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Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source :
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, OHIO
and Representative Citizens
Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio
Published by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Illinois
1907
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ELI H. KELLY,
residing in section22, Washington township, owns 150 acres
of valuable land and is one of hte survivors of the Civil
War. He was born Mar. 12, 1839, in Stark County, Ohio,
and is a son of David and Catherine (Biler) Kelly,
who were the parents of eight children.
The parents of Eli Kelly moved to Knox County,
Ohio, in his infancy where they lived for five years, then
lived in Allen County for two years, after which they
resided for 11 months in Adams County, Indiana. They
finally located in Liberty township, Mercer County, in 1851,
and it was here that our subject was reared. His
father bought a farm of 80 acres which Eli assisted
in clearing and cultivating. By attending
school-during the winter he secured an education and after
leaving school he taught for three years; also one year
after his marriage. In October, 1882, eh enlisted in
the 120th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and served for 13
months. He had enlisted for three yeas but was
severely wounded in the battle of Thompson's Hill, May 1,
1863, which prevented any further military service. He
participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bluff and Arkansas
Post, in the Army of the Mississippi under General
Sherman. His regiment then went under the command
of General Grant, going to Vicksburg, Mississippi,
where it did hard labor building a canal, then ran the
blockade at Vicksburg, on the Grand Gulf and marched all
night to Thompson's Hill, going into battle the next
morning without anything to eat. About 11 o'clock that
morning Mr. Kelly was severely wounded in the left
hand by a musket ball, which tore part of it away. He
was then sent to the field hospital where he underwent an
operation being later removed to a hospital near Grand Gulf,
where rations were cut off and Mr. Kelly had nothing
to eat for four days. He was later moved to a camp
near Vicksburg, where he took fever and was moved from camp
to camp until June 1st, when he was sent to St. Louis where
he lay in the hospital for three months. After leaving
the hospital, he obtained quarters in St. Louis, and after
examination was assigned to the Invalid Corps, but was
rejected. He then underwent a medical examination and
was finally discharged after 13 months of most trying
experiences.
Mr. Kelly then returned to his home in
Washington township, whither his wife had moved in the
meantime, and where she owned a farm of 40 acres which is
now the residence property of Mr. Kelly and
his family. He was ill for a long time after returning
from the war, but upon his recovery engaged in farming.
He bought 40 acres of land in Liberty township in 1865,
which he later sold and bought 80 acres in section 12,
Washington township; he has also 20 acres in section 24.
He has cleared the greater part of this land and has left
about 30 acres of timber.
Mr. Kelly was married in 1861 to Cynthia
Kannard, a daughter of George Kannard, and they
have had seven children, namely: John, who was
educated at the Western Ohio Normal School, at Middlepoint,
later taught school three years and is now interested in a
stone quarry at Middlepoint- he has a family of five
children; George Albert, who is married and
resides on his 40-acre farm in Recovery township; Rusha,
who married Robert McQueen and lives on her father's
farm in section 12, Washington township; Viola, who
married Michael Korath and at her death left one
child, which lived only a week; William; Etta, who
married Jacob Clouse, lives in Kansas and has three
children; and Estella, who lives at home.
Mr. Kelly is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic
and belongs to Washington Grange, P. of H.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 546 |
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GEORGE KETTERING, one of
the most prominent farmers of Recovery township, owner of 200
acres of farm land located as follows, - 80 acres in section
18, Recovery township, and 80 acres in section 15 and 40 acres
in section 16, Washington township, was born in Washington
township, Mercer County, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1856, and is a son of
Henry and Margaret F. (Fennig) Kettering.
Henry Kettering was born near Strasburg,
Germany, where he was reared
and married. He
came to America
with his wife and child and located in
Holmes County,
Ohio, where his wife died shortly
after, leaving one child,
Catherine (Mrs.
Leininger), who resides in Liberty township, Mercer
County, Ohio. His
second marriage occurred in Holmes County,
to Martha F. Fennig,
born in Germany, and who came to America when four years old with her parents who
located in Ashland Co.,
Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs.
Kettering lived a number of years in Holmes County,
their four oldest children being born in that county.
He moved to Mercer
County in 1835 and located on a farm of
80 acres in
Washington
township, which is now owned by our subject and is occupied by
Benjamin Powell, a
nephew of the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Kettering
was one of the most prominent men in Washington township and
at the time of his death, which occurred in 1871 at the age of
58 years, he was the owner of 193 acres of land, and had
considerable other property beside.
His wife died Feb. 1, 1902, aged 77 years.
Nine children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Kettering,
as follows: Henry,
John, Caroline, Sarah, Jacob, George, Mary, Philip and
Margaret.
