USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 37
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Finkenbein & Manning, dealers in grain, feed, flour and, seeds, are pro- prietors of a grain elevator, the present firm having been established January 1, 1912. The business is an old one, having been established forty years ago by K. H. Stock & Company, who were succeeded by L. Finkenbein, who had been a partner with Mr. Stock, and who conducted it for a number of years. In 1895 it came into possession of L. Finkenbein, Jr., which proprietorship was continued until the present partnership was formed. The firm has an adequate plant and is doing a successful business.
Martin Manufacturing Company are successors to the William Johnson spoke factory. They are now putting in new machinery and will engage in the manufacture of staves.
Milton C. Fogt is conducting a prosperous hardware business. Miss S. E. Mccullough is proprietor of a millinery and notion store. M. H. Ailes con- ducts a general insurance business.
The grain business now carried on by C. C. Toland was established fifty years ago, the elevator being built at that time. John Thirkield conducted the business for fifteen years, his successor being Frank Thirkield, who was pro- prietor for about five years. The property was then leased to Farrington, Saluson & Nelson, by whom it was carried on for five or six years. The next proprietor was Judge Bowersox, of Sidney, from whom the business was bought by C. C. Toland. The business was conducted for some time as a
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partnership concern, under the style of Toland & Ludwig, but about twelve years ago Mr. Toland bought out his partner and has since been sole pro- prietor. Mr. Toland deals in grain, seeds, salt, etc., and is doing a prosperous business.
Other business enterprises of Anna are Fred Woehrle, groceries; George Fleckinstine, drain tile; L. Finkenbein, groceries, dry goods, notions, etc .; C. McVay & Son, livery, established twenty-two years; B. F. Martin, notions, Mr. Martin being the successor of his grandfather, R. Martin, who estab- lished the business ; Rembold Brothers, W. T. and J. G., boots, shoes and rub- ber goods, have been established four years, the business having been previously carried on for seven years by W. J. Rembold alone.
BOTKINS
Botkins, which is located on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, near the north boundary of Dinsmore township, was platted as a village for Russell Botkin, who owned the land, in July, 1858. It was certified by J. A. Wells, surveyor, and acknowledged July 31, 1858. The town became a pros- perous trading center and had a steady growth. It aspired to the dignity of an incorporated village in 1881, a petition being filed with the county com- missioners on March 7, of that year. Although strenuously fought by some of the citizens, through remonstrance and protest filed, the proposition was carried through, a majority of the people being in favor of it. The petition was granted August 2, 1881, and was recorded January 3, 1882. A special election was held, at which the following officers were elected : P. W. Speaker, mayor ; H. H. Varner, clerk ; F. M. Hemmert, treasurer ; J. B. Staller, marshal ; and John McMahon, Dr. G. M. Tate, Dr. P. K. Clienhens,' Alexander Botkin and J. B. Hemmert, councilmen. Since then the growth of the village .has been slow but steady. There has been no marked "boom" but business in general has flourished and the citizens are prosperous. Though some former industries and commercial enterprises have passed out of existence with the mutations of time, others have taken their places, and present conditions, on the whole, mark a satisfactory advance.
For a town of its size, Botkins has a very complete and efficient fire department, with a good engine house. The apparatus consists of a Howe gasoline engine, hook and ladder wagon and hose-cart with several thousand feet of hose. There is also an old hand engine which can be used when required. There is a good water supply, the water being obtained from cisterns (50 by 25 feet), which are sunk at convenient places on the streets. These cisterns are supplied from an artificial lake, covering two acres of ground and from twelve to fifteen feet deep, which is owned by the cor- poration. The department consists of a volunteer company numbering forty men, under the command at the present time of Chief John Morris.
The Botkins Herald, a six-column quarto weekly, was established about fifteen years ago by Adamı E. Blakeley, who conducted it until his death, in January, 1911. He was then succeeded by his son, Lowell E. Blakeley, who
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is the present proprietor. The paper is independent in politics and has a con- siderable circulation throughout this part of the county. A job printing office is run in connection with the plant and does a good business.' A new cylin- der press has recently been installed, and the office is supplied with all the latest faces of job type. The proprietor. Mr. Blakeley, is the present post- master of Botkins.
