USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 86
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He was born in Auglaize county, O., northwest of Minster, December 26, 1858, and is a son of Theodore and Elizabeth ( Stegemann) Kaiser.
Theodore and Elizabeth Kaiser, parents of Joseph Kaiser, were natives of Germany, he having been born in Hersbruck, Prussia, March 25, 1805, and Mrs. Kaiser at Handorf, Westphalen, March 19, 1822. Several years after his father died, Theodore Kaiser came to the United States with his mother and his brother, and the latter's family. They arrived in Glandorf, Putnam county, O., August 14, 1836, where they stayed more than a year, then moved to Minster, Auglaize county, O. Theodore Kaiser then helped to dig the Miami and Erie canal. Elizabeth Kaiser came to the United States with her parents, her grandmother, three sisters and one brother, in 1836. They passed through Cincinnati, O., on their way to Minster, Auglaize county, and Elizabeth, with her next oldest sister remained in Cincinnati to work, as their parents were not financially able to take their whole family to Minster. They remained there a few years, then also moved to Minster where they gave their parents help on their rented farm. Theodore Kaiser was married at Minster to Elizabeth Stegemann, in 1840, and they made their home on a farm two and one-half miles northwest from Minster, O., now in possession of their son, John Kaiser. At the time of their marriage, they had but a part of the farm as it now is, later adding to it until it consisted of 100 acres. They became parents of the following children: Henry; William; Bernard ; Mary; Anna; Mary; John; Joseph: Frank; and Anton. Of these children : William and the two named Mary died in infancy and were buried in the St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at Minster; and Henry, who died on his farm about one and one-half miles northwest of Chickasaw, Mercer county, O., January 29, 1892, aged forty-nine years, six months and twenty-seven days, and was buried in St. Sebastian's graveyard. Theodore Kaiser, father of the subject of this sketch, died on his farm, August 30, 1880, aged seventy- five years, four months and five days. His widow remained on the home farm a few years, then went to the home of her son, Frank Kaiser, about one and a half miles southeast from Sharpsburg, Darke county, O., where she died on July 12, 1908, aged eighty-six years, three months and twenty-three days. Theodore Kaiser and his wife were laid to rest in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at Minster. They were good, wholesouled, kind-hearted people, and were devout members of the Catholic church at Minster. The mother of Theodore Kaiser, both parents of Elizabeth Kaiser and her grand- mother also died in Minster, and were buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at that place.
Joseph Kaiser attended school in boyhood at Minster, O., and afterward gave his father help on the farm. After the father's death, the mother, by will, gave the farm to her son Joseph, it being the farm he now owns in Cynthian township, his father having purchased the same before his death. It was partly improved at that time and its present owner has remodeled the farmhouse and repaired all the other farm buildings, making the place com- fortable and attractive. All of his land is under cultivation except twenty-
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eight acres yet in timber and, with all of it well watered by the canal and Loramie creek, he finds it well adapted to both crop and stock-raising.
Joseph Kaiser was united in marriage with Miss Mary Housfeld, Febru- ary, 16, 1887, in St. Peter and St. Paul's Catholic church at Newport, Shelby county, O., by Rev. Father Nicolous Poirey. Mary Housfeld was born July 7, 1865, near Minster, Auglaize county, O., and is a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Housfeld. Her parents were both natives of Auglaize county, O., he having been born in 1837 and his wife on January 28, 1846. He died on the farm on which he was born, the date of his death being March 11, 1881, when aged forty-four years, and he was buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard. He was always a devout member of the Catholic church at Minster. Mr. and Mrs. Housfeld had the following children: John, Mary, Caroline, Joseph, Henry, Elizabeth, Bernard, Clemens and Rosa. Of these children, all survive except: Clemens, who died in infancy; John, who died in Cincinnati on September 4, 1900, aged thirty-six years, seven months and ten days; and Henry, who died at St. Mary's, O., on November 25, 1912, aged forty-one years, eleven months and twenty-five days. The last named and Clemens were buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard, and John was buried in a Catholic cemetery at Cincinnati, O.
