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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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PUTNAM COUNTY,
OHIO
History & Genealogy
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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder,
Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.,
Indianapolis, Indiana
1915
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX PAGE >
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STEPHEN A.
KAGY
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1012 |
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AUGUST KAHLE.
The subject of this sketch is one of those strong,
self-reliant and determined characters who are
occasionally met with and who are of such a distinct
type as to seem to be born leaders of their
fellow-men. Not that Mr. Kahle courts
that distinction, for he is entirely unassuming, but
his great force of character and his zeal and
energy, in whatever he undertakes, naturally places
him at the head of the crowd, and he has been a
potent factor in the development of Putnam county,
where he has long maintained his home and where he
is well known to all classes for his honorable and
industrial life, in both private and public.
The gentleman , whose name appears at the head of this
review, was born in Riemsloh, Province of Hanover,
Germany, Mar. 2, 1851, and is the son of Anton
and Sophia (Dutting) Kahle, both natives of
Germany; the former was born in the town of
Glandorf, the latter born in the town of Mille.
Anton Kahle conducted a general store in the old
country for the greater part of his life and died
when August Kahle was a very young boy. To
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kahle were born seven
children, August, Antonio, Clemens, deceased;
Louisa, deceased; Charles, deceased, and
two others who die din infancy. Of these
children, August and Charles came to
America in the year 1873 and, after landing in the
city of New York, they decided to go to Cincinnati,
where they remained a while, then went to Glandorf,
Putnam county, Ohio. August returned to
Cincinnati and put in about four months' time there,
then decided to go back to Glandorf, Ohio. On
his return he remained in Glandorf and was employed
by Frank Kahle, with whom he remained for six
years. After this, a partnership arrangement
was made with Ignatius Kahle for the starting
of a tile factory in Greensburg township, this
county. Subsequently, August bought out
the interests of Ignatius Kahle, and
continued the manufacture of tile for about seven
years. Believing his possibilities would be
greater in farming for a living, he made a trade for
one hundred and twenty acres of land situated in
Union township, Putnam county, and upon which he
erected a number of splendid and commodious farm
buildings. To this residential farm, where he
now makes his home, were added three hundred and
twenty acres more, one hundred and sixty of which is
located in Jackson and eight acres in Greensburg
township. Believing, also, in town lot
investments, Mr. Kahle is now the owner of
six lots in the town of Kalida, located near the
site of St. Michael's Catholic church.
August Kahle was married on Apr. 28, 1885, to
Magdalena Overmeyer, a daughter of Ferdinand
and Dorothea (Wilberding) Overmeyer, natives of
Germany, and where her father died. Mrs.
Overmeyer, together with her son Arnold and
Magdalena, came to this country and settled in
Glandorf, Ohio, where Arnold became the
husband of Mary Luhn, after which he engaged
in the manufacturing of cigars, in Ottawa, Ohio.
Arnold died about seventeen years ago, and the
mother preceded him by about two years. To
August Kahle and wife there were born the
following named children: August, Mar. 25,
1886; Ferdinand, Apr. 30, 1887; Dorothea,
July 16, 1888; Antonius, June 24, 1890,
deceased; Leo, May 10, 1892; Magdalena
Sept. 17, 1893; Anthony, Mar. 22, 1895;
Clemens, Mar. 27, 1897; Louisa, Feb. 15,
1899; Sophia (infant born), died 1901;
Sophia and Antonio, twins, Oct. 2, 1902;
Mary, Feb. 8, 1906, died in 1911. Of these
children, Ferdinand is married to
Clementine Bensman; they have one child,
Rudolph, and reside in Jackson township;
Dorothea is married to Frank Knueve,
and they live in Union township, having one
child, Arnold; August, Jr.; Ferdinand
and Dorothea attended the district schools in
the neighborhood, while all the other children are
now attending the parochial school belonging to St.
Michael's church in Kalida, Ohio, and of which
church the entire family are devout members.
Personally, Mr. Kahle is a man of broad
sympathies and takes an abiding interest in the
welfare of those about him, and because of his
genial disposition and high character, he enjoys a
large popularity in the community in which he has
spent so many years. To Mrs. Kahle is
due a word in appreciation of her devotion and
solicitude for her husband's undertakings, which
have
brought him to notice as a successful agriculturist.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 563 |
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FRANK KAHLE, SR.
Although some time has elapsed since the subject of
this memoir was called into the life beyond, yet his
memory is still fresh in the minds and hearts of
many of his friends and neighbors. Frank
Kahle was a popular man in his own community and
had the reputation of being a man of boundless
energy and ambition. It is said that those who
live the closes to us know us best and, this being
true, Frank Kahle was indeed a worthy man,
for those most closely associated with him hold him
the dearest in their memories.
Frank Kahle, Sr., was a native of this county,
born in Greensburg township on his father's farm on
Dec. 21, 1839. He was a son of John F. and
Bernadina (Wilberding) Kahle, who were among the
oldest settlers of this community. The
Kahle family has, throughout a long stretch of
years, been numbered among the bet citizens of this
section and the subject of this memoir added his
quota to the excellency of the family name.
Frank Kahle was reared on his father's farm in
Greensburg township and passed his entire life on
the one homestead. In early manhood, he was
united in marriage to Bernadina Brinkman,
born in this county in 1846, a daughter of Henry
and Mary (Rieman) Brinkman. The
Brinkman's were both natives of the German
Empire, and upon emigrating to America, they first
located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where, however, they
remained but a short time. They, eventually,
came to Glandorf, Putnam county, and later engaged
in farming. There were two children in the
family, Bernadina, widow of Frank Kahle,
and John. John Chose Minnie
Maag as his helpmeet and they were the parents
of three children: Frank, Harry and
Francis.
Frank Kahle's father was one of the colonists who
came from Germany with Father Horstman and
settled the town of Glandorf. His father was
John Kahle, and with Father Horstman
and John Kahle prepared the settlement for
them and they came for Detroit a short time later.
His son, Joseph, is president of the Peoples
Bank of Kalida, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere
in this volume.
To Frank Kahle and wife was born a family of
twelve children, as follow: Mary
Wilhelmina, deceased; John Frank, John
Heinrich Joseph, John Ignatius Gustav, Mary
Bernadina Amalia, Theresa Bernadina, Mary Helen
Elizabeth, Mary Frances Paulina, deceased;
John Heinrich Bernard, Anna Maria Theresa,,, John
August Louie, deceased, and Maria Clara
Wilhelmina. Of these children, Mary
married Frank Schrader and lives in
Greensburg township up to the time of her death.
She passed away five years ago and is survived by
her husband and nine children. John
Heinrich Joseph married Wilhelmina Smith
and is the father of six children. Mary
Bernadina Amalia became the wife of Hubert
Smith and is the mother of eight children.
They reside in Greensburg township. Theresa
Bernadina remains unmarried, and lives with her
mother. Mary Helena Elizabeth is the
wife of Frank Smith and is the mother of six
children. That family lives in Union township,
this county. John Heinrich Bernard
chose Anna Schroeder as his wife and lives on
the old family homestead; he is the father of one
child. Anna Maria Theresa married
Joseph Grote and has one child. Maria
Clara Wilhelmina resides with the widowed
mother. John Frank married Anna
Verhoff, who died later. He is now in the
sugar-beet industry. There are four children
in that family. John Ignatius Gustav
married Katrina Duling and they reside on a
farm in Greensburg township, where they are raising
a family of six children.
Frank Kahle possessed considerable of this
world's goods. His father had left him a
goodly portion, but by habits of thrift and energy
he greatly added to it until he had accumulated
quite a fortune. The farm on which his widow
continues to reside, contains two hundred acres and
it has on it the finest buildings to be seen in many
miles. It easily ranks as one of the very
finest farms in Putnam county and ranks with the
very best throughout this state. Mr. Kahle
has kept up her interest in the farm home, and in
spite of her years, is closely associated with her
son, Benjamin, in the active management of
the farm. Her vitality, both mentally and
physically, is far beyond that of the average woman
of lesser years and she is well versed in all that
pertains to the best interests of their business.
