USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 63
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
Our subject was too young to recall the long voyage his parents took, in 1831, in a sailing vessel from Havre-de-Grace to Phila- delphia, 64 days being spent on the water. From Philadelphia teams were engaged to take the family to Columbiana County, Ohio, their destination, where they landed, weary and foot-sore, having had to walk a great part of the distance across Pennsylvania. They re- mained there until the spring of 1832 when they moved into Tuscarawas County, and for two years the father and three older sons mined iron ore. In 1834 they removed to Richland County, and the father took a six-year lease on a farm. Soon after, he sent his eldest son to Van Wert County to enter a piece of land,
and the latter secured 80 acres in Tully town- ship on the present site of Dixon. When all arrangements had been completed, the fam- ily settled here in 1839, made many improve- ments and on this farm the father died.
Jacob Bienz remained at home until his majority, and then worked by the month, mainly at clearing land which was then wild and with but few attempts at improvement. In the meantime he attended a German school. When he had accumulated enough capital, he bought 80 acres of his present farm, on which not a stick had been cut. Here, in the wilder-
ness, he felled the trees himself and erected a log cabin 18 by 20 feet in dimensions, to which he brought his bride. Game was plentiful, but there were many hardships to endure. The Indians were friendly, and as Mr. Bienz treated them kindly, he never suffered either from their anger or cupidity. Mr. Bienz paid the sum of $325 for his first 80 acres of land; but its pres- ent value is so far beyond that that we venture no valuation, for it is one of the best farins of the township. It is well-improved and is now operated by our subject's oldest grand- daughter's husband.
Mr. Bienz was married on August 21, 1850, to Elizabeth Pflueger who was born July 30, 1835, in Holmes County, Ohio, and came to Van Wert County when eight years old, ac- companying her parents, who were Christian and Barbara Pflueger, natives of Wittenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Bienz have eight children, namely : Louis, of Indianapolis, whose one daughter, Volina, was married on her grand- father's "Golden wedding" anniversary, to Charles H. Kruckeberg; Margaret (Schmidt), of Joliet, Illinois; George, of Pleasant town- ship; Adam, of Indiana; Fred, of Indiana; Mary, widow of John Rheinking, of Indiana ; Annie (Mrs. William Schamelo), of Indiana : and Emma, who died aged 18 months. Four of
Digitized by Google
582
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
the children live in Adams County, Indiana. Mr. Bienz has two great-grandchildren in his home.
Mr. Blenz has been a life-long Democrat, but has taken no very active interest in politics, giving the greater part of his attention to the development of his farm and to providing for his family. He is one of the leading members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. He owes his ample means and comfortable sur- roundings to his own industry and persever- ance, having always been a hard-working, care- ful and frugal man. In the evening of life he can look back over years well spent.
E LIAS F. RINGWALD, one of the sub- stantial farmers and representative men of Washington township, who is engaged in cultivating his valuable farm of 96 acres situated in section 31, was born in Jennings township, Van Wert County, April 28, 1858, and is a son of Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Wolford) Ringwald.
The father was born in Germany, and in 1852, when 21 years of age, came to this coun- try with his parents, settling on a farm in Jen- nings township. In 1853 he was married to Elizabeth Wolford, daughter of Adam and Barabara Wolford. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and when seven years old came with her parents to Knox County, where she lived for three years, her parents removing to Van Wert County in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Ringwald had the following six chil- dren : Barabara, who married Jacob Distler, of Van Wert County and has had five children -Emily Elizabeth (deceased in infancy), John Frederick (a teacher in the Summerset school in Washington township), William Henry (in- termarried with Josie Sterling), Noah Jacob
and Martha Senora (wife of John L. Good and the mother of one child-Harold Lee) ; John G., who married Anna Eliza Dolbey and has 10 children; Sarah Jane (Mrs. N. R. Pollock), who died in 1898, leaving six children; Mary Magdalene, who died aged four years; Wil- liam F., who married Stella Shaner and lives on the old home farm, the father of six chil- dren-Floyd, Anna, Hazel, May (deceased). Clarence, Delta, Myrtle and Elias F. Gottlieb Ringwald, the father, died in 1894; his wife still lives on the home place.
Elias F. Ringwald, subject of this sketch, has passed his life in Van Wert County. Here he was reared and educated, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, operat- ing one of the most productive and well im- proved farms in the county. He and his brother operate threshing machines and also own and manage a portable sawmill.
