228 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) CHAPTER XVII. THE GERMAN ELEMENT OF ERIE COUNTY.* A WRITTEN history of this country, as well as any part thereof, would be incomplete without devoting an appropriate space to the German Element, that in years gone by helped materially to develop its resources and is still aiding in a humble way to shape its future destiny for good or evil in a social, moral, and political way. A political history, strictly speaking, cannot be claimed for the German element in America, and yet in the conglomeration of the diverse elements constituting this Union has it played such a potent factor, that its peculiar traits and characteristics as a nation call for a special recognition. The tenacity in keeping up and preserving the old mother tongue in song and speech and the rigid observance of religious ceremonies and holy days as of old, are most marked. Retrospecting, we find German emigration in its earliest infancy forced. Refugees in its proper meaning were the small number of pioneers that crossed the ocean a century or more ago. They were stripped of all earthly possessions, and yet are thankful in their pious devotion, that God did spare their bare lives, a repetition of so-called Christian tolerance so well illustrated in history in the persecution and expulsion of the Salzburger and Moravian sects. Without a home, a country of their own, or any protection, an easy and ready prey for the sharks of Holland and England, they had only one desire—to sever completely the ties of former bondage and oppression. It cannot be said that the first immigrants bettered their condition materially in their new home ; they entered a servitude bordering closely on slavery, but notwithstanding all this they felt contented, their final efforts culminated in the acquisition of a home and a few spare acres of land to provide themselves and families with the necessaries of life. It may sound harsh and offensive to the national pride of to-day, and yet it is an indisputable fact, that Germany furnished for a long time the English colonies not only with bought up and conscript soldiers—Hessians—but almost entirely with the rude hands for manual labor. The German colonists of the eighteenth century became the coolies of this country. The star of glory at one time so bright in the old home dictating the policy of all other nations, had lost its lustre and its power. The bloody wars, following the Reformation and the Thirty Years War in special, had sapped and taken the life blood of this nation, and had destroyed its power, progress, and energy for more than one generation. Devastation was over all ; the noble guilds that in years of former prosperity were so actively engaged in the * By Dr. E. Von Schulenburg, Sandusky, Ohio. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 229 erection of the beautiful structures, that by their lavish adoration of sculpture and exquisite masonry call loud for praise from the connoisseur of to-day. Their work was finished ; the peasant had neither horses nor oxen to cultivate his land, nor even the seed for sowing; the highways had become impassable in the many years of ceaseless war, and the potentates and rulers of the small parcels of land were remorseless and deaf to the appeals of their subjects as long as the taxes were promptly paid in order to keep up their own luxurious life. They styled themselves rulers "by the grace of God," and the kingdom or duchy had become their personal property, Only one way was left open to escape all this misery--emigration—the peasant and burgher alike had become so powerless and enervated, that to make front against their common oppressor was entirely out of the question. Flight then in the dark hours of the night, flight to safely reach the frontier. The first German emigrants gave up their fatherland without pain or tears, they had so completely lost confidence in themselves and the old home regime, that they blindly and hopefully accepted the inducements held out by foreign countries. The German emigration did in course of time assume larger proportions and directed itself mainly to the shores of this country. Germany so much in need of hands to commence the work of national reconstruction, through a false policy, gave to America a good share of its best productive power, but received only as a just retaliation French manners and vices, French luxuries, and an army of adventurers. The impetus of German emigration in its infancy may with a certain amount of correctness chronologically be given in the following order : Religious oppression and persecutions (Moravians, Mennonites, and Lutherans), famine and pestilence, over-population in certain districts, inability to make a living and a desire for a better existence. There has been a great deal of nonsensical talk in misinformed or prejudiced papers and books about an inborn proclivity of the Germans to change their domicile on the slightest pretext, but the pertinent question may be excusable, will any one give up a home and sever forever all family ties, if even a shadow of happiness is left to share in the old beloved home ? The expectations of the German settlers became realized in a measure. Fertile acres by the millions, the primitive wilderness, waiting only for the strong arm of the pale faced Teuton to carve out a home of his own choice, and as a God sent blessing, liberty in religion and in speech and equality before a common tribunal of law. Verily, our forefathers had a trying time of it, but they were neither afraid nor ashamed to work, and hardened by many exposures and surrounded by the contrasting perils of the frontier life, did they live out their expectancy of three score and ten, and long enough to harvest, in many instances, the fruits of their own honest and energetic work. In a short time, thanks to their inborn saving trait, they became freeholders and prosperous on a piece of land that seemed inadequate to support their Dutch 230 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. or English neighbors. Peasants, common laborers, servants, and disappointed merchants made up the bulk of the German emigration at the beginning of the present century, but none of them truthfully expressed the true inwardness, the character and genius of their nation ; they represented it to a certain extent by their independence, by a multitude of dialects and everyday habits, and yet they were destined in their physical and moral healthfulness and strength to become a most valuable factor. An amalgamation of the different elements of this country by means of intermarriage and closer social intercourse was necessary to transfuse new blood, new life and vigor into this country. Endurance, perseverance, a limited greed for earthly possessions were then as they are now, marked traits of the Germans ; their aspirations were for a home of their own, and in this respect they differed greatly from the true Yankee, who is ever ready and willing to sacrifice almost anything provided it brings a mercenary gain or is a bargain. For the first time then in his life is the German put on his own feet, no red tape, no barriers, no passport or policeman at every move or step, the rigidly enforced etiquette of the old home has become a dead letter. For the first time in his life a free man amongst a multitude of freeholders, welcome, but obliged to depend from now on upon his own judgment, energy, and strong arms for all the necessaries of life. The proverbial "help yourself" becomes the true guiding angel from this day on, on which his foot touches the soil of this free country. He passes the first years of probation hard and ceaselessly working day after day, and by and by the language of the foreign country, so similar to the sounds of home, is mastered and with it his interest in common as well as national questions becomes aroused ; the poor despised German feels proud to be placed on a level with the rest, and deposits his first ballot as a true and loyal citizen, well knowing its importance, and year by year does he learn better to understand and to appreciate the numerous blessings everybody is welcome to in this country, provided he is willing to live up to its laws. The leaders of the Anarchistic and Socialistic movement seem utterly to forget, that not more than a century ago the routine work of a happy and well contented laborer in the old home ceased only with the looming up of the stars, that it was impossible for him ever to better his condition in life and to give to his children such an excellent education as is furnished in this country, even to the most humble subject as. free as the air we breathe. We have no serfs, thanks to God! No slaves any more ! In this country all work in the different branches of industry, and although keenly competed gives to all, excepting a spendthrift, more than one chance to get well enough along in life ; and it is an indisputable fact that the much cursed and maligned monopolist started out in life as impecunious as the so-called and big-mouthed reformer, the only perceptible difference being that the one knew how t0 save his earnings and properly invest them, the other only how to squander. Many instances may be cited of German immigrants. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 231 that landed on the shores of this country almost penniless and in years of hard labor did they earn a competency, but it was their enterprise, fair dealing and hard work that made them such, and a score or more of German families could be named in this little county of Erie that in a short time have been elevated from obscurity and poverty to richness. May they deservedly enjoy it to their heart's content ! Wealth brings comfort and comfort brings ease, but many would gladly have given up a good share of their wealth had they only learned in their younger days the art of how to properly enjoy it. As a rule the wealthier classes of Germans in Erie county have been instrumental in building up its branches of industries, formerly unknown or at least much neglected, such as the wine, grape, and the fish business, In these branches of trade many thousands of hands are employed in the busiest seasons. The American continent was, excepting its geographical location, as unknown to the first German settlers as to the crew that embarked under Columbus on August 3, 1492, at Palos in the fragile ships. The Germans had no object in view ; they did not come to perfect any idealistic ideas, neither did they have any outlined work ; they presented rough, unhewn blocks, that should fit themselves after repeated dressing and become a useful material in building up a great nation. Please glance over American history Go back to the war preceding the Declaration of Independence—go back to 1812, and the bloody war of secession—and the names of loyal German American citizens will be found in great numbers, and many of them in the front ranks, who were as willing as the rest to sacrifice their blood and lives for the preservation of the Union and of peace ! Two generations had to go down into their graves before an amalgamation of the German, and the inborn element could be consummated from that day on, though the German offspring became a true American citizen, not only in name, but in body and soul. With great pleasure do I recall the happy days of my youth, when I was brooding over the tales and legends, so masterly written by Grimm and Musaus, of the sunken countries and cities—of Vineta, on the Baltic Sea. Tradition says, that on a bright night, when the waters are calm, the towers of this sunken city were plainly seen at the bottom of the sea and the tolling of the bells could be distinctly heard in the stillness of the night. Many of the old settlements of the first German pioneers are buried alike ; tradition, entries in the old family Bible or church record, dilapidated and broken up slabs in the remote corners of a neglected church or grave-yard, tell in a faint way the story of a century or more ago. It was with the utmost reverence that the writer of this chapter opened two years ago the old time-worn chest which the great-grandfather of his children had willed to him as a small token of his love. Old books dating back to the time when their ancestors came to the shore of America as refugees, nearly two hundred years ago—old, but priceless books—an almost complete list of works first printed in America in the beloved mother tongue, by Sauer, of Germantown, Pa. 232 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. German emigration assumed the most gigantic proportions in the middle of the present century. As it will undoubtedly interest the general reader, an authentical list, taken from the record of the Statistical Bureau at Washington, is given below : 1820, German emigrants 968 1821, 383 1822. 