altenburger is an ardent Democrat, has served as assessor of Ottoville and of Monterey township, and has discharged the duties of these offices in a most creditable manner. Fraternally, he is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio, and a member of the Eagles, at Delphos, Ohio. All of the members of the Altenburger family are devoted to the Catholic church. They are liberal contributors to the support of this church and in- fluential in its membership.

FRANK PAHL.

The man whose name forms the caption of this review is one of those men of enterprise and perseverance who has succeeded in his chosen vocation and, by careful management, has become one of the leading agriculturists, and at the same time has been of good service to the community in matters of civic welfare by advancing public interests and proving himself worthy of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the people. In consequence of his good citizenship and the high regard in which he is held by all who know him, he is entitled to recognition and commendation in a work of this nature.

Frank Pahl was born near the town of Norwalk in Huron county, Ohio, July 14, 1852, and is the son of Frank and Marie (Simons) Pahl. Frank Pahl, Sr., was born in Baden, Germany, and was quite young when he accom- panied his parents to the United States where they first settled in the city of Buffalo, New York. This was in the year 1832, and after remaining in Buffalo for about twelve months, they decided to remove to Huron county, Ohio, where they engaged in farming. The mother of Frank Pahl also was born in Germany, in the town of Beyers, and immigrated to this country with her parents when she was but three years of age. Her parents settled in Seneca county, Ohio, and it was here that Frank Pahl's father and mother were married, and to them were born nine children, Elizabeth, deceased; Mary, deceased; Helen, wife of Jacob Hubert who lives near Fremont, San- dusky county, Ohio; Frank, the subject of review; Peter, who resides in the state of Michigan; Rose, the wife of Ferdinand Esker, who lives in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, and three other children who died in infancy.

Frank Pahl, Sr., was engaged in farming through his entire life and his wife died about the year 1857. His second marriage is recorded to Helen Simons, to which union there were born ten children, all of whom are living

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except one. In the order of their birth they were as follow: Louisa, wife of Joseph Brown; Frances, the widow of Louis Lodgson; Henry; Emil; William; Mary; John; Charles; Jerome and Helen. All of these children live in or near the town of Terry, Wyandot county, Ohio, exception being made of Charles who is engaged in the undertaking business in Tiffin, Ohio, Jerome who lives near Akron, Ohio, and the last named, Helen, is deceased. Their father died on January 22, 1910.

Frank Pahl, the subject, received his early education in the township schools and on reaching maturity his father turned the farm over to him for management on the basis of one-third shares from the crops. On March 4, 1879, Frank Pahl was married to Amelia Broadman, who was born in Febru- ary, 1852, the daughter of Nicholas and Gustina Broadman, both of whom were natives of Germany and from where they came to this country with their respective parents when they were very young. They grew to maturity in Huron county and were married there, also started housekeeping, but, at a later date, decided to move to Wyandot, where they engaged in farming until the time of their deaths.

Soon after their marriage Frank Pahl and wife left Huron county and came to Putnam county, Ohio, where in the spring of 1893, he purchased a farm consisting of one hundred acres of partly cleared land in section 36 of Monterey township, and has made this place his permanent home. When Frank Pahl first settled on this farm, it was not in very good condition for the raising of crops and besides required considerable clearing. After cut- ting a part of the timber, ditching and systematically using drain tile, this farm has become highly productive and profitable, and is now under the man- agement of one of his sons who farms it successfully on shares. After spending a great many years on the home place, Mr. Pahl decided to retire from active farm life and purchased two lots in the town of Ottoville, this county, upon which he has erected a very substantial and comfortable dwell- ing where he and his wife make their present home, retaining their interest in the farm. To Frank and Amelia ( Broadman) Pahl have been born eight children, six of whom are living. They are Ralph, who lives on the home- stead in Monterey township and who was married to Addie Wright, to whom were born two children, Leroy and Lyle; Dora, the wife of Joseph Bauman, who lives in Jennings township, and who have three living children, Hilda, Mersella, and Rosalie; Lawrence who died at the age of six years and two others that died in infancy; William, who married Elizabeth Fosel who had one daughter by this marriage. William's first wife died and he was mar- ried a second time to Rosa Schectal and they have two sons. William Paht

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and family now reside in Michigan; Tillie, the wife of Edward Kramer, who. lives in Ottoville and where he is engaged in the lumber business. To them were born four children, Roman, Permillia, Welma and Norval; Clar- ence was married to Phine Carder and they live in Delphos, Ohio. Two children were born to them.

Mr. Pahl has always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the com- munity and at all times stands for progressive legislation to the benefit of the commonwealth of the state of Ohio. He is prominently identified with the Democratic ticket in Putnam county and has served the people of his town- ship as trustee for six years. He is also greatly interested in matters per- taining to education and for twenty-six years has served as director on the school board and is the oldest member of that board. The family are devout members of the Catholic church in Ottoville, to which they give their earnest support and contribute liberally. Personally, Mr. Pahl is a man held in the highest respect among his fellow men and has a reputation for being abso- lutely fair in all of his dealings. He is a man of kindly disposition, pleasant to all classes, honest and thoroughly trustworthy, and is much admired by all who know him.

ERNEST BURILL.

One of the most enterprising of the younger generation of farmers in Putnam county who has worked diligently and whose future should be suc- cessful, if hard work and intelligence can make it so, is Ernest Burill. Ernest Burill has been a close student of everything that pertains to his work on the farm and from the beginning of his career has met with gratifying success. Judging from his past record, he will undoubtedly achieve much in future years and take his place among the leading farmers of Putnam county.

Ernest Burill was born on November 29, 1888, at Pleasant Bend, Henry county, Ohio. He is the son of Henry and Katherine (Morris) Burill, an account of whose lives is given elsewhere in this volume.

Ernest Burill was educated in the Palmer township schools and lived on the farm until his marriage, April 23, 1911, to Ruth Baker, who is the daughter of Fred and Minnie (Engle) Baker. Fred Baker was born in Henry county, Ohio, and died in May, 1904, at the age of thirty-three years. His wife was born in Defiance county, Ohio, and after their marriage, Fred Baker and wife moved to a farm in Henry county near Holgate, Ohio. Later, they moved to Holgate, Ohio, where he engaged in the liquor business. He

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 115

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1744

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744