History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 69

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 69

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Lewis Simon was born on April 24, 1838, in Putnam county. He is the son of John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, the former of whom was born in Kintingheim, Germany, on the Rhine, and the latter of whom was also born in Germany, in 1812.

John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon had several children, as follow : John, a farmer near Dupont, Ohio, who was born in Germany; Catherine and Philip have long been deceased; Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Jacob, who died in childhood; Barbara, who became the wife of Michael Rinkle, of Du- pont; Louisa, deceased; Sophia married the Rev. Philip Kesler, of Dupont; Mrs. A. L. Hauck, of Ottawa; Anna, who became the wife of W. J. Varner, of Greensburg township; Savilla, who married J. W. Parnell, of Greens- burg township; Elizabeth, deceased, and John Adam, who died at the age of ten years.

After their marriage, John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia. Subsequently, they located in Richland county, Ohio, where they were pioneers. They located in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1836. John P. purchased a tract of wild land, upon which he lived until 1863. During all of this period he was closely identified with the pioneer history of the county. He became a general merchant at Ottawa, in 1863, and was successful. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Defiance and afterward became a charter member of the lodge at Kalida. He was a commissioned officer in the state militia and stood high in Putnam county as one of the leading exponents of law and order. Before the Civil War, he was identified with the Democratic party, but after that, was inde- pendent in politics. He was prominent in politics, locally, and filled many offices. He died on April 29, 1888, at which time he was a member of the Presbyterian church. John P. Simon's first wife, Savilla Genshimer, the mother of all of his children except John Adam, died in 1856. Later he married Mrs. Margaret M. Landis, who bore him one son, John Adam, in 1859. His third wife was Mrs. Margaret Hedges, who died on March 25, 1895.

Lewis Simon, the son of John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon, was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the log school house, typical of his day and generation. Lewis Simon was first married on April 13, 1861, to Barbara M. Dangler, daughter of George and Fannie (Fender) Dangler. Four children were born to this marriage, Anna married H. J. Kirkendall; Veronica married George Ridenour; John A. lived to be forty- five years of age, and Barbara died in infancy. Mrs. Barbara M. (Dangler) Simon died on May II, 1868. Mr. Simon was next married to Jennie Apger

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·on March 13, 1870. She was a daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Apger, and a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born on February 10, 1874. To this second marriage seven children were born, Mary L. died on October 31, 1876; Charles E., married Carrie Shafer, and lives in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and they have six children, Paul, Helen, Mary, George, Margaret and Ruth Anna; Chester L. was first married to Maud Jenkins, daughter of David Jenkins and wife, and had three children by this marriage, Edna, Gale and Lowell; he was married a second time to Carrie Holbgewoks, daughter of John Holbgewoks, of Putnam county, and lives in Palmer township, Putnam county; Ora A. married P. D. Russell, son of John P. and Carolina Russell, of Iuka, Illinois, and they have one child, Jennie; Lewis W., Jr., married Grace Keck, daughter of Levi and Lucy Keck, of Continental, Ohio; Lewis W., Jr., died in 1911; he was survived by his wife and three children, Edna, Robert and Howard, the widow and children now living in McBride, Michigan; Blanche married Ralph Schaefer, son of John :and Ruth Schaefer ; they live in Perry township, Putnam county, and have two children, Geraldine and Howard; Ralph B., the youngest living child, was born on September 15, 1887. He attended the common schools of Put- nam county, and also attended the Continental high school. After that he entered the Ohio State University and took the degree of Bachelor of Science. Raph B. Simon was a student from 1908 to 1912. During his college life, he was a director of the glee club. He married Rowena Kuntz on May 22, 1913, and makes his home at his father's farm. His wife's par- "ents were natives of Putnam county and were farmers. Her father died in 1912.

