History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 150

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 150

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Of the Dry Goods trade, Germans obtained a fair share. Fritz Opitz was in it as early as 1848; and Loescher & Reidemeister in 1853. Previous to 1870, Neuhausel Brothers commenced, and they have con- siderably enlarged since ; while Ad. Schansenbach, of the same period, has gone out West. C. Daudt re- turned to Germany, and Graff went to New York, when his partners (Henry Thorner and L. Franc) changed over to the Liquor houses. Lasalle & Eppstein's store, on the latter's deccase, was con- tinued with Cohen, and afterwards Koch, as partner, Cohen going into business for himself in the begin- ning of 1886. S. H. Frank & Co. started during these withdrawals. Billstein & Co., since 1880, supplied the demand for Dry Goods on Broadway, and Gustav Trost on Nebraska Avenue.

The Clothing business has been pre-empted by Germans largely since 1847, when D. Heinsheimer & Co.first entered the race; before they went out, in 1855, Fechheimer & Co .; afterwards G. Goldsmith, Mack, Thorner & Co., succeeded by J. H. Thorner, S. Stet- tiner & Co., Benj. and M. Gitsky and Jacob Kraus, went in; but the year 1870 found only B. Gitsky & Sons, and Kraus & Daiber on the lists; with John Ketteman, Joseph Simon, C. Weber & Sons (since J. W. & Bro.), and Ab. Sugarman coming in since. Kraus & Roemer started as early as any, but diverged during the last 15 years to the Wholesale Manufac- turing and Piece Goods line, first under the style of Roemer & Stern Brothers; then, as now, as Stern, Bloch & Co. Henry Kiest has been with the firm as Bookkeeper for nearly 20 years.

From 1870 to 1874, the Germania Insurance Com- pany, of which John F. Whitker was President, existed ; but the enterprise not proving profitable, it was wound up. Still, some Germans have remained in that business. We may name Valentine Braun, E. L. Valois, and Geo. Tanner & Son (Frank C.), and Charles R. Fisher acts as Agent for Steamship Lines.

While some Germans have not made a success of the Savings & Loan Association, nor the Bank of which they had the principal control, we find others as trustworthy Directors in National Banks and other moneyed institutions. Matthias Boos for a long time was one of the Directors of the First National Bank ; Geo. A. Braun is still one of the Second National ; B. Meilink and John Daiber, of the Merchant's Na- tional ; and Guido Marx has been since its beginning, in 1875, Director of the Toledo Savings Bank and Trust Co.

The Mechanics Savings & Building Loan Associa- tion, of which Jos. E. Marx was Director in 1870, has also well accomplished its purpose.

While Railroads are usually built by associated capital, a short one (the Swan Creek Railroad) was

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THE GERMAN ELEMENT.

constructed by Conrad Huberich alone, to connect the factories on that Creek with the Lake Shore Road. It is still controlled by Germans.

In coming to the last service usually rendered, that of Undertaking, Joseph Abele and Michael Hoeffinger are found ready to attend to it, C. II. Schroeder carrying on with Bennett the same occu- pation in which Wm. H. Schroeder had undertaken before 1870.

MILITARY PURSUITS.

The same earnest and active zeal which our fellow-citizens born in Germany or their next de- scendants have displayed in all the fore-mentioned pursuits and vocations, they have also shown in taking active part in every movement for the best defense of the society of which they had become integral members. In June, 1855, a call appeared in the Ohio Staats Zeitung, signed by Dr. F. J. Klauser and B. Hippler, for the formation of a German Mili- tary Company, when the "German Yeagers " were organized, of which, in 1856, Rath was Captain and Dr. Klauser Lieutenant. In 1858 Jacob Tanner was elected Captain. The Company was absorbed in the more serious military life which sprang into existenee upon the election of President Lincoln.

