Jackson Township

Jackson Township

This township was erected by Act of the General Assembly in 1858. Originally, it was a part of German township. It has an area of nineteen and seventy-five hundredths square miles, and is bounded on the north by German township, east by Shelby county, and on the south and west by Mercer county. The section of the Act erecting Auglaize county defines the southeast corner of the township as being on the Darke county line, which is an error. The northeast corner of Darke county is situated eleven and fifty-two hundredths rods southwest of the aforesaid corner. The error should be corrected by proper legislation.

The soil of the township is exceedingly fertile, from which bounteous crops spring with the regularity of the seasons. The Loramie Reservoir extends into the township in sections thirtyfive and thirty-six. The extension of the L. E. & W. R. R. in 1877 and the Western Ohio R. R. to Minster in 1903, created new life and activity in the township. The development, in the last few years of what is known as the Minster oil field has also been a source of benefit.

In 1833, a stock association of Germans was organized at Cincinnati for the purchase of a section of land in Mercer county, Ohio. "The object of this purchase was to lay out and found a town, under certain specified conditions. The conditions bound the company to furnish sufficient money, as a joint fund to enter the land and lay out the town. The funds so provided were to be entrusted to Francis Joseph Stallo, of Mercer county, Ohio, who was authorized to enter the land in his own name. He was further to have this land platted and divided into one hundred and fortyfour shares, and fix a day for a meeting of the company at Cincinnati, where the price per share and expenses were to be determined. The selection of shares was then to be made by the members by lot, the drawer of each share to pay a ratable proportion to said Stallo. After the numbers were drawn, Stallo was to make and execute a deed in favor of each purchaser." Under these conditions, the record shows that Stallo on the 8th day of September, 1832, entered the northeast quarter of section thirtyfour ; the northwest quarter of section thirty-five ; the southeast quarter of. section twenty-seven, and the southwest quarter of section twenty-six, in township seven south, range four east, situate in Mercer county, Ohio.

"Soon after the purchase Stallo caused said land to be laid off, platted, and divided into one hundred and forty-four lots, and each share subdivided into ten parts or lots, and estimated and calculated the price of each share at $8.50. On April 14,

1833, the company met at Cincinnati, Ohio, and proceeded to draw lots in accordance with these conditions. The lots were all drawn at that time.,,

"In the summer of the same year Stallo died intestate, without having executed deeds to the several purchasers, as required. For the purpose of securing title to purchasers, a bill in chancery was filed in the Common Pleas Court of Mercer county, then sitting at St. Marys, entitled -

"The defendants, the legal heirs of said Stallo being infants, appeared by their guardian ad litem, when it was ordered by the court that the defendants as they became of age should severally convey to said owners or original purchasers their respective lots of shares, and in their failure to do so within six months after attaining their majority, this decree was to operate as a conveyance."

By an Act of the Legislature of 1837, the widths of streets shown on the original plat were changed to some extent. In 1837, the town was resurveyed and platted by Justin Hamilton, a competent surveyor of Mercer county. According to that survey the section of land is divided by seven (7) streets from north to south, and eleven (11) from east to west. The streets extending from north to south are each sixty-six (66) feet wide, except Main street which is seventy-two (72) feet in width. Of the streets east and west each one is fifty feet in width except First and Seventh streets, each being fifty-one feet in width, also, Fourth street, which is sixty-six feet wide. In after years the county commissioners added nine feet to the width of First and Seventh making the roads sixty feet wide. The lots are numbered from south to north and north to south on Main street, beginning with number one at south end of Main street on west side and numbered consecutively to seventy-two (72) at north end of same street; then commencing at seventy-three (73) on east side of same street number consecutively to south end of said street to one hundred and fourty-four (144), each having a front of sixty-eight feet and nine inches, and a depth of four hundred and fifty-five and one-sixth feet, extending to the next street.

The town was founded by Germans, and still preserves its nationality. It assumed considerable business importance after the construction of the Miami and Erie canal. The race connecting the northern extremity of the Loramie Reservoir with the canal in Minster was dug in the years 1847-8-9. Francis Sprehe built a frame grist mill near where the race crosses Frankfort street, which did a profitable business for many years. Thus the community flourished until 1849, when the cholera appeared, making such ravages that four hundred settlers of the town and township died of the dread disease. The people died so rapidly that immediate burial could not be given them. Theodore Dickman, then a lad of fourteen years, remembers counting twenty-six coffins sitting around in the hazel bushes in the cemetery south of the town, awaiting interment. Joseph Bussing from three miles west of Minster and a number of assistants, came once a week and buried the accumulation of caskets. They buried them in deep trenches four tiers deep. The epidemic continued three years, but was not so malignant the last two years. A remarkable feature of the epidemic was that its prevalence was confined to the village and township east of the canal. No case was reported west of that waterway. All forms of business were crippled by the great calamity. Several years elapsed before the town resumed anything of its former enterprise and social conditions. There was a slow but steady growth in the volume of business and public improvements of the town until 1877, when the Lake Erie and Western R. R. was extended from St. Mary's to Minster. roads.

