USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 62
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
sober, but when he had taken some spirits he became communi- cative, and would spend hours in relating his adventures in the woods of Maine and his hardships in the army. He was not tall, but resembled his brother Thomas in build. He was singularly broad across the shoulders and hips. Erect and full-chested, he carried himself gracefully when walk- ing. He had black hair, which inclined to curl; bald crown ; broad, smooth forehead; heavy, outstanding brows; gray eyes, oval face, red cheeks, and a short, thick nose. Like all his rela- tives, he had the broad mouth and chin so characteristic of the people of northern Europe, from whence his grandfather came .. When a young man he was able to leap over a line under which? he could walk when erect.
The old patriot died May 12, 1867, aged one hundred and six years, six months and twelve days, and was interred in a cemetery located a mile north of Waynesfield. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of people from the surrounding counties. The military and civic ceremonies on the occasion were appropriate and impressive. Two years afterward his body was removed to Fairmount cemetery in Union township. The removal of his remains was attended by a large assemblage of the citizens of Auglaize and Allen counties. Judge Metcalf delivered an eloquent funeral oration at the re-interment of the body.
"COLBY C. PEPPLE, son of William and Rebecca Pepple, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 15th, 1834. In 1838 the family moved to Wayne township, then a part of Allen county, Ohio. He received such an education as the common schools of that time afforded. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married in 1855 to Miss Catharine Gilroy. Eight children have been born to them: Mrs. Mary J. Sanders, James P., John W., and Mrs. Minnie B. Adams, living. Mr. Pepple followed farming during the first few years after his marriage, and taught school in the winters. Although he commenced life with a limited amount of means, he is, at the present time, considered one of the most prosperous farmers of the county. He owns four hundred and sixty-five acres of well improved and well cultivated land.
"Mr. and Mrs. Pepple are worthy members of the Methodist
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
Protestant Church of Waynesfield. Mr. Pepple has served in the capacity of trustee and steward in the same for many years.
"In politics he is a strict adherent of the Democratic party. He has been called upon by his party to fill various positions of trust. He has served as township treasurer for ten years, was a member of the township Board of Trustees for several years, and member of the Board of Education. He has also held the office of county treasurer, being appointed to that position by the commissioners after the defalcation of Treasurer Lucas. He finished the unexpired term of Lucas, and afterward served one term, serving in that capacity with credit and ability. He was succeeded in office by his son, A. O. Pepple, who discharged the duties of the office in a manner approved by his constituents."
JONATHAN DAWSON was born in Trumbull county, Ohio. March 5th, 1823. He was the son of Joseph and Rachel Dawson. who moved to Wayne township in 1836, with their nine boys and one girl, and settled on the farm now owned by H. E. Kerr, Jonathan was only thirteen years of age at the time the family settled in the wilderness. He was deprived of early educational advantages, but by close application to study at home, he prepared himself for teaching, a profession that he followed during ten consecutive years. He served his township in the capacity of justice of the peace during a period of nine years. He also filled numerous minor offices, and was always an ardent advocate of public schools, and a promoter of public enterprises for the public good.
Mr. Dawson was married in 1853, to Miss Helen McCormick. Eleven children was the result of this union, only four of whom are now living, viz. : Harmon, Belle, John, and Clark. His wife died February 25, 1892. After her death he resided with his children. His last illness took place at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Belle Sutton, where he died February 8th, 1904.
SAMUEL LOWMAN was born in Virginia in 1807. His parents moved to Champaign county, Ohio, when he was fourteen years old. He experienced all the hardships of a pioneer life, having helped to clear his father's farm, and after his marriage cleared one for himself. In 1829 he married Miss Mary A. Plummer, of Clark county, Ohio. Five years later he moved to Wayne
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
township and entered eighty acres of land in section 3. Wayne township was at that time a portion of Allen county, between places called in early times, "Devil's half acre," and "Devil's backbone." The former place was so named on account of the swampy nature of the land, over which an extensive log bridge was built. The latter name was given to a narrow, gravelly ridge, remarkable for its geological structure, and of only sufficient width for a wagon road. He erected a log house on the only traveled road at that time, leading to Bellefontaine. This house, being the only one for many miles on that road line, became a stopping place for travelers.
