History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 56

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 56

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After his marriage, Adam Trietch farmed in Henry county for three or four years and then moved to Defiance county, where he was engaged in farming for five years, at the end of which time he came to Putnam county, on February 16, 1899, locating on his present farm in Monroe township. At the time Mr. Trietch bought this farm, it contained but eighty acres and was in a badly run-down condition, having been but little improved. He went in debt to the amount of eighteen hundred dollars on making this purchase and until he began to see his way clear he and his wife were con- tent to live in a small log house, which had been constructed on the place in an early day, and to adopt such frugal methods of living as their pru- dence suggested during this trying time. Living thus and working as they were compelled to work, required a large stock of courage and no end of industry, but he and his wife were equal to the occasion and they now have a place of which not only they are proud, but which is a distinct credit to the community. Not only have Mr. and Mrs. Trietch succeeded in clear- ing and improving their original tract of eighty acres, but, as affairs pros- pered with them, they enlarged their farm by the purchase of an adjoining eighty, and now have one of the best and most attractive farms in that part of the county. They erected their fine new home in 1908, and the barn and other buildings on the place are in keeping with the same. Their farm is known far and near as "Cloverleaf Farm," and is one of the best-kept places in Monroe township, reflecting, as it does, the progressive ideas and careful management of the owners.

To Adam and Mary Elizabeth (Brinkman) Trietch have been born seven children, as follow: Hattie, who married Andrew Friend, a well- known farmer of Monroe township, this county, and who has one son; Clarence, Emma, George, Orville, Leah and Edgar, who are still at home and whose assistance has been no small factor in the general improvement of their well-appointed home place. The Trietches are members of the Mt. Zion church, in the various beneficences of which they are deeply interested and in the other good works of which congregation they take an active part, as well as participating in all local movements designed to advance the public weal.

580

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Mr. Trietch is a Republican on national issues, but in voting on local issues is rather independent, preferring to reserve his right to vote for the best man, regardless of party affiliations. Not only has he been diligent in his business, but he has found time to devote a good share of his energy to the public interest and has been prompt to lend his aid to any cause which promised better things for the community. For some time he served the township most effectively as a meinber of the school board and his interest in educational matters was exerted very helpfully in advancing the interests of the schools in Monroe township. He has proved himself a good citizen during the years he has lived in that community. An excellent farmer, he has acquired a fair competence and is not disturbed by thoughts of the future. He has a kind word for everybody and no one in the neighborhood is more popular than he.

AMOS NICHOLS.

Four generations of the Nichols family have added their part to the development of Putnam county, and no history of this county would be complete without fitting reference to the life and work of the gentleman whose name at the head of this biographical sketch, stands as a typical rep- resentative of the family in this section of the state.

Amos Nichols was born in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, October 7, 1850, the son of Edward and Margaret (Irwin) Nichols, the former of whom was born in Licking county, Ohio, in the year 1823, the son of Joseph and Hanna (Brown) Nichols, and the latter of whom was the daughter of Josiah Kennedy Irwin, one of the early settlers of this county.

Joseph Nichols was born in 1790, in Virginia, but early in his life left the Old Dominion and came to Ohio, locating in Licking county, where his son Edward was born, migrating to Putnam county when this son was quite young, and settling in Union township. This was about the year 1834, which makes Joseph Nichols one of the earliest settlers of that part of the county. At that time all that portion of the county was heavily timbered and it was no small task for the pioneer Nichols to clear the farm which he had undertaken to reclaim from the wilderness. He entered from the gov- ernment a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which, in time, he suc- ceeded in clearing and which he gradually brought to a high state of culti-

581

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

vation. Joseph Nichols took a prominent part in the early social and civic activities of the pioneers and became, by force of character, one of the leaders in the community life of the time. Here he and his good wife spent the rest of their lives, the death of the former occurring in 1861.