148 1823, 183 1824, 230 1825, 450 1826, 511 1827, 432 1828, 1,851 1829, 597 1830, 1,976 1831, 2,413 1832, 10,194 1833, 6,988 1834, 17,686 1835, 8,311 I 836, 20,707 1837, 23,740 1838, 11,683 1839, 21,028 1840, 29,704 1841, 15,291 1842, 20,370 1843, 14.441 1844, 20,731 1845, 34,355 1846, 57,561 1847, 74,281 1848, 58,465 1849, 60,233 1850, 63,182 1851, 88,196 1852, 145,918 1853, German emigrants 141,946 1854, 215,009 1855, 71,918 1856, 71,028 1857, 91,781 1858, 45,310 1859, 41,784 1860, 54,491 1861, 31,661 1862, 27,529 1863, 33,162 1864, 67,276 1865, 83,424 1866, 115,892 1867, 133,426 1868, 123,070 1869, 124,788 1870, 91,779 1871, 107,201 1872, 155,595 1873, 133,141 1874, 56.927 1875, 36,565. 1876, 31,323 1877, 27,417 1878, 31,958 1879, 43,531 1880, 134,040 1881, 249,572 1882, 250,630 1883, 180,812 Total in sixty-four years - 3,817,195 This list will speak for itself Conclusions may be drawn by every one that is familiar with the history of his nation. The ravens of Kueff Haeuser desert their former habitation ; Barbarossa sleeps now in peace-once more a solid and an undivided empire in strength and power as of old. The price was dear, and many thousands of our brave sons were laid to rest in a strange land ; once more did the bloody wars of 1866 and 1870 take the life-blood of this nation, but when King William placed the emperor's crown of a once more united country on his silver hair in the halls of Versailles, it was another just retaliation, when he remembered in that eventful hour, with tears in his eyes, the humiliation of his country and THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 233 his own beloved parents in the dark hours of 1806. Once more were the reins- of supremacy placed in the hands of a ruler, that had proven not only a defender of his and his people's rights, but a protector and pReserver of peace. From that day on has the flag of our old fatherland given ample protection to- her sons, that are scattered over all the world's creation, as outspoken as the stars and stripes we now adore. And still they come, the Teutons, but not as refugees-as of a century ago. stripped of all earthly possessions, —they come now of their own free will, with means, and the same strong and muscular arm that cleared the wilderness so, many years ago. The light so conspicuously displayed by the goddess of liberty, at the main port of this country, seems to draw them nearer and nearer. The German element form about the seventh part of the total population of this country; entire counties and cities are almost given up to them. Sandusky city has a German population of nearly one-half, and New York city has become the third largest German city in the world, and yet the strength and influence of the German element is far less than should proportionately be expected. The Germans confront in this country an inborn nation that has for two centuries not only accepted and welcomed, but digested the diverse elements of the old world ; an inborn element, that in all those years had become powerful and strong, and it cannot reasonably be expected that it abruptly should change their habits, ways of Sabbath consecration and all existing laws, simply to please a foreign-born element, far less to obey their dictations. Fifteen hundred years is a long while ; in that time laws, traits and a once common language change to such an extent that the link of close relationship may seem entirely defunct, and yet blood will tell and call for recognition at first sight. The Anglo-Saxons and the Germans meet once more after 1,500 years of separation, and, strange as it may seem, on a newly discovered continent, to join hands to build it up mutually for their combined interest and glory. " In union there is strength." There are many vital questions to be decided in a fair and unprejudiced way by a coming generation ; questions to match in battle, civilization and rudeness; intellectual power and genius against stupidity ; but it is to be hoped that religious questions will never enter the race, and that the horrors of inquisition and religious intolerance and persecution that came at one time very near strangling the new-born babe and destroying the future prosperity of this country, may -not be repeated. The fathers of independence, and the framers of our constitutional laws, were in the right by ignoring, entirely, in their declarations all religious matters, holding that every one had a perfect right to accomplish his salvation in a way that suited him best. They did plainly foresee, that by granting the utmost liberty in this direction, emigrants would come from all parts of the world to the shores of America, and that it would have been much like the work of a Sisyphus to regulate by law the spiritual welfare with the worldly, alike. 234 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. If we, to come to a close, correctly understand the Mission of the German element in this country, we must come to the conclusion that its future prosperity is not to be found in a strict exclusiveness and in fantastic dreams of a Utopia. Our final Mission is to become more closely amalgamated, and to unite with the inborn element, and to pReserve at the same time the many laudable traits of the Teutonic race. Let us pReserve our love for the home circle, domestic felicity, our love for everything sublime in arts, our classical music, our gold mine of poetry, our mother tongue, and song and speech, and feel contented that our influence in political, social and every day affairs will become greater in the proportion we make ourselves better understood. There will be nothing regretted then, if we lose our name as a distinct nation. It is useless to simulate ; whoever emigrates gives up his fatherland, and cannot claim it with any more right than he could claim two fathers. The name German-American becomes less and less distinct from year to year, and will, by gradual transmutation, become as defunct in the course of time as the aborigines of the wilderness and the buffaloes of the plains. More has been said in the foregoing lines than was originally intended, but as the incorporated sentiments are the key to understand properly the Mission of the German element, it will be duly appreciated. REMINISCENCES AND OLD LANDMARKS. The time that has passed since the pioneer first walked in the wilderness by the side of the river and creeks, is almost fourscore years. Strange and startling scenes, in life dramas, have been enacted before and since then. The Indian, glorying in his wild freedom, and holding undisputed possession of the forest, has here lain in wait for the deer to come and drink. Human blood has flowed by the side of the streams. The white man came, and with hard labor rolled together the logs for a humble home. The prattle and the laughter of little children mingled with the songs of birds. The sound of the ax was heard along the shore, and the crushing of falling timber shook the earth. The forest melted away before the march of the army of peace. The country was dotted with human habitations ; a village grew up and became a busy mart. The church and school-house appeared. Where once were no sounds but those of nature, there had come the hum of industry, the bustle of trade, a hurrying to and fro, the greetings of man with man, the activity impelled by varied human interests. There were births, marriages, deaths, the ever occurring joys and griefs of humanity ; the change and mutation of life and tine. The old log-houses well nigh faded from existence ; the houses and landmarks of old Portland rolled away. Men who were babies when the country was new, grew old and went down to their graves. It is the fulfillment of a hard task that the writer came in possession of such facts, that are little, if any, known, excepting to a few more closely interested. It is a great pleasure to him to THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 235 resent to the reader of to-day carefully trimmed outlines of the characters of (those men and women whose lives were passed in preparing the wilderness for the present generations. Wherever we failed to come into possession of a correct family record, we have striven to perpetuate, at least, the names of those who bore the brunt in the great struggle of subduing a new country, who surmounted its obstacles and faced its dangers bravely. The hard work has been persistently carried on for many months. May these offerings, with all their imperfections, find a warm place in the hearts and homes of his German fellow men, and may the living generation learn from the past something about the contentedness, frugality and honesty of the good old time. The writer's table has been covered for weeks, with numerous letters, passports, certificates and musty papers, dating back half a century and even more. The time worn pages of the old Clarion and Baystadt Democrat, tell of many well-meant but ill-spent endeavors of our forefathers, of incidents and official acts, that will appear ridiculous at this day. That a well-meaning member of the City Council of Sandusky, nearly forty years ago, to be faithful to his constituents, introduced a resolution that, chickens caught in the' act of trespassing, might lawfully be killed, is only a sample ; but may it truthfully be said that after a fierce battle, not the chickens, but the resolution was unmercifully killed. The aspirations of our city fathers did not, apparently, run high in those days, and instead of confining themselves strictly to the needed work, they allowed the golden opportunity to slip and Cleveland and Toledo to reap the harvest. To confine ourselves more closely to the subject, very little, if anything, is known about the German settlers in Erie county, before the beginning of the present century. Anton Eickhoff's claim in Der Deutschen Heimath, page 29, that a German Polander, by name Sodowsky, established a trader's post at the beginning of the past century, and before 1728, on the southern shore of Lake Erie, at the present site of Sandusky, is not sufficiently substantiated. His claim that Sandusky received its name from this trader is disputed by the noted historian George Bancroft, and others. The German element may, without fear of contradiction, though, celebrate its centennial in Erie county, in kind remembrance of the good deeds of the Moravians, who established a Mission in Milan township in 1787, under the leadership of David Zeisberger and Johann Heckenwelder. History should spare them a page, and fame should keep alive the names of these heroes that sought out the rude savages of the forest and did what they could to civilize and elevate them. The first permanent settlements in Erie county were made in the first and second decades of the present century, in about the foll0wing chronological order : Townships—Huron and Vermillion, 1808 ; Portland and Groton, 1809; Berlin and Milan, 1810 ; Margaretta and Oxford, 1810; Florence, 236 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. No German names appear in the list of the first settlers excepting the name of a Mohawk German, Peter Cuddeback, who settled in Vermillion township in 1810, about two miles west of the river. He died in 1833. In the spring of 1828 Martin Eldis (originally Iltis), settled in Portland township, Sandusky, and opened a bakery and provision store on Water street, at a place known in our days as " Turner Hall." Martin Eldis was born at Munster, St. Gregorienthal, Elsass, January 4, 1798, and emigrated to America in 1817. He was married in 1827 to Louise Guckenberger, at Cincinnati, 0., and died on November 28, 1852, leaving to his wife and children an abundant share of earthly goods. "We were not welcomed," said the old esteemed lady to the writer, "on our arrival sixty years ago, we were advised to better move on ; if it had not have been for the steamboat trade," she continued, " we never could have made a living in the first year or two. By and by though, the inborn element became more friendly to us, and learned to respect our ways. For nearly four years we were the only German family in this hamlet, and in all probability in the county." In the following lines a list of names of the German settlers is given, who located permanently in Erie county between 1830-40. In some instances it was extremely difficult to obtain accurate information, not only because of the vagueness of memory, but of the imperfection of records. Again, the lives of some of our most esteemed pioneers have been made a target by an illiterate and unscrupulous writer, and for said reasons they were reluctant, and withheld information that otherwise would have been of great value. As it is, we claim, that this list is as complete and reliable as circumstances will permit : Portland township, (Sandusky), population : 