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 17
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 17
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 17
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The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Nancy Crowl and was a native of Montgomery County. Like her husband. she was also a member of the German Baptist Church. and reared a family of
nine children, three of whom are living. William M., of this sketch, was given a good education, and when twenty years of age started out to make his own way in the world. In 1869, he went West to Missouri, and thence to Lawrence, Kan., in both of which plaees he was engaged in working on a farm. remaining about a year. At the end of that time returning home, he engaged in farming in Cynthiana Township, to which industry, in 1885, he added that of buying and shipping stock. hand- ling about $50,000 worth of animals each year, which he ships mostly to Buffalo.
The lady who became the wife of our subject. January 1, 1838. was Miss Henrietta, daughter of Cyrus and Jane Miller, natives of Lancaster County, Pa., where their daughter was also born. The parents of Mrs. Snow came to Ohio in 1870, at which time they located in Miami County, where they are at present residing. Onr subject and his wife have had one son, Marion F., who was born December 5, 1879, and died January 5, 1880.
Mr. Snow is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and has been called upon to represent his fellow-townsmen as a delegate to the various county conventions. He was candidate for Sheriff in the fall of 1890, but was defeated by a small majority. Hle is now serving his second year as Trustee, the duties of which oflice he is perform- ing in a manner which does credit to himself and gives satisfaction to his constituents. Ile is the owner of fifty acres of good land on section 23, and one hundred and twenty acres in another por- tion of the township, which he is cultivating in a most intelligent and profitable manner.
ILLIAM SCHULENBERG. No name in the memorial department of this work is more worthy of mention than that of Will- iam Schulenberg, Postmaster and merchant of New Bremen. Auglaize County, Ohio. In him the com- munity has a faithful and unswerving friend, ever
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alert to serve its best interests, and generous in his contributions toward every movement tending to the general advancement. He was born September 7, 1838, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and eomes of German parentage, his father and mother, Henry F. and Wil- helmina (Buck) Schulenberg, being natives of the Old Country. Their marriage was celebrated in Ger- many on the 7th of May. 1832, and there the father followed his trade, that of miller and millwright, until 1833, when they took passage for the United States. After an ocean voyage of two months they landed on American soil and eame immediately to Cineinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Schulenberg followed building and contraeting for several years. From there he subsequently moved to New Bremen, Auglaize County, Ohio, and a few years later to Cineinnati. Ilowever, he was not satisfied to re- main in that eity and soon afterwards he returned to New Bremen, where he settled permanently. be- ing one of the first residents of that town. He fol- lowed his trade of earpenter and builder, and all the first-class houses of that town are monuments to his work. lle was Captain of a company of State militia here for a number of years. When Randolph freed his slaves, he purchased a tract of land in Mereer County where he sent them to school. They eamped near New Bremen until the people objected, when Mr. Schulenberg loaded them on a eanal boat and sent them back. Mr. Schulenberg was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran church, which he built, and he was one of the most prominent and well- known men of the county. He served in the army in Germany. Ile dicd of cholera in 1849, when only forty years of age, and his wife passed away the year previous.
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Our subject, the sixth in order of birth of twelve children, three of whom are now living, was but eleven years of age when his parents died, and he received such educational advantages as the times afforded. attending the common schools of the county in log schoolhouses with slab seats, ete. After the death of his parents he painted wagons in the shop of a wagon-maker, with whom he re- mained until fifteen years of age. after which he hired out to work on a faim for $3 per month. Ile was thus engaged for about three years, after which he boated on the Miami and Erie Canal dur-
ing the summer and followed eoopering during the winter months. In 1858. he ran the stage and carried the mail from New Bremen to Piqua. Ohio, and continued thus engaged until 1862. On the 25th of August of that year, he enlisted in company C, Thirty-seventh Ohio Infantry, under Col. Siebert, and participated in the battle of Vicksburg, siege and assault of Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro. and Bentonville. Two of his brothers were in his company and another brother was in the First Ohio Calvary. Mr. Schulenberg had several bullet holes shot through his blouse, and was shot through the hair onee, but never received a flesh wound. The last six months of his service, he was sent to Columbus, Ohio, and aeted as fowarding oflicer, forwarding substitutes to the front. Ile became elerk in that department. On the 28th of May, 1865, he was discharged and returned to New Bremen. Ile was in the hospital about a week during his serviee.