Henry, John, Caroline, Sarah, Jacob, George, Mary,
Philip and
Margaret. Henry
came to Mercer
County with his parents when about nine
years of age, was reared in
Washington
township and lived here until Mar. 1, 1906, when he sold the
home farm which he then owned to his brother
George, and moved
to Nebraska. He
divided 160 acres among his children and still owns 120 acres
of land in Washington township.
John resides
in Black Creek township.
Caroline is
the widow of Henry
Bobenmoyer¸ of Washington township.
Sarah married John Smoyer
of
Washington
township, who was killed in an oil-well explosion on his own
farm.
Jacob resides in
Washington
township.
Mary married Jacob Becher¸
of Black Creek township.
Philip died
aged one year and seven days.
Margareat married Peter W.
Wright and died at the age of 26 years.
George Kettering
was reared in Washington
township and has spent his whole life in
Mercer
County with the exception
of the time he has spent in traveling.
In 1895, wishing to see the country where his father
was born, Mr. Kettering
took a trip to Europe, visiting France, Germany, Holland and
many other countries.
He is also interested in his own country and has
visited California
on two different occasions.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 515
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ISAAC
NEWTON KEYSER, an enterprising farmer of Center
township, well known throughout the county, was born June
June 8, 1849, in this township on a farm adjoining his
preset farm on the west. He is a son of Jesse and
Martha (Yost) Keyser, and a grandson of Jacob and
Rebecca Keyser, of Pennsylvania.
Jesse Keyser was born in Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania. He later moved to Miami County, Ohio,
and in 1837 located in Mercer County, being the first of the
Keyser family to locate in this county. He
bought and cleared a tract of land and built a round-log
cabin, later building a cabin of hewed logs. In time
the latter was replaced by a frame hosue and this in turn by
a brick residence. He died Aug. 29, 1895, aged 79
years, 2 months and 13 days. Jesse Keyser's
wife, Martha Yost, was a native of Pennsylvania and a
daughter of Eli and Susan (Hendricks) Yost. She
died Sept. 11, 1892, aged 73 years and 13 days. Nine
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keyser, namely;
Audora, Samaria, Sarah, Frances and Joseph
(twins), Susan, Isaac Newton (our subject), Amanda
and Celina. Audora married Daniel
Fast and with him moved to Nebraska, where her death
occurred. Samaria, deceased, was the wife of
J. C. Journey, now a resident of Page County, Iowa.
Sarah married J. G. Fast and lives at
Rockford. Frances married Philip Fast, of
Center township. Josiah, whose death occurred
July 7, 1895, at the age of 51 years, 3 months and 2 days,
was married in 1865 to Margaret Wright, to which
union seven children were born; his widow is now a resident
of Indianapolis, Indiana. Susan, who lives at
Danville, Illinois, is the widow of W. M. Wright.
Amanda married R. G. Baker and lives at Celina.
Celina, who married Silas Harner, died Jan. 7, 1893.
Isaac N. Keyser was reared on his father's farm
in Center township and was engaged in farming the place for
his father until after the death of the latter. For
the past 10 years he has been on his present 120-acre farm,
which he owns and has followed general farming and
stock-raising. He also followed the trade of plasterer
for some time, while still carrying on his agricultural
operations. He built his present residence - a fine
eight-room brick house, the main part being 16 by 34 feet in
dimensions, while the two wings are 15 by 18 feet and 16 by
16 feet in size, respectively.
Mr. Keyser was married Dec. 3, 1871, to
Jennie Welch, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of
John and Catherine Welch, both natives of Ireland.
To this union have been born five children, as follows:
Eva, living in Center township three miles northeast of
her father's place, who married Isaac Snavely and has
three children - Stephen, Glenn and an infant;
Myrtle, living at Chicago, Illinois, who is the wife of
Walter Stanbery and the mother of one child,
Kenneth; Kintz, who married William Roebuck and
is now living at Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Elza and
Bonnie, who live at home with their parents.
Mr. Keyser is a Democrat and active in local
affairs. He has served as supervisor, was township
trustee for 15 years and was a member of the School Board
for 18 years. For six years he served on the Board of
Infirmary Directors. The Town Hall at Mendon, built
jointly by the township and Mendon village, and teh new
public school building at Mendon were erected while he was
township trustee and a member of the School Board.
Although there was a hard fight to get these buildings, they
are a credit to the community and the people are now proud
of them.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 335 |
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HUGH
KINCAID, who has been a resident of Liberty township
for over a quarter of a century, living on a valuable farm
of 77 acres, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil
War.
