USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
WILLIAM DONELLY,
a farmer residing near Kettlerville, was born in Ireland in 1823. In 1861 he came to this township and located in section 2, where he lived three years, then moved to McLean Township, but nine years later returned to Van Buren, where he now owns 130 acres of land in sections 12 and 13. In 1853 he married Ellen, daughter of Patrick and Ellen Hoys, of Bellevue, Ohio. She was born in Ireland in 1827. They have reared two children, named Alice J. Hickey, residing in Newark, Ohio, and Thomas Donelly, of this county.
ISAAC COLLINS,
a farmer and carpenter, came here with his father, and settled in section 24 in 1837. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1828. After com- ing to this township he changed locations several times, at length set- tling in section 22, where he now resides. In 1854 he was married, and has reared three children, named Maria A., Martha J., and Nancy M. Samuel Collins, father of the above, died here in 1858, aged seventy-four years.
RUDOLF GROTHAUS,
a farmer, with post-office at New Bremen, was born in Hanover in 1836, and came to this county with his parents, Herman H. and Caroline Grothaus, in 1844. In 1855 he married Caroline, daughter of Henry and Miana Baker, who was born in Auglaize County in 1839. Their children are named Henry E., Caroline, Frederick, John, and Christian.
JOHN S. CHOOLHOFF,
a native of Hanover, was born in the year 1808, and came to this county in 1838, when he settled in section 18 of this township. In 1851 he was married in this county, and has reared a family of eight children, named Miana, Anna, Eliza, William, Mary, Henry, John, and Rosena.
A. N. REDMAN
was born in Virginia in 1811, and came to this county with his father's family in 1833. His father, Moses, lived here the remainder of his life, and was one of the oldest pioneers. He died in 1871 at the age of eighty- four years. Our subject was married in 1861, his wife being a native of Virginia, where she was born in 1821.
HERMAN H. SOELMAN,
a native of Prussia, was born in the year 1829, and came with his parents to this county in 1845. He was married in 1856 to Caroline Woebling, who had come with her parents to this county from Germany in 1840. Their children are named Jasper HI., Mary, Anna, Eliza, Louisa, Wil- liam, Theodore, and Emma. Mr. S. has served as trustee and clerk of township.
C. H. BECKER
was born in this county in 1850, and has since lived here, and been en- gaged in farming. His parents, Henry C. and Miana Becker, were old pioneers, having come here in 1837, while the country was yet new. They were thus witnesses to the primitive condition of the county.
WILLIAM M. BAKER
was born in Cincinnati in 1832, and came to this county with his parents the next year. He has served as assessor, trustee, justice of the peace, and county commissioner. In 1853 he married Sarah F. Wakeman, who was born in New Jersey in 1836. They reared a family of nine children, four of whom are dead.
EDWARD A. JONES,
a native of Cincinnati, was born in 1830, and came with his parents, John W. and Sarah S. Jones, to this county in 1845. He now occupies the old home farm, his father having died in 1862. In 1852 he was mar- ried, and has since lived on the old place, which contains 140 acres of land.
CHRISTIAN BOESEL,
a son of Christian and Dorotha Boesel, was born in Auglaize County in 1839. In 1854 he married Miss . Miana Wierwill, of New Knoxville, Ohio, and moved to Shelby County. She was a native of Germany, and was born in 1838. Their children are, Edward J., born 1865; Jo- sephine D., born 1867; Ida C., born 1869; Clementina W., born 1872.
JACOB FRITZ,
a native of Germany, came to this county in 1861, and settled on sec- tions 6 and 7, where he purchased 120 acres of land, which he still owns, as also a ninety-acre farm in section 21. In 1853 he married Barbara Iliel, who was also a native of Germany. Their children are Jacob, Adam, Lena, Charles, Phillip, Lizzie, Meanna, August, Emma, Flora.
HENRY H. SCHROERLUKE,
a native of Germany, came to Cincinnati about 1849, where he lived about two years. He then moved to New Knoxville, where he lived about six years, and moved to New Bremen, where, after about thirteen years, he went to Piqua. Here he spent five years, and came to section 23 of this township. He was married in 1857 at New Bremen. Their children are named Frederick W., Henry H., William H., August, Sophia, Anna, and Callie.