Joseph and Mary Kaiser became parents of the following children : Cecelia. Elizabeth, Louis, Mary, Julia, Paulina, August, Amelia, Rosa and Emma. All were born on the home farm and all are living but August, who died June II, 1901, aged two years, five months and twenty-three days; and Amelia, who died December 30, 1900, aged fourteen days. They were both buried in St. Michael's Catholic graveyard at Fort Loramie. Mr. Kaiser and family belong to St. Michael's Catholic church at Ft. Loramie. Mr. Kaiser is a democrat.
P. F. VERDIER,* who resides on a part of the old homestead farm, having eighty acres of the same, situated nine miles southeast of Sidney, O., in Green township, was born on this place in 1877, and is a son of P. F. and Saralı E. (Hand) Verdier.
P. F. Verdier came to Shelby county from Clark county, O., when a young man and entered this farm from the government, subsequently clearing a part of it. He engaged in farming and also taught school and music and became one of the best known men in this section. He lived to the age of eighty-one years his widow, who was formerly Sarah E. Hand, still surviving and making her home with her children, by whom she is much beloved. They were seven in number, namely : Mrs. Carrie Frazier, Mrs. Julia Worthington, Mrs. Martha H. Shaw, Mrs. Stella Watkins, P. F., Mrs. Laura M. White, and Cyrus O., who is deecased.
P. F. Verdier assisted his father on the home farm after his school days were over and has followed agricultural activities here ever since. The present substantial buildings replaced the ones erected in earlier days by his father, and in addition to making many other improvements, Mr. Verdier cleared twenty acres of the land and has made a fertile tract of it.
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Mr. Verdier married Miss Pearl Houser and they have two children : E. F. and J. Lucile. Mr. Verdier is a democrat in his political opinions.
H. B. DIRKSEN, one of the well-known citizens of Shelby county, O., who carries on general farming on his valuable property containing 120 acres, situated in section 4, McLean township, one mile south and two and one- half miles west of Mnister, O., was born in McLean township. December 31, 1851, and is a son of Herman and Elizabeth Dirksen.
Herman Dirksen and wife were both born and reared in Germany. He came to Minster, O., when a young man, where he married and lived for a time and then bought forty acres of land in Auglaize county. At a later date he sold his first farm and bought the farm of 120 acres on which his son now lives and here he died at the age of sixty-five years and his burial was in the Catholic cemetery at Minster, O. His wife had died in Auglaize county.
H. B. Dirksen was educated in the school district that was named in honor of his uncle, the late Bernard Dirksen, once a prominent man at Minster. O. His mother died when he was only twelve years old and he still remen- bers her with filial affection. He learned how to be a successful farmer from his father and in 1870 relieved his father of the responsibility of the farm and operated it for him until his death. He has continued here. making many improvements including the erection of the present substantial farm structures, and the draining and tiling that have served to sweeten his land and make it productive in the highest degree. He carries on all kinds of farm work and gives considerable attention to raising grain and cattle and hogs.
Mr. Dirksen married Miss Mary Horstman, who was born at Minster. O., September 8, 1857, a daughter of John Albert and Mary Horstman, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dirksen have four children: John, Arnold, Celia and Katie. The family belongs to the Catholic church. In politics he has always been a democrat. He is an excellent citizen and has always taken a great interest in the public schools and served for eleven years as school director of the Dirksen special school district.
C. O. REDINBO,* whose excellent farm of sixty-four acres is situated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, Shelby county, O., is a well-known citizen of Orange township, in which he has spent almost all his life. He was born in 1866, in Bond county, Ill., and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Voorhees) Redinbo.
Aaron Redinbo was born in Shelby county, O., where he attended school, grew to manhood and married and afterward moved to Bond county, Ill. From there he returned to Shelby county and located in Orange township. where his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Elizabeth Voorhees, who was also born in Shelby county. Her death occurred on the present home farm, in 1887, when in her forty-sixth year. They had four children: Anna B., who resides with her brother; C. O .; Samuel R .. who died young and a babe that died unnamed.
C. O. Redinbo first attended school in his native state and completed his
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education in Shelby county. Afterward he assumed the agricultural respon- sibilities of the home farm and has continued here ever since. An intelligent farmer like Mr. Redinbo finds that Shelby county land can be made very productive and some very fine stock has also been raised on his place and for twelve years he has also grown tobacco.