Lewis Simon is a man of remarkable memory. He has led an active life and chafes at the thought of enforced idleness on account of his sickness. His farm consists of one hundred and fifty-five acres of splendid land, where general farming is carried on. Ralph B., who has active charge of the farm, also specializes in stock raising. The buildings on the farm are models of completeness. The farm is one of the best in Putnam county. The barn especially is not excelled in Putnam county for size, substantiality and con- venience. Mr. Simon is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 325, at Ottawa. Until recent years he has been active in the United Brethren church and an active Sunday school worker. Lately, he has been identified with the Prohibi- tion party. He has filled the office of justice of the peace of Greensburg township in a most satisfactory manner.

Mrs. Lewis Simon is an active woman of cheerful disposition. She has been a great inspiration to her husband. Her father, John R. Apger,

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was born in New Jersey, in 1816, and was a son of Isaac Apger, also a native of New Jersey and of English descent. Isaac Apger was one of the pioneer farmers of Carroll county, Ohio, and moved to Wood county in 1847, when. that county was unbroken wilderness. John R. Apger, Mrs. Simon's father, was educated in New Jersey and reared as a farmer. He learned the shoe- maker's trade and worked at it occasionally. He married Elizabeth Atchley, in 1837. She was a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Van Horn) Atchley, natives of New Jersey, but who later resided in New York. To this marriage- the following children were born : Mary C .; Mrs. Lewis Simon; Marion M .; Isaac N., deceased; Anderson S., who was a soldier in the Civil War; Alletty A., deceased, and Lizzie, also deceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Apger was born in New Jersey in 1812 and moved with her parents to New York before her marriage. Mr. Apger settled in Carroll county in 1865, farming there for ten years. He then moved to Wood county, Ohio, and entered a tract of land, clearing the land and teaching school in the meantime. His first wife died on March 25, 1865. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Apger was next married in Wood county, in 1866, to Mrs. Matilda Wyckoff, and four children were born to this marriage, Benton, Earl J., Cloise and Blanche. Mr. Apger was a Democrat in politics. He died on May 12, 1882. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal. church.

GEORGE D. KINDER.

There is no agency which exerts a more powerful influence upon the nation today than the press, and the editor who keeps in close touch with the progress of the times and faithfully records the news from day to day, is performing a mission of inestimable value. Ohio has several hundred. newspapers, and there is not a county but has its local papers, usually both of the leading political parties being represented thereby. Putnam county Democracy has supported the Putnam County Sentinel for nearly three- quarters of a century, and the paper, during all of these years has stood not only for the principles of the party, but has also taken an active part in the- advancement of every measure which has been proposed for the general welfare of the county.

For nearly half a century George D. Kinder has been connected in one capacity or another with the Sentinel, and his record as a newspaper man is such that he rightly ranks with the leaders of the profession in the state:

GEORGE D. KINDER.

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of Ohio. Starting in to learn the business when a mere youth, he has made it his life work, and the success which has attended. his efforts is ample evi- dence of his ability. As a newspaper editor, as a county official, as a mem- ber of the school board of Ottawa, as a successful business man, as a pub- lic-spirited citizen and as a man devoted to his home and family, George D. Kinder may justly be included among the truly representative men of his. county and state.

George D. Kinder was born in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, Novem- ber 6, 1836, a son of Captain George and Eliza (Schnorf) Kinder. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to the burghers of Holland, and the Dutch characteristics of thrift and conscientious devotion to duty have been. handed down through each succeeding generation. After receiving a good common school education, the youthful George entered the printing office of his brother when he was fifteen years of age. His brother, at that time, was the owner and editor of the Hamilton Telegraph, one of the leading papers of that city. He served as an apprentice for a few years and learned all the little details which go to make a successful newspaper man. He then worked as a journeyman printer until 1862, when he went to Sandusky, Ohio, and established the Erie County News, a Democratic weekly, which he published until 1864. He then moved his newspaper plant to Port Clin- ton, Ohio, and founded the Ottawa County News. He continued this paper for only a short time and then disposed of it to advantage and purchased the Greenville (Ohio) Democrat. This paper was not very prosperous when Mr. Kinder took charge of it, but, under his able management, it was soon put on a paying basis. For two years he remained in Greenville at the head of the paper and then disposed of it at a handsome profit. His next ven- ture was with the Bucyrus Forum, which he managed and edited for Thomas Coughlin until the summer of 1867.

