USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 35
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August Nartker grew up on his father's farm and at the age of six- teen, began working in newspaper offices. He worked on Der Demokrat, at Ottawa, from 1890 to 1896. The next four years were spent on the home farm and in 1900, after his marriage, he went into partnership with
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his brother-in-law, W. F. Schroeder, and bought the tile factory of Winkle- man & Ellis, at Glandorf, where they have continued this business down to the present time, and have built up a large trade throughout the county. For about ten years they made brick as well as tile, but now are devoting all of their time and attention to the manufacture of tile.
Mr. Nartker was married on October 9, 1900, to Verona Horstman, who was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Deeters) Horstman. To this union have been born two children, Mary and Alphonse.
Joseph Horstman, the father of Mrs. Nartker, was born in Glandorf, Germany, and when a young man came to America and located in Cincin- nati. He came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1872, and married Mary Deeters, who was born at Glandorf, in this county, her father being one of the earliest settlers. Mr. Horstman was a blacksmith at Glandorf, and operated his shop until about seven years ago, when he retired from active life and now lives with his son-in-law, Mr. Nartker.
Mr. Nartker is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the life of his community in every way. He has been a councilman of Glandorf for the past eight years, and has always given his hearty support to every measure which he felt would be of benefit to his village. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf, and also hold membership in the St. Paul's and St. John's aid societies.
JOHN E. REINMAN.
John E. Reinman is a plain, honest man of affairs who, by correct methods and a strict regard for square dealing, has made his influence felt in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He has won for himself a distinctive prestige in the business circles of this city. Mr. Reinman would be the last man to become the subject of fancy eulogy but, nevertheless, his life pre- sents much that is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation. Mr. Reinman is one of those, whose integrity and strength of character stand out as shining examples for young men at the beginning of their careers. He commands the respect of his contemporaries and people know him as one who can be thoroughly depended upon to do just what he promises.
John E. Reinman was born on July 17, 1862, at Tiffin, Ohio, and is the son of Lawrence and Caroline (Youngblood) Reinman. Lawrence Reinman was born in Bavaria and came to America when about twenty-
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one years old. He located at Tiffin, and there learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it until 1873 when he moved to New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio. He then bought a farm just east of New Cleveland and here he lived for about twenty years. At the end of this period he moved to the home of his son, John E., who was then living west of New Cleveland. There he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He died on January 17, 1910, at the age of eighty-two. Previous to his death his wife died about 1905. Caroline Youngblood was born in Prussia and came to America when eighteen or twenty years old, locating at Tiffin, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Reinman were the parents of seven chil- dren, Catherine, deceased; Lawrence, of Tiffin, Ohio; Joseph, of New Cleve- land; John E., of Ottawa; Mary, the wife of Henry Koch, of New Cleve- land; Rose, deceased, and Anna, the wife of John Wischmeyer, of Bryan, Ohio.
John E. Reinman lived at home until he grew up and married. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade with his father, but early in his life began farming. He purchased a farm of seventy acres just west of New Cleveland and lived there until October, 1913, when he purchased a lot and built a residence in Ottawa. Here he has resided since that time. He still owns his farm, however, but now engages in carpentry and building.
Mr. Reinman was married to Rose Kihm in 1888, who was born in Blanchard township and who is the daughter of John and Rose (Lawrence) Kihm. Mrs. Reinman's father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1838, and came to America at the age of eight years with his parents, John Peter and Mary Kihm. They settled at New Washington, Ohio, and came to Putnam county about 1856. They were pioneer settlers in Blanchard town- ship and John Kihm was a farmer all of his life. He died on the farm in Blanchard township in 1898. Mr. Kihm's wife, Rose Lawrence, was born at Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, and was the daughter of John and Mary Lawrence. She lived in Huron county until her marriage and is now living at Leipsic, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Reinman are the parents of two children, Edward J. and Ida Rose. Edward J. married Ida Weot, of Tiffin, Ohio, and lives on his father's farm near New Cleveland and has one boy, Ralph John. Ida Rose is still at home.
