USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 70
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Mr. Dickman and his estimable wife are, at the present time, living in their commodious residence on Blackhoof street, en- joying the fruits of a well spent life.
COLSTON L. DINE, M. D. was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on the IIth of February, 1858. His parents, William and Mar- garet (Kennedy) Dine, were natives of the Keystone State, where they remained until about 1850. From there they moved to Seneca county, Ohio, and there the father followed his trade, shoemaking, until about 1863, when he moved to Mercer county,
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locating in Montezuma. Five years later he sold out and removed to Neptune, where he and his estimable wife reside at the present time. Five of the thirteen children born to them are now living, and Dr. C. L. is eighth in order of birth.
The early boyhood of Dr. Dine was spent in a district school of Seneca county, which knowledge was supplemented by two terms in the High School at Celina and in a private school. At the early age of seventeen, he began wielding the ferrule and taught during the winter seasons for nine years. While teaching, he also attended school between terms, and during the year 1882, and while teaching, he began the study of medicine, his course of study covering about four years. In March, 1886, he was gradu- ated from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, with high honors, and received a gold medal for the best examination on diseases of the eye. He also received a fine case of surgical instru- ments, a prize offered to the person presenting the best paper on final examination. He received this case out of a class of sev- enty-eight students. He located at Minster, Ohio, on the Ist of April, 1886.
Dr. Dine has been twice married. On the 3d of February, . 1881, he married Miss Elizabeth Harner, who was born in Cen- ter township, Mercer county, Ohio, where her parents resided for many years. Her father, Michael Harner, was a soldier, and died in the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. The mother died when comparatively a young woman. Mrs. Dine received her final summons on the 7th day of February, 1889, and left the fol- lowing children: Lockie F., Portia F. and Mary I. On the 14th of January, 1890, the Dr. took for his second wife Miss Joseph- ene Herkenoff, a native of Minster, Ohio, and two children have blessed this union: Frank W., born June 7th, 1891, and Mar- garet E., June 16th, 1892.
Dr. Dine is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the Shelby County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society. He and Mrs. Dine are worthy mem- bers of the Catholic Church. They have a fine residence, one of the best in Minster, and are honorable and useful members of society.
FRANK HERKENHOFF, the subject of this sketch, was born in Hanover, Germany, and in his youth learned the trade of a
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baker, which he followed after reaching man's estate. In 1832, he decided to emigrate to America, and with his family crossed the ocean during that year. He settled in this section in Au- glaize county, and intended to follow his trade here, but died before his business was started. The mother afterward mar- ried again, and died in 1892, when eighty years of age. By the first union she became the mother of two children, both sons, our subject being the only one now living. Six children were born to the second union, three of whom are now living.
The educational advantages of Mr. Herkenhoff were lim- ited to a few months in the common schools each year, and when eighteen years of age he began learning the trade of a cooper in Minster. After continuing this one year, he went to Cincin- nati, worked there for six months, and then returned to Minster, where he clerked for two years. Subsequently, he spent a short time at Tippecanoe City, and then again went to Cincinnati, where he remained until the spring of 1861. From there he came to Minster, where he managed a cooper shop for his stepfather until 1864, when he purchased the shop. In 1865, he bought machinery (having, previous to that time, made barrels by hand), and conducted an extensive business until the fall of 1890, when he sold out. About the same time, he pur- chased an interest in the Minster Star Brewing Company. He is now stockholder, director and president of the Citizens' Bank of Minster, and is one of the most substantial and wealthy men of the place, every enterprise he has ever undertaken having prospered under his superior management. He is also the owner of considerable town property, and has aided in various ways the progress of Minster. During the years he was in the cooperage business, he gave employment to many hands and had a steady contract to furnish Armour & Co., of Chicago, with barrels.