WILLIAM EVERSMAN,
a native of Germany, was born in 1841, and came to this county in 1858 with his parents, John F. and Mary E. Eversman. In 1862 he married Elizabethi Wierwill, who was born in Germany in 1842, her parents hav- ing settled in the county in 1861. Their children are named Henry, Annie, Benjamin, Louis, and Elizabeth.
MICHAEL MORGAN,
a native of North Carolina, was born in 1811. In 1856 he settled in this county, and by persistent effort and industry reclaimed a farm from its native wildness. In 1841 he married Eliza E. Conner, who was born in North Carolina in the year 1806. Their only child is Martha A.
SAMUEL UNUM
was born in 1837, and is a native of this county, and has been a farmer all his life. He has served two terms as township trustee. In 1865 he married Lydia Swebert, who was born in Preble County in 1841. They have two children, named Frank P. and Oda J.
HENRY WILLIAM LUDIKA
was born in Auglaize County in 1852, and settled in this county in 1875. The same year he married Anna Feeman, who was born in Shelby County in 1856. They have two children, Rosena M. and William F.
JOHN BANNING,
a native of Miami County, Ohio, was born in 1844, and came to this county in 1870. Since that time he has been engaged in farming. In 1867 he married Miss Lavina Shidler, who was born in Miami County in 1850. Their children are named Edward A., Laura B., Samuel, and Simeon B.
AUGUST MILLER,
a farmer of this township, was brought to this county by his parents in 1843. He was born in Germany in 1840. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Maler, who was born in 1848, but whose parents came to the county in 1850. Their children are named Henry C., Eliza C., William F., Polly D., Christian H., Lafayette H., and Edelie C.
JOHN H. BLUMENHORST,
a farmer near McCartyville, was born in Germany in 1852, and settled in this township in 1874. He was married at New Bremen in 1874 to Miss Hannah Cook, who was born in Auglaize County in 1856. They have two children, named William H. and Henrietta C.
JOHN C. SCHNELLE
was born in Hanover in 1829, and was brought to this county in 1834. He was married in this county in 1854, and has raised seven children, viz., John H., William H., deceased, Minnie M., Ann M., Louis H., Alvina M., and August E. He held the office of township trustee during two terms.
Digitized by
254
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
WILLIAM CUSTY,
a native of Ireland, was born in 1848. When about two years of age he was brought to the United States by his parents, they first locating at Sidney. In 1853 they moved to section 26 of this township. Of their four children, our subject and a brother, James, are still living. Their father died in 1862, while their mother still lives with her two sons. Wil- liam and James are both farmers near MeCartyville.
JAMES VANNATE
was born in New Jersey in 1811, and settled in this county in 1850. In 1830 he married Elizabeth Johnson, of New Jersey, and has reared two children, named Mary E. and Elizabeth. Mr. V. first settled on section 25 on woodland, where he built the first frame house in the section. His home became the place of meeting of the first religious societies in the neighborhood.
WALTER SMART,
a native of Scotland, was born in 1822, and came to this county in 1854. After coming to America he first located at Cincinnati, remaining there from 1849 until his removal here. His first settlement here was upon a forty-acre lot in section 36, but since that time his farm has increased to 232 acres, of which 100 acres are under cultivation. In 1848 he mar- ried Miss Jane Graham, who was born in Scotland in the year 1817. Their family consists of four children, named William, Robert, Jean- netta, and Isabella. Mr. Smart has been engaged in farming all his life. His post-office is Botkins Station.
MICHAEL FAUL
was born in Ireland in 1820, and settled in this county in 1857. He was married in New Hampshire in 1846. When he came here he located in a forty-acre lot in section 26, but afterwards purchased another farm of forty acres. His only son, John, now occupies the old homestead, and Mr. F. makes his home with him. His son's family consists of wife and two children, named Mary C. and John, one child, Joseph M., being dead.
MICHAEL COCHLIN
was born in London, England, in 1820, and came here in 1837. He was married in this county to Miss Catharine Hunt, and has reared four children, named Laura, Thomas, Elizabeth, and Emma.
ADAM PAUL
was born in Germany in 1809, and came to this county in 1833. He was married at New Bremen in 1835. Ou coming to this township he settled on a farm of seventy-eight acres, where he still resides, after clearing and improving it as one of the best farms in the township. He has raised a family of ten children.