For the past seven years, Mr. Reinman has been trustee of Ottawa township. He was a director on the school board for fifteen years. Mr. Reinman is an ardent Democrat and never misses an election. He is one of the best workers for the principles of the Democratic party and the suc-
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cess of its candidates to be found in all Putnam county. Mr. Reinman is a natural-born reader of men, and his influence is keenly felt in Ottawa township where he now lives.
The Reinman family are all members of the Catholic church and de- vout in the faith. As a carpenter and builder, Mr. Reinman is well known and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has ever had any business dealings.
JOHN W. WINKLER.
The whole career of John W. Winkler has been spent in Leipsic, where he was born a half century ago. His father dying when he was about twelve years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and early in life he be-' gan an independent career for himself. When he was twenty-six years of age he started in business in Leipsic and for nearly a quarter of a century has been engaged in the shoe business in that place.
John W. Winkler, the son of John and Mary (Stritt) Winkler, was born in 1865, at West Leipsic, Ohio. John Winkler, Sr., was born in 1839, in Buerstadt, in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America when about fifteen years of age with his brothers and located at Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio. As a youth he had learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land and on reaching his maturity in this county he continued in that busi- ness, to which he added a general store. At the opening of the Civil War John Winkler, Sr., enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Stone River. He lived nearly twelve years after the war closed with a minnie ball in his left lung. The bullet lay next to his heart and affected it in such a way that his death ultimately resulted in 1876. It was found out after his death that the lung was rotted away from the effects of the ball and his son, John W., now has the minnie ball as a relic.
John Winkler, Sr., was married in this county to Mary Stritt, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Maria Stritt. The Stritt family came from Germany, probably before 1850, and settled on a farm south of Ottawa, where Oliver Weaver is now living. There the Stritt family spent the remainder of their days. The first wife of John Winkler, Sr., died when the son, John W., was about four years of age, leaving her husband with three children, John W., Mrs. Mary Pettit, and one who died in infancy, the mother dying at the time the third child was born. After the death of his first wife, John Wink- ler, Sr., married Louisa Stritt, a sister of his first wife, and to this second
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marriage three children were born, Charles A., Louis F., and Mrs. Celia Ward.
John W. Winkler was about thirteen years of age when his father died, and the boy soon began to shift for himself. He started in the shoe business in Leipsic about 1891, and has gradually built up his store and increased his trade in the city and surrounding community. He now carries a large and well-selected stock of boots and shoes, and such sundries as are usually found in shoe stores. He is a man of excellent business judgment and is now numbered among the prosperous business men of Leipsic.
John W. Winkler was married on February 14, 1893, to Josephine B. Phipps, who was born near Monroeville, Allen county, Indiana, and is a daughter of William L. and Hannah (Leonard) Phipps. Her father was. born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and her mother in Ross county, Ohio. Her father was a stave factory man and came to Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, with a Mr. Williamson, about 1871, before the village of Belmore was in existence. Mr. Williamson started a stave factory in that place and Mr. Phipps became the foreman and lived at Belmore the remainder of his life. Mrs. Phipps is now living in Leipsic.
Mr. Winkler is a loyal member of the Catholic church, and a generous. contributor to its support. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He gives his support to the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in its councils. He is a man interested in everything. pertaining to the advancement of his community, and his support for all public welfare measures is always heartily given.
DAVID C. SHANK.
The standing of any community depends, to a great extent, upon the character of the business men who are a part of it. If a community is so for- tunate as to entertain keen and progressive business men, of high integrity, who are thoroughly alive to every opportunity for legitimate business, that community is, inevitably, one of prosperity. In this respect, Riley town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, is fortunate in numbering among its citizens. many men of the most up-to-date type, among whom is the subject of this. sketch, David C. Shank, president of the D. C. Shank Company, which operates a saw-mill, planing-mill, lumber yard and electric light plant, and who occupies a high place among the foremost citizens of his community.
