History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 64

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 64

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agement of the homestead. Henry Dickman and wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Sylvester Joseph, born on January 18, 1905; Armella Mary, born on November 18, 1910, and Junilla Catherine, born on December 30, 1913.

Within the last few years Mr. Vogel has erected a new residence on his farm and has built and repaired most of the outbuildings, so that at the present time it presents an attractive and up-to-date appearance. He and his son-in-law give considerable attention to general farming, following approved twentieth-century methods. In addition to farming, Mr. Vogel specializes in a fine strain of Hereford cattle, having produced many excel- lent bulls.

Mr. Vogel's political preference is with the Democratic party, although he has never found time to devote to any special work in that line. Both himself and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and the entire family stands high in the esteem of the community. He attends the St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf. Mr. Vogel is still vigorous, is good natured, and with his daughter and grandchildren form a happy family circle.

JOSEPH C. VERHOFF.

Among the families of Putnam county, whose members have worthily discharged their duties to their fellows and their community, no family takes higher rank than the Verhoffs, of whom several representatives are, today, prominently identified with the farming and rural social life of Greensburg township. For many years, members of this large family have stood for all that is best in business, moral and social life, and have wielded an influence that has been potential in the development and welfare of their community, being numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of the county. Because of the prominence which the family has enjoyed and the close rela- tions they have sustained to the welfare and prosperity of the locality which has been honored by their citizenship, they are eminently entitled to repre- sentation in a work of the character of the one in hand.

Joseph C. Verhoff was born on his father's farm, Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, on March 15, 1873, and is the son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Egbers) Verhoff, pioneer settlers of Putnam county, and whose history of early life is to be found elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this sketch was one of the twelve children of Theodore Verhoff and his

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early days were spent on his father's farm, where he assisted in the large amount of clearing necessary to make the farm productive and profitable. He received his education in the township schools and remained with his par- ents until he became twenty-two years of age. While on the original farm, the father purchased an eighty-acre tract for Joseph C. Verhoff in Union township, also another eighty acres for the use of his brothers. Owing to the distance between farms, the subject of this review, at the age of twenty- two, moved to the farm operated by his brother, August G. Verhoff, where he made his home. until the time of his marriage, on October 25, 1910, when Amelia Schroeder became his wife. They are the parents of one child, Mary, born on February 24, 1914. Mrs. Verhoff was the daughter of John and Mary (Kahle) Schroeder, natives of Putnain county, Ohio. John Schroeder was the son of Henry and Katrina Schroeder, natives of Germany, who came and settled in Greensburg township, Putnam county, in an early day. To them were born: Frank, Charles, William, John, Ignatius, Mathias, Katrina, Dora, Mary (deceased), Anna, Theresa, Clara (deceased) and Philomena (deceased), the latter two having died very young. Mrs. Mary (Kahle Schroeder's parents were John F. and Bernadina Kahle, natives of Hanover, Germany, and who came to this country, settling in Putnam county at about the time the town of Glandorf, Ohio, was founded by the well-known Pro- fessor Horstman. To Mr. and Mrs. Kahle were born: Frank, Ignatius, Paulina, Bertha, Bernadina, Theresa, Amalia and Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. John Schroeder, the subject's wife's parents, were born: Katrina, Berna- dina, Veronica, Amalia, Mary, Bertha, Philomena, Hilda, August, Frank, Herman, John and George.

Soon after the marriage of Mr. Verhoff to Amalia Schroeder, they moved to the farm in section 29, Greensburg township, which was purchased from his brother, Henry. This consisted of eighty acres of undeveloped land, but which was put in first-class condition by the installation of a sys- tem of drainage. On this place they erected the number of buildings abso- lutely necessary; being handicapped financially, but with true German in- dustry and thrift, they were able to overcome the many obstacles to progress, and today they can point to their place with no small degree of pride, the profitable results of their farm being due to their untiring energy and en- deavor to succeed in spite of discouraging conditions. Besides carrying on the business of general farming, Mr. Verhoff is giving considerable attention to the raising of Short-horn cattle.

Politically, Mr. Verhoff gives his support to the Democratic ticket, but does not take active part in politics. Religiously, the family belongs to St.