Mr. Redinbo married Miss Nora Riley, who was born in Madison county, Ind., and they have three children : Iona E., who is the wife of A. G. Wheaton ; Frank C., who assists his father; and Victorine, who is equally useful to her mother. Mr. Redinbo has been identified with the republican party during his entire political life, but takes no very active part in campaigns, although any local agitation concerning the proper administration of law in order to make this a peaceable neighborhood, finds him wide awake and ready for responsibility.
WILLIAM MARION SNOW, a well-known citizen of Shelby county, who has given much attention to dealing in stock for many years, resides on his valuable farm of ninety acres, situated in section 22, Cynthian township, ten miles distant from Sidney. He was born in Miami county, O., October 4, 1850, and was six years old when his parents, George and Nancy (Chrowel) Snow, brought him to Shelby county.
The parents of Mr. Snow were well-known people, living into old age in Shelby county, where the mother died in her seventy-fifth year and the father when aged eighty years. The father was born in Germany and came ic America when aged seven years, and the mother was born in Virginia. They were members of the Dunkard or German Baptist church. Of their nine children, W. M. is the only survivor.
W. M. Snow obtained his educational training in the Hopewell special school district and then began work as a farmer on the farm he now owns. When thirty-two years old he began to buy stock, in associaiton with John Borger, and they continued together for nine years, Mr. Snow operating alone since then. His buying territory extends through Shelby, Darke, Auglaize and Miami counties and the volume of his business annually is very heavy.
Mr. Snow married Miss Henrietta Miller, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., a daughter of C. K. Miller, later of Cynthian township. Mr. and Mrs. Snow have no living children. They attend the Christian church. In politics Mr. Snow has always been a democrat and in the fall election of 1912 was elected to the office of county commissioner of Shelby county and will assume the duties of the same in September, 1913. Prior to this he has frequently been elected to public office, being a man of wide acquaintance and unquestioned popularity, and acceptably served two terms as a trustee of Cynthian township, in 1910 was land appraiser, and for two terms was treasurer of the Hopewell district school board.
ANTON RIETHMANN, who is one of the highly respected and well informed citizens of McLean township, Shelby county, Ohio, and for four successive years president of the Deiter Special School District, resides in
WILLIAM MARION SNOW
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section 19, on one of his two farms, which together aggregate eighty-two acres. He was born in Germany, November 28, 1848, and lived in his own land through his school period, after which he determined to seek his fortune in America.
It was in 1866 that Mr. Riethmann reached the United States and made his way to Auglaize county, Ohio, and for some years he made his home at or near Minster. In 1872 he settled on the farm which he has occupied ever since, his first work being the clearing of thirty-eight acres and this was followed by ditching, draining and tiling, all of his property being under cultivation with the exception of about ten acres which is covered with valu- able timber. He carries on a general farming line and is one of the town- ship's solid and substantial men. Through his own efforts he has acquired property and through his sterling character has gained the respect and con- fidence of his neighbors. In these days every progressive community is very anxious to give school privileges to its children and is pretty careful in select- ing those who have the management of this matter, and that Mr. Reithmann for so long a period kept his place at the head of the educational board, speaks well for the value placed on his services by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Reithmann was married to Miss Mary Sohmann, who was born in Auglaize county, a daughter of H. H. Sohmann, of McLean township, Shelby county. They have had the following children born to then: Anna, Mary, Henry, Frank, Elizabeth, Josephine, Joseph, Frances, Regina and an infant daughter, now deceased. Mr. Reithmann and family are members of St. Augustus Roman Catholic church at Minster. In politics he is a Democrat.
J. C. ELDREDGE, V. S.,* who, for thirty-five years has been engaged in the practice of his profession and is one of the best known citizens of Shelby county, Ohio, resides on his well improved farm of ten acres, which is situ- ated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, Ohio. He was born in Orange township, Shelby county, on his father's farm, two and three-fourths miles west of the one he owns, and is a son of John and Margaret (Line) Eldredge.
John Eldredge was born in Virginia and was nine years old when his parents came to Shelby county among the pioneers. John Eldredge was a farmer and also a veterinary surgeon while living on his farm in Shelby county, after which he spent three years at DeGraff, Ohio, and the last ten years of his life at Piqua, Ohio. He married Margaret Line, who died in middle age, the mother of seven children, namely: Henry, who died in in- fancy: Jonathan and Elijah, both of whom are deceased; Mrs. Isenberger, who lives at Dayton, Ohio; J. C .; Shelby E., who lives in Orange township, Shelby county; and Zelola, who is deceased.