David C. Shank was born, in Allen county, Ohio, December 8, 1869,
DAVID C. SHANK.
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a son of John and Nancy (Culp) Shank. John Shank was born in Ma- honing county, formerly Columbiana county, Ohio, December 14, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Bear) Shank. Henry Shank was born in Rock- ingham county, Virginia, October 17, 1808, a son of John Shank and wife, whose maiden name was Wenger. It is said that John Shank once stated that his great-grandfather came from Germany and that the family name was originally Schenk.
John Shank, the subject's great-grandfather, came from Virginia to Ohio, with his family, in 1835. His wife died about fourteen years pre- vious to this time, or when Henry Shank was eleven years of age. John had married a second time, and it was his second wife who migrated to Ohio with him. At the same time there came the subject's grandfather, his brother, Michael, and two sisters, Barbara and Esther. One sister, Annie, had died in Virginia.
David C. Shank's great-grandfather, John, and his grandfather, Henry, were coopers, by trade, and they also owned and operated a farm while in Virginia. John Shank bought a farm in Mahoning county, where he lived until the time of his death, in about 1850.
In the spring of 1840, Henry Shank migrated from Mahoning county to Richland township, Putnam county, later Allen county, and entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land. The deed to the land was. signed by President Martin Van Buren, and is yet in the possession of the subject's father, John Shank. The land remained in the possession of Henry Shank and his son, John, until 1913, when it was sold to David W. Basinger and Edward Laibe, the only transfer that had been made since the time the original entry was made.
Henry Shank cleared this virgin land, and built upon it a log cabin. From year to year he succeeded gradually in clearing more of the land, with the help of his father, John Shank, who rendered considerable asssistance, as soon as he had reached the age when he could work in the woods. It is said that when a young man, John Shank could wield an axe to better advantage than any other man in the vicinity. Henry Shank lived on his homestead until October 21, 1905, when he died at the ripe old age of ninety-seven.
John Shank was three years old when he came with his parents to Put- nam county. He grew to manhood on the home farm and had no chance to go to school until he was eleven years of age. At that time he managed to attend the district school, for a month or two each winter, for a few years. When he was thirty years of age, he married Nancy Culp, December 19, 1867,
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a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Good) Culp, who was born on Janu- ary 14, 1845.
Christian Culp, maternal grandfather of David C. Shank, was born in Virginia on March 20, 1815, and settled in Ohio in 1850. He located first in Fairfield county, but later moved to Allen county. Elizabeth Good was born on June 1, 1813, a daughter of Joseph and Magdalene Good. They were both natives of Virginia and came to Ohio in the early days of this county and settled in Fairfield county. Joseph Good died in Fairfield county on February 7, 1848; his wife then came to Allen.county, where she lived until the time of her death, at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth (Good) Culp.
After his marriage, John Shank continued to operate his father's farm, and lived there until January 17, 1913, when the farm was sold. To Mr. and Mrs. John Shank were born seven children as follow: David C., the sub- ject; Lizzie A., born on July 20, 1871, the wife of Amos Augsberger; Sophia F., born on October 15, 1873, now the wife of Rufus Basinger; Christian, born on May 14, 1875, who married Rachel Witmer; Emma J., born on August 24, 1877, the wife of Peter W. Amstutz, and who died on January 31, 1904; Mary E., born on June 30, 1879, who is unmarried; Nan- nie A., who was born on October 2, 1885, and who died May 6, 1893, at the age of seven years, two months and four days.
John Shank conducted the home farm, as a general farm, and also did an extensive business in cattle and hogs. He moved to Pandora, January 17, 1913, after having retired from farming, where he now lives. He and Mrs. Shank are both members of the Mennonite Zion church.
David C. Shank was born on the old homestead, which had been set- tled by his grandfather, and there grew to manhood. As a boy, he attended the district school, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He married Fannie Basinger, April 14, 1892, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Gratz) Basinger. To this union were born three children, Cora, Eunice and Irma.
