History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 117

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 117

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Gerhard H. Otte was born on October 8, 1870, in Ottoville, Ohio. He is the son of Gerhard H. and Anna (Wurst) Otte.

The father of Gerhard H. Otte, the subject of this sketch, was a promin- ent citizen of Ottoville, who was born on May 13, 1834, on his father's farm, near Osnabruck, Germany. His father, also named Gerhard, was the owner of fifty-six acres of land in Hanover, which had been held by the Otte family for many generations, and on which the grandfather of Gerhard H., the sub- ject of this sketch, passed all his life. He married Agnes Barlag, and they had eight children, only two of whom ever came to America. They were Joseph and Gerhard H., the father of the subject of this sketch. The grand- father lived to be eighty-three years old.

Gerhard H. Otte was educated in Germany, and at the age of sixteen years, he sailed from Bremen, making a tedious voyage of eight weeks and

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three days, finally landing in New York in June, 1851. From New York city he went to Albany by a Hudson river steamer, in company with his second cousin, Henry Esch, who later located in Ottawa, and still later re- turned to Germany. From Albany, New York, Mr. Otte, the father of our subject, went to Buffalo, by way of the Erie canal, and then by Lake Erie to Erie, Pennsylvania, thence by canal to Beaver, Pennsylvania, and by the Ohio river to Cincinnati. Finally, he reached section 10, at Delphos, on the Miami & Erie canal. A few days later he came to Ottoville, and in the latter part of the year settled on section 16, in Monterey township. He first en- gaged in driving an ox-team, hauling logs. He was not accustomed to the climate and was soon taken with a fever and ague and was compelled to retire to Delphos. As soon as he recovered, he began working in a cooper shop at that place. He learned the trade, and followed it for nine years, and then re- turned to Ottoville, where, in 1860, he started a mercantile business, and became one of the first merchants in that town. W. H. Beckman, alone, hav- ing preceded him. Mr. Otte at once formed a partnership with Mathias Winkleman, but in 1887, the latter sold his interest in the business, and Mr. Otte held control until 1891, when he sold out and retired, after an exper- ience of more than thirty years. Mr. Otte was a Democrat and was ap- pointed the second postmaster of Ottoville by President Buchanan; his partner, Mr. Winkleman, having been the first. After Mr. Winkleman's death, Mr. Otte served the unexpired term, about 1880 was reappointed and held the office until 1893. He was an honored and trusted citizen of this locality for thirty years, having filled the office of township treasurer, and other minor offices. He was a notary public during the war, and a member of the home guards, stationed at Camp Lucas, Ohio. Mr. Otte was a devout Catholic. He was a member of the building committee, when the church at Ottoville was erected. Gerhard H. Otte, Sr., was married to Anna Wurst, who was born in 1842, in Crawford county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Keever) Wurst, of Bavaria, Germany, who were early settlers in Ohio. To Gerhard H. and Anna (Wurst) Otte eleven children were born, Joseph G. married and lives in Ottoville; John died in infancy ; Anna A. married John Scherer, and lived at Defiance. She is now deceased ; Mary C. is the widow of Edward Wannemacher, who died in 1899. She has two daughters, and they live in Ottoville; Gerhard H. is the subject of this sketch; Henry F. died on May 26, 1907: Elizabeth E. is the wife of Charles Rechart. They live in Jackson township; Louise is the wife of Charles Huffart. They live at Toledo, Ohio; Ferdinand W. is deceased ; Leo J. lives at Toledo, and William M. lives in Ottoville.

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Gerhard H. Otte, Sr., carried on his general store up to the time of his death, which occurred on December 22, 1904. His daughters conducted a millinery shop, connected with the store. Mr. Otte's wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died on March 26, 1891.

After the death of the father, Gerhard H. Otte, the subject of this sketch, and his sisters, carried on the father's store until 1907, when they sold out. Gerhard H. then entered business in association with his brother, Leo, in the hotel at Ottoville. This partnership continued about four years, when Leo sold out to Gerhard, and the latter is now running the hotel alone.