Mr. Kincaid was born in Jackson County, Ohio,
August 7, 1839, and is a son of James, and Susan
(Gilliland) Kincaid, the former of whom was born in
Virginia and the latter in Ohio.
Hugh Kincaid was reared in| Jackson
County and received his education in the district schools
near his father's farm. Until the second year of the Civil
War, he continued to till his father's fields, but in the
summer of 1862 he decided that his duty lay in becoming a
defender of his country's flag and he enlisted in Company F,
117th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served one year in that
regiment. It then became a part of the First Ohio Heavy
Artillery, and he still remained a member of the 117th,
participating in all its dangers and victories until he was
honorably discharged and was mustered out of the service in
the spring of 1865. The most serious battles in which he
participated were those at Strawberry Plains and Jonesboro.
He left the service of his country with a record of which
his kindred may always feed proud, faithful to every call of
duty and cheerful and obedient in the face of almost certain
death on many memorable occasions.
After his return from the army, Mr. Kincaid
resumed farming, for three years at Missouri, Putnam County,
Ohio, from there going to Jay County, Indiana, later
removing to Washington township, Mercer County, and in 1878
locating on his present farm in Liberty township. He carries
on general agriculture, having the larger part of his farm
under an excellent state of cultivation.
Mr. Kincaid was married
(first) to Micha Wilson, who was born in
Scioto County, Ohio, and they had nine children, six of whom
survive, as follows : Alexander, of Liberty township;
Susan, wife of P. Bodkin, of Auglaize County;
William, of Jefferson township; John, of Jay
County, Indiana;
Leo, of Washington township; and Altha, wife of
Frederick Hess, of Mercer County. Mr.
Kincaid's second marriage was to Emma Linch,
who was born in Indiana, and they have the following
children:
Grace, Cora, Opal, Bessie, Frank and an infant.
Mr. Kincaid enjoys the friendship of his
neighbors and the respect of his fellow citizens throughout
the township. He takes an active interest in its affairs and
is considered one of its representative men.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 742 |
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GEORGE
KLINGSHIRN, who resides on his well-developed farm of
80 acres, located in section 30, Gibson township, was born
June 4, 1864, on a farm in Gibson township directly across the
road from his present property, and is a son of Sebastian
and Kunigunda (Friedmann) Klingshirn, natives of Germany.
Sebastian Klingshirn was about 14 years old when
he came to the United States with his father who located on a
farm in Lorain County for about 16 or 17 years he moved to
Mercer County, about the year 1862, one year after his
marriage. Here he bought a farm of 40 acres in Gibson
township, to which farm he added from time to time, at one
time owning as much as 360 acres of farm land, 200 acres begin
in Gibson township and the remaining 160 acres in Granville
township. He divided 240 acres of this land among his
children, and now lives on the remaining 120 acres. He
was teh father of 11 children - six girls and five boys -
seven of whom are now living.
George Klingshirn and reared and educated in
Gibson township. After his marriage, he located on his
present farm of 80 acres and has since lived here engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He has a well-improved farm, with
good and substantial buildings, having erected a large
farmhouse in 1892 and a fine large barn in 1902.
Mr. Klingshirn was married, January 31, 1893, to
Mary Magdalene Frank, a daughter of John Frank,
a well-known farmer of Recovery township. Five children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klingshirn, namely:
Joseph Sebstian, Kunigunda Mary, Leo Joseph, Urban Peter,
and Edward Joseph. Our subject in a member of the
Sharpsburg Special District School Board. He is also a
member of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 673 |
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JOHN
J. KNAPKE, one of the prosperous agriculturists of
Jefferson township, owns a fine farm of 80 acres, 70 of which
is in section 35, and 10 in section 34, township 5 south,
range 2 east. He was born in Hopewell township, Mercer County,
Ohio, one mile north of his present home, February 26, 1877.
He is a son of Henry and Mary (Bertke) Knapke.
The parents of Henry Knapke were born in
Germany and both died in Mercer County. Henry was born at
Maria Stein, this county, and grew up in the
vicinity of that place, an orphan and a poor boy who had to
make lids own way in the world. That he succeeded was shown
when he owned enough land to give his three sons farms of 80
acres each, and still retain 112 acres. He married Mary
Bertke and their children were: Henry, died in
infancy; Kate, who married Joseph Ineichen
and resides in Jefferson township ; Mary, who married
John Puthoff and lives in Jefferson township;
Annie, who married Basil Halsma and lives in
Oklahoma; John J. and Benjamin (twins), the
latter dying in infancy; and Joseph, Agnes,
Augustus and Carrie, who live on the home farm.
Henry Knapke died September 23, 1906, aged 59
years.