It was amid these pioneer conditions that Edward Nichols grew to manhood's estate, receiving such meager education as the schools of that period offered the youth, and, under the careful attention of his parents, he acquired a full knowledge of the needs of the life of a farmer, which vocation he had decided to follow. He married Margaret Irwin, whose parents also were pioneers of that section, and continued to farm the home place until his death at the early age of thirty-nine. His wife, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 23, 1818, survived him many years, her death not occurring until the year 1893. Further details of the genealogy of Mrs. Nichols may be found in the biographical sketch of her brother, Ben Irwin, presented elsewhere in this volume.

To Edward and Margaret (Irwin) Nichols nine children were born, as follow : Mrs. Martha Holt, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Mrs. Lucinda Rimer, of Columbus Grove; Joseph, who lives in Paulding county, Ohio; Sarah Ann, who married J. C. Best and lives in Union township, this county ; Amos, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Mrs. Hettie Martin, who lives near Dundee, Michigan; Edward, who died at the age of four; Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Anderson, who lives at Marion, Indiana, and Mrs. Hannah Spratt, who lives at Weston, Ohio.

Amos Nichols grew to manhood on the parental farm, receiving his schooling in the district schools, and on January 25, 1872, married Martha Ellen Hayden, who was born in Sugar Creek township, this county, on May 22, 1854, the daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza (Brothers) Hayden, pioneers of this county.

To the union of Amos and Martha Ellen (Hayden) Nichols, eleven children were born, as follow: Lucinda, who married P. W. Shane, of Lima, Ohio, to which union there were born twelve children, Elmer, Blanche, Lizzie, Gladys, Agnes, Pearl, Grace, Dallas, Edith, Stanley, Ernest and another, the latter three of whom died in infancy; Clarke, who is a farmer living in Allen county, Ohio, married Elizabeth Rumel and has no chil- dren; Alvin, married Belle Jane Logan and lives at Alberta, Canada, and has no children; Mina May married Charles Benroth, of Columbus Grove, this county, and has six children, Leslie, Florence, Carrie, Clyde, Fay and Zenis; Gilbert Lewis, who also lives in Alberta, was married, but his wife died, leaving him with three children, Martha, Alfred and Clarence; Hannah,

582

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

who died January 10, 1909, married George D. McCombs, an Allen county farmer, and had one child, a son, Kenneth; Grover, a Union township farmer, married Carrie Roberts and has four children, Carl Maxwell, Helen Lucille, Paul Eugene and Orin; Edward, a Jackson township farmer, married Min- nie Kneuve and has three children, Edna Martha, Kermit and Jerome; John Elmer, who also lives in Alberta, married Cuba Swartzkopf and has one child, a daughter, Evelyn; Ethel, who died on June 11, 1914, married James McKenna, a Pleasant township farmer, and had two children, Muriel and Zelma; Hazel, died April 28, 1914.

It was in the fall of 1872, following his marriage, that Amos Nichols moved to the farm on which he now lives and there he reared his large family and provided a comfortable competence for his declining years. Though still living on the farm, he has practically retired from the active work of the same, giving the management of the farm over to his son Grover, who lives on a portion of the home place. During his life of activ- ity in the community in which he was born, Amos Nichols has become one of the leaders in that section. He is one of the local leaders of the Demo- cratic party and served his township for one term as assessor and for many years has been a school director in his district. He is a man of genial dis- position and high character, and he and his wife ever have been counted among the leaders in the good works of their community, both being very popular in the circle in which they move. They have a fine farm on an excellent location and are among the substantial citizens of that township.

HENRY KREINBRINK.

One of the many excellent farmers of Putnam county, Ohio, of German descent, is Henry Kreinbrink, who was born at Glandorf, this county, and has made this his home for the past forty-eight years. He was reared in this county and after his marriage settled down to the life of a farmer, and now has a well-improved farm with a good home, where he and his family are surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of life.

Henry Kreinbrink, the son of Rudolph and Elizabeth (Gosling) Krein- brink, was born on March 12, 1867, at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. His father was a native of Germany, his birth occurring at Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, on December 24, 1857; he was a son of John Kreinbrink, who came to America when Rudolph was about ten years of age. John Kreinbrink and

583

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

his family lived in Cincinnati for a time and then removed to Putnam county, Ohio, locating in Glandorf, where Rudolph was reared to manhood and mar- ried Elizabeth Gosling, who was born at Clarholz, Prussia. Her father died there and her mother later married Anton Brokamp, and then she came to America at the age of ten with her mother and stepfather, and located west of Glandorf along the Findlay, Fort Wayne & Western Railway.