Gerhard H. Otte was married on April 15, 1907, to Barbara Thithoff, the daughter of John and Mary (Reiger) Thithoff. John Thithoff was a native of Germany. His wife, Mary (Reiger) Thithoff, was born in Ohio. To Gerhard H. and Barbara (Thithoff) Otte there have been six children, Marcille, Eulitte, Alvera, Elmer, Henry and Gerhard W.

The Otte family are all members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Otte is a Democrat. He has spent his entire life in Ottoville, and is a highly re- spected and honored citizen.

HENRY WANNEMACHER.

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. The subject of this review is one of the best-known and most highly esteemed men of Putnam county, has resided in this locality all his life and his career has been a most commendable one in every respect, well deserving of being perpetuated on the pages of a historical work of this nature. Like his sterling father before him, he has been a man of well-defined purpose and never failed to carry to successful completion any work of enterprise to which he ad- dressed himself.

Henry Wannemacher was born in Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, on February 27, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Sterns) Wannemacher, whose life record will be found elsewhere in this volume under the caption "John H. Wannemacher," brother of the subject of this sketch. Henry Wannemacher's early life was spent under the parental roof and he received his education in the neighboring township schools. At the age of twenty-three he was married to Emma Kalt, which event occurred on June 13, 1882. Emma Kalt was the daughter of John and Mary (Walker) Kalt, the former was born in Baden, Germany, on June 3, 1830, and came

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to this country alone at the age of nineteen years, where he first located in Allen county, Ohio, and secured employment with the canal company. After working around here a while, he decided to go to California, where he re- mained about three years and then returned to Allen county. Here he en- gaged in farming for about two years, then, in 1866, he moved to Delphos, Ohio, and established himself in the grocery business, which he conducted successfully for about thirteen yars. In the year 1878 he moved to Putnam county and lived on the farm in Monteroy township, which he had purchased about two years prior to the time he discontinued the grocery business. He spent the most of his life at farming and died on April 29, 1910. His wife came to this country with her parents when about one year old and they settled in Seneca county, Ohio, and it was in the town of New Riegel, Seneca county, that they were wedded. The wife and mother of his children sur- vived until March II, 1912, and both father and mother are buried at Otto- ville, Putnam county. To them were born seven children, William, who lived in Missouri until his death, February 5, 1909; Emma, subject's wife; Charles, who lives in Continental; Mary, the wife of Joseph Imber, who lives in Delphos, Ohio; Frank, who lives in Monterey township; John and Anna (twins), the former living in Payne, Ohio, and the latter the wife of Lou Euchenhofer, who resides in Denver, Colorado.

Soon after Henry Wannemacher's marriage, he settled on the one-hun- dred-sixty-acre farm, which he owned previously and which lies about three- quarters of a mile west of the town of Ottoville. On this place he made many improvements, including the erection of a splendid barn building and his residence, which is modern in every respect. The general appearance of the place indicated that deep interest has been shown by the owner and that his success, as a farmer, is the result of untiring energy and good manage- ment. In addition to this farm, he has also acquired farm properties in other localities, consisting of thirty-nine acres in Van Wert county, this state, and two acres in the town of Ottoville, this county, which he owns, jointly, with his brother, John H. Wannemacher, also a town lot with buildings in Otto- ville proper. Mr. Wannemacher devotes his entire time and attention to general farming, and his production of grain and other commodities is done at a good profit.

Mr. Wannemacher has always been identified with the Democratic party and at one time was appointed to the office of land appraiser. While he has not been aggressively engaged in politics, yet he takes considerable interest in civic welfare and is ever ready to lend, a helping hand to the furtherance of any good cause for the benefit of the community. He is a member of the

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Putnam county board of agriculture and takes great interest in matters per- taining to improved methods of farming and the subject of intensive cultiva- tion of the soil by scientific methods. He is a member of the Catholic church, to which he lends his support. Personally, he is a man that stands high in the community in which he lives, is progressive and at all times ready and willing to consider meritorious enterprises for the material advancement of his county, and for the intellectual, social and moral good of the people. He enjoys the hearty confidence and good will of all who know him and is well worthy of the respect and admiration of his fellow men.

MICHAEL WILLIAMS.