B ENJAMIN B. TEEPLE, superinten- dent of the large grain and stock farm of George H. Marsh, of Van Wert, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, where he was born to John E. and Catherine (Smith) Teeple, on January 5, 1867. His parents are still residents of Adams County, where the father has lived since early childhood and where the mother was born, their ages being 75 and 72 years, respectively.
Benjamin B. Teeple acquired his education in the public schools and for a short time en- gaged in teaching in his home county; but he was intended for a farmer, and from his youth has taken a deep interest in all that pertained to agriculture. When 16 years of age he be- gan buying and selling live stock and now pos- sesses a practical knowledge of the business
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
MR. AND MRS. FREDERIC J. HOELDERLE AND FAMILY
I
1
1
Digitized by Google
585
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
which is seldom equaled. After dealing in stock for several years in Adams County, in 1893 he came to Van Wert County, Ohio, and bought a farm in Willshire township. There he engaged both in farming and the stock bus- iness, soon becoming known as one of the best posted, most reliable stockmen in this section of the State. Mr. Marsh heard of him and, wanting a competent man to take charge of his large farm of 1,300 acres, decided to engage the services of Mr. Teeple, and in 1899 installed that gentleman as superintendent of his large estate. General farming and stock-raising are here carried on and the results of the present management have been so satisfactory as to reflect great credit upon Mr. Teeple's judg- ment, practical knowledge and executive ability.
Benjamin B. Teeple was married Septem- ber 25, 1887, to Amanda Green, of Crawford County, Ohio, her parents being John and Mary (Hilderbrand) Green-the former a resident of Decatur. Indiana, and the latter, deceased. Mr. Teeple is a Republican, but has been too busy attending to his private af- fairs to take part in politics, although he keeps well informed on current events and is thor- oughly up-to-date on all public questions. He is a member of Abanaki Tent. Improved Order of Red Men, of Van Wert, and is one of the most thorough and successful business men in the county.
REDERIC J. HOELDERLE, who is engaged in farming in Washington township, near the city of Delphos, was born in Peru, Huron County, Ohio. May 1, 1874. and is a son of Joseph and Caroline (Kappus) Hoelderle.
Joseph Hoelderle, who is now employed as sexton at the Church of St. John the Evange-
list at Delphos, after a life given to the voca- tion of teacher and musician, was born October 12, 1841, in the vicinity of Engen, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, not far from the Swiss frontiers. He came to the United States in December, 1868. On May 23, 1871, at New Washington, Crawford County, Ohio, he was married to Caroline Elizabeth Kappus, who was born June 22, 1853, in Huron County, Ohio, and died February 16, 1880, at New Washington, Crawford County, Ohio. The chil- dren of this marriage were three in number, viz. : Charles Andrew, now living in Delphos, who married Agnes Wassman, and has three children-Arthur, Mandolin and Carl : Frederic Joseph, the subject of this sketch; and Frances Louisa, wife of Bert Detmer of Cincinnati, and the mother of two children-Norval and Ruth. Joseph Hoelderle was married on No- vember 21, 1881, to his second wife, Theresia Catherina Myers, who was born April 30, 1860, in Shelby County, Ohio. Eight children were born to this union, of whom five are now living, namely: Mary Carolina, who married Will- iam Wahmhoff, lives on a farm near Delphos and has two children-Carl and Adelina; and Mary Cecelia, Edmont Henry, Stella Herberta and Clarence, Herbert who are still living at home. Those deceased are: Adela Catherina, who died at the age of 10 years; and Wilhelm A. and Herbert Raymond, who died in infancy.
The mother of our subject died when he was a child of five years. He was given a good, practical education and took up farming as an occupation. His farm in Washington town- ship is well cared for and is considered an ex- cellent property. Mr. Hoelderle stands well in the community, bearing an excellent reputation for solid integrity and worth. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, being vice-president of the Delphos branch of the or- der. He takes an active interest in educational
Digitized by Google
586
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
matters and is at present serving on the School Board of Washington township.
On April 21, 1897, Frederic Joseph Hoel- derle was married to Mrs. Mary Johanna (Bloemer) Goedde, a lady well and favorably known throughout Washington and adjoin- ing townships. She was born in Germany in 1866 and was a child of three years when her parents, Barney and Josephine (Kankle) Bloe- mer, came to America.