Mr. Lowman was a man of strong sense, strict integrity, and marked force of character. He died February 6th, 1904.
DR. R. I. KREBS, of Waynesfield, was born in Littletown, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1832. His parents, Isaac and Esther Krebs, were natives of Virginia. After marriage the parents settled in Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1846, when they moved to Winchester, Virginia. Here they passed the closing scenes of their lives; the mother dying in 1861, and the father in 1884.
Dr. Krebs began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. Hugh H. McGuire, father of the renowned Hunter Mc- Guire. In 1852 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution the following year. He commenced the practice of his profession at Mount Jackson, but soon afterward moved to Westminster, Ohio, where he practiced until 1858. In that year he moved to Waynesfield, Ohio, where he acquired a large and lucrative practice. In 1885 he retired from practice and was succeeded by W. S. Turner. After retir- ing from practice Dr. Krebs moved to his farm, located north of Waynesfield, where he resided until 1897, when he erected for himself an elegant residence in Waynesfield, in which he resided until his death.
Dr. Krebs was married to Miss Lucina Myers, a native of Licking county, Ohio. Of this union three children were born : Laura L., wife of J. H. Manchester, of Goshen township ; Jennie' J., wife of Ira Harrod, of Wayne township, and Francis G. Krebs. Having a high appreciation of learning, he gave each of his children a liberal education.
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
Dr. Krebs was a consistent member of the Methodist Protest- ant Church of Waynesfield from 1858 until his death, which occurred January 19, 1900.
WILLIAM SETH TURNER, M. D., is a son of John D. and Harriet Turner, and was born in Wayne township, this county. June 20, 1861. . When about four years of age his father died, and seven years later his mother was married to Joshua Montague. Young Turner remained at home until sixteen years of age, working on the farm and attending the schools of his neighbor- hood. At seventeen he commenced to fight life's battle for him- self and began teaching. Later he finished his literary education. at the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada. On the day he attained his majority he selected the medical profession as his calling, and in 1884 graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati. He practiced his profession at Leipsic, Ohio, for one year, when he returned to this county and located. at Waynesfield, purchasing the business of Dr. R. I. Krebs. Dr. Turner is one of the ablest members of the profession in this section of Ohio, is a thorough gentleman, and is making a splen- did success. He is a member of the School Board at Waynesfield. and is serving as recording secretary of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association. He is a public-spirited citizen, and in 1897 erected a large business block at Waynesfield, the second story of which is known as Turner's Hall. In 1885 he was married to. Miss Mary C. Patterson, of Allen county, and one child, Victor R., has been born to them. Dr. Turner is a Mason, and a promi- nent member of the Baptist Church.
(From Walsh's Biographical Sketches of Auglaize county. )
SAMUEL PLUMMER was born in Logan county, Ohio, Decem- ber 27, 1852, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Plummer, among the earliest settlers of this section. He was married in 1876 to Miss Ella Hutchison, and one child, Maud, was born to them. Mrs. Plummer died in 1879, and in 1881 he was married to Miss Lenora McGinnis, and one child, Otto C., has blessed this union. Mr. Plummer was reared upon a farm, but has been engaged in stock and mercantile business for many years. In 1896 he was elected a member of the Board of County Commis- sioners, and was re-elected in 1896.
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PUSHETA TOWNSHIP.
From the journal record of the Allen County Commissioners of December, 1836, we learn "that there was a petition presented' by sundry inhabitants residing in the original surveyed township number six south, in range six east, praying to be set off as a township, under the name of Pusheta, which petition was con- sidered and granted. Boundaries were given, and advertisements written for an election to be held at the dwelling house of Joseph' Mayer on the 20th inst."
This township is bounded on the north by Duchouquet town- ship, on the east by Clay township, on the south by Shelby county, and on the west by Washington township. It is five miles in width from north to south, and six miles in length from east: to west.
The township and principal stream flowing through it are named after a chief of a tribe of Shawnee Indians who formerly resided in the central and eastern portion of the township. The name of the chief has been variously spelled. In the treaty at the Foot of the Rapids of the Maumee it is written Pasheto; in Henry Harvey's History of the Shawnee Indians it is written Pesheto. It is not known who took upon himself the responsi- bility of writing it Pusheta.