Ohio has been especially honored in the character and career of her farmers. In every section have been found men born to leadership in agricul- ture and who have dominated their communities because of their superior intelligence, natural endowments and force of character. It is always profit- able to study such lives, weigh their motives and hold up their achievements as incentive to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career of Michael Williams, who has forged to the front ranks of the farmers of Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, and who, for many years, has been one of the leading farmers in this section of Putnam county. Mr. Williams's success has been attained by normal methods and means, a determined application of mental and physical resources along well-defined lines.

Michael Williams was born on October 9, 1865, in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Michael and Mary Ann (Frankart) Williams, the former of whom, as well as the latter, were born in Germany. They came to America and settled in Seneca county, Ohio, where they en- gaged in farming. They farmed in Seneca county for a number of years and then moved to Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm of eighty acres. Later they increased the acreage to one hundred and twenty. To them were born ten children, Tillie, deceased; John; Jacob; Peter ; Mary ; Michael; Catherine ; Emma; Joseph, deceased, and Mary, deceased. Michael Williams died in Palmer township. Mrs. Mary Ann (Frankhart) Williams died at Landick, Ohio. Michael Williams was township treasurer for a number of years. He was a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. "The family were also members of this church.

Michael Williams was educated in Palmer township and, during his

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early life, lived on his father's farm. He worked out by the month before his marriage. Mr. Williams was married on June 5, 1886, to Frances Snyder, the daughter of Joseph and Christina (Mueller) Snyder. Joseph and Christ- ina Snyder were natives of Virgina, moving from Virginia to Franklin county, Ohio, where they settled on a farm. After living in Franklin county for some time, they came to Putnam county, Ohio, and lived on a farm in Palmer township. Mrs. Christina (Mueller) Snyder died at the age of eighty-two years on January 7, 1900. Her husband is still surviving and lives with his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Frankart, of Palmer township. He is ninety-six years old. He was a soldier in the Civil War and served in the Twenty-second Regiment, Kentucky Regulars, enlisting at Covington, Ken- tucky, and serving eleven months. He was married in Virginia. Joseph and Christina Snyder were the parents of nine children, William, Nicholas, George and Mary are deceased. Caroline, Catherine, Rebecca, Frances and James are still living.

After his marriage, Michael Williams moved to a farm in section IO, of Palmer township. This farm originally consisted of twenty acres, but was later increased to forty acres. In the meantime, Mr. Williams bought forty acres more in section 16, making a total of eighty acres. He has erected all the present buildings on the farm and cleared and drained the land and otherwise improved it.

To Michael and Frances (Snyder) Williams one child has been born, Earl M., on July 13, 1887. He married Clara Russett, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Russett, of Palmer township. They have two children, Arlie, born on February 28, 1909, and Hilda, on December II, 1914. Earl was educated in the township schools and lives with his father. He is a farmer and operates the home farm.

Michael Williams is more or less retired, but still lives on the farm. He is treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association. He was a ditch contractor and followed this business in connection with general farm- ing until 1899, when he was injured by falling from the roof of his barn, which was then being built; he was also township ditch supervisor for ten years and has built many ditches in Putnam county, since which time he has given up ditch contracting. The greater part of his time is devoted to over- seeing the farm, since his injury rather incapacitates him for the heavier work. He is very alert, mentally, and is much admired for his intelligence and broad view of all public questions. Michael Williams is a man of ex- cellent habits and bears a high reputation in the community in which he lives for honesty and integrity. He is a man of sound business principles and of

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decidedly progressive ideas. He is congenial in manner, a kind father and thoroughly devoted to domestic life.

Michael Williams is a member of the St. Nicholas's Catholic church at Miller City. All of the members of the family are affiliated with this church ..

LADIS RED.

It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the United States army during the Philippine War. In fact, the soldier of any war will receive attention, no matter where he goes, if he but make himself known. Ladis Red, the subject of this sketch, and a well-known contractor and builder of Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, now living, however, at Ottoville, performed brilliant service as a soldier in the United States army during the Philippine War. He enlisted in the United States army as a private, and was mus- tered out at the end of his term of enlistment as a sergeant.