The Bloemer family were large land- owners in the Fatherland, where they occupied a prominent place and they brought with them to their new home the same sturdy, thrifty characteristics that generally mark those of German birth and parentage. Barney Bloemer in his younger days was a sailor for 16 years and served three years in the German Army. Coming to Putnam County, Ohio, the family located in Glandorf and later moved to Fort Jennings where they still live. There were eight children in the family, of whom the fol- lowing three are deceased: Mary Johanna (1), Bennie and Emma. Those living are: Mary Johanna (2), Mary, Elizabeth, Annie and Christine. Mary married Frank Her- miller, of Ottawa, Ohio, and is the mother of three children-Eddie, Emma and Frank. Elizabeth became the wife of Teuben Frayhn, of Dayton, Ohio, and has one child-Josephine. Annie married Joseph Utrup, of Washington township, Van Wert County, and has two sons -Benjamin and Edward. Christine married John Loepolt, of Glandorf, and has three sons -Edwin, Clarence and Benjamin.
Mary Johanna Bloemer, the second of the name in the family, was educated in Glandorf where she grew to womanhood and where she married Henry Goedde. Two children were born to this marriage, namely: Mary Jose- phine Amelia, born August 1, 1888; and Harry B., born December 6, 1891, who is now attend-
ing school. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Hoel- derle and the son and daughter accompanies this sketch.
Among the many pleasant country resi- dences of the county, there is none that will attract more favorable notice than the hand- some modern brick residence of Mr. and Mrs. Hoelderle, erected in 1893, which occupies a very desirable site on their 80-acre farm in sec- tion 14, Washington township. It is well suited as a home of culture and refinement. A view of this residence is shown in the historical department of this work. They also own 24 acres in sections 2 and 3, Washington township.
D AVID W. McNALL, a highly re- spected citizen and one of the most substantial farmers of Washington township, this county, and the owner of a finely improved farm of 110 acres situ- ated in section 17, was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, December 5, 1850, and is a son of William and Caroline (Zimmerman) McNall and the grandson of William McNall, Sr. The father was a native of Ireland, coming to America and locating in Richland County, Ohio, where he was engaged for many years in farming. William McNall moved to Indiana during his early manhood, making the journey on horseback and passing through Van Wert County, on his way thither. At that time there were only two houses in Van Wert County, and he refused an offer of 100 acres of land for $80 in the region where Van Wert city is now located. He was married in Indi- ana to Caroline Zimmerman, and they had a family of eight children : Mrs. Almira Hawk of Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Cole, of Spen- cerville, Indiana; John, of Fostoria, Ohio; and D. W. McNall, of this sketch-all living ; and
Digitized by Google
587
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
George, who died aged two years; Elias, at 12 years of age; William, aged 21, and Mary Etta, at 19 years of age.
David W. McNall was reared and educated in DeKalb County, Indiana, and was married June 4, 1874, to Naomi Zimmermann, daugh- ter of Abraham and Rebecca Zimmermann, of Van Wert. Mr. Zimmermann was one of the . early settlers of Van Wert and one of the first contractors on the Pennsylvania Railroad, as- sisting in the construction of the road through Van Wert County. He is still living in Van Wert at the advanced age of 93 years.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Nall lived in DeKalb County for two years, and in 1876 moved to Van Wert County, where they purchased a farm of 70 acres on which they still reside. In 1893 he pur- chased an additional 40 acres, and now has a fine farm of 110 acres. They have reared two children-Rolland Abraham, who was born July 22, 1878, and Goldie Prin- cess, May 16, 1884. Mr. McNall's mother is still living and resides with her oldest daughter in Akron, Ohio. His father died in 1893 in De- Kalb County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Nall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Middlepoint. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Middle- point.
e HELCIAS SLENTZ. The thriving village of Monticello still has, as an honored, retired citizen, the man who once owned a large part of the ground on which its largest buildings stand. This citizen is C. Slentz, who was born in September, 1838, near Franklin Square, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of Eli and Mary Ann (Shulenbarger) Slentz.
The father of Mr. Slentz was born in 80
Pennsylvania. By trade he was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. In 1854 he settled in York township, Van Wert County, almost in a wilderness, and he followed his trade in this county all the rest of his life, dying in 1879. He was survived some 18 months by his wife. Of their 12 children, eight grew to maturity.