John J. Knapke was reared in Hopewell township
and was educated in the district schools. On March 2, 1900, he
married Lizzie Brans, a daughter of Augustus
Brans, of Mercer County. They have had two children,
Edith and Irvin, the latter of whom died September
17, 1906.
After his marriage, Mr. Knapke settled on the
80-acre farm which had been given him by his father, but in
May, 1906, he sold that property and moved to the present
farm, which he bought from his brother-in-law. He carries on
general farming operations, raises some stock and has a fine
dairy.
Mr. Knapke is a member of the Catholic Church.
For many years he has been a member of the German Independent
Aid Society. In his neighborhood he is counted among the
reliable, honorable men of the community.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 609 |
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HENRY KRAMER, a dealer in
grain, hardware and groceries at Maria Stein,
is one of the leading business men of Marion township, where
he was born January 16, 1862.
Mr. Kramer was reared on his father’s
farm in Marion township, and made it his home until 1881.
He then took charge of the mail route between St. John’s and
Maria Stein and at the same time had charge of the express
office at Maria Stein, running the express wagon until
December, 1885, when he retired from the mail route.
While he was mail carrier he was obliged to endure many
hardships from exposure. There was no depot erected
until 1881 and he was obliged to take shelter under trees
while waiting for the train, which was very often late.
In September, 1884, he took charge of the freight office of
the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad at Maria
Stein, which office he held until April, 1893.
In September, 1887, he purchased the property of J.
Rumping, consisting of a house, two lots and a stable,
paying $1,300 for the same. He moved upon the place the
following December, his aunt, Gertrude Kramer,
acting as housekeeper for him. He began buying
grain for an outside concern in 1886, storing it in sacks
until he had a carload. In 1891 he formed a
partnership with his brother, John M. Kramer, and
started a machine shop. They then erected a warehouse,
and engaged in the lumber business on a small scale.
His trade increased and in 1895 he alone purchased 55,000
bushels of grain. The firm handled 100 car-loads of
grain a year, and besides this Mr. Kramer
carried on his lumber and hardware business. He
dissolved partnership with his brother in 1899.
Mr. Kramer was married May 8, 1889, to
Senora Walck, who was born June 11, 1868. Four
children were born of this union: Joseph, born May
18, 1890, who died in infancy; Beda, born July 8,
1892; Mary, born February 24, 1895, who died the same
day; and Stella, born June 1, 1896. Mr.
Kramer is a stanch Democrat and with his wife is a
member of the St. John’s Catholic Church.
Andrew Walck, father of the wife of our
subject, was born September 22, 1837, in Stark County, Ohio.
He went to Iowa when a young man and engaged as a general
laborer. After returning to Ohio, he located at Middlepoint,
Van Wert County. In 1864 he enlisted in the army and
was discharged in 1865, thereafter receiving a pension of
$12 per month until his death, which occurred in 1893.
He married Louisa Staples, who died in 1871,
leaving four children: Kate, Frances,
Senora and William. Mrs. Kramer,
whose mother died when she was about three years old, lived
with her father until her marriage wjtli our subject.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 430 |
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LEWIS M. KRANER, a
well-known agriculturist and prominent citizen of Nopewell
township, president of the Mercer County Mutual Telephone
Company, resides on a well-cultivated farm of 80 acres,
located in section 23, on which he has placed excellent
improvements. Mr. Kraner was born in Fairfield
County, Ohio, May 10, 1860, and is a son of William H.
and Sophia (Crider) Kraner.
Michael Kraner, the grandfather of our subject, was
born in Maryland and located in Fairfield County, Ohio, as
one of the early settlers. His parents came to America
from Germany. Both parents of Lewis M. Kraner
were natives of Ohio and the father, was born in 1832 in
Fairfield County, where he still resides.
Lewis M. Kraner was reared in Fairfield County
and obtained his education in the local schools and
subsequently at Reynoldsburg and Carroll, Ohio. He
then taught school for a short time and also learned
telegraphing. It was while he was an operator for the
Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, that he first became
interested in electricity. His studies led him finally
into the telephone business and it was mainly through his
instrumentality that the excellent telephone system of the
Mercer County Mutual Telephone Company was
introduced, bringing into this agricultural community so
many conveniences, which have almost become necessities.
Ever since the company was organized in 1893, Mr.
Kraner has been its president and practically, its
manager. He has invented a number of electrical
devices in connection with telephones and
gives much attention to the study of electricity.
Formerly he engaged rather extensively in the raising of
registered stock, but latterly his time has been mainly
taken up with the work of the telephone system, although he
carries on general farming as before. He is also in great
demand among his neighbors as an auctioneer and cries many
sales each year.