Rudolph Kreinbrink and his wife, Elizabeth Gosling, bought a farm four miles north of Glandorf, and here made their home the remainder of their lives. Mr. Kreinbrink had a farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres, which he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. He died on April 13, 1895, and his widow passed away on February 2, 1913. Rudolph Kreinbrink and wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom three sons and one daughter died in infancy. There are five sons and three daughters living : Ignatius, Thresia, the wife of Barney Brown; Anna, the wife of John Weis; Henry, a farmer of Liberty township; Philomena, a sister in the Lorraine hospital; Joseph, Theodore and Louis.

Henry Kreinbrink was reared on his father's farm and received such education as was given in the schools of his neighborhood. After his mar- riage he bought a farm of eighty-nine acres, just west of West Leipsic, and has made this his home ever since. He remodeled the house and had it equipped with all the modern conveniences in order to make life more pleas- ant. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and with that success which always attends the thrifty German farmer of this county.

Mr. Kreinbrink was married on June 1, 1892, to Mary Meyer, who was born south of Glandorf, in this county, and who is a daughter of George B. and Anna Mary ( Moening) Meyer. Her father was a native of Germany, born in Glandorf, Hanover, on August 26, 1833. He was not more than one year old when his parents came to America and located southwest of Glan- dorf, in Putnam county. Mr. Meyers settled in the dense woods and they had to clear the land, built their cabin and endured all the toil and privations of pioneer life. Anna Mary Moening, the mother of Mrs. Kreinbrink, was a sister of Henry Moening, whose history elsewhere in this volume gives an account of the Moening family. George B. Meyer farmed all of his life northwest of Glandorf and was the owner of a good farm. He died on September 17, 1900, and his widow passed away March 6, 1912. Eleven children were born to George B. Meyer and wife, two of whom died at the age of three, one at the age of nine, and Catherine, who was the wife of Frank Karhoff, died at the age of twenty. Seven children are still living : J. Henry, Theodore, Joseph, Herman, Anna Mary, Frank and Elizabeth, the

584

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

wife of Joseph Kleman. The sketch of J. Henry Meyer, elsewhere in this work, gives more of the Meyer family history.

Henry Kreinbrink and wife are the parents of nine children living and one deceased. Mary died in 1900 at the age of fourteen months, while the other living children are as follow: Elizabeth, Ana, John, August, Ferdi- nand, Rosa, Clara, Alphonse and Vincent. All of these children are still single except Elizabeth, who is the wife of Louis Kleman, and who lives on the Henry Moening farm near Glandorf. They have one son, Victor. Mr. Kreinbrink and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church and liberal supporters of its various activities.

THEODORE VERHOFF.

Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the leading residents of Putnam county, Ohio, the subject of this review is worthy of specific recognition in a work of this character. Residing in this county for so many years has but strengthened his hold on public opinion, and today none in this community enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and business ability.

Theodore Verhoff was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, June 17, 1838, and is the son of Francis and Mary (Kramer) Verhoff. The subject's grandparents, on the father's side, were born, lived and died in Germany, but on the mother's side, Theodore and Gertrude (Veraking) Kramer, who were married in Germany, and resided there many years, came to this country when the elder Kramer was about fifty years of age. They settled on a farm in Putnam county, Ohio, and to them were born six children, William, Henry, Catherine, Christina and Mary, all of whom are now deceased, except Frederick, who is the surviving one.

Francis Verhoff, father of Theodore Verhoff, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, and came to America in 1836 by himself and settled near Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, on a small farm, the original tract consisting of twenty six acres. Having learned the blacksmithing trade, and realizing the necessity for such a business in his community, it is interesting to record that he was the proprietor of the first blacksmith shop in this county. This was operated in connection with his farm for many years and bore a repu- tation for first-class workmanship.

THIS

MR. AND MRS. THEODORE VERHOFF,

585.