Returning to New Bremen, Mr. Schulenberg was married to Miss C. Helwig, a native of Cineinnati. Ohio, and settled down to the duties of life, first working in a brewery. Later, he secured a position in a hardware store and still later was in the saloon business for himself. In 1868, under Gen. Grant, he became Postmaster at New Bremen, which posi- tion he continued to hold in a very satisfactory manner until 1885. In 1868, he engaged in the book and stationery business and continued this in connection with the postoffice business. In 1886, he was elected Sheriff of Auglaize County on the Republican tieket and was elected with a majority of 331 in a county of from 1,800 to 2.000 Demo- eratie majority, thus showing his popularity. Ile served one term, during which time he resided at Wapakoneta. the eounty seat, but he continued his business at New Bremen. After his term had ex- pired, Mr. Schulenberg returned to New Bremen and was re-appointed Postmaster under Gen. Ilar- rison.
Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg are the parents of three children: Anna, wife of Edward Lanyhert. of this town; llerbert. who is assistant Post- master and carries on the store. and Francis, twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg have adopted
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a childl. Franklin Hnenke, whom they took when but six months old. He is still with our subject and wife. Mr. Schulenberg has been Mayor of the town of New Bremen. has been Chief of the fire department, and has been a member of the City Council. lle is a stanchi supporter of Republican principles. He and wife are members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church and he is at present Super- intendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Schulenberg owns a fine dwelling in New Bremen. a handsome business block and other town property, including three acres adjoining the corporation. lle operated a tile yard for a few years and also started a min- eral water factory but soon sold this. He has also been connected with an agricultura! implement Store here. He and the Postmaster at St. Mary's are the two oldest of "I'nele Sam's boys" in the county, having been in the I'mted States service nearly twenty-five years. Our subject has a fine large store and has a select stock of books and stationery. He is wide-awake and thorough-go- ing and one of the prominent men of the county.
el F. LANFERSIECK. The inventive genius of this prosperous age has found one of its most progressive fields in devising imple- ments designed to lighten the labor of the agriculturist, and the progressive farmer of the day is provided with machines which to a great extent relieve him from heavy manual labor. Among houses well known for the production of these wonderful devices is that of J. F. Lanfersieck & Co. manufacturers of sulky plows, gang plows. single plows. etc. The quality of the goods manu- factured has given them a wide-spread reputation all they are doing a flourishing business.
J. F. Lanfer-ieck was born in Shelby County, Oblo. May 14. 1842. and comes of German parent- aze. bis father. Victor Lanfersieck. and his mo- ther. Catherine ( Knost) Lanfersieck. having been born in Germany. The father was a stonecutter
and followed his trade in his native country until 1831. when he decided that he could do better in America, and so crossed the ocean. le came to Ohio and loented in Van Buren Township, Shelby County, where he purchased land. He was about the second man to settle in that township, and he first purchased fifty aeres, upon which he built a log house. This farm he improved and cleared, and when he sold out, in 1868, he had one hundred and ninety acres of well-improved land.
Hle moved to New Bremen and there lived re- tired until his death. in 1871, when sixty-four years of age. lle was a man of much determina- tion and energy, and although he started with limited means, he became one of the substantial men of his section. Ile was a Lutheran in his re- ligions views, as was also his wife, who died in 1888, when eighty-two years of age. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom survive at the present time.
The original of this notice was born in the log house his father had built in Shelby County, Van Buren Township, and he attended school in a log schoolhouse, his educational advantages being lim- ited to a few months each year. He assisted his father on the home place until twenty years of age, after which he began learning the blacksmith's trade. or plow-making, in New Bremen, and after- ward followed this for thirteen years. In 1880, he purchased the plow works in New Bremen of 1. II. Lanfersieek, who was the founder of the works. and our subjeet was sole proprietor until 1881. when he sold a half-interest to J. 11. Gro- thans, the firm name afterward becoming J. F. Lanfersieck & Co. In 1891. the firm erected a large new briek establishment with a frontage of one hundred feet and seventy feet deep, and two stories high. They give employment to a good many skilled workmen and manufacture many "New Bremen" plows in a year.