At the time of the erection of the township in 1858, the old army road from Piqua to St. Marys was the prinicpal one, the others being called "hoop pole roads." The construction of roads and the building of bridges were slow of progress, until 1880. Since that time nearly every public road in the township Fas been piked, and the rude wooden bridges of an earlier date have been replaced by substantial iron structures.

The first public school building in Jackson township was -erected in Minster in 1834, and was situated at the corner of Adams and Zweibruken streets. It served as a township and village school building until 1853, when a four room brick building was erected on Zweibruken street between Adams and Fifth streets. After the establishment of the church and convent at Egypt a school house was built in that locality in i860.

The two story brick building erected in Minster in 1853, continued in use until 1877, when an elegant brick edifice was erected .at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars. The building was heated by the Smead heating apparatus, and was provided with .all the modern appliances used in the best schools. This building took fire from a defective flue and was burned in the spring of 1905. Preparations are now in progress for the reconstruction of the building. Since the fire the parochial school houses have been used for public school purposes.

The following from F. J. Boerger, Supt. of schools, is of interest in this connection : "It should be stated here that the schools of Minster, from the earliest times have been supported by public funds, and sisters as well as male teachers, have at all times submitted to county examination for license to teach. During the sixties and seventies the following teachers were employed at various times: Mr. Renfrow, Mr. Collet and Mr. Schiffer. All three gentlemen were organists of the church, as well as teachers. The last named, especially, was quite a good singer and improvisor on the organ.

In 1880, Mr. John Horst took charge of the schools, and for sixteen years held his position. It is generally conceded that no better teacher has ever taught in Minster. During the sixteen years of his supervision the following teachers taught the boys' grades: Aloys Roessner, J. H. Reitmeyer, Frank Hackman and B. Sherman. Of these assistant male teachers Mr. Sherman taught ten years.

After the erection of the Union school building in 1894, a -course of study was adopted, and the department graded in conformity to it. Since the re-organization of the departments, the following sisters have had charge of the grades : Sister M. Angeline, A Grammar^ Sister M. Rosamunda, B Grammar; Sister

History Of Western Ohio St. Augustine'S Church, Minster, Ohio

A mission church was established in Stallotown in 1833, by Prof. Horstman, of Glandorf, Germany. He was a man of learning, and a physician as well as a priest. He came to America in 1831, and made Glandorf, in Putnam county, Ohio, the center of his missionary field. The services of the mission church were held in the house of Mr. Voltke, on Main street for a time. Soon after the organization of the mission, a log church, forty by sixty feet and sixteen logs in height, was built, which served for church purposes until 1850. This log building stood near the corner of Zweibrucken and Adams streets.

Father Horstman made monthly visits to Stallotown from 1833 to 1835. From 1835 to 1845 the following named pastors appear upon the records : Father Joseph Brand, Rev. H. D. Junker, Father Bartels, Rev. Henry Herzog, and Rev. Navarron.

In 1845 the Fathers of the Order of the Most Precious Blood took charge of St. Augustine's congregation, and so well have they administered their duties that they have been retained up to the present time. Father Salesius Brunner, the first Provincial,, was the first Priest of the Order to take charge of the parish. He was succeeded by Father John Vandenbroeck, under whose supervision the present church edifice (not including the two towers) was built. The entrance was situated at the east end, at the alley. This was done, because the greater portion of the town lay east of the church. The building was one hundred and twenty feet in length by sixty in width, and was built at an expense of fifteen thousand dollars. The following names appear on record from 1845 to 1852, either as priests in charge, or as assistants : The Fathers Kreusch, Gals, Ruf, Wilhelmy, Dambach, Ringele, Bildstein, Henneberg, Falk, Capeder and Steifvater. From 1852 until 1885 Father Andrew Kunkler was pastor of the congregation. Under his supervision St. Theresa's school building was erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. This buildings was used for school purposes until 1896. He, also, supervised the remodeling of the church, which consisted in the removal of the tower at the entrance on the east, and the .erection of the two towers at the west end, each being one hundred and ninety feet high. By building these towers an additional twenty feet was added to the length of the church. The interior was frescoed, new stained glass windows were put in, and beautiful stations were placed along the walls. The cost of these improvements amounted to more than twenty thousand dollars, which amount was partly paid off by subscription.

