USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 69
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"Soon after the purchase Stallo caused said land to be laid off, platted, and divided into one hundred and forty-four lots, and each share subdivided into ten parts or lots, and estimated and calculated the price of each share at $8.50. On April 14,
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
1833, the company met at Cincinnati, Ohio, and proceeded to draw lots in accordance with these conditions. The lots were all drawn at that time."
"In the summer of the same year Stallo died intestate, with- out having executed deeds to the several purchasers, as required. For the purpose of securing title to purchasers, a bill in chan- cery was filed in the Common Pleas Court of Mercer county, then sitting at St. Marys, entitled -
JOHN ZIMMER, B. J. FELDMAN, JOHN H. PELSTER, JOS. SURMAN et al, VS. JNO. M. STALLO, LEWIS STALLO, MARY ANN STALLO, THEODORE STALLO, and THERESA STALLO.
In Chancery.
"The defendants, the legal heirs of said Stallo being infants, appeared by their guardian ad litem, when it was ordered by the court that the defendants as they became of age should severally convey to said owners or original purchasers their respective lots of shares, and in their failure to do so within six months after attaining their majority, this decree was to operate as a convey- ance."
By an Act of the Legislature of 1837, the widths of streets shown on the original plat were changed to some extent. In 1837, the town was resurveyed and platted by Justin Hamilton, a competent surveyor of Mercer county. According to that survey the section of land is divided by seven (7) streets from north to south, and eleven (II) from east to west. The streets ex- tending from north to south are each sixty-six (66) feet wide, except Main street which is seventy-two (72) feet in width. Of the streets east and west each one is fifty feet in width except First and Seventh streets, each being fifty-one feet in width, also, Fourth street, which is sixty-six feet wide. In after years the county commissioners added nine feet to the width of First and Seventh making the roads sixty feet wide. The lots are num- bered from south to north and north to south on Main street, be- ginning with number one at south end of Main street on west side and numbered consecutively to seventy-two (72) at north end of same street; then commencing at seventy-three (73) on
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
east side of same street number consecutively to south end of said street to one hundred and fourty-four (144), each having a front of sixty-eight feet and nine inches, and a depth of four hundred and fifty-five and one-sixth feet, extending to the next ·street.
The town was founded by Germans, and still preserves its nationality. It assumed considerable business importance after the construction of the Miami and Erie canal. The race con- necting the northern extremity of the Loramie Reservoir with the canal in Minster was dug in the years 1847-8-9. Francis Sprehe built a frame grist mill near where the race crosses Frankfort street, which did a profitable business for many years. Thus the community flourished until 1849, when the cholera appeared, making such ravages that four hundred settlers of the town and township died of the dread disease. The people died so rapidly that immediate burial could not be given them. The- odore Dickman, then a lad of fourteen years, remembers counting twenty-six coffins sitting around in the hazel bushes in the ceme- tery south of the town, awaiting interment. Joseph Bussing from three miles west of Minster and a number of assistants, came once a week and buried the accumulation of caskets. They buried them in deep trenches four tiers deep. The epidemic con- tinued three years, but was not so malignant the last two years. A remarkable feature of the epidemic was that its prevalence was confined to the village and township east of the canal. No case was reported west of that waterway. All forms of business were crippled by the great calamity. Several years elapsed before the town resumed anything of its former enterprise and social con- ditions. There was a slow but steady growth in the volume of business and public improvements of the town until 1877, when the Lake Erie and Western R. R. was extended from St. Mary's to Minster.
ROADS.
At the time of the erection of the township in 1858, the old army road from Piqua to St. Marys was the prinicpal one, the others being called "hoop pole roads." The construction of roads and the building of bridges were slow of progress, until 1880. Since that time nearly every public road in the township has been piked, and the rude wooden bridges of an earlier date have been replaced by substantial iron structures.
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SCHOOLS.
