USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 19
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PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
CONTINENTAL BANK.
The Continental Bank was organized in 1890, with the following of- ficers: J. H. Edwards, president; W. W: Edwards, vice-president; I. N. Bushong, cashier. This bank is unincorporated and at present the lia- bilities amount to $1,000,000.
The first bank building was destroyed by fire on June 8, 1912, and the present beautiful structure was erected the following year. The bank, opened up for business in its new, modern, fire- and burglar-proof quarters, which were on the south side of the railroad tracks, in October, 1913. The present officers are : J. H. Edwards, president; I. N. Bushong, vice-president; C. P. Palmer, cashier.
The Continental Bank has done an extensive real estate, mortgage and loan business and at the present time has more mortgages and loans in Put- nam county than any other banking firm. Every year has shown a marked increase in the business of this bank.
FARMERS STATE AND SAVINGS BANK.
The Farmers State and Savings Bank of Continental was organized in 1913 and opened for business on January 31, 1914, with a capital stock of $25,000. The officers are: C. E. Wright, president; A. J. Mullet, vice- president; C. R. Blauvelt, cashier. A new building is in process of con- struction, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars, and bids fair to be the best bank building in the county. Seventy-five of the best citizens of the county are stockholders. Its deposits are $125,000, with a surplus of $1,000, and at the end of only fifteen months' business its resources amounted to over $153,000. This promises to be one of the strong financial institutions of the county.
BELMORE BANKING COMPANY.
The Belmore Banking Company, of Belmore, was organized in 1908. The present officers are: D. Ensininger, president; N. Speaker, vice-presi- dent; T. J. Veach, cashier. This banking company has a capital stock of $12,500 and deposits amounting to $85,000.
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THE BANK OF LEIPSIC.
The Bank of Leipsic was organized in 1888. It is a private bank, with the following stockholders: J. H. Edwards, I. N. Bushong, E. C. Edwards, W. W Edwards' estate, John Edwards' estate, F. D. Rosenberger, Ruth Lesle, Mae E. Palmer, Lucile M. Spencer, Floss E. Closson, O. P. Edwards, T. C. Edwards, S. F. Edwards, W. E. Edwards, Lillian D. Emery. J. H. Edwards is president, and F. D. Rosenberger, cashier of the bank.
THE PEOPLE'S BANK COMPANY.
The People's Bank Company of Columbus Grove was organized in 1892. This bank is one of the oldest in the county and has been under the same management for twenty-three years. It has an authorized capital stock of $60,000 and deposits of $450,000, with surplus and profits of $15,000. The present officers are: William Basinger, president; L. J. Lemley, vice- president : J. W. Core, cashier. It has had a steadily-increasing business ever since it was founded, and though there have been times when the country finances were not the best, still this bank has come through it all unscathed.
The Vaughnsville Banking Company is a branch of the People's Bank- ing Company of Columbus Grove.
THE PEOPLE'S BANK COMPANY.
The People's Bank Company of Kalida was organized in 1899. The present officers are : Joseph Kahle, president; Edson Seitz, vice-president; Charles A. Borman, cashier. The capital stock at present is $25,000. The deposits aggregate $180,000, with a surplus of $1,250.
THE FARMERS BANK COMPANY.
The Farmers Bank Company of Pandora was organized in 1900 and has had a steady growth since that time. The figures of this bank give the best insight into its history and management : Capital stock, $25,000; deposits, $181,606.48; surplus, $6,500; resources, $259,774.91.
The present officers are: David Risser, president; Albert Schultz, vice- president; P A. Amstutz, cashier; W. M. Risser, secretary; Henry Gris- more, treasurer.
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BELMORE BANKING COMPANY.
The Belmore Banking Company was chartered April 1, 1907. The first officers were: G. G. Bennett, president; J. W. Swickard, vice-presi- dent; C. R. Blauvelt, cashier ; G. G. Bennett, C. R. Blauvelt, J. W. Swick- ard and Ford H. Lanning, directors. The capital paid in is $12,500. This- banking company, although still young, has had a very nice business. The present officers are: D. Ensminger, president; N. Speaker, vice-president ; T. J. Veitch, cashier; J. V. Knoxe, N. Speaker, R. J. George, D. Ens- minger, C. H. Stone, Mrs. James Robinson and Mrs. J. W. Wingate, directors.
