USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 13
USA > Ohio > Logan County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 13
USA > Ohio > Shelby County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 13
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The lady who on August 26, 1861, became the wife of Mr. Young was formerly Mrs. Loretta A. Williams. a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. Her father, Michael Rairdon, was a soldier in the War of 1812. and a Major in the State militia after the close of the war. Of this union seven children were born. six now living, as follows: F. B. K. mar- ried Minnie Fogt, and they have one child: Eliza, Mrs. George Waitman, has one child; John W .. Eddie W., George W. and Willie Mek. are at home
with their father. Mrs. Loretta A. Young passed from earth May 27, 1888, monrned by a large eir- cle of friends. A son of Mr. Young by his first marriage, James C., served in the Civil War, and died at Bowling Green, Ky., November 27, 1862.
In religious convictions, Mr. Young is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Steward, Trustee, Class-leader and local minister. Politically, he was a Republican until recently, but is now a Prohibitionist. His work on the .Township Board of Education has been pro- ductive of good, and he has also served efficiently as Road Supervisor. He has been from his youth a man of great industry and enterprise, and cleared two hundred acres of land before his marriage. Ilis success is the result of his determination and push, and in connection with his financial prosper- ity he has also gained and maintained the confi- dence of his fellow-men.
b ENRY J. F. NIETERT, who is engaged in the manufacture of flour, and in buying and shipping grain at St. Mary's, in part- nership with his son-in-law, A. C. Koop, Is numbered among the men of far-seeing enterprise and solid business qualifications, who have aided in placing on a tirm foundation the prosperity of Auglaize County, of which their fathers were pio- neers.
Our subject is a native of Germany, born April 13, 1832. Ilis father, Gotleib Nietert, was also of German nativity. born in Schaumberg. in the province of Lippe. Ile emigrated to America in 1832 with his family, crossing the ocean from Bre- men to Baltimore in a thirteen weeks' voyage. Ile made his way to Pittsburg, and thence went down the Ohio River to Cincinnati on a keel boat. lle lived at Miamisburgh nine months, and then came to what is now Auglaize County, in the fall of 1833, and was a pioneer settler near Wapakoneta, where he entered eighty acres of land. lle built
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a log house, and in that humble abode he and his family eommeneed life here. The country was wild and unsettled, he heing one of the first to lo- eate at that point, and some Indians still lingered around their old haunts, although the main tribe had been removed. Mr. Nietert worked steadily to elear and improve his land, and in a few years sold it at a good advance on the cost price. His next move was to a place two miles northeast of Bremen, where he bought a partly-improved farin on the Knoxville and Bremen Road. In 1860, he removed to Bremen, and there he serenely passed the declining years of a long and honorable life, dying in 1882, in his eighty-ninth year, leaving behind him a good record as one of the most wor- thy of our pioneers, who was greatly respected for his sterling merits. His wife departed this life in 1888, in her eighty-eighth year.
The subject of this sketch is the elder of two children. Ile had to obtain his education princi- pally in the school of experience, as there were no public schools in the county until he was twelve years old. so that his schooling was limited to about three monthis' attendance at a primitive log house. Ile lived with his father until 1855, affording him valuable assistance in carrying on his farin, and he then engaged in agricultural pursuits for him- self for five years. At the expiration of that time, he entered the mercantile business with John 11. Boesche, at New Bremen, and they dealt together in grain. pork. ete., from 1860 to 1875. In the latter year, Mr. Nietert and his son-in-law, A. C. Koop. purchased the Monsard flouring mills at St. Mary's, and since then have been actively engaged in the manufacture of flour at this point, and in buying and shipping grain. They do a large and lucrative business, conducted with sagacity and enterprise. that places them among the most thriv- ing business men of this locality. They are quick to take advantage of the markets, and by prompt- ness in payment and fair dealing, maintain sound eredit in financial circles. Mr. Nietert started out in life with no means, but a elear brain. a steady hand and a resolute will have been good substitutes for moneyed capital, and with these he has acquired riches. His interest in an Indiana oil field brings him in a good sum yearly, and he
has valuable eity property at St. Mary's. ineluding his handsome briek residence on the corner of Main and Water Streets.