Among the principal commercial industries of Botkins at the present time are the following : The Botkins Hardware Company, John C. Koenig, propri- tor, are dealers in hardware, stoves, roofing, fence, pumps, buggies and imple- ments. The business was established by Mr. Koenig about seven years ago and is in a flourishing condition. The store is large and well supplied with an ample and varied stock. H. W. Weigert & Company, dealers in clothing, dry goods, shoes, groceries and general merchandise, has been established about two years ago and gives promise of a successful future. W. C. Zaenglein & Brother, are proprietors of a well-equipped department store. W. H. Bride- weser, dealer in harness, has been established in Botkins nearly eighteen years and is conducting a successful business. Thomas Kennedy Implement Com- pany deals in hardware, stoves, wire fencing, fence posts, implements, cement. lime, plaster, etc., and has been doing a successful business for ten years or more. William Oppeman conducts a well-appointed livery stable. F. G. Gutman conducts a general store. J. H. M. Schurr, undertaker and furniture dealer, is successfully carrying on the business established by his father, Chris- tian Schurr, twenty-four years ago, B. . \. Steinke is proprietor of a black- smith shop. There are also several other stores, including the Blakeley Milli- nery, one or two barber shops and several saloons. A saw mill has been con- ducted here for a number of years by M. A. Roth, who also does ditch contract- ing. . The Paul & Shafer grain elevator is an up-to-date concern and is doing a good business. The old mill was built by Taylor & Marx, who were its proprietors for about five years, the business then being bought by Mr. Shafer, who conducted it under the style of Shafer Grain Co. About a year later, July 6, 1911, it burned down, but in the same year the erection of the present mill was begun and in October, 1912, it was opened for busi- ness. In the meanwhile, or July 1, 1912, Mr. Paul became a partner with Mr. Shafer and the firm adopted its present style of Paul & Shafer. The concern deals in grain, seeds, salt, flour. coal and fence posts and building tile, and are buyers and sellers of live stock. The elevator is a commodious and up-to-date structure.
The Botkins Product Company was organized in the spring of 1911, and was incorporated with a capital stock of $5,000. the following being the incorporators: J. M. Sheets, Louis Zimmerman. H. E. Sheets, Walter A. Looker and J. B. Reineke. J. M. Sheets was elected president; Louis Zimmerman, vice-president : H. E. Sheets, treasurer : and Walter A. Looker secretary. The company was formed to engage in the manufacture of "Kob Korn Krisp," the parching of corn on the cob.
Sheets Manufacturing Company, of Botkins, was established in 1903, by H. E. Sheets, who remains sole proprietor of the business. The concern
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has a large factory, well equipped with up-to-date woodworking machinery and is engaged in the manufacture of bent rims and spokes for wagons, implements, carriages and automobiles. The factory contains 20,000 square feet of floor space and employment is given to about eighty-five men. About 10,000,000 feet of lumber is used annually, most of which is worked from the log to the finished product, the latter being shipped all over the United States, besides a considerable amount that is exported.
The Sheets Grain Company was established about thirty years ago by Philip Sheets, who continued the business until his death in 1905, when his sons, E. S. and H. E. Sheets, continued the business. The company handles grain, feed, seed, etc., having an up-to-date elevator in Botkins, and also own other elevators outside the county, namely, one at each of the following places in Auglaize and Logan counties: Wapakoneta, Lakeview, Waynes- field, Geyer and Gutman.
The Shelby County Bank was established at Botkins about 1897, by Philip Sheets, who conducted it as sole proprietor until his death in 1905, after which time the business passed into the hands of his sons, E. S. and H. E. Sheets, who continued it as a private bank until 1912. It was then incorporated, with a capital stock of $25,000, with H. E. Sheets, president; Philip Sheets, Jr., vice-president, and E. S. Sheets, cashier, which is the official board at the present time, January, 1913.
M. A. Roth is proprietor of a saw mill established several years, and is also engaged in ditch contracting.
CHURCHES
The greatest civilizing agency we have, the church, was not long in estab- lishing itself, in fact before the township was more than sparsely settled. Brief mention is here made of the history of the various congregations : St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation .- One of the most beautiful church edifices in the county is that of St. Jacob's Evan- gelical Lutheran at Anna, which was dedicated August 4, 1907. The birth of this church was eighty years ago in 1832, when a few Lutherans, strong in their faith, settled in the virgin forest near Anna and the first preacher was the Rev. Henry Joesting, whose parsonage was a log structure of one room, which served as a residence, a schoolhouse, and a place for Sunday services. The names of John Altermath, Michael Altermath, Louis Bey and John Moothart, appear on the records, and they were soon joined by Germans of like faith.