The following represents the succession of pastors of St. Augustine's congregation since Father Kunkler's resignation: Rev. Christian Nigsch, 1885 to 1890; Rev. Albert Vogg, 1890- 1897, and Father Aloys Malin, pastor now in charge.

Financial Interests Of Minster

The Minster Banking Association, established in 1888, has deposits to the amount of $179,260.00. George Van Oss, cashier; and Frank Schmuecher, is assistant cashier. Directors of the Association: Antone Frederich, Frank Schmuecher, Sr., Henry Holiet, and C. F. Herkenoff.

Biographical

John Michael Drees was born in 1812, in Garrel, a village in the dukedom of Oldenburg, North Germany. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty years of age, when he, in company with several young men left Garrel to secure homes for themselves and friends in the New World, as America was called at that time. They crossed the ocean on a sail ship, landing at Baltimore. From that point they traveled on foot over the mountains to Pittsburg. At that point young Drees obtained employment as a blacksmith for a year. During his leisure time he took lessons in the English language at a popular evening school in Pittsburg. By the end of the year he acquired a sufficient amount of the language to enable him to transact business in the vernacular of the country.

In 1833, his parents, brothers and sisters emigrated to America, crossing the ocean on a slow sailing vessel, and landing at Baltimore. From that port they made their way to Pittsburg, the men traveling on foot, and the women, children, trunks and boxes containing the family goods on a big mountain wagon. From Pittsburg the family took passage on a steamboat for Cincinnati. From Cincinnati the family and goods were transported through the wilderness to Stallo town. After providing a house in which to live, the father and son built a shop in which they, at once, engaged in the practice of their trade, that of blacksmithing, and for many years supplied the new commonwealth with pioneer tools, strong hoes, spades, axes, scythes, etc.

Mr. J. M. Drees, Jr., was a reputable public officer for many years, of the town, township and county, serving as mayor, clerk, and treasurer of the municipality, and also served two terms on the first board of commissioners of Auglaize county.

Mr. Drees was twice married; his first wife, Elizabeth Schemmel, was born in Germany and came to this country in 1835. Of this marriage nine children were born, of whom three are living: Charles, H. C. Drees, and Barney. Of his second marriage there were born: Michael, John, Agnes, Frank, Caroline, Joseph, Louis and Anthon.

Theodore Dickman. Few men in Auglaize county are more widely and favorably known than the subject of this sketch. His father was born in North Germany, near Bremen, and emigrated to America in 1832. After a lengthy voyage the family landed at Baltimore, from which port they traveled by canal to Cumberland, and crossed the mountains in a wagon to Wheeling. From that point they descended the Ohio river to Cincinnati in 1832, where the family resided until 1836. In the latter part of that year they moved to Minster and purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the village on the south.

Theodore Dickman was born in Cincinnati, March 8th, 1835, and was eighteen months old when the family settled at Minster. Here our subject grew to manhood, and assisted his father in clearing a farm in the wilderness.

Mr. Dickman has a distinct recollection of the period of activity that prevailed between Loramie and St. Marys during the construction of the Miami and Erie canal. The work was performed by sub-contractors ; each sub-contractor engaging to excavate a certain distance, ranging from a mile to five miles. Boarding houses were erected at Minster and Loramie to accommodate the large number of men engaged in digging the canal. It was the prevailing belief at that time that whiskey neutralized the effects of malaria. As a result of this hypothesis the subcontractors were compelled to supply their hands with a certain amount of the stimulating beverage. The quantity varied from a jigger (two ounces) to sixteen jiggers per day, and the contractor who offered the greatest number of jiggers per day was able to secure the largest number of hands. The report was current at that time that the hands consumed forty-five barrels of whiskey to forty-two barrels of flour.

The hands employed on the canal in the vicinity of Minster were mostly German, and many of them made money enough in the four years that the canal was under construction to purchase farms for themselves.

prosperity ensued in the village and township. In the summer of 1849, the town and township were visited by that dread scourge, the cholera. Within the two years following four hundred citizens of the township died. Theodore Dickman, then fourteen years of age, in the employ of a cabinet workman in Minster, was engaged during the prevalence of the epidemic in the manufacture of coffins. The pressing demand for boxes was so great that the exercise of the niceties of workmanship was impossible. The boards were planed on one side, and as fast as the boxes were made, were painted with a solution of lamp-black in whiskey, and rubbed down with a meat rind.