Mrs. Shank, wife of David C. Shank, died on February 28, 1901. She was a good Christian character, an affectionate wife, a loving mother, and was an active member of the Mennonite church.
Mr. Shank married again, November 15, 1903, his second wife being Mary Schumacher, who was born on July 24, 1880, a daughter of John and Barbara (Geiger) Schumacher, both of whom were of pioneer families and of Swiss origin. To this union have been born two children, Olive and Alice.
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When he was twenty-one years of age, Mr. Shank entered upon an inde- pendent business career. His first venture was a saw-mill, in the timber land, a business which he has continued, practically, ever since. He is now president of the D. C. Shank Company, which conducts a saw-mill, planing- mill, lumber yard and electric light plant, in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county. He is doing an extensive business and is one of the prominent fig- ures in the business life of his community.
Mr. Shank is nominally a member of the Democratic party, but he has always taken an intelligent interest in political matters and is an independent voter, following the dictates of his own judgment, rather than party desires.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Shank are members of the Grace Mennonite church, and are active in church work. Mr. Shank is an energetic and progressive business man of unquestioned integrity, and is highly respected by all who have come in contact with him.
AUGUST STECHSCHULTE.
A native of this county and a resident here for more than half a century, August Stechschulte has been prominently identified with the history of Putnam county. Beginning the tailor's trade at the age of seventeen he has made it his life work, and for more than thirty years he has been engaged in the tailoring and clothing business in Leipsic. He has always taken a deep interest in the civic life of his community and has held several town- ship and city offices, with universal satisfaction. He has the unique record of being appointed sergeant-at-arms of the General Assembly of Ohio when he was only twenty-two years of age and it is probable that he is the young- est man who has ever held this position in the state.
August Stechschulte, the son of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stech- schulte, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1862. His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, in 1825, and came to America in 1833 with his parents and located in Putnam county, in Ottawa township. He arrived in this county about two months after Professor Horstman had settled with his colony of emigrants from Germany.
Henry Stechschulte was about eight years of age when his parents came from Germany to this county, and consequently received part of his education in his native land. After completing his schooling in this county he remained at home until he was grown. He then went to Cincinnati and learned the cooper's trade, and in 1854 was married to Bertha Kahle, who
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was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of I. H. Kahle, whose history elsewhere in this volume gives the main facts concerning the Kahle family. Mr. Kahle was one of the pioneers who came to this county with Professor Horstman in 1833, and walked with the party of emigrants from Detroit to this county and helped to found the village of Glandorf. After his marriage Henry Stechschulte spent the remainder of his life on a farm on the line between Ottawa and Greensburg townships. He died about 1908, his wife having passed away two years earlier. Henry Stechschulte and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1904, at which there were forty-five grandchildren present. Six sons and two daughters were born to Henry Stechschulte and wife, Ignatius, who was a former commissioner of this county, and now a resident of Owosso, Michigan; Joseph, a farmer of Union township; Frank, also a farmer living in Union township; August, of Leipsic; Barney, a farmer of Liberty township; Henry A., who is living on the old home farm; Bertha, the widow of William Hoffman, who lives in Pleasant township, and Theresia Klausing, who died on April 1, 1908.
August Stechschulte remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age and then began to learn the tailor's trade. When he was only twenty-two years of age in 1882 he started in the tailoring and clothing busi- ness at Leipsic, and has been in the business continuously since that year. He was sergeant-at-arms of the sixty-sixth General Assembly of Ohio in 1884 and 1885, and filled the duties of this arduous position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as township clerk, township treasurer, corporation treasurer and city councilman, and in all of these positions rendered his fellow citizens faith- ful and efficient service. He takes a genuine interest in the civic life of the community in which he has resided so many years and never fails to give his hearty support to all measures of general welfare.