Mr. Lanfersieek has been twice married, first in 1870 to Miss Caroline Ahlers. a native of Shelby County, Ohio, who died in 1880. leaving three children: Augusta, Alinda and Amanda. Our sub- jeet's second marriage occurred in 1884, to Miss Mary Wellemeyer, a native of Germany, who came to Amerien with her parents. No children have
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been born of this union. In politics, Mr. Lanfer- sieck is a Democrat, and in religion, a Lutheran.
J. II. Grothaus, who represents the company of this firm, is a native of Shelby County, Van Buren Township. Ohio. born February 20, 1859, and the son of William Grothaus, who was born in Ger- many in 1825. When fourteen years of age, the elder Grothaus came to America, located in Penn- sylvania, and there worked as a farm hand for some time. Later, he learned the cigar-making trade, and then came to Cincinnati, where he con- tinued the same. The gold fever seized him in 1850, and that year be went to California, where he spent three years in the gold mines. Ile met with much Inek, and returned home with considerable gold, making the return trip via the Isthmus. He spent a few years in St. Louis, and traveled for a whole- sale house there for a short time. Ile was in Chi- cago when it was but a small town, and was in the grocery business in Cincinnati for a short time. He came to Van Buren Township. Shelby Connty, Ohio, soon after his return from California, pur- chased a farm. and later located on this, tilling the soil successfully for nine years.
In 1865, he sold his farm and located in New Bremen, where he engaged in the cigar business a short time, and was also engaged in the shoe busi- ness for a few years. He was Mayor of the town nine years, Justice of the Peace several years, and resigned both positions on account of failing health. lle died in 1885, when sixty-two years of - ge. Ile was a well-informed man, had traveled a great deal, and was highly esteemed by all. He left con- siderable property. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Lanfersieck. was a native of Van Buren Township, Shelby County, Ohio, and she is still living, making her home in New Bremen. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Of the ten children born to her marriage. eight are living at the present time.
J. H. Grothaus. the second in order of birth of these children. was educated in the public schools of New Bremen. and was but fifteen years of age when he entered the plow works of II. Lanfersieck & Co .. as painter. In 1881. when twenty-two years of age. he purchased a half interest in the plow works. then owned by J. F. Lanfersieck. Ile
attended the books, looked after the sales, etc. On the 14th of November, 1888, he was married to Miss Amelia Vogelsong. a native of New Bremen, and the daughter of F. Vogelsong, one of the wealthiest business men in New Bremen. Two children have blessed this nnion: Alvin and Wal- ter. Mr. Grothans is a stanch Democrat in his po- litical views, and has been Clerk of the town for six years. Ile is a member of the School Board, now serving his second term. and has held other local positions. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the En- eampment. Mr. and Mrs. Grothaus are both Ger- man Lutherans in their religious views. Mr. Grothaus is a stockholler in the New Bremen Natural Gas Company, and is Secretary of the Home Oil Company. Ile owns a fine residence near the school building.
S. EKERMEYER. The humanizing in- fluence of Christianity is shown in thou- sands of directions, but in none to a more marked degree than in that of medical and surgical science. Anglaize County, Ohio, has many accomplished physicians, and among these is Dr. M. S. Ekermeyer, who is engaged in the practice of bis chosen profession and devotes his entire atten- tion to healing the sick and afflicted.
Our subject was born at Zanesville. Ohio, on the 4th of September. 1860, and five years later moved with his parents to New Bremen, where he at- tended school until 1871, and thus laid the foun- dation for his subsequent prosperous career. Ile then went to Cincinnati, entered the public schools there and spent four years in close appli- cation to his books. After this, for three years he served an apprenticeship in a drug-store and in the fall of 1878 he entered upon a three-years course in the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincin- nati, graduating at that well-known institution in the spring of 1881.