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Dickman joined the army as first lieutenant of company C, 58th O. V. I., and was honorably discharged, December 8th, 1862. He has held the office of trustee of Duchouquet township for six years, sheriff of Auglaize county for two terms, also served as county treasurer for two terms. He was married April 23, 1857, to Miss Mary Weinmar of Minster. Of this marriage six children were born: Joseph Theodore, Major in the Regular Army, and member of the General Staff. He served in the Spanish-American War; in the Phillipine war, and served on General Chaffee's staff in his campaign in China. John B. Dickman, the second son, is, at the present time, occupying a position in the Government printing office at Washington ; Mary A. is the wife of C. A. Stueve, Probate Judge of Auglaize county; Anna Barbara is the wife of John Gunther, a resident of Wapakoneta; Miss Lulu (unmarried) is a skilled ceramic artist whose studio is located on Park street, Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Catherine is the wife of Charles Freck, a resident of Wapakoneta, and formerly Recorder of Auglaize county for two terms.

Mr. Dickman and his estimable wife are, at the present time, living in their commodious residence on Blackhoof street, enjoying the. fruits of a well spent life.

Colston L. Dine, M. D. was born in Seneca county, Ohio, on the nth of February, 1858. His parents, William and Margaret (Kennedy) Dine, were natives of the Keystone State, where they remained until about 1850. From there they moved to Seneca county, Ohio, and there the father followed his trade, shoemaking, until about 1863, when he moved to Mercer county, locating in Montezuma. Five years later he sold out and removed to Neptune, where he and his estimable wife reside at the present time. Five of the thirteen children born to them are now living, and Dr. C. L. is eighth in order of birth.

The early boyhood of Dr. Dine was spent in a district school of Seneca county, which knowledge was supplemented by two terms in the High School at Celina and in a private school. At the early age of seventeen, he began wielding the ferrule and taught during the winter seasons for nine years. While teaching, he also attended school between terms, and during the year 1882, and while teaching, he began the study of medicine, his course of study covering about four years. In March, 1886, he was graduated from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, with high honors, and received a gold medal for the best examination on diseases of the eye. He also received a fine case of surgical instruments, a prize offered to the person presenting the best paper on final examination. He received this case out of a class of seventy-eight students. He located at Minster, Ohio, on the 1st of April, 1886.

Dr. Dine has been twice married. On the 3d of February, 1881, he married Miss Elizabeth Harner, who was born in Center township, Mercer county, Ohio, where her parents resided for many years. Her father, Michael Harner, was a soldier, and died in the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. The mother died when comparatively a young woman. Mrs. Dine received her final summons on the 7th day of February, 1889, and left the following children: Lockie F., Portia F. and Mary I. On the 14th of January, 1890, the Dr. took for his second wife Miss Josephene Herkenoff, a native of Minster, Ohio, and two children have blessed this union: Frank W., born June 7th, 1891, and Margaret E., June 1 6th, 1892.

Dr. Dine is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the Shelby County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society. He and Mrs. Dine are worthy members of the Catholic Church. They have a fine residence, one of the best in Minster, and are honorable and useful members of society.

baker, which he followed after reaching man's estate. In 1832, he decided to emigrate to America, and with his family crossed the ocean during that year. He settled in this section in Auglaize county, and intended to follow his trade here, but died before his business was started. The mother afterward married again, and died in 1892, when eighty years of age. By the first union she became the mother of two children, both sons, our subject being the only one now living. Six children were born to the second union, three of whom are now living.

The educational advantages of Mr. Herkenhoff were limited to a few months in the common schools each year, and when eighteen years of age he began learning the trade of a cooper in Minster. After continuing this one year, he went to Cincinnati, worked there for six months, and then returned to Minster, where he clerked for two years. Subsequently, he spent a short time at Tippecanoe City, and then again went to Cincinnati, where he remained until the spring of 1861. From there he came to Minster, where he managed a cooper shop for his stepfather until 1864, when he purchased the shop. In 1865, he bought machinery -(having, previous to that time, made barrels by hand), and conducted an extensive business until the fall of 1890, when he sold out. About the same time, he purchased an interest in the Minster Star Brewing Company. He is now stockholder, director and president of the Citizens' Bank of Minster, and is one of the most substantial and wealthy men of the place, every enterprise he has ever undertaken having prospered under his superior management. He is also the owner of . considerable town property, and has aided in various ways the progress of Minster. During the years he was in the cooperage business, he gave employment to many hands and had a steady contract to furnish Armour & Co., of Chicago, with barrels.

In the year 1864, Mary Gausepohl, a native of Minster, Ohio, became the wife of Mr. Herkenhoff. Her parents were originally from Germany and were among the early settlers of Auglaize county, but are now deceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herkenhoff, namely: Charles, now in the grocery business in Minster and a wide-awake young business man ; Josephene, wife of Dr. C. L. Dine ; Carrie, wife of

Fred Kramer, a hardware merchant of Minster; Frances, Alice and Anna (deceased) Tony and Dilla. The political affiliations of Mr. Herkenhoff are with the Democratic party, and, although he has never sought an office of any kind, he has been called upon to fill various positions of trust. He has served as Township Trustee for six years, was a member of the Council two terms, and did efficient work on the School Board for twelve years. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. They give a hearty, cheerful, helping hand to all religious, educational and benevolent efforts and enterprises in the community, and are classed among the prominent citizens.

