German Township

German Township

This township presents a variety of soil, from light sand and gravel to heavy clay. Its surface is marked by the number of streams which course through it, - all little tributaries of the St. Mary's and Great Miami rivers. The township has an area of eighteen square miles, and is located on the ridge forming the Ohio water-shed. The soil is fertile, and under the careful cultivation that it receives it has become one of the most productive townships in the county. The township was named after the country from which its first inhabitants came. The first village was also called Bremen after the distinguished city of that name in the Fatherland. The township was, originally, a part of Mercer county, and included all of ranges one, two, three and four, south of Van Wert county to the counties established on the south. The act of the legislature, establishing Mercer county, provided that Van Wert and Mercer counties should be attached to Darke county until otherwise ordered. Mercer was subsequently detached in 1824, and Van Wert in 1837. German township, therefore, remained a part of Mercer county until the erection of Auglaize county in 1848, when it was included in the new county. At that time it included all of Town seven south.

History Of Western Ohio

Range four east. Three years later (in 1851) for the convenience of the sparsely settled portions of the township at Minster and New Bremen, it was divided into two election precincts. In 1858 the township was divided by the erection of Jackson township, whereby German township was reduced in area to eighteen square miles.

"Immediately after the departure of the Shawnee Indians in 1832, a company of Germans was organized in Cincinnati for the purpose of locating a town to be colonized by Germans. This company consisted of thirty-three members, prominent among whom were Philip Reis, Christian Carmann, F. Steiner, F. Neiter, and J. B. Mesloh. F. H. Schroeder and A. F. Windeler were appointed a prospecting committee to visit different parts of Ohio and Indiana and select a site for the colony. They examined the country north of Cincinnati and proceeded into Indiana, but finally returned to this state and selected the present site of New Bremen. They here purchased ten acres of land from the government at one dollar per acre, and secured the services of Robert Grant, the surveyor of Mercer county, to divide and plot the town. This site consisted of one hundred and two lots, each sixty-six by three hundred feet. Each member was entitled to* one lot, and the remaining ones were offered at twenty-five dollars each.

"The selection was determined by lot in order to obviate any difficulty on account of supposed differences of value. The town was named Bremen, and the plat was recorded in Mercer county, June nth, 1833. Windeler then returned to Cincinnati to report, while Schroeder remained with the colony, as agent for the company. Immediately after the return of Windeler, six members of the association came on to Bremen. In the mean time Schroeder had made preparation for the accommodation of new arrivals by erecting a hut twelve by fourteen feet in dimensions. The time occupied by these six in coming from Cincinnati was fourteen days. They all spent the remainder of their lives with the colony, the last survivors being Dickman and Mohrman, who died a few years since. Land was then purchased at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and the erection of a log house required the assistance of all the settlers within a radius of six miles.

"The houses were covered with clapboards, and left so open on the sides that the deer were said to have approached them, and attempted to eat straw from the improvised beds, through the openings between the logs. It is also related that on one occasion while Mohrman was hewing one end of a log, a fox approached and stole a chicken which had hopped on the other end of the same log. Here, as in other new settlements, much difficulty was experienced in obtaining supplies, as they were only to be secured at a distance of twenty-three miles. Even in the matter of flour, the settlers were sometimes compelled to resort to the use of the home-made grater. In 1833 new immigrants arrived and a building was erected at a cost of forty dollars to supply the place of both church and school. These settlers were all Protestants, whose first minister was Rev. L. H. Meyer. During the summer of 1833 several families arrived from Bavaria, among whom were Maurer, Paul, and Braun. Thus the settlement had grown until the arrival of Charles Boesel, who found thirty-five families within a radius of five miles. There were at that time but six houses within the limits of the village. So insignificant was the place that Mr. Boesel stopped to inquire of a wood chopper the distance to Bremen, and was told that he was then in the town. The surroundings were so unpromising that he decided to go to Fort Wayne. After a periol of nineteen months he returned and found very material progress had been made, among which were separate buildings for school and church. Even at this time some of the farmers became discouraged by having their crops eaten by deer and other animals. The community was still almost isolated, as it had little facility for communication. In support of this it may be related that a man named George Garver walked to Piqua, a distance of twentythree miles, and returned the same day, carrying a number seven plow the whole distance from Piqua."