Mr. Nietert was married, in 1853, to Miss Eliza- beth Arnett. who is a native of Germantown. Montgomery County, and to her capable manage- ment of household affairs he is greatly indebted for the coziness and true comfort that prevail in their well-ordered home. Mrs. Nietert's parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsyl- vania. Her father was a farmer, and was an carly settler of Montgomery County. Mr. and Mrs. Nietert have two children: Mary, wife of A. C. Koop, has four children: Clarence. Emil. Leon and Alandes; Minnie, wife of J. H. Knost, has two chil- (Iren: Alfred and Augusta, of St. Mary's.
Our subject is alive to the interests of the city of his adoption, and has done much to forward them, both as a private citizen and as a public otli- cial. lle has been a member of the Council sey- eral terms, and is at present a Gas Trustee of St. Mary's. Politically, he is a Democrat of the truest type, and has served his party as delegate to the county and distriet conventions. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church, and all worthy religious and charitable objects that come under their notice are sure of their generous support.
OUN KAUTZMAN. Pennsylvania has given to Logan County many estimable citizens. but she has contributed none more highly respected, or for the conscientious di-charge of duty in every relation of life more worthy of respect and esteem, than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Franklin County, Pa .. on the 21st of October. 1806, and is now one of the oldest men in the county.
The parents of our subject. John and Mary Ann (Cook) Kautzman, were natives of Pennsylvania. where they were reared and married. The father was born on the 15th of May. 1780. and after mar-
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riage he and his wife removed to the Old Domin- ion, where they remained until 1845. From there they went to Ohio and settled in Rush Creek Town- ship, Logan County, where they partly improved a farm. There they received their final summons, the father dying at the age of ninety-four years and two days, and the mother when ninety-two years and two days old. Seven children were born to their union, tive sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and all married but one. George, a carpenter by trade, resides in lowa; Daniel died in the service of his country; Barney (de- ceased); Ann, wife of John Roberts, of this county; and Delila, widow of .James D. Cox, of Kansas.
John Kautzman, the eldest child, remained with his parents until twenty-two years old, and received his scholastic training in the common schools. At the age of twenty-three, he commenced learn- ing the tailor's trade in Franklin County, Pa .. and after six months left and began working on a farm by the month in Virginia. From there he came to Ohio in 1833, first to Greene County and later, or in 1845, to Logan County, where he has made his home for the most part ever since. He was married in Greene County, Ohio, in August, 1836, to Miss Ann Ticen, a native of New Jersey, born in 1807. When but a small girl. Mrs. Kautzman came to Ohio with her father and settled with him in Greene County. where she grew to womanhood.
After marriage, our subject and wife located in Bellbrook, Greene County, Ohio, where he worked at the tailoring business until 1845. As above mentioned, he then removed to Logan County and bought a farm in Rush Creek Township, which he tilled very successfully until 1856, after which he left the farm and removed to Rushsylvania. There he engaged in the grocery business until the 7th of April. 1881, when he became convinced that he had had his share of hard work and retired from busmess. He sold his farm and now owns a double front, two-story brick business block, besides a comfortable and pleasant dwelling. Ile and his wife are the oldest couple in the county, and are honored and respected by the many with whom they are acquainted. No more highly es- teemed citizens live in the county than Mr. and Kautzman, and they ever donate liberally to pub-
lic enterprises, such as churches, schools, etc. They have had no children. Mr. Kautzman affiliates with the Republican party in his political views. Ile has been Notary Public for twenty years or . more, was Justice of the Peace for six years, and Township Clerk for three years. He was made a Mason in 1854 at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and was at one time a member of the Sons of Temperance. He has always been a strong temperance man and has not touched liquor since 1848. Hle is a mem- ber of the Disciples Church. His grandfather, Barney Kautzman, was a native of Germany and crossed the ocean to America when a young man. Hle was married in Pennsylvania but afterward re- moved to Virginia and settled in Augusta County. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Adam Cook. was born in Pennsylvania, but his father was a na- tive of Germany.