1820, 300 souls ; 1830, 594 souls; 1840, 1,500 souls. The Booss family who settled here in 1833 was possessed of great wealth in the old country. When Roesel, one of the family engaged to become married, some remarks were made about her diminutive stature. Her father simply said, " If Roesel will stand on a half bushel of crown dollars she will not look so small." And he was perfectly able to redeem his pledge. This happened in the good old time. The Booss family, who emigrated to America years after, was still in possession of considerable means. Of nine children that left Bahlingen, in Baden, more than half a century ago, only two are living, Mrs. John Schmidt and Mrs. Aug. Hornung. Fred George Booss was born November 9, 1812, and was married on Christmas eve, 1836, to Christine Rohrbacker, in Sandusky. He worked in Martin Eldis's bakery for years, and became the proprietor of the Portland House, one of the old landmarks of Sandusky. He died in 1860; his wife survived him many years ; she died in 1886. Jacob, who had a butcher stand, died in 1876. His widow lives on East Market street. William was drowned THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 237 years ago. Martin died in Toledo in 1885. Mrs, Parsons, Mrs. J. Bauer, and Mrs. Peter Gilcher sleep at the side of their life companions at Oakland Cemetery. The Magle family settled here in 1832. The two brothers were born in Mehringen, Wurtemberg, and emigrated in 1831, making Sandusky their home in the following year. They were blacksmiths by trade. George Magle was born March 21, 1814, and was married in 1835 to Theodora Mahler. He was one of the founders of the First German Evangelical Church in Sandusky, and a member of the Ancient Order of Druids. He died July 15, 1882, on his farm near the county poor-house. His brother John preceded him on his last journey many years ago. John Hoken settled here in 1833. Very little of his family record could be ascertained. He was a stone-cutter by trade, and a sample of his masterly work representing sun, moon and stars, may be admired at any time in passing Nic. Biglin's house on Market street. He died in the cholera time, 1849, dropping dead in front of the National House, and it is a common popular belief that he was buried alive. Peter Gilcher was born at Essweiler, Rheinbayern, on May 24, 1812, and emigrated to America in 1833, arriving in New York City June 24th. He was a carpenter, and worked faithfully at his trade for years. The Venice Mill was built by him and Fred Reinheimer. He started into the lumber business about 1845, his yard being located at the corner of Hancock and Jefferson street. The business rapidly increased, and was transferred to its present location on Water street in 1853. He was married to Christine Barbara Booss on May 2, 1837. Of a large family of eleven children three died in their infancy, eight surviving: Magdalena Heck, Wilhelm Heinrich Gilcher, Peter Gilcher, Christine Barbara Kunz, Carl August, Heinrich Johann, Josephine Matern and Louise Reif. P. Gilcher was one of the founders of the First German Protestant Church in Sandusky, and its presiding officer for many years. For political honors he cared little, devoting his time principally to business and his family. In later years he served his constituents as infirmary director, councilman and water-works trustee. He was at the time of his death vice-president of the Third National Bank. In all his dealings he was honest and highly respected by his fellow-citizens. He died July I, 1877. His wife, Christine, followed him two years later, on August 3. Henry Laubsher was born in Weingarten, Baden, and emigrated to America with his wife, Catharine, in 1833, making Sandusky his home in the same year. Of the four children of their married life only one is now living, Mrs. Catharine Neumeyer, born May 16, 1834. She is, as far as the writer could ascertain, the second German girl born in the city. Mr. Laubscher was a, mason by trade. He died in 1847, and his wife, Catharine, in 1883. Nicolaus Biglin, originally Bueglin, is one of the oldest settlers in Sandusky. 238 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. He was born in Arlesheim, Canton Basel, Switzerland, on February 12, 1817, and came to America with his parents in 1832. The family settled .in Richland county, near Mansfield, 0., where his father died in 1833. In 1835 they moved to Sandusky. Mr. Biglin was married to Christine Louise Hornung June 12, 1847. Six of their children are nOW living: Marie Louise Ernst, John Louis, Louise Schoeneman, Nicolaus, Edward and Augustus Eberhard. Mr. Biglin was a common laborer, and retired from work some years ago, enjoying with his wife, excellent health and a well deserved rest. Johannes Hornung and his wife, Anna Maria Reichenecker, emigrated to America with a family of six children in 1833. Rummelsbach, Oberamt Tubingen, Wurtemberg, was their former home. For a short time they lived in Pennsylvania and Richland county, 0., and in 1835 moved to Sandusky. Mr. Hornung died of cholera in 1849, and his wife, Anna Maria, in 1850. Five of their children are now living : Johannes, Christiana Biglin, August Wilhelm, Jacob and Albert. Christopher Daniel. The Daniel family had their, former home in Dorndiel, Kreis Tieburg, Hessen Darmstadt. Christopher was born February 25, 1813, and emigrated with his wife, Marie, in 1835, making Sandusky his home in the same year. He was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade in the S. M. and N. R. R. shop till 1849. In the fall of that year he bought the Loftier property on the corner of Market and Fulton streets, and became engaged in the grocery business. His first wife died July 10. 1850. He was married again the following year, and died of cholera at his brother Peter's place in Perkins township on August 3, 1852. His second wife, Veronica, died in 1886. Peter Daniel, his brother, was a tailor by trade; after working a few years at Put-in-bay Isle he moved into Perkins township, on a piece of land he had bought. He died in 1880. His wife, Dorothea, is living at this writing. Jacob Lay, a son of Christian and Barbara (Stein) Lay, was born at Schaffhausen, Baden, in 1814, and came to Sandusky with his wife, Maria Anna Balzmeyer, in 1836. He was the pioneer in Erie county in the brewing business, manufacturing small beer. He kept a grocery store at the corner of Water and Hancock streets, where L. Guth's hotel is now located. He died in the first cholera epidemic of 1849. His three sons, Henry, Jacob and John L., are engaged in the fishing business, under the firm name of Lay Bros. Christian Lay, the father, died in La Porte, Indiana. Barbara, his wife, died many years ago in the old country. John Martin Zimmerman was born April 13, 1807, in Buechenau, Oberamt Brugsal, Baden, and crossed the ocean with his life companion, Louise, in the spring of 1834. His wife, Louise, dying on shipboard, found a watery grave a few days before he landed on the shore of this country. He was married to his second wife, Margaretha Fisher, on December 9, 1834, in Sandusky, and enjoyed all the blessings of a happy life with her for nearly fifty years. Of their THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 239 twelve children, five are now living : Martin, Joseph, Mrs. Margaretha Embse (widow), Johann, and Mrs. Maria Fitzpatrick. Mr. Zimmerman was a weaver, but did not follow his trade in this country. His first home was located on Wayne street, where L. Herb's livery stable is located at present. For years he worked in Hollister's warehouse, established himself as a drayman afterwards, and retired from work in 1860, having run a saloon on Wayne street for several years. He died on December 14, 1884. His wife, Margaretha, preceded him in 1881. John Fisher and the Guenther family in the German settlement, Perkins township, all came to this country in the same boat. The Schuck family consisting of father, Jacob, and two sons, Jacob jr., and John, emigrated to America in 1833. Their former home was in Essweiler, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria. In Albany, N. Y., they parted. Jacob, jr., the older of the two brothers remained with his wife in Albany, intending to make it his future home ; his father and brother, John, went west. Their path was not strewn with roses. A few weeks of hard work in a trench and Jacob broke his leg and to fill the measure his wife died in the same year and was buried in Albany. Left in a strange country, without means or funds he had only one desire, to meet again his father and brother, who in the meantime had directed their steps to Buffalo, N. Y., and in their nomade wanderings to Kenton, Massillon and Seneca county, 0., where they finally had stranded, Here they met again in the summer of 1834 and kept council. It was decided to give Sandusky a trial, and with the royal fortune of fifty cents in their pockets did they walk all the way to the Bay City. A small house on Jackson street, near where Biemiller's Opera House is located now, gave them their first shelter. They went to work the next day. The building occupied at this writing by Barney & Ferris on Water street, was then in course of construction and they busied themselves carrying up bricks, the father for seventy-five and John for fifty cents per day. It would occupy too much space to go into detail, but it is sufficient to say that perseverance and faithfulness received a proper reward. The father, Jacob, born in 1781, lived long enough to see his children well provided for in life. He died in 1861. Jacob, jr., the oldest son, was born February 22, 1802, and married his second wife, Magdalena Benz, in 1834 in Sandusky. He worked for six or seven years in a warehouse and became engaged afterwards in the dray business. He died March 11, 1879, at his homestead on Adams street. His wife, Magdalene, died June 12, 1875. His four children now living are Mrs. Marie Pietchman, Mrs. Julia Schumacher, Mrs. Wilhelmine Fisher and Mrs. Christine Schumaker. A son by the first marriage is now living in Minnesota. John Schuck, born April 22, 1817, and married in 1840 to Louise Knerr, is the representative of the family in Erie county. He is the oldest German settler in Sandusky with the exception of one. His wife, Louisa, died in her seventieth year, May 9, 1883. Mr. Schuck retired from active life about 1871, having accumulated considerable property. 240 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Of the five children of wedded life, four have died, only one now living, Rant del Schuck, born October 6, 1843, a partner in the prosperous lumber firm of Gilcher & Schuck, located on Water street, a stone's throw from where his father and grandfather found their first shelter. Gottlieb Schieble. The Schiebles had their former home in Switzerland, in the village Fisselsbach, Canton Aargau, and emigrated to America in 1832. Gottlieb was a mere lad of eleven years, when his parents, John Louis and Maria Schieble left the old homestead to better their condition in life. In the same year they settled in Richland county, O., six miles west of Shelby, and moved to Huron village, Erie county, in 1836. In 1842 they made Sandusky their permanent home. Gottlieb, born February 27, 1821, started for himself in 1834. There must have been something of the idyllic life of an Alpine shepherd boy in him, when he hired himself to James Foreman in Sandusky, in 1834, to take charge of a thousand or more sheep, that found an abundant pasture ground, and gratis, where Sandusky stands today. Foreman (old settlers will remember him well as an outspoken advocate of the dootrines that found a champion in Bog Ingersoll) paid him three dollars per month and board. In 1836 he started to work for L. S. Beecher ; a few years later he became a sailor and crossed the lakes till he entered the port of matrimony with Catharine Homegartner in January, 1850. Of the seven children of wedded life, five are living, Maria Price, Joseph, Frank, Henry and William. Gottlieb resides on Clinton street, Sandusky, and is in easy circumstances. He owns a small farm of about fourteen acres near the brick mill in Margaretta township. His father died in the first cholera (49) and his mother, Maria, in 1882. Johann Fehrenz came here in 1834. " Froehlich Pfalz Gott Erhaltls ! " It was a balmy day in the spring of 1833, when the Fehrenz family said good by to friends, neighbors, and made their parting call to the dear ones slumbering in the little graveyard of Welgsweiler in Rheinpfalz, one consolation it was that trusted friends, the Schuck family and Peter Gilcher and Fred Reinheimer took passage on the same boat to share their lot. Without question many a tear was shed when the songs of the old fatherland died slowly away in the stillness of the night and when they timidly directed their