In 1835 many of the German township settlers went to Indiana and worked on the Wabash canal. Some of them accumulated a sufficient amount of money to purchase farms for themselves. In the same year (1835) a postoffice was established, and the name of the town changed to New Bremen to distinguish it from another Bremen within the State. The only place of business of any importance in the township at that time was the grist mill owned by J. H. Kuenning, and was located a mile and a half north of New Bremen. This horse mill was the only one within a radius of several miles. The old horse mill at St. Mary's and the Quaker mill at Wapakoneta were the next nearest points where grinding was done.

The prosperity of the township dates from the commencement of work upon the Miami canal in 1848. Two years later a warehouse and water mill were established at New Bremen, adding greatly to the improvement of business and enterprise.

In the summer of 1849, that terrible scourge, the Asiatic cholera, spread throughout Ohio, with more or less fatal results in different parts of the state. It seems to have been more fatal along the line of the Miami and Erie canal than elsewhere. Out of a population of seven hundred in the township, one hundred and fifty died of the dread disease.

From 1833 to 1848 the citizens of German township and adjacent townships were greatly agitated over the efforts made by the philanthropists, Augustus Wattles, of Connecticut, and others, to establish negro colonies in Marion, Granville and Franklin townships in Mercer county. Within three years, dating'from 1835, Wattles purchased thirty thousand acres for the negro settlers. With a bequest of twenty thousand dollars from Samuel Emlen, of New Jersey, a Friend, a school was established, called Emlen Institute, for the education of colored boys of African and Indian descent. The purchase of the land and the erection of the institute were followed by the immigration of a large number of negroes from Cincinnati and Philadelphia.

"In 1848 Judge Leigh, of Virginia, purchased three thousand two hundred acres of land in the negro settlements, for the freed slaves of John Randolph, of Roanoke." The free negroes arrived at Cincinnati in midsummer, and were transported by canal boats as far as New Bremen, where the citizens prevented their landing. Every adult male citizen in the village served on the picket line for two days, at the end of which time the boats returned to Cincinnati with their four hundred passengers. After their return to the city they separated into parties, and settled in Shelby, Miami and Warren counties.

In 1903 the heirs of the Randolph negroes filed a petition in the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas for the recovery of lands purchased by Judge Leigh. The case has been delayed from term to term on account of technicalities that have arisen since the filing of the petition. The case has not yet come to trial at the present writing (1905).

These are represented by the Boesel Bank, established in 1866, and having deposits to the amount of $500,600; the First City Bank, having deposits to the amount of $200,000; the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, holding mortgages on real estate to the amount of $200,000 ; the Concordia Building and Loan Association holding mortgages on real estate amounting to $70,000.

The following is an epitome of the industries of the town : Klanke Furniture Company, capital stock $65,000; Julius Boesel. President, George Klanke, Secretary. Backhaus, Kuenzel Company's Woolen and Flouring Mills, capital stock $75,000. Godfrey Kuenzel, President, E. C. Kuenzel, Secretary ; New Bremen Broom Company, capital stock, $20,000. Lanfersieck-Grothause Manufacturing Company, capital stock, $25,000. J. F. Lanfersieck, President, Edmund Grothaus, Secretary. The Rabe Manufacturing Company, capital stock, $25,000. Wm. Rabe, President, F. W. Rabe, Secretary. The Burkey Handle and Lumber Company, capital stock, $10,000. F. W. Greber, President, A. C. Buss, Secretary. The New Bremen Brick Company, capital stock, $10,000. Louis Huenke, President, Arthur Frey, Secretary. Arcade Department Store, capital Stock, $60,600. Henry Dierker Dry Goods Store, capital stock, $12,000. Mueller Brothers' Clothing Store, capital stock, $10,000. Other business concerns, capital stock unknown : Klanke Furniture Store ; August

Dierker, Stoves and Tinware; Henry Schwaberow, Groceries and Queensware ; Wm. Schulenberg and Son, Stationery, Wall Paper and Drugs; John Koepner, Boot and Shoe Store; Martin Knost. Boot and Shoe Store ; C. J. Boesel, Hardware and Groceries ; Wm. Uetrecht, Grocery Store; L. W. Kuenning, Dry Goods; Frederick Ende, Jeweler; John Hosema, Jeweler; Henry Dick-