Before we enter upon this further, we must men- tion the spirited, patriotic and charitable enthusiasm with which German Women and Girls acted during the whole of that trying time. The share they took in instituting societies for assistance in the various directions ealled for during the War, was second to none. From the first call for organizations of Volun- teers to support the cause of the Union, the German born of this vicinity took as lively an interest in en- listments as did any other part of the population. In the nature of things, their names were not as frequently mentioned in the rosters of the officers, as in the rolls of the! privates; and these will be given as far as obtainable in another part of this volume ; but we find in the former, that in the Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (the first organ- ized in Toledo for the three months service), Louis Von Blessingh went as Captain, and William Schulz as Second Lieutenant. In this regiment Henry G. Neubert enlisted as private and re-enlisted for three years, being promoted through all the intermediate grades until he received an honorable discharge as Captain at the end of the War. Company H, of the Fourteenth, was largely composed of Germans. Frank Keek was First Lieutenant; Robert Just was also First Lieutenant in the Fourteenth. J. C. Han sen, First Sergeant, died while in service. The Twenty-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry contained also a Company recruited in this City. Peter Triquart was promoted in it to First Lieutenant, and Emil L. Marx enlisted as private, was honorably discharged when his first wife died, leaving him in care of five children. The Twenty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer In- fantry drew also upon Toledo Germans for its con- tingent. Wm. F. Neubert was one of the privates, serving honorably during the entire War. He after- wards died in St. Louis, Missouri, leaving a wife and two boys. The Thirty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer In- fantry was composed entirely of Germans, and three of its Companies were enlisted in Toledo. Louis Von Blessingh was Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the Regiment after Colonel Sieber's resignation. Fredk. Hohly was Surgeon, Capt. Fredk. Schoening died May 18, 1864, of wound received in battle of Resaca. Capt. Paul Wittich was killed at Kenesaw July 22, 1864. Capts. Wm. Schultz, John Hamm, Jacob Mery, Herman Rosenbaum, Gustav Baither and Dietrich Smith were mustered ont with the regiment; as were First Lieutenants Louis Sebastian, Geo. W. Temme and Jos. Langenderfer, and F. Ingold as Second Lieu- tenant. Jaroslav Wandke,a private, was killed before

Vicksburg. John S. Kountz, the " Drummer Boy," lost his leg at Mission Ridge. The names of others will be found elsewhere, as fully as the records will furnish them. In the Sixty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry Henry Bredt was First Lieutenant, and Emil S. Marx was assigned to this Regiment as Bugler, when heenlisted the second time after he had married again, to serve as substitute for his brother Guido, who was drafted. Emil died in March, 1867, being always very much liked for his goodness of heart. Two of his children and widow survive bim. The One Hundredth, as well as the One Hundred and Elev- enth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, had many Toledoans in their ranks. Dan'l F. Waltz was in the latter; so were various bodies of Cavalry and Artillery, recruit- ed near Toledo, and joined by many Germans of which we have no record, except of Chas. M. Schiele, First Ohio Light Artillery, Fourth Battery. The First Ohio National Guard, of which four companies, and part of the Fifth, were from Toledo, was organized in July, 1863, and went into the service June 4, 1864, as the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for 100 days. It also contained a number of Germans.

Not until 1880 was another Regiment of the Ohio National Guard equipped in Toledo. This time it was numbered the 16th; of which Henry G. Neubert was elected Colonel, which place he filled until his resignation in 1881. It also numbers many Germans.

We have under the appellation "German," in- cluded not only such as were born in Germany, but also their children, so far as they have, by education and inclination, considered themselves not too re- mote from the paternal tree. But whatever their place of nativity, in devotion to their adopted coun- try, in love for American institutions and Republican Liberty, the adopted citizens of German descent do not yield in anything to their native-born brethren. While they have maintained, to a certain degree, their interest in the concerns of the land of their birth, and have taken part, so far as they could, in the events of Peace and War which called for active assistance, they always rendered the same aid to all domestic calls.