thoughts to what would become of them in a strange land. John Fehrenz felt confident that his strong muscular arms and his trade as blacksmith, would well support his loving wife and his two children. He was in the prime of life, being born on June 17, 1795, and his wife, Julianna Steinhauer, was ready and willing to help him ; as for the children Philippine was in her twelfth year and Charles in his fourth, and they should share in what they honestly expected to accomplish in their new home. It is well that providence does not acquaint us with our destinies, THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 241 as otherwise it would lame our hands before having made an earnest effort. In the summer of 1833 the family located in Massillon, O., and Fehrenz started to work at his trade. In the year following his wife died and was buried at that place. In the winter of 1834 he moved with his motherless children to Sandusky and opened a blacksmith shop on Wayne street, next to the old Hoelzer House, his earnings being insufficient though for support, he moved back to Massillon where he faithfully worked at the anvil from 1836-46, when he retraced his steps to the Bay City. His two children had, in the meantime, grown up and were in a condition to take care of themselves. His daughter, Philippine, born January 30, 1823, had in 1840 taken Peter Unckrich as a partner, and Charles, born August 9, 1829, had found employment in a shop. Back then in Sandusky they opened a provision store and saloon on Water street next door to the old Bethel Church, under the firm name of Fehrenz & Unckrich. In 1849 John Fehrenz entered for the second time the bonds of matrimony. His life companion, Caroline, did go him one better, having buried two husbands, Boehm and Reber in succession. Her dower consisted principally in the two children, Amalia Boehm and Frederick Boehm, being nine and eleven years old respectively. In her sixteenth year Amalia was married to Ferdinand Geiersdorf, who became one of the most popular Germans in Sandusky, and was elected mayor repeatedly by a rousing popular vote. He accumulated great wealth in the fish business ; his goodness was proverbial. He died September 22, 1870, lamented by all who knew the kindness of his heart. His widow, Amalia, married again in 1872, choosing Louis Adolph as a partner (Adolph & Zollinger). She died on February 9, 1888. Fred, her brother, is foreman in the extensive fish business of his brother-in-law. Old Father Fehrenz, as he was commonly called, reached an old age. He was a sifounder of the first German Church, and although he left no fortune his children inherited an honored name without a speck or stain. Philippine's husband, Peter Unckrich, was born May 17, 1817, in Hochstaedten, Rheinpfalz, and emigrated in 1837. He died September 23, 1870. The children born to them are all living in Sandusky (excepting one) and are highly respected. They are Julianne Bauer, Crawford county ; Elizabeth Kerner, Philippine Koegele, Emilie Zimmerman, Carl, Johann and Ferdinand. The widow, Philippine, now resides on the corner of Clinton and Madison streets. Charles Zollinger came to this county in 1835. In the list of German pioneers the Zollingers take a well deserved place. Uprightness and fairness in all their dealings, and an exemplary Christian life call for a more than passing notice. Charles Zollinger was born July 23, 1813, in Wiessbaden, Nassau, and emigrated to America in 1835. He was a wood-turner by profession and made Sandusky his permanent home in the same year. His stepfather,. William Meyer, and his mother, Johanette, settled in Richland county, where. they 242 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. lived on a farm for several years. They subsequently moved to Sandusky and then to Fort Wayne, Ind., where they died, being respectively seventy- five and eighty-three years of age. Charles being a skillful mechanic found ready work in Thomas White's cabinet shop on Hancock street, near the east Market Square, and was in his employ for nearly five years. Whenever you pass 0. Follett's house on the corner of Wayne and Adams streets, look up to the bannister's and scroll work, they are samples of his work dating back to 1836. In 1840 Charles Zollinger branched out for himself on the corner of Wayne and Washington streets, by renting a wooden structure belonging to the Clemons family on the Peninsula. He employed from four to six workmen all the year round. In those days nothing was known about " cheap John " goods, everything was substantial and made to last for a generation or two. Improved machinery and cheap labor put an end to this as well as many other industries that were prosperous in the good old time. In the cholera of 1849 his shop was running day and night to meet the demand for coffins, plain and unfinished as they were. In 1863. he moved his shop to Wayne street, next door to the corner of Market. Undertaking had then become the most remunerative part of his business. He retired in 1868 in possession of considerable wealth. Christ R. Ruff (member of the firm of Ruff, Son & Kugler) became his successor. Charles Zollinger was married in 1839 to Christine Schmidt, who was born April 14, 1821, in Bahlingen, Baden. Of the twelve children born to them in married life ten are now living, viz.: Maria Nagele, Sandusky ; John, Adolph and Zollinger ; Henriette Weiss, Sandusky ; Catharine Schneer, Elyria; Carl, Columbus ; Christine Crass, Sandusky ; Elizabeth, Sandusky ; William, Powers & Zollinger ; Frederick, Third National Bank ; and Frank, Sandusky. Mr. Zollinger died in 1868. His widow is enjoying good health and the fruit of hard and honest work. Johannes Schmidt was in Bahlingen, Baden, in 1784, and emigrated with his wife, Catharine Ernst, in 1833. He was a baker by profession. Their journey through France was accomplished by wagon. In Havre de Grace they took passage with the Booss family on the sailing vessel Henry Clay. The Booss family were very wealthy, said the Widow Zollinger, in conversation to the writer, the chest containing their money and valuables was heavy enough to require two men to lift it on the wagon. For seven long weeks did they encounter wind and storm on the ocean. At their arrival in New York they directed their steps to the metropolis of the west, Sandusky. The steamboat Perry landed them safely near the B. and 0. R.R. shops. A little house on Water street was their first home, but they did not stay more than two or three weeks, when they moved to Richland county, the El Dorado in those days, as the name plainly signifies. Here Johannes Schmidt settled with his wife and children, here he toiled and died. Land was cheap in those days, fifty dollars paid for their first homestead of forty acres, but it was a wilder- THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 243 ness, tasking physical strength to the utmost. In order to lessen the burden the older children left the parental roof and came to Sandusky in 1834, where Christine found work in Hollister's family and John in a baker shop. John lived only a short time in Sandusky when he moved to Fremont, Toledo, and in the gold fever to California. In 1852 he came back to Sandusky and engaged in the wholesale liquor business on Water street with his brother-in-law Parsons. He died several years ago. His wife is living on Jackson street. Johannes Schmidt died February 22, 1870, and his wife, Catharine, on January 16 of the same year. The names of their children are as follows: Christine Zollinger, Maria Barbara Holderman, Elizabeth Nicolai, Frederick, John, Catharine Klink and Rosine Schroeder. Valentin Nicolai was born in Saxonia in 1806 and emigrated in 1834. He worked at his trade, that of carpenter, for many years with Peter Gilcher and F. R. Rheinheimer. In 1837 he was married to Elizabeth Schmidt ; of their six children four are now living : Frederick, residing in Tiffin ; Ezra, also a resident of Tiffin ; Johannes, residing in Cincinnati, and Christine Scheer, of Michigan. Mr. Nicolai died of the cholera in the epidemic of 1849. His widow is living at the Rohrbacher homestead in Perkins township. Johannnes Heimgartner (Homegardner) was born in Fisselsbach, Canton Aargau, Switzerland, and emigrated with his wife, Catharine, to America in 1833. He settled in Richland county, O., in the same year, on a farm consisting of one hundred acres, which he had bought for ten shillings per acre, the regular market price in those days. In 1837 he sold his farm, doubling his money, and moved to Sandusky, where he died in 1840. His widow survived him twenty-six years. Following are the names of the children of this marriage: Barbara McHatton, widow ; George, Catharine Schieble, Elizabeth Hauck, widow; John and Jasper. The three brothers were engaged in their earlier days in the timber business, felling the stately oak and hickory trees near Venice. They found a ready market whenever they came to Sandusky with their oxen teams. John Homegardner, representative of the family in Erie county, was. born December 20, 189, and was married in 1852 to Marie Loeblein. In 1860 he engaged in the wood, sand and stone business, and has become one of the most substantial business men of the town. He has served his constituents for many years in different capacities, being elected councilman in the fifth ward. He held this offrce for twenty-one consecutive years. In 1881 he was elected county comMissioner, and retired in 1887, after six years of service. He was a member of the Buckeye Fire Company for eight years. The Homegardners are devout Catholics. Of their six children five are now living: Catharine Giedeman, John, Louise, Josephine and Fred. Conrad Poppenbo settled here in 1835. In conversation with his step-son, Herman Windau, the following interesting sketch of the first German engineer 244 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. on the old Mad River road was taken: " My step-father, Conrad Poppenbo," he said, "was married to my mother, Lucaea Burman, in the old country fifty years ago. My father, Anton Riedenbusch, had his residence in the castle Windau, Westphalia, and was a high officer in the government service. He died in 1832. For some reason our mother never acquainted us with our father's name till we were grown up, and we had in the meantime adopted the name of our former estate, Windau.' The family consisted of five of us when we emigrated in 1835, my parents and three of us children, viz.: Joseph Riedenbusch-Windau ; Moritz Riedenbusch, Seneca county ; and Hermann, of Sandusky. Sandusky became our home in the same year, and I have lived and worked here faithfully for nearly half a century." Standing in the yard of the old Mad River Company's shops he pointed out a landmark ; " where you see the three old oak trees near the Market street entrance," he said, " Davidson's slaughter-house was standing fifty years ago ; to your left and only a short distance from the paint-shop was the boundary line of the first burying-ground in Sandusky, that was located at the foot of Shelby street. Everything has changed. I was a mere lad or twelve or thirteen years when the first road to Bellevue was surveyed in 1839, but I recollect it as well as to-day, when I was carrying the chain and made myself generally useful. After the strap rails were laid Thomas Hogg became the first engineer on the primitive branch of the road, and my step-father, Conrad, became his fireman. In my recollection the Lane, Erie, Sandusky and Wyandotte were, in the order named, the first engines operated on this road. The crew consisted of three men, an engineer and a fireman, and wood passer. They worked by the day and received $1.50 and $1.00 respectively. It was customary in those days that everybody had to work himself up on the ladder. After Thomas Hogg's promotion to the place of master mechanic, my father took charge of Tom's engine, and Paul Klauer, who settled here in 1837, became his fireman. After Klauer's promotion, a few years later, he engaged John Hauer as fireman, who, in due time, was entrusted with an iron horse of his own. Both died of the cholera in 1849. Paul Klauer, in harness, being taken sick on the road, was carried from his engine into the station-house at Urbana, where he died. His widow, Catharine, was married in 1852 for the second time, choosing Math. Dietz as a partner. She is living on Fulton street in feeble health. This reminds me, said my captive, of a curious affair that occurred in the first years after the old Mad River road became operated. A young man, by name Besterman, had found employment on one of the locomotives as fireman, and had made a trip or two when his work terminated rather abruptly. His aged mother, after having implored him to give up the devil's work, threw herself bodily before his engine as he