OTTOVILLE BANKING COMPANY.
The Ottoville Banking Company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, October 24, 1903, with the following incorporators: F. J. Maehlmann, John J. Miller, J. C. Wannemacher and Alpheus A. Roth. The first officers were C. J. Wannemacher, president; John J. Miller, vice- president ; F. J. Maehlmann, cashier; Andrew Yocklin, Alpheus A. Roth, Edward G. Odenweller, J. H. Wannemacher, John J. Miller, J. C. Wanne- macher and F. J. Maehlmann, directors. The bank was opened for busi- ness, February I, 1904, with a capital stock and surplus of $40,000. The present officers are : J. C. Wannemacher, president; John J. Miller, vice- president; F. J. Maehlmann, cashier; Edith Maehlmann, assistant cashier ; Benedict Wannemacher, John H. Wannemacher, John J. Miller, J. C. Wan- nemacher, and F. J. Maehlmann, directors.
THE OTTAWA HOME AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION.
The Ottawa Home and Savings Association was organized on July 28, 1888, with an authorized capital of $1,000,000. The purpose of this asso- ciation was the raising of money, to be loaned to its members and others, for the purpose of buying lots and building, making repairs and such other purposes as are authorized by law. Loans are made exclusively on first mortgages on real estate. The secretary and treasurer are under heavy bonds, and all officers are amenable to the state, under the criminal law, to act in good faith. The loans are made in small sums and the most rigid rules are enforced for the protection of all concerned; no loans are made outside the limits of Putnam county. The first officers were: W. W. Kelly, president; F. H. Brockman, vice-president; George C. Williams,
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George D. Hamden, Calvin P. Godfrey, committee on securities; O. H. Odell, H. W. Schmitschulte; E. R. Eastman, secretary; John F. Cover, treasurer; William C. G. Krauss, attorney. The present officers are: J. S. Ogan, president; H. W. Schmitschulte, vice-president; L. E. Eastman, sec- retary; E. R. Eastman, attorney; directors, J. S. Ogan, H. W. Schmit- schulte, Dr. Paul P. Sherwood, Herman Wise, George J. Keinath, George D. Kinder, George C. Williams. Membership is free to any resident of this county. At present the assets amount to approximately $245,000, and the depositors receive from five to six per cent annually, contingent upon their earnings.
PALMER TOWNSHIP MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
The Palmer Township Mutual Fire Insurance Association was organ- ized on December 8, 1888, having received from the secretary of state a certificate of incorporation on this date. On January 12, 1889, the incor- porators held a meeting at school house number 2 in Palmer township, for the purpose of electing officers and adopting the constitution and by-laws for the association, according to law. The following officers were elected : William Schafer, president; John Williams, clerk or secretary; Victor Noi- rot, treasurer ; J. N. Frankart, J. P. Rigg and Henry Homire, directors. The purpose of this association is to insure farm property against loss by fire, lightning and wind storms. The membership at present numbers one thousand two hundred and the mutual risks in force amount to over $3,250,000. The present officers are: R. R. Oliver, president; Henry P. Schafer, secretary; Michael Williams, treasurer; Victor Noirot, Hanry Stu- ben, C. E. Wight, Ed F. Quaintance and J. G. Yetter, directors. The terri- tory comprises fourteen townships : seven in Putnam county, three in Paulding county, two in Defiance county and two in Henry county.
GLANDORF GERMAN MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
The German Mutual Insurance Association, of Glandorf, was organized in 1878. It was the first mutual fire insurance association organized in the county. The purpose of this association was to insure against loss by fire, lightning and storms. There are eight hundred and ninety policies in force at the present time and the risks at present amount to $2,080,000. The present officers are: William Gulker, president; J. W. Halker, secre- tary; August Fiaher, treasurer; Joseph Stichochulte, F. W. Schwester and Joseph Gerdeman, directors.