The first public school building in Jackson township was erected in Minster in 1834, and was situated at the corner of Adams and Zweibruken streets. It served as a township and vil- lage school building until 1853, when a four room brick building was erected on Zweibruken street between Adams and Fifth streets. After the establishment of the church and convent at Egypt a school house was built in that locality in 1860.
The two story brick building erected in Minster in 1853, con- tinued in use until 1877, when an elegant brick edifice was erected at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars. The building was heated by the Smead heating apparatus, and was provided with all the modern appliances used in the best schools. This build- ing took fire from a defective flue and was burned in the spring of 1905. Preparations are now in progress for the reconstruction of the building. Since the fire the parochial school houses have been used for public school purposes.
The following from F. J. Boerger, Supt. of schools, is of interest in this connection: "It should be stated here that the schools of Minster, from the earliest times have been supported by public funds, and sisters as well as male teachers, have at all times submitted to county examination for license to teach. Dur- ing the sixties and seventies the following teachers were em- ployed at various times: Mr. Renfrow, Mr. Collet and Mr. Schiffer. All three gentlemen were organists of the church, as well as teachers. The last named, especially, was quite a good singer and improvisor on the organ.
In 1880, Mr. John Horst took charge of the schools, and for sixteen years held his position. It is generally conceded that no better teacher has ever taught in Minster. During the sixteen years of his supervision the following teachers taught the boys' grades : Aloys Roessner, J. H. Reitmeyer, Frank Hackman and B. Sherman. Of these assistant male teachers Mr. Sherman taught ten years.
After the erection of the Union school building in 1894. a course of study was adopted, and the department graded in con- formity to it. Since the re-organization of the departments, the following sisters have had charge of the grades: Sister M. An- geline, A Grammar; Sister M. Rosamunda, B Grammar; Sister
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
M. Alma, Intermediate; Sister M. Olga, Primary A; Sister M. Dulla, Primary B; and Sister M. Lioba, Primary C."
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, MINSTER, OHIO.
A mission church was established in Stallotown in 1833, by Prof. Horstman, of Glandorf, Germany. He was a man of learning, and a physician as well as a priest. He came to America in 1831, and made Glandorf, in Putnam county, Ohio, the center of his missionary field. The services of the mission church were held in the house of Mr. Voltke, on Main street for a time. Soon after the organization of the mission, a log church, forty by sixty feet and sixteen logs in height, was built, which served for church purposes until 1850. This log building stood near the corner of Zweibrucken and Adams streets.
Father Horstman made monthly visits to Stallotown from 1833 to 1835. From 1835 to 1845 the following named pastors appear upon the records: Father Joseph Brand, Rev. H. D. Junker, Father Bartels, Rev. Henry Herzog, and Rev. Navarron.
In 1836 the name Stallotown was changed to Minster, and the congregation was thereafter known as St. Augustine's.
In 1845 the Fathers of the Order of the Most Precious Blood took charge of St. Augustine's congregation, and so well have they administered their duties that they have been retained up to. the present time. Father Salesius Brunner, the first Provincial, was the first Priest of the Order to take charge of the parish. He was succeeded by Father John Vandenbroeck, under whose supervision the present church edifice (not including the two towers) was built. The entrance was situated at the east end, at the alley. This was done, because the greater portion of the town lay east of the church. The building was one hundred and twenty feet in length by sixty in width, and was built at an ex- pense of fifteen thousand dollars. The following names appear on record from 1845 to 1852, either as priests in charge, or as assistants : The Fathers Kreusch, Gals, Ruf, Wilhelmy, Dambach, Ringele, Bildstein, Henneberg, Falk, Capeder and Steifvater. From 1852 until 1885 Father Andrew Kunkler was pastor of the congregation. Under his supervision St. Theresa's school building was erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. This building was used for school purposes until 1896. He, also, supervised
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the remodeling of the church, which consisted in the removal of the tower at the entrance on the east, and the erection of the two towers at the west end, each being one hundred and ninety feet high. By building these towers an additional twenty feet was added to the length of the church. The interior was frescoed, new stained glass windows were put in, and beautiful stations were placed along the walls. The cost of these improvements amounted to more than twenty thousand dollars, which amount was partly paid off by subscription.
