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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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GEORGE
RAMMELL, a representative farmer of Granville
township, where he owns a fine farm of 195 acres, with
residence located in section 32, was born at Wendelin,
Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Anna Mary
(Erlbeck) Rammel.
The father of our subject was one of a family of
seven children born to his parents and the only one to come
to America. He was born in one of the small provinces
of Germany and grew up to be a farmer in his native land,
where he remained until he was 42 years of age. His
destination, after landing on American soil, was Mercer
County, and he came directly here, by way of the lakes and
down the canal to Minster, and thence by wagon to the
locality where, he had been led to believe, he would be able
to purchase a farm at a reasonable price. His first
purchase was one of 40 acres, near Wendelin.
On the same vessel in which he crossed the
Atlantic Ocean, was a pleasant, attractive young woman, by
the name of Anna Mary Erlbeck and during the long
voyage they became well acquainted and were married soon
after they reached Wendelin. In her he found a hearty
helpmate. They first built a long house and barn in
the woods that covered the whole country outside of the
village at that time. Later Joseph Rammel sold
that farm and bought 80 acres in Granville township near our
subject's present farm, and there he died on May 2, 1892.
His widow still survives, and reside in the home of her son
George.
Joseph Rammel and wife had nine children, as
follows: Joseph, deceased; Mary, who
married Andrew Buehler; George; John, deceased;
John (2), who married Catherine Borgerding; Frank,
who married Catherine Sutter; Leonard, who married
Mary Plas; Peter, who married Maggie Lieser;
and Catherine, deceased, who was the wife
of William Sutter.
George Rummel was reared in Granville township and
has witnessed the wonderful development which has taken
place in this part of Mercer County. In his boyhood
there were no roads, just paths through the woods, and deer
and wild turkeys were frequently seen and sometimes wild
beasts were visitors to the farm. He first went
to school in an old log structure and great were the
rejoicings when a neat frame building took its place.
He remained at home assisting his father on the farm until
his marriage, in 1878, after which he bought 40 acres of
land for his father, the portion of his farm on which he has
resided ever since and on which, in the fall of 1900, he
erected his comfortable frame house. Later, he
bought 40 acres ore from his father and and subsequently he
bought 80 acres from the W. Meinerding estate, all
woodland, which he has cleared, and 25 acres from Michael
Slageler. He rents a part of his land, which has a
house and barn on it. He carries on mixed farming and
has been very successful.
On October 27, 1878, Mr. Rammel married Mary
Tobe, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Glencamp) Tobe.
Both parents of Mrs. Rammel were born in Germany and
both died in Mercer County, the mother when Mrs. Rammel
was 10 years old, and the father in old age. The
latter came to America when a youth of 18 years, settling
first at Cincinnati, where he engaged in foundry work.
Later he bought a farm near St. Henry, where the rest of his
life was passed. Joseph and Mary Tobe had four
children, namely: Joseph, who married Anna
Siefering, first, and after her death, Caroline
Collick; Benjamin, who married Barnadina Dahlinghouse;
Fred, who married Elizabeth Dahlinghouse; and
Mary, wife of our subject, who was born at Cincinnati,
Ohio, on January 21, 1855, and was about 18 months old when
her parents brought her to Mercer County.
Mr. and Mrs. Rammel have four children, namely:
William Joseph, George, Dora and John George,
all at both.
In politics Mr. Rammel is a Democrat. He
served one term as township trustee and has been a member of
the township School Board ever since 1878. With his
wife and children, he belongs to 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 439 |
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ANTHONY
RATHWEG, one of Coldwater's well-known business men,
who is engaged in the manufacture of brooms, was born in
Auglaize County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1859, and is a son of
Henry and Mary (Streaker) Rathweb.
Mr. Rathweg was eight years old when his parents
moved to Mentor County and settled on a farm at Carthagena.
Here he was reared and attended the district schools.
His father died in 1880. Two years later, with his
mother, our subject moved to Celina, where he worked at
carpentering. He then learned the harness-maker's
trade and in 1884 took up his residence at Coldwater, where
he opened a harness shop which he conducted successfully for
nine years. After disposing of his harness shop, he
embarked in the hardware business, also carrying a large
line of farming implements. In the fall of 1905 he
sold the hardware business. Mr. Rathweg at the
present time operates a large broom factory, in which
business he engaged on April 30, 1906. He employs
eight men, who turn out about 15 dozen brooms per day.
Mr. Rathweg also has other business interests, being
agent for the Canada Life Assurance Company, the Ohio
Farmers, Continental and other fire insurance companies.