POLITICS AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Politically, the Germans of the period before 1848 (with the exception of the immigration of 1830-3) sided mostly, as by a preconceived notion, with the Democratie party. The Know Nothing movement in 1856 tried to punish them for this, but only succeeded in rallying them eloser under Democratic colors un- til the " Free Soil " and Anti-Slavery agitation pre- sented issues upon which the German vote quickly became divided. While the elder immigration largely retained their political predilections, the younger

zealously began to advocate the advanced principles as early as 1854, and to vote with those with whom they agreed. They assisted mainly in carrying the Central States for the Republican party, and to bring the same into the power which it held for nearly a quar- ter of a century. By their active participation in all public affairs, they were soon called to take their share of the responsibilities and honors in the ad- ministration of City, Township and Connty affairs. Under the old Toledo City organization, John Goet- tel was elected Marshal, and served from 1841 to 1845. W. F. Pregizer held the same position from 1851 to I852. In 1857 Christ. Woehler was elected ('ity Treasurer and held the office until 1859.

After Toledo had been declared a City of the First Class, the Mayoralty was held by Germans for 10 years out of 16, extending to 1885. Wm. Kraus was Mayor in 1870-1. A celebration of the 4th of July falling on Sunday and being participated in by him, with the Germans generally, created such ill feeling during his term among other constituents, that he

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

failed of being re-elected. Guido Marx was elected Mayor in April, 1875, and declined, for private rea- sons, a renomination at the expiration of his term of two years, which was very flatteringly offered by many citizens, regardless of party. Serving during the Centennial year, he gave in his message to the City Council in that Spring quite full account of the condition of the City at that period. The enforce- ment of the ordinance against the running at large of animals in the Streets under his administration made it possible to secure. a more general embellishment of the City. Of Jacob Romeis, elected Mayor in the Spring of 1879, and elected again in ISSI, and the third time in 1883, serving nntil 1885, special mention is made elsewhere. George Scheets was elected by the Council to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Mayor Romeis.

The office of City Auditor has been filled by Otto Klemm from 1869 to 1878, very creditably.

John Nauman was twice elected Street Commis- sioner, first in 1867, and served until 1871. John Bayer held the same office during 1884 and 1885, and was re-elected in 1886.

In the City Council we find previous to 1870, J. F. Witker, A. Stephan, Henry Brand and Henry Phil- ipps; from 1871 to 1873, George Seheets and Guido Marx; from 1873 to 1875, George Stetter, George Meissner and Fred. Jaeger. Henry Spielbusch first entered the Council in 1878. During the nine years he has so far served in the City Council. he has been called to serve as Vice President and on very impor- tant Committees. From 1879 to 1881, George Fey, Charles J. Kirschner, Jacob Engelhardt, John J. Voll- meyer, Wm. H. Meyer, Christ Yerk, Otto A. Duden, and Wm. H. Minneker bad seats in the Council; and Jac. Romeis (having entered in 1875), E. A. Eversman, Fred. Raitz, George Tanner, and Carl Wenzel in the Board of Aldermen. In 1886 E. H. Kuhlman repre- sented in the latter the Ist Ward, George W. Boos the 3d, J. E. Schultz the 4th, A. Broer the 5th, and G. E. Lorenz the 7th ; while in the Board of Councilmen Henry Spielbnseh answers for Ward 2d, and Robert Raitz for Ward 7th.

In the old Volunteer Fire Department, Germans took a very lively interest. Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 3, was partially composed by them, and No. 4 altogether so. The latter was founded in 1853. In 1854 William Kraus was elected 2d Assistant Engi- neer, and Guido Marx in 1858. Jacob Landman was Foreman of No. 3 in 1852, which position Christ. Woehler held afterwards. The first Foreman of No. 4 was Julius Meyer, Valentine Braun succeeding him in 1854, and then Fr. Schoening. Henry Spielbusch, Guido Marx, Nic. Spinner, A. B. Ernst, Gustay Fenne- berg, were some of the members. They constituted the " Firemen's Benevolent Association," the first society of the kind in the City. The City Council authorized by special ordinance, dated March 10, 1856, Emil L. Marx to form a Company of not exceed- ing 40 members, to he called the " Fire Guard," for the protection of property during fires, and to be part of the Fire Department. It was enrolled, Emil L. Marx became the first Foreman, and Herman Witt- stein the Secretary, and did good service while it ex- isted.