In 1835 the Rev. L. H. Meyer organized the Lutheran; Church at New Bremen. Soon afterward a log building was erected that served the purposes of church and school. A few years later a capacious frame building was erected that served as a place of worship until 1888. when St. Paul's Lutheran. Church was built at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. About 1895 it burned down, and was rebuilt the following year.. Rev. F. W. Bertram is the minister in charge. The church membership at the present time is five hundred, and the Sabbath- School has an enrollment of three hundred. Rev. Bertram is thesuperintendent.

St. Peter's Church, located on Main street, is an elegantbrick edifice, valued at eighteen thousand dollars. It has a membership of two hundred and fifty, and a Sabbath school enrollment of one hundred and twenty-five. Rev. C. Fischer is the minister in charge.

Zion Reformed Church, located in the northern part of the village is valued at ten thousand dollars. The membership' of the church is two hundred. The Sabbath school enrollment isone hundred. Rev. P. Kluge is the minister in charge.

Public Schools

The first public school in German township was taught in the log church erected in Bremen in 1835. Two years later (1837) the first school house was erected in New Bremen. About 1845; two more houses were erected in the township. The one located a mile north of the village was known as the Kuenning school. The other was located three miles west of the village and was called the West District school. In after years the log houses

In 1875 German township was organized into a union school district, and a building was erected in New Bremen in 1876, at a cost of $17,000. The organization resulted in a great and manifest improvement of the schools. We feel safe in saying that no township of its size in Ohio, not including large cities, has sent a greater number of students to college since 1886 than German township. Every year since that date the township has sent from twelve to twenty students to college each year.

Biographical

Hon. Charles Boesel was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, February ist, 1814, and was left without the guidance and care of a father at a very early age. He was one of five children, four of whom came to America with the mother in 1832, the other child having died in the Fatherland. Mr. Boesel learned the shoemaker's trade in the old country, and in 1833 he settled in New Bremen, then in Mercer county, where a few of his friends had located several months before, but as he found no employment here he went to Dayton, Ohio, Fort- Wayne, Indiana, and other cities where he could get work. In 1836, he returned and settled at New Bremen, where he started a small general store, and at the same time continued his trade. In the course of time, however, he gave up his trade and confined himself to his mercantile pursuits, and was appointed Postmaster under President Polk, holding that position for nine years. Year after year, he gradually enlarged his store and in 1845, built a warehouse, after which he began buying grain in connection with merchandising. New Bremen was the best market in all that section of the country, and grain and produce were hauled here from forty miles west, even from Portland, Indiana. The canal here afforded shipping facilities that the people were not slow in seizing, and during the 5o's, Mr. Boesel had a very flourishing business. He was in business at this point from 1836 until 1866, and from 1852 to 1856 he was one of the superintendents of the Miami and. Erie Canal, being appointed to that position by the State Board of Public Works.

When he first came to the county, he began an independent career with no capital save about eighteen dollars and a goodly supply of pluck, energy and push. He and a companion, Judge

Hang, of Tiffin, Ohio, came from Germany in the same vessel and worked together for some time in this country. Mr. Boesel accumulated a large fortune and in the year 1866 retired from mercantile pursuits, his successors being his son Jacob and C. H. Kuenning. After retiring from mercantile pursuits, Mr. Boesel -established a bank and continued the same until his death, which -occurred April 17th, 1885. He was an excellent citizen and a man highly esteemed for his sterling business qualities. He held -several positions of trust and represented Auglaize' county in the Legislature from 1862 until 1866, and represented the thirty- -second Senatorial District in the Senate from 1870 until 1874. He was also a member of the State Board of Charities, and was holding that position at the time of his death. He also held various local positions ; became commissioner of Mercer county in 1840 and served two terms, and was prominent in all affairs -of moment. He was identified with the Lutheran Church and always gave liberally of his means to assist the same. He visited the Fatherland twice and on one occasion donated a fine organ, -costing nine hundred dollars to one of the churches. He was ever noted for his strict integrity, enterprise and great liberality. He attended school at night after coming to this country, in order to obtain a knowledge of the English language.