Rudolph A. Rulmann, M. D., was born in Prussia, January 19th, i860. Although young in years, he has met with unusual success in the profession he has chosen, and in the dual capacity of physician and druggist has gained a most enviable reputation. His father, Herman B. Rulmann, was also a native of Prussia, and there followed the trade of a miller. In 1865, he emigrated to America, locating first at Oldenburgh, later at Laurel, Indiana, and finally, in 1888, came to Minster, where he is now engaged in milling. His wife, the mother of our subject,, whose maiden name was Augusta Muellar, was born in Prussia, and died in Indiana in 1875. Afterward, the father married Miss Mary Hackman.

Dr. Rulmann is the elder of two children, his brother being -at the present time a prescription clerk in a Cincinnati drug store. He was quite young when his parents came to America, his father crossing the ocean in 1865, and the family following in 1869. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, on the first of July of the latter year, and on the 4th reached Cincinnati, where the display and celebrations of that day made an indelible impression upon the mind of the lad. Before coming to America, he had attended school nearly four years in his own country, and after reaching the United States, he was a student in' the Reading (Ohio) schools about 'one year, and later studied at Oldenburgh, Indiana. In the year 1874, he entered Francis College and there passed two years, after which, in the fall of 1876, he read medicine with Dr. Averdick, of Oldenburgh. In the autumn of the following year, he entered the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, took a graded course of four years, and was graduated on the 3d of March, 1881, with the degree of M. D. He had the advantage of hospital practice during his collegiate studies, and took a special course in obstetrics and diseases of women and children.

On the 22d of April, 1881, Dr. Rulmann began practicing in Minster and is now one of the foremost physicians of the county, where he has an excellent practice and is well established in business. In the year 1881, he married Miss Isabel Schmieder, a native of Minster. Her father, Hon. J. P. Schmieder, was one of the earliest settlers and most prominent citizens of Minster, where he resided for many years. He was a physician of acknowledged ability, and his death, which occurred in 1887, while he was serving his second term as State Senator, was widely mourned as a public loss. Mrs. Rulmann died on the 19th of February, 1886. Two children were born to this union, Albert H. and John P. (deceased).

Dr. Rulmann's second marriage occurred in 1888, his wife being Miss Josephine Vogelsang, who was born in Minster, and whose parents, Fred and Elizabeth Vogelsang, were early settlers of that place, where they reside at the present time. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Rulmann, Clarence and Herbert. In political preference, our subject is a Democrat and a staunch advocate of the platform of that party. For the past four years he has been Health Officer of the town. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In 1881, he established a drug store in Minster (the only one in the village), and has occupied his present fine building since 1889. He is secretary and treasurer of the Rulmann Milling Company, of which his father is President, and he is one of the most enterprising and most thorough-going men of the place.

George Van Oss, the subject of this sketch, was born in Holland, January 1st, 1844, and came to America in 1856. His father, Theodore Van Oss, was a brickmason by trade in his native country and emigrated to the United States in the year mentioned, landing in New York City after a voyage of thirtyfive days. From New York the family moved direct to Minster, Ohio. Here he resided for thirty-six years. For the first few years of his residence in the village his time was employed as a

And Auglaize Countj

Mr. Van Oss was a consistent member of the Catholic Church. He was also a member of the. village Council at different times, and was universally respected for his estimable qualities. He was the father of six children, all of whom are living.

George Van Oss, the eldest of the above mentioned family, attended the common schools of Holland and after coming to Minster received a good practical education in that town, attending evening school for three years to get his English education. When fifteen years of age, he began working with his father, learned the trade of bricklaying, and when twenty-one years of age entered into partnership with his father.* After this, the firm commenced contracting and building and continued in partnership until 1882, erecting. a great many churches, etc., when at that date our subject was elected County Commissioner of Auglaize county. He devoted all his time to that position and filled it in such an able manner that he was elected for the second term and also filled two unexpired terms, making seven years and about seven months in all. Besides locating a great many roads and ditches, more than half the fine pikes in the county were constructed during his administration. Many bridges were also constructed, including two fine ones, spanning the St. Mary's river at St. Marys.