An equally large array of German names are found connected with the Police Department. The Mayor acted ex officio as President of the Board of Police Commissioners.

Of the Board of Health, as formerly constituted, the Mayor was ex officio President. Member of the Board was, from 1873 to 1875, V. Braun ; and from 1875 to 1879 Dr. Max Jungbluth. Fred. Tigges and Herman Mahrone Sanitary Policemen.

Trustee of the Water Works was Carl Schon, 1872 and 1876; then President of the Board and Superin- tendent in 1881. Joseph Grasser was Trustee from

1879 to 1882, and Henry Bruksieker from 18SI to 1885. A. Grauff has been Engineer since the starting of the Works in 1873.

Otto Schroeter has been one of the Park Commis- sioners for over 10 years.

Trustees of the House of Refuge and Correction, were Dr. V. Braun, Joseph E. Marx and J. E. Wit- ker, previous to 1871 ; John M. Hanser from 1877 to 1881; Jacob Landman from 1878 to 1879 ; and Henry Kahlo from 18SI to 1886 ; also Martin Friedberg from 1SS3.

Conrad Huberich was a Director of the Work- house Board from 1873 to 1879.

B. Meilink is one of the Toledo Tax Commis- sioners.

Guido Marx was appointed one of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund by the Court of Common Pleas, but did not accept.

Every year for the last 15, from two to four Ger- mans have been elected as Assessors in the eight Wards of the City.

The Decennial Assessor of Real Estate, in 1870, was Henry Brand.

On the Board of Equalization in 1873, was Ernst Greiner; in 1875, George Tanner; in 1876, Henry Lorenz and George Meissner; and since, Christ. Ham- mer, John F. Witker, Henry Spielbusch and J. C. Wernert.

Under the Township administration, Win. Kraus held the office of Trustee in 1855. and Fritz Opitz that of Clerk in 1854. Otto Reidemeister was Justice of the Peace in 1868 to 1872, George Vetter 1880; and Jacob Bailleux since that. George Maek is County Infirmary Director ; and at least six Germans have been Constables since 1857.

Many others held positions in the various Town- ships. Providence-Dean Christmann as Treasurer of Waterville, Andrew Gessner Assessor of Waynes- field, and George Vetter and C. Yeslin as Justices in Sylvania and Washington Townships.

Of the County officers, Ernst Greiner, A. Stephan, Val. Braun and John S. Kountz held that of Treas- urer successively to 1872. Gustav. Wittstein was elected Auditor in 1874, and died while in office. This position is now occupied by Charles A. Vord- triede, who is a well-posted officer and very careful. John S. Kountz held the office of Recorder from 1875 to 1878; and Charles J. Kirschner from 1883 to 1886. The term of Wernert as County Commissioner ex- pired in 1886. George ('. Meissner, Jr., was Surveyor in 1886. The office of Coroner has repeatedly been filled by Germans. Jacob Schoenacker, who died October 8, 1854, was the first German to hold office in the County ; Simon Kohn followed him ; and one of his successors was Val. Braun to 1859. From 1880 to 1881 Dr. Frederick Hohly hek the same.

Lucas County has sent three Germans to repre- sent it in the General Assembly. The first one was Guido Marx, who was elected in the Fall of 1870 a Representative, and filled the position from 1871 to '75, having been re-elected. He was succeeded for one term by Conrad Huberich (afterwards United States Internal Revenue Agent). Henry Kahlo was elected to the House of Representatives for the years 1882 and 1883, and declined a nomination by his party (the Democrats).

Jacob Romeis was elected to Congress in October, 1884, by the Republicans, and was re-elected in 1886.