The following represents the succession of pastors of St. Augustine's congregation since Father Kunkler's resignation : Rev. Christian Nigsch, 1885 to 1890; Rev. Albert Vogg, 1890- 1897, and Father Aloys Malin, pastor now in charge.
FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF MINSTER.
The Minster Banking Association, established in 1888, has deposits to the amount of $179,260.00. George Van Oss, cashier ; and Frank Schmuecher, is assistant cashier. Directors of the Association : Antone Frederich, Frank Schmuecher, Sr., Henry Holiet, and C. F. Herkenoff.
The Minster Building and Loan Association has mortgages on real estate to the amount of $186,012.00.
The following is an epitome of the industries of the town:
Grothjen Brothers, fruit store; capital stock, $1,500.
Kramer & Haverbeck, hardware, $1,500.
Henry Kuhlman, millinery and shoe store; capital stock, $6.000.
Frank Schmuecher, merchant tailor; capital stock, $6,000.
Boston Dry Goods Store; capital stock, $8,000.
T. Kemper, hardware store; capital stock, $5,000.
Mrs. Huhninghake's grocery store; capital stock, $2,000.
J. B. Kramer, dry goods and groceries; capital stock, $10,000.
Mrs. E. Kramer, book-store and groceries; capital stock, $2,000.
Wm. Nienberg, dry goods and groceries; capital stock, $6,000.
Frank Fischer, cheap store; capital stock, $4,000. John Horst, dry goods; capital stock, $8,000. Aug. Schunk, jeweler; capital stock, $1,000. Anton Meyer, grocery ; capital stock, $1,500.
Minster Cooperage Co .; annual sales, $40,000. Minster Machine Co .; capital stock, $40,000.
The Star Brewing Co .; capital stock, $100,000.
J. B. Steineman, general store, lumber yard and elevator; capital stock, $75,000.
53 HA C
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
Jno. Werusing, dry goods, groceries and lumber ; capital stock, $50,000. John Laufersweiler, hardware store; capital stock, $15,000. Ruhlman Drug Company; capital stock, $40,000.
B. Bornhorst, shoe store; capital stock, $8,000. Aug. Luckman, shoe store; capital stock, $8,000. J. B. Meyer, saloon and grocery ; capital stock, $8,000. Minster Creamery; annual output, $80,000.
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS OF MINSTER.
MAYOR.
CLERK.
TREASURER.
1839
Jno. M. Drees
I. H. Gosmann.
1840
Jno. M. Drees
Francis Sprehe
1841
C. H. Dickman.
H. H. Surmann.
1842
H. Zumbrink
Francis Sprehe
1843
Francis Sprehe
Henry Busch
1844
I. H. Gossman
H. Busch
1845
I. H. Gossman
H. H. Busch
1846
Francis Sprehe
H. H. Busch.
1847
Francis Sprehe
H. H. Busch.
1848
Francis Sprehe
H. H. Busch.
1849
H. H. Busch.
Jno. Schemmel
1850
H. H. Busch.
Clemens Stueve
1851
H. H. Busch.
Jos. Kokenge .
J. P. Schmieder.
B. H. Nienberg
J. P. Schmieder.
B. H. Nienberg
J. P. Schmieder
Clemens Stueve
J. P. Schmieder
Jno. M. Drees.
B. A. Wendeln.
Jno. M. Drees.
Jno. M. Drees.
F. Sprehe. H. Sprehe.
1860 1861 1862
Henry Heil
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
T. H. Hut.
Henry Meyer
1863
T. H. Hut.
Henry Meyer
1864 1865 1866
H. Knostman
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
1867
J. P. Schmieder.
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
1868
J. P. Schmieder. .
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
J. M. Drees
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
1869 1870 1871
J. P. Schmieder
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
Jos. Kokenge.