The St. John's ridge extends through this township from east to west, forming an elevated table land. Pusheta creek cuts through the ridge at Freyburg and flows in a northwesterly course and empties into the Auglaize River. The elevated por- tion of the township was formerly covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally walnut, ash, oak, elm, hickory, beech, and hard maple. For fifty years the ridge was an ideal Indian camping ground. In the months of February and March the' Pusheta Indians and other tribes devoted their attention to the manufacture of maple sugar from the extensive sugar maple- groves that covered the uplands.
In 1832 the Pusheta Indians, with the other Shawnee tribes; moved to Kansas.
Land entries were made in the south tier of sections of the township as early as 1821. The following list of land entries. exhibits the development of the township :
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
1821. Jonathan Taylor, Sec. 19. 1 823. Benjamin Spray, Sec. 30. · 1831. Solomon Waymire, Secs. 25 and 26.
1832.
Thomas B. Van Horn, Sec. 5.
Thomas B. Van Horn, Sec. 7.
Thomas B. Van Horn, Sec. 8. John W. Carey, Sec. 20.
Solomon Waymire, Sec. 24. Jno. Geo. Hertig, Sec. 26. George Kentner, Sec. 3.
Andrew Werst, Sec. 1. Thomas Childers, Sec. 1.
Ebenezer D. Stevens, Sec. 2. Elizabeth Harvey, Sec. 2. Francis Schaeffer, Sec. 4.
John Bobb, Sec. 4. Joseph Cummings, Sec. 5.
William A. Van Horn, Sec. 5.
Thomas Fanfield, Sec. 6. Charles Bresar, Sec. 6.
Henry Kadiebert, Sec. 6. Henry H. Herman, Sec. 7. James Elliott, Sec. 8. John D. Van Antwerp, Sec. 8. Henry Von Blaricom, Sec. 9. Charles H. Abbey, Sec. 9. A. Keever and N. Hick, Sec. 10. John Roush, Sec. 10. William Becktel, Sec. 11. Christopher Hysler, Sec. 11.
Peter Tobias, Sec. 12.
Philip Brown, Sec. 13. John Tobias, Sec. 14. John Foutz, Sec. 14. M. and G. Seeter, Sec. 14. Abraham Tobias, Sec. 14. John Van Blaricom, Sec. 15.
Thomas B. Van Horn, Sec. 6. John Lenox, Jr., Sec. 8. Charles H. Abbey, Sec. 9.
William Johnston, Sec. 23.
William Johnston, Sec. 25. Benjamin Spray, Sec. 30. Emanuel Kentner, Sec. 3.
1833.
Christian Tobias, Sec. 1. David Heroff, Sec. 2. John Heroff, Sec. 2. Samuel Howell, Sec. 3. Joseph Cummings, Sec. 4. Adam Back, Sec. 4. William Butterworth, Sec. 5. William Van Horn, Sec. 6. John H. Folkamp, Sec. 6. Kasper Peach, Sec. 6. H. Christ and G. Neitert, Sec 6 William A. Van Horn, Sec. 8. Samuel Marshall, Sec. 8. George De Lang, Sec. 8. John Davis, Sec. 9. Christopher Wagner, Sec. 10.
Miheer Rollins, Sec. 10. Justice Delany, Sec. 11. Jacob Voorhis, Sec. 11. William Heroff, Sec. 12. John Harshman, Sec. 13. Jacob Tobias, Sec. 14. Samuel Myers, Sec. 14. Joseph Myers, Sec. 14. Anthony Seeter, Sec. 14. Adam Snyder, Sec. 15. John L. Shumer, Sec. 15.
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
'Beal Spurrier, Sec. 15. John L. Shumer, Sec. 15. Philip Van Blaricom, Sec. 15. Richard M. Cowan, Sec. 17. John Van Blaricom, Sec. 17. Nathaniel Bowers, Sec. 17. Robert Mccullough, Sec. 19. John W. Carey, Sec. 18.
William Stockdale, Sec. 20.
Conrad Schemmel, Sec. 21. John Swartz, Sec. 21.
John Mellinger, Sec. 22.
Kloff Brothers, Sec. 22. John Lenox, Sec. 23.
John Mellinger, Sec. 23. Fred Numemaker, Sec. 24.