BENJAMIN SCHOF,
a native of Prussia, came to this county in 1849, and was married in 1853. Their children are named Catherine, Peter, Nancy, Lena, Joseph, Laura, Eliza, Andrew, Frank, and Barnie.
WILLIAM BRANDT
was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1833, and settled in this county when twenty years of age, locating in 1855 in section 17. He married Fred- erica Baker in 1862, she being born in this county in 1841. Their chil- dren are named Eliza, Henry, Christian, Caroline, Rose Amanda, Frederica, and Ameal.
WILLIAM CRONING,
a native of Ireland, was born in County Cork, and settled in Shelby County in 1847. He is a farmer by occupation. Post-office address, McCartyville.
CHARLES YOUNG
was born in Germany, and came to this county in 1851. He married Elizabeth Fitzjohn in 1868, and has a family of ten children.
McLEAN TOWNSHIP.
Location.
This township lies on the west side of the county, being bounded north by Auglaize County and Van Buren Township; east by Van Buren and Turtle Creek townships; south by Cynthian Township; and west by Auglaize County.
Water Courses.
The township is watered hy Loramie Creek, which flows from Dins- more Township, and then seeks a southeastern outlet, and by Mill Creek and Second Run. The Loramie reservoir, covering an area of about six thousand acres, is located largely in this township, about one thousand acres being in Van Buren. This reservoir is formed by the damming of Loramie Creek, and constitutes one of the water supplies of the Miami and Erie Canal. This canal also traverses the township from north to south, and affords shipping facilities in the absence of railroads. These streams afford ample outlet for drainage, and enable the reclamation of all lands without the limits of the reservoir. The value of these advan- tages cannot be overestimated in a section which is generally level, and largely dependent upon artificial drainage.
Organization.
The organization was legally effected by virtue of the following order :-
"Commissioners' Office, Sidney, March 1, 1834.
Members of the Board present: Samuel Gamble, John Francis, Wil- liam Cecil, and Auditor William Murphy.
Entry .- The Board being satisfied that it is necessary to erect a new township, and being petitioned for that purpose, they proceeded to erect a new township of the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the county line between Darke and Shelby counties, where the old Indian boundary line-made at the Greenville Treaty Conference in 1795-intersects said county line, and running thence with said Indian boundary line in an easterly direction to the southeast corner of section 8, in town. 8 south, range 5 east; thence north with the section line to the county line be- tween Shelby and Allen (Auglaize) counties; thence west with said line to northwest corner of Shelby County; thence south and west with the west boundary line of Shelby County to the place of beginning; and the Board orders, That said township be known and designated by the naine of McLean. It is further ordered and directed, That notice be given, by advertisement according to law, to the electors of said town- ship, to meet at the house of Hezekiah Hubble on the first Monday of April next, for the purpose of electing officers for said township.
List of Officers as far as ascertainable.
1850. Trustees, Henry Wehrman, Joseph Sherman, Philip Hoffman. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman.
1851. Trustees, Henry Wehrman. Joseph Mendenhall, Henry Mayer. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman.
1852. Trustees, Henry Wehrman, Joseph Mendenhall, Joseph Sher- man. Clerk, James Flinn. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, A. H. Ayers.
1853. Trustees, Henry Wehrman, Joseph Sherman, Adam Poul. Clerk, James Flinn. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, Henry Schulze.
1854. Trustees, Bernard Deiters, Henry Wehrman, Joseph Leaman. Clerk, James Flinn. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, William Sherman.
1855. Trustees, James Flinn, W. Hathaway, John Sherman. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, William Sherman.
1856. Trustees, John Sherman, Wesley Hathaway, J. B. Bovendick. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, Wesley Hathaway.
1857. Trustees, John Sherman, Wesley Hathaway, Bernard Boven- dick. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, Wesley Hathaway.
1858. Trustees, John Sherman, Frederick Kramer, Y. H. Hutt. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, Wil- liam Sherman.
1859. Trustees, Frederick Kramer, Henry Quartman, Bernard Deit- ers. Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. H. Dressman. Assessor, William Sherman.
1860. Trustees, J. H. Quartman, Frederick Kramer, John Waved Clerk, Henry Sherman. Treasurer, H. II. Dressman. Assessor, Wil- liam Sherman.