In the year 1864, Mary Gausepohl, a native of Minster, Ohio, became the wife of Mr. Herkenhoff. Her parents were orig- inally from Germany and were among the early settlers of Au- glaize county, but are now deceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herkenhoff, namely: Charles, now in the grocery business in Minster and a wide-awake young busi- ness man; Josephene, wife of Dr. C. L. Dine; Carrie, wife of
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Fred Kramer, a hardware merchant of Minster; Frances, Alice and Anna (deceased) Tony and Dilla. The political affiliations of Mr. Herkenhoff are with the Democratic party, and, although he has never sought an office of any kind, he has been called upon to fill various positions of trust. He has served as Township Trustee for six years, was a member of the Council two terms, and did efficient work on the School Board for twelve years. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. They give a hearty, cheerful, helping hand to all religious, educational and benevolent efforts and enterprises in the community, and are classed among the prominent citizens.
RUDOLPH A. RULMANN, M. D., was born in Prussia, Janu- ary 19th, 1860. Although young in years, he has met with un- usual success in the profession he has chosen, and in the dual capacity of physician and druggist has gained a most enviable reputation. His father, Herman B. Rulmann, was also a native of Prussia, and there followed the trade of a miller. In 1865, he emigrated to America, locating first at Oldenburgh, later at Laurel, Indiana, and finally, in 1888, came to Minster, where he is now engaged in milling. His wife, the mother of our subject,. whose maiden name was Augusta Muellar, was born in Prussia, and died in Indiana in 1875. Afterward, the father married Miss Mary Hackman.
Dr. Rulmann is the elder of two children, his brother being at the present time a prescription clerk in a Cincinnati drug store. He was quite young when his parents came to America, his father crossing the ocean in 1865, and the family following in 1869. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, on the first of July of the latter year, and on the 4th reached Cincinnati, where the display and celebrations of that day made an indelible impression upon the mind of the lad. Before coming to America, he had at- tended school nearly four years in his own country, and after reaching the United States, he was a student in the Reading (Ohio) schools about one year, and later studied at Oldenburgh, Indiana. In the year 1874, he entered Francis College and there passed two years, after which, in the fall of 1876, he read medi- cine with Dr. Averdick, of Oldenburgh. In the autumn of the following year, he entered the Ohio Medical College, of Cincin- nati, took a graded course of four years, and was graduated on
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the 3d of March, 1881, with the degree of M. D. He had the ad- vantage of hospital practice during his collegiate studies, and took a special course in obstetrics and diseases of women and children.
On the 22d of April, 1881, Dr. Rulmann began practicing in. Minster and is now one of the foremost physicians of the county, where he has an excellent practice and is well established in busi- ness. In the year 1881, he married Miss Isabel Schmieder, a na- tive of Minster. Her father, Hon. J. P. Schmieder, was one of the earliest settlers and most prominent citizens of Minster, where he resided for many years. He was a physician of acknowledged ability, and his death, which occurred in 1887, while he was serv- ing his second term as State Senator, was widely mourned as a. public loss. Mrs. Rulmann died on the 19th of February, 1886 .. Two children were born to this union, Albert H. and John P. (deceased).
Dr. Rulmann's second marriage occurred in 1888, his wife being Miss Josephine Vogelsang, who was born in Minster, and whose parents, Fred and Elizabeth Vogelsang, were early settlers. of that place, where they reside at the present time. Two chil- ยท dren have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Rulmann, Clarence and Herbert. In political preference, our subject is a Democrat and a staunch advocate of the platform of that party. For the past four years he has been Health Officer of the town. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In 1881, he estab- lished a drug store in Minster (the only one in the village), and has occupied his present fine building since 1889. He is secre- tary and treasurer of the Rulmann Milling Company, of which his father is President, and he is one of the most enterprising and most thorough-going men of the place.
(From Portrait and Biographical Record.)
GEORGE VAN Oss, the subject of this sketch, was born in Holland, January Ist, 1844, and came to America in 1856. His father, Theodore Van Oss, was a brickmason by trade in his na- tive country and emigrated to the United States in the year mentioned, landing in New York City after a voyage of thirty- five days. From New York the family moved direct to Minster, Ohio. Here he resided for thirty-six years. For the first few years of his residence in the village his time was employed as a
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contractor and builder. About 1860, he was employed as an expert in the packing house of Stueve and Company.