was ready to pull out, and prayed so fervently to give up the devil's wagon that her prayer was answered. He resigned the same day and moved' subsequently to Cincinnati THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 245 with his mother.' My step-father, C. Poppenbo, resigned his post in 1859, and died six years ago on a farm which he had bought out of his savings, in Big Spring township, Seneca county." Hermann Windau said : "As for myself, I was born on June 24, 1826, and worked on this road from boyhood, at first in the yard, then as wood passer, and for years past, as you see me now, attending the boiler in our extensive shops. I was married to my wife, Marie Eva Caspar, in 1847. Of our seven children, five are now living. You had better see old Kenne and Hank Pfenner, if I have left space for supplementing," he said, as I closed my book with many thanks for the interesting interview. Johann Loftier settled in this county in 1835. Every one of the old settlers will recollect the Lofflers, and these lines will bring to memory their tragic end. It seems cruel that the cold hand of death should exterminate a whole family of six within the short period of a week or two, leaving a helpless baby to the cold mercies of this world. Johann Loftier was born in Rentheirn, Bavaria, and was a tailor by trade. He emigrated to America in 1835, and was married to Catharine, in Sandusky, in the same year. He became quite prosperous from the start, and acquired a little property on the corner of Fulton and Market streets, where he worked at his trade and kept a saloon and boarding-house in combination. In 1846 he built the commodious brick house on the corner, owned at present by Anselm Albrecht. In the meantime he had added a selected stock of groceries to his business. Here they lived happily and prospered until 1849, when the cholera overtook them alike with countless other families in Sandusky. Of a once happy family circle none was left excepting John, the babe, who in his innocent prattle betrayed no signs of grief. We give the death record of this unfortunate family : John and Catharine Loeffler; George, aged eleven ; Francisca, aged eight years ; Conrad, aged six years; and Wilhelm, aged four years. John, although inheriting the old homestead, is a poor man. The administration for many years swallowed up a large share of the estate, and what finally passed into his hands was quickly lost, as he had no chance in his former dependent life to acquire correct business principles, and was left without a guiding hand. He is now in his fortieth year, honest to a fault, and single. With him will die the last of the Loefflers. Fred Reinheimer settled here in 1833. As a young man of twenty-two years did Mr. Reinheimer leave his native village in Bavaria to better himself in the new world. He was a carpenter by trade and worked side by side with Peter Gilcher and Valentine Nicolai for years. He accumulated considerable property, but was so unfortunate as to lose it again. His last days were passed in almost total blindness. He could have saved himself from ruin, had he chosen, but he preferred rather to live and die in scantiness than to deviate from the path of honor. He was one of the founders of the first German Prot- 246 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. estant Church in Sandusky. He was born February 15, 1811, in Horschbach, Rheinpfalz and was married in 1840. His first wife died in 1849 of cholera. Elizabeth Gartner became his second wife. She is living on Meigs street in a little house of her own. Seventeen children were born in the two marriages. Mr. Rheinheimer died March 13, 1882. John Jacob Klooss (Close) and his wife, Magdalene Walter, had their former home in the Grand Duchy of Baden, in Weingarten and Groetzingen, respectively. They joined hands in 189 and it was God's will that they should mutually share for fifty years the joy and sorrow of a married life. Two children, John Henry and John Jacob were born in the old county. In the spring of 1834, they emigrated to America, arriving at Sandusky in May. In this city they lived and worked for half a century, with the exception of six years (37-43) when Massillon, 0., became their temporary home. Nine children were born to them, including the two born in the old country. At their festive day of golden wedding, in the fall of 1879, they could count the Closes by the score, nine children, forty grandcnildren and two great-grandchildren. Klooss was a day laborer, but managed to acquire a home of his own in a short time. He was a respected and well loved citizen. He was one of the founders of the first German Protestant Church. He died July 22, and his wife in February, 1880. A practical joke, played on him only a few years after his coming to Sandusky, may find a place here, it will bring a smile even to the lips of a misanthrope. Close was very found of poultry and fancied his ducks especially. One night they failed to reach their home and nothing was heard or seen of them for several days ; all hopes of their recovery had long been given up, when in the morning a solitary duck entered the gate with the following original poem well secured on her neck : " Guten Morgen, Herr Klooss ! Hier bin ich, arm and Blooss, Doch meine arme Camerathen Sind alle Gebrathen !" The perpetrator has not been found to this day. Henry Sprau came to this place in 1839. Two old, time worn papers are before me, the one a citizen paper dated September 26, 1844, and signed by Rice Harper, clerk of Erie county, and the other a Dienstbuch, from which I copy the following entry " Das betragen von Meiner Mackt is gut, welches I ch bescheinige." 27th December, 1836. " JOHANNES ROSS, " ZU WURZELBACH." As an explanation I will say, that servants were under strict police control fifty years ago in the old country and that by a heavy penalty, their conduct had THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 247 to be written into a special book (Dienstbuch) every year by the head of the family they were employed by. They were not allowed to change their places without due cause and reason before the expiration of the contract. The first twelve pages of this interesting little book gives in twenty-two articles, the laws passed in 1838 in Hessen, regulating the conduct and duties of servants. For the edification of those interested, one of the articles is given in translation : Article VIII. Servants not born in the district where employed, shall forcibly — auf dem schub — be expelled and taken to the nearest boundary line for the following reasons, viz : 1st. For breaking their contract without cause. 2d. For absenting themselves at night time without perMission of the lady of the house. 3d. For associating with bad company. 4th. For changing places repeatedly in a year's time. 5th. For contracting at the same time with different parties. The citizen paper bears the name of Henry Sprau ; the " Dienstbuch " was at one time the property of his second wife, Marie Justine Bauer. Henry Sprau was born in Waldshausen, Bavaria, in 1815 and emigrated in 1839, making Sandusky his permanent home, where he was engaged in the dray business for thirty years. He was married twice. One of the three sons of his first marriage, Henry, is living at Put-in-bay Island. With his second wife, Marie Justine, he had eight children, four of whom are now living viz : Paul, Marie, Wilhelm and Susie. Mr. Sprau died in September, 1869, and his second wife on March 27, 1874. He left to his children a homestead on Adams street. Conrad Ebner emigrated to America with his wife, Catharine Biehler, in 1836. Their wealth consisted principally in three helpless waifs, Marie three years old, Peter, nearly two years, and Caroline, nine months. After a short stay in Sandusky they moved into Richland county, where they settled on a farm, returning to Sandusky in 1845, where they died. Their children live and prosper in this city. Peter, now a confectioner on Market street ; Marie, wife of Conrad Mooss, residing on Decatur street, and Caroline, widow of Ph. Walter, residing on Tiffin avenue. Jacob Knerr, whose home was in Battenbach, near Zweibruecken, Bavaria, where he kept a tavern, engaged, in his spare hours, in the honest profession of tailor. His wife, Elizabeth Margarethe Schweitzer, having died, he took heart to cross the ocean with his four children, Louise, Catharine Elizabeth, Catharine and Elizabeth. Almanacs could not have been as plentiful then as now. The similarity in names was perplexing enough to cost the writer a couple of hours work to cut the Gordian Knot. Louise became the wife of John Schuck, and died in 1883; Catharine Elizabeth was married to Matthew Dietz and died in 1851; Catharine became Paul Klauer's wife and succeeded her sister, after her husband's death in Urbana, in marrying M: Dietz, 248 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. and Elizabeth, Jacob Hertels first wife, died in —. Mr. Knerr worked for a short time at his trade, when he retired, to live with his children. He was one of the founders of the First German Protestant Church in Sandusky and used to busy himself as sexton of his church for years. He died in 1849 of cholera. Jacob Benz came to Sandusky in 1834. If there is anything in a name it is not easily comprehended why the village of Weingarten (Vinegarden) in Baden should have furnished such an unusual large contingent of early settlers. In this as in many other instances can the real cause be traced to repeated failures in crops and high and accumulating taxes ; again the whole town was intermarried and the glowing letters from the new world' spread like wild fire and awakened a desire to participate in all the blessings so vividly described. Jacob Benz, sr., was one of the many that left Weingarten in 1834 with his wife, Barbara Meyer. He was a weaver but never worked at his trade in this country. He made his living as a day laborer and drayman. On account of the deep interest he took in the establishment of the First German Protestant Church, he earned the name of Church Father (Kirchen-father) Benz. Of the original eleven founders of this church only one or two are living at this writing. Of the five children born in wedlock two have died viz.: Mrs. Jacob Schuck and Christian. The Benz family is represented in Erie county by Jacob jr., a drayman ; Eva Catharine Reinheimer, Barbara Walter. Jacob Benz, sr., died in —, and his wife, Barbara, in —. Jacob Benz, jr., was born July 23, 1823, in Weingarten, Baden, and was married in 1847 to Christina Wagner in Sandusky, 0. Seven children were born to tbem, all of whom are now living : Christine Waterfield, Elizabeth Bersch, Port Clinton ; Fred, Caroline Belt, Toledo, 0. ; Marie Moore, Julia Hayden, Indiana, and Jessie Hoelein. Johann Heinrich Platz was Pennsylvania German and was born near Bethlehem, January 7, 1819. He came to Sandusky in 1832, where he learned the carpenter trade with Sam White, sr. In 1845 he was married to Margarethe Bauer. He was a charter member of the First German Protestant Church and an organizer of the first fire company in Sandusky. He died in the prime of life on July .22, 1849, of cholera. His widow became the wife of J. Clemens in 1851. J. Clemens died in May, 1888. John Koegle, who came here in 1839, was a son of Jacob and Catharine Koegle, and was born September 23, 1813, in Weingarten, Baden, and emigrated with his wife, Maria Eva Meyer, and their infant daughter, Elizabeth, in 1837, making Sandusky their permanent home in 1839. Elizabeth was married to Ferdinand Ziegler, and died a year ago. Of the six children born to them in this country only two are now living viz. : George, the efficient street comMissioner, and August, the prosperous dry goods merchant of Hancock street. For thirty-six years did John Koegle work faithfully for the old Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark, and the B. and O. R. R. He retired a few years. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 249 to pass the years of his allowance in peace and rest. His first wife died in if.