One week from the expiration of his term as County Commissioner, on the first Monday in 1890, he became a partner in the Citizens' Bank at Minster, Ohio. He has since occupied the responsible position of cashier of the bank and is well fitted for his position. In the year 1865, he married Miss Bernadina Albers, a native of Minster, Ohio, whose parents died of cholera when she was but a child. Mrs. Van Oss passed quietly away in the spring of 1867, leaving one child, Theodore. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Van Oss was wedded to Miss Caroline Bergman, who was born in Minster, Ohio, and whose parents, natives of Germany, were early settlers in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Oss have been born ten children, as follows : Mary, Henry,

John, George, Stephen A., Catherine, Rosie, Anthony, Amelia,, and Julius. As a Democrat, Mr. Van Oss is well known throughout the county and stands high in the regard of his party. He has been a delegate to county, district and State conventions, and has been a member of the Minster council two terms. He was Clerk of the township two years and is at present a member of the School Board.

John Laufersweiler, hardware and general provision merchant, is one of the thorough-going, progressive men of Minster and has done much to promote the business interests of the town. That which has contributed largely to his success has been the thoroughly reliable and methodical business principles which have governed his dealing in all transactions and established for him the popular favor which strict probity alone can secure, his motto being : "Honorable representation and fair treatment to all." What he has accumulated in the way of this world's goods is the result of his own exertions, for he started at the bottom of the ladder. He was born in Prussia, Germany,, on the 25th of April, 1844, and his parents, Peter and Anna M. (Friederick) Laufersweiler, were also natives of the old country.

The father was a cabinet maker and carpenter by trade, and he remained in his native country until July, 1847, when he sailed with his family from Antwerp to New York, reaching the Land of the Free in about three weeks. They came via the Lakes to Toledo, Ohio, and thence by canal to Minster. Mr. Laufersweiler purchased about ten acres of land between Minster and New Bremen, and here he worked at his trade until quite aged. He died in 1880, when seventy-seven years of age, and the mother on the 10th of August, 1867, at the age of sixty years. Both were members of the Catholic Church. Seven of the twelve children born to them grew to maturity, and one, a daughter, died on the ocean.

The subject of this sketch was three years of age when he crossed the ocean to America, and his educational facilities in youth were rather limited. This he remedied in a measure by attending evening school after reaching the age of eighteen. He remained with his parents, assisting in cultivating the small farm, until grown, and was on the tow-path for six months, the canal passing within a few rods of their home. When about sixteen years of age, he drove the United States mail from New Bremen to Piqua for eight months, and when nineteen years of age he served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade for two and a half years in Minster. In 1866, he purchased an interest in the hardware business, managed this for about ten years, and in 1876 purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor. In 1880, he erected a large two-story brick block, in which he has since conducted business, and now carries a large and complete stock of hardware. He is highly popular and enjoys an extensive acquaintance and patronage within the city and surroundings. To his hardware stock he has added groceries and provisions and buys country produce.

In the year 1867, our subject was wedded to Miss Agnes Sprehe, of Minster, Ohio, who died in 1882. Eight children were the fruit of this union: Josephene, Bemodine (deceased) ,. Charles, Joseph, Frank (deceased), Cecelia, Katie, and Laurens (deceased). In 1885, Mr. Laufersweiler was married to. Miss Anna Schmuecker, of Covington, Kentucky, and three children have been born to them : Ida, Loretta and Olive. A Democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Laufersweiler has ever been prominent and influential in local politics. He has been a delegate to county and district conventions, has served as Clerk of the town for eight years, a member of the Council for two years, Mayor eight years and Treasurer for three years. Thus it may be seen that he is well informed on political and general topics and is a prominent political factor, not only in the township, but in the county. He and Mrs. Laufersweiler are members of the Catholic Church.

Our subject is a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank and a Director in the same. He was appointed Notary Public in 1884, and was reappointed by Governor Campbell, in 1890. He owns stock in the Minster Cooperage Company, of which he has been president since its formation. He is also president of, and a stockholder in the Minster Manufacturing Company. In 1866, Mr. Laufersweiler engaged in business seven dollars worse off than nothing, for he was seven dollars in debt when he purchased a half-interest in the stock. He has met with unusually good luck and has always contributed his share towards the advancement and improvement of the town. He has been Secretary of the Building and Loan Association of this place for

Theodore B. Steinemann. In presenting to the readers -of this volume the biography of Mr. Steinemann, we are perpetuating the life work of one of Minster's most influential citizens and popular merchants. Excellent judgment and shrewd foresight have contributed to his success, and his extensive mercantile, grain, lumber and pork interests have brought to him the acquaintance of most of the people in this section of the state. Personally, he is held in the highest esteem as a man of sterling integrity, and is honored alike for his business and social standing.