The farm is given over to the cultivation of grain
and the raising of cattle.
Frank Kahle's death occurred on Feb. 23, 1898,
and both himself and family were of the parish of
St. John's, Glandorf. It is all too true that
our influence lives, a vital force, long after we
are gone from this world. This is well when
our lives have been all that they should be, and to
be deplored when evil influences have been set in
motion by us, but the children of this good man can
well be thankful that his life was so lived as to
shed a beneficent influence on, not only the ones of
his immediate household, but the charm of his
personality permeated the lives of his large circle
of friends.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 717 |
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IGNATIUS KAHLE.
Prominent among the younger generation of
progressive and successful farmers of Putnam county,
Ohio, is Ignatius Kahle, the well-known
citizen of Greensburg township. Mr. Kahle
is a descendant of some of the earliest pioneers of
this section, men and women who have left the
impress of their personalities upon the life of the
community, and in his own day of generation Mr.
Kahle is so ordering his life as to also make of
himself an example of exemplary manhood. He is
ambitious to make for himself a success of life not
only in material matters, but in the things that
count for most and are of lasting value, and,
judging of the esteem in which he is held, he is
already succeeding in the undertaking he has in
mind.
Ignatius Kahle was born on the family homestead
in Greensburg township, Putnam county in February,
1876, a son of Frank and Bernadina (Brinkman)
Kahle. Frank Kahle, Sr., father of
Ignatius Kahle, was born on Dec. 21, 1839, on
the family homestead in Greensburg township, and
passed his entire life in the one spot, his death
occurring on Feb. 3, 1898. He was a son of
John F. and Bernadina (Wilberding) Kahle
and in early manhood was united in marriage with
Bernadina Brinkman, born in 1846, in this
county, who was a daughter of Henry and Mary
(Rieman) Brinkman. The Brinkmans
were native of Germany, who had emigrated to this
country early in their married life and, after
locating in one or two different places, finally
settled permanently in this county.
Ignatius Kahle is one of a family of twelve
children, for particulars of which the reader is
respectfully referred to sketch of the career of
Frank Kahle, Sr., elsewhere in this
volume, and when a youth received his education in
the common schools of his home township. From
earliest boyhood he was carefully trained in the art
of successful husbandry by his painstaking father,
and by the time he had reached manhood he was well
versed in the practical side of agriculture.
Mr. Kahle was united in marriage on Apr. 16,
1902, to Catherine Duling, father of Mrs.
Ignatius Kahle, was born in this county and
educated in its public schools. His parents
were both natives of Germany, who lived for many
years in Ottawa township, this county, where they
were known as successful farmers. Anna
Schroeder, wife of William Duling, was a
daughter of Henry and Catherine Schroeder,
who came from Germany directly to this county, where
they located in Greensburg township and were
actively engaged in farming for many years.
She was one of a family of thirteen children; the
others living are: John, William, Charles,
Matthew, Frank, Katie and Theresa.
After William Duling and Anna Schroeder
were married they moved to a farm of eighty acres in
Greensburg township, on which spot their family was
reared. At the time they obtained possession
of it there was not much done to it in the way of
improvements, but they bravely set to work, cleared
the greater part of the land, put it all into an
excellent state of cultivation and built many
buildings, so that it came to be one of the
comfortable homes of the community. They were
the parents of four children, namely: Henry,
Catherine, wife of our immediate subject;
Anna and Frank. Henry married
Adeline Recker and resides in Ottawa township,
this county; they are the parents of five children.
Anna became the wife of Barney
Kottenbruck, a farmer of Ottawa township, and is
the mother of nine children, three of whom are dead.
Frank chose Rosa Barlager as his
helpmeet, and they make their home with his widowed
mother on the old Duling homestead, where he
carries on farming.
After marriage Ignatius Kahle and wife took up
their residence on his present homestead of one
hundred and sixty acres, which land was at one time
a portion of his father's estate. He has made
all the improvements on this land in the way of
buildings, having erected fifteen structures in all,
which are accounted among the best farm buildings in
the county. This is saying considerable when
the excellent conditions prevailing in this county
are considered. Mr. Kahle carries on
general farming, conducting his business along lines
most approved by modern scientific experiment and
is, therefore, meeting with well deserved success.
He also pays particular attention to the rearing of
Shorthorn cattle, finding this a most remunerative
side line to his regular business as agriculturist.
In all, Mr. Kahle owns three hundred and
thirteen acres of some of the best farm land in this
section, and every acre of it bears silent witness
in the excellent care given it by the owner.
To Ignatius and Catherine (Duling) Kahle have
been born an interesting family of six children,
namely: Frances Mary Bernadina on Mar.
22, 1903; Amos Frank John, July 7, 1905;
Clara Mary Ann, June 26, 1907; Henry Frank
William, Nov. 2, 1909; Herbert Barney
Ignatius, Mar. 15, 1912, and Anna Mary
Katherine, May 21, 1914. Mrs. Kahle
is a woman of charming manners, who is much admired
among her circle of friends and whose true mother
heart is anxious that the little ones in her care
shall be so trained as to be able to fill places of
usefulness in the world when they come to years of
manhood and womanhood.
Ignatius Kahle and family are devout members of
St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, while the
others mentioned within this sketch were of St.
John's at Glandorf. Mr. Kahle votes the
Democratic ticket, although he has no aspirations
for the doubtful honors of a political career.
He is an excellent specimen of sturdy young manhood
and such as he form the foundation upon which the
structure of our national wholesomeness is built.
Source: History of Putnam
County, Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B.
F. Bowen & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page
798 |
| |
HON. IGNATIUS H. KAHLE.
The late Ignatius H. Kahle spent his entire
life in Putnam county, Ohio, and was one of its
leading citizens, eminent and able, both in private
business and in public life. Whether he was
serving his fellow citizens in the capacity of a
township official, or his legislative district in
the capacity of a member of the state Legislature,
he was faithful to every trust which was respond in
him. As a business man he had house qualities
of integrity and industry which made him successful,
and at the same time earned for him the hearty
commendation of his fellow citizens. In his
domestic relations, he was above reproach and was
never happier than when seated by his own fireside
honored by those who knew him and cherished by his
children and his children's children.
Ignatius H. Kahle, the son of John Francis
Kahle, was born in Greensburg, township, Putnam
county, Ohio, on Aug. 22, 1850, and died at his home
in Glandorf, Ohio, on Feb. 7, 1899. His
father was a pioneer citizen of this county and came
from Germany in 1832 with Professor Horstman and
settled at Glandorf, in this county, the following
year.
Having received his education in the district schools
of Greensburg township, Ignatius H. Kahle, when only
fifteen years of age, became a public school
teacher, which honored occupation he followed for
three years. When he reached his majority he
was elected clerk of Greensburg township, and was
re-elected term after term until 1882, when he was
nominated and elected representative of the General
Assembly of Ohio by a majority of twelve hundred and
fifty-six. His service in the Legislature was
so eminently satisfactory that he was renominated
and elected a second time, by a majority of nineteen
hundred and thirty-five, the largest ever given to a
candidate in this county, up to that time.
Mr. Kahle made a notable record while a member
of the state Legislature. During his second
term the Cincinnati Enquirer paid a
glowing tribute to him in the following words:
"Ignatius H. Kahle, the curly-headed boy of
destiny from Putnam, is here pictured with one hand
on the plow and the other on the helm of state.