He is one of the large stockholders in the People's Bank of
Coldwater, and was vice-president of this bank for a period
of three years.
On Feb. 9, 1886, our subject was married to Anna May
Romer, of St. Henry, daughter of J. B. Romer.
They have had 10 children, eight of whom are still living.
The record is as follows: Henry J.; Joseph H.;
Elizabeth Gabriella; Julius Clemmens; Agnes Henrietta
Florentina; Clarence Frederick; Leona Alvina Henrietta;
Joseph Walter, who died aged 11 months; and
Margaret Antoinette. Mr. Rathweb is a member of
Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Coldwater, of which he has
been treasurer since 1894. He is a member of St.
Joseph's Society; Knights of St. John, of which he is
captain; and Knights of Columbus.
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 396 |
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ISRAEL
F. RAUDABAUGH, one of the older members of the Mercer
County bar, was born in 1844, and was educated partly in
Celina, but is a graduate of Mount Union College, Stark
County, Ohio. He commenced active life as a school
teacher and taught three years in Center County,
Pennsylvania. He was superintendent of the normal
schools, at Berlin, Meyersdale and Somerset. He
studied law under Collum & Kimball, and was admitted
to the practice in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Raudabaugh returned to Mercer County, and
superintended the schools in Celina in 1871-72, and at Fort
Recover, in 1872-73. He was elected county surveyor,
which office he held for three years, and settled
permanently in Celina in 1872. Mr. Raudabaugh
and Stephen A. Armstrong entered into partnership in
the law business, which continued for some time; on the
dissolution of the firm, each member continued in the
practice, but Mr. Raudabaugh besides practicing law
was engaged extensively in farming, and for a number of
years has turned his attention to the oil business. He
has been very successful in this line and has owned and
operated some of the best leases that were ever developed in
this territory. He is a lawyer of fine literary
attainments, and is well versed in the law, but being
engaged in the milling business and other pursuits, is not
at present diligently following his chosen profession.
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 245 |
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ORVELLE
RAUDABAUGH is the youngest member of the Celina bar.
He was born and raised in Mercer County, Ohio, and received
an excellent education in the public schools of the county.
He was a student at the Ohio State University, at Columbus,
Ohio, and on June 2, 1904, received the degree of Bachelor
of Law, and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of
Ohio. He came to Celina in the fall of 1905, and
bought the office of Charles S. Younger, and
commenced the practice of his profession. We all recognize
in Mr. Raudabaugh the elements of a good lawyer - he
is actiave, energetic and studious, and we predict for him a
bright future.
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 252 |
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HENRY
GEORGE RAWERS, M. D., who for the past 13 years has
been a, resident of Chickasaw, where he has been successfully
engaged in the practice of his profession, was born in Ahaus,
Germany, February 11, 1867, and is a son of Barney and
Gertrude Rawers.
Barney Rawers and his wife were both natives of Germany; the
former was engaged as a weaver in Ahaus, Germany, at the time
of the birth of our subject. Barney Rawers with his wife and
four children came to America in the early '70's and settled
at Coldwater, Mercer County, Ohio, where they purchased a farm
and where they still reside. They were the parents of the
following children: Henry George, the subject of this sketch;
John, who married Elizabeth Longenhauf and resides at
Coldwater; Gertrude, who married Theodore Tekamp of
Chickasaw; and Bernard, who married Minnie Shierholt.
Theodore Tekamp and Bernard Rawers conduct a general store at
Chickasaw.
Henry G. Rawers received his early education in
Germany. Upon coming to this country with his parents at the
age of 12 years, he first attended the academy at Coldwater,
Ohio, for about three years. He then went to the Ohio Normal
University at Ada, for two years, after which he taught
school for a number of years at Burkettsville. He next studied
medicine with Dr. Arlington Stephenson,
of Fort Recovery, for three years, and then entered the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati. One year later he entered Rush
Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with
the class of 1891. After graduating, he practiced medicine at
Malinta, Ohio, for three years and in 1893 located at
Chickasaw, where he purchased a home and engaged iii the
practice of medicine in which he has met with much success.
Dr. Rawers was married May 27, 1891, to Anna
Desch, a daughter of Gasper and Maria
Desch, and seven children were born to them, namely:
Arthur, Salome, Leander, Arlington,
Clarence, Georgia and Evangeline
(deceased in infancy). Dr. Rawers and his family
are members of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at
Chickasaw. The Doctor enjoys the distinction of being the
first citizen of Chickasaw to own an automobile.
Casper Desch, father of Mrs.