In February, 1889, Mr. Kraner was married
to Effie D. Klinger, of Mercer County, who is a
daughter of the late George W. and Melinda
(Patten) Klinger. Her parents, who were
natives of Hocking County, Ohio, were among the earliest
settlers of Hopewell township, Mercer County.
Mr. Kraner is an active member of the
Democratic party. He served six years as a justice of
the peace in Hopewell township, and served for two terms as
clerk of Violet township, in Fairfield County. Few
citizens have a wider acquaintance in the two counties.
In every essential respect, he is a self-made man and the
success which has come to him has been the direct result of
his own efforts. He enjoys the confidence and esteem
of his fellow citizens and has a wide circle of warm,
personal friends.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 328 |
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FRANK JOHN KREMER,
a representative citizen and large landholder of Mercer
County, resides on his well-improved farm of 220 acres,
situated in section 13, Marion township, and owns also
another farm of 40 acres which is located across the
Roeckner turnpike, and 15 acres more, at St. Johns.
Mr. Kremer was born on the farm he now occupies,
Mar. 10, 1849, and is a son of Dietrich and Elizabeth (Bieter)
Kremer.
The parents of Mr. Kremer, accompanied by the
grandfather, Henry Kremer, and their eldest daughter,
Elizabeth, came to America and stopped at Cincinnati,
Ohio, where the second child, Mary, was soon after
born. Elizabeth was two years old at this time.
She subsequently married Gerhard Stammen, and Mary
married Henry Fonderher. The rest of the
children, as follows, were born in the first old log house
that was built on the present farm: Caroline, who
married Henry Will; Anna, who married John
Reichert; Philomena, who married Joseph Kramer;
Catherine, who married John Biehler; Frank
John, of this sketch; and Agnes, who married
Joseph Roeckner. The father died in
March, 1886; the mother in 1880.
Prior to this marriage, Dietrich Kremer
had served three years in the German Army. He then
followed farming in a small way before coming to America.
A short time was passed at Cincinnati, to enable the mother
and baby Mary to gain strength for travel, when the family
came on to Minster, Auglaize County, where they lived until
the father selected a farm in Mercer County. His first
purchase was 40 acres of the present farm on which he put up
a rough log house, which he later replaced with a better one
and still later with a comfortable frame one. To his
first purchase he later added 120 acres and when he died
left an estate of 160 acres.
Frank John Kremer still resides on
the farm settled by his father when he came to Mercer County
in 1836. At his father’s death, in 1886, he received
160 acres, and to this he has added until now he is one of
the largest landowners in the township. He has made
many improvements in the way of erecting substantial barns
and other farm buildings, and in remodeling his nine-room
residence. He is considered a very successful
agriculturist.
Mr. Kremer married Mary Seitz,
who died in 1886. She was born in America and was a
daughter of Max and Anna (Fecher) Seitz, who were
natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had 11
children, three of whom are deceased, namely: Henry,
Joseph and Mary. Those living are:
John D., who married Elizabeth Menker and
resides in Marion township; Elizabeth, who married
John Kleinhenz and lives at St. Rosa;
Catherine, who married Frank Evers and
lives in Granville township; Anton, who married
Mary Evers and lives in Granville township;
Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood, having
spent five and a half years in a college in Indiana and
being now in his fifth year at St. Charles Seminary,
Carthagena; and August, Anna and Frank,
who are at home. The sons all belong to St. Joseph’s
Society. Mr. Kremer, with all his
children, belongs to the Catholic Church, and his 16
grandchildren are being brought up in the same faith.
He has never taken any very active part in politics, but has
served as school director in his district. As a good
citizen and honorable, upright man, he is held in high
esteem in his community.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 706 |
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JOHN
D. KREMER, whose fine farm of 120 acres is situated
in section 36, Marion township, was born on his father's
farm in Marion township, and is a son of Frank John and
Mary (Seitz) Kremer.
The Kremer family has been established in
Marion township since about 1836, when the grandparents of
our subject, accompanied by the great-grandfather, emigrated
from Germany and settled as pioneers here. Frank
John Kremer, who was the youngest son of
Dietrich Kremer, came into possession of the homestead
farm of 160 acres, to which he subsequently added until he
is now one of the largest landowners in Marion township.
He married Mary Seitz, who died in 1886. The
parents of our subject had 11 children, three of whom are
deceased. The survivors are: John D., of this
sketch; Elizabeth, who married John Kleinhenz
and lives at St. Rosa; Catherine; who married
Frank Evers and lives in Granville township; Anton,
who married Mary Evers, and lives in Granville
township; Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood
at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena; and August, Anna
and Frank, all at home.
