EDWARD PURPUS, Mayor, merchant and insurance agent of New Bremen, Ohio, is one of the most thorough-going, prominent and substantial business men of the place.  He has one of the finest business establishments in the town, and by his long and intimate connection with the progress and development of the county, enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide circle of personal and business acquaintances.  He began life at the bottom of the ladder, but by good management and naturally fine qualifications, he has attained a position of which any man might be proud.  Mr. Purpus was born in Germany on the 15th of January, 1847, and his parents Lewis and Louisa Purpus, were also natives of that country.
     The father followed the occupation of a brewer in his native country until 1866, when he determined to emigrate to America, and there pass the remainder of his days.  After reaching the United States, he located in New Bremen, and there resided until his death in 1892, when eighty-four years of age.  He, with Carl Shurz and other prominent men, entered in the Revolution in 1848.  The mother of our subject died in 1891, when eighty-two years of age.  Of this union, seven children are living, two having died after the parents came to this county.
     The original of this notice received a good common-school and collegiate education in his native country, and when sixteen years of age, came to the States, sailing from Hamburg and twelve days later landing in New York City, where he spent several months, engaged in various occupations.  From there he went to Huntington, Ind., and thence to New Bremen in 1865, where he worked in a brewery for several years.  In 1869, he began teaching school and continued this for ten years, in the meantime being elected Justice of the Peace, and Township Clerk and later being appointed Notary Public, transacting public business.  He is now serving his sixth term as Justice.
     In 1885, he was appointed Postmaster under Grover Cleveland, and served in that capacity with much ability for about four years.  In 1877, he engaged in business and carried a line of musical instruments, fancy goods, toys, wall paper, etc., and now carries a large stock of goods.  His building is at the corner of Monroe and Main Streets, and this has recently been enlarged to a two-story brick with iron frame, the best business building in the town.  In New Bremen he has been called to many offices of trust and responsibility and has exhibited an executive ability far above the average.  In 1883, he was elected Mayor and served two years.  He was not eligible to re-election on account of being Postmaster, but in 1890 he was re-elected, and again in 1892.  In 1869, Mr. Purpus became agent for various fire insurance companies and now represents some of the most leading ones.  He is one of the most progressive, thorough-going business men of Auglaize County, and one of its most respected citizens, being honorable and industrious in a marked degree, and possessing a thorough knowledge of the most modern and effective methods of doing business.
     In 1876, our subject wedded Miss Elizabeth Heil, a native of New Bremen, who died in 1890, leaving three children viz:  Clara, Dora, and Irma.  He was married again in 1892, this time to Miss Josephine Hais, of Covington, Ky.  Mr. Purpus is active in all enterprises pertaining to the welfare of the city and county, and is an indefatigable worker for the Democratic party, being a delegate to county, district and State conventions.  He owns considerable property here and in St. Mary's all the fruits of his own exertions.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Pages 128