In the fall of 1833 their number was increased by Philip Jacob Hagel- berger, John Fogt, John Jacob Finkenbein, John Jacob Zimpher, Frederick Knasel, Henry Breitweiser, Henry Schaefer, Samuel Schaefer, and Ben- jamin Werth, with their families. A log church was erected in 1835-36, thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide, for which the contractor, Jesse Weistch, got $100 for his labor. The seats were boards on trestles. It was built on the site which afterwards was the Lutheran cemetery, David Swander giving the land.
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The first class was confirmed in 1836. The Rev. George Klapp served the church from 1840 to 1844, the Rev. Hursh till 1850, and the Rev. Spang- ler followed with a pastorate of seven years.
The congregation outgrew their old log church of twenty years and dedicated a new one October 21, 1855, which cost $1,100. The church, made of brick, stood its ground for seventeen years and eventually was torn down and used in the building of a tile mill. The Rev. Christian Sappes was pastor in 1857, followed by the Revs. Gottfried Loewenstein, J. F. Grassie, and John Bundenthal, and was followed by a theological student from Columbus, from 1871 to 1877. The brick church was soon found too small for it was such a Lutheran nest that if an inhabitant in that vicinity got scratched the chanches were Lutheran blood was spilt, so a frame structure 60 by 40 feet was built in 1870 and 1871 at a cost of $5,000.
Rev. John Michael Meissner served as pastor from 1877 to 1889, the longest term in its history. He baptized 303, mostly babies, for race suicide was not on their program, and he confirmed 110. The Rev. E. H. D. Winterhoff took charge in 1889 and was succeeded by the Rev. R. C. H. Lenski, the editor of the Synodical Journal. At the time the present church was dedicated there had been during his pastorate of seven years 200 bap- tismis and 210 confirmations, 33 of whom were adults, making the number of communicants 550.
The sacred frame structure could not begin to hold the crowds fired with Lutheran zeal, and so a building committee consisting of the pastor as chairman, George C. Schiff, C. E. Fogt, C. C. Fogt and George Hagelberger signed the contract with the builders, Newmier and Hemmert, of Wapa- koneta, for $17,490.70. The architect was R. C. Gotwald, of Springfield. The congregation was as harmonious as a colony of working bees, after the drones had been disposed of, and as the building progressed new and more extravagant ideas were advanced and approved until everything was done to make the interior of the church as artistic and perfect in its appoint- ments as one could wish. Could the early saints in the Anna congregation be permitted to visit the earth again they would almost wish to leave Heaven for awhile to worship in so sweet a place. On Tuesday after the dedication the Rev. Emanuel Poppen, of Sidney, with 100 of his congregation, took charge of the past dedicatory services, his wife bringing out the possibilities of the new pipe organ with good effect.
The Rev. Lenski accepted a call to Columbus in August, 1911, and was succeeded by the Rev. C. J. Gohdus, who served a year and he was followed December 8, 1912, by Rev. H. J. Schuh, the present pastor, who came here from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he had served a pastorate of twenty- eight years. The congregation now numbers 579 communicants.
Botkins Methodist Episcopal Church - The congregation of this church was in existence some years before a church edifice was erected. It was organized in 1833 or 1834 at the home of Richard Botkin, by the Rev. Daniel D. Davidson, assisted by Rev. James Smith. Among the prominent early members were : Richard Botkin and wife, Henry Hildebrant and wife,
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Cornelius Montfort and wife, Cornelius Elliott and wife, and Samuel Elliott and wife. For several years services were held in the home of Richard Botkin, and subsequently in a log house in Botkins until 1841, in which year they erected a hewed log church, on ground donated for that purpose by Richard Botkin. This was in 1860 replaced by a frame church. building. dedicated in the fall of that year by the Rev. Wilson, assisted by the local pastor, Patrick G. Goode. In 1881 they erected a substantial brick build- ing at a cost of $2,040, and this was dedicated June 18, 1882, by Rev. Watters, assisted by Rev. J. S. Ayers, presiding elder of the Bellefontaine district. This church has since maintained its organization and has a live membership. Services are held Sunday afternoon and evening alternately. The present pastor is Rev. J. W. Miller.
The Lutheran church, Botkins, Rev. A. Pflenger, pastor, holds alternate services Sunday mornings and evenings, with Sunday school in the fore- noon1.