Mr. Kinder came to Ottawa, Ohio, in June, 1867, and purchased an interest in the Putnam County Sentinel, becoming the editor and general manager of the paper. A year later he became the sole owner of the paper, retaining the ownership until in January, 1900. A complete history of this- paper is given in the newspaper chapter elsewhere in this volume. During his long connection with the paper Mr. Kinder made it one of the leading Democratic papers of this section of the state. While he was always a fearless advocate of the principles and policies of his party, he was always fair to his political opponents and won their respect if he did not secure their favor. As long as he was connected with the paper he refused to become a candidate for public office, although he was frequently importuned

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to do so by his many friends. It is safe to say that, for a quarter of a cen- tury, he was the leader of his party, not only in local matters, but also for many years one of the men who helped to shape the policies of his party in state affairs. Serving frequently on congressional and state committees, he was thrown in touch with the leaders of his party in the state, and was thus given an opportunity to be of benefit to the party whose cause he so ably ·espoused.

After retiring from the Sentinel in 1900, Mr. Kinder became a candi- date for county treasurer and was elected, in the fall of the same year, by a handsome majority. His first term gave such universal satisfaction that he was renominated by his party and again elected, filling the office for a period of four years. He introduced many needed reforms in the admin- istration of the duties connected with the office and had the satisfaction of knowing that his changes in the conduct of the office have been followed by his successors. After leaving the treasurer's office, Mr. Kinder was elected a member of the board of public affairs, and has been re-elected every two years since the passage of the law creating the office. His present term expires in January, 1916. The only other public office which he has held was that of school director, filling a position on the board of Ottawa for five years.

When Mr. Kinder retired from the newspaper business, in 1900, he never expected to identify himself with a paper again, but the call of the press could not be denied. Immediately after leaving the treasurer's office he found himself unable to keep away from the Sentinel office, and few days went by which did not see him at his old desk. He assumed complete editorial management of the Sentinel in 1911, and continued in this capacity until 1913, when A. P. Sandles became the editor. Since that time Mr. Kinder has devoted himself to the local department of the paper, and the chances are that he will retain his connection with the paper as long as he is able to get to the office. For considerably more than half a century Mr. Kinder has been in the newspaper business, and it is probable that there is not a man in the state who can equal his record for continuous service.

Mr. Kinder was married in February, 1869, to Zella Gordon, and to this union have been born two children, Gordon and Zella. Gordon was educated in the Ottawa schools and later graduated from the law depart- ment of Ohio State University. He married Charlotte Duncan and has two interesting little children. He is now practicing law in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Zella, the other child of Mr. and Mrs. Kinder, is the wife of J. C. :Spencer, a real estate and insurance agent of Findlay, Ohio.

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Mr. Kinder has been a director of the Ottawa Home and Savings As- sociation for many years and has extensive property interests in his home town. As a newspaper man he has been unusually successful in a financial way, and has always invested his money in local enterprises. In his social connections, Mr. Kinder is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding his membership in the blue lodge, chapter and council at Ottawa, and in Shaw- nee commandery at Lima. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum.

The publishers were glad to avail themselves of Mr. Kinder's services in the preparation of the present history of Putnam county. His connec- tion with the leading newspaper of the county during the past half century and his active participation in every phase of the county's development makes him as able an editor as could be secured for a work of this kind.

FRANK F. VERHOFF.

Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character who have made an impression upon the life of the locality in which they live, none have received a larger reward of popular respect and regard than Frank F. Verhoff, whose family name is well known throughout this section of the county. Lifelong residence in one locality has given the people an oppor- tunity to know him in every phase of his character, and that he has been true to life in such measure, is manifest in the degree of confidence and regard in which he is held by those who know him.

Frank F. Verhoff was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, March 24, 1847, and is the son of Francis and Mary (Kramer) Verhoff. The paternal grandparents were born, lived and died in Germany, and the maternal grandparents, Theodore and Gertrude (Veraking) Kramer, were married in Germany and resided there many years. Coming to this country when Mr. 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, Christena, Mary and Frederick, all of whom are now deceased, excepting a son, Frederick.