J. P. Schmieder.
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
Jos. Kokenge.
1872 J. P. Schmieder.
Jno. Laufersweiler ... Jno. Laufersweiler.
Jos. Kokenge.
1873 1874 1875
C. Depwig
Jno. Laufersweiler.
Bernard Meyer.
C. Depwig
Jno. Laufersweiler. .. Jno. Laufersweiler.
Bernard Meyer.
1876 1877 1878
J. P. Schmieder. .. . .
J. V. Schiffer.
Bernard Meyer.
1879
1880
N. J. Koch.
Bernard Meyer.
1881
No record this year J. P. Schmieder .. . J. P. Schmieder. .
N. J. Koch
Bernard Meyer.
..
Jno. Willoh. Clemens Stueve. Wm. Belgemot.
1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859
J. P. Schmieder.
Jos. Kokenge
F. Sprehe.
J. P. Schmieder
Jos. Kokenge
Jno. Eiting.
H. Deikman Henry Deikman
H. Elbert
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
Fritz Kramer
Jos. Kokenge
Henry Meyer
Jos. Kokenge.
J. P. Schmieder.
C. P. Depwig.
Jno. Laufersweiler.
Bernard Meyer.
C. P. Depwig.
Bernard Meyer.
J. P. Schmieder.
Jos. Kokenge
H. Knostman
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
· 835
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS OF MINSTER.
MAYOR.
CLERK.
TREASURER.
1882
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
N. J. Koch. .
H. C. Drees.
.
1883
Jno. Laufersweiler ..
N. J. Koch
H. C. Drees.
1884
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
N. J. Koch.
H. C. Drees.
1885 Jno. Laufersweiler. ..
N. J. Koch H. C. Drees.
1886
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
N. J. Koch
H. C. Drees.
1887
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
N. J. Koch.
H. C. Drees.
1888
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
J. B. Pienning .
H. C. Drees.
1889
Jno. Laufersweiler. .
J. B. Pienning.
H. C. Drees.
1890
Henry Busse
H. C. Dickman, Jr. . .
J. Laufersweiler.
1891
Henry Busse
H. C. Dickman, Jr. . .
J. Laufersweiler.
1892
T. Vanden Brock.
F. A. Depwig
J. Laufersweiler.
1894
T. Vanden Brock. ..
Louis Drees
B. Lange.
1895
T. Vanden Brock ..
Louis Drees
B. Lange.
1896
Jos. E. Schmieder.
Louis Drees
B. Lange.
1897
Jos. E. Schmieder.
Louis Drees
B. Lange.
1898
Jos. E. Schmieder.
Aug. Schunk
F. Schmuecker, Jr.
1899
Jos. E. Schmieder. ..
Aug. Schunk
F. Schmuecker, Jr.
1900
Louis Drees
Aug. Schunk
J. B. Meyer.
1901
Louis Drees
Aug. Schunk
J. B. Meyer.
1902
Louis Drees
M. A. Anthony. ..
J. B. Meyer.
1903
Louis Drees
M. A. Anthony .
J. B. Meyer.
1904
Louis Drees
M. A. Anthony ..
J. B. Meyer.
Councilmen.
1845. B. H. Adelmeier, J. M. Drees, John Schemmel, F. Sprehe, B. A. Kaper.
1846. B. H. Adelmeier, Jos. Westbrock, A. Berting, J. H. Voecke, Antone Wendel.
1847. John B. Friederich, B. N. Nienberg, A. Haverbeck, H. Halvelage, A. Willoh.
1848. H. Halvelage, H. Tangemann, H. Willoh, H. H. Stueve, J. J. Luckman.
1849. B. Wiggerman, B. Willoh, C. Berting, H. Halvelage.
1855. J. B. Friedricks, H. Venastman, G. Mermann, J. Frilling, B. Willoh.
1851. A. Meyer, C. Gospohl, B. H. Nienberg, H. Horstman, H. H. Panschor.
1852. H. Tangemann, A. B. Friederichs, Wm. Balgemont, B. Willoh, F. Lange.
1853. Jno. Friedericks, H. Tangemann, B. Willoh, J. M. Drees, J. Luckman.
1854. H. Goeke, H. Schneider, J. G. Luckman, H. Tangemann, J. B. Friedricks.
1855. J. B. Friedricks, H. Venastman, G. Mermann, J. Frilling, B. Wliloh. 1856. H. Tangemann, F. Sprehe, B. H. Nienberg, H. Grishap, G. Meryman.