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Michael's Catholic church, Kalida, Ohio. In conclusion, it is quite opportune to mention that the subject is a man of keen observation and mental ability, is genial and unassuming and makes friends easily. His circle of acquaint- ances throughout the county is large. He is a man of good habits, ambi- tious, of kindly impulses and deservedly popular in the community.

JOSEPH WARNECKE.

The success of men in agriculture, or in any vocation, in fact, depends upon industry, economy and wise judicious management. Moreover, suc- cess depends upon character as well as upon knowledge. The business rela- tions of life demand confidence, and where that is lacking, business ceases. In every community, some men are known for their upright lives and remarkable common sense. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them and heed their example. They win their way as a consequence of their untiring energy and correct principles of conduct and retain the respect of their fellow men by genuine work. Among the residents of Putnam county, Ohio, who have won for themselves success in agriculture, is Joseph Warnecke of Union township.

Joseph Warnecke was born near Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, on March - 15, 1870. He is the son of Henry and Christina (Verhoff) Warnecke. Henry Warnecke was born on- a farm near Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, of German parents, who were early settlers in this part of the county. After he was married, he moved to Union township, in what is now section 2, on a farm of eighty acres. He erected buildings and cleared and drained the land. Afterward he acquired more land as fol- lows: Ninety-six acres in Union township, one hundred and forty acres in Fort Jennings, forty acres in section 2, in Union township, twenty acres in section 2, in Union township, and sixty acres in section 2, in Union township. He continued to live in Union township until his death, which occurred on September 4, 1907. His wife had died previously, about 1895. Both were buried in the cemetery at Glandorf. Henry Warnecke's wife, who, before her marriage, was Christina Verhoff, was the daughter of Francis and Mary ( Kramer ) Verhoff, and the sister of Theodore Verhoff. Mrs. Warnecke's grandparents, on her father's side, were born and lived and died in Germany. On her mother's side, they were Theodore and Gertrude (Veraking) Kramer, who were married in Germany, and who,

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after residing there for many years, came to this country when the elder Kramer was about fifty years old. They settled on a farm in Putnam county and had six children, William, Henry, Catherine, Christina and Mary, all of whom are now deceased, and Frederick, who still survives. Francis Verhoff, the father of Mrs. Christina (Verhoff) Warnecke, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, and came to America in 1836. He settled near Glandorf, Putnam county, on a tract of twenty-six acres. He was a blacksmith by trade and became a first-class workman. Francis Verhoff and Mary Kramer were married in 1837. They had ten children, Theo- dore, Gertrude, Christina, Catherine, Mary Ann, Frank, Henry, William, deceased; Charles and William. The father of these children, prior to his death in 1863, owned a full section of land. Francis Verhoff's wife lived until 1901. They were loyal members of the Roman Catholic church, attending St. John's church of Glandorf.

The children of Henry and Christina (Verhoff) Warnecke were Mary, Frank, deceased; William, John, Joseph, Henry, Charles, Anthony, Theresa, Philomena and Bernard. Mary married John Tenwalde, and they live in Union township; Frank, who is deceased, married Anna Hersing, and they lived at Kalida; William married Mary Lauf; they lived in Fort Jennings ; John married Mary Eggeman, and they lived at Ottoville; Henry married Katherine Goedde, and they live near Miller City; Charles married Catherine Siefper, and they in Union township; Anthony married Mary Barlager, and they live in Union township; Theresa married Frank Dulle and lives near Miller City; Philomena married Herman Lucke, and they live near Miller City, and Bernard married Martha Marmon and they live in Pleasant township.

Joseph Warnecke, the subject of this sketch, attended the Fortman school, in Union township, and lived on his father's farm until his marriage. He was married on April 28, 1897, to Mary Smith, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Kahle) Smith. Mrs. Warnecke's parents were married in Glandorf, Putnam county, and, after their marriage, moved to a farm in Union township, where he still lives on the farm. He owns two hundred and ten acres. He erected all the buildings on the farm he now owns. The children of Joseph and Theresa (Kahle) Warnecke are as follow: Mary, Elizabeth, Bernadina, Theresa, Helena (deceased), Amalia, Paulina (deceased), and Frances, deceased. Bernadina married Ignatius Rieman and they live in Union township; Helena married Henry Erhart and they live in Union township; Amalia married John Missler, of Union township, and they reside with Mrs. Warnecke's father, Joseph Smith; Frances mar-

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ried Harry Nienberg, and she died three months after her marriage. The mother of these children, Mrs. Joseph Smith, died on November 25, 1914, and is buried in the cemetery at Kalida.