Mr. Stechschulte was married in 1886 to Anna Rampe, the daughter of William and Thresia (Ellerbrock) Rampe, and to this union have been born four sons and three daughters, Amelia, Adolph, Victor, Clarence, Mary, Agnes and Norbert. Adolph, who married Gertrude Graney, of Columbus, is a partner with his father in the tailoring and clothing business. All of the other children are still single and living at home. Mrs. Stechschulte's father was born in Glandorf, Germany, and was a pioneer shoemaker in Glandorf, in this county. He built up a large industry for a town of this size, at one time having from fifteen to twenty men working under him, mak- ing shoes.
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Mr. Stechschulte and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of his sons, Victor, is a member of the Society of Jesus. Mr. Stechschulte is a wide- awake, genial and courteous man and is one of the best known citizens of the community.
JOHN E. ROOSE.
The present auditor of Putnam county, Ohio, John E. Roose, was born, reared and has been a life-long resident of this county. His father was a pioneer resident and settled here in Jennings township when the land which he entered from the government was covered with a dense growth of timber. Mr. Roose is a man who has been prominently identified with the history of his county for many years. As a young man he taught schools for five years, and followed this with several years in the drug business. Ten more years were spent as cashier of the Peoples Bank at Kalida, while since 191I he has been the auditor of his county. As a public servant of his fellow citizens, he is now administering the duties of his office in a very efficient and painstaking manner.
John E. Roose, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Diller) Roose, was born in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, September 4, 1869. His father was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and came here from Allen county, this state, where he had married Elizabeth Diller. She was a native of Pennsylvania.
Henry Roose and his wife located in Jennings township when it was an unbroken forest. He entered land from the government and started in to make a home for himself and family. He cleared away a large enough space on which to build a rude log cabin and with the assistance of his wife and children as they grew up, he eventually had a farm which provided a comfortable living for the family. Six children were born to Henry Roose and wife, two of whom died in infancy, Barbara, who died in 1912, was the wife of John Lawyer, a farmer of Jennings township; Peter, of Marion, Michigan; George W., a farmer of Jackson township, and John E., who is now living in the county seat.
John E. Roose received his elementary education in the schools of Jennings township, and later attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, for four terms. He then taught school for five years in Sugar Creek and Jennings townships, and gave excellent satisfaction as an instructor of
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the youth. He then moved to Kalida, in this county, and engaged in the drug business in that place for several years. After disposing of his drug business he clerked for two years in the stores of Kalida, and then became the cashier of the Peoples Bank, of that place, holding this position for nearly ten years. His worth as a public citizen and the confidence which the people have in his ability is shown by the fact that he was nominated and elected in the fall of 1910 as auditor of Putnam county. He took his office in the spring of 1911, and his services were so satisfactory that he was re-elected by his party in the fall of 1912. He was again a candidate in the fall of 1914 and was elected to serve another term.
Mr. Roose was married in 1892 to Estella C. Conaway. She was born in Putnam county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Basis C. and Rebecca (Moore) Conaway. Her father was a farmer for many years in this county but is now living a retired life in Findlay, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Roose are the parents of seven children, Fred L., Russell, Grace, Ralph, Elbert, Zella and Lucile.
Mr. Roose has always been a Democrat, and has been one of the lead- ers of his party in township and county affairs. He belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and also to the council and chapter. He holds his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Guards. He and his family are all loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and gen- erous contributors to its support. Mr. Roose is a self-made man and the prosperity which has come to him is the direct result of his own abilities directed along proper lines. He is a man of sterling integrity and no man in the county stands in higher esteem among his fellow citizens.
BERNARD H. HERINGHAUS.
The Heringhaus family are of German descent, the parents of Bernard H. Heringhaus coming to this country from Germany in 1867. Four years later his parents located in Putnam county, Ohio, and lived there the re- mainder of their lives. Mr. Heringhaus has had fifteen years of newspaper experience, but for the past few years, has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Ottawa.
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