John D. Kremer was reared on the home farm and
went to school in his native township. On November 6,
1895, he was married to Elizabeth Menker, who was
born in Maria Stein, Mercer County, Nov. 2,
1874, and was a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Thaman)
Menker. Henry Menker was born in Germany and came
in young manhood to Mercer County; here he later married
Catherine Thaman, who was born in America. They
had these children: Elizabeth; Joseph, who married
Frances Tobe and lives at Maria Stein; and Mary,
who resides at home with her father, her mother having died
Nov. 21, 1893.
Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had eight children, namely:
Roman, Edward, Lawrence, Cornelius, Sylvester, Clara,
Herbert and Werner, all of whom survive except
Sylvester who died October 25, 1904. Mrs.
Kremer died Sept. 14, 1906, aged almost 32 years.
Mr. Kremer belongs to a family of good farmers.
He purchased his property from his father in 1900,
since which time he has been successfully carrying on a
general line of farming. His improvements are
excellent and his home is a comfortable frame residence of
11 rooms. With his family he belongs to the Catholic
Church and he, like his brothers, is a member of St.
Joseph's Society.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 705 |
| |
GEORGE
W. KRENNING, senior member of the firm of Krenning &
Son, dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes and general
merchandise, at Fort Recovery, is a well known citizen of
Mercer County, and one of the leading business men at Fort
Recovery. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 8, 1854, and is
a son of J. H. W. and Anna M. (Kruse) Krenning.
The father of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany,
and came to America in young manhood, settling at Cincinnati.
There he married Anna M. Kruse and they had six
children, namely: B. H. W., of Wytheville, Virginia;
Louise, wife of Henry Bosse, of Norwood, a
suburb of Cincinnati; Henry R., of Cincinnati;
George W., of this sketch; Amelia, wife of Henry
Sunderman, of Fort Recovery; and Frederick, who
died in infancy.
In 1860 the parents of our subject moved to a farm near
Fort Recovery, but five years later returned to Cincinnati,
coming back to Mercer County in 1869. For one year the family
lived on a farm in Gibson township and then moved to Fort
Recovery. There J. H. W. Krenning and his son, B. H.
W. Krenning, started a store and woolen mill and this they
continued to operate together until 1883, when the stock of
store and mill was divided and the mill business was removed
to Wytheville, Virginia. Our subject's father died in the fall
of 1901.
George W. Krenning was six years old when the
family moved first to Fort Recovery and was 15 when the
permanent home was established here. His whole business life
has been connected with this place.
In 1875 George. W. Krenning was married to
Harriet T. Campbell, a daughter of Isaac M. and
Lydia A. (Hoar) Campbell, both of whom were born in
Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Krenning have three
children, viz.: Edna, Alice and George C. The
older daughter, Edna, is a graduate of the Fort
Recovery High School and Western Oxford College at Oxford,
Ohio. For three years she has been a successful teacher at
Elyria, Ohio, and is at present a student at Columbia
University, New York City. Alice, the second daughter,
is the wife of Rev. C. A. Mohr, pastor of the
Congregational Church at Silverton, Colorado. George C.
is in business with his father, but at present is a student at
Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.
Mr. Krenning has always performed the
duties of a citizen, but has been too deeply immersed in
business to take any very active part in politics. He has
served efficiently, however, as a member of the School Board
and has been town treasurer. Mr. Krenning and
family are all members of the Pisgah Congregational Church at
Fort Recovery.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 628 |
| |
FREDERICK
KUHN, a highly esteemed resident of Celina, occupying a
comfortable home on West Livingston near Mill street, has been
a resident of Mercer County since 1847 and for over a half
century was identified with the agricultural interests of
Liberty township. Mr. Kuhn is also an honored
survivor of the great Civil War. He was born in Bavaria,
Germany, April 28, 1829, and is a son of Henry and
Margaret (Bollenbacher) Kuhn.
In 1847 the Kuhn family left Germany and
came directly to Mercer County, Ohio, settling in section 7,
Liberty township. At that time pioneer conditions prevailed
all through this locality, the native forest growth still
stood where now are cultivated fields and thriving towns, and
the family was obliged to endure many hardships and privations
to which it had not been accustomed in the old country. The
parents of our subject died on the home farm in Liberty
township, the mother not many weeks after the settlement was
made. They were quiet, industrious, home-building, worthy
German people and were respected by all who knew them.