United States offices have been filled by German born citizens on several occasions. Joseph E. Marx was appointed by President Lincoln as Consnl at Amsterdam, and remained there until the latter's death. Under General Grant's Administration, Dr. F. G. Klauser took the same position. Andreas Ste- phan was Collector of Customs in 1861-65. Joseph E. Marx was Customs Inspector, from 1868 to 1872 ; and Henry Roemer was appointed to the place on

Guido Marx

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THE GERMAN ELEMENT.

the latter's death, and occupied it until 1880. Vin- cent J. Emmiek was for several years a Deputy Col- lector of Internal Revenue for the Tenth Ohio Dis- triet, serving with special eredit. Henry Vordtriede was a Clerk in the same office for some years.

In the Postoffice some Germans were employed under nearly every Administration. George Bren- ner was for many years Postal Agent, and August Ehnes a Clerk. In 1880, Max Witzman was Clerk, and Max Bruder, Leader ; Ernst Buettner and Ed. Durian, Letter Carriers. At the present time (1886) F. C. Barnes, Ernst Buettner, Adolph Memminger, Val. Lohner, G. A. Putz act in this capacity.

It may serve as a historical item, that the German Letter-list, as early as December 30, 1854, contained 134 names.

The U. S. Census of 1880, giving Toledo a total popu- lation of 50.137 (of whom 14,349 were foreign born), aseribes to the German Empire the nativity of 6,809, or nearly 8,000, adding those born in Austria, Switzer- land, and such other adjacent countries as are usually counted German.

As already stated, we have in some instances in- cluded in our survey, such descendants of the first generation as were usually regarded as Germans; but the absorption of all adopted citizens after the first generation goes on so fast, that special German efforts can only be sustained by new and repeated aecessions. The spirit of these has changed accord- ing to the occasions prompting the emigration ; but it will always be found devoted sincerely to the land of its choice.

NECROLOGY.

Sinee the foregoing sketch was written the follow- ing, whose names are mentioned in the same, have died :

Rev. Charles Markseheffel, December 21, 1886, aged 83 years.

Dr. Gustav Fenneberg, June 17, 1887, aged 64 years. Colonel Louis Von Blessingh, July 15, 1887, aged 58 years.

John G. Holzwarth, Sept. 16, 1887, aged 56 years.

GUIDO MARX was born in Carlsruhe, Ger- many, June 28, 1827. His father was a Book Dealer in moderate circumstances. From six to 10 years of age, the son attended the Lyceum, where were taught the common branches of education, with the Latin, he re- ceiving therewith some instruction in Hebrew. He had early access to his father's Cireulating Library, including many books adapted to his needs, which opportunity he largely improved. The following two years he visited the School in Baden-Baden, to which place the family re- moved. At 14 he was apprenticed to the Book trade in Brunswiek, North Germany. Here he became familiar with works of art, and continu- ed reading standard books, under advice of con- siderate friends, in connection with the study of natural philosophy and the English lan- guage. As apprentice, he had (for three years) to do all work incident to sueh business, and became acquainted with book-keeping and eor- respondence. When 17, he returned to his father's store in Baden, where were oil paint- ings and prints, still employing his leisure hours in the study of the languages, and began that of history of art. At 19 (1846), his father sent him to Paris, where he found employ-