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From there Mr. Ekermeyer came to New Bre- men, practiced a few months, and in the fall of 1>>I went to Cincinnati, where he practiced medi- eine in partnership with his father, who is also a prominent physician. He arrived in the Queen City just in time to take an active part in subdu- ing one of the worst epidemies of smallpox that eity had ever known. le met with wonderful success in his treatment of this fell disease and was also very successful in his cases of diphtheria, which w- largely prevalent at that time.
In is83. Dr. Ekermeyer returned to New Bre- mon, engaged in the practice of his profession. and his efforts as a practitioner of the healing art are meeting with excellent success. He is now en- graged in a large and merative practice and is one of the foremost physicians of the county. In 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Schmidt, of Now Bremen, daughter of Henry Schmidt, who was formerly one of the well-known merchants of New Bremen, where he died in 1877. One child, Esther. has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Ekermeyer.
Although a stanch Republican in his political views. Dr. Ekermeyer does not aspire to any poht- ical position and does not take a very active in- terest in political affairs, but is thoroughly posted on all subjects of moment. Socially, he is a mem- her of the Knights of Pythias and the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows. and is very prominent in social circles, being at present District Deputy Grand Master in the former organization. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and is a popular, wide-awake. thoroughly-posted young physician. Mr. and Mrs. Ekermeyer are progress- ive and active workers of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church.
HEODORE PURPUS. a native of Rhenish Bavaria. Germany, born on the 6th of No- vember, 1×11. is now the popular and most efficient editor of the New Bremen Stur. one of the representative county journals. a German pa-
per. He attended school until sixteen years of age and then secured a position in the Treasurer's office, which he filled for six years in a very satis- factory manner.
In 1866, he sailed for America from France, taking passage at Havre de Grace in December, 1865, and landing in New York City in January of the following year. Ile came immediately to New Bremen and became a teacher in the schools of that eity, remaining in the same until 1879. Ile was a very popular and successful educator and accomplished much good in the schools of that town. In December, 1879, he purchased the office of the Stern des Westlichen Ohio. The owner and founder of this paper was JI. V. Schiffer, who started the paper in 1873, at Minster, three miles south of New Bremen, and conducted it at that point until it was purchased by Mr. Purpus, who removed it to New Bremen, where it has since been conducted. The paper always advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and Mr. Purpus has proved himself to bea man of good judgment in eondnet- ing the editorial policy of his paper. He has ever been an earnest advocate of all public enterprises calculated to benefit the county, and through the columns of his journal has wielded no slight influ- enee in directing the proper steps to be taken for any movement. The paper is 29x41, nine-column folio, and his office is equipped with power-press, job presses and a good assortment of type and material. I'nder the efficient management of Mr. Purpus, the Star has come to be regarded as one of the best papers of the county and journeys over a wide scope of country.
Mr. Purpus selected as his companion in life Miss Antoinette Vockell, a native of New Bremen, and their union was solemnized in the year 1869. Mrs. Purpus' parents came to America from Ger- many in 1866 and settled in Auglaize County, where they passed the closing seenes of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Purpus became the par- ents of an interesting family of eight children, as follows: Louisa, Theodore, Alfred. Adolph, Otto. Leo, and Florentina and Emma. both de- ceased. Mr. Purpus has ever advocated the prin- ciples of the Democratic party and has served one term as Township Clerk. He is at present Clerk of
Wallace Mr. Roach
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the School Board. He was elected Secretary of the New Bremen Building and Savings Association upon its organization in 1873 and served in that capacity until 1881. The Concordia Building and Savings Association was then started, in January, 1884, and he is now its worthy Secretary. Both he and Mrs. Purpus are members of the Lutheran St. Paul's Church, and are well respected in the community.
W ALLACE W. ROACH, Sheriff of Logan County, is a gentleman whose kindly and courteous manners have won for him many warm personal friends, both in political and social circles. He was born in Washington County, this State, March 11, 1850, and is the son of Daniel M. and Susan (Hanson) Roaeh, also natives of this State. The father was a carpenter by trade, and, removing to Indiana, there passed the remainder of his life.
The parental family included three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Wallace W. was given a practical education in the schools of his native county, and when reaching his majority learned the scroll-sawing and chair-making trade. For six years, he resided at Kenton. this State, where he worked at his trade. In April, 1880. he came to Bellefontaine and accepted the position of foreman in the scroll department of what was then the Nathan Walker Chair Manufacturing Com- pany. Subsequently. he became Superintendent of the wholesale coneern. which position he filled for two years.