Frederick Kuhn was a hardy youth of 18
years when his parents settled on the pioneer farm in Liberty
township and upon him fell a great deal of the hard work which
was necessary in the clearing and cultivation of the land. His
education was more liberal than was afforded many of his
companions, as he had been thoroughly trained in the schools
of his native land. From the peaceful pursuits of the farm,
Mr. Kuhn went into the army in the second year of
the Civil War, enlisting on August 12, 1862, in Company F,
99th Reg., Ohio. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of
the Cumberland. He was honorably discharged from the service,
at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, July 1, 1865. During nine
months of army life, he served as a provost guard, under
Colonel Mathews. He participated in many of the great battles
of the war, which included Stone River, Lookout Mountain and
Mission Ridge, and in innumerable skirmishes in which many of
his comrades were either wounded or captured by the enemy.
Mr. Kuhn was fortunate enough to escape all
dangers, although always at the post of duty, and returned to
Mercer County, practically unharmed.
Upon his return home he resumed farming in Liberty
township, where he continued to reside until August, 1906,
when he turned over the active work on the farm to younger
hands and, with his estimable wife, retired for the quiet and
comfort of a home he had purchased in Celina. Mr.
Kuhn still retains his well-improved farm of 140 acres in
Liberty township and also owns an excellent farm of 80 acres
in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiana.
On February 8, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married
to Wilhelmina Wellemeyer, who was born February
25, 1842, in Prussia, Germany. In 1852 she accompanied her
parents, Frederick and Mary (Brune)
Wellemeyer, to America, and was reared in Auglaize County,
Ohio, where they were early settlers. To our subject and wife
were born seven children, the five survivors being: Mary W.,
who is the wife of G. P. Hoeper, of Hopewell township;
Frederick T., living on the home place in Liberty
township, who married Mary D. Linn and has three
children—Clarence R., Bertha C. and Hugo W.; Philip
W., living on his father's farm in Adams County, Indiana,
who married Fanny B. Sielschott and has one child,
Florence S. W.; and Elizabeth M. and Rebecca,
both living in Celina. Mr. Kuhn and his family
belong to the Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, in which at
various times he has held office. Politically he is a
Democrat. During his long residence in Liberty township he
assisted in all public improvements and furthered the cause of
education, serving' a long- time as school director.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 614 |
| |
HENRY
KUHN, a representative citizen of Liberty township, for
13 consecutive years its efficient treasurer, and for a long
period a successful agriculturist in this part of Mercer
County, resides on an excellent farm of 80 acres, which was a
tract of woodland when he first came to it. He was born in
Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1831, and is a son of Henry
and Margaret (Bollenbacher) Kuhn.
The parents of Mr. Kuhn came to America
with their children when Henry was between 15 and 16 years
old. They wished to establish a home in Ohio and settled on an
uncultivated, uncleared tract of land in Liberty township,
Mercer County. Probably the long journey and unaccustomed
hardship undermined the health of the mother, for she died six
weeks after reaching the pioneer home in Liberty township. The
father, assisted by his sons, cleared the land and developed
an excellent farm, although it required years of industry to
accomplish it. The father died also on the home farm in
Liberty township. Of his children, four survive, as follows:
Frederick, formerly of Liberty township, now a resident
of Celina; Henry, of this sketch; Elizabeth,
wife of John Herzog, of Hartford City, Indiana;
and Caroline, wife of John Duer, living
near Decatur, Indiana.
Henry Kuhn grew to man's estate in
Liberty township, attending the district schools and assisting
his father on the farm. He married Maria Duer,
who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and they have had six
children, as follows: William, of Black Creek township;
Rebecca K., wife of Ephraim Camp, of
Kalamazoo County, Michigan; Emma J., wife of Frank
Landfair, of Black Creek township; Adam, of
Liberty township; and two deceased.
Mr. Kuhn is a representative member of
the Democratic party and on account of his sterling character
and good citizenship has frequently been called upon to accept
important and responsible township offices. He has served as
trustee and was then elected treasurer and was reelected for
13 consecutive years, a very unusual occurrence. He is one of
the leading members of the German Reformed Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 618 |
| |
JOHN
GEORGE KUHN, a highly esteemed citizen of Coldwater,
who is almost entirely retired from active business, was born
in Bavaria, Germany, May 27, 1843, and is a son of John G.
and Juliana (Schneider) Kuhn.
The Kuhn family emigrated to America in
1847 and the father of our subject started farming on 120
acres of land near Wapakoneta, Ohio. As he was an invalid, the
actual labor of the farm was performed by his two sons, with
hired help. He died May 8, 1866, but his wife survived until
July 12, 1894. Our subject grew up here, assisted in the
farming and also learned the wagonmaker's trade.