Those who know him best eulogize him in both
positions. Returning from legislative duties
he grapples with the plow or harrow and reaps a
bountiful harvest of golden grain in the autumn.
In mastering the intricacies of the law, he is not
less successful, and is earnest, industrious,
cautious, manly. You can count on the member
from Putnam as a good Democrat and as a good fellow.
He is quiet and conservative in manner, but just the
kind of a man you can sit down and talk to and be
surprised at the information you have gained while
taking."
At the close of his second term in the state
Legislature Mr. Kahle continued to farm for a
year, and in 1887 he engaged in the milling business
at Glandorf. In the year following he engaged
in the mercantile business at Glandorf with Mr.
Kersting, and continued this dual kind of
activity until 1893, in which year he went to Europe
and visited Germany, France, Italy and Austria,
taking with him his son, Frank G. Upon
his return home he started in a small way the real
estate and banking business at Glandorf, and in 1894
established the Bank of Ottawa, in partnership with
Doctor Reed and W. H. Harper, Jr., and
continued in charge of the bank until his death in
1899. As a legislature, business man of honest
convictions and sterling integrity in all things.
He was genial and cheerful, and a man whose many
ennobling qualities endeared him to everyone with
whom he came in contact.
Mr. Kahle was married on Nov. 4, 1875, to
Mary A. Miehls. She was born at
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George
and Mary A. (Hegner) Miehls.
Mrs. Kahle's father was born in Rhenish Bavaria,
and her mother was a native of Wurttemberg, Germany.
When Mrs. Kahle was four years of age,
in1857, the family moved from Pittsburgh, to Carroll
county, Ohio, and seven years later the family
located in Greensburg township, Putnam county.
Her parents resided on a farm here until old age,
and then moved to a farm at Ottoville, where Mr.
Miehls died on Oct. 3, 1879, three days before
his sixty-third birthday. His widow remained
on the farm with the children about fifteen years
and then married Peter Wannamaker, and moved
to Ottoville, where she lived until her death, Oct.
29, 1911, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Nine children were born to Ignatius H. and Mary A. (Miehls)
Kahle, Frank G., cashier of the Bank of
Ottawa Company, who married Gertrude Vocke,
and has one son, Robert; Emma B. is the wife
of Hubbard C. Gerding, and has two daughters,
Mary and Eleanor; Adelia B., the wife of
Frank Laibe; Laura M., the wife of George
Laibe, and has a daughter, Laura Mae; George
W., the assistant cashier of the bank; Harry
I., a real estate man, who married Emma
Hermiller, and has a daughter, Rosemary;
and has a son, Ignatius Henry; Bertha M. and
Mary Pauline, who are now attending St. Joseph's
Academy at Adrian, Michigan.
After the death of Doctor Reed, the president of
the bank, in the spring of 1913, Mrs. Kahle
succeeded him and has the distinction of being the
only woman in the state of Ohio, who is a president
of a bank. The entire family are loyal members
of the Catholic church.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1429 |
Joseph H. Kahle
Joseph H. Kahle Residence |
JOSEPH
HENRY KAHLE. By the marriage, in the
year 1900, of Joseph Henry Kahle to
Wilhelmina Smith, there was effected a happy
union of two of the oldest families in Putnam
county, and it is but fitting that there should be
presented in this valuable volume of biographical
narrative relating to the prominent families of hits
county a brief sketch of the head of the new
household that was then created.
Joseph Henry Kahle was born on a
farm in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio,
Jan. 18, 1874, the son of Frank Kahle, a
member of one of the oldest and best known families
in Putnam county, the genealogy of which will be
found set out in a biographical sketch of Frank
Kahle, father of the immediate subject of this
sketch presented elsewhere in this volume.
Joseph Henry Kahle was educated in the schools
of his native township and grew to manhood on the
paternal farm, being carefully instructed in all the
details of farming life, and there he remained until
his marriage, in the year 1900, after which he moved
on a farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased in
section 17 of Union township, where he has since
made his home. This original eighty acres was
a part of the old Kahle farm and Mr. Kahle
later added to the same tract of one hundred and
eighty-two acres adjoining, eighty acres of which
lies in Greensburg township.. This farm is
noted far and near for the excellent character of
its buildings, there being eight in all upon it, all
of the most substantial structure, from the splendid
dwelling house to the humblest outbuilding, and all
of which are designed for the greatest convenience
and comfort. Mr. Kahle believes in
taking proper care of his domestic animals, and the
buildings erected for them have left nothing to be
desired for the most humane treatment of his stock.
In addition to his considerable operations in the line
of general farming and stock raising, Mr. Kahle
has become a potent figure in the business life of
his community, and is reckoned as among the leading
men in that section of the county in all things
pertaining to the highest development of the
community interest. He is the president of the
Peoples Bank at Kalida, and is well known and
popular among the business men in all parts of the
county. There are few public enterprises,
affecting his immediate neighborhood, in which
Mr. Kahle is not in some manner interested, and
his influence in the affairs of that section of the
county is growing constantly.
Joseph Henry Kahle
was united in marriage, on Nov. 7, 1900, to
Wilhelmina Smith, daughter of the late L.
Jacob Smith, who, for many years, was one of the
best loved and most influential men in that part of
the county. For further details of the
genealogy of Mrs. Kahle the reader is
referred to the biographical sketch of her brother,
Frank Smith, presented elsewhere in this volume.
To Joseph Henry and Wilhelmina (Smith) Kahle
there have been born eight children, as follows:
Infant, deceased, born on Aug. 10, 1901;
Frank Jacob, born on Aug. 14, 1902; Joseph
Cyrrels, born on July 5, 19043; Alfred Henry,
born on June 5, 1906; Hubert Joseph, born on
Dec. 30, 1909; Florentine Mary, born on July
27, 1911; Cletus Arnold, born on Mr. 31,
1913, and August Robert Victor born on Apr.
24, 1915. This promising quiverful of
youngsters keep things lively about the Kahle
home and are the great delight of their devoted
parents' lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Kahle are members of the St. Michael's
Catholic church at Kalida, and their children are
being reared in the firm faith of the church, to
which institution they are devoted and are earnest
and active supporters of its various beneficiaries,
their service to the parish being as unselfish as it
is generous. In all the other good works of
the community they are also deeply interested, and
no couple in that part of the county is more popular
or more highly esteemed that are Mr. and Mrs.
Kahle.
Mr. Kahle is a man of the most engaging
personality, wholesome and genial in his demeanor
and popular with all. He is a good farmer and
an excellent business man, and is doing well his
part in the community.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 704 |
| |
JOHN G. KAPPAUF
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 853 |
| |
HENRY KAUFMANN
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1261 |
| |
JOHN KEHRES
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1462 |
| |
HOMER H. KEIFER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1366 |
| |
SAMUEL H. KEIRNS
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 948 |
| |
JULIAN KEMPF.
The stability and prosperity of any community is
determined largely by the character of the business
men in whose hands the life of the community, to a
great extent, lies. This responsibility rests
even more heavily on the younger business men, for
on them depends the future prosperity of the
community, and it is their integrity and energy
which will determine the standard of citizenship
which the community is to maintain. In this
respect, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, is
indeed fortunate in numbering among its younger and
rising business men many whose integrity cannot be
questioned and whose energy and business enterprise
is being daily demonstrated. Of these the
subject of this sketch, Julian Kempf,
is an excellent example.
Julian Kempf was born on Mar. 20, 1883,
in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, a
son of Rudolph and Anna (Wehrley) Kempf.
Rudolph Kempf was born in Berne,
Switzerland, Apr. 9, 1852, and died in Pandora,
Putnam county, Aug. 21, 1914. He was a son of
Christian and Mary Kempf.
Christian Kempf, about whom little is
known, operated a tile mill in Switzerland. He
and his wife were the parents of sixteen children,
nine of whom were boys and seven girls.