Mr. Boesel was three times married, his first wife being Miss Wilhelmina Maurer, who died in 1843, leaving two children, Jacob and Charles. Mrs. Boesel was a native of Germany and came to America on the same vessel with her future husband. The Maurer family was among the first to settle in New Bremen and its members were very prominent and wealthy citizens. In 1845, Mr. Boesel married a sister of his first wife and who died in 1874. There were ten children born of this union, six of whom are still living.

Hon. Jacob Boesel, son of Hon. Charles Boesel, was born in New Bremen, Ohio, February 6th, 1841. His elementary education was received in the schools of his native village, and at St. Marys Union Schools. He attended the St. Marys schools two years and there learned the English language. At a later period he graduated from Bartlett's Commercial College, Cincinnati, in i860, but previous to that, in the fall of 1856, he began his mercantile career at St. Marys, where he served in the capacity of clerk for two years in the store of Joseph Kelsey. In 1858,. he returned to New Bremen and took charge of his father's business, which he continued until 1866, when he embarked in merchandizing for himself in partnership with C. H. Running. In 1870, Charles Boesel, Jr., his brother, was included in the firm, and at this time the firm took charge of the extensive pork and grain trade which the father had established, and this they continued up to 1896. The firm of Boesel & Running were engaged in the hardware business in an adjoining room to their dry goods store until 1891, when Charles Boesel, Jr., assumed charge of it. Our subject assumed charge of the bank after the death of his father in 1885, at which time the bank was reorganized under the firm name of Boesel Brothers & Co. Mr. Boesel became president of the bank from its re-organization to the date of his death, which occurred August 17th, 1896.

In 1867, our subject wedded Miss Louisa Wolf, a native of Germany, who came to America with her friends when six years of age, and who has since lived in New Bremen. This union resulted in the birth of six children : Adolph, now cashier in the bank; Ida, Alma, Otto, Walter and Dora, the latter deceased. Mr. Boesel was an active and prominent member of the Democratic party and advocated its principles from the time he became a voter until his death. At the solicitation of his friends, he held a number of prominent positions, the first being Township' Clerk, which position he held for six years. After this he served four years as Village Clerk, was Mayor for four years, President of the School Board four years, and a member for six years. In 1889, he was elected to represent Auglaize county in the Legislature, and as his character and ability became recognized, he was re-elected in 1891. He served on the Finance, Library, and Deaf and Dumb Asylum Committees during both terms, being^ one of only two Democrats on the Finance Committee during the several terms. Mr. Boesel and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

John H. Bosche was born in Hanover, Germany, April 29, 1831. His father, John H. Bosche, was a native of the same place. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Louisa Schroeder, was also a native of Germany, and in that country both parents passed their entire lives, the father dying in 1833, when our subject was about two years old, and the mother passing away in 1886. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Two children were born of this union, but only our subject is living. The other child, Sophia, grew to mature years, married and died in 1859, leaving two children.

After the death of his father, Mr. Bosche remained with his mother until twelve years of age, and attended the schools in his native country. In 1845, when but fourteen years of age, he came to America with some relatives with whom he had been living for about two years, and was nine weeks and three days crossing the ocean. The vessel on which he took passage was given up as lost at one time, for the Captain informed the passengers that she was doomed. She drifted far out of her course, and for three days the passengers were without food and exposed to the fury of the gale. They expected every moment to be sent to the bottom, but she brought them through all right, and a very thankful lot of passengers landed at Baltimore in the fall of 1845. Word had reached Germany that the vessel had been lost, and the mother had given her boy up as drowned, when other news reached her.

From Baltimore Mr. Bosche and his friends moved to Cincinnati, where he entered a school in which he remained for two years. After this, he secured positions in hotels and restaurants for two years, and in 1849, he came to New Bremen, where he secured a position as clerk in a general store owned by his uncle, John F. Bosche. In 1852, he started a small business for himself at Montezuma, Mercer county, remained there two years, and in 1855 purchased property in New Bremen, where he engaged in general merchandising. Later, he embarked in the grain and pork business, which he continued for many years. Being very industrious and economical, he saved his money, and soon became well known as one of the most sagacious and thorough going business men and a man of superior judgment. He often sent money to his mother in Germany, and was, also, liberal in his contributions to all worthy enterprises.