Anna Methodist Episcopal church, originally known as Mt. Gilead Metho- dist Episcopal church, was organized at the home of Richard C. Dill, in 1833, Rev. D. D. Davidson and Rev. James Smith. Services were for some years held in the homes of Mr. Dill and Joseph Park, and from 1840 until the completion of a house of worship in 1841, at the home of Mary J. Young. It was built a quarter of a mile north of Anna, was of the hewed-log type, and served the congregation until a frame structure was erected some years later, in the same vicinity. Tlie latter was dedicated in July, 1858, by Revs. Wilson and P. G. Goode, the latter being then pastor. Among the original members were Mrs. R. C. Dill, Jane Dill, E. B. Toland and wife, Thomas Iiams and wife, Mrs. Forsha, John Lucas and wife. The present Methodist Episcopal church in Anna was dedicated November 1, 1886. The church is a brick structure, with slate roof, stained glass windows and having an audience room, lecture room, and two class rooms. The regular preaching services are held one Sabbath morning, the next Sabbath . morning and evening and so alternately. The church now has 126 members. Rev. J. W. Miller is now in his second year as pastor, having succeeded Rev. W. W. Motter.
Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Botkins, Ohio .- The history of this congregation dates back more than six decades, when a few Roman Catholic families settled in the vicinity of the present town of Botkins. They were all German immigrants, and hence possessed but scanty means wherewith they might contribute toward the erection of a church, and the support of a pastor. Missionaries, however, came at regular intervals from surrounding well-settled communities, and provided for the spiritual wants of their poor brethren. Divine service was held at first in the residences of some families, later on in an old schoolhouse, and subse- quently in a log church, which finally was replaced by the present church. The first church organization was formed in 1865, and immediately preparations. were made and measures taken for the erection of a suitable house of wor- ship. Two years afterwards in 1867 the zealous people of the congrega-
WAPAKONETA AVE., ANNA, O.
M. E. CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, ANNA, O.
HIGH SCHOOL, ANNA, O.
ST. JACOB'S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, ANNA, O.
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tion worshiped for the first time in the new edifice. The church, which had been erected at a cost of about $8,000, is a handsome brick building of 85 by 45 feet, crowned by a neat steeple. In 1875 the congregation purchased the home of Andrew Gutman, which was first occupied by the reverend pastor but later became residence for the teachers. Clemens Huber, a pioneer of the congregation, donated in 1878 two acres of land for a new cemetery. The want of a school was provided for in 1881 by the purchase of the old Methodist Episcopal church, which has received an annex at the cost of $800. In 1887 the new parsonage, a two-story brick building, was com- pleted at a cost of $3,000. The church was remodeled and highly embellished by the brush of the able artist, F. H. Hefele, 1898, and but one year later new beautiful stained glass windows were put up to give the renovation a finishing touch.
Father Joseph Goebel was the organizer of the congregation, and remained in charge of it till 1871. when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry. Daniel. In 1873, Rev. Nicholas Eilermann, a pious and energetic priest, was appointed pastor and he fulfilled his duties most successfully until his demise, June 24, 1893. Since that time the Rev. Henry Daniel has reassumed the pastoral charge of the congregation.
St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Rheine .- This church is located near the southwest corner of section 36, Dinsmore township, three miles east of Botkins, on the Botkins pike. With about twenty families, Father Henry J. Muckerheide started a congregation in 1856, and held divine ser- vice for them in the schoolhouse of subdistrict No. 1, Dinsmore township, until another and more spacious building could be erected. At a cost of about $2,100 the newly organized congregation reared a new church of brick structure 50 by 40 feet, and in the autumn of 1858 Rev. H. J. Muckerheide was already enabled to dedicate it to the service of the Most High. In the spring of 1893 the cornerstone for a new church was laid, and on Christmas following it was successfully completed. The beautiful edifice as it now greets the eye of the traveler is a massive, yet handsome, brick building of 80 by 43 feet, which had been erected at a cost of $12,400. The solemn strains of bells invite all to enter its hallowed walls. Moreover, new altars, and the excellent frescoing by F. H. Hefele have embellished the interior aspect, while a new furnace has helped to increase the comfort of the church. Most Rev. Archbishop Henry W. Elder, of Cincinnati, dedicated the new building with grand ceremonies, August 26, 1894. A two-story brick schoolhouse, 48 by 36 feet, was erected in 1878 at a cost of about $1,800.
Several fraternal orders have lodges in Botkins. Botkins Lodge No. 903, I. O. O. F., organized four years ago, has now between fifty and sixty members. They hold regular meetings in their own hall.
The Rebecca Lodge, I. O. O. F., has been established for the last threc years and holds meetings in the Odd Fellows hall.