Rudolph Kempf came to America in 1868,
when he was twenty-one years of age. He came
direct to Ripley township, Putnam county, where he
remained for about three years. During that
time he was employed on the farms of Daniel
King and Isaac Hilty. He
was then recalled to Switzerland on account of his
mother's death. Shortly afterward he returned
to this country and again resumed farm work, in
which he continued until the time of his marriage,
Oct. 2, 1881. He married Anna
Wehrley, who was born in Riley township, Putnam
comity, in March, 1855, a daughter of Anthony and
Catherine (Suter) Wehrley. Her, father was
a native of Switzerland and her mother was born in
Riley township.
After his marriage, Rudolph Kempf entered
the quarry business and conducted a stone quarry,
which had formerly been known as the Hart stone
quarry. He remained in that business for
several years and then entered the mercantile
business, at Pandora, in which business he remained
for several years. When Julian Kempf
was six or seven years of age, Rudolph Kempf
engaged in the restaurant and meat business for
about three years. For the next ten or twelve
years he operated a dray line, and was then
appointed township road supervisor, which position
he held until his death, about five years later.
Rudolph and Anna (Wehrley) Kempf were the
parents of two children, Mary and Julian.
Mary is now the wife of Noah
Schumacher, and lives at Pandora. They are
the parents of three children.
Julian Kempf spent his childhood and youth
in Pandora, where he attended the common schools and
the high school. After he had completed his
studies, he began his business career by assuming
charge of his father's dray line, in which business
he remained four years, or until August, 1904, when
he entered the employment of the Pandora Milling
Company.
His first duties with the milling company were of a
minor character, but, as he proved his efficiency,
he was given more responsible duties, and at the end
of two years was put in charge of the company's
accounts. At that time he was also made
secretary of the company, a position which he still
holds.
On Jan. 4, 1904, he married Eva Frantz,
of Gilboa, a daughter of William W. and
Elizabeth (Hoskinson) Frantz.
She was born at Gilboa, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1882.
She attended the public schools of Gilboa and
remained with her parents until the time of her
marriage. The details of her family history
are given in the sketches of her brother, William
Pratt Frantz, and Frantz Brothers,
which appear elsewhere in this volume.
To Julian and Eva (Frantz) Kempf have been born
two children, Francis, who was born on Nov.
26, 1911, and Elizabeth, who was born on Jan.
31, 1915. Mr. Kempf is a
supporter of the Democratic party and has taken an
active interest in the political affairs of his
community. He has been twice elected town
councilman, and was appointed clerk of the
corporation to fill out an unexpired term,
discharging the duties of the office so
satisfactorily that he was later elected to the
office.
Julian Kempf is a clean-cut and
progressive young business man of unquestioned
integrity. He is junior member of the firm of
Steiner, Hilty & Kempf, who
operate the Pandora Milling Company, a position into
which he gradually worked himself by keen and
efficient business ability. He is popular with
all who know him and is a prominent member of his
community.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 894 |
| |
HENRY UPTON KENNEY
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1358 |
| |
EDWARD KERNER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 852 |
| |
JOSEPH KERNER.
The true measure of individual success is determined
by what one has accomplished. An enumeration
of those men of the present generation who have been
successful in their life work and who, at the same
time, have left the impress of their strong
personality upon the community, men who have won
honor and recognition for themselves and who have
conferred honor upon the locality in which they
reside, would be incomplete with a failure to make
specific mention of Joseph Kerner, a
well-known retired farmer of Greensburg township.
His life has been a busy one, but he has
never allowed anything to interfere with his
Christian obligations or the faithful performance of
his church duties. Mr. Kerner
has lived to rear a large family which is highly
esteemed and respected throughout all Putnam county.
Joseph Kerner was born on Sept. 24, 1848,
in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is
the son of Mathias and Elizabeth Kerner.
Mathias Kerner was born in Germany,
and his wife was born in Pennsylvania. The
former came to America and settled in Putnam county
early in life, but prior to arriving in Putnam
county he spent three years in South Carolina.
His wife came to Putnam county from Pennsylvania
after the death of her parents. She met and
married Mathias Kerner and they moved
to the farm where Joseph Kerner now
lives. They acquired a substantial competency
and lived upon this farm during practically their
entire life.
Joseph Kerner, the subject of this
sketch, was reared on his father's farm and attended
the public schools in Putnam county. Mr.
Kerner was married on Nov. 6, 1872, to
Mary Schaeffer. She was born on
Nov. 18, 1853, and is the daughter of Henry
and Agnes (Hoffman) Schaeffer. Both
her parents were born in Germany, and were there
married. Three days after their marriage,
Henry and Agnes Schaeffer
came to America and settled in Brooklyn, New York,
where they remained for some time.
Subsequently, they removed to West Virginia, and,
eventually, came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio,
where Mr. Schaeffer followed the
blacksmith trade, which he had learned in his native
country. They lived in Putnam county for many
years and reared a family of four children, John
was born in 1856, Clara was born in 1859,
Mary became the wife of Mr. Kerner,
and Clara, deceased, married Barney
Kolaff. John was thrice married,
the first time to Theresa Schrader,
the second to Katrina Recker and the
third time to Caroline Lemkuhle.
After their marriage, Joseph Kerner
and wife moved to Mr. Kerner's farm
in section 22, Greensburg township and here they
have spent practically their entire life.
Joseph Kerner and wife are the parents of the
following children: Mathias, born on
Apr. 6, 1874; Elizabeth, born on Dec. 6,
1875; Carolina, born on Nov. 9, 1877, and
died on Oct. 21, 1881; Amalia was born on
Nov. 22, 1879; Katrina was born on Jan. 26,
1882; Mary T. was born on Dec. 8, 1884;
Mary Ann was born on Apr. 26, 1887;
John Edward was born on Nov. 3, 1889;
Rosa was born on Oct. 20, 1892.
Elizabeth Kerner married Barney
Merschman, and they have the following children:
Philomena, Edward, Clara,
Frank, Bernard and two who died in
infancy. Their home is in Ottawa.
Amalia married John Kolhoff, and
they live near Alma, Michigan. They have four
children, Wilfred, Alvine, Cletus
and Collette. Katrina married
Barney Gerding and they have six
children, Clarence, Louis, Adelia, Edwin,
Marcella and Ambrose. Mary
T. married John Siebeneck and they
have two children living, Mary and Edward.
Four children are deceased. Mary Ann
married Chris Marmon and they have
four children, Hubbard, Loretta, Leo and
Sylvester. Edward married Anna Rieman
and they have one child, Marcella.
Mathias married Mary Merschman and
they live on the farm adjoining that of Mr.
Kerner. They have five children,
Eleanore, Harry, Loretta, Emma
and Victor. Rosa is unmarried
and lives at home.
Joseph Kerner
is an active man for his advanced years and can do a
day's work as well as the average man of younger
years. He has a splendid farm of eighty acres
which is devoted to general farming. He and
his wife are proud of their many grandchildren and
are a happy couple. Mrs. Kerner is a
very active woman, of motherly disposition.
The Kerner family has been very highly
esteemed in Putnam county for several generations.
All the members of this family are affiliated with
the Catholic church, and politically, most of the
Kerners are Democrats.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 706 |
| |
MATHIAS J. KERNER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 781 |
| |
THEODORE J. KERNER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1403 |
| |
JOSEPH KERSTIN
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 785 |
George D. Kinder
|
GEORGE D. KINDER.
There is no agency which exerts a more powerful
influence upon the nation today than the press, and
the editor who keeps in close touch with the
progress of the times and faithfully records the
news from day to day, is performing a mission of
inestimable value. Ohio has several hundred
newspapers, and there is not a county but has its
local papers, usually both of the leading political
parties being represented thereby. Putnam
county Democracy has supported the Putnam County
Sentinel for nearly three-quarters of a century, and
the paper, during all of these years has stood not
only for the principles of the party, but has also
taken an active part in the advancement of every
measure which has been proposed for the general
welfare of the county.