Ladis Red was born near Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, on November 22, 1876. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Red, the former of whom was born in Austria-Hungary, the latter of whom was a native of Putnam county. John Red came to the United States in 1860, and settled at Gilboa, Putnam county. He was a watchmaker by trade, and followed this trade for about three years at Gilboa. He then moved to a farm three miles north of Gilboa, and farmed there until 1881, when he moved to Jackson township, Putnam county and purchased a farm of one hundred acres. He operated this farm until 1893, when he moved to Montana and purchased a store. He operated a general mercantile store and clock and watch repair shop until 1903, when he moved to Alabama. He lived in Alabama for about five years where he followed farming. Returning to Putnam county, he died in March, 1913. His wife is still living on the old homestead. They had five children, three of whom are living: Alvina is the wife of Dan Jones, who is living near Deshler, Ohio; Malinda died in infancy and Malisa died at the age of twenty-two years. She was the wife of George Emmons ; Louis. lives near Deshler and Ladis is the subject of this sketch.

Ladis Red received a common school education, leaving home at the age of thirteen. Since that time he made his own way in the world. He enlisted at Lima, Ohio, in 1899, in the Twenty-second Regiment United States In- fantry, and served in the Luzon Islands and the Philippines for three years. He was a private and a non-commissioned officer, having become a sergeant before his enlistment expired. Mr. Red received his discharge at Fort Crook,

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Nebraska, on July 8, 1902. He then returned to Putnam county on July 10, and followed contracting work for abut five years. During this time, he built many sewers in this part of the country. He then farmed for two years in Putnam county, and then went into the restaurant business at Kalida, when, after eighteen months, he returned to contracting, and building sewers, at which he worked for about a year. After that, Mr. Red removed to Nebraska, visiting South Dakota and many western states, where he worked for thirteen months. While in the West, he followed carpenter work. Re- turning to Putnam county in 1911, he settled at Ottoville, where he worked at the carpenter trade. He has followed contracting and building since his last return to Putnam county.

Ladis Red was married on July 16, 1902, to Orvia Anna Tuma, of Omaha, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Joseph Tuma and wife, the former of whom was a native of Germany, and the latter of whom was a native of Holland. Both died in Nebraska. To Ladis and Orvia Anna (Tuma) Red two children have been born, Helen Elizabeth and Marie, both of whom are living at home.

Ladis Red is a highly respected citizen of Monterey township, Putnam county, and is well known as one of its substantial citizens.

JOHN H. DRERUP.

One of the oldest families in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, is the Drerup family, which has a splendid ancestry back to their native soil in Germany.

The late John H. Drerup was born in Prussia on August 25, 1835, and in that year was brought to America by his parents, John Bernard and Anna (Werning) Drerup. The family located in the woods south of Glandorf in pioneer times.

John Bernard Drerup was born on April 10, 1799, the son of Bernard Heinrich Drerup, of Norwalde, and Maria Anna (Munsterwig) Drerup. Bernard Heinrich Drerup was born on November 13, 1746, the son of Mel- chior Drerup, of Norwalde, who was born in 1698, and who married Eliza- beth Wilsbaumer. The family has in its possession a printed history which traces the ancestry even further back.

When the Drerup family located in Putnam county, this was all a new country. There were no roads and the Indians were still in possession of the

JOIIN H. DRERUP AND FAMILY.

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

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land. Food, of course, was scarce and limited in variety until the land could be cleared and crops raised. The people ate leaves from the trees cooked like greens.

The land held by the Drerup family. was entered by Professor Horst- man in 1835, and was deeded by him to them in September, 1837. They walked to Findlay, following an Indian trail, carrying a sack of corn to have it ground.

John H. Drerup was reared amid the pioneer surroundings of the early days of the county, securing such limited education as was afforded in those times. He married here and his first wife died a year and a half later, leav- ing no children. He was again married, on June 20, 1865, to Theresa Mers- man. She was born at the south edge of Glandorf, and is a sister of George H. Mersman, whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume, and which gives the history of her parents. After his marriage Mr. Drerup spent the rest of his life on the farm where he grew up. He was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres at the time of his death, after having given four of his children a substantial start in life. He also owned property in Ottawa.