Rawers, was born at Maria Stein, .Mercer
County. His father, who was one of the very earliest settlers
of the southeastern section of Mercer County, worked on the
construction of the canal and the Grand Reservoir. At that
time the country was entirely a wilderness and it was
necessary to block the doors to keep out the wolves and other
wild animals. The nearest mill was at Piqua. Casper
Desch was married to Maria Roeckner, and
they had eight children: Catherine, who married Clem.
Birkmeyer; Maria, who married Max
Stippich, now deceased; Anna, wife of Dr. Rawers;
Joseph; Stephen; Anthony; Margaret,
who married Charles Homer; and Edward.
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 733 |
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JOHN
REGEDANZ, a well known and successful agriculturist,
residing on his excellent farm of 99 acres, which is
situated in section 21, was born on this farm in Hopewell
township, Mercer County, Ohio, July 10, 1861, and is a son
of William M. and Dorothea Regedanz.
The parents of Mr. Regedanz were born in
Germany. The mother died in Hopewell township, in
1886, but the father still survives and lives to Celina.
He was one of the early settlers in this section, coming
when the whole country in this vicinity was still one great
forest, with here and there a small clearing where some
other pioneer had erected a rude log cabin. For many
years he industriously worked to clear his farm and put it
under cultivation and it is now a valuable property.
In politics he has always been a Democrat. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church at Celina.
John Regedanz was reared in Hopewell township
and since completing his schooling has devoted himself to
general farming. He has long been accounted one
of the township's most progressive and successful
agriculturists.
On Feb. 26, 1891, Mr. Regedanz was married to
Alma Muthert, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and
is a daughter of the late William Muthert. Mr. and
Mrs. Regedanz have the following children: Hazel R.,
Freda C., Lena C., Mabel, Florence and Albert W.
Mr. Regedanz is a Democrat. Since boyhood he
has been a member of the Lutheran Church. His
reputation is that of an honorable upright man, who in every
way is a first-class citizen.
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 368 |
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AUGUST
RENTZ, whose valuable farm of 138 acres is situated in
section 11, Marion township, was born on his present farm, May
29, 1873, and is a son of Xavier and Barbara (Fecher) Rentz.
Xavier Rentz was born in
Germany, December 2, 1830, and is a son of Anthony and
Agnes (Baumgartner) Rentz. When he was nearly two
years of age, his parents embarked on a sailing vessel for
America, but the ship was wrecked and the passengers lost all
their possessions and barely escaped with their lives. Finally
they were landed at Charleston, South Carolina. The
grandfather of our subject finally brought his family to
Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, and in 1847 removed to Mercer
County, settling on the farm now owned by our subject. The
brick house first built is still standing. A family of 12
children were born to Xavier and Barbara
Rentz, of whom six are now living, namely: John,
an instructor in a large Catholic school at St. Paul,
Minnesota, who married Mary Rosenberger;
Theresa, who is the widow of Barney Mestemaker;
Anthony, residing in Marion township, who married
Mary Heyne; Anna, who married Andrew
Stammen and lives at New Weston, Darke County;
August (2), who is our subject; and Henry W., who
married Elizabeth Pleiman. The following are
deceased: Joseph, at the age of six months; Mary,
aged 33 years; Joseph (2), a very promising young man, whose
death occurred at Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 26 years;
Frank; August, aged three and a half years; and
Xavier, aged two months.
August Rentz was educated in the local
schools and has always devoted his life to agricultural
pursuits. He bought his farm from his father, who had received
it from his father. The first purchase was of 106 acres just
one year after he was married, and the second purchase, of 32
acres, was made in 1905. He is accounted one of Marion
township's best farmers and has made many substantial
improvements here.
On April 26, 1893, Mr. Rentz was married
to Anna Rose, a daughter of Henry and
Bernardina (Knoeber) Rose. Mr.
Rose was born in Germany, came to America when 26 years of
age, and worked first on a railroad in New York. Later he
lived a few years at Cincinnati and then came to St. Johns,.
Mercer County, where he married Bernardina Knoeber,
a native of that place.
They then purchased and moved to a farm of 20 acres at
Sebastian, where Mr. Rose now owns 230 acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Rose have eight children, namely: Bernard,
who married Regina Schuckman; Mary,
deceased, who was the wife of Bernard Froning;
Herman, who married Elizabeth Weber;
Henry, deceased, who prepared for teaching; Anna
and Cecilia (twins), born April 14, 1872; John,
who married Mary Unrost; and Elizabeth,
who resides at Chickasaw. with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Rentz have six
children, as follows: Alfred Xavier, Roman
Henry, Narbet Harman, Florentina
Elizabeth, Bernard Ferdinand and
Richard John.