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Summit Camp No. 131, Woodmen of the World, was established here six years ago and now numbers forty members. They also have a hall for meeting purposes.
The Knights of St. John, a Catholic order, was instituted in Botkins fifteen years ago and have their own hall.
The Catholic Knights of America, a Catholic insurance order, flourishes under the auspices of the Catholic church. The members meet at the Knights of St. John hall.
CHAPTER XX THE TOWNSHIPS (II) Franklin, Green and Jackson Townships FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
Surface and Soil .- The location of Franklin township being in the second tier from the north is crossed by the Greenville Treaty Line and its boundaries are as follows: Dinsmore is the sister township on the north; Jackson and Salem townships form its east line; Salem, Clinton and Tur- tle Creek are along the southern border, and Turtle Creek and Van Buren townships bound it on the west. A generally level surface and a rich soil mainly of black loam have made fine agricultural possibilities here, while sand pits and gravel beds in some portions have proved well worth develop- ing. Transportation facilities are excellent, there being fine roads and from north to south runs the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton (the old Day- ton & Michigan Railroad), with shipping points at Swanders, Anna and Botkins. This road is paralleled by the Western Ohio Electric Railroad. which does a good passenger business. This section of Shelby county was largely settled by natives of other parts of Ohio and its people have ever been of the quiet, law-abiding class.
Villages .- Swanders is a small village of about eighty-six population, cen- trally located, and has outlived Massena, Woodstock and other once promising settlements. Woodstock, a town of sixty-four lots, was laid out in June, 1836, but the village organization is no longer maintained. In 1857 the Dayton & Michigan Railroad (now the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton) was constructed and in 1867 the company established a flag station about five miles north of Sidney, which was named in honor of James Swander, who was appointed agent of the railroad company, was the first postmaster (1867), and established and conducted the first dry goods and general store.
Industries .- Tile making was formerly an important industry at Swan- ders, the tile yards being conducted for a number of years by Killian & Ludlum, but the business has been abandoned. In 1868, Henry Smith erected a steam saw mill, which he sold a year later to James Swander, who in turn sold out to Bulle & Minniear. The latter firm operated it with suc- cess for a number of years, but the business becoming unprofitable, was finally given up. The most important industry now at Swanders, or indeed in Franklin township, is the grain elevator of W. M., Alton & Son, which
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
is doing a good business. Edward H. Billing is postmaster and conducts a general store.
Justices of the Peace .- The list of those who have served in the office of justice of the peace in Franklin township is as follows: Daminett Cole, May 26, 1836; John Lenox, January 20, .1837; William M. Ross, April 8, 1839; George Clancey, December 28, 1839; George Clancey, October 17, 1842; David Deweese, April 25, 1845; George Clancey, November 15. 1845; Thomas Shaw, April 17, 1848; David Deweese, October 21,. 1848; George Clancey, December 30, 1848; Henry Bogan, November 8, 1851; George Clancey, November 8, 1851; George Wenner, April 14, 1854; Eliakim Ludlum, May 19, 1856; George Clancey, 1857; Eliakim Ludluni, April 12, 1859: David Deweese, October 20, 1859; Eliakim Ludlumn, April 22, 1862; Eliakim Ludlum, April 14, 1865; E. T. Ailes, April 11, 1866; Lewis Fridley, April 5, 1867; Eliakim Ludlum, April 13, 1868; J. McDe- weese, April 12, 1869 (resigned May 26, 1870); J. D. Elliott, April 15, 1871 (resigned) ; Eliakim Ludlum, April 11, 1871; Daniel Staley, April 5, 1872; Eliakim Ludlum, April 10, 1874; Lorenzo Sitzman, April 9, 1875; Lewis Applegate, April 8, 1876; Eliakim Ludlum, April 17, 1877; Lewis Applegate, April 17, 1879; Eliakim Ludlum, April 14, 1880; P. W. Young, April 13, 1881; P. W. Young, 1884-1887; E. Ludlum, 1886-1889; P. W. Young, 1887; Peter Fogt, 1889; John Hagelberger, 1890; Peter Fogt, 1892; John Hagelberger, . 1893-1896; Peter Fogt, 1895; August Maurer, 1896; Peter Fogt, 1898; August Maurer, 1899-1902; Peter Fogt, 1901; David Bushman, 1901; Andrew Bertsch, 1902; Andrew Bertsch, 1904; George C. Schiff, 1905; George C. Schiff, 1908; George A. Fogt, 1908; P. W. Young, 1911 ; Peter Fogt, 1912.
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