ment in warerooms of exporters of City-made goods-meantime improving opportunities for visiting galleries and the study of art. In 1847, he returned to Baden, with a consign- ment of oil paintings. During the years 1847-8, as a member of different Societies, he became involved in political agitation which specially embraced the young men of the coun- try. The result of this relation was that upon the failure of the agitation for Liberty, it was found best that he and his older brother (Emil) leave Germany for the United States, which they did, landing in New York, October 1, 1849. Continuing their trip Westward, they soon found themselves among German friends in Wood County, Ohio, where, with two others, they purchased of the State 40 acres of " Canal Lands," on which they built a small log-house, cut prairie grass for Winter feed for a cow and a yoke of oxen, and began the work of clear- ing, grubbing and fencing, preparatory to the next year's erops. In the Spring of 1851, the Marx brothers sold out and removed to Toledo for employment as clerks. There Guido began the active business life, which has been a sue- cessful one. With his brother he was in the Grocery trade from 1851 to 1861. Subse- quently, with Rudolph Brand, he engaged in the Liquor trade, the firm name being R. Brand & Co. Upon the death of Mr. Brand in 1865, a nephew, Adolph Brand, succeeded him in the firm, whose name was unchanged and still continues. The connection of Mr. Marx with the German Press of Toledo, which he largely assisted financially and as Editor, from 1863, has already been given. Besides habitual attention to business and the cares of a large fam- ily, Mr. Marx has found time to serve his fellow- citizens in public capacities in extent far above the average of men. In 1869-71, he was a mem- her of the Toledo City Council, representing the Fourth Ward. He was elected as Representa- tive in the State Legislature in 1871, and re- elected in 1873. In 1873 he was appointed by Governor Noyes as Commissioner to represent Ohio at the Vienna (Austria) Exposition ; and as the result of his observations there, he made report on the necessity for the introduction in the United States of special Trade Schools, such as Toledo now has in the Manual Train- ing Sehool. In 1875, before the expiration of his second term as Representative, he was elected Mayor of Toledo, serving for two years and declining a re-election 1877. In 1876, by appointment of the United States Centennial Commissioners, he was a member of the Board of Judges of the International Exposition, held at Philadelphia, and was spe- cially assigned to Group IV (Malt Liquors, Wine and Distilled Spirits). His report was the first one published, and the Commissioners directed that a special bronze medal be pre- sented to him, in recognition of valuable ser- vices rendered the administration of the Expo-

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

sition. By appointment of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, in 1878, he was made one of the Trustees of the Toledo Sinking Fund. In 1881, the Governor appointed him as a mem- ber of the Police Board of Toledo, under a special act of the Legislature, which position, on account of ill health, he resigned. Ile is now serving as a Trustee of the Toledo Uni- versity, in charge of the Manual Training School, under appointment made in 1884. For a time, he served as Examiner of Teachers for the Toledo Schools. Beside these public posi- tions, Mr. Marx has served as Director in the Merchants National Bank, and in the Toledo Savings Bank and Trust Company-resigning the former position on account of ill health, and now acting in the latter. In 1867-68, and again in 1872-73, he visited the Fatherland. He made a trip to California in 1884, and to Colorado, in 1887. After the construction of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Line, and before the building of the Pacific Railway, he advocated through the Press a system of Weather reports, substantially as sinee insti- tuted, with such marked benefits, by the Gov- ernment. That is believed to have been the first public proposition of that kind. The

record thus made of the many publie expres- sions of confidence in both the ability and the integrity of Mr. Marx, bear testimony to the exceptional standing he has gained and held with his fellow-citizens, more full than could added words in this connection. Among the German immigrants settling in Toledo as early as 1837, was Johann Peter Brehm, who came from Flonheim, near Alzei, Grand Dukedom of Hessia, bringing with him his wife (nee Stump), and a daughter, Elisabeth, then two years old, who in 1853, was married with Mr. Marx, and since has borne to him 13 children, of whom 11 are now (1888) living-Clara (the eldest), the wife of August Wolpert; Henry, a graduate of Cornell University as Mechanical Engineer, and now engaged in Machinery business at St. Louis, Mo .; Anna, at home ; Ella, a graduate of 1887, as Physician of Michi- gan University, at Ann Arbor ; Otto, to gradu- ate as Dentist, at the same institution, with the Class of 1888 ; Theodore, a student in Design- ing, at Boston and Cincinnati; Dora, of the graduating Classes of 1888 in the Toledo High and Manual Training Schools; and Werna, Bertha, Erwin and August, yet in the Toledo Publie Schools.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 150

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408