Henry Van Blaricom, Sec. 25.
Henry Crowell, Sec. 25.
David Trimmer, Sec. 29. William Stockdale, Sec. 30.
John Bluert, Sec. 15. Richard Reed, Sec. 15.
John L. Shumer, Sec. 15.
John D. Van Antwerp, Sec. 17.
Bryant McNamer, Sec. 17. Conrad Schemmel, Sec. 19.
James Spray, Sec. 19. Conrad Schemmel, Sec. 20. Joseph Willman, Sec. 20. Joseph Aman, Sec. 21. Lawrence Clickett, Sec. 21.
John Freas, Sec. 22. Andreas Voll, Sec. 22. Joseph Myers, Sec. 23. John Lenox, Sec. 23. William Fribern, Sec. 24. Samuel Henry, Sec. 25. John Tobias Castle, Sec. 28. Chauncy Goodrich, Sec. 29. James Powell, Sec. 30.
Matthias Label, Sec. 1. Ambrose Harvey, Sec. 1. William Craft, Sec. 1. Henry Holts, Sec. 4. Betsy Bobb, Sec. 4. William Heine, Sec. 6. Christian Houck, Sec. 11. John Snoverly, Sec. 12. Matthias Label, Sec. 12. Edward Williams, Sec. 13. Blaize Leiter, Sec. 13. John Roth, Sec. 13. Carl Sebert Lides, Sec. 17. Abraham Miller, Sec. 18.
Nathaniel T. Cornell, Sec. 19. Andrew Dushee, Sec. 23. John Miller, Sec. 27. Henry Darr, Sec. 27. Joseph Monger, Sec. 27. Paul Sewert, Sec. 28. Andrew Nass, Sec. 28. Matthias Trimmer, Sec. 28. Nicholas Wayne, Sec. 28. John Wanger, Sec. 29. Joseph Hemmert, Sec. 29.
1834.
William Crafty, Sec. 1. Leon H. Ashenbrack, Sec. 1. Henry Cable, Sec. 2. Nicholas Bobb, Sec. 4. Frederick Hendepole, Sec. 4. W. A. Van Horne, Sec. 9. John Sehen, Sec. 11. Joseph Bush, Sec. 12. Christian Waggoner, Sec. 13. Andren Ross, Sec. 13. Elizabeth Wise, Sec. 13. John Zanglin, Sec. 17. John Frantz, Sec. 17. Wm. Sammetinger, Sec. 18.
Phelix Bobb, Sec. 22.
George Kuhn, Sec. 26. John Metz, Sec. 27. Michael Sifock, Sec. 27. Joseph Kippels, Sec. 28. Rissberger Brothers, Sec. 28. Christian King, Sec. 28. Chauncy Goodrich, Sec. 28. John Fries, Sec. 29. Feris Brothers, Sec. 29. Leonard Beresderfer, Sec. 29.
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
Andrew Kness, Sec. 29. Charles Powell, Sec. 30.
Joseph Banman, Sec. 29.
Adam Bach, Sec. 9.
John Koch, Sec. 9.
Jacob Snyder, Sec. 10.
Asa Hawey, Sec. 11.
Casper Nipgen, Sec. 24.
John Kuhn, Sec. 26.
Michael Ferris, Sec. 29. Peter Schaul, Sec. 29.
1835. Adam Snyder, Sec. 9. Jacob Snyder, Sec. 9. Errard Birk, Sec. 10. Samuel Marshall, Sec. 17. Henry Crowell, Sec. 25.
Henry Van Blaricom, Sec. 26. Samuel Bowers, Sec. 29.
Leonard Geisler, Sec. 4. Albert Hutzler, Sec. 5.
Beal Spurrier, Sec. 9.
Henry Shull, Sec. 9.
James Elliott, Sec. 18.
James Elliott, Sec. 19.
James Bryan, Sec. 25.
Bernard Holsinger, Sec. 30.
William Treibein, Sec. 25.
Mena Albrunt, Sec. 4. James Elliott, Sec. 7.
James Elliott, Sec. 7. Highnas Fisher, Sec. 9.