Mr. Rentz and family belong to the Most
Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw. He is a prominent
member of St. Joseph's Society.
Mr. Rentz is one of the representative
men of Marion township and is a member of the School Board.
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 730 |
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XAVIER
RENTZ, an old and highly respected German citizen of
Butler township, and the owner of one of the best improved
farms of this locality, consisting of 149˝
acres of splendid farming land, was born in Germany, Dec. 2,
1830, and is a son of Anthony and Agnes (Baumgartner)
Rentz.
When our esteemed subject was one year old or a
little more, his parents embarked on a sailing vessel with
the expectation of being safely landed on American shores.
The vessel, however, proved unseaworthy, and they suffered
shipwreck and clung to the vessel for a day and a half after
it foundered on a rock before they were rescued. They
lost all their possessions but were thankful to escape with
their lives and were subsequently landed in safety at
Charleston, South Carolina. The family lived some
years at Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, before they came to
Mercer County, in 1847, and settled at Chickasaw, where the
father followed his trade of tailor. Xavier Rentz
was about 17 years old when he became a farmer in Marion
township, Mercer County. Subsequently he acquired a
farm of 235 acres, which he has recently deeded to two sons,
August and Anthony. In 1895 Mr. Rentz
settled on his present farm which is operated by his
son Henry, who is a very capable and careful farmer.
Xavier Rentz married Barbara Fecher, who
was also born in Germany, and they have had 12 children, of
whom six are now living, as following: John, Theresa,
Anthony, Anna, August and Henry W. Of those
that are deceased, the eldest son, Joseph, died aged
six months, and August (the first of the name) died
aged three and a half years. Xavier died aged
two months and Mary died aged 33 years.
Frank is also deceased. Joseph (2nd),
another deceased son, was a most promising young man, who
had been carefully educated. After teaching school at
Kenosha, Wisconsin, he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he
became assistant city treasurer. He afterwards went to
the State of Washington, where he took up a claim of 160
acres. Later still he engaged in partnership with a
Mr. Passemeyer, in the grocery business at Tacoma,
Washington, of which city he became a prominent man.
He served as organist in the Catholic Church there. He
died at Tacoma, December 16, 1891, at the age of 26 years.
John Rentz, the eldest surviving son, has been
an instructor in a large Catholic school at St. Paul,
Minnesota, for the past 25 years. He is a talented and
well-educated man; he was first a pupil at Chickasaw, spent
one year at St. Mary's Institute at Dayton, Ohio, and
completed his education at St. Francis, near Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. He married Mary Rosenberger and they
have four children, all of whom are well educated; Hilda,
the eldest, is librarian of the St. Paul Public Library
and in addition is organist in the Catholic Cathedral.
Theresa is the widow of Barney Mestemaker, of
Chickasaw, and the mother of four children. Anthony
married Mary Heyne and has 13 children.
Anna married Andrew Stammen and lives at New
Weston, Darke County. August married Anna
Rose, lives on the farm he purchased from his father and
has six children. Henry W. was born at
Chickasaw, Mercer County, Ohio, January 29, 1874. He
was reared and educated at Chickasaw and has devoted his
life to agricultural pursuits. On April 27, 1899, he
was married to Elizabeth Pleiman and they have five
children, as follows: Matilda, Rosa, Urban, Joseph
and Arnold. Henry W. Rentz is treasurer of
the township school Board.
Xavier Rentz has been for years a leading member
of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Philothea and has reared
his family carefully in the precepts of this church.
Both he and his son Henry W. are wardens in the
church, and Mr. Rentz also fills the office of
treasurer. He has always been interested in the
educational progress of his community, has given his
children excellent advantages and for 25 years was a member
of the School Board in Marion township.
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 693 |
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OTTO
RENTZSCH, JR., one of Celina's prominent young
business men and leading dry goods merchants, was born in
Charleston, West Virginia, in 1877, and is a son of Otto
Rentzsch, Sr., who for many years was one of Celina's
influential business men.
Otto Rentzsch, Jr., spent his boyhood days in
Ohio and Indiana, finally locating in Celina, on Mar. 25,
1899. Here he engaged in the dry goods business with
his father, under the firm name of Otto Rentzsch & Son,
until Apr. 1, 1906, when the senior partner retired from the
business, having been actively engaged in business for
nearly half a century. Otto Rentzsch, Sr., is
now a resident of New Castle, Indiana, where he is engaged
in looking after his real estates interests. Since his
father's withdrawal from the business, our subject has been
sole proprietor of the business, and is considered one of
Celina's most prosperous and energetic young business men.