` Susanna Gablentz became his second partner. Two sons and one titer are the fruits of this marriage. John Klauss came here in 1835. No reliable information could be ascerd about this family. Mr. Klauss was a day laborer and was married in Sandusky. They had no children. He died in the last cholera time (1854). widow moved to Elmore, O., where she married again. Gottfried and Charles Doerflinger came here in 1836. A majestic bronze statue " Under den Linden " in Berlin represents Doerflinger, the general in chief, the hero of the battle of Fehrbellin (1675), the trusted friend of Frederick of Brandenburg, who laid the corner stone to Prussia's present might and glory. A poor tailor in his younger days did he exchange the yard stick for the sword and became a hero, immortalized in song and speech. Gottfried the subject of our sketch, has seen similar changes in his life ; a tailor like him—although the habitations in the old country are too far apart as to admit of any relation—did he exchange the yard stick for the terror of unruly boys, the rod, and became the first German teacher in the public schools of Sandusky many years ago. He commanded, like his namesake, an army, but only of boys and girls, and worked his way faithfully and without any ostentation for more than thirty years. He retired a year or two ago to spend the remainder of his life with his wife and children. Carl Doerflinger, his brother, emigrated in the same year, 1836. He was born in Blankenloch, Baden, in 1825, and was married to Margarethe Maul in Sandusky in 1850. For more than thirty years has he been in the employ of the Old Mad River Railroad as carpenter. The names of the children of his family are given as follows : Louise Prediger, Christine Bock, Frank and John. Heinrich Walter came to Sandusky in 1835. His cradle stood in Kretzingen, Baden, where he was born in 1813. He emigrated in 1836 making Sandusky his home until about ten years ago, when he settled with his grown up boys on a well cultivated farm in Perkins township, about five miles from town. Walter was married to Barbara, a daughter of old Jacob Benz, in Sandusky. By trade he was a shoemaker, and managed to accumulate by hard work sufficient means to pass his last days in comfort. Of the nine children born in married life, six are living, viz.: Jacob Walter, Caroline Spiegel, Perkins township ; Susanne Fischer, Middle Bass Isle ; Wilhelm W., Johann W. and Carl W. in Perkins. Christian Engel came to Sandusky in 1835. Of the five children of John Peter Engel and his wife Sophie Frederika Eleonore Ernstine, two died in the old home in Ostheim, For der Rhoen, in Saxonia ; the remaining three, Christian, Christiane and Marie made Sandusky their home. Christian, the oldest, became a resident as early as 1835. He was a shoemaker by trade, and had his workshop where Kunzman's hotel is located on Jackson street. 250 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. He was married in Sandusky to Maria Anne Biglin. A number of years ago he left his bench and settled in Put-in-Bay Island, where he is engaged in the grape culture. His children are living at the same place. Christiane Elizabeth was born March 8, 1812, and married in 1843 to John Christopher Klee, and came with her husband to Sandusky a year before the first cholera. She died in 1887. Her husband, and the only son, John, are living on Adams street. Maria, the oldest one, was born in 1808, and married in the old country to Andreas Duennisch. After her husband's death she made Sandusky her home. She died in 1886. Her two sons are well provided for ; Louis is the manager of the Butlers' planing mill, and Christian, the oldest, has become a wealthy farmer in Margaretta township. Daniel Reinheimer, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Reinheimer was born in Horschbach, Bavaria, in 1815, and joined his uncle Fred in Sandusky in 1840. Regine Emele became his wife in 1844. Eleven children were born to them. In 1854 the family moved west and settled on a farm near Sheboygan, Wis. Wilhelm R. was born in 1822, and made Sandusky his home in 1845, and was married two years later to Eva Catharine Benz. Nine children were born to them, all are now living, except one. Wilhelm now resides on Perry street. Jacob was born October 1, 1820, and was the last of the family to this country in company with the aged parents. The old day book of Peter Reinheimer is before me and I take liberty to copy from it (translated). 1848, May 18, we left Horschbach this day. May 24, we arrived at London. June 1, started on shipboard. July 9, arrived at New York. July 21, landed at Sandusky. September 1, bought a lot for $330. Build house same year for $486.40. Summary $816.40. Old Peter Reinheimer and his wife died years ago. The children are living, honest and industrious as they are, they never accumulated means of any. account. The support of a large family absorbed the earnings of a year's hard work. Adam Hemberle came here in 1838. The Hemberle family, consisting of the parents, Adam and his wife and five children, John, Frederick, Caroline, Christine and Marie, left their former home, Blankenloch, in Baden, in the spring of 1836, and settled on a farm in Crawford county, 0., in the same year. Two years later they moved to Sandusky where they lived and died years ago. Of the five children only three are now living : Frederika, wife of John Fisher ; Caroline, wife of Adam Bauer, and Marie, wife of Adam Zimmermacher. John and Christine, who was the wife of Casper Schneider are in a better world. Mr. Hemberle was a day laborer and much respected. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 251 Jacob Hopfinger was born in 1795 in Eisenthal, Rheinpfalz, and came to Sandusky in 1840. His first wife, Sylvia Braun, died in the old country. He married again, choosing Elizabeth Burghofer as a partner. Two of his children are living in Sandusky, viz : Margarethe Weiss and Magdalene Scherer. He died on June 12, 1879, in Ottawa county. Conrad Linker came to Sandusky in 1839, and was a son of Heinrich and Anna Elizabeth (Rudolph) Linker.. He was born May 15, 1791, in Speckswinkel, Hessen, and was married in 1818 in the old country to Christine Rose. He left his home in 1832, with the intention to meet relatives in Crawford county, O. His wife died almost in sight of their destination and was buried in Mansfield. She was in her thirty-eighth year. In 1839 Linker moved to Sandusky to live with his daughter Catharine Elizabeth, who had become the wife of Jacob Hertel, the founder of the Baystadt Demokrat. He died of cholera in 1849. The names of the children are given in chronological order : Catharine Elizabeth Hertel, born June 10, 1819; Anna Elizabeth Schmidt, born January 30, 1822.; Johannes, born July 18, 1824; Anna Catharine, May 17, 1827; Johannes F. born January 2, 1830. The Merklein family settled in Sandusky about 1835. No reliable information could be had about this family. They came to Sandusky about 1835, where they both died of the cholera in 1849. George Werner, formerly living on the corner of Hancock and Madison streets, was a brother of Mrs. Merklein ; he was a day laborer employed in the warehouse. August Mueller settled here in 1835. His name would long have faded from memory had not a rather peculiar incident occurred which kept it alive. Sandusky, fifty years ago, afforded an excellent pasture ground, not only for old Foreman's sheep, but for a number of cows, that in a go-as-you-please way, found food and water, shelter and shade among the hazel bushes of the village. Mueller was the proud possessor of a cow, but it was a great chagrin to him that his cow returned dry repeatedly, in the evening. A kind hearted neighbor enlightened him that in all probability some one procured the precious lacteal fluid without consent. Whether our friend August in his. younger days had read Cooper's " Lederstrumpf" and the " Last of the Mohicans " or not, we leave this an open question. He started on his warpath, the scalping knife in his pocket, I see him plainly wend his way through the bushes on hands and feet, and there he sits, the perpetrator of all his misery, leisurely abstracting the precious fluid. One warwhoop, one jump and he had him by the ear, one cut and he had the trophy in his hands. His friends persuaded him, as he apparently was n0t conscious of the enormity of the crime, to take passage on a boat that was ready to leave for Buffalo 0n the next morning. Between the two ports he worked on shipboard for nearly two years, but never allowed his feet to touch the soil of this city, except under the cover of night. He subsequently moved to St. Louis, and may 252 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. live there yet for all I know. His victim, Lemon, minus one ear, died years ago in Sandusky. Jacob Schmied, a son of Jacob A. and Catharine (Meyer) Schmied, settled here in 1838. He was born in Oberendingen, Canton Aargau, Switzerland, on June 8, 189, and came with his parents to this country in 189. They settled on a farm. Jacob came to Sandusky in 1838, where he worked as a cooper for many years in Post & Co.'s employ. He was married in 1857 to Margaretha Rivers, and ten children were born to them. He died in 1884. His widow now resides on Washington street. Johann Caspar Ritter. The day-book of this unfortunate man is before me. It gives in twenty-four pages an accurate account of his trip across the ocean. It is dated April, 1837, and well pReserved. I take the liberty to copy from it as follows : (Translation.) "My name is John Caspar Ritter, merchant. I left Burgsinn, Hessen, on April 3, 1837, with my wife, Wilhelmine Charlotte, a daughter of the game-keeper, Jungerman, of Mittelsinn, and our four children: Christiane Elizabeth, age nine years ; Emilie Frederike Margarete, seven years ; Wilhelm Heinrich, five years ; Ernst Christoph. three years We reached Fulda the same night Rothenburg the next day, and Cassel on the fifth of April, 1837. . . . Weather-bound; the oldest inhabitants cannot recollect a storm of such severity. Snow, reaching up to the middle of the windows, and no living soul to be seen on the streets. . . . A damper, but we are determined to move 0n and regret only the delay. Victuals cheap, especially beer, and it is excellent. The officers are very polite ; everybody is addressed by ‘sie' (you.) In presenting my passport I was offered a chair, and repeatedly insisted upon to make use of it. . . . Goettingen, April, l0th' snow five and six feet deep in the streets; regular tunnels are constructed at the crossings; it looks like a labyrinth. Nordheim, 11th, Einbeck, April 13th, and Bremen the 14th. Left Bremen May 1st on the sailboat " Isabella," Captain F. Meyer. . . . May 16, my wife Emilie, Wilhelm and Ernst are seasick, Christiane and myself are in good health and eat double rations. Ours are the only children on shipboard. . . . May 9, Emilie's birthday; I gave her a crown dollar as a keepsake. . . . Our board is excellent, and many wish the voyage to last a year. Arrived at New York June 12, where we boarded on John street, paying $12 per week for the family. My wife was confined on St. John's day, (June 24, 1837) in this place. The mid-wife, Caroline Collman, was skillful, and was educated in an institute in Wuerzburg. I paid her fifteen gulden for her services. We left New York July 6, and arrived at Buffalo July 14, reaching our destination, Huron, on the 16th, at 2 P M “ This is only a meagre abstract, but the original written in a bold hand testifies in numerous instances of the great kindness and love Ritter had for his family. Well educated, and in possession of means, he would, undoubtedly, THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 253 hive become a prosperous and prominent citizen, had not the hand of a villain terminated his life in a most cruel and unprovoked way. After a short stay in Huron the family moved to Sandusky, where Ritter opened a general provision store on Columbus avenue. He was shot dead at his own door by a crippled tailor, called Evans, for which crime the latter was made the culprit of the last scene of execution witnessed in Erie county, in Huron Park in 1840. Ritter died on May 5, 1840, in his forty-sixth year, leaving his widow and six children well provided for. His wife died in December, 1880, in her eighty-third year. One of the daughters, Wilhelmina, a faithful and trusted Servant in the United States mail service for many years, is well known by every man, woman and child in this city. The writer does most heartily wish that she may survive all changes of the national administration for many a year to come. Conrad Wiegand was born in Hessen, and came to Sandusky in 1835, where he worked for years at his trade as shoemaker. His wife having died, he moved to Put-in-bay Island to spend his last days with his children, who took good care of him. He had become very infirm and crippled up* with rheumatism. He died a year ago, and was buried at the side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky. He was a highly respected citizen. His children are prospering. Franz, Joseph Motri came here in 1834, An old marriage certificate, well preserved reads thus : "Know all men by this presents that Joseph Motri, a taylor, and Elizabeth Ziegler, were lawfully joined together in holy matrimony on the 22d day of July, in the year of the Lord, 1834. "F. W. GEISSENHAINER, SEN. "St. Mathaus Church, " N. Y. City." Aside from its value as a family relic, this paper becomes more precious in having the signature of one of the most