1836. Philip Nagel, Sec. 5. Robert Mccullough, Sec. 7. Leonard Geisler, Sec. 9. Vultan Burht, Sec. 9.
Andrew Todd, Sec. 18. James Bryant, Sec. 24. Richard Henry, Sec. 26. William Verth, Sec. 30.
1 837. Jesse Jackson, Sec. 6.
1838. Sophia M. Hamberger, Sec. 7. 1839.
Conrad Schemmel, Sec. 20.
John Sammetinger, Sec. 16. Adam Knecht, Sec. 16. William Trebein, Sec. 16.
1842.
F. K. L. Harmelt and A. Mather, Sec. 16. Francis Klipfel, Sec. 16. Nicholas Knarr, Sec. 16.
1 843. Daniel Rostofer, Sec. 16.
Paul Burk, Sec. 16.
1847.
John Rath, Sec. 25.
Casper Fuesslin, Sec. 25.
1848. H. H. Scher, Sec. 19.
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
751
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The towship records from 1836 to 1845 have been lost. The following is a record of the election of officers commencing with the latter date :
Justices of the Peace.
John Weri
1845 to 1854.
Conrad Schemmel
1854 to 1858.
John Weri
1858 to 1861.
Conrad Schemmel
1861 to 1864.
Lawrence Sammetinger
1864 to 1876.
John P. Brockert.
1865 to 1872.
Henry Ruck
1872 to 1876.
J. A. Werst
1876 to 1896.
George Limbert
1891 to 1894.
J. P. Frietz
1886 to 1890.
William Schneider
1890 to 1891.
William Limbert 1891 to 1894.
William Linder
1894 to 1903.
J. W. Anderson
1896 to 1898.
F. M. Smith.
1898 to 1903.
Clerks.
Simon Dresher
1845 to 1846.
Andrew Zanglein
1846 to 1848.
George Seiter
1848 to 1849.
Andrew Sammetinger
1849 to 1853.
Andrew Zanglein
1858 to 1861.
Lawrence Sammetinger
1861 to 1865.
Nicholas Schneider
1865 to 1872.
Lawrence Sammetinger
1872 to 1873.
Henry Ruck
1873 to 1875.
Nicholas Schneider 1875 to 1881.
J. M. Schneider
1881 to 1886.
Frederick Megel
1886 to 1894.
Lawrence Nuss
1896 to 1899.
Frederick Megel
1899 to 1903.
Treasurers.
Nicholas Zanglein
1845 to 1852.
Andrew Zanglein
1852 to 1853.
Conrad Schemmel
1853 to 1858.
Henry Ruck
1858 to 1861.
George Seiter
1861 to 1863.
Michael Schneider
1863 to 1865.
Cornelius Winegartner
1865 to 1868.
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
John P. Brockert 1868 to 1871.
Michael Schneider
1871 to 1872.
John Bierlein
1872 to 1875.
Louis Heisler
1875 to 1879.
George Limbert
1879 to 1885.
Casper Nipgen 1885 to 1889.
J. N. Schneider 1889 to 1892.
E. C. Mutschler 1892 to 1895.
George Garstner
1895 to 1899.
W. J. Ruck
1899 to 1903.
C. H. Kaeck
1903 ..
ROADS.
Excellent gravel pikes extend to all parts of the township. Since their construction the cost of repairing them has been paid from the dividends received on the stock held by the township in the C., H. & D. Railroad. Unlike the other townships, they still hold the forty thousand dollars of stock subscribed for in 1854.
SCHOOLS.
In 1834 the first school house was built on the farm now owned by J. Taylor in section 19. It was a typical log cabin of that date, and was used for many years afterward. There are now nine commodious brick school houses in the township, each of which is supplied with all the modern appliances necessary tc meet the requirements of rural schools.
CHURCHES.
There are at present three churches in the township, ar follows: One Methodist Episcopal, one Lutheran, and one Methodist Protestant. Each of these churches has a flourishing Sabbath School attached, under the charge of an efficient and zealous superintendent.
FREYBURG VILLAGE.
This beautiful village is situated in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 15, and occupies the site of a former Indian village. Joseph Flick and G. Seiter laid out the town in 1848, and immediately a church was commenced, eighty by forty- three feet, which was completed in 1850. In 1877 a fine parochial school building was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. St.