Mr. Rentzsch was married in 1902 to Katherine
Baumgardner, a daughter of Rev. Stewart Baumgardner,
who was pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church in
1999-1900. Fraternally, Mr. Rentzsch is a
member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Celina.
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 576 |
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MICHAEL
REUSCH, a well-known citizen and excellent farmer of
Jefferson township, residing on a farm of 80 acres located in
section 33, township 5 south, range 2 east, was born in
Germany, September 6, i860, and is a son of Gottfried and
Maria (Saltzer) Reusch.
Michael Reusch was reared and educated in
Germany and worked at farming and wine making until 21 years
of age, when he came to America and located at Celina, Ohio,
where his brother Christopher had located three years
previously. He secured employment on a dairy farm and remained
there the following 22 months. On September 1, 1888, he was
appointed superintendent of the County Infirmary, where he had
previously been working. He continued to fill that office for
the next 15 years, and during that time made many needed
changes, which benefited the inmates. In the spring of 1893
Mr. Reusch purchased his present home, where he has
made many decided improvements.
On September 6, 1888, Michael Reusch was
married (first) to Elizabeth Puthoff, a daughter
of Frank Puthoff. She died June 5, 1897, leaving
three children: Harry, Lizzie and Bertha.
Mr. Reusch was married (second), August 24,
1898, to Paulina Dosten, a daughter of August
Dosten and by his marriage has two children, Pauline
and Freda. Mr. Reusch is a member of the
German Independent Aid 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 611 |
| |
GEORGE
A. REUTER, sole owner and manager of the George A.
Reuter sawmill and dealer in hardwood lumber at Fort Recovery,
was born in Barry County, Michigan, February 18, 1861, and is
a son of John G. and Magdalene (Schmelcher) Reuter,
both of whom are still living on a farm in Barry County,
Michigan.
George Reuter was reared on his father's
farm in Barry County and attended the district schools, later
attending a select school for several winters, He took a
practical business course in the Grand Rapids Business
College, his studies including banking, bookkeeping,
steamboating, railroading and general commercial business,
graduating in October, 1883. He taught school in Michigan for
six years, beginning at the age of 16. His last school was
taught during the winter of 1883-84 at Bowne Center, near
Grand Rapids, Michigan. In May, 1884, he went to White Cloud,
Michigan, and engaged with the Frederick Ramsey
Lumber Company, remaining there until the fall of 1885. The
last six months of this time he was employed by the successors
of Mr. Ramsey, who had died. He then went to
Chase, Michigan, and was employed by Dunham, Peters
& Company. The first six months with this company he
was foreman; he then became bookkeeper and the last year and a
half was chief bookkeeper, and general superintendent.
In 1889 Mr. Reuter formed a partnership
with William E. Wilson and engaged in the sawmill and
pine lumber business at Fort Recovery, Ohio. This business was
established on May 1st. but as Mr. Reuter was
under obligations to his employers he stayed with the firm in
Chase, Michigan, until they were able to secure a man to fill
his position. In 1903 Messrs. Reuter and
Wilson traded their circular sawmill, which stood where
the Fort Recovery Lutheran Church now stands to Henry
Wuerderman, for the band-mill which stood upon the site
now occupied by Mr. Reuter's new mill. This
band-mill burned down on June 12, 1906, and Mr.
Reuter immediately erected a larger sawmill on the same
site and installed new machinery, having been sole owner and
manager of the business since 1904, when he and Mr.
Wilson dissolved partnership. Mr.
Reuter also has other business interests, being one of the
largest stockholders and a director of the Fort Recovery
Telephone Company, which is owned by local capital. He owns
120 acres of farm land in Recovery township, about four and a
half miles east of Fort Recovery. He owns the home farm of 160
acres in Irving township, Barry County, Michigan, where his
parents now reside.
Mr. Reuter was married in March, 1888, to
Rose Wilson, a sister of his former business
partner. They have had three children: Donnel, who is
attending the Fort Recovery High School and will graduate in
1907—he attended the summer term at Miami University, Oxford,
Ohio, in 1906 and thereby gained one year in the High School;
Mildred M. and Marguerite.
Mr. Reuter has been secretary of the Fort
Recovery Building and Loan Company for the past 16 years. He
is a member and for the past three years has been chief of the
Board of Deputy State Supervisors of Elections. He is a member
and a trustee of Pisgah Congregational Church, of Fort
Recovery.
Mr. Reuter has been an active worker in
the Masonic order. He is a member of Fort Recovery Lodge, No.