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PUTNAM COUNTY GERMAN FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
The Putnam County German Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was founded on September 19, 1895. E. B. Mphans served as the first presi- dent; B. A. Ruhe, secretary ; Frank Recker, treasurer ; William Kohls, G. B. Moening and Henry E. Hermiller, directors. The purpose of this organi- tion was to insure property against loss through fire, lightning and storm; also to insure live stock against fire and lightning. Mutual assessments are made only when losses accrue and an assessment of five cents on the one hun- dred dollars capital paid into the treasury each year is made for current expenses and fees of officers. The membership at present numbers two hundred and fifty, with a capital stock of $710,000. The officers at present are: Joseph Hotnire, president; Jodokus Smitz, secretary; Frank Hohenbrink, treasurer; Joseph Brickner, B. Utendorf and B. Gerdeman, directors.
EXCHANGE BANK, COLUMBUS GROVE.
The Exchange Bank of Columbus Grove was established in 1873 by Simon Mapel and others. Several years afterwards, W. T. Mapel took possession and continued the business until about 1893, when Wilson Martin and J. M. Crawford bought his interests. In a short time a partnership was formed by J. M. Crawford, B. F. Seitz, Sr., W. L. Crawford and F. E. Palmer, and the officers were: J. M. Crawford, president; B. F. Seitz, Sr., vice-president; W. L. Crawford, cashier; F. E. Palmer, assistant cashier. This organization continued until W. L. Crawford died, in 1907, when Mr. Palmer became cashier, and W. M. Crawford, assistant cashier.
In December, 1910, Mr. Palmer sold his interests to A. M. Heidlebaugh, who became vice-president, and W. M. Crawford was elected cashier. After the death of J. M. Crawford, on May 22, 1911, B. F. Seitz, Sr., was elected president.
During January, 1914, Isaac Campbell, D. C. Campbell and F. R. Mason purchased the interest formerly owned by W. L. Crawford and this organiza- tion continued until September, 1914, when the bank was incorporated, with the capital increased to thirty thousand dollars, Homer R. Day, Henry Cupp and James J. Kissell becoming stockholders. Early in the present year, 1915, Dr. W. H. Begg and other stockholders bought the interests of Isaac Campbell and F. R. Mason. The present directors are : Homer R. Day, D. C. Campbell, Henry Cupp, B. F. Seitz, Sr., A. M. Heidlebaugh and W. M.
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Crawford. The officers are: A. M. Heidlebaugh, president; B. F. Seitz, Sr., vice-president, and W. M. Crawford, cashier.
THE GLANDORF GERMAN BUILDING AND LOAN COMPANY.
The Glandorf German Building and Loan Company was organized in 1887 by the following citizens of Glandorf: J. H. Uphaus, William Alte- kruse, J. W. Halker, Joseph Horstmann, Francis Nigsch, I. H. Kahle, Will- iam Rampe, Sr., Joseph Winkelmann, Joseph Nienberg and William F. Hoff- man.
The state of Ohio granted the charter for the incorporation of this. company under its laws, September 24, 1887. This was the first building and loan company formed in Putnam county. The purpose of this company was the raising of money, which was to be loaned among its members. The prosperity of this company was assured from the start and the shares of stock were always in demand.
This company was first organized with a capital stock of $250,000, which was divided into 1,000 shares of $250 each. These shares were sold to residents of the county only. As evidence of the rapid growth of the company, the capital stock was raised to $1,000,000.
The present officers are: J: W. Halker, president; F. W. Hoffman, treasurer; B. A. Nienberg, secretary; B. A. Unverferth, attorney; J. W. Halker, B. A. Nienberg, Theodore Deters, Matthias Kerner, F. W. Hoff- mann, G. H. Uphous, J. H. Kleman, F. W. Schroeder, Theodore Heckman, P. A. Misser and John Merschmann, directors.