1861. Trustees, John Waucop, Frederick Kramer, H. Quartman. Clerk, J. B. Rottinghaus. Treasurer, Jacob Quartinan. Assessor, Wil- liam Sherman.
1862. Trustees, John Waucop, Bernard Pille, J. H. Meyer. Clerk, J. B. Rottinghaus. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, G. H. Lau- versick.
1863. Trustees, John Waucop, Bernard Pille, Bernard Vocke. Clerk, J. B. Rottinghaus. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, Henry Sherman.
1864. Trustees, John Waucop, B. Pille, B. Vocke. Clerk, J. B. Rot- tinghaus. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, Bernard Deiters.
1865. Trustees, John Walkup, Joseph Sherman, F. Kramer. Clerk, J. B. Rottinghaus. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, James Quartman.
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
FURNITURE ST
BOOT & SHOE SHOP SALOON
RES. OF JOHN BRUCKEN, NORTH ELM ST. BERLIN.O.
RES. OF MARTIN BRUCKEN, SOUTH ELM ST. BERLIN
RES. OF JOSEPH RIEGER , MAIN ST. BERLIN, SHELBY CO. OHIO.
HARNES
DRY 6000S & GROCERIES
உடம்
J. H. ROTTINGHAUS. GROCERIES
B. S. CHESLER. MILLINERY STORE
J. D. INDERRIEDEN , HARDWARE.
JACOB SHULER SALOON.
G . H. QUARTMAN , SALOON.
RES. OF J.H.WILLMAN , DRY GOODS & GROCERIES
BERLIN, SHELBY CO. OHIO.
Digitized by Google
257
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
1866. Trustees, John Walkup, John Sherman, F. Kramer. Clerk, J. B. Rottinghaus. Treasurer, F. Gast. Assessor, Philip Raterman. 1867. Trustees, John Walkup, Joseph Sherman, F. Kramer. Clerk,
J. B. Rottinghans. Treasurer, F. Gast. Assessor, Henry Menke. 1868. Trustees, Joseph Sherman, John Walkup, F. Kramer. Clerk, W. J. Sherman. Treasurer, F. Gast. Assessor, Bernard Deiters. 1874. Trustees, Clemens Gudenkauf, John Sherman, Joseph Quart- man. Clerk, Philip Raterman. Treasurer, Henry Rottinghaus. Asses- sor, Henry Menke.
1875. Trustees, John Sherman, Clemens Gudenkauf, Henry Bush- man. Clerk, John Inderrieden. Treasurer, Joseph Lemm. Assessor, Stephen Kerne.
1876. Trustees, John Sherman, Henry Bushman, Henry Schlater. Clerk, J. D. Inderrieden. Treasurer, F. Gast. Assessor, Stephen Kerne.
1877. Trustees, Henry Bushman, Henry Barnhorst, Henry Schlater. Clerk, J. D. Inderrieden. Treasurer, F. Gast. Assessor, Joseph Rat- erman.
1878. Trustees, Henry Schlater, Henry Barnhorst, Christian Kirsch. Clerk, J. D. Inderrieden. Treasurer, H. H. Bushman. Assessor, Joseph Raterman.
1879. Trusteees, Henry Barnhorst, Christian Kirsch, Anton Winner. Clerk, J. D. Inderrieden. Treasurer, H. H. Bushman. Assessor, Her- man Inderrieden.
1880. Trustees, Christian Kersch, H. Schlater, John Toeller. Clerk, J. D. Inderrieden. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, Herman Inderrieden.
1881. Trustees, John Toeller, John Walkup, Joseph Raterman. Clerk, Philip Raterman. Treasurer, Joseph Quartman. Assessor, B. F. Chessler.
Justices of the Peace.
W. C. Ayers, Nov. 18, 1837.
Isaac Edwards (resigned May 25, 1842), June 8, 1841.
Jacob Hauss (resigned October 14, 1843), June 18, 1842.
Henry Menke (refused to serve), April 11, 1866.
Francis Pilliod, Nov. 11, 1843. Wm. Ginn, June 24, 1866.
Alex. H. Hayes, Oct. 24, 1846.
Wm. A. Edwards, Jan. 18, 1850.
Wm. A. Edwards, Jan. 22, 1853.
John B. Rottinghaus, April 14, '53. Joseph Mendenhall, Jan. - , 1856. John Walkup (resigned June 2, 1857), April 14, 1857.