539, F. & A. M.; Celina Chapter, No. 120, R. A. M.; Lima
Council, No. 20, R. & S. M.; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 30, K.
T., of Van Wert; arid has attained to the 32nd degree in the
Scottish Rite, belonging to the Consistory at Toledo. From
1894 to 1905, inclusive (12 years), he served as the
worshipful master of Fort Recovery Lodge, declining reelection
at the conclusion of his 12th term.
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 627 |
Capt. John Stafford Rhodes |
CAPT. JOHN STAFFORD
RHODES
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 293 |
David H. Richardson,
M. D.
Mrs. Mary L. Richardson |
DAVID H. RICHARDSON, M. D.,
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 353 |
| |
J. V. RICHARDSON, M. D.,
who is a leading medical practitioner at Fort Recovery, was
born in Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1851,
and is a son of Dr. J. C. and Mary G. Richardson,
the former of whom was one of the pioneer physicians at Fort
Recovery.
Dr. J. V. Richardson, who is
the oldest physician and surgeon, in point of continuous
practice, at Fort Recovery, was reared here and received his
literary education in the schools of this place. He
was prepared for college by his father and in 869 entered
the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was
graduated in 1872. He located for five months at
Montezuma, Mercer County, but in September, 1872, settled
permanently at Fort Recovery. For several years he was
in partnership with this late father, and also with his
brother, Dr. David H. Richardson, now of Celina, and
Dr. J. W. Blizzard. He carries on a general
medical practice, but makes a specialty of surgery, in which
he has met with much success. As far back as 1891 he
was a very successful operator in case of appendicitis and
he is frequently called into consultation with other eminent
surgeons in his own State and in Indiana. Personally
Dr. Richardson is not disposed to accord himself the
skill which his many brother practitioners admire in him,
but his reputation has been proven on many occasions to be a
just one. He is a member of the Northwestern Ohio
Medical Association.
Dr. Richardson was married
to Sarah Snyder, a daughter of William and Martha
Snyder. They have one daughter, Elva E.
Aside from his professional labors, Dr. Richardson is
a good citizen, taking part in public spirited movements and
contributing time and attention to matters of public moment
to 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
409 |
Calvin E. Riley |
CALVIN E. RILEY
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 |
 |
JAMES RILEY
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 |
James Watson Riley |
JAMES WATSON RILEY
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 101 |
| |
JOSEPH
WARREN ROEBUCK, one of Union township's progressive
citizens, who is engaged in general farming on a farm of 140
acres located in section 2, was born four miles west of
Mendon, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1867, and is a son of Warren and
Harriet (Lytle) Roebuck.
Warren Roebuck was born in Dublin township, Mercer
County, Ohio, near Rockford, and died in 1870 at the age of
31 years. His wife was a daughter of Brooks Lytle,
who came from Pennsylvania, and was among the pioneers of
this section of Ohio, locating in Union township, Mercer
County. Mrs. Roebuck died in 1883. Seven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck: William,
who married Sarah Hill and lives on a farm in section
2, Union township; Vena, who married Hick Guin
and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Amanda who married
Ralph Grandstaff and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Curtis;
Harriet; and a child that died in infancy.
Joseph W. Roebuck was reared in Union township
and attended the township schools. His first purchase
of land was one of 20 acres; later he bought 40 acres more
and in 1906 added another 80 acres. Mr. Roebuck
first came to this farm in 1886 as a hired hand, receiving
$13 per month until 1890, when he received $15 per month.
In the spring of 1890 he put out a spring crop on the
uncle's place and was able to marry in the fall. After
his marriage he lived two years on his father-in-law's farm.
He then returned to the Benjamin Goodwin farm his
present place, where he has since lived, engaged in general
farming and also raising some stock. He has 40 acres of land
in corn, w0 acres in wheat and the remainder in oats and
grass.
Mr. Roebuck was married in 1890 to Phoebe Ann
Daring, a daughter of Joseph and Julia Ann (Keffner)
Daring. Six children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Roebuck, namely: Rolly, Curtis and Edith,
deceased; and Dora, Lottie and Marie, living
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck are members of
the Church of God. He is a Democrat.
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 711 |
| |
JOHN
F. ROECKNER, one of the substantial farmers of Marion
township, who resides on his 100 acre farm in section 13, was
born February 29, 1860, and is a son of William and
Bernardina (Clune) Roeckner.
William Roeckner was born in Hanover, Germany,
one of a large family of children, but he and one brother were
the only ones to come to this country, the latter probably
locating in Illinois. William Roeckner first
settled at Cincinnati, where he worked for a time,
subsequently moving to Berlin, Ohio, where he and a Mr.