For nearly half a century George D. Kinder has
been connected in one capacity or another with the
Sentinel, and his record as a newspaper man is such
that he rightly ranks with the leaders of the
profession in the state of Ohio. Starting in to
learn the business when a mere youth, he has made it
his life work, and the success which has attended,
his efforts is ample evidence of his ability.
As a newspaper editor, as a county official, as a
member of the school board of Ottawa, as a
successful business man, as a public-spirited
citizen and as a man devoted to his home and family,
George D. Kinder may justly be included among
the truly representative men of his county and
state.
George D. Kinder was born in Franklin, Warren
county, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1836, a son of Captain
George and Eliza (Schnorf) Kinder. On the
paternal side he traces his ancestry back to the
burghers of Holland, and the Dutch characteristics
of thrift and conscientious devotion to duty have
been handed down through each succeeding generation.
After receiving a good common school education, the
youthful George entered the printing office of his
brother when he was fifteen years of age. His
brother, at that time, was the owner and editor of
the Hamilton Telegraph, one of the leading papers of
that city. He served as an apprentice for a
few years and learned all the little details which
go to make a successful newspaper man. He then
worked as a journeyman printer until 1862, when he
went to Sandusky, Ohio, and established the Erie
County News, a Democratic weekly, which. he
published until 1864. He then moved his
newspaper plant to Port Clinton, Ohio, and founded
the Ottawa County News. He continued this
paper for only a short time and then disposed of it
to advantage and purchased the Greenville (Ohio)
Democrat. This paper was not very prosperous
when Mr. Kinder took charge of it, but, under his
able management, it was soon put on a paying basis .
For two years he remained in Greenville at the head
of the paper and then disposed of it at a handsome
profit. His next venture was with the Bucyrus
Forum, which he managed and edited for Thomas
Coughlin until the summer of 1867.
Mr. Kinder came to Ottawa, Ohio, in June,
1867, and purchased an interest in the Putnam County
Sentinel, becoming the editor and general manager of
the paper. A year later he became the sole
owner of the paper, retaining the ownership until in
January, 1900. A complete history of this
paper is given in the newspaper chapter elsewhere in
this volume. During his long connection
with the paper Mr. Kinder made it one
of the leading Democratic papers of this section of
the state. While he was always a fearless
advocate of the principles and policies of his
party, he was always fair to his political opponents
and won their respect if he did not secure their
favor. As long as he was connected with the
paper he refused to become a candidate for public
office, although he was frequently importuned to do
SO by his many friends. It is safe to say that, for
a quarter of a century, he was the leader of his
party, not only in local matters, but also for many
years one of the men who helped to shape the
policies of his party in State affairs. Serving
frequently on congressional and state committees, he
was thrown in touch with the leaders of his party in
the state, and was thus given an opportunity to be
of benefit to the party whose cause he so ably
espoused.
After retiring from the Sentinel in 1900, Mr.
Kinder became a candidate for county treasurer
and was elected, in the fall of the same year, by a
handsome majority. His first term gave such
universal satisfaction that he was re-nominated by
his party and again elected, filling the office for
a period of four years. He introduced many
needed reforms in the administration of the duties
connected with the office and had the satisfaction
of knowing that his changes in the conduct of the
office have been followed by his successors.
After leaving the treasurer's office, Mr.
Kinder was elected a member of the board of
public affairs, and has been re-elected every two
years since the passage of the law creating the
office. His present term expires in January,
1916. The only other public office which he
has held was that of school director, filling a
position on the board of Ottawa for five years.
When Mr. Kinder retired from the
newspaper business, in 1900, he never expected to
identify himself with a paper again, but the call of
the press could not be denied. Immediately
after leaving the treasurer's office he found
himself unable to keep away from the Sentinel
office, and few days went by which did not see him
at his old desk. He assumed complete editorial
management of the Sentinel in 1911, and continued in
this capacity until 1913, when A. P. Sandles
became the editor. Since that time Mr.
Kinder has devoted himself to the local
department of the paper, and the chances are that he
will retain his connection with the paper as long as
he is able to get to the office. For
considerably more than half a century Mr.
Kinder has been in the newspaper business, and
it is probable that there is not a man in the state
who can equal his record for continuous service.
Mr. Kinder was married in February, 1869,
to Zella Gordon, and to this union
have been born two children, Gordon and
Zella. Gordon was educated in the
Ottawa schools and later graduated from the law
department of Ohio State University. He
married Charlotte Duncan and has two
interesting little children. He is now
practicing law in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Zella, the other child of Mr. and Mrs. Kinder,
is the wife of J. C. Spencer, a real estate
and insurance agent of Findlay, Ohio.
Mr. Kinder has been a director of the
Ottawa Home and Savings Association for many years
and has extensive property interests in his home
town. As a newspaper man he has been unusually
successful in a financial way, and has always
invested his money in local enterprises. In
his social connections, Mr. Kinder is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding his
membership in the blue lodge, chapter and council at
Ottawa, and in Shawnee commandery at Lima. He
is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the
Royal Arcanum.
The publishers were glad to avail themselves of Mr.
Kinder's services in the preparation of the
present history of Putnam county. His
connection with the leading newspaper of the county
during the past half century and his active
participation in every phase of the county's
development makes him as able an editor as could be
secured for a work of this kind.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 712 |
| |
JOHN H. KLEMAN.
It is a pleasure to the biographer to record the
lives of prosperous men who have honored their
community and who are loved by their fellow men.
They inspire the coming generation, as well as the
present, and justly deserved mention in such a work
as this. One of the most influential citizens
of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, is John
H. Kleman.
John H. Kleman was born Mar. 28, 1852, on the farm
where he now lives in the southwestern part of
Ottawa township. He is the son of Andrew
and Mary C. (Gerdeman) Kleman. Andrew
Kleman
was born in Prussia in 1805, and was a trained
soldier under the grandfather of the present German
kaiser. He came to America about 1835 and
located near, or at, Glandorf, Putnam county, when
Indians were still in the vicinity. He was a
farmer. Here he married Mary C. (Gerdeman)
Utendorf, the widow of Joseph Utendorf,
deceased. She was born in Hanover, Germany, in
1811, and came to America and spent her first winter
at Toledo, at the time the first railroad reached
that city. She then came to Glandorf and
married Joseph Utendorf and they lived on the
farm where John H. now lives until Mr.
Utendorf's death. There were two children
by her first marriage, Joseph and Mary Ann
the former dying in 1885. Mary Ann was
the wife of J. W. Ellerbrock and died at
Glandorf in 1912. After Mr. Utendorf
died she and Mr. Klemam married and spent the
rest of their lives on the farm which she owned.
Here she died in 1882, her husband dying in 1859,
leaving her with a family of children. She had
seven by her second marriage, of whom three died
before her husband. She and her children
remained on the farm as long as she lived.
John H. Kleman was married to Mary Hueve
in 1873. She was born northwest of Glandorf,
the daughter of Joseph and Lisette (Claforn)
Hueve. Her father was born in Prussia and
came to America about 1840, at the age of sixteen,
with his parents, Herman and Elizabeth Hueve.
They located northwest of Glandorf when the country
was still new.
Lisette Claforn was born in Hanover, Germany,
and at the age of three was brought to America with
her parents, who located southwest of Ottawa.
Joseph Hueve and wife located in section 3 of
Pleasant township, when Mrs. Kleman was about
three years old. They located in the midst of
the woods, as did the other pioneers and there spent
the rest of their lives. Mrs.. Hueve
died in 1893 and her husband in 1899. They had
a large family, of whom three died in infancy and
three grew to maturity.