Andrew Ginn, Oct. 21, 1857.
Henry Rottinghaus, May 26, 1880.
Albert Hasebrook, Oct. 14, 1881.
Statistical.
At the State election in 1850, ninety-three votes were cast, Reuben Wood, Democratic candidate for Governor, receiving seventy-nine votes, and William Johnston, Whig candidate, receiving fourteen votes.
At the election held in 1851 for the adoption or rejection of the new constitution, and for or against a license for the sale of intoxicating liquors, the vote stood : for the new Constitution, 120; against the new Constitution, 3. For license, 118; against license, 5.
In 1852, at the Presidential election, 122 votes were cast for the Dem- ocratic electors, and 28 for the Whig electors.
In 1856 the Presidential election called out 156 votes.
In 1860 the Democratic electors received 158 votes, and the Republi- can electors 34.
In 1864 the Mcclellan electors received 219 votes, and the Lincoln electors 20.
School Districts.
Agreeably to law the trustees ordered the township to be divided into six school districts, as follows :-
District No. 1 : Beginning at the northwest corner of section 5, town. . 8 south, range 4 east ; thence east to northeast corner of section 3, town. 8 south, range 4 east; thence south to the southeast corner of section 10. town. 8 south, range 4 east ; thence west along the section line to the southwest corner of fractional section 3, town. 8 south, range 4 east ; thence north to place of beginning.
District No. 2: Beginning northwest corner of section 3, town. 11, range 4 east ; thence east along the boundary line to the northeast corner of northwest quarter, section 1, town. 11, range 4 east ; thence south, dividing sections 1 and 2 in the middle, to the southeast corner of south- west quarter, section 12, town. 11, range 4 east; thence south to the southwest corner of section 10, town. 11, range 4 east ; thence north to place of beginning.
District No. 3: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 2, town. 8 south, range 4 east; thence east to the northeast corner of northwest quarter, section 12, town. 8 south, range 4 east; thence south, dividing
sections 12 and 1, town. 8 south, range 4 east, through the middle ; thence south, dividing sections 5 and 8, to the southeast corner of south- west quarter of section 8, town. 10 south, range 5 east; thence to the southwest corner of southeast quarter, section 12, town. 11, range 4 east ; thence north, dividing said sections 12 and 1 in the middle, and to the northwest corner of quarter-section 1, town. 11, range 4 east; thence west along the boundary line to the southwest corner of fractional sec- tion 15, town. 8 south, range 4 east ; thence north to the northwest cor- ner of fractional section 15; thence east to the southwest corner of section 10, town. 8 south, range 4 east; thence north to place of begin- ning.
District No. 4: Beginning at the northwest corner of northeast quarter section 1, town. 8 south, range 4 east; thence east to the north- east corner of section 5, town. 8 south, range 5. east ; thence south to the southeast corner of section 8, town. 8 south, range 5 east ; thence east to the corner northeast of section 2, town. 10, range 5 east; thence south to the southeast corner, section 11, town. 10, range 5 east ; thence west to the southwest corner of southeast quarter section 8 in town 10, range 5 east ; thence north, dividing sections 8, 5, 12, and 1 in the middle; to place of beginning.
District No. 5 : Beginning at the northwest corner of section 9, town. 7, range 5 east ; thence east to the northeast corner of section 20, town. 7 south, range 5 east; thence south to the southeast corner of section 32, town. 7 south, range 5 east ; thence west to the southwest corner of section 31, town. 7 south, range 5 east ; thence to place of beginning.
District No. 6: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 31, town. 6 south, range 5 east ; thence east to the northeast corner of section 32, town. 6 south, range 5 east; thence south to the southeast corner of section 17, town. 6 south, range 5 cast ; thence west to the southwest corner of section 18, town. 7 south, range 5 east; thence north to the place of beginning.
Recorded April 13, 1850. HENRY WEHRMANN, JOSEPH SHERMAN, PHILIP HOFFMAN,
HENRY SHERMAN, Clerk. Trustees.
BERLIN-LORAMIE P. O.