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6 IIE WAPAKONETA WHEEL COMPANY was organized in 1870, with J. H. Timmer- meister as President; A. M. Kuhn, Secre- tary and Manager, and L. N. Blume, Treasurer. The present officers are: J. H. Timmermeister, President; J. H. Doering, Vice-president; L. N. Blume, Treasurer; and Carl D. Fischer, Secretary and Manager. This concern is one of the largest of its kind in Eastern Ohio, and in the vari- ons branches of this great industry one hundred and fifty men are employed. All kinds of wheels are manufactured and shipped all over the United States and the Old Country. A switch runs into their factory from the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. and there they load their cars.
Carl D. Fischer, the General Manager and Secre- tary of this concern, is a native of IIessen, Ger- many, born .June 19, 1855, and is one of the most capable and thorough business men of the county. lle is the son of John and Elizabeth (Schnellen- pfeil) Fischer. both natives of Germany, where the father is living at the present time and is now seventy-three years of age. The mother is de- ceased.
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Carl D. Fischer was thoroughly educated in the schools of Germany, and subsequently served an apprenticeship at the mercantile business, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of book-keep- ing, etc. When eighteen years of age, or in 1873, he bade farewell to his native land and sailed for America, landing in New York City. From there he came direct to Wapakoneta, Ohio, and although he had very little capital to start with, he pos- sessed all the thrift and perseverance characteris- tic of the Germans, and immediately began search- ing for some paying position. Ile secured a position with his brother Dittmar as clerk in a grocery store. and remained with him about two and one- half years. After this, he became a partner, and on the death of his brother, in 1876. he assumed full charge of the business, taking a partner under the firm title of Fiseher & Lucas. They continued together until 1884, when they sold out, and Mr. Fischer took the management of the Wapakoneta Bending Works, of which he was the originator, and continued with this as Secretary and Man- ager until 1890. At the same time, he assumed the management and viee-presideney of the Wa- pakoneta, Wheel Works, and his time was thor- oughly taken up with the business of both con- cerns. Ile took his present position on the Ist of July, 1887, and has been in charge ever since. At one time. he had the management of four fae- tories for the American Wheel Company, located at Wapakoneta. St. Mary's. Ottawa (Ohio.) and Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Mr. Fischer has a thorough knowledge of the business and has prospered in all his undertakings. All the factories have made mueh progress under his management, and Wapakoneta is to be con- gratulated on being the center of such important enterprises. Mr. Fischer is President of the Wa- pakoneta Machine Company, and is thoroughly alive to the business interests of this eity. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Louisa Fischer, and the fruits of this union have been two interesting chil- dren: Carl D., Jr., and Emil J.
Mr. Fischer has shown his appreciation of secret organizations by becoming a member of the Ma- sonie fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Fischer are active
and zealous members of the German Lutheran Church and are liberal contributors to the same, as well as to all enterprises for the advancement of town and county. They are highly esteemed as citizens and neighbors, and are a credit to any community.
OSEPH RATERMANN who occupies the prominent position of Sheriff of Shelby County, was elected to that office in 1889 and re-elected to the same position in 1891. lle is at present residing in Sidney, and being possessed of those sterling traits of character that mark a thoroughly conscientious and upright man, he is greatly respected by all who know him.
A native of this county, our subject was born in Berlin, September 2, 1850, and is the son of John B. H. and Anna Mary ( Wellmann ) Ratermann, both of whom were born in Germany. The par- ents took up their abode in Berlin in 1834, but this now thriving village did not even boast of a name until many years after their loca- tion there. The father of our subject purchased land from the Government and until it was piaced in a productive condition. worked on the canal in order to supply his family with the necessities of life. The estate. which comprised one hundred and twenty acres, was soon placed under good tillage and there the parents made their home until their deeease.
The original of this sketch received a good edu- cation in the schools of Berlin. which place has since been called Loramie's. He remained ou the home farm assisting his father in its manage- ment until the latter's death, when in addition to carrying on the estate, he went into the grain busi- ness, having his headquarters at Lorame's. He was thus engaged for three years, when he erected a roller-process flouring mill, which was the first of its kind in the county and whose capacity was seventy-tive barrels a day. Mr. Ratermann also
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owned a warehouse near the mill, which latter was soon burned, and our subjeet having no insurance lost all he had.