After his marriage, Joseph Warnecke moved to a farm of ninety-six acres in section 1, Union township. This farm formerly belonged to his father, from whom he bought the farm shortly before his marriage, and built a house besides many other buildings. He has also drained the land.

To Joseph and Mary (Smith) Warnecke nine children have been born, Leonard, born on March 27, 1898; Joseph W., born on November 22, 1899; Odelia, born on September 19, 1902; Urban, born on September 18, 1904; Leo, born on September 28, 1906; Walter, born on June 30, 1908; Mary F., born on May 1, 1910; Helena, born on April 13, 1912, and died at the age one year; Aloyisius, born on June 19, 1914.

Mr. Warnecke is engaged in general farming. He owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of land. Mr. Warnecke and his family are all mem- bers of the Catholic church. They attend St. John's Catholic church, at Glandorf. Mr. Warnecke belongs to St. John's Benevolent Society. Mrs. Warnecke belongs to the Mothers' Society of the church. Joseph Warnecke has served on the school board as a director for many years. He is a pros- perous, substantial farmer, who comes from a splendid family and who is highly respected for his many good qualities.

WILLIAM H. EDELBROCK.

Not alone are those worthy of historical honors who have moved along the loftier planes of action, but to an equal extent are those deserv- ing who are of the rank and file of the world's workers, for they are not less the conservators of public prosperity and material advancement. Through all the generations of life, recognition should be had of the true values, then should full appreciation be manifested, for there can be no prosperity, if it be done justly, in scanning the acts of any man, as they affect his public, social and business relations. Here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial and highly esteemed representatives of the agricultural interests of Putnam county, where he has spent his entire life and where he has not only attained a high degree of

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success in his chosen field of labor and enterprise, but also established an imperishable reputation for uprightness in all the relations of life.

William H. Edelbrock was born in Greensburg township, Putnam' county, Ohio, August 12, 1861, and is the son of Andrew and Catherine ( Herlage) Edelbrock. His paternal grandparents were natives of Prussia and came to this country soon after their marriage in 1834. On their arrival in this country, they decided to settle near the town of Glandorf, Ohio, which a few years previously was laid out as a village settlement by the well-known Professor Horstman, who came to that point in Putnam county with his little band of colonists. To the paternal grandparents were born : William, Henry, Frank, Charles, Christina, Andrew and two others who died en route during the voyage to America. The maternal grand- parents were also natives of Prussia and came to Putnam county some time prior to their marriage. They were married in Glandorf, Ohio, and settled on a farm in Greensburg township, Putnam county, where they lived until their death. To them were born: Catherine, Helena, Mary and Anna, all deceased.

The father of the subject of this review was but a boy of six when his parents settled in this county near Glandorf. From this time forth he attended the school in Glandorf and lived with his parents, until the time of his marriage. After his marriage, he decided to live on a farm he pur- chased and which consisted of eighty acres in Greensburg township. At a later date he sold this farm, and in 1870 moved to a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Jackson township. In 1907 he moved to the town of Kalida, this county, where he bought five acres at the edge of the town, and lived a life of retirement. His death occurred on July 6, 1913, and his wife died in Jackson township on August 20, 1892. To them were born twelve children, William H., Mary, Frank, Anna, who died April 23, 1915, at the age of forty-nine years; Ignatius, Albert, Emma, Barney, Helena, John, Peter and Amalia, the last five named being also deceased.

William H. Edelbrock attended the schools in Jackson and Greens- burg townships and lived on his father's farm during his youth and until he was about twenty-four years of age. On October 25, 1885, he was mar- ried to Clara Lemper, a daughter of William and Clara (Drop) Lemper, whose father was born in Glandorf, Germany, and the mother in Averfer- den, Germany. They came to this country soon after their marriage and in 1868 settled on a forty-acre farm near Glandorf, Ohio, where they con- tinued farming, Mr. Lemper having been a practical farmer in the old

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country. To the original forty they subsequently added more land and lived a very peaceful, successful life on the place until their death. To them were born : Clara, William, Agnes, Mary, and a son who died in Germany.

Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Edelbrock moved to the present resident farm which they own and which contains forty acres, located in section 7 of Union township. On this place they erected all of the buildings, previous to which they had partly cleared and drained the land for general farming purposes. In addition to farming, Mr. Edelbrock takes great pride in his Jersey cattle, which he raises on a limited scale. He also maintains beehives of pure Italian and mixed strains, to which feature he devotes some attention and takes a great deal of pride in them. Mrs. Edelbrock devotes some attention to poultry, including thoroughbred Rhode Island Reds.

Mr. and Mrs. Edelbrock are members of St. Michael's Catholic church of Kalida, and are well known and highly esteemed by all who know them. Mrs. Edelbrock is regarded as a woman of gracious manner, genial dispo- sition and known to be a true help-mate to her worthy husband. Mr. Edel- brock, genial and unassuming in manner, easily wins friends, and always retains them. He has served as councilman in St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, and is connected with St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. Because of his high personal qualities and farming success, he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.

ALEX DANGLER.

It is by no means an easy task to describe, within the limits of this review, a man who has led an active and eminently useful life, and, by his own exertions, reached a position of honor in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But history finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual, and the time in- variably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is, then, with a certain degree of satisfaction that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of the subject who now comes under this review.

Alex Dangler, one of the well-known and enterprising citizens of Put- nam county, Ohio, was born in Perry township, this county, August 6,

MR. AND MRS. ALEX DANGLER.

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1876, and is the son of John Adams Dangler and Jane (Shook ) Dangler, both of whom are natives of Putnam county. The father of John Adams Dangler was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife a native of Germany. They removed to the state of Ohio and became early settlers in Greens- burg township, Putnam county, where they lived until the time of their death. The wife of the subject's father was the daughter of John and El- nora Shook, who were early resident farmers of Putnam county and where they remained until taken away by death.

John Adams Dangler remained under the parental roof for many years, assisting in clearing the wooded lands of the farm and getting it in shape for general farming. He received his education in the county schools of Greensburg township. He was married in 1875 to Jane Shook and to them were born three children, Alex, Mabel and Edith. Alex Dangler's father, after his marriage, went to live on the eighty acres in Perry township where his daughter Edith now lives with her husband, Stewart Brower. He re- mained on this place for a term of thirty-six years, draining and developing the land, after which he removed to the town of Continental, Ohio, where he purchased twenty acres within the corporate limits of the town. To this he devotes most of his time and attention, but still retains ownership in the eighty acres heretofore mentioned. From time to time the subject's father owned more land than is recorded her. His daughter Mabel be- came the wife of Manford Shank, who resides in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and they have a family of six children. Mr. Dangler, Sr., is a supporter of the Democratic party, takes an active interest in the affairs of the commun- ity and is well liked by every one. The influence of this gentleman and his ancestors will be felt throughout this region for many years to come.

Alex Dangler was reared on his father's farm, in Perry township, at- tending the neighboring country schools for a number of years, preparatory to entering college. He attended Crawfis College for one term, then went to Angola College for four terms. He was married, on March 21, 1898, to Clara Fender, a daughter of Michael and Laura (Huber) Fender, who were natives of Henry and Trumbull counties, Ohio, respectively. Michael Fen- der was born on October 8, 1846, and Laura (Huber) Fender was born on October 10, 1852. They lived on a farm in Henry county, Ohio, imme- diately after their marriage, but later moved to a farm in Ionia county, Michigan, and from there to a farm, which he purchased, consisting of two hundred acres, in Mecosta county, Michigan, where he died in October, 1910, and where his widow still resides on one hundred and sixty acres of the original purchase. To them were born seven children: Mary .C., born

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on February 3, 1872, died nine months later ; Emma Jane, born on August 19, 1873; Daisey Allvoretta, born on September 15, 1874; Zella Della, born on October 25, 1879; John, born on July 18, 1879; Ricky, born on August 30, 1880; Austin Le Roy, born on July 12, 1884. Out of the two hundred acres there were forty acres deeded to the son, Austin, with whom the mother lives in Mecosta county. Of these children, Emma became the wife of Peter DesGranges and resides in Big Rapids, Michigan; Daisy married Charles Spence and resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Della married Ed- ward DesGranges and resides in Henry county, Ohio; John married Ger- trude Fisher and resides in the town of Coral, Michigan; Austin married Stella Huff and makes his home on the original farm in Mecosta county.