Our subject attended the schools of his day-and very primitive were the ones in the neighborhood of his home-until he was old enough to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1858 he started out for himself. About 1865 he came to Jennings township and bought the land on which stands the western portion of the town of Monticello, the place being given its name by his uncle, David Shulenbarger. Mr. Slantz still owns 40 lots in Monticello. some of these having been improved with dwellings. He has seen and has assisted in the development of this place from the time when it was a home for deer and wild turkeys to its present position as an important grain cen- ter. He started a general store and was the first express agent. He served for 16 years as postmaster and for a long time was the prin- cipal handler of grain at this point.
Mr. Slentz has his property under rental. and resides in Monticello, on the east side. opposite the postoffice. His possessions in- clude 74 acres in Jennings township. His first 80 acres cost him $500, and to-day the prop- erty is worth $120 an acre. The 30-acre tract south of the railroad, which is known as "Slentz Woods" has the finest hickory trees to be found in the township, and walnut trees which can scarcely be equaled. This land is very valuable, and Mr. Slentz has refused $2,200 for the timber on it.
Mr. Slentz was married (first) in 1862 to Sarah Townsend, who was a sister of W. A. Townsend, of Jennings township .. She died in February, 1890, leaving three children, viz :
Digitized by Google
588
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
Mary Jane, wife of Charles Hiser, of Michi- gan, and the mother of four children-War- ren, Roscoe, Zora and Martin C .; Icem, who married Jennie Davis and has three children- Floyd, Denzel and Eunice; and Alvira, who married Samuel Heiss and has two children- Orlay and Homer. All the children were well educated and all became teachers except the youngest. In 1893 Mr. Slentz was married to Catherine Van Sweringen, who is a daugh- ter of Joseph and Sarah (Shaffer) Van Swer- ingen, who came here in 1853 from Juniata County, Pennsylvania. The father of Mrs. Slentz settled in the woods in section 7, Jen- nings township, and she can remember how the wolves howled at night around their lonely log cabin. Of the family of eight children, Mrs. Slentz was the fourth born and seven still survive. She can recall many very inter- esting stories of pioneer days in Jennings township. She has been a member of the United Brethren Church at Monticello for many years. Mr. Slentz is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Auglaize County, and has been one of the elders since the comple- tion of the new church. He has liberally helped both religious bodies, as he has assisted in the building of schoolhouses and in all else which has contributed to the general prosper- ity. In politics he is a Democrat, and in early days he served as township trustee. His pres- ent residence was the second house erected in the town. More extended notice of the found- ing of Monticello will be given in the historical portion of this work.
D AVIS JOHNSON, for many years one of the leading men of Van Wert, a member of one of the old pioneer families of this part of Ohio, and one of its first surveyors, was born June 17, 1814.
in Harrison County, Ohio, and died March 19. 1890, at his home on the corner of Main and Market streets. Van Wert. He was a son of Joseph and Mary (Davis) Johnson.
The Johnson family is of English extrac- tion. Abel Johnson. the paternal grandfather of Davis Johnson, was born in England and was an infant when his father. Benjamin Johnson, emigrated with his family to Amer- ica, in 1744. Abel Johnson was reared and educated in Philadelphia. He learned the cooper's trade, and was married there, in 1768, to Anna Alexander. Of their 15 children, 12 reached maturity. In 1782 he removed with his wife and children to Virginia (now W'est Virginia), and died in 1824.
Joseph Johnson, father of Davis Johnson, was reared a farmer and learned the cooper's trade, which in his day was a very profitable one. He remained in Virginia until after his marriage, when he removed to Harrison County, Ohio, where he subsequently entered 480 acres of land. He was the first white man to locate in that county, and his daughter Anna was the first white child born in Stock township. During the War of 1812 he was made adjutant of a regiment. In 1837 he came to Van Wert County, where he entered a large amount of land, his entire land hold- ings in Ohio at this time aggregating 2.160 acres. Here he became one of the first county commissioners, and in his official position as- sisted in the organization of the townships. He filled other offices of responsibility, and the records of the time show him to have been a man of good judgment and uncorruptible integrity. He died July 29. 1855. On April 12, 1806, he married Mary Davis, who was born January 3, 1783. in Northumberland County. Pennsylvania. of Welsh parentage. They had 10 children, our subject being the fifth in order of birth.