Mr. Kuhn was not quite 18 years old when
President Lincoln's first call went out over the
country for troops and he enlisted in Company K, 15th Reg.,
Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered into the service on April 26,
1861, served through the three months of his enlistment and
was discharged on August 27, 1861. In 1862 he reenlisted for
three years, entering Company D, 106th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. On
March 1, 1863, he was made corporal; on May 27, 1864, he was
advanced to sergeant and was mustered out with his company on
June 29, 1865, being finally discharged and paid on July 12th
following.
Mr. Kuhn served first under General
Buell, near Covington, Kentucky, and later marched 200
miles through that State and Tennessee, his command being much
engaged in this, vicinity during the early part of the war. On
April 7, 1862, the whole brigade was captured by the enemy, at
Hartsville, Tennessee, but soon escaped. During his service of
three years he received two wounds in his left leg. During his
last year of service, Sergeant Kuhn was a scout.
After his return from the war, Mr. Kuhn
settled in Auglaize County and went to work at wagon-making,
soon entering the employ of Jacob Koch in this line at St.
Marys. In December, 1865, he formed a partnership with Mr.
Koch and the business was continued until February,
1867, when he sold out and moved to Chattanooga, Mercer
County, where he conducted wagon works until January 1, 1869.
During his stay there he bought a farm of 80 acres in Black
Creek township, and after closing his business he moved upon
the farm and operated it until the fall of 1875, when he sold
out. He then moved to Decatur, Indiana, and in that vicinity
he bought a farm of 80 acres, on which he resided until March
16, 1883. He then disposed of that property and removed to
Butler township, Mercer County, buying another 80 acres. He
moved on this farm and continued to reside on it until April
8, 1904, when he bought his home at Coldwater. The farm was
sold in November, 1905.
On February 6, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married
(first) to Barbara Nuss, who died November 27,
1871, leaving three children, viz: William H., of
Elyria, Ohio; Emma L., wife of Lasius Walters,
of Coldwater; and Edward. On October 28, 1873, Mr.
Kuhn was married (second) to Anna Mary
Straubinger, and they had seven children, namely:
Frederick, of the State of Washington; Jacob, who
died aged two weeks; Frank T., of Dayton; Anthony,
of Middletown, Ohio; Michael, of Covington, Ohio; and
Julia and Mary, living at home. Frederick and
Anthony served in the Spanish-American War; after its
conclusion, Frederick then entered the United States
regular army and served in the artillery in the Philippines,
receiving his discharge in 1902.
Mr. Kuhn has served the township in many
responsible positions and has always been an official in whom
his fellow-citizens placed every confidence. For 20 years he
was a justice of the peace in Butler township1, finally
resigning the office; for 12 years and five months he was
township clerk of Butler township and served also as trustee
of Liberty township, Mercer County. Mr. Kuhn is
a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic
organization. He is a member of the Catholic Church. With the
exception of performing the duties of a notary public, Mr.
Kuhn takes upon himself no business cares. He has a
wide circle of friends by whom he is highly considered.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 613 |
| |
JOSEPH
A. KUHN, who resides on his well-developed farm of 40
acres, situated in section 9, Jefferson township, was born
in Jackson County, Ohio Oct. 1, 1866, and is a son of
Anthony and Hester Ann (Swartz)
(Bucanon) Kuhn.
Anthony Kuhn and wife were the parents of five
children, three of whom are still living. The record
is as follows: Emma, who died aged 20 years;
James, who lives in California; Joseph A.; Margaret,
who married William Webster and lives in Piqua, Ohio;
and William, who died aged three years. After
the death of Mr. Kuhn, his widow married Jonathan
Botkin At the time of her marriage to Mr. Kuhn,
she was the widow of Joseph Bucanon, and had one son,
John L. Bucanon, a resident of Butler township.
Mrs. Botkin died Mar. 15, 1893.
Joseph A. Kuhn was reared and educated in Butler
township, Mercer County, where his parents settled when he
was but three years old, his father having purchased a farm
of 80 acres. Mr. Kuhn resided in Butler
township until after his marriage, when he moved to
Jefferson township, purchasing the farm upon which he now
lives in April, 1904.
Mr. Kuhn was married on Nov. 15, 1894, to
Rosa Goodnick, a daughter of John and Catherine
(Schilling) Goodnick, both natives of Germany, who were
brought to America by their respective parents when
children. AT the time of the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Goodnick, she was the widow of Joseph Royer,
of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Goodnick died Aug. 1,
1884, his wife surviving him until Mar. 9, 1903.
Mr. Kuhn has two children namely: John Anthony,
who was born Jan. 8, 1907; and Eugene Robert, who was
born Feb. 2, 1905. Mr. Kuhn is also raising a
niece, Millie Maria Goodnick. Mr. Kuhn is
a Democrat and was elected by that party in the fall of
1905, to serve a term of three years as township trustee.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 561 |
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