After Alex Dangler's marriage to Clara Fender he remained for a while on his father's place, rented various fields and then decided to follow the saw-mill and threshing business, according to seasons, and which busi- ness he continued for about twelve years. Being a man of keen observation and with an eye to increasing his income, he saw possibilities of greater earnings by engaging himself to the firm of Miller & Stallkamp, jobbers of heavy machinery, as a salesman. While in the eniploy of this company he covered territory consisting of Putnam, Paulding, Van Wert, Allen, Henry, Hancock and other counties, in Ohio, and this experience gave him a fine opportunity for getting acquainted with a larger number of people, which served him to a good advantage. After these years of practical sell- ing and business experience, he decided to return to the business of farming and settled on his present place of residence. This place was purchased by the father in 1895, one-half of which was deeded to his son, Alex, on Jan- uary 18, 1901, and the other half to his sister. Great credit is due to Alex Dangler for the vast improvements made to this farm, and particular men- tion should be made of the up-to-date barn building, which is equipped with all kinds of modern improvements. This energetic, wide-awake and business-like farmer, not being satisfied to simply till the soil and raise stock, makes it his business to carry a line of farm necessities, such as silos, milk- ing machine, automobiles, gasoline engines, silo fixtures and other late in- ventions to bring the business of farming up to the highest point of effi- ciency with the least human energy. In the sale of silos, it is said that Mr. Dangler has made more sales of these than any other agent for a similar line in the northwestern portion of the state of Ohio.

Mr. Dangler and wife are blessed with a good-sized family, consisting of eight living children, and his wife is found to be a woman of the best type, intelligent and amiable in disposition. The children are: Glen, born

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on February 2, 1901; Evelyn, born on September 9, 1902; Paul, born on November 1, 1903; Laura Jane, born on January 1, 1906; Hazel Rita, born on May 30, 1908; Marvin LeRoy, born on December 18, 1909; Dale Mau- rice, born on April 28, 1911; Mary Maxine, born on April 11, 1913; Nelo, born on December 22, 1898, who died January 9, 1906.

Manifesting an abiding interest in the material welfare of the county, Mr. Dangler has given his influence and assistance to all enterprises with this object in view, and he also takes an active part in promoting all worthy means and measures for the advancement of his fellow man. All in all, he is a worthy representative of the steady, intelligent and progressive class that gives stability and character to the community, being broad-minded, with wide views of affairs and men and a true type of the enterprising American citizen of today.

JOHN W. EDWARDS.

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our country is due to the honest industry, sturdy persistency and unswerving perseverance and wise economy which so prominently characterizes the farmers of the Buckeye state. Among this class of farmers may be men- tioned John W. Edwards, the subject of this sketch, who, by reason of his years of indefatigable labor and honest efforts, has not only acquired a well-merited competence in life, but who has earned the high esteem of all with whom he is associated.

John W. Edwards, a native of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born on January 5, 1871. He is the son of Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards, the former of whom was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, May 30, 1826, and who was the son of Josiah and Mar- garet (Jones) Edwards. Josiah Edwards, Sr., was a farmer by occupa- tion. He lived and died in Wales. Josiah Edwards, Jr., and wife, and one child, came to America in 1855, in the spring, settling first in Utica, New York, where he was employed on a dairy farm. The following fall, in 1855, he came to Allen county, Ohio, and settled at Gomer. His first employment was with Griffith John, a contractor, who built the Pennsyl- vania railroad from Lima to Elida. The following summer he rented a farm on "Calico ridge," Sugar Creek township, Allen county, and here he lived for about seven years, when he moved, in 1862, to Sugar Creek town-

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 64

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