Dreesman contracted a complete part of the canal. A few
years later he moved to Mercer County and was married to
Bernardina Clune, a native of Germany, and a
daughter of Arnold Clune. Arnold Clune
came from Hanover Germany to this country and settled in
Mercer County, where he bought land from the government about
80 years ago. He was one of the first settlers of Mercer
County, when his family was one of the six or eight families
in this section. He purchased the land now owned by John F.
Roeckner about 1828, and five years later his three
children followed him to America, their mother having died
some years previously. The children were as follows: Gerhard,
Maximilian and Bernardina.
After his marriage, William Roeckner
bought from his father in law the farm which the latter had
secured from the Government, and later bought 120 acres more
in the same township. A family of 10 children were born to
William and Bernardina (Clune) Roeckner: Mary,
who married Casper Desch; both now deceased;
Joseph, who lives at Coldwater; Catherine, who died
aged 18 years; John; Elizabeth, who married Joseph
Knapke and lives at Sidney, Ohio; Frances, who
married John Buehler and lives at McCartyville,
Ohio; Margaret, deceased in infancy; William,
who married (first) Philomena Desch and (second)
Catherine Gerlach and died in 1901; and Fred
and a babe, both deceased in infancy. William
Roeckner died in March, 1876, and his wife in April, 1901.
John Roeckner was born and reared on his
parents farm. His father died when he was 1 years old and he
was obliged to assist his mother in supporting the family. He
was married in 1890 to Elizabeth Hinders, a
daughter of Gerhard and Maria (Haggerman) Hindes, and a
sister of Joseph Hinders, who was recently
sheriff of Mercer county. Seven children were born to this
marriage: Leona, Odilia, Agatha,
William, Werner, Otto and Rose
Mary, all of whom are living at home. Mr.
Roeckner was one of the petitioners for the Roeckner
pike, which was named after him and of which he is now
superintendent. His brother William was township treasurer and
when he died the position was offered to Mr.
Roeckner, which, however, he refused. Mr.
Roeckner and family are members of the Catholic 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 608
(See Obituary) |
| |
JOHN
ROETHER, whose death occurred in 1885, was for many
years one of the most prominent citizens of Union township. He
was born. April 17, 1835, and was a son of William
Roether.
William Roether, the father of our subject, came
to Mercer County from Mansfield, Ohio, about 1852, locating on
the farm which is now occupied by the widow of our subject. He
was the father of nine children,: namely: Isaac,
deceased, who resided in Richland County, Ohio; Abram,
who lives near McComb in Hancock County; Levi,
who was killed by a train; Daniel, deceased, who was a
physician at Bluffton, Indiana; Henry, a physician, who
is a resident of Adrian, Michigan; Mrs. Hannah
Zern, of Auburn, Indiana; Elizabeth, widow of
Daniel Lemunyon, residing at Mendon; John,
the subject of this sketch; and a daughter, deceased.
John Roether came with his parents to
Mercer County when about 17 years old. He attended school and
assisted his father in clearing and improving the farm until
the time of his marriage. He was married in October, 1859, to
Almira Hamilton, a daughter of Hon.
Justin Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Roether became
the parents of five children: Alice, who married W.
A. Bedell, resides near Mendon and has five children—Delia,
Ada, Norma, Buell and Emory;
Orrilla, who married William Parrott and
died in 1892, leaving two children—Lawrence and Lee,
the latter deceased in 1900; Etta, who married George
Ballinger, resides east of Montezuma, and has one child,
Glenn; William, who married Cora Krugh,
a daughter of. John Krugh,. of Union township,
resides on the John Bedell farm in Union
township, and has a daughter, unnamed; and Floyd, is
unmarried and lives with his mother. Lawrence
Parrott, a grandson, has made his home with Mrs.
Roether for the past five years.
Hon. Justin Hamilton, the father
of Mrs. Roether, was born September 11, 1796,
and died February 19, 1863. He was a son of Hugh and
Isabelle (Knox) Hamilton, the former born October 31,
1770, and the latter, December 25, 1772. Hugh
Hamilton lived and died in New York State. He was the
father of six children: Justin, father of Mrs.
Roether, and Justus, his twin; William,
who was justice of the peace for several years in Union
township; Leonard; Lucinda and Isabelle.