After the catastrophe above mentioned, our sub- ject came to Sidney and operated as "mine host" of the Union House for three years, in which busi- ness he was more than ordinarily successful. At the expiration of that time he sold his hotel and, being nominated for Sheriff, removed for the time being to Loramie's, and on being defeated for that position returned to Sidney and engaged in the liquor business. The following election, he was again nominated for the Shrievalty and, being elected, fulfilled the duties of the office so eredit- ably to himself and acceptably to the people that he was re-elected and is now serving his second term. Ile is a man of fine physique, standing six feet two and weighing from two hundred and sixty-tive to two hundred and seventy pounds.
The lady to whom our subjeet was married in 1875 was Anna Mary Meier, a native of this town- ship. They have become the parents of ten chil- dren, only five of whom are living, namely: Julius. Michael, Joseph, Rosa and Tillie. Tho family are members of the Holy Angel Catholic Church of this city and are prominent and influential in social circles.
R EV. MARTIN VITZ, pastor of the German Reformed Church of New Bremen, is a tine scholar. a man of resolute will and positive opinions, and able and willing to maintain them. He is of pleasing address, possesses excel- ient qualifications as a man of education and refine- ment. is highly respected by all classes in general. and is evidently deeply interested in the noble work in which he is engaged.
Born in Adams County, near Decatur, Ind., on the 15th of August, 1857, he is the son of Rev. Peter Vitz, who was born in the Rhenish Province. Prussia, Germany, and who left his native country for this in the year 1853, when about twenty-eight years of age. after having served two years in the
Prussian army. After reaching the land over which float the Stars and Stripes, he settled in Wisconsin and began studying for the ministry, attending Heidelberg Seminary at Titliu, Ohio, and gradu- ating from the theological department in 1856. Ile subsequently entered upon his ministerial du- ties in the German Reformed Church, filled three charges in Indiana, and is now at Delphos, Allen County, Ohio, filling the pulpit of the Zion Re- formed Church. He is now in his sixty-eighth year. llis wife was born in Berne, Switzerland, and her maiden name was Anna M. JJacob. When a young lady she came with friends to America. but her parents remained in their native country.
The original of this notice, the eldest of nine children, six sons and three daughters, first attended the common schools at lluntington, Ind .. and later the academy at that place, where he remained two years. After this he taught three terms of school when fourteen years of age and in 1874 he went to Franklin. Sheboygan County, Wis., where he spent three years in the Mission schools. In the fall of 1877, he entered Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, Ohio, and graduated at that institution in 1880, receiving the degree of A. B. Returning to Wisconsin, he entered the Reformed Theological Seminary at Franklin, remained there one year. and in 1881 went to his father to assist him in his work. After this he carried on his theologieal studies at Vera Cruz, Ind., and was examined and licensed to preach in January, 1882. On the 8th of March of that year he was ordained a minister. Ilis first charge was at St. Paul, Minn., where he continued to fill the pulpit of Friedius Reformed Church for six years. In 1888, he came to New Bremen and has since filled the pulpit of Zion Re- formed Church in a very satisfactory manner.
He selected his companion in life in the person of Miss Mary E. Engeler, a native of Indiana. and their nuptials were celebrated on the 26th of Feb- ruary 1882. ller father, Frederick Engeler, was born in Switzerland, came to Ohio when a young man, and settled in Indiana. He was a prospector for gold in California for some time, but has been engaged in milling at Vera Cruz. Ind., and is retired. lIe is a very prominent man in his county, has been Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, Trustee.
yours Truly JOH. 06. Singley
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etc., and is highly esteemed by all. Mrs. Vitz " eure good educational facilities for his children. received her primary education in the common and did everything in his power to aid them in obtaining a good start in life. schools, but subsequently attended a Normal and then taught several terms. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vitz: Carl. Frederick, Hulda, Frank and Robert. Mr. Vitz is a member of the Central Synod, served as Secretary of the Heidel- berg Classes and is a member of the Board of Mis- sions, Central Synod and Synods of the Northwest.
R EV. W. H. SINGLEY. D. D. No resident of Logan County is better known than the gentleman whose portrait and biography are here presented. llis name is a familiar one, not only to the citizens of the county, but from East to West among the members of the Lutheran Church. As pastor of the church of that denomination in Bellefontaine, he has won the esteem of his parishioners and the general public as well, and is known as one of the most eloquent divines and able ministers of the State.