Francis Verhoff, father of Frank F. Verhoff, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, and came to America in the year 1836, by himself, and settled on a small tract consisting of twenty-six acres, near the town of Glandorf, Putnam" county, Ohio. He, having learned the trade of a blacksmith, bore the reputa-

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tion of having started the first shop of this kind in Putnam county, the same having been operated in connection with the farm for many years. This shop carried a reputation for doing first-class workmanship and furnishing high-grade material for the work at hand.

About the year 1837, Francis Verhoff and Mary Kramer were joined in wedlock and took up their residence on the former's farm. To them were born eleven children, Theodore, Gertrude, Christena, Catherine, Mary Ann, Frank, Henry, William, now deceased; Charles, William and Florentine. The father, prior to his death in 1863, had acquired a full section, consisting of six hundred and forty acres of land. With the assistance of his sons, the greater portion of this land was cleared and prepared for general farming and the raising of stock. Mr. Verhoff was one of the pioneer settlers of this community, coming here shortly after the founding of the town of Glandorf by Professor Horstman, who was a native of Germany. Francis Verhoff and wife were active members of St. John's Catholic church, of Glandorf, Ohio, from which church they were buried during the year 1901, leaving behind them reputations for high-class citizenship and setting a good example for posterity to imitate.

Frank F. Verhoff, the subject of this review, received his education in the county schools and lived under the parental roof until the time of his marriage on April 30, 1873, and up to which time he had acquainted himself with the necessary knowledge for farming by assisting his father around the place. His wife was Catherine Mersman, whose parents, Henry and Eliza- beth (Recker) Mersman, were natives of Germany, but who came to this country separately. By their marriage, besides Catherine, were born Theresa, Henry and Mary. Theresa is the wife of Henry Drerup and lives in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio; Henry is married to Anna Hulker, and now lives in the town of Glandorf, Ohio.

Soon after the marriage of Frank F. Verhoff, he, with his wife, took up their residence on the one hundred and forty-four acres which was deeded to him at the time of the elder Verhoff's death, being a portion of the six hundred and forty acres acquired during his lifetime, all of which was divided among the sons. The children born to Frank F Verhoff and wife are: Elizabeth, born on January 20, 1875, and deceased on January 4, 1878; Anna, born on November 19, 1877; Mary, born on February 24, 1881, and Frank, born on March II, 1884. Of these children, Anna became the wife of Frank Kahle and to them were born four children, their mother now being deceased; Mary was married to Lawrence Hamel and they have three chil- dren, and reside near Kalida, Ohio; Frank married Nora Schoeder and they

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have three children, the latter family making their home on his father's farm. Besides general farming, a specialty is made of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs. Frank Verhoff's wife died on March 23, 1884.

Mr. Verhoff is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of St. John's Catholic church of Glandorf, Ohio. In farming, poli- tical and social circles, Mr. Verhoff enjoys a wide acquaintance and is deserv- edly popular, possessing, to a marked degree, those qualities of character which win and retain friendship. He is quiet, unassuming and very intelli- gent. He is retired from active work.

FRANK KAHLE, SR.

Although some time has elapsed since the subject of this memoir was called into the life beyond, yet his memory is still fresh in the minds and hearts of many of his friends and neighbors. Frank Kahle was a popular man in his own community and had the reputation of being a man of bound- less energy and ambition. It is said that those who live the closest to us know us best and, this being true, Frank Kahle was indeed a worthy man, for those most closely associated with him hold him the dearest in their memories.