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
. John's Catholic Church has a membership of one hundred and five families. The parochial school has an enrollment of sixty- five at the present time.
Freyburg has not yet arisen above the dignity of a hamlet. The business of the village is entirely of a local character, being confined to the trade of the immediate neighborhood. Its location is in the midst of a rich agricultural district, but remote from railroads.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN LENOX, one of the early pioneer of Pusheta township, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 18, 1809. When. he was two years old his father moved to Shelby county, Ohio, and settled near Sidney. The family suffered all the privations and dangers peculiar to that turbulent time. Six thousand In- dians were encamped around the Indian agency at Piqua from 1812 to 1814. It was not until after the battle of the Thames that any pioneer north of Dayton could consider himself safe from marauding Indians.
February 14, 1833, Mr. Lenox, having accumulated one hundred dollars, attended the public land sale at Wapakoneta. Having made a memorandum of a number of desirable tracts of land, he bid on each one in succession, as it was presented by Van Horn, the auctioneer, and was over-bid in each instance, until the last tract on his list was reached. He bid one hundred dollars for the east half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-three. and was again over-bid; at that moment his father-in-law, Eben- ezer Stevens, tapped him on the shoulder and told him to bid higher, that he would be responsible for the additional cost. After a few more bids Mr. Lenox was declared the purchaser. It would be difficult to convince any person of the present day that the purchase was not the best one that he could have made. He afterward became the owner of two hundred acres of land. Immediately after the purchase of his land he moved into an Indian cabin, that was so small that it became necessary when he had company to move the chairs and table out of the building to. make room for „beds on the floor.
Mr. Lenox was three times married. His first wife, Miss Hettie Stevens, was a daughter of Ebenezer Stevens, of Shelby county ; of this marriage ten children were born. Two years 48 HAC
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
after her death he married Miss Jane Bailey, who died in 1847. For his third wife he married Miss Catherine Noble, a sister of Henry Noble, one of the pioneers of Noble township of this county. No children were born of the second and third mar- riages.
Mr. Lenox was a man of influence in his township during his time, and could always be depended upon as a promoter of meas- ures for the public welfare. He was always a staunch supporter of public schools, and a liberal contributor to the support of the ministry, and the erection of churches. He lived to see a beauti- ful and productive country develop from the dense forest into which he had moved, and in his old age was permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
He died February 14, 1891.
LAWRENCE SAMMETINGER was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 5, 1815, and received a liberal education in the schools of his native country. In 1835 he came to America with his father's family and purchased a farm in Pusheta township, on which he resided during the remainder of his life. In 1863 he was elected county commissioner, which office he held during the ensuing nine years. In 1863 he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served twelve years. In 1861 he was elected township clerk, in which office he served five years. In 1864 he was elected township treasurer, in which capacity he served twelve years.
He was married December 23, 1839, to Miss Rosanna Schurr. Of this marriage ten children were born, as follows: Barbara M., Christian R., Mary R., Catharine E., John, George M., William L., John W., Christian F., and Lawrence C., six of whom are still living.
Mr. Sammetinger held a commanding influence in his com- munity until his death, which occurred April 6, 1892.
ADAM INGELHAUPT, one of the pioneers of Pusheta town- ship, was born July 25, 1818, in Echhardt, Germany, and emi- grated to this country in 1836. After the purchase of his farm in Pusheta township he spent four years as a laborer in the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal. The money accumu- lated during his four years of labor was expended in the erection
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
of a house and the development of his farm. August 6, 1844: he married Miss Maria Kleinhens, who was born in Schwarzen- fels, Germany, and came with her parents to this country in 1843. Ten children were born of this union, only one of whom is living, Minnie E., wife of Mr. George H. Stroh, at the present time a resident of Wapakoneta.
After erecting his cabin, he followed shoemaking for a time. Like the other pioneers of the time, he had a hard struggle to. get a start in life, but by hard labor he succeeded in clearing the forest away, and in acquiring a comfortable competence for old age. His cabin was located near the Hardin road, the only public highway at that time in the township. He assisted in erecting the first school house in the township. It was a round log building, of the usual style of that time, having a large fire- place at one end of the building. Slab seats, and boards resting on pins set in the wall served for writing desks. This school house was the only one in that section of the township for many years.
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