Until he was seventeen years old, J. C. Eldredge attended the district schools during the winter seasons, assisting on the farm in the summers. His father's professional duties became so heavy at this time that the youth fre- quently was called on to help and in this way began to learn the science to which a large part of his subsequent life was devoted. When he was con-
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sidered competent, the father of Dr. Eldredge placed much confidence in him, giving him a part of his territory and for many years they worked to- gether. Dr. Eldredge learned practical surgery from his father and has been a student of works written on all subjects pertaining to veterinary science and keeps thoroughly informed concerning his profession. He is considered one of the most skillful veterinary surgeons in all this section and his practice covers a wide territory. He has made all the improvements on his property and has a very comfortable home.
Dr. Eldredge was married to Miss Laura A. Linn, daughter of Adam Linn, a representative of one of the old county families, and six children have been born to them, as follows: Mrs. Flora Robbins, Clyde T., Walter Jeson. Mrs. Jennie Denise, Mrs. Hattie Harbaugh, and Forest. Since 1862 Dr. Eldredge has been a member of the Baptist church. Although not identified with any political party he is an interested and active citizen and when he casts his vote it is for a candidate thoroughly approved by his own judgment.
HENRY BAMBAUER, deceased, whose well improved farm of 120 acres is situated in Van Buren township, Shelby county, Ohio, four and one- half miles northwest of Botkins, was a well known and respected citizen. His son, Henry A. Bambauer, was born on this farm in 1874 and has spent his life here. The latter is a son of Henry and Barbara (Paul) Bambauer.
Henry Bambauer was born in Germany and after coming to the United States located in Ohio and subsequently was married at New Bremen. A family of eleven children was born to this marriage, three of whom, John. Peter and Mary, are deceased. The record of the others is as follows : Henry A .; Edwin F., who lives three and one-half miles west of Botkins, married Matilda Kuck; Harvey H. married Bertha Langebrake, who died May 12, 1912; Callie, who is the wife of Henry Valentine and they live in Auglaize county; Rosina, who is the wife of Edward Geib, of Van Buren township; Ida, who is the wife of Julius Stine, of Sidney; Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Mauer, of Sidney; and Bertha, who is the wife of Lafay- ette Melter, of Lima, Ohio. The father of the above family died in 1906. The mother, who was born in 1845. still survives.
Henry A. Bambauer attended the public schools and from boyhood has been interested in agricultural pursuits. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has given considerable attention to the improving of this place. He married Miss Ida Tangeman, a daughter of Herman and Eliz- abeth Tangeman, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bambauer have had two children, Viola and Homer, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Bam- bauer had two brothers and one sister : Theodore, who married Maude Stone of New Bremen, and they reside at Wapakoneta, where he is prosecuting at- torney; George, who lives at Junction City, Kansas, married Mae Dike; and Lida, who died when aged twenty-two years. Mr. Bambauer and family belong to the active membership of the Lutheran church and he formerly held the office of deacon in the same.
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HARRY COTTERMAN,* one of the respected citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, Ohio, whose well im- proved farm of eighty acres lies two miles northwest of Anna, Ohio, was born in Paulding county, Ohio, in 1888, and is a son of Henry and Almaretta (Beck) Cotterman. Harry Cotterman is one of a family of seven children, the other members being : Judson, who lives in Miami county, Ohio; Rudolph, who lives in Dinsmore township, Shelby county; Effie, who lives at Brad- ford, Shelby county; Arthur, who is in business in Michigan; Jessie, who resides with her brother Harry; and Carl, who has always lived in Dinsmore township.
Harry Cotterman secured a common school education. With the excep- tion of two years, during which he was employed at Anna, Ohio, Mr. Cotter- man has devoted all his mature life to agricultural pursuits and these he carries on according to modern methods and has been signally successful. On December 23, 1911, Mr. Cotterman was married.
MARTIN LACEY, who has been a resident of Sidney, Ohio, since 1866, now lives retired in his very comfortable residence at No. 431 South Ohio avenue, was born November 1I, 1830, at Knockscamolin, County Wexford, Ireland, and is a son of James and Mary Lacey.