Digitized by Google
589
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Davis Johnson was reared and educated in Harrison County. His educational acquire- ments was sufficient to enable him successfully to teach school, to which profession he devoted some years. He also followed surveying, and thus assisted greatly in the original surveys of Van Wert County. His first marriage was in Harrison County, but his wife died after he had settled on a farm in Willshire town- ship, Van Wert County, leaving a daughter, who subsequently married J. I. Cable, of Van Wert. After his home was thus broken up, he returned to his father's roof and lived there until 1856, when he removed to the town of Van Wert in order to assume the duties of county treasurer, to which office he had been elected. He was a man of keen business per- ception, and showed his foresight by investing extensively in land, which later became very valuable and enabled him to become financially well-to-do. In politics he was a Republican, In early life he joined the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the charter members of Van Wert Lodge.
In September, 1854, Davis Johnson mar- ried (second) Mrs. Susan A. Lennox, daugh- ter of James and Jane Short, of Richland County, Ohio, and the widow of Dr. John Lennox, one of the pioneer physicians. The children of this union were: Mary Alice, de- ceased; Ella, residing at home; W. Scott, formerly deputy probate judge of Van Wert County ; Brough, a farmer; Anna, wife of T. Tumbleson; Lorenzo, now at Seattle, Wash- ington; and Charles, Emma C. and Abel, de- ceased.
In his religious belief, Davis Johnson was a Quaker, and his life was patterned in ac- cordance with the precepts of this body. Mrs. Johnson still occupies the old family home in Van Wert. She is a member of the Presby- terian Church. All of the surviving children
are well settled in life and are esteemed mem- bers of society. One son, W. S. Johnson, who is now successfully engaged in the practice of the law in Van Wert, is one of the leading members of the bar and a very prominent citi- zen of both city and county.
P ETER FELDNER, who resides on his fine farm of 100 acres, situated in section 12, Willshire township, is one of the solid citizens and indus- trious, intelligent and thrifty farmers of this locality. He was born in Breitenheim bei Meisenheim Begweirings bezirk Coblenz, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, February 25, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gehres) Feldner.
The parents of our subject spent their whole lives in the district where he was born. until the death of the mother; then the father came to America and spent his last 15 years with his children. These were: Katherine (Mohr), now of Germany; Jacob, of Van Wert; Elizabeth, of Germany; Phoebe (Gehres), of Germany; William, of Nevada ; and Peter, the subject of this sketch. The venerable father died in 1894, aged 84 years, 6 months and II days.
Peter Feldner resided in his native land until he was 17 years of age, a strong, well- developed youth who had been in school from the age of six to 14 years, according to the excellent laws of his country. This law ex- plains why America finds so few ignorant Germans among those who, come to her shores in order to improve their material condition. The pioneer of the family was his older brother Jacob, who was established in Van Wert County. Peter left home on April 24, 1867, and landed in the city of New York on
Digitized by Google
590
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
the ioth of the following May. He went up the Hudson River to Albany and remained in that vicinity, working on farms, for three years, and then joined his brother in Harrison township, Van Wert County. He worked as a farmer by the day or month until his mar- riage. He then bought 80 acres in Pleasant township, which was partially cleared and was improved to the extent of a dwelling and barn. After living here six years he rented it and bought 80 acres in Adams County, Indiana, which he sold eight months later and returned to his Pleasant township farm, where he re- sided for two more years. Then Mr. Feldner sold both that farm and the one in Indiana, and bought 40 acres in section 2, Willshire town- ship, which he also sold prior to purchasing his present farm on June 11, 1881. This prop- erty was only partly cleared when he pur- chased it, and he has finished the clearing and has made the numerous fine improvements. For a number of years he worked very industri- ously-clearing, ditching and improving his farm-before he succeeded in putting it under its present fine state of cultivation. He de- voted his attention to a general line of farm- ing and stockraising. His handsome brick residence is one of substantial comfort and all his surroundings and outbuildings show ex- cellent management and a justifiable amount of pride in the making of a good home.
In September, 1872, Mr. Feldner was mar- ried to Anna Elizabeth Hunsinger, who was born at Bärweiler, in the same locality as our subject, on April 19, 1853, and is a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Hunsinger. She came alone to America in April, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Feldner have had these children : Emma (Mrs. Fred Kreisier), who left at death two sons-Arthur and Norman; Elizabeth (Mrs. Fred Lillick), of Willshire township, who has two sons-Paul and Arthur; Josephine (Mrs.
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.