noted Germans of New York attached to it.' Motri was born on March 31, 1811, in Untergrombach, Baden. His 1.) The name of the officiating clergyman calls for a more than passing notice. The First German Lutheran congregation was organized in New York in 1749, and the first substantial church edifice was erected in 1767, on the northwest corner of William and Frankfort streets. The building was standing as late as 1850, and was, in its dilapidated condition, finally used as a livery stable. Johann Christopher Kunz, son-in-law of old Muehlenberg, of Revolutionary fame, became the first pastor. F. W. Geissenhainer, sr., succeeded him. He preached exclusively in German. As in 1814 some of the members of old Mathaus Church made an effort to abolish the German language in song and speech in their devotional exercises, Geissenhainer rather gave up his pastorate, than enter into this bargain. F. C. Schaeffer, his successor agreed to preach mornings in the German, and evenings in the English language. Geissenhainer, who in the meantime had moved to Pennsylvania, where his beloved mother tongue was held in better reveration, was recalled seven years later. He gained his point ; German was exclusively spoken from that day on in the old pioneer church. Geissenhainer, a- typical German, died in 1838, in New York City, lamented by all who knew him. 254 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. wife, Elizabeth, was born in Weingarten, Baden, in 1808. They emigrated in 1834, and lived in Sandusky up to the time of their deaths. Of the six children of this marriage, three are living: Theodor, born June 30, 1838 ; Frederick of Port Clinton, born January 16, 1841, and Heinrich, born March 12, 1842. Elizabeth, Motri's first wife, died in April 26, 1843, in childbed. On November 15th, of the same year, he married the second time, taking Theresa Leonhard as wife. Five of the children of the second marriage are living: Elizabeth Molitor, born August 25, 1844; Joseph, born October 26, 1845 ; Alexander, born October 9, 1846; Carl Ludwig, born September 23, 1848; John Frank, born November 16, 1850. Motri was a tailor by trade, and had his first workshop where Robertson's store is located at present on Water street, moving from there to a place now occupied by the Ruprecht family. He subsequently built the National House on Market and Wayne streets, where he kept a hostlery in connection with his tailor shop. In 1854 he engaged in the nursery business in Bigfield. He was a great hunter and known far and wide as an excellent marksman. He died May 4, 1867. His widow lives on Hancock street. He was, without question, the fashionable tailor in his time. His old ledger, dated January 1, 1840, is before me. In its index I find the follOWing names of the aristocracy of our day, the Mooses, Folletts, Sloanes and many others. Most interesting though for our purpose, are the names of the old German settlers that opened an account with him nearly fifty years ago. In giving their names I am in hopes that those appearing in the foregoing pages may quasi supplement my carefully prepared list. From this interesting book I copy the following German names : John Bauer, John Bach, 1843 ; Fred Booss, Jacob Benz, Clausius, 1841 ; Valentin Degen, 1843 ; Martin Eltis, Fred Epp, 1842 ; And. Earney, 1843 ; Anton Fink, 1842 ; Peter Gilcher, Guckenheimer, 1843 ; John Hornung, Wilhelm }kisser, 1845 ; Alph. Lucas, 1842 ; Hopfinger, Hocken, Iceman, Henry Laubscher, John Meyer, 1843 ; I. Paul, 1840 ; Valentine Peter, 1842 ; Fr. Reinheimer, and John Schnecker. For the edification of our merchant tailors, I will say that according to Motri's figures, thirteen cents was charged for cutting a pair of pants, and that a good share of his earnings were liquidated by accepting almost anything from a load of wood, stone,. or sand, down to farm produce and labor in exchange. Fr. Reinheimer's account is balanced by thirty-nine days of work, $53.43 ; P. Gilcher's account thirty-seven days of work, $51.00; Henry Laubscher's account for two days' work, $3. By this we see that skilled labor was well paid for, and that even forty years ago a boss carpenter received as much as twelve shillings wages per day. 1830-1850. POLITICS, SOCIETIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES- AND PRESS. Federal organization and the liquidation of the war debts became the principal work for our law makers after the declaration of independence. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 255 One party, the Federalists, aimed principally to shape our government after the English fashion, the other party, " Republicans," more often called Democrats, were anxious to transplant the new patriotic ideas of France into the young republic. A king even would have been acceptable to the Federalistic party, had not Jefferson, under Gallatin's advice and guidance most vigorously resisted. Jefferson's election as president decided the issue and a political lethargy reigned for years. The German element without hardly any exceptions made front against the Federal party, and played as such an important factor in shaping the form of our national administration in those days. In 1824 the political pot commenced to boil Again. A diversity of opinion in the domineering party ended in their defeat. Instead of entering the battle in an unbroken phalanx, did the leaders of the Republican party quarrel among themselves, and headed their national ticket by three candidates, viz : Crawford, as legitimate successor, Clay, the choice of the national Republicans. and Jackson, as banner carrier of the convention, posing as " Democrat." Jackson, although receiving the majority of the popular and electoral votes, was, nevertheless, lacking the required plurality, and the election for president came up before the House of Representatives for final action. By their decision Adams, the Federalist, was elected, and the deal was brought about by a compact between Clay's followers and the leaders of the Federal party. The wrong was righted four years later, when Jackson was elected by an overwhelming majority. In 1828 we find the German element again supporting Jackson, and Ohio gave him the electoral votes in 1828 and 1832. A great change though in public opinion took place after his second election. New and vital questions had come to the front, and the champion of the party had made himself disliked by his uncalled for action against the United States Bank, his numerous vetoes, and by practically carrying out the nefarious doctrine : " The spoils belong to the victor." A reconstruction of the party as planned by Jackson, was never reached. The older German settlers had in the meantime in close pursuit of daily work learned better to understand the true inwardness of political promises and pledges, had cooled down and become more conservative in their views, a large portion of them united in 1834 with the Whig party. To follow up the strides and efforts of the German element in the political arena in the years following would call for more space than could justly be claimed for this chapter. The more liberal German element had always a strong leaning towards the Democratic party and deservedly so, as they owed to this party all concessions made to foreigners. It is an indisputable fact, that by the unceasing efforts of this party the price of government land was fixed at a nominal figure, was put in the market in parcels to suit the means of the individual purchaser, and that a non-citizen became legally qualified to particpate in this great 256 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. boom. After many a fierce battle laws were passed by a Democratic body to enable a settler to pay for his land almost with the yield of the first year's harvest. These liberal concessions were opposed by Clay, as leader of the Whig party. If we furthermore consider, that at that time the amalgamation of the National Republican and the Whig party took effect, and that in the new-born party the first nativistic doctrines came to the surface, it is not surprising at all that the German element en masse cast their lot with the Democratic party. To bring about a more effective and uniform action, German societies of various natures were organized in every town in Ohio, wherever they had any representation to speak of. The German element became a potent factor in political life, but it would have been impossible to, perpetuate and pReserve for any length of time harmonious action, had not circumstances of a specific nature come to its relief. The Germans were at all times considered unruly by the leaders of political parties as a nation not easily harnessed or controlled by an autocratic wish or will. Even the far-seeing Franklin laments that the Germans will outnumber the inborn element in a little while, and that the political power will pass into their hands. In this respect though Franklin's fears were ungrounded, the inborn jealousy of the different German nationalities, not to speak of the difference of opinion in religious matters, excluded such presumptions plainly. It cannot be denied that the Germans tipped the scales more than once in national elections. At the least provocation, if ever they mistrusted that customs and ways of their own were endangered, they made a solid front ; in all other respects they were reliable, consistent and loyal. They never were wax in the hands of party rulers, and the most eloquent appeals of politicians would never have persuaded them to follOW blindly their dictations had personal or principal interest combined not made a stronger appeal. The nativistic movement of 1836 and 1838 strengthened the knees of those that had become stragglers and drove them into the flock for mutual safety and protection. The power and strength of the German element was well known even in those days to the inborn American. An editorial extract from the American, published in New Orleans in 1838, may find a place here : " Ohio is ruled by ignorant Germans who have inundated sections of this glorious State. The votes are cast and the results are known as endangering our government and the welfare of all concerned ; . . . This trouble will not end unless the privilege of voting is restricted." As far as the ignorance of the Germans —God bless them and the endangering of the government and general welfare are concerned, the editor was a poor prophet, but he came nearer to the mark in predicting laws aimed against the Germans to make use of the royal privilege as voters. The ghost of nativism was banished for another decade, the liberal party gained a victory in 1844 and the German element was instrumental in bringing it about. THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 257 By this time the Germans had outgrown their baby shoes ; no political party in Ohio would take their chances without previously consulting their wishes. They demanded in 1838 that public documents should be published in their mother tongue, and their wish was granted. The representation of this element in the State House of Columbus was about twenty-five per cent, since the adoption of the new State laws in 1851. Erie county is, at this writing, represented in the Legislature by Fred. Ohlemacher, of Sandusky ; in the Senate by Joseph Zimmerman, of Fremont, and in the congressional district by Jacob Romeiss, of Toledo. All three were rocked to sleep in the old country, and came to America's shores as poor and impecunious lads. This solid German representation may count for nothing than a mere coincidence, and yet it demonstrates clearly that the Germans had learned, in years of bondage and humiliation, to use their irresistible strength for something better than quarrels. Not more than thirty years ago the Germans had very little if any standing, politically and socially, in Erie county. An editorial in the Baystadt Democrat, June 26, 1857, reads as follows " The true Americans, and better to call them by their right names, the Knownothings, are becoming rather arrogant in their deportment. To them the foreigners are simply tools, to be used at will, and as long as they can be utilized. After that their thanks are a pereat.' In our city, laws have been passed of late, directly aimed against the Germans. They cannot acquaint themselves with the provisions of law as very few understand the English language. Thousands bf dollars are annually expended for school purposes, where not a cent is granted for the preservation of their mother tongue. A general meeting of the German element of this county has been called to consider our duties and rights as citizens of a free country." The meeting was held in the Volks Theater Hall on June 9, 1857, and was largely attended. Conrad Ernst was the presiding offrcer, and W. F. Meyers acted as secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted (abridged): 1. All ordinances to be published in the German language. 