There were children born to John H. and Theresa ( Mersman) Drerup, as follow: John B., on September 18, 1866, married Minnie Hermil- ler on June II, 1888, and they live at Portageville, Missouri, and are the par- ents of four living children; Henry J., December 20, 1868, married Philo- mena Leopold on February 22, 1897, and now lives in Texas, having a fam- ily of seven children; Frank H., May 1, 1871, married Mary Lammers on October 29, 1895, and lives in Demmitt, Texas, and they have a family of eight children; Anna M., May 23, 1876, on October 27, 1904, became the wife of William J. Rieman and lives in Toledo, and they have four children; August C., December 6, 1878, married Mary Fortman on October 22, 1902, lives north of Ottawa and they have a family of three children; Pauline L., August C., December 6, 1878, married Mary Fortman on October 22, 1902, died on November 6, 1904; Edward H., March 5, 1884, married Adelaide Stechschulte, the daughter of Joseph Stechschulte, on June 27, 1911, and lives on the home place, having a family of three children, Walter, Louise and Norma; Fred J., February 26, 1888, married Frances Kreinbrink, the daughter of Theodore Kreinbrink, of Ottawa, on April 26, 1912, and lives in the northeast corner of Ottawa township.

Mrs. Drerup died on March 30, 1915, while one other son, Edward Drerup, and his family continue to live on the old place.

The father of these children died on March 25, 1906. He was a mem- 75

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ber of the Catholic church at Glandorf, as well as were all his family. Years ago he served as trustee of Ottawa township, but did not wish to hold office. His widow still lives on the old home farm with her children, and the family is an old and highly esteemed one, comprising good, substantial citizens who are respected by all.

JOHN H. WANNEMACHER.

In writing the history of a community or state, it is the duty of the his- torian to make a searching investigation and satisfy himself beyond a reason- able doubt that the subject of his writing shall be worthy of recognition in a work of this nature. In reviewing the records of men in Putnam county, Ohio, who have won the admiration and respect of their fellow men by leading lives which may be referred to as examples of all that is good, and, who have been in some measure a success in themselves and a benefit to man- kind at large, the name of John H. Wannemacher stands forth prominently among those entitled to consideration and whose record is that of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and among his contemporaries has achieved a marked degree of success as a farmer and honored by all owing to his upright life and industrious habits.

John H. Wannemacher was born on his father's farm in Monterey township, this county, January 12, 1857, and is the son of Joseph and Martha (Sterns) Wannemacher. His father was a native of Germany and was born there on March 19, 1827. Up to the age of fourteen he attended the schools in the old country and learned the locksmith trade, which he worked at until about the age of twenty, when he decided to leave for America. He em- barked for this country on a sailing vessel on May 1, 1847, the ship being the "Omaha" bound for New York. After being at sea for thirty-six days, he arrived in New York and went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he secured employment in an iron-mill and remained there for twelve months and then went to New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in a nail factory for about a year. He decided to discontinue working for others in 1851 and left for the city of Cleveland, where he boarded a vessel and arrived in Putnam county, Ohio, via the Canal Packet line about the Ist of June. He settled in Monteroy township, when there were just twenty-six voters in the township, on eighty acres of land in section 26, located about one and one- half miles west of the town of Ottoville. On this tract he lived and devoted his entire time to clearing the land and doing some general farming. He

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was elected to the office of township trustee in 1855 and continued to hold that office until 1866, and also served as a land appraiser during the year 1860. In the year 1868 he decided to engage in the general merchandising business and erected a store for that purpose in the town of Ottoville, during which year he was appointed justice of the peace. He continued the store until twenty-two years later and then decided to retire from active business. He was the first notary public in Monteroy township and was the first mayor of Ottoville. He was also a member of the local school board and held the office of justice of the peace until about. the time of his death. Subject's father was twice married, the first time, April 17, 1854, to Martha Stern, and to them were born nine children, six of whom are living, as follow: Mary, widow of Anton Fleck, who lives in Delphos; John H., the subject ; Henry, who lives in Monteroy township; Adam, who lives in Pennsylvania; Godfrey, who lives in Monteroy township, and Katherine, wife of John Recket, and who died about 1903. The mother of these children lived until the year 1878. The second marriage occurred on January 26, 1887, to Mrs. Barbara Sufert, in Bucyrus, Ohio. By a prior marriage she had one child, Mary. The father lived until September 25, 1906, when he died, at the age of seventy-nine years, six months and six days.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 117

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