After John H. Kleman married, he continued
farming where he now lives. He has served
twice as land appraiser, in 1900, and again in 1910,
and was trustee of Ottawa township from 1882 to
1887. Mr. Kleman has added to his
original land holdings, as he was able, and now owns
three hundred and ten acres. He has rebuilt
his barns and houses and is a well-known and
influential citizen.
John H. and Mary (Hueve) Kleman are the parents
of ten children, Anna M., Joseph, Elizabeth M.,
Frank J., Veronica K., John, Lewis H., Carolina C.,
Albert L. and Adolph H. Anna M. was
born on Oct. 5, 1874, married Frank Smith.
They live near Bryant, Indiana, and have seven
children. Joseph G., Mar. 8, 1876,
married Lizzie Meyer. They live three
miles northeast of Miller City and have four
children: Elizabeth M., Apr. 2, 1879,
married John Liebrecht, and lives two miles
south of Kalida. They have four children;
Frank J., May 30, 1881, married Nov. 17, 1914,
to Anna Shekelhoff. They live one mile
south of his father's farm; Veronica K., Aug.
5, 1882, married to Joseph Reitz. They
live at Oberlin, Ohio, have four children living;
John, Feb. 27, 1885, is still single, living at
Toledo, Ohio; Lewis H., July 23, 1887, was
married June 10, 1914, to Elizabeth Kreinbrink.
They live just across the road from his father;
Caroline C., Jan. 2, 1890; Albert L.,
Feb. 14, 1892; and Adolph H., Nov. 13, 1895,
all still resides at home.
John W. Kleman and family are devoted members of
the Catholic church at Glandorf. He also
belongs to the Holy Name society and the St. Joseph
society. Mr. Kleman is broad-minded,
hospitable, sociable and patriotic, a worthy son of
Andrew Kleman, who was a king's guard in the
old country and, in 1842, upon coming to America,
was appointed captain of the home guards of Ohio and
was always known as Captain Kleman.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1038 |
| |
LOUIS
KONST. Not a few of
the enterprising citizens of Putnam county, Ohio,
were either born in the little Kingdom of Holland or
are descended from people who were born in that
thriving domain. The people who have come from
Holland and their immediate descendants are among
the best citizens not only of Putnam county, but of
any county where they have settled. The
Konst family has long been known in this
section of the state, and one of the enterprising
and progressive members of that family is Louis
Konst, of Miller City, who is now engaged in
the retail liquor trade in Miller City.
Louis Konst was born on Feb. 19, 1872, in
Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm, the
son of Lucas and Caroline (Burkhart) Konst,
the former of whom was a native of Holland and the
latter a native of Ottawa township, this county.
Lucas Konst was born in Holland, and when
six years of age came to America with his parents,
who brought with them their entire family, as
follow: John, deceased; Katherine and
Lucas. The family first settled in
Cincinnati, where Lucas attended school, and
in that city he learned the carpenter trade.
When a young man he came with his father and the
rest of the family, to New Cleveland, Ohio, where
they settled on a farm of eighty
acres. Lucas Konst's sister,
Katherine, married Mathias Otto,
and lives at New Cleveland. After coming to
New Cleveland Lucas Konst worked at his trade
as a carpenter, and here married Caroline
Burkhart, the daughter of Adam
Burkhart and wife, and after his marriage he
engaged in farming on what is known as the John
Beck farm. For some time Mr.
Konst farmed on shares. Later he moved
to the Kinnecke farm, near Columbus
Grove, where he remained for three years, when he
bought a farm at Elm Center, consisting of
forty-seven acres, where he lived until 1910, and
then removed to Ottawa, where he lived until his
death on Jan. 8, 1913. He was survived by his
widow and the following children: Frank,
Charles, John, Joseph, Louis,
Thomas, Martha, Rudolph,
William and Mathias. Of these
children Frank married Anna Yenner,
and lives in Continental, Ohio; Charles first
married Mary Barlager, and after her
death he married Caroline Yenner, who
died at Continental, Ohio, after which he married
Clara Vanvlera, and now lives near
Hicksville, Ohio; John married Catherine
Krouse and lives at Leipsic, Ohio; Joseph
married Zine Riggs and lives in
Ottawa; Louis is the subject of this sketch;
Thomas married Emma Laird and
lives in Toledo, Ohio; Martha became the wife
of William Hammond, and they live at
Sherwood, Ohio; Rudolph married Gertrude
Alt, and lives in Ottawa; William
lives in San Diego, California; Mathias
married Jennie Klass, and lives in
Miller City.
Louis Konst received his education in the
schools of Elm Center, Ohio. During the early
years of his life he lived on a farm, where he
worked for some time. Later he was employed in
a stave factory.
Louis Konst was married on Apr. 5, 1898,
to Imus L Kiefer, the daughter of Marion
and Mary (Gingrich) Kiefer, who were residents
of Continental, and were the parents of the
following children: Benjamin, Amanda,
Imus and Ovel. Mrs.
Kiefer is now deceased, and her husband is still
living at Continental. After his marriage
Mr. Konst lived in Ottawa and was engaged
in the restaurant business. He also worked for
a time in Continental and then engaged in business
with Joseph Gingrich.
Subsequently he engaged, on Sept. 1, 1900, in
business for himself at Continental and later moved
to a farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres in
Defiance county, Ohio, which he purchased. He
lived there for two years, and improved the farm in
many ways, erecting a house, barn and other
outbuildings. He then bought one hundred acres
additional on Jan. 1, 1915. Subsequently he
moved to Defiance and later engaged in the meat
business on June 1, 1910, Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.,
Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 802 |
| |
MATHIAS
KONST. One of the
best known young business men of Miller City, Putnam
county, Ohio, is Mathias Konst, a
liquor merchant of this city. Mr.
Konst is a self-made man in every respect, and
his financial success is an example of what may be
accomplished by hard and conscientious work and
strict attention to duty.
Mathias Konst was born at Elm Center,
Putnam county, Ohio, on July 18, 1887. He is
the son of Lucas and Caroline (Burkhart) Konst.
Lucas Konst was born in Holland and came,
with his parents when six years of age, to America.
His parents, with their children, John,
Katherine and Lucas, on coming from
Holland, landed in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here
Mathias Konst's father, Lucas Konst,
was educated and learned the carpenter's trade, and,
when a young man, he came with his father and family
to New Cleveland, Putnam county, Ohio, settling on a
farm of eighty acres. Of the children, John
died, Katherine married Mathias
Otto and lives at New Cleveland. After
coming to New Cleveland, Lucas Konst's
father worked at his trade. After his
marriage, Lucas Konst began fanning on
the John Beck place. Later, he
purchased a farm of forty-seven acres, at Elm
Center, Liberty township, Putnam county, where he
farmed for a number of years, or until 1910.
He then moved to Ottawa and retired. He died
in Ottawa on Jan. 8, 1913. His widow survives
him and lives in Ottawa. Lucas and Caroline
(Burkhart) Konst were the parents of ten
children, Frank, Charles, John,
Joseph, Louis, Thomas,
Martha, Rudolph, William and
Mathias, the subject of this sketch.
Frank Konst married Anna Yenner
and they live at Continental; Charles was
married first to Mary Burlager; she
died and he was again married to Caroline
Yenner. His second wife died and he now
lives at Hicksville, Ohio. John married
Catherine Krouse and lives at Leipsic,
Ohio. Joseph married Zine
Riggs and they live at Ottawa. Louis
married Inez Kiefer and they live at
Miller City. Thomas married Emma
Laird, and they live at Toledo, Ohio;
Martha married William Hammond and
lives at Sherwood, Ohio; Rudolph married
Gertrude Ault, and they live at Ottawa;
William is married and lives at San Diego,
California.