1893
T. Vanden Brock. . .
F. A. Depwig
J. Laufersweiler.
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
1857. H. Tangemann, H. Grieshop, G. Mersmon, B. H. Nienberg, Carl Berting.
1858. B. Brandenweir, Geo. Welde, J. Freling, H. Moyer, Ferd. Gast.
1859. F. Voegt, F. H. Mainever, A. Moyer, H. Schneider, J. B. Moyer.
1860. B. H. Adelmeyer, H. Pieling, H. Bensman, B. Meyer, G. Welde.
1861. George Gude, B. Brandewie, Bernard Mese, H. Tangemann, H. Fortman.
1862. H. Knostman, B. H. Nienberg, B. Brandewie, J. Frilling, F. Vogt.
1863. B. Nienberg, F. Vogt, B. Mese, H. Tangemann, B. Wuzhman.
1864. J. M. Drees, B. H. Ashelmeier, Henry Krampe, J. Eiting, Francis Sprehe.
1865. B. Kruse, G. H. Mesman, H. Bennman, H. Schneider, Geo. Water- kater.
1866. H. Bensman, H. Frirott, B. H. Ordelmeyer, H. Herkenoff, Charles Berling.
1867. F. Vogt, B. Meyer, Clemens Stueve, F. Sprehe, H. Tangemann.
1868. Jno. Beising, J. Vonderhorst, F. Vogt, H. Mesman, H. Bensman.
1869. G. Merrman. J. Reising, F. Vogt, Clemens Stueve, Bernard Meyer.
1870. C. Stueve, B. Meyer, F. J. Frilling, H. Schneider, Wm. Westbrook. 1871. Bernard Brandewier, Charles Berting, J. B. Kramer.
1872. C. H. Depwig, C. Drees, H. Feldman.
1873. Frank Herkenoff, John H. Meirs, J. B. Kramer.
1874. H. C. Drees, Jos. Hunighacke, H. Faldman.
1875.
J. P. Schmieder, Clemens Stueve, Fritz Berting.
1876.
Herman Herkenoff, Geo. Van Oss, H. C. Drees.
1877. J. H. Steinemann, Wm. Neinberg, B. Tangemann.
1878.
George Van Oss, H. Herkenoff, H. Frierath.
1879. No record for this year.
C. Drces, J. Laufersweiler, H. Feldman.
1880.
John Reising, Frank Piening, M. Drees.
1881. 1882. 1883. Henry Busse, M. Drees.
1884. C. A. Schneider, John Feldman, J. B. Meyer.
1885.
Frank Herkenoff, Peter Numeyer, Jacob Vanderhorst.
1886. Henry Dickman Sr., J. H. Busse, John Reising.
Rudolph Odilgeis, Henry Indemeden, J. B. Trangemann.
1887. 1888. J. B. Trangemann, Jno. Vonderhorst, Jos. Beckmann.