Berlin was surveyed Dec. 2, 1837, by Jonathan Counts, for Wm. Prill- aman, proprietor. All its lots are four by eight rods except fractional ones. Main Street is eleven rods wide, and runs north 25° east; Walnut, Water, and Elm streets run at right angles, which is south 65° east, and are each four rods wide; High Street runs south 89º east and is four rods wide. The alleys are each one rod wide. The graveyard contains .51 of an acre. The Miami Canal and the Piqua and St. Marys State road pass through Main Street.
The plat and description were certified to by the surveyor Dec. 2, 1837. The town was laid out on Loramie Creek and had very irregular bound- aries. The original plat contained forty-three in-lots and fifteen out-lots, and was bounded south by the old Indian Boundary or Greenville Treaty line.
Acknowledgment.
The State of Ohio, Shelby County, 88 .:
Be it known that on the 5th day of December, 1837, before the under- signed, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, personally appeared William Prillaman, above named, and acknowledged the foregoing to be a true and correct plat or map of the town of Berlin aforesaid, to the end that it may be recorded as such.
Given under my hand and seal this day and year first above written. HUGH THOMPSON, Judge Shelby Com. Pleas.
Recorded December 29, 1837.
The town is located on the Miami and Erie Canal, in McLean Town- ship. It is an active little village of some five hundred inhabitants, and enjoys the distinction of a location within less than a mile of the site of old Fort Loramie or Pickawillany, which carries the memory back to the struggles which preceded the old French and Indian war of 1756. Near by the village flows Loramie Creek, the " West Branch of the Big Miami" of some older publications. The fort itself, instead of being at the mouth of this stream, as generally stated in other works, was less than one mile from the site of Berlin, while the mouth of the " West Branch," or Loramie, is below Lockington, south of the county line. Several relics have been discovered in this locality, and among these was a silver cross, evidently belonging to the French chevaliers of that early and warlike period. This relic is preserved by the Priest at Berlin, at whose house it may be seen at any time. The town population, like that of the township in general, is composed of Germans, or direct de- scendants of this nationality. A marked characteristic of the people is the industry observable on every hand. This German element came here into the woods, and by hard, incessant toil, cleared away the prime- val forest, wringing farms from the wilderness, and building a town on the ruins of a forest. In common with the people of the township, the
Digitized by Google
Henry Sherman, April 13, 1868. J. W. Barber, April 12, 1869.
J. B. Rottinghaus, Oct. 11, 1869. Henry Rottinghaus, Oct. 12, 1872. Henry Rottinghaus, Oct. 20, 1875. David K. Brown, April 20, 1877. Joseph Raterman, Oct. 14, 1878.
J. B. Rottinghaus, April 12, 1859. Milton Kemper, Nov. 10, 1860.
J. B. Rottinghaus, April 22, 1862. Wm. Ginn, April 17, 1863.
J. B. Rottinghaus, April 14, 1865.
258
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
inhabitants are almost uniformly Catholics in religion, and Democrats in politics. There were peculiarities which brought about these results, among which we mention one fact on the authority of Rev. Bigot. After settlement here, the Germans strove to prevent the settlement of Ameri- cans in their midst, and by different methods very nearly succeeded. Still a few straggling Americans settled on lands within the township, but each soon found it desirable to leave, and so was bought out as early as he would sell, and was generally succeeded by a German. This, at least, was the plan of the German settlers themselves, and keeping the plan in view, they have preserved the characteristics of nationality, reli- gion, and politics up to the present time. From the town, a daily mail is carried by stage to and from Sidney, while communication is had with Minster, on the L. E. and W. Ry. and different towns on the Narrow- gauge road in Mercer and Darke counties. Berlin has no railroad nearer than Minster, about three miles north, this being the southern terminus of the St. Marys and Minster branch of the Lake Erie and Western Railroad. Throughout the town and township the German characteris- tics are preserved to such an extent that a stranger would question his senses as to the possibility of a community, no larger than this, main- taining the integrity of all German habits, customs, and manners. They have cleared excellent farms, erected substantial buildings, and in their own way and according to their own ideas, pursue the enjoyments of life. Perhaps their church comes first, and the building is almost fit for the abode of personal gods. Next come social customs, and fronting these is lager beer, without which it appears life would be a burden, and liberty a misnomer. Following this comes politics, in which field some one man will be found to hold an electoral dictatorship, and on election day Democratic ballots will be found "thick as autumnal leaves in Val- ambrosa." There are, in short, characteristics here which the next gen- eration will not entirely outgrow nor outrun.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.