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

About the year 1837, Francis Verhoff and Mary Kramer were joined in matrimony, and resided on the farm belonging to the former. To them were born eleven children, Theodore, Gertrude, Christina, Catherine, Mary Ann, Frank, Henry, William (now deceased), Charles, William and Flor- entine. The father of these children, prior to his death in 1863, had acquired a full section of land. With the assistance of the sons, the greater portion of this tract was cleared and properly prepared for miscellaneous farming and the raising of stock. This farm is pointed to with great pride by the descendants. Mr. Verhoff, being one of the pioneer settlers of Putnam. county, came here shortly after the founding of the town of Glandorf by Professor Horstman, a native of Germany. The wife and mother lived until the year 1901, during which year she was called by the Master of Destiny and was laid away with the father. It may be well said that they were loyal and practical members of the Roman Catholic church, attending St. John's church, at Glandorf. They left behind them enviable reputa- tions for good citizenship and set their children a good example of true- christian life.

Theodore Verhoff, the subject of this review, received a good common school education. He was a man of keen observation and devoted himself to farming and stock-raising with a decided degree of success. He was. married on June 18, 1861, to Elizabeth Egbers, who, at that time, was just twenty years of age, and who was the daughter of Theodore Egbers and wife. Having decided to reside on a portion of the large farm bequeathed to the children of Francis Verhoff, they located on seventy-eight acres in sections 9 and 16, Greensburg township, and which was put to use in the usual course of farming. To Theodore Verhoff and wife were born twelve children, and they are enumerated, in the order of their birth dates, as fol- low : Frank J., June 22, 1864; William F., August 22, 1866; Barney Henry,. July 22, 1869; John Theodore, April 6, 1870; Joseph Charles, March 15, 1873; John Barney, April 15, 1875; August George, February 5, 1877; Alloisa Albert, February 18, 1883; Mary Elizabeth, April 13, 1862 (now deceased ) ; Mary Ann, March 4, 1863; Amelia Helena, June 21, 1879; Mary Regina, February 24, 1881. Marriages of these children have taken place as follow: John Frank to Elizabeth Hamberg, who have a family of eight children ; William F. to Agnes Lemper, to whom there have been born seven children; Barney Henry to Elizabeth Gerdeman, who have two children; John Theodore to Catherine Brinkman, who have four living children and one deceased; Charles Joseph to Amelia Schroeder, with one child; John Barney to Mary Lemper, who have two children; August George to Nora.

586

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Westbeld, who have two children; Amelia Helena to Barney Siefker, who have six children; Alloisa Albert to Veronica Schmiedebusch, who have two children. Mary Ann, up to this writing, is recorded as single, as is also Mary Regina. All are residents of Putnam county.

Mr. Verhoff, observing that his youngest son, Alloisa, took such a keen interest in the farm and in the raising of blooded stock, he appointed him to the management of his farm, son after his marriage to Veronica Schmiedebusch. This marriage occurred on June 6, 1911, and the wife was one of the large family of Frank and Gertrude Schmiedebusch, natives of Putnam county, and who are engaged in farming. Besides the daughter named, they are blessed with eight other children, Emma, Gertrude, Syl- vester, Laura, Clara, Edward, Charles and Frank. Alloisa and Veronica are now the proud possessors of two children, Gertrude Elizabeth, born on May 8, 1912, and Cornelius Frank Theodore, born on September 30, 1913.

In the management of the farm, and practically the entire responsibility for its success ultimately resting upon the son, Alloisa, it should be recorded that it is one of the best-managed stock and general-purpose farms in this section of the country. Particular attention is given to the breeding of Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs, Belgian horses, etc. The farm build- ings, commodious and comfortable, are kept in first-class condition and everything clearly indicated an industrious and business-like management. Great credit is due Alloisa Verhoff and in appreciation of his efforts in behalf of the place, a short time before his marriage, his father bequeathed the farm to him, reserving a life interest in it.