Mathias Konst was educated in the
township schools of Liberty township, Putnam county,
Ohio, and spent his boyhood days on his father's
farm at Elm Center. After leaving school he
learned the barber's trade, and worked at this trade
in Continental for five years, and then engaged in
the liquor business. He was there in this
business for four months and then came to Miller
City, Ohio, where he entered the business with his
brother Louis as partner. They also
operate a cafe, and both are still active.
Mathias Konst was married on Apr. 19,
1910, to Jennie Klass, a daughter of
Joseph and Anna (Steffen) Klass, both natives
of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio.
Joseph Klass is a farmer and had a family
of five children, Jennie, Walter,
Oliver, Albert and Florence, all
of whom are living.
To Mathias and Jennie (Klass)
Konst four children have been born, as
follow: Gladys, Edith, Alton
and Berneda.
Mathias Konst is the treasurer of Miller
City. Throughout his life he has been an
active Democrat. He is not a member of any
lodges. Mathias Konst, wife and
family are members of St. Nicholas's Catholic church
at Miller City. Mrs. Konst is a
member of the Mother's Society of the Catholic
church. They are well known in this section of
Putnam county and are highly respected citizens.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.,
Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 863 |
| |
ANTON
KUHLMAN. Philosophy
and experience teach us that society is more quickly
ameliorated zand best improved by the advancement of
the individual. That is to say, if a person
will attend to his or her own uplift, it stands as a
matter of course that the entire body of society
will benefit thereby. The greatest factor in
this work is example; the life and deeds of every
individual are sure to react upon their fellows.
The proof of this is found in the study of the life
of Anton Kuhlman, who has materially
aided his community by a quiet and unassuming
example.
Anton Kuhlman was born in Glandorf,
Putnam county, Ohio, on Mar. 26, 1850, his parents
being John Theodore and Anna (Schwatzengraber)
Kuhlman, who were also the parents of
Theodore, Barney and Henry, who live on
adjoining farms in Ottawa township. Frank
and John are both deceased.
Born in Germany, Theodore Kuhlman came to
America with his parents at the age of fourteen.
He was mechanically inclined, and when not working
on the farm made machinery in a small shop, making
three separators, two of which he sold, keeping the
other for his own use. Altogether he
accumulated six hundred acres of land, which he
bought uncleared and made valuable by hard work. To
each of three sons he deeded one hundred and seven
acres, and to the other son, Theodore, he
gave eighty acres. Theodore, the elder,
followed general farming throughout his life and
died on the farm Jan. 6, 1889. He was a power
in the community, a member of the Catholic church
and was a Democrat.
It is related of Theodore Kuhlman that he
was compelled, in pioneer days, to take his pork and
grain to Defiance, in a boat built by himself, which
would hold five hundred bushels of wheat. For
this boat he hewed his own lumber; its proportions
were seventy-four feet long and six feet wide.
Pork was packed on fop of the wheat.
Theodore slept in the boat during his trips.
Anna Kuhlman was also born in Germany and
came to America with her parents about two years
later than did her future husband. Her parents
also settled in Glandorf. She died, Aug. 18,
1877, mourned as a kind neighbor and a loving
mother.
Living at home until his marriage, Anton
Kuhlman located on the place given him by his
father, which he cleared, fenced and drained, and on
which he built numerous new buildings. At the
present time he is an influential farmer, an
automobile enthusiast and a good roads advocate.
On May 26, 1874, Mr. Kuhlman was married
a second time, to Agnes Lefken, the daughter
of Henry and Theresa (Hundepohl) Lefken, the
former of whom was a native of Germany, who settled
on an uncleared Putnam county farm in the early
days, and became a successful farmer. He and
his wife had six children: Elizabeth, who
married Barney Gerding; Mrs.
Myrtle Kuhlman; Mrs. Anna
Kuhlman, who died on Dec. 2, 1910; Agnes,
the wife of the subject; Magdalena married
Frank Doepper and lives in Glandorf;
Mrs. Helena Becker is deceased.
To Anton and Agnes (Lefken)
Kuhlman and wife were born the six children
described as follow: Barney, who married
Emma Helker, lives on an Ottawa township
farm and has four children, Hilda, Leona,
Bernard and Louisa; William
married Mary Schroeder and lives on an
Ottawa township farm; Andrew married Mary
Lammers and lives on a farm in Blanchard
township, and has three children, Arthur,
Carl and Genevieve; Emma, who
married Joseph Schmenk, lives on
Ottawa township farm and has four children,
Rudolph, Mildred, Elmer and
Alice; George married Susan
Nadler and lives in the parental home; Harry
also lives at home.
An active worker in the Democratic party, Mr.
Kuhlman has never sought office. He
is a member of the New Cleveland Catholic church, as
is his family. Mr. Kuhlman is
congenial, stands high in the regard of his
neighbors, and supports all movements which will
benefit the county. He is a kind and loving
father and so lives that his example is a powerful
agent for good.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.,
Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1245 |
| |
JACOB M. KUHN.
To write the personal record of men who have raised
themselves from humble circumstances to a position
of responsibility and trust in a community, is no
ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, who have achieved
success by reason of their indefatigable labor and
who have left the mark of their individuality upon
the agricultural and business growth of their
township, affect for good a far larger community
than they suspect. Unwittingly, perhaps, they build
monuments that will endure longer than any shaft
which might be erected to their memory. Jacob M.
Kuhn is a man who has always exerted an
influence for good and is well known and widely
respected in Putnam county.
Jacob M. Kuhn was born on March 6, 1857, in
Richland county, Ohio. He is the son of
Jacob and Mary ( Shaffer) Kuhn. Jacob Kuhn was
born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on November
26, 1824. He lived with his brother, George,
until he was twenty-one years old, his father having
died when he was two years old. Near the school
house where Jacob Kuhn went to school,
on the 26th day of July, 1764, a party of three
Indians murdered a schoolmaster, named Brown,
and at the same time killed and scalped ten
scholars. One of the scholars, a boy, left for
dead, recovered and told the story and lived many
years afterward. Jacob Kuhn came to
Plymouth township, Richland county, in the year
1845, walking the whole way and averaging
thirty-five miles a day. He lived with his brother,
Samuel, for three years, farming on shares.
In the year 1848, he returned to Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, on horseback, sold the horse and
received about eighteen hundred dollars as his share
of his father's estate, walking back to Richland
county, carrying his money in a belt and his boots,
averaging thirty miles a day. The year 1849,
he bought forty acres near his brother, Samuel, and
lived with his nephew, H. W. Patterson, until
the year 1851. He also held minor township offices,
but throughout his life was a stanch Republican, and
always took a deep and active interest in politics,
notwithstanding the fact that he never cared for
office. Pie was a sterling member of the German
Reformed church in Richland county and an active
worker in this church at all times. He was one
of the founders of this church in the community
where he lived and held all of the offices in the
church. He gave liberally to the church both in
money and services. He died on August 25, 1876, at
the age of fifty-two years, after an illness of
eighteen months. Jacob Kuhn was
married, November 20, 1851, to Mary
Shaffer, of Jackson township, Richland county.
She was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
and came to Richland county with her parents when a
small child, where she grew to womanhood and
married. She was the daughter of George and
Mary (Detrick) Shaffer, who came to Ohio in 1839
in wagons. She was born on March 13, 1827, and
died. May 18, 1892, on the old homestead farm in-
Richland county, at the age of sixty-five. Jacob
and Mary (Shaffer) Kuhn were the parents of
seven children, Mary, who died in infancy;
Mrs. Martha Jane Coulter,
who died at Olympia, Washington, in 1910; George
U., who lives in Richland county; Jacob M.,
the subject of this sketch; Frank, of
Richland county; William, who lives in
Richland county; and Mrs. Clara Strock, of
Olympia, Washington.