Frank Kahle, Sr., was a native of this county, born in Greensburg town- township on his father's farm on December 21, 1839. He was a son of John F. and Bernadina (Wilberding) Kahle, who were among the oldest settlers of this community. The Kahle family has, throughout a long stretch of years, been numbered among the best citizens of this section and the sub- ject of this memoir added his quota to the excellency of the family name. Frank Kahle was reared on his father's farm in Greensburg township and passed his entire life on the one homestead. In early manhood, he was united in marriage to Bernadina Brinkman, born in this county in 1846, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Rieman) Brinkman. The Brinkman's were both na- tives of the German Empire, and upon emigrating to America, they first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where, however, they remained but a short time. They, eventually, came to Glandorf, Putnam county, and later engaged in farming. There were two children in the family, Bernadina, widow of Frank Kahle, and John. John chose Minnie Maag as his helpmeet and they were the parents of three children: Frank, Harry and Francis.

Frank Kahle's father was one of the colonists who came from Germany

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with Father Horstman and settled the town of Glandorf. His father was John Kahle, and with Father Horstman, preceded the rest of the colonists, who remained in Detroit, and Father Horstman and John Kahle prepared the settlement for them and they came from Detroit a short time later. His son, Joseph, is president of the Peoples Bank of Kalida, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this volume.

To Frank Kahle and wife was born a family of twelve children, as follow: Mary Wilhelmina, deceased; John Frank, John Heinrich Joseph, John Ignatius Gustav, Mary Bernadina Amalia, Theresa Bernadina, Mary Helen Elizabeth, Mary Frances Paulina, deceased; John Heinrich Bernard, Anna Maria Theresa, John August Louie, deceased, and Maria Clara Wil- helmina. Of these children, Mary married Frank Schrader and lived in Greensburg township up to the time of her death. She passed away five years ago and is survived by her husband and nine children. John Heinrich Joseph married Wilhelmina Smith and is the father of six children. Mary Bernadina Amalia became the wife of Hubert Smith and is the mother of eight children. They reside in Greensburg township. Theresa Bernadina remains unmarried, and lives with her mother. Mary Helena Elizabeth is the wife of Frank Smith and is the mother of six children. That family lives in Union township, this county. John Heinrich Bernard chose Anna Schroeder as his wife and lives on the old family homestead; he is the father of one child. Anna Maria Theresa married Joseph Grote and has one child. Maria Clara Wilhelmina resides with the widowed mother. John Frank mar- ried Anna Verhoff, who died later. He is now in the sugar-beet industry. There are four children in that family. John Ignatius Gustav married Katrina Duling and they reside on a farm in Greensburg township, where they are raising a family of six children.

Frank Kahle possessed considerable of this world's goods. His father had left him a goodly portion, but by habits of thrift and energy he greatly added to it until he had accumulated quite a fortune. The farm on which his widow continues to reside, contains two hundred acres and it has on it the finest buildings to be seen in many miles. It easily ranks as one of the very finest farms in Putnam county and ranks with the very best throughout this state. Mrs. Kahle has kept up her interest in the farm home, and in spite of her years, is closely associated with her son, Benjamin, in the active manage- ment of the farm. Her vitality, both mentally and physically, is far beyond that of the average woman of lesser years and she is well versed in all that pertains to the best interests of their business. The farm is given over to the cultivation of grain and the raising of cattle.

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Frank Kahle's death occurred on February 23, 1898, and both himself and family were of the parish of St. John's, Glandorf. It is all too true that our influence lives, a vital force, long after we are gone from this world. This is well when our lives have been all that they should be, and to be. deplored when evil influences have been set in motion by us, but the children. of this good man can well be thankful that his life was so lived as to shed a beneficent influence on, not only the ones of his immediate household, but the charm of his personality permeated the lives of his large circle of friends.

BENJAMIN EDELBROCK.

Benjamin Edelbrock, member of the well-known family of that name,. connected with the early history of Putnam county, Ohio, was born on his. father's farm in Greensburg township on May 20, 1879. He is a son of Henry and Theresa (Siebeneck) Edelbrock, and Henry in his turn is a son. of Peter Edelbrock, who, together with his wife, came from their native: home in the Province of Hanover, German Empire, as members of the colony headed by Father Horstman, which founded the city of Glandorf in this. county. This was about the year 1834, and the Edelbrocks have been prom- inent in the life of the county ever since.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 69

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