1889. B. Heckman, B. Frierath, Anton Haverbeck.
1890. B. Melchert, Louis Mayer, B. Bornhorst.
1891. Wm. Nienberg, Anton Haverbeck, B. Heckman.
1892. Wm. Nienberg, Anton Haverbeck, B. Heckman.
1893. Anton Haverbeck, B. Heckman, Wm. Nienberg.
1894. George Weichert, J. H. Wilkins, Ferd. Wieman.
1895. Bernard Dorsten, Anton Herkenoff, Henry Horstman.
1896. Wm. Nienberg, George Van Oss, Jos. Weichert.
1897. R. A. Ruhlman, G. Schneider, N. Ley.
1898. J. B. Dickman, Louis Meyer, H. Bensman.
A. W. Gerwels, Theo. Van Oss, H. Frieroth.
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AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
1899. Henry Kuhlman, Fred. Kramer, Jos. Beckman.
1900. Louis Meyer, Chas. Bornhorst, Jno. Pienning.
1901. C. H. Dickman, Jos. Beckman, Jno. Thieman.
1902. C. Bornhorst, Ed. Steineman, Jno. Horst.
1903. B. J. Ratterman, Ed. Steineman, B. Bornhorst.
1904. Wm. Bensman, Wm. Elshernd, Charles Herkenoff.
Justices of the Peace.
J. H. Steineman. 1859 to 1877.
Dr. J. P. Schmieder
1868 to 1886.
Henry Wilmers
1877 to 1881.
George Van Oss
1881 to 1884.
F. Menkhaus 1884 to 1889.
Casper Luthman 1889 to 1899.
Henry Busse
1890 to 1893.
Jos. E. Schmieder 1893 to 1904.
Louis Drees
1897 to 1904.
Township Clerks.
H. Knostman 1859 to 1862.
Barnard Lange
.1862 to 1863.
C. H. Dickman .1863 to 1865.
Bernard Lange
1865 to 1866.
Bernard Kramer
1866 to 1867.
Jno. B. Kramer
1867 to 1868.
Bernard Steineman
1868 to 1870.
Theodore B. Steineman.
1870 to 1872.
John Laufersweiler
1872 to 1873.
J. B. Kramer
1873 to 1875.
Wm. Nienberg
1875 to 1878.
George Van Oss.
1878 to 1881.
Matthias Goeke
1881 to 1882.
N. J. Koch.
1882 to 1886.
J. H. Wilkins.
1886 to 1888.
J. B. Pienning
1888 to 1890.
Fred Kramer
1890 to 1894.
B. H. Thieman
1894 to 1898.
Charles Laufersweiler 1898 to 1902.
Joseph H. Laufersweiler.
1902 to 1904.
Township Treasurers.
J. M. Drees 1859 to 1860.
B. H. Nienberg. 1860 to 1861.
Henry Schneider 1861 to 1866.
Henry Dieckman
1866 to 1869.
Henry Luckman 1869 to 1872.
J. H Meyers 1872 to 1873.
838
HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
Herman Mersmann 1873 to 1881.
Martin Jacob .1881 to 1884.
F. Bay 1884 to 1886.
A. W. Gerwals.
1886 to 1888.
Michael Jacob Jr
1888 to 1889.
B. Bornhorst
1889 to 1897.
Wm. Nienberg
1897 to 1903.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN MICHAEL DREES was born in 1812, in Garrel, a village in the dukedom of Oldenburg, North Germany. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty years of age, when he, in company with several young men left Garrel to secure homes for themselves and friends in the New World, as America was called at that time. They crossed the ocean on a sail ship, landing at Baltimore. From that point they traveled on foot over the mountains to Pittsburg. At that point young Drees obtained employment as a blacksmith for a year. During his leisure time he took lessons in the English language at a popular evening school in Pittsburg. By the end of the year he acquired a suf- ficient amount of the language to enable him to transact business in the vernacular of the country.
In 1833, his parents, brothers and sisters emigrated to Amer- ica, crossing the ocean on a slow sailing vessel, and landing at Baltimore. From that port they made their way to Pittsburg, the men traveling on foot, and the women, children, trunks and boxes containing the family goods on a big mountain wagon. From Pittsburg the family took passage on a steamboat for Cincinnati. From Cincinnati the family and goods were transported through the wilderness to Stallo town. After providing a house in which to live, the father and son built a shop in which they, at once, en- gaged in the practice of their trade, that of blacksmithing, and for many years supplied the new commonwealth with pioneer tools, strong hoes, spades, axes, scythes, etc.