Mary Detrick, the maternal grandmother of
Jacob M. Kuhn, was born on March 28, 1792,
the daughter of Lewis and Julian Detrick.
She was the tenth child of a family of thirteen
children, seven boys and six girls, and died in
June, 1866.
Great-grandfather and great-grandmother Kuhn
came from Germany to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
in the year of 1754. To them were born seven
children, five boys and two girls. They moved
to Franklin comity, Pennsylvania, in the year 1772,
and entered a farm that has been in the Kuhn
name ever since, Mr. Bruce Kuhn
living on the farm at the present time, 1915.
Grandfather Samuel Kuhn was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, on February 18, 1771, and
moved with his parents to Franklin county, that
state, in 1772. He was married about the year
1798, to Catherine Smith. To
them were born twelve children, six boys and six
girls. They both died in Franklin county,
grandfather Kuhn in the year 1826, and his
wife in the year 1842.
Jacob M. Kuhn grew up in Richland county, and
was there married. He came to Putnam county in
1887, and settled on a farm which his father had
purchased, in 1857, for nine dollars an acre.
It was in the wilds at that time and nothing had
been cleared. Jacob M. Kuhn's father never
farmed this land, but leased it. It originally
comprised one hundred and sixty acres,
but now consists of one hundred and five acres.
Jacob M. Kuhn farmed here until the fall of
1911 and then moved to his present place, just
outside of the corporation limits of Columbus Grove,
consisting of twenty-five acres. His son is
now farming the land from which Mr. Kuhn
moved in 1911. Jacob M. Kuhn made all
of the improvements on the one-hundred-and-five acre
farm and erected all the buildings. He has
also made many improvements upon his present place
and has one of the finest farms in Pleasant
township, and the twenty-five acres where he now
lives is a beautiful country home and is well kept.
Mr. Kuhn occupies a large and spacious
residence. He built a new barn in 1913 and has
made extensive improvements on the residence
which was standing on the place when he moved to it.
On October 3, 1882, Jacob M. Kuhn was married to
Ida Enlow, a native of Richland county, and a
daughter of Andrew J. and Mary (Schlosser) Enlow.
Andrew J. Enlow was born on August 13, 1826, in
Richland county, and died on July 17, 1904.
His wife, who before her marriage was Mary
Schlosser, was born on August 17, 1831, and died
on July 6, 1903. Jacob M. and Ida (Enlow) Kuhn
have been the parents of five children, Clara,
who married Floyd Bowers, of Lima, and
has two children, Mary and Earle;
Earle, who is a cigar maker at Ottawa; George
Howard, who lives on his father's farm in
Pleasant township, married Forrest Stoner
and has two children, Kholetta and Kenneth;
Mary Lilace, who married Brice
Darbyshire, a farmer of Sugar Creek township,
near Rimer, and June, who is at home.
Mr. Kuhn was one of the incorporators
and chairman of the board of directors of the Home
Industry Store Company, of Columbus Grove.
Mr. Kuhn is a member of the Knights of Pythias
Lodge, No. 376, of Columbus Grove. He served
as township trustee of Pleasant township for one
term. He is identified with the Republican
party, but is more or less independent in his
voting. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn are members
of the Presbyterian church at Columbus Grove.
Formerly, he was a trustee of the church but is no
longer active. The Kuhn family
are also members of the same church. Jacob
M. Kuhn is a congenial, sociable man of splendid
intellect and is a substantial citizen. He is a man
who never violates a spoken or written promise and
his word is a good as his bond. He is well
liked and favorable known throughout this section of
Putnam county.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1347 |
| |
LOUIS W.
KUNTZ.. Success in the mercantile
business is founded on strict integrity, good
business management and courteous dealings with the
public. Such a business is likewise an
evidence of the possession of these qualities,
because no man can succeed very well without them.
The Kuntz store, at Leipsic, Ohio, founded by
the late Louis Kuntz, is conducted on these
principles.
Louis W. Kuntz was born, in 1850, at West Leipsic,
Putnam county, Ohio, the son of Christian and
Mary (Dietz) Kuntz. Christian
Kuntz and wife were born, reared and married in
Germany, and came to the United States about 1850.
They first lived at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and
later came to West Leipsic, where they engaged in
the saw-mill business. Later, Mr. Kuntz
came to Leipsic and took a half interest, with Mr.
Foltz, in the gristmill, at the south end of
Leipsic. He sold out his interest there, in
the early seventies, and bought a farm at the south
edge of the town, living there until July, 1914.
He died on February 6, 1915, Christian
Kuntz was eighty-nine years old and his widow
registers an even four score and ten. They had
been married nearly sixty years.
Louis W. Kuntz grew up at Leipsic, and, while a
young man, worked in a dry goods store until about
twenty years old. He then went into business
for himself. He and William Cole were
in the grocery business together, but three years
later they dissolved the business, when Louis W.
and his brother went into a partnership, which
lasted for about fifteen years. After that,
Louis W. Kuntz continued in business until his
death. At the time he and Mr. Cole were
together they also operated a warehouse.
Louis W. Kuntz was married, in 1882, to Emma
Wineland. She was born at Van Buren,
Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of George and
Isabel (Morehead) Wineland. George Wineland
was a native of Pennsylvania. Isabel
Morehead was born on a farm in Hancock county,
near Findlay. George Wineland and his
brother conducted a saw-mill until he went to war.
He served in the Civil War, as a soldier, dying in
the service, of typhoid fever. At the time of
his death he was still a young man. He left a
widow and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Louis W.
Kuntz was only about a year old at the time of
her father's death. The mother later married
Joseph Mitchell and lived in Mocomb.
She afterward moved to Ottawa. The mother died
in1908 and is buried in Leipsic.*
Five children have been born to Louis W. Kuntz
and wife, Charles Edward, Mary, Florence, Hazel
and Dorothy.
Mr. Kuntz erected the business block in which the
Kuntz store is located about 1900. This
is a substantial two-story brick building.
Charles Edward Kuntz, his son, who now operates
the store, was born July 25, 1883, in Leipsic,
Putnam county. For ten years he was chief
clerk in the office of the Nickel Plate railroad, at
Leipsic Junction, and resigned that place to take
charge of the store, at the time of his father's
death. He was married, in August, 1905, to
Bessie Sherrard. She was born in Blanchard
township, Putnam county, the daughter of Chester
and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard. Chester
Sherrard was born in Blanchard township and a
sketch of his life in found elsewhere in this
volume.
Louis W. Kuntz was a Republican. At
various times he was nominated by his party for
county treasurer and county clerk and served on the
city council several terms, and also on the school
board. He was a member of the school board at
the time the new building was erected. Mr.
Kuntz was a member of the Presbyterian church, a
member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of
Pythias. He was master of finance in the
Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years, holding
this office until his death, and was also secretary
of the Masonic lodge. He died on June 25,
1912. Mrs. Kuntz owns the store, left
by her husband.
Charles Edward Kuntz, the present manager of the
store, is a republican and is now serving as
treasurer of Van Buren township. He belongs to
the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias.
Mrs. Charles E. Kuntz is a highly educated
woman, and very popular in her community. In
fact, the whole Kuntz family are popular
throughout the county, where they have occupied a
prominent place for so many years.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 354
* Isabelle M. Mitchell is at Find a Grave #115423323
@ Sugar Ridge Cemetery, Leipsic, Putnam Co., OH - b.
1834 d. 1907
* Christian Kuntz is at Find a Grave #108634581 @
Sugar Ridge Cemetery, Leipsic, Putnam Co., OH - b.
1827 d. 1915
* Louis W. Kuntz is at Find a Grave #108634699 in
Sugar Ridge Cemetery, Leipsic, Putnam Co., OH - b.
1859 d. 1912 |
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