The money for loan was always in such demand that it was let out at auction and went to the highest bidder. The records show where this has reached as much as thirty-three cents premium and, in one instance, forty cents premium on the share of two hundred and fifty dollars and this was paid besides the regular six per cent interest.
The present status of the business is on a. firm basis, although with the coming of the banks the rates of interest were cut down. The first officers were J. H. Uphaus, president ; Dr. A. Borman, vice-president ; H. F. Rauh, first secretary; William Altekruse, second secretary; Joseph Nienberg, treasurer ; William Rampe, Sr., J. W. Halker, Ignatius Kahle, Henry Wort- koetter, Joseph Kersting and John Smith, directors.
An interesting fact is noted concerning the minutes of the meetings and the early records. The early records were written in German script, but in 1905 they were changed to English, as the inspector could not read German.
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The minutes of this company are all in a good state of preservation and show the careful and business-like methods of the organization.
OTTOVILLE FARMERS MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION.
The Farmers Mutual Aid Association of Ottoville was incorporated on February 23, 1904, and commenced business on July 2, of the same year. The first officers of the incorporation were as follows: President, Max Winkelman; secretary, George Altenburger; treasurer, Anton Hoehn; direct- ors, John H. Wannemacher, A. J. Yocklin, Joseph Miehls, Charles F. Henry and Henry Giesken.
The company's charter does not limit its territory, although all the policies are held in the counties of Putnam, Van Wert, Paulding and Allen. Fire insurance in the company covers all losses by both fire and lightning, whether on farm property, in the shape of dwellings or barns, or on live stock. All losses are covered by assessments, which may be made at the discretion of the directors. The success of the company has been remarkable from the start. The last annual statement of the secretary, George Altenburger, on December 31, 1914, shows that the company has 813 risks in force, with a gross amount of policies totaling $2,181,412.00. The total losses in 1914 amounted to $250.13, of which $129 was fire loss and $121.13, loss by lightning. From the beginning of its existence down to the end of 1914, the company has only paid out $17,566.76 for losses, thus demonstrating that insurance in the company has cost the policy-holders less than one per cent on the hundred. This is sufficient reason why the company has met with such success and is proof that its future success is assured.
The present officers are as follows: President, W. T. Remlinger; secre- tary, George Altenburger; treasurer, Charles Rekart; directors, John H. Wannemacher, Joseph Miehls, William Schlagbaum, William Stretker and D. F. Miller.
PEOPLES BANK, COLUMBUS GROVE.
The Peoples Bank was organized in 1892 by G. W. Core, with Chris- tian Basinger, L. J. Lemley, Lewis Lemley and David Core as partners, Christian Basinger being president ; L. J. Lemley, vice-president, and G. W. Core, cashier. Later David Core retired from the partnership and the bank was operated as a private bank until 1906, when a charter was taken out under state law, with an authorized capital of sixty thousand dollars. In 1909 a branch bank was established at Vaughnsville. In 1914 Christian Basinger was succeeded as president by his son, William. G. W Core, cashier, is the active manager of the bank.
CHAPTER XI.
SECRET SOCIETIES, FRATERNITIES AND CLUBS.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Ottawa Lodge No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on October 16, 1860, at Ottawa, Ohio. Its charter members were John P. Simons, Elias Farabee, L. Swazey, C. Ewing, C. M. Godfrey, J. L. Olney, George Morehead, C. J. Mann, A. Budd, William Lowry, William Robinson, Isaac Allen, Jacob Lentzy, Nutter Powell, T. E. Paul, J. S. Conine, H. V. Watts and George Springer. J. L. Olney is the only charter member now living.
The following members have served the lodge as past masters: C. M. Godfrey, H. V. Watts, L. W: Moe, C. J. Swan, J. L'H. Long, N. E. Mat- thews, H. M. Summers, J. W. Brown, J. J. Zeller,. C. E. Row, A. L. Paul, W. H. Loy, E. R. Eastman, A. P Sandles, S. F. DeFord, J. W. Smith, Her- man Wise, P. P. Sherwood and F. M. Ackerman.