Mr. Van Oss was a consistent member of the Catholic Church. He was also a member of the village Council at dif- ferent times, and was universally respected for his estimable qualities. He was the father of six children, all of whom are living.
Mr. Van Oss died December 10th, 1892, at the age of sev- enty-four years.
George Van Oss, the eldest of the above mentioned family, attended the common schools of Holland and after coming to Minster received a good practical education in that town, attend- ing evening school for three years to get his English education. When fifteen years of age, he began working with his father, learned the trade of bricklaying, and when twenty-one years of age entered into partnership with his father.' After this, the firm commenced contracting and building and continued in partner- ship until 1882, erecting .a great many churches, etc., when at that date our subject was elected County Commissioner of Au- glaize county. He devoted all his time to that position and filled it in such an able manner that he was elected for the second term and also filled two unexpired terms, making seven years and about seven months in all. Besides locating a great many roads and ditches, more than half the fine pikes in the county were con- structed during his administration. Many bridges were also con- structed, including two fine ones, spanning the St. Mary's river at St. Marys.
One week from the expiration of his term as County Com- missioner, on the first Monday in 1890, he became a partner in the Citizens' Bank at Minster, Ohio. He has since occupied the responsible position of cashier of the bank and is well fitted for his position. In the year 1865, he married Miss Bernadina Al- bers, a native of Minster, Ohio, whose parents died of cholera when she was but a child. Mrs. Van Oss passed quietly away in the spring of 1867, leaving one child, Theodore. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Van Oss was wedded to Miss Caroline Bergman, who was born in Minster, Ohio, and whose parents, natives of Germany, were early settlers in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Oss have been born ten children, as follows: Mary, Henry,
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John, George, Stephen A., Catherine, Rosie, Anthony, Amelia, and Julius. As a Democrat, Mr. Van Oss is well known through- out the county and stands high in the regard of his party. He has been a delegate to county, district and State conventions, and has been a member of the Minster council two terms. He was Clerk of the township two years and is at present a member of the School Board.
(From Portrait and Biographical Record.)
JOHN LAUFERSWEILER, hardware and general provision merchant, is one of the thorough-going, progressive men of Minster and has done much to promote the business interests of the town. That which has contributed largely to his success. has been the thoroughly reliable and methodical business prin- ciples which have governed his dealing in all transactions and established for him the popular favor which strict probity alone can secure, his motto being: "Honorable representation and fair treatment to all." What he has accumulated in the way of this. world's goods is the result of his own exertions, for he started at the bottom of the ladder. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 25th of April, 1844, and his parents, Peter and Anna M. (Friederick) Laufersweiler, were also natives of the old coun- try.
The father was a cabinet maker and carpenter by trade, and he remained in his native country until July, 1847, when he sailed with his family from Antwerp to New York, reaching the Land of the Free in about three weeks. They came via the Lakes to Toledo, Ohio, and thence by canal to Minster. Mr. Laufersweiler purchased about ten acres of land between Minster and New Bremen, and here he worked at his trade until quite aged. He died in 1880, when seventy-seven years of age, and the mother on the 10th of August, 1867, at the age of sixty years. Both were members of the Catholic Church. Seven of the twelve children born to them grew to maturity, and one, a daughter, died on the ocean.
The subject of this sketch was three years of age when he crossed the ocean to America, and his educational facilities in youth were rather limited. This he remedied in a measure by attending evening school after reaching the age of eighteen. He remained with his parents, assisting in cultivating the small
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farm, until grown, and was on the tow-path for six months, the canal passing within a few rods of their home. When about six- teen years of age, he drove the United States mail from New Bremen to Piqua for eight months, and when nineteen years of age he served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade for two and a half years in Minster. In 1866, he purchased an interest in the hardware business, managed this for about ten years, and in 1876 purchased his partner's interest and became sole pro- prietor. In 1880, he erected a large two-story brick block, in which he has since conducted business, and now carries a large and complete stock of hardware. He is highly popular and enjoys an extensive acquaintance and patronage within the city and surroundings. To his hardware stock he has added grocer- ies and provisions and buys country produce.