In Johnstown, Pa., that ill-fated town which was swept by the mighty surging and roaring waters, taking thousands of people down the dark valley of death, our subject was born. February 18, 1848. Ilis parents were G. W. and Mary A. (Trefts) Singley, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The Singley family was of the Platistic Lutheran stock from Germany. The parents were members of the English Lutheran Church at Johns- town, in which the father was Deaeon. until the fall of 1856.
During the above-mentioned year. the family re- moved to Appanoose County, Iowa. whither they had been preceded a few years by the grandfather. George Singley, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and lived to the great age of one hundred and ten years. lacking one month. The father of our subjeet was a machinist in the early days. but later engaged in farming pursuits. When he set- tled in Iowa. the country was comparatively new and advantages few, but he was determined to se-
At the time of the removal to lowa, our subject was quite young, and until he had reached nine- teen summers. he labored as a pioneer on the wild and wide uncultivated prairies of Iowa. Like many another hard-working farmer-boy, he spent his summer seasons in tilling the soil and during the winter studied in the district school. At the age of fourteen, he entered a store in Centreville. lowa, where he filled the position of elerk. Ilis kind-hearted employer gave him the privilege of attending the academy during the forenoons, and while there he conceived the idea of thorough preparation for commercial life.
When fifteen years old. our subject entered the well-known Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Davenport, Iowa, where he was graduated with the highest honors in a class of forty. At that time there were about four hundred pupils in at- tendance. After graduating. he began teaching in the common schools of his neighborhood and was professor of a writing-school at night. Ilis first school closed the day before he was seventeen. Thus it will be seen that he was laboring night and day, but his industry was crowned with a vic- tory that is seldom attained.
While thus engaged. Mr. Singley made a public profession of religion. Ilis neighbors and friend- at once urged the Christian ministry upon him. This he considered seriously, and finally yielded to the eall of duty and conviction, gave up busz- ness life and decided to prepare himself for the ministry. The church to which his life was to be devoted must be chosen. The local churches were kind and solicitous. They pointed the young man to their colleges and seminaries, but the wishes and teachings of his parents could not be easily thrown aside. Twelve years had gone by since this only Lutheran family in that region had looked upon the face of a Lutheran preacher. The church was known in the neighborhood only to be derided and misrepresented. While this conflict was going on. with his parents on one side and his neighbor- on the other. strange to say. Rev. A. M. Tanner. the first Lutheran minister they had met since
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leaving Pennsylvania, happened along. Ile very adroitly induced the young man to visit in Tipton, Iowa, during the pastorate of Rev. Daniel S. Alt- man, by whom he was confirmed during the visit. lle had been baptized in infancy in the Lutheran Church at Johnstown. Ile accompanied these gentlemen to the lowa Synod convened at Lisbon, lowa, in August, 1868. The kindly welcome and encouragement of the Synod made a most favora- ble impression upon him. He took Rev. Mr. Alt- man's advice and entered Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, at the fall term of 1868. From this institution he was graduated in 1873, having taken the entire course and also one year's course in theology, which he pursued at favorable times and during vacations. At that time, the theologi- cal course only required one year.
In the spring of 1873, our subject represented his literary society in a public debate given in the city, the highest honor in the gift of the society. During the senior vacation, he supplied the Luth- eran pulpit at Darrtown, Ohio, and in the fall en- tered the Theological Seminary at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. In addition thereto, he heard Dr. Porter's lectures on mental philosophy, and Sumner on Political Economy. After the theologi- cal department at Wittenberg was reorganized and extended, he returned and finished the course at his Alma Mater, at the same time serving as senior editor of the Wittenberger, the college journal. In 1876, his Alma Mater conferred the degree of A. M. upon him.
The young minister found his first pastorate at Osborn. Ohio, where he remained until August. 1876. Ile then accepted a call to Bellefontaine. where he at once entered vigorously upon his duties as pastor of the Lutheran Church. On coming here. he found a small and discouraged band, but he knew his duty and the hard labor before him; his courage and vigor increased, and he had not long to wait until his talent was the subject of the day and his influence widely felt. Hle soon built up a fine congregation, which is to- day one of the strongest in the city. He deter- mined to have a new church. and in addition to increased spiritual and social influences, has gained a large and handsome property. The new edice,
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