-about 1830. Nine children have been born to them, as follows: Alvina, who is married and lives in New Bremen; Lafayette is married and lives at Fort Recovery, Ohio; Herman; Pulaski and Edward, both in western Kansas in business; Franklin; Ferdinand, deceased; Felix and Clara, all of whom were given excellent educational advantages. Mr. Bosche is a Republican in politics, and has held numerous positions of trust and honor in his community. He is well known all over the country, and is universally respected. .

William Barth was born in German township, Auglaize 'county, Ohio, October 18th, 1840. He is a son of John F. Barth, who emigrated to America in 1836. He made the journey across in a sailing vessel and it consumed ten weeks. Within this time the vessel became unmanageable and drifted so far north that it was in the iceberg region. The suffering that the voyagers 'endured on that memorable trip cannot be told.

Mr. John Barth, the father, landed in Baltimore and there remained about four years. He was engaged in public works of the city and was employed in various capacities. In 1840 he fitted out a one-horse wagon with the necessaries for an overland journey and with his family turned his face westward. They came to Ohio, and being favorably impressed with the appearance of 'German township, settled here.

John F. Barth purchased forty acres of land in section six, German township, expending in the purchase of it most of the money which he had earned in Baltimore. He erected a log cabin and prepared in short, to make the place a permanent home. The country was new and wild, and settlers were few and far between. In common with almost every other family in those days, the Barths saw some hard times. Although a cripple, John Barth was industrious and aided by his hardworking wife, managed to earn enough to live in comparative comfort. He died in 1865, having been for many years a devoted Evangelical Lutheran. His wife whose maiden name was Elizabeth Helen Kamp was born in Hanover, in 1810. She died in 1875.

The original of this sketch is one of seven children, the third in order of birth. Four of the family still live. During his boyliood there were few advantages in an educational way; few schools and poor teachers. The settlement was composed mostly Germans and their language alone was taught, so that Mr. Barth has acquired his English as he has been able to pick it up. With the faithfulness of his race, he remained with his parents, until their death. He has always lived on the old homestead. The old log cabin which was his first home he has replaced with a substantial brick residence, and in place of the old log barn now stands a fine frame one. He has added to his father's original purchase until the farm now comprises one hundred and thirtynine acres.

In 1870, Mr. Barth was married to Miss Louisa Sprain of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Barth are the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living: Marietta, Clara, Emma, Ella, Samuel, Edwin and Francis. In politics Mr. Barth affiliates with the Democratic party. In recognition of his worth and ability, he has been elected Township Trustee, a position that he held for ten years. He was elected county commissioner in 1899, which office he held two terms. He has served as secretary of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company for ten years, and treasurer of the company for twelve years. He and the other members of his family worship at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in New Bremen, in which body he has held various official positions.

William Grothaus, Sr. was born in Hanover, Germany, December 23d, 1824. Learning at an early age that he was obliged to depend upon his own resources for a livelihood, and that prospects for success in the old country being very meager, he decided to come to America, which he did at the age of fourteen years, unaccompanied, locating first at York, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a farm hand for several years, later he came to Cincinnati. At this time the "California Gold Excitement" was in its height, and being of an adventurous turn, he determined to make the then long and perilous trip to California to seek his fortune. This was in the year 1850, making the journey via Cuba and the Isthmus of Panama by vessel. He remained in* the California gold fields for three years and by undaunted industry, frugality and thoroughness, his adventure was crowned with success,, bringing much of the precious yellow metal with him.

being connected with a wholesale house, thence back to Cincinnati where he became interested in a grocery business for a short time only, concluding to retire from the city to pursue an agricultural life, which he did by purchasing a tract of land in Van Buren township, Shelby county, Ohio. After following farming for nine years he disposed of the farm and located in New Bremen, to engage in the wholesale and retail cigar business.

He was elected Mayor of the village which office he held for nine years, also, Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He filled both offices with honor, but was finally compelled to resign on account of failing health.