Hon. Justin Hamilton came, to
Mercer County in 1822 and was among the county's very earliest
settlers, the country still being, in a very wild state, and
was inhabited by friendly Indians, who were very often of
great assistance to the pioneers. He was for many years a
teacher and was one of the best educated men of the day. He
was a surveyor and laid out the town site of Mendon, part of
which was on his land. He served as an associate judge of the
Court of Common Pleas and was twice elected to the Legislature
(in 1831 and 1832) from the district composed of the counties
of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams.
He was selected to read the bills in the Legislature, owing to
his special ability as a reader. He was a very prominent man
and his advice was often sought by others, being frequently
called upon to aid and assist others in various ways. He was
married in Kentucky and came to this country in a covered
wagon drawn by a span! of oxen. He built one of the first
corn-mills in the county, which was about 1835, which mill is
still standing. Mr. Hamilton was married May 14,
1820, to Eliza Rhodes, who was born February 28,
1798, and died November 24, 1887, in her 90th year. Justin
and Eliza (Rhodes) Hamilton were
the parents of eight children, namely: Isabelle, born
October 19, 1821, who first married a Mr. Noble,
and after his death married Lewis Brewer—both
she and Mr. Brewer are now deceased; Justus,
February 19, 1823, who married Mary Jane
Panabaker—both now deceased; Lucius, born April 2, 1825,
and died on a part of the old home place, who married Mary
Miller, who now resides in Celina; Charlotta,
born August 16, 1829; Justin, deceased, who was born
October 27, 1831, married Eliza Snavely, who
resides in Mendon; Eliza Lucinda, who married
Austin Barber and is now deceased, as is her
husband also; Emily, born April 8, 1838, who is the
widow of Andrew Snavely—she resides in Center
township, aged 68 years; and Almira, born August 28,
1841, who is the widow of John Roether.
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 620 |
| |
WILLIAM
JUSTIN ROETHER, a successful and well-known young
agriculturist of Union township, was born in this township on
the farm where his mother now lives, the old Roether
farm, now known as the Bedell farm. He is a son of
John and Almira (Hamilton) Roether. A sketch of John
Roether, who is now deceased, appears elsewhere in this
book.
William Roether attended the township schools
and also assisted with the farm work until he was 18 years
old. He lived for several-years in Center township and in the
fall of 1899 moved upon the old Roether farm. Mr.
Roether and his brother farmed this place in
partnership until the fall of 1905. He now lives on the
John Bedell farm in Union township. The farm
consists of 80 acres and Mr. Roether has 32
acres of the same in corn, 15 acres in wheat, and 17 acres in
oats. He has 93 head of hogs, and never sells his corn but
keeps it for feed, considering it a better practice to use it
for feed than to sell it. He also has three head of horses and
is quite successful as a general farmer, having made what he
has by his own energy and industry.
Mr. Roether married Cora Krugh, a
daughter of John and Sallie Ann (Johnson) Krugh, of
Union township. They have one daughter, who was born August
21, 1906. Politically, Mr. Roether is a
Republican.
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 620 |
| |
BARNEY ROHLER, a
well-known citizen and general merchant of Montezuma, was
born in Germany in 1865 and is a son of John and Mary
Rohler.
John Rohler was born in Germany, and
spent the greater part of his life in his native land,
coming to America with his wife and daughters in 1887. He
was married in Germany and all of his children were born in
that country. He was the father of six children:
Harman, who died in childhood; Cecilia (Stacy),
who lives in Chicago; Gertrude, who married Henry
Albers and lives in Shelby County, Ohio; Anna,
deceased, who was the wife of Gerhard Brunick;
Maggie, a resident of Shelby County, Ohio, who is the
widow of A. Benanza; and Barney.
Barney Rohler was reared in Germany on a
farm and at the age of 20 years came to this country, this
being about two and a half years before the rest of the
family came. He lived at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for
about three months. In 1885 he came to Mercer County and
worked on a farm for Henry Luctifelt for about
two years. He then rented a farm for his father near
McCartyville, Shelby County, Ohio, where he remained
assisting his father for three years, after which he rented
a farm of 80 acres from Anthony Albers in
Shelby County, Ohio, which he operated for the next three
years. His next move was to Frank Hullman’s
farm of 80 acres on which he lived for four years.
Subsequently he bought a farm of no acres in Franklin
township, Mercer County, where he lived for six years. He
sold this farm to Harlow W. Burdge and in 1905 opened
up a general store in Montezuma, which he is still
conducting.
Mr. Rohler was married in' the fall of
1892 to Elizabeth Watercutter and they have
had six children, namely: John, Frank, Margaret,
Heinrich, Regina and Gregor. Mr.
Rohler is a member of the Catholic Church at Montezuma.
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 468 |
NOTES:
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