Before noting minutely the events which have given character to the life of our subject, it may not be amiss to narrate a few facts concerning his parentage. His father, John Henry Steinemann, was born in Holdorff, Oldenburg, Germany, October 28th, 1808, and grew to manhood in his native land. In 1832, he emigrated to America, and after a short residence in Cincinnati, went South, where he sojourned about two years. In 1835, he married Miss Catherine G. Meyers, and one year later located three miles west of Minster (then known as Stallotown), at a time when no roads had been opened, blazed trees serving as guides through the forest. After occupying that place two or three years, he purchased other property near Minster, where he erected a residence, and spent his declining years. Soon after changing his residence, he was elected Justice of the Peace and held that office with little interruption until his 'death.

In 1837, John H. Steinemann embarked in the manufacture of brick, and later was engaged in other enterprises, such as merchandising, real estate, cooperage and grain dealing. His first enterprises were started on a small scale, but as his business increased, he enlarged his operations and became one of the foremost men of the town. About 1850, he built a brick store and warehouse and continued to ship all kinds of produce. At the same time, he was engaged in the pork-packing business, which he carried on very successfully. Prosperity rewarded his efforts and he became the owner of a vast amount of property. His family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: John H., Theodore B., Frank J., Charles and Mary. Mrs. Steinemann died on the 23d day of May, 1872, and Mr. Steinemann followed her to the grave on the 15th day of January, 1877. They were well respected in the community in which they lived and were among the most worthy pioneers.

Theodore B. Steinemann was born in Jackson township, Auglaize county, January 1, 1839. He attended the district school until about twelve years of age, and then began assisting his father in business. In the fall of i860, he entered St. Marys College at Cincinnati, remaining there about two years, and then returning home, engaged in business with his father until the latter's death. In the division of the estate, he became his father's successor in the extensive mercantile, grain and pork business, which has been conducted so very sucessfully for many years. In 1883, Mr. Steinemann and his brother Charles purchased the Minster Brewery, which they operated in partnership for about eight years, and in which they were very successful. During that time, the brewery was destroyed by fire, but the present large brick establishment was rebuilt soon after. In 1890, they sold out to the Star Brewing Company, and since that time our subject has given his entire attention to his merchandizing, grain, lumber and pork business. He has a very extensive and complicated business, is a man of excellent business qualifications and good habits, and a citizen who has the highest regard of all who know him. The Steinemann family occupies a leading position in Minster society and its members are intelligent and cultured people. Mr. Steinemann buys anything a farmer has to sell and is prepared to sell him anything he wishes to buy.

In the year 1863, Mr. Steinemann was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wuendeln, a native of Minster, Ohio. Of this union nine children were born, as follows : John, Edward, Rosy, Louis, Millie, George, Elenora, Luetta and Secilla. A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Steinemann has never sought office, preferring instead to attend strictly to business. However, he held the office of Township Clerk for four years and Notary Public six years. He and his wife are both members of the

Catholic Church. Our subject is one of the most substantial men of the county and is the owner of extensive tracts of real estate, he and his brother, John H., owning in partnership eight hundred acres of land, besides valuable property in Piqua and elsewhere.

Dr. John J. Schmieder 'was born in Rust, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, June 26th, 1820, and entered upon the study of medicine, when but eleven years of age, at Freyburg University; from which institution he graduated and emigrated to America in 1846, and settled in Minster. He was an accomplished and well educated gentleman and had many friends in northwestern Ohio. Settling at Minster before the organization of the county, he became one of the leading men in that section. He served as Mayor of Minster for twenty years, and justice of the peace of the township for eighteen years. In 1885, he was elected Senator of the General Assembly, in which office he served until the date of his death, which occurred January 2, 1887.

Dr Schmieder was a sterling Democrat and a representative German citizen of northwestern Ohio. He was an active Democrat but not a bitter or uncompromising partisan, and stood well with his fellow legislators among whom the announcement of his death caused a profound sorrow. Until within a few years he had been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and had accumulated much property. He was considered one of the wealthiest men in the county. His death was a personal loss to many men he had befriended, and to the citizens of the town for which he had devoted the years of his activity, and in which he lived to a fair old age. He was an apparently hearty and robust man who seemed the picture of good health, and always greeted his friends with cheerfulness and a hearty shake of the hand. He will long be remembered for his amiability and worth as a man and a citizen, while his public services were long and creditable. He was three times married, and the father of quite a number of children who will mourn their loss.

duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, September 30th, 1826. Statistics show that the man who toils lives longer than the man of leisure. The years of the life of Clemens Stueve were years of active labor. Throughout the greater portion of them he was blessed with the requisite health and strength to encounter the tasks required of him.