Mr. Grothaus was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Marie Lanfersieck in 1856, who still survives him and resides in New Bremen. Ten children were born to this union, eight of whom are still living.

In youth he was denied the opportunity of education, but' in spite of this fact he was an ardent advocate of learning and good schools, and was considered one of the best informed and wide awake men of the community on general subjects, learning much from experience and travel. He loved his family and his family

John Garmhausen was born in Osenburg, Germany, April 29th, 1832. He is a son of Bernhardt and Anna (Heinfeldt) 'Garmhausen. In 1836, Bernhardt Garmhausen and family left Osenburg for the United Stales. They had a tempestuous voyage and landed at Baltimore in the fall of that year. After remaining a short time at Baltimore, the family moved to Cincinnati. Here, John Garmhausen grew to manhood. The discovery of gold in California in 1849 produced great excitement in the middle and eastern states. In 1850 young Garmhausen joined a party of gold seekers at Cincinnati and made the trip overland to the new El Dorado. He labored in the mines near Sacramento City until 1852, when he returned to Cincinnati. In the same year he located near New Bremen. For fifty-three years he has been a participant in the development of German township and adjacent country. Soon after locating at Lock Two he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He also built a large flouring mill and warehouse, and a few years afterward erected a saw mill. In 1854, he married Miss Mary Strasburg. Of this union nine children have been born: Florenz, Edward, Charles, Benjamin,

In 1892 his store and residence were destroyed by fire. Since then they have been rebuilt more substantially than before. He has always been closely allied with all interests for public improvements having for their object the public good.

Ferdinand Henry Louis Nieter was born in Hanover, Germany, April 26th, 1832. Garrett H. Nieter, his father, was a native of the same country, and was foreman of seven teams engaged in hauling goods from Berlin to Hanover. He followed that business until September, 1834, when he decided to try his fortune in the States. He took passage at Bremen, and at the end of thirteen weeks entered the harbor of New York. From there he went by the Lakes to Toledo, and thence to New Bremen by wagons, making that long distance through the woods. At that time there were three log cabins in New Bremen. Mr. Nieter purchased forty acres of land, and three years later, built a rude log cabin. Eighty acres more were purchased in Shelby county two years later, and Mr. Nieter began working on the canal south of Troy, to earn a living for himself and family. In 1842, while attempting to place some barrels in the loft in his cabin, he fell to the floor below and fractured his skull, living only about four hours after the accident. He was forty-five years of age and had always been strong and hearty, never having taken any medicine. In his native country, he had married Miss Monie Gusky, a native of Hanover, Germany, who died in 1850. Seven children were born to them. One died on the ocean, and four are now living.

The original of this notice was the third in the order of birth of these children, and was reared in New Bremen from the age of two years. He attended the early subscription schools here, and his first teacher received eight dollars per month and boarded himself. The school house was a rude log structure with slab seats and all other home-made furniture of that day, and in that primitive building he was instructed in the three R's until fourteen years of age. The story of the life of this pioneer is a record of successful contest with poverty and hardships, and the acquisition of a handsome property by means of honest industry. He left home when fifteen years of age to carve out his own fortune, went to Dayton and for six months worked for four dollars per month in the Montgomery Hotel, returning home sick at the end of that time. Afterward, he worked for a farmer for a short time, receiving eight dollars per month for his services.

In 1848, Mr. Nieter began learning the cooper's trade and received fifteen dollars for the first year of his apprenticeship. On the 1 6th of August, 1849, he began working for Fred Speckman, who was then engaged in the cooper business, and remained with him until 1851, when he was seized with the gold fever. He determined to go to California, but before he could arrange his financial affairs, he was taken sick with typhoid fever and for two months his life hung by a thread. Upon his recovery he was obliged to abandon his plan of going to California and, accordingly, he embarked in business at home. In 1852, he purchased the cooper shop, including the residence of Mr. Speckman for thirteen hundred dollars, and he and that gentleman entered into partnership under the firm name of Speckman & Nieter. They manufactured all kinds of barrels until 1864, and met with flatter- ing success. In April of the last mentioned year, they started a small grocery store and saloon, and engaged in auctioneering, being the only men in that locality who were first class auctioneers. They also dealt in notes, etc.