In the year 1867, our subject was wedded to Miss Agnes Sprehe, of Minster, Ohio, who died in 1882. Eight children were the fruit of this union: Josephene, Bemodine (deceased), Charles, Joseph, Frank (deceased), Cecelia, Katie, and Laurens (deceased). In 1885, Mr. Laufersweiler was married to. Miss Anna Schmuecker, of Covington, Kentucky, and three children have been born to them: Ida, Loretta and Olive. A Democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Laufersweiler has ever been prominent and influential in local politics. He has been a dele- gate to county and district conventions, has served as Clerk of the town for eight years, a member of the Council for two years, Mayor eight years and Treasurer for three years. Thus it may be seen that he is well informed on political and general topics and is a prominent political factor, not only in the town- ship, but in the county. He and Mrs. Laufersweiler are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.
Our subject is a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank and a Director in the same. He was appointed Notary Public in 1884, and was reappointed by Governor Campbell, in 1890. He owns stock in the Minster Cooperage Company, of which he has been president since its formation. He is also president of, and a stockholder in the Minster Manufacturing Company. In 1866, Mr. Laufersweiler engaged in business seven dollars worse off than nothing, for he was seven dollars in debt when he pur- chased a half-interest in the stock. He has met with unusually
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good luck and has always contributed his share towards the advancement and improvement of the town. He has been Sec- retary of the Building and Loan Association of this place for twenty years.
(From Portrait and Biographical Record.)
THEODORE B. STEINEMANN. In presenting to the readers . of this volume the biography of Mr. Steinemann, we are per- petuating the life work of one of Minster's most influential citi- zens and popular merchants. Excellent judgment and shrewd foresight have contributed to his success, and his extensive mer- cantile, grain, lumber and pork interests have brought to him the acquaintance of most of the people in this section of the state. Personally, he is held in the highest esteem as a man of sterling integrity, and is honored alike for his business and social stand- ing.
Before noting minutely the events which have given charac- ter to the life of our subject, it may not be amiss to narrate a few facts concerning his parentage. His father, John Henry Steinemann, was born in Holdorff, Oldenburg, Germany, Octo- ber 28th, 1808, and grew to manhood in his native land. In 1832, he emigrated to America, and after a short residence in Cin- cinnati, went South, where he sojourned about two years. In 1835, he married Miss Catherine G. Meyers, and one year later located three miles west of Minster (then known as Stallotown), at a time when no roads had been opened, blazed trees serving as guides through the forest. After occupying that place two or three years, he purchased other property near Minster, where he erected a residence, and spent his declining years. Soon after changing his residence, he was elected Justice of the Peace and held that office with little interruption until his death.
In 1837, John H. Steinemann embarked in the manufacture of brick, and later was engaged in other enterprises, such as merchandising, real estate, cooperage and grain dealing. His first enterprises were started on a small scale, but as his business increased, he enlarged his operations and became one of the fore- most men of the town. About 1850, he built a brick store and warehouse and continued to ship all kinds of produce. At the same time, he was engaged in the pork-packing business, which he carried on very successfully. Prosperity rewarded his efforts
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and he became the owner of a vast amount of property. His family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: John H., Theodore B., Frank J., Charles and Mary. Mrs. Steinemann died on the 23d day of May, 1872, and Mr. Steinemann followed her to the grave on the 15th day of Janu- ary, 1877. They were well respected in the community in which they lived and were among the most worthy pioneers.