The membership at present numbers one hundred and thirty-six. The officers are: W. R. Deck, worshipful master; L. E. Eastman, senior war- den; Ralph U. Hall, junior warden; Herman Wise, treasurer, and A. Gra- ham, secretary.
ROYAL ARCH MASONS.
Ottawa Chapter No. 115, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered on Octo- ber 16, 1869, with the following charter members: J. L'H. Long, L. W. Moe, Elias W. Green, Charles Schimpff, C. M. Godfrey, W. F. Reed, C. J. Swan, D. N. Mccullough, A. J. Taylor, J. B. Sprague, Alexander Slem- mons, Jacob Werner and Anderson Reeder.
The high priests who have served the chapter up to the present time are : J. L'H. Long, C. J. Swan, T. D. Campbell, C. E. Row, Joseph Justice, A. L. Paul, F. M. Ackerman, N. E. Matthews, W. H. Loy, C. H. Rice, S. F. De- Ford, G. E. Jones, J. W. Smith, A. M. Heidlebaugh, E. V. Burns and C. W. Fogle.
The present membership numbers one hundred and eighty-seven. The
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present officers are : Charles C. Cass, high priest; J. W. Brown, king; Her- man McDougle, scribe; Herman Wise, treasurer; A. Graham, secretary.
ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS.
Putnam Council No. 69, Royal and Select Masters, was chartered on March 13, 1879, with the following charter members: J. L'H. Long, H. N. Gessells, N. E. Matthews, G. D. Kinder, L. W. Moe, W. F. Reed, A. Reeder, J. B. Sprague and H. C. Sherrard.
The following have served the council as thrice illustrious master: J. L'H. Long, N. E. Matthews, A. L. Paul, E. L. Frey, Joseph Justice, F. M. Ackerman, W. H. Loy, S. F. DeFord, W. S. Zeller, J. W. Brown, W. H. Handy, J. W. Smith and E. R. Eastman.
The present officers are Herman McDougle, thrice illustrious master; E. V. Burns, deputy master; Charles C. Cass, principal conductor of work; Herman Wise, treasurer, and A. Graham, recorder. The membership num- bers one hundred and sixty-five.
MASONS AT COLUMBUS GROVE.
Rufus Putnam Lodge No. 364, Free and Accepted Masons, at Columbus Grove, was chartered on May 26, 1866. The following were charter mem- bers : E. W. Greene, John Sheets, Allen Edmonds, S. Sanders, A. Reeder, W. L. Hartly, J. B. Sprague, H. H. Gessell, William Onem and J. B. Fru- chey. Of these ten charter members, only two survive, H. H. Gessell and Allen Edmunds. Orren Curtis bears the distinction of being the first wor- shipful master. The membership at present numbers one hundred and thir- ty-two.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
April 25, 1907, was the eighty-eighth anniversary of Odd Fellowship. On April 25, 1819, five men met in Baltimore, Maryland, and organized what now numbers a membership of over a million people. This lodge was named the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and one hundred thousand members of the order are now connected with the lodges in Ohio alone.
Blanchard Lodge is the oldest lodge in Putnam county, having been in- stituted on June 2, 1855. Up to the annual meeting of the grand lodge, in May, 1906, this lodge had initiated two hundred and fifty-three members, and over four thousand five hundred dollars had been paid to members as
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sick benefits, two hundred and forty-five dollars and fifty-five cents devoted to the relief of widows and orphans and eight hundred and fifty-one dollars and twenty-seven cents expended for charity. The lodge now has a member- ship of seventy-five and eight other lodges have been organized in the county since Blanchard Lodge was first organized. In July, 1864, the lodge pur- chased the lot upon which its temple now stands, and the elegant structure was erected a few years ago.
GILBOA LODGE.
Gilboa Lodge No. 459, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was char- tered on August 8, 1870. The names of the charter members cannot be given, as the lodge room was destroyed by fire on August 8, 1875, and all the records were destroyed. A new charter was granted on December 23, 1876. The membership numbered seventy-two on January 1, 1915, of which number forty-four were past grands.