In 1876, Mr. Speckman and his son Fred, engaged in the dry goods business, and in 1881, our subject became a partner, the firm name being Speckman, Son & Co. The firm also dealt in grain and pork, and had a very flourishing business, owning four farms of three hundred acres, in partnership, beside the saloon property in town. Omthe 26th of April, 1855, Mr. Nieter married Miss Maria S. Hellbush, a native of German township, Auglaize county, and of German parentage ; her parents coming from Hanover, Germany, to this country. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nieter. Those now living are Anna, wife of Peter Erb, an agricultural implement dealer of Cincinnati; William, a member of the firm of Speckman, Goll & Co. ; Clara, in Springfield, Ohio; Valerins, Ferdinand and Emma, who are at home. Four are dead, the eldest being two years of age.

In politics Mr, Nieter was a stalwart Democrat, and was an influential man in the ranks of his party. He was elected recorder of the village before he was twenty-one years of age. He served as clerk for two years and mayor five years. He was elected justice of the peace of German township, and discharged the duties of that office for over thirty years. He and Mrs. Nieter were active members of the Lutheran Church.

William Schulenberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 7th, 1838. His father and mother, Henry F. and Wilhelmina (Buck) Schulenberg were natives of Germany. His father was a miller and millwright, and followed those trades until 1833, when he and his family took passage for the United States. After an ocean voyage of two months they landed at Baltimore, and left immediately for Cincinnati, Ohio. In that city, Mr. Schulenberg engaged in building and contracting for several years. From there he subsequently moved to New Bremen, Ohio, but in a few years returned to Cincinnati. After a short residence in that city, he again moved to New Bremen, where he resided the remainder of his life. Here he continued his business of building and contracting. Nearly all the first class houses of the town are monuments of his work. Mr. Schulenberg was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, which he built. He served in the army in Germany. He died of cholera in 1849, at the age of forty years. His wife passed away the year previous.

William Schulenberg was the sixth in order of birth of twelve children, three of whom are now living, and was twelve years old when his parents died. He received such educational advantages as the times afforded. After the death of his parents he painted wagons in the shop of a wagon maker until he was fifteen years of age, after which he worked on a farm for three dollars per month. Later he boated on the Miami and Erie Canal. In 1858, he ran the stage and carried the mail from New Bremen to Piqua, and continued thus engaged until 1862. On the 25th of August of that year, he enlisted in company C, Thirty-seventh Ohio Infantry, under Colonel 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 the company and another brother was in the First Ohio Cavalry. Mr. Schulenberg had several bullet holes shot through his blouse, and was shot through the hair once, but never received a flesh wound. The last six months of his service he was sent to Columbus, Ohio, and acted as forwarding officer, forwarding substitutes to the front. He became clerk in that department. On the 28th of May, 1865, he was discharged and returned to New Bremen.

Upon his return he married Miss C. Helwig. Of this union three children have been born : Anna, wife of Edward Lanyhert ; Herbert, who carries on a store, and Francis. In 1868, Mr. Schulenberg was appointed postmaster under General Grant, which position he held until 1885. In 1886 he was elected Sheriff of Auglaize county on the Republican ticket having a majority of three Tiundred and thirty-one. At the expiration of his term as sheriff, he returned to New Bremen and was re-appointed postmaster under General Harrison.

Christian Schmidt was born in Hanover, Germany, January i st, 1816. He was but six weeks old when both his parents died of that dread disease, cholera, and he was left to the tender mercies of strangers. He was taken by a farmer, with whom he remained until he was nineteen years of age. From the age of seven until fourteen he was kept almost constantly in school. After that, he assisted his kind benefactor on the farm until August, 1834, when, attracted by reports of advantages to be derived from a residence in the United States, he took passage for this country. After a tempestuous voyage of nine weeks, he landed in New York. From there he went by way of Albany, Buffalo, and Cleveland to Portsmouth, and from that point down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. After remaining in the latter city for a short time he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he began searching for employment. He and his brother found work about thirteen miles east of Dayton, where they engaged in clearing land and chopping cord-wood at twenty-five cents a cord, meanwhile boarding themselves. After this, our subject worked for a farmer at ten dollars per month.