Theodore Verhoff, whose wife died on March 20, 1905, is, despite his age, a remarkably bright and active man mentally. It is indeed interesting to hear this pioneer settler's anecdotes of early days, besides observing his keen interest in public affairs. Mr. Verhoff served on the local school board for many years, taking an active and aggressive part in everything looking toward the advancement of the young folks. He was a firm believer in the principles of Democracy. He is a member of St. John's Catholic church, of Glandorf, Ohio, to which he contributes liberally, according to his means. Mr. Verhoff enjoys a large circle of friends and companions, and, because of his high personal standing, is popular throughout the community, being numbered among Putnam's county's most enterprising and progressive citi- zens.

Alloisa bought fifty acres of land in section 9, adjoining the home place, a year before his marriage, and devotes a part of his time to its culti- vation and improvement.

587

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

FRANK LOGAN.

Among the public men of Putnam county, Ohio, men who have given of the best of their services through a long period of years, unselfishly and devotedly, to the public interest, few are better known or more deservedly popular than County Commissioner Frank Logan, a brief and modest biog- raphy of whom it is a pleasure for the historian to present at this point in this comprehensive and illuminating history of Putnam county. By gradual degrees, Mr. Logan has come to his present eminence in county affairs, his long training in the public service having equipped him, as few men in the public life of the county have been equipped, for the exacting duties of the office to which he was called by the people at the last election. For twenty years a justice of the peace of Union township; for five terms as assessor in the same township; president of the school board for twenty years past, and land appraiser, there are few men who have had better train- ing for public service than has he, a fact which the voters of the county appreciated when they placed him on the board of county commissioners, the most important executive department of the county government, and to which he has brought well-trained ability and soundness of judgment, together with a thorough knowledge of public affairs and the best needs of the commonwealth, which ought to prove most serviceable to the people of the county and to the administration of their common business affairs: Faithful to the public trusts to which he frequently has been called and dili- gent in his own business, Mr. Logan has brought to the office of county commissioner a ripe experience of affairs and a devotion to the public weal, which his friends are quite sure will redound greatly to the benefit of the whole people of the county.

Frank Logan was born in Monroe township, Allen county, Ohio, March 31, 1858, son of Israel. S. and Maria (Cowen) Logan, and has spent his whole life in this section of the state, with the public affairs of which and with the needs of which he is thoroughly acquainted.

Israel Logan, father of Frank Logan, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 1, 1834, the son of Joseph Logan and wife, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Ohio.

Joseph Logan, father of Israel, was born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, his father, Joseph Logan, Sr., having been a native of Vannangoe county, same state, who settled in Allegheny county, where he became one of the county's most substantial farmers and useful citizens. Joseph, Jr.,

588

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

grew up in Allegheny county and married there, later moving to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where his son Israel was born, and still later, at the time Israel was two years of age, moving to Putnam county, locating in Sugar Creek township, where he died in 1841, when Israel was seven years of age. At the death of his father, Israel was taken into the home of the Clevenger family in Sugar Grove township, where he was carefully reared and where he learned the essential principles of farming, a vocation which he followed all his life. He remained in the Clevenger home until he attained his major- ity, after which he obtained a position as driver of an overland wagon, a "prairie schooner," on a wagon train bound for western Iowa. This was. in the year 1855 and he remained in the West for a time, but upon being seized with a severe attack of mountain fever, decided to return to his Ohio. home. As soon as he was able to travel he came back to Putnam county and on January 7. 1857, was united in marriage with Miss Maria Cowan, a native: of Columbus, Ohio, who had come to Kalida, this county, from Columbus. with her mother, following the death of her father and who grew to woman- hood in this county. After their marriage, Israel Logan and his wife lived for a time in Monroe township, Allen county, Ohio, but the next year, in April, 1858, returned to Putnam county and located on a farm of forty acres in Union township. This farm was mostly wild and wooded, only a portion of it having been cleared, and he presently brought it to a state of cultivation, after which he traded it for another farin, and in the next twenty years making several such trades, all of which proved advantageous to him. In 1878 he moved to Henry county, Ohio, where he bought a farm which he operated until about eight years ago, at which time he retired from the active management of the farm and has since lived a retired and comfort- bael life, he and Mrs. Logan making their home with their son Finley on the home farm.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 56

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