Theodore B. Steinemann was born in Jackson township, Auglaize county, January 1, 1839. He attended the district school until about twelve years of age, and then began assisting his father in business. In the fall of 1860, he entered St. Marys College at Cincinnati, remaining there about two years, and then returning home, engaged in business with his father until the latter's death. In the division of the estate, he became his father's successor in the extensive mercantile, grain and pork business, which has been conducted so very sucessfully for many years. In 1883, Mr. Steinemann and his brother Charles purchased the Minster Brewery, which they operated in part- nership for about eight years, and in which they were very suc- cessful. During that time, the brewery was destroyed by fire, but the present large brick establishment was rebuilt soon after. In 1890, they sold out to the Star Brewing Company, and since that time our subject has given his entire attention to his merch- andizing, grain, lumber and pork business. He has a very ex- tensive and complicated business, is a man of excellent business qualifications and good habits, and a citizen who has the highest regard of all who know him. The Steinemann family occupies a leading position in Minster society and its members are intelli- gent and cultured people. Mr. Steinemann buys anything a farmer has to sell and is prepared to sell him anything he wishes to buy.
In the year 1863, Mr. Steinemann was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wuendeln, a native of Minster, Ohio. Of this union nine children were born, as follows: John, Edward, Rosy, Louis, Millie, George, Elenora, Luetta and Secilla. A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Steinemann has never sought office, preferring instead to attend strictly to business. However, he held the office of Township Clerk for four years and Notary Public six years. He and his wife are both members of the
*54 HA C
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Catholic Church. Our subject is one of the most substantial men of the county and is the owner of extensive tracts of real estate, he and his brother, John H., owning in partnership eight hundred acres of land, besides valuable property in Piqua and elsewhere.
(From Portrait and Biographical Record.)
DR. JOHN J. SCHMIEDER was born in Rust, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, June 26th, 1820, and entered upon the study of medicine, when but eleven years of age, at Freyburg Uni- versity; from which institution he graduated and emigrated to America in 1846, and settled in Minster. He was an accom- plished and well educated gentleman and had many friends in northwestern Ohio. Settling at Minster before the organization of the county, he became one of the leading men in that section. He served as Mayor of Minster for twenty years, and justice of the peace of the township for eighteen years. In 1885, he was elected Senator of the General Assembly, in which office he served until the date of his death, which occurred January 2, 1887.
Dr Schmieder was a sterling Democrat and a representative German citizen of northwestern Ohio. He was an active Demo- crat but not a bitter or uncompromising partisan, and stood well with his fellow legislators among whom the announcement of his death caused a profound sorrow. Until within a few years he had been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and had accu- mulated much property. He was considered one of the wealthiest men in the county. His death was a personal loss to many men he had befriended, and to the citizens of the town for which he had devoted the years of his activity, and in which he lived to a fair old age. He was an apparently hearty and robust man who seemed the picture of good health, and always greeted his friends with cheerfulness and a hearty shake of the hand. He will long be remembered for his amiability and worth as a man and a citizen, while his public services were long and creditable. He was three times married, and the father of quite a number of children who will mourn their loss.
(From Auglaize Co. Democrat of January 6th, 1887.)
CLEMENS STUEVE, the son of Herman H. Stueve and Cath- arine M. Stueve (nee Friedrichs), was born in Oythe, the Grand-
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duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, September 30th, 1826. Statistics show that the man who toils lives longer than the man of leisure. The years of the life of Clemens Stueve were years of active labor. Throughout the greater portion of them he was blessed with the requisite health and strength to encounter the tasks required of him.
When Clemens was eight years old his father decided to emigrate to the United States; and, accordingly, left the old
CLEMENS STUEVE AND WIFE.
home and journeyed to Bremen, where, on the 16th of June, 1834, the family took passage on a sailing vessel, leaving Bremerhaven on the 24th of the month, and for nearly three months, sailed about on the wide ocean, arriving at Baltimore, September 10th, 1834. After a short rest, they took their departure, traveling overland to Wheeling, which point was reached on the 26th of the month. The family immediately took passage on a steamboat for Cincinnati, arriving at that point, October 8th, 1834. At Cincinnati, a teamster, equipped with a Pennsylvania emigrant wagon was employed to transport the family and goods to Stallo
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town, now the village of Minster. The journey from Cincinnati was exceedingly tiresome after their long voyage by sea and by river. Judge Stueve remembers the inquiry made by his mother at different times, "how far is it yet?" and that the last time the question was asked, the teamster answered "we are now in the midst of Stallo town." A few huts scattered about in the dense forest constituted all there was of the village.
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