In 1841 he married Miss Mary Wiemeyer. Of this marriage nine children were born, of whom the following survive : Henry G., Anna, William C., and Amelia. Lizzie, Caroline, Mary, Sophia and an infant are deceased.

After his marriage, Mr. Schmidt entered into partnership with his brother, who had built a distillery near New Bremen, and this they carried on for three years. In 1849, he started a small grocery in New Bremen. In 1856, he added dry goods to his stock and continued general merchandising until 1881.

Mr. Schmidt during the latter years of his life was an ardent Republican. He served as Mayor of New Bremen one term, was treasurer of the township for several years, was clerk of the village for some time, township assessor for one year, member of the village council, and a member of the School Board. He and his estimable wife were members of the German Reformed Church, of which church he served as elder for thirty-five years. Mr. Schmidt died January 16th, 1899.

ing school, and receiving therefrom a thorough knowledge of those branches of study necessary in the laying of a sure foundation, upon which to build a permanent structure in after life. When not in school, he was kept busily engaged in honest, useful labor, thus, in early youth becoming possessed of two predominant characteristics, which were plainly observable by all. with whom he came in contact throughout the whole of a successful business career, viz., an absorbing love of reading, often intothe small hours of the night. He emigrated to America in 1838, landing with his father and family in New Orleans, from whence they came direct to New Bremen, Auglaize county. Having learned the tanner's trade in the old country, he engaged in thesame business with his father in New Bremen. He was successful in business, and in 1870 sold his property to Mr. August Boesel.

Mr. Kuenzel was married in 1839, to Miss Maria Wunderlich, by whom he had thirteen children, five of whom survive. He wasalways closely allied with all interests for public improvements of the town, having for their real object the general good. He was for many years a member of the Board of Education. At the time of his death, September, 1879, he was engaged in the manufacture of flour and woolen goods, in which business he was succeeded by his son.

Mr. H. F. Kuenning was born in Amt Deipholtz, in the former kingdom of Hanover, and emigrated with his parents tothis country in 1835, landing in New York in the month of July. From there he went to Buffalo and Cincinnati, remaining at the places but a short time, and from the latter city went to Louisville,. Kentucky, where for one year he made his home with a sister. In the fall of 1836 he came to New Bremen, his parents having previously moved to the pioneer village. In 1846 he married Miss C. W. L. Dammeyer. Of this union five children were born,, of whom only three survive. In 1863, his wife died. A year later he married Miss Maria W. Lanfersieck. Of this marriage three sons and five daughters were born.

Mr. Kuenning participated in the vigorous measures taken by the citizens of New Bremen to prevent the landing of the Randolph negroes in 1848, and carried a gun in the memorable

"Mr. Kuenning was a farmer by occupation and was actively engaged in this business until May, 1896, when he turned the management of his farm over to his son. He was connected with the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was president from 1872 to 1898. In politics he was a Democrat, serving his party in the capacity of School Director, township trustee and assessor, filling each office with honor and credit. In religious circles he also took an active part, being a conspicuous figure in St. Paul's congregation, where he filled every office from deacon to president." He died July 25, 1904.

C. H. Kuenning, a brother of the preceding was born in Germany, October 24th, 1831, and emigrated to this country with his parents at the age of four years, and settled with them on the farm north of town, owned in after years by his brother H. F. Kuenning. Here he was employed until he was nineteen years of age, when he entered the service of Charles Boesel. Four years later he and George Peter Maurer bought the business of Mr. Boesel and conducted the same for four years. At the end of that time he bought out his partner and again entered into partnership with Mr. Boesel, under the firm name of Boesel & Kuenning. In 1900, after having been engaged in active business pursuits for fifty years, he retired from active business, turning all his interests over to his two sons.

"On the 1st of September, 1853, he married Miss Maria Clara Shulte. This union was blessed with seven daughters and two* sons, of which two daughters died in infancy and one, Mrs. J. H. Pohlman, died in Tippecanoe City in 1900. Never was Mr. Kuenning happier than when he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and for that reason family reunions at the Kuenning home were of frequent occurrence."