Mr. J. M. Drees, Jr., was a reputable public officer for many years, of the town, township and county, serving as mayor, clerk, and treasurer of the municipality, and also served two terms on the first board of commissioners of Auglaize county.
Mr. Drees was twice married; his first wife, Elizabeth Schemmel, was born in Germany and came to this country in 1835. Of this marriage nine children were born, of whom three are
839
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTY
living : Charles, H. C. Drees, and Barney. Of his second mar- riage there were born: Michael, John, Agnes, Frank, Caroline, Joseph, Louis and Anthon.
Mr. Drees died February 17th, 1878.
THEODORE DICKMAN. Few men in Auglaize county are more widely and favorably known than the subject of this sketch. His father was born in North Germany, near Bremen, and emigrated to America in 1832. After a lengthy voyage the family landed at Baltimore, from which port they traveled by canal to Cumber- land, and crossed the mountains in a wagon to Wheeling. From that point they descended the Ohio river to Cincinnati in 1832, where the family resided until 1836. In the latter part of that year they moved to Minster and purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the village on the south.
Theodore Dickman was born in Cincinnati, March 8th, 1835, and was eighteen months old when the family settled at Minster. Here our subject grew to manhood, and assisted his father in clear- ing a farm in the wilderness.
Mr. Dickman has a distinct recollection of the period of ac- tivity that prevailed between Loramie and St. Marys during the construction of the Miami and Erie canal. The work was per- formed by sub-contractors; each sub-contractor engaging to ex- cavate a certain distance, ranging from a mile to five miles. Boarding houses were erected at Minster and Loramie to accom- modate the large number of men engaged in digging the canal. It was the prevailing belief at that time that whiskey neutralized the effects of malaria. As a result of this hypothesis the sub- contractors were compelled to supply their hands with a certain amount of the stimulating beverage. The quantity varied from a jigger (two ounces) to sixteen jiggers per day, and the con- tractor who offered the greatest number of jiggers per day was able to secure the largest number of hands. The report was cur- rent at that time that the hands consumed forty-five barrels of whiskey to forty-two barrels of flour.
The hands employed on the canal in the vicinity of Minster were mostly German, and many of them made money enough in the four years that the canal was under construction to purchase farms for themselves.
The canal was completed in 1845, and nearly four years of
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HISTORY OF WESTERN OHIO
prosperity ensued in the village and township. In the summer of 1849, the town and township were visited by that dread scourge, the cholera. Within the two years following four hun- dred citizens of the township died. Theodore Dickman, then fourteen years of age, in the employ of a cabinet workman in Minster, was engaged during the prevalence of the epidemic in the manufacture of coffins. The pressing demand for boxes was so great that the exercise of the niceties of workmanship was im- possible. The boards were planed on one side, and as fast as the boxes were made, were painted with a solution of lamp-black in whiskey, and rubbed down with a meat rind.
When the Civil War broke out Mr. Dickman joined the army as first lieutenant of company C, 58th O. V. I., and was honorably discharged, December 8th, 1862. He has held the office of trustee of Duchouquet township for six years, sheriff of Auglaize county for two terms, also served as county treasurer for two terms. He was married April 23, 1857, to Miss Mary Weinmar of Min- ster. Of this marriage six children were born: Joseph Theodore, Major in the Regular Army, and member of the General Staff. He served in the Spanish-American War; in the Phillipine war, and served on General Chaffee's staff in his campaign in China. · John B. Dickman, the second son, is, at the present time, occu- pying a position in the Government printing office at Washington ; Mary A. is the wife of C. A. Stueve, Probate Judge of Auglaize county ; Anna Barbara is the wife of John Gunther, a resident of Wapakoneta ; Miss Lulu (unmarried) is a skilled ceramic artist whose studio is located on Park street, Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Catherine is the wife of Charles Freck, a resident of Wapakoneta, and formerly Recorder of Auglaize county for two terms.
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