Always actively interested in public affairs. Mr. Roach was elected to the City Council in 1882. and two years later was appointed to fill the unexpired term of one of his brother Allermen. In 1886, he was elected City Marshal, and on the same day on which his term expired was nominated for Sheriff of Logan County, being elected to that responsible office in November, 1888. He was re- elected the following term. and during both eam-
paigns carried the county by the largest majority ever given to a Sheriff, which speaks well for his standing in this section. As a Sheriff, he has given entire satisfaction to everyone concerned and is very popular among his fellow-citizens. A Re- publican in political matters, he served as Chair- man of the Republican County Committee in 1891 and has occupied other positions of trust.
During the Civil War, Mr. Roach served for nine months as a member of Company C, Eigh- teenth Ohio Infantry, and as he enlisted before reaching his fifteenth year, he is the youngest man in Logan County who carried a gun during the war. As a member of the Grand Army, he is connected with Post No. 441, and occupies a high position among his comrades. In 1888. he was ap- pointed Quartermaster of Logan County Battalion, by J. W. O'Neal, Department Commander of the National Encampment at Columbus, Ohio. Soci- ally. Mr. Roach is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, serving as District Deputy Grand Master in 1887; the Knights of Pythias and Uniform Rank, Sixty-eighth Division, where he is serving his second term as Representative to the Grand Lodge; and he also belongs to Bellefontaine Lodge No. 209, F. & A. M .; LaFayette Chapter No. 60, and Roper Commandery No. 19, K. T.
December 8, 1867, Mr. Roach and Miss Louise M. Sprague were united in marriage, and unto them have been born three children, viz .: Otto W .. Marlen B. and Gertrude S. An old family Bible now in the possession of Elijal Sprague, father of Mrs. Roach. gives the following facts in regard to the family history: William Sprague, great-grand- father of Elijah, was born February 2. 1691, and on the 16th of September, 1714, was married to Alice Brown. whose birth occurred May 31, 1691. Their son Joshua was born July 3. 1729 and in January, 1749, was united in marriage with Miss Amy Darling. His second marriage. which oc- curred April 22. 1751, united him with Abigail Wilbur. June 10. 1762. he removed with his fam- ily from Rhode Island to Nova Scotia. but at the opening of the Revolutionary War returned to New England. ettling in Massachusetts. During the war. he and his two eldest sons did valiant ser- vice for the Colonies. Jonathan Sprague, Sr .. was
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born January 9, 1767, and was one of a company who came to Ohio in 1788. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Emerson, was born at Smithfield. Providence County, R. L., September 19. 1792. and was the daughter of Ezekiel Emer- son, overseer of the first cotton factory in the United States. Elijah Spragne, father of Mrs. Reach, was born March 10, 1818, and is still living.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Daniel Roach, was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1799. locating in Washington County, where he died in July. 1>50. Lyman S. Roach, brother of our subject. is a very prominent politiean and now resides in Texas. During the late war, he served as a member of the Ohio Light Artillery, Battery C. and was captured in the fall of 1861. after which he was confined in the Florence (S. C.) Pri- son for about five months.
In connection with this biographieal sketch will be noticed a portrait of Mr. Roach.
AMES M. KAUFMAN. Among the resi- - dents of Bellefontaine who are spending their declining years in the enjoyment of peace and plenty, obtained by their indus- trion- efforts and good management, and are secure in the esteem of all who know them. is Mr. Kauf- man, who is a retired agriculturist. He was born in Baltimore County. Md .. December 1, 1816, and is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Sparks) Kaufman. natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
George Kaufman. the paternal grandfather of our subject. was born in Amsterdam, Holland. and emigrating to America when a boy, made his Nome in Pennsylvania. He served valiantly as a ". Hier in the Revolutionary War. and spent his tas: day- in Allentown. Pa. The father of our subject was a saddler by trade, which occupation We learned in his native town in Pennsylvania. HI- later went to Maryland. and carried on his trade in connection with mercantile and farming
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