home and journeyed to Bremen, where, on the 16th of June, 1834, the family took passage on a sailing vessel, leaving Bremerhaven on the 24th of the month, and for nearly three months, sailed about on the wide ocean, arriving at Baltimore, September 10th, 1834. After a short rest, they took their departure, traveling overland to Wheeling, which point was reached on the 26th of the month. The family immediately took passage on a steamboat for Cincinnati, arriving at that point, October 8th, 1834. At Cincinnati, a teamster, equipped with a Pennsylvania emigrant wagon was employed to transport the family and goods to Stallo town, now the village of Minster. The journey from Cincinnati was exceedingly tiresome after their long voyage by sea and by river. Judge Stueve remembers the inquiry made by his mother at different times, "how far is it yet?" and that the last time the question was asked, the teamster answered "we are now in the midst of Stallo town." A few huts scattered about in the dense forest constituted all there was of the village.

Mr. Stueve was a carpenter by trade, and on the day after their arrival at Bremen (November 9th), he commenced the of a house for the accommodation of himself and family, consisting of his wife, Clemens, the subject of this sketch, Bernard and a little daughter, Gertrude. For fifteen years the father followed his trade, in which time he accumulated a sufficient amount of property to enable the family to live in comfort. In 1849, Minster was visited by a dreadful epidemic of cholera, when four hundred citizens of the village and township died. Herman H. Stueve being among the number, passed away July 28th, 1849. The mother had preceded her beloved husband, dying April 26th, 1848.

The opportunities for acquiring an education in those days were limited, and as soon as his physical development would permit, Clemens was apprenticed to a wagonmaker. After the expiration of his apprenticeship, he worked for several years as a journeyman at Covington, Ohio. There being no public conveyances for travelers at that time, Mr. Stueve visited his home once a week on foot.

In 1848 or 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Vogt. Of this union five children were born, namely: Louis B., born October 14th, 1849, and died September 1st, 1898; Mary, born in 1852, and died October 15th, 1869; Clement A. born November 27th, 1855; Helen R., born July 15th, i860, and died April 17th, 1862, and Catharine E. Johnston, born May 30, 1863. On June 10th, 1863, his wife died, and having several small children without maternal care, he married Miss Mary Westbrock, September, 1863. Of this latter marriage the following children were born: Bernard H., born January 25th, 1865; Julius H., born November, 1867; William F., born December 25th, 1870, and died September 29th, 1900; Anton C.y born 1872, and died January 14th, 1897.

"While in his teens, Clemens Stueve assisted in the construction of the reservoir embankment at or near Celina, Ohio, and finally, about the time of his first marriage, with the financial assistance of his father and father-in-law, erected the first steam saw mill in Minster. He carried on the sawmill business until February, 1856, when he sold out, and having saved a considerable amount of money, contemplated a removal to some western state, but after making a tour of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, he decided to remain in Minster, and engaged in general merchandising. From that business he gradually drifted into dealing in grain and pork packing. In the pork packing business he was very successful for several years. So prosperous was he, that in 1871, he was considered one of the wealthy men of the county. Reverses came, however, in May, 1878, when he was compelled to make an assignment for the benefit of his creditors."

Albert Vonderbrock, Jr., the subject of this review, was born in Holland, September 24th, 1816, and is the son of Albert Vonderbrock, Sr., who resided near The Hague. Albert Vonderbrock is the father of thirteen children, of whom five are still living.

Following the example of many of his countrymen, Mr. Vonderbrock came to the United States in 1850; landing at New York, April 5th. The vessel on which the family embarked encountered heavy storms in the voyage of twenty-four days. After landing in New York the family journeyed by way of Albany, Cleveland, and Sandusky to Minster, where they arrived August 28th, 1850.

The desolation that prevailed, and the hardships experienced by the citizens of the township after the cholera epidemic of 1849, were startling conditions that confronted the new arrivals in the depleted village. Notwithstanding the discouraging outlook, a lot was purchased on which a house was soon erected. Labor was in demand, and the family soon found employment. Albert Vonderbrock, Jr., was endowed by nature with strong bodily power and marked characteristics that have made him efficient in the mission he was born to fulfill. He is at present one of the oldest, as well as one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the township.

Mr. Vonderbrock is a brickmason by trade and has assisted in the erection of the prinicpal residences and business buildings of the village.

In 1843, he was united in marriage with Martha Von Speenberg, who died in 1855, leaving to his care six children: Catharine, Albert, Antone, Johanna, John and Mary. In 1856, he was again married; this time to Miss Elizabeth Williams. Of this marriage seven children were born: Mary, Helen, Rosa, John, Theodore, Frank and Elizabeth, of whom four are living.

Mr. Vonderbrock has been an exemplary member of the Catholic Church for over eighty years, and has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides, and has, at different times filled responsible offices in the church and township.