Martin Lacey was seven years old when brought to the United States and he attended the public schools at Cincinnati, Ohio. He afterward learned the machinist trade, his instructor being Morris Greenwood, an early manufac- turer there of fire engines. Mr. Lacey continued to work at his trade in Cincinnati for fifteen years, when he came to Sidney, where he went to work in a sawmill and became a manufacturer of chairs, later established a small factory and conducted this business for about seven years. Mr. Lacey then began to do some building and erected about twelve houses at Sidney, they being on his own property and he still owns and rents them, they occupying the old site of his sawmill. He also was in the grocery trade for about twenty years, retiring from the same in 1900. Mr. Lacey is a well known and highly respected citizen and during his long business career was noted for his sterling honesty.
At Sidney, April 17, 1869, Mr. Lacey was married to Miss Annie Har- rison, who was born in this city, a daughter of John Harrison, who left Ohio in her infancy and in 1849 started for California and died on the plains while on the way. Mrs. Lacey was adopted by a childless resident of Sidney and this city has always been her home. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lacey : Mayme; Bertha, who is the wife of John McNeff, of Lima, and they have one child, Mary Margaret; Dorothy, who died in 1898, when aged twenty-two years; and Jessie, who died in 1890, when aged eleven years. Mr. Lacey has never been very active in politics, although always a good and mindful citizen in a quiet way, and has usually cast his vote with the Republican party.
LOUIS KAH, JR., who is second vice-president of the Shelby County Building and Loan Association, at Sidney. Ohio, and a director of the same
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and practically its first promoter, belongs to one of the stable old families of the county, of German extraction. He was born on a farm in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, ten miles north of Sidney, Ohio, September 21, 1855, and is a son of George and Dorothy (Zimpfer) Kah.
George Kah and wife were born in Germany and the latter was only three years old when her parents came to the United States and located sixteen miles east of Columbus, Ohio. When she was eight years old they came to Shelby county and settled on land east of Anna, where her father, Jacob Zimpfer, secured land. Mrs. Kah still survives, but Mr. Kah died at Sidney, to which place they moved in 1864, and there he carried on a shoe business until the close of his life.
Louis Kah, Jr., attended the public schools of Sidney and afterward as- sisted his uncle, Louis Kah, Sr., for whom he was named, in conducting a general store at Anna. After returning to Sidney and finding no business opening that was satisfactory, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in a town in Georgia, where he remained for two years when he again returned to his home in Sidney. Here, in 1880, he embarked in the tin and hardware line in which he continued for nine years, in the meanwhile becoming interested in the electric lighting business. His enterprise and public spirit induced him to purchase a site across the river where he installed an electric light and water plant, in 1900, which was of the greatest utility and was known under his name. Mr. Kah subsequently sold the same to the Sidney Electric Light Company, since which time he has been somewhat retired. It was largely through his efforts that the business men of Sidney became interested in the papers to secure subscribers. The company was organized in December, organization of the building and loan company which has developed into so important a business factor here, Mr. Kah personally presenting the first 1895, and began business in the Metcalf building, removing in 1901 to a fine modern structure of their own.
In 1876 Mr. Kah was married to Miss Alfaretta E. Anderson, who is a daughter of William H. Anderson, of Sidney, and they have six children, namely : Harland Edward, who is connected in a business way with the Sidney Building and Loan Association; Ralph C., who is assistant secretary of the above organization; Julia; Carrie, who is the wife of R. M. Moore, lives in Tennessee; William H., who is a watchmaker by trade; and D. C., whose business interests are connected with wall paper at Sidney. Mr. Kah is a leading member of the Sidney Commercial Club.
C. E. WATKINS,* a general farmer and representative citizen of Green township, Shelby county, Ohio, managing and operating the old Verdier homestead of eighty acres, was born in Miami county, Ohio, near Piqua, and is a son of Asbury and Rebecca (Moon) Watkins.
Asbury Watkins was well known in several counties for he not only was a recognized preacher in the Christian church but was also a farmer and for many years practiced veterinary surgery. His death occurred on his homestead, May 10, 1882, at the age of sixty-three years. His marriage was
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