The amount paid out for sick benefits in the last eighteen years has av- eraged only one hundred dollars per year, or one thousand eight hundred in all. The amount paid for charity and special relief in the same time has amounted to eight hundred and fifty-eight dollars.
The present officers are Sherman Ketner, noble grand; P. W. Davis, vice-grand; W. H. Tobias, recording secretary ; L. G. Phillips, financial sec- retary; J. G. Knepper, treasurer; Isaac Bracy, H. Harris and M. P. Oren- baugh, trustees.
LEIPSIC LODGE.
Leipsic Lodge No. 536, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- tuted on May 15, 1872, with ten charter members. Two of the charter mem- bers are still living, Martin Bowman and L. H. Casteel. This lodge has paid out five thousand dollars for sick benefits. The present membership is sixty.
Leipsic Encampment, Patriarchs Militant, was chartered August 9, 1877, with sixteen charter members.
DUPONT LODGE.
Dupont Lodge was instituted at Dupont, on November II, 1882, with the following charter members: C. R. Bram, S. M. Reed, W. R. Castle, Alonzo Pitcher, John Dray, W. L. Wollam, Austin Combs, Samuel Stuckey, S. Barnard, J. Wagner, G. W. Stuckey, Philip Kessler and David Jenkins. Samuel Stuckey served as the first noble grand.
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The present building was erected in 1900, at a cost of two thousand dol- lars. This building has furnished the members with spacious lodge rooms in which to conduct their meetings. The following are serving the lodge as officers at the present time: W. E. Cullen, Frank Reynolds, W. H. Thomas. C. C. Etter, John Meyers, A. B. Etter, Alonzo Pitcher and W. T. Etter. The present membership numbers forty-seven. The sick benefits as provided by this lodge are three dollars per week.
TOWNWOOD LODGE.
Townwood Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in December, 1902. The names of the charter members are as follows: W. F. Coakly, Jay Ott, John Coakly, John Bolix, Vinton McAter, R. A. Davenport, George Clemence, George Mulford, Cyrus Payne, B. B. Brundy, F. Gunther, James Robinson, J. B. Fisher, Winnie Wilson, William Wilson, A. D. Reynolds and J. C. Vanhead. J. B. Fisher and J. C. Vanhead served the lodge first in the capacity of noble grand. The chief officers who are now serving the lodge are L. M. Walker and John Trott.
The present beautiful and commodious building was erected in Decem- ber, 1902, at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars, and has accommo- dated the members since the institution of the lodge. The present member- ship numbers fifty-five.
COLUMBUS GROVE LODGE.
Columbus Grove Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- tuted in 1870, with the following charter members: Henry Hemuck, E. G. Ford, W. Breckbill, J. D. Genett, Jacob Sheets, William Chase, John Keller, Frederick Doriat and A. T. Ransom. The present membership numbers eighty-six. The amount paid out for sick benefits up to date is one hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-five cents.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Blanchard Lodge No. 284, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was chartered on June 2, 1855, with the following charter members : John Dixon, Lorenzo Parker, David I. Brown, John Monroe, Henry Niles, John B. Fruchey and Jacob Bressler. Jacob Bressler was the first noble grand.
On February 22, 1901, a building committee was appointed to draw plans for the erection of a lodge building. Samuel Cartwright, C. H. Rice
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and W. S. Hipkins were chosen to carry out this work. On March I of the same year work was begun on the building. On December 30, 1901, permis- sion was received from the grand master of the grand lodge to move the records to the new home. C. O. Periman bears the distinction of being the first man initiated in the new rooms, February 14, 1902.
The membership of the lodge has increased until at the present time it includes eighty-four active members. The present officers are S. O. Kerr, noble grand; W. E. Smith, vice-grand; D. R. Jenkins, Jr., treasurer; G. M. Cartwright, secretary.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
Ottawa Chapter No. 160, Knights of the Maccabees, was chartered on August 1, 1893, with sixteen charter members. This was the only chapter of Knights of the Maccabees ever installed in this county. This chapter has never been very active in its work and saw the greatest years of its pros- perity while still young. At present this lodge has only five members.
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