2. Wholesome drinking water to be supplied liberally, free of cost, in all the wards of the city. 3. To introduce German tuition in the public schools, and to cut down the salary of the superintendent of instruction, to confront the every day cry for want of means. 4. To pay all city employees in cash. 5. To denounce immorality and drunkenness, but protect respectable citizens engaged in the liquor traffic. 6. To abolish license laws. 7. To repeal the market ordinance. 8. To invest any surplus in our treasury in factories and institutions employing skilled labor, instead of donating it to railroads and wildcat schemes. 258 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 9. To reorganize the fire department. 10. To elect for local offices 0nly men of unquestionable character, without considering political creed or religion. 11. To denounce the rulings of Judge Taylor as being biased and nativistic in the extreme. The following members were elected as a standing committee to guard the interest of the German element, viz.: C. Parson, Jacob Hertel, Ph. Dauch, Adam Bauer, W. F. Meyers, and H. Ruess. Between 1840 and 1850 German societies were organized in nearly every town in Ohio, and Sandusky had its share. The following societies flourished in those days: Jaeger Company, organized by Captain Louis Traub ; Artillerie Company, organized by Dr. Silva, and F. Bollinger; Harmonie Band; Hacken & Leiter Company ; Cossuth Garde, J. Bauer, commander; Freie deutsche Harmonie, Sandusky Gesangverein, Freimaenner Verein, Turn Verein, Druids, Odd Fellows, Workingmen's Society, and others. Sandusky could also boast of two German theaters, the Volks Theater and the Concordia Theater. Some of our most prominent citizens of to-day took an active part. A well pReserved programme reads : CONCORDIA THEATER IN VON HAUSEN's BLOCK December 26, 1853. REPERTOIRE—Menschenhass and Reue, by KOTZEBUE. Admission, 25 CENTS. Another one: VOLKS THEATER HUBBARD'S BLOCK, JACKsON STREET March 3, 1857. REPERTOIRE—The White Slave. In an editorial in the Baystadt Democrat of May 1, 1857, Hertel argues that any allusion to religion and politics " should be excluded." Undoubtedly these societies had their ups and downs. The resolutions passed at a meeting that was called for the purpose of expelling four of the unruly members of the Volks Theater, April 9, 1853, is in my possession. The signatures of the following members of this society are attached: Jacob Engels, president: Dr. Silva, secretary ; Jacob Bentz, F. G. Willi, Carl Gaa, Gregory Haegy, Georg Von Hausen, Ernst Boeth, Carl Bretz, A. Miller, Georg Bergmoser, Joseph Keller, G. Nusly, Cornel. Schnaitter, Andr. Riesterer, Philip Kunz, Georg Baer, Jacob Steitz, Carl Wagner, M. Malzky, Jacob Alder, L. Baumann, Ph. Lanz, Jacob Baubach, Joh. Walter, Georg Graul, Jacob Schaub, John Bricht, Dr. Lange, N. Auer, Georg Geiss. Another one : THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 259 We take pleasure to put also on record the names of the leaders and stars of the two societies : Volks Theater—Natan Baer's Hall, on Water street. J. M. Geyerstanger, J. Jandorf, Christ. Wiedel, Jacob Neuert, A. Sorg, Conrad Ernst, L. Kind, August Seeger, Fr. Wentz, Chas. Baetz, Georg Graul ; Mrs Graul, Peters, Lehr and Hauser, and Miss Steitz and Ruemmele. Concordia Theater.—Rudolph Holverscheid, A. Textor, Bretz, Georg Von Hausen, H. Brohl, Conrad Mooss, Schaub and Willi ; Mrs. Kranz, Von Hausen and Birkmeyer. Dances and entertainments for the pecuniary benefit of the numerous societies were then, as now, the order of the day. The adMission fee was unusually high, considering times. A few advertisements, taken from the German press, may find a place here ; First ANNUAL HOP OF THE FREIMAENNER VEREIN, in Euterpean Hall, December 26, 1853, Tickets, $1.00. Z. Engels, Steitz, Stark, Dauch. GREAT BALL, IN WEST HALL. Harmonie Band. July 4, 1857. Admission, $1.00. MILITARY BAND BALL — EUTERPEAN HALL, July 4, 1857. Tickets, $1.00. In classical music Sandusky has always excelled and taken the lead of cities of similar size in Ohio for many a year. Even the automatic orchestrion music of more than thirty years ago could not help but develop this culture to a high degree. As a relic we give the programme of Fr. Butz first orchestrion concert : GRAND ORCHESTRION CONCERT IN EUTERPEAN HALL, APRIL 29, 1857. ADMission, 25 CENTS. PROGRAMME : I. Die Stummen of Portici.—Auber. II. German songs. III. Was gleichet wohl auf Erden. IV. 0, Susanna. V. Introduction. VI. Yankee Doodle. VII. Duett. VIII. Selections from " Freischuetz." IX. Patric, willst du nun. X. Jaegerchor aus " Freischuetz," XI. Overture, "Wilhelm Tell." XII. Overture, " Postillion de Lorjumean." XIII. Overture, " Romeo and Juliet." XIV. Najades Walzes.—Labitzky. 260 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Mozart Quartette Club was organized by Ph. Ruppert. The Great Western Band, organized by Charles Baetz many years ago, has, under his leadership, gained an almost national reputation. Bauman, Hauser, Bergmoser, Bock and others are experts on their separate instruments. The last one, in a long list of musical societies in Sandusdy, is the Philharmonic Orchestra, under the leadership of Professor F. Puehringer, a noted musician and composer. The members of this society are, with the exception of six, of German parentage. The first meeting was held at Fischer's Hall, March 12, 1888. The names of the members are given : J. C. Hauser, Geo. E. Anderson, F. A. Hubbard, C. Schnaitter, John Traub, John I. Esch, Al. J. Peters, George C. West, J. C. Leser, L. J. Taubert, A. Haecker, Willie Peters, Joseph Lebensburger, C. F. Schrenck, J. H. Dempsey, Lane Lockwood, Walter Scott, Louis Scherz, jr., John Bauer, Fred. Bauer, Al. Bauer, John Schaub, Ed. Rossfelder, George Knopf, John Trieschman, Eugene Baetz. The first German Protestant church in Sandusky was organized in 1845 it was situated on the public grounds between Grace Church and the old courthouse, and became the mother of six prosperous offsprings. The names of the charter members of the Emanuels Church are given : John Schuck, Paul Klauer, John Hauer, Jacob Hertel, Peter Gilcher, Fred. Reinheimer, John Klauss, John Platz, Georg Magle, Fred. Booss, and John Bauer. John Schuck is the only survivor. The German Reformed Church was formed by seceders of the Emanuel's Church and organized into a body August 12, 1853, by the late Rev. Peter Briecker. The h0use of worship is situated on the corner of Hancock and Jefferson streets. The Salems Church, "evangelical association," was built of stone in 1854. Size forty by sixty. The society was organized in 1840 by John Hull and M. Stroh, Charles Zollinger, Henry Kreiner, Jacob Brost and Leonhard Scheuerman were the first trustees. The Lutheran Zion's Church on the southeast corner of the public grounds was organized in June, 1852. The names of the first officers are John H. Buck, Wilhelm Schade, August Klotz, George Hartman, Henry Wenck and George Klein. German Methodist Protestant Church, organized about 1845. German Protestant. St. Stephen's Church, on the c0rner of Jefferson and Poplar streets, organized by old members of the Emanuel Church in January, 1882. The first officers were Heinrich Rudolph, president ; Jacob Stein, secretary, Adam Oehm, treasurer ; trustees, Charles Krueger, Jacob Dick, jr., Adam Nagel ; elders, Jacob Dick, sr. ; John Quehl, Jacob Hartman. Dr. von Schulenburg, pastor. The German Catholics did not own a place of worship, for years attending Father Mastbeaf's church in Western Liberties. At this day they are in pos- THE GERMAN ELEMENT - 261 session of a magnificent structure on the corner of Miami avenue and Jefferson street. For any additional information the reader is kindly referred to the general chapter on church organizations. The Germans became thrifty and monopolized many branches of industry. The " Stoss-seufzer " of the English nativistic press in those days, that they were irresistible in annexing trade and manufactures was called for. As the Germans before 1830 excelled in agricultural pursuits, they now had become a potent factor in the diverse branches of industry. The brewing business is exclusively in the hands of Germans in Erie county. The Kuebeler Brothers, Frank Stang and Anton Ilg have become wealthy in this trade. The fish, wine and lime business is likewise controlled by Germans. Most of the representative firms have started out years age on a small scale and become prosperous beyond expectation. The capital invested in the fish business by Adolph & Zollinger, Simeon Schacht, A. J. Stoll, Lay Brothers, Fruechtenicht & Nielson & Arend Brothers ; in the wine business by Engels & Krudwig, Wm. Alstaetter, John G. Dorn, Conrad Ernst, August Guenther, M. Hommel, Morris Link, Edw. Mooss, Edw. Steuck, John Strobel and Albert Textor ; in the lime manufactory by Daniel Kunz and the Ohlemacher Brothers represents more than a million of hard cash and provides bread and butter for many a hundred of families. To facilitate business the Germans organized in September 16, 1872, the Third National Bank, a prosperous and almost exclusive German institution, electing L. Cable as president, Philip Graefe, vice-president ; George Anderson, cashier ; Christ F. Schoepfle, Dr. Donahoe and Jacob Engles, directors. Lorenz Cable was born 1823, March 9, in the village of Siegen, Elsass, and came to America in the spring of 1843. He worked as a cabinet-maker for David Moore, Bellevue, 0., till spring of the next year, when he wended his way to Sandusky, where he resided for nearly forty-five years. On his arrival in this city he found a place open in H. F. Merry's cabinet shop, and subsequently in Charles Zollinger's and the old Mad River Railroad Shops. In 1856 he embarked with John Bricht in the boot and shoe trade. He has become possessed of great wealth. In 1872 he was elected as president of the Third National Bank, a position he holds to this day. The capital stock of this bank is $90,000, with a surplus of $34,000• L. Cable resides with his second wife on the corner of Monroe and *Lawrence streets. Jacob Engels was born 1799, in Solingen, Germany, and emigrated in 1848, making Sandusky his home in the year following. He became quite wealthy in the wine business. He always took an active part in organizing societies that aimed to cultivate and preserve the German language in song and speech. He died November 6, 1875. 262 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The office as postmaster in Sandusky is held for the first time by a German, George Daniel, who came to America as a lad in the 40's. The German element is represented in the city council by thirteen, and in the school board by twelve members. Dr. Von Schulenburg was the chairman of the committee on German instruction for several years. The board of cemetery trustees is exclusively German, viz.: John G. Strobel, Jacob Witzel and Louis Duennisch. German Physicians.—Drs. Von Sick, Silva, Philip Graefe, Lange and En.. derle ('48-50). Heiter, Leop. Pape, William and Charles Graefe, Szendery and Von Schulenburg. William Graefe is a conservative and skilful surgeon, and has spent several years abroad attending lectures in the Universities of Berlin and Vienna. Dr. C. Heiter was educated and t0ok his degree in a Russian college. Dr. Von Schulenburg was educated in Germany, and has a large practice among the Germans. The German language was taught as early as '52 in pay schools by Charles Plate, Hoffman, Keller and Lehrer, through the arduous work of Adam Bauer, the first German school director, who served his constituents faithfully for nearly twenty years. It was finally introduced in the public schools of Sandusky and became a part of the regular course of study. Nearly a thousand children are benefited by it at this day. German Press.—The first German paper published in Erie county was the Intelligenz-Blatt, by Ruemmele and Ruess. The first number made its appearance in April, 1851 ; it existed for nearly twenty years. In 1856 the Baystadt Demokrat entered the field as a rival. Captain L. Traub was the first publisher. A few months later it was sold to Jacob Hertel,. who was editor and proprietor till 1873, when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, William Senn. It has greatly improved in size and appearance since then, and has become the exponent of true Democratic principles under his regime. It is well conducted and prosperous. By all their love for the new, the Germans never failed to take a proportionate interest in the welfare of the old fatherland, and many an imposing procession, that wends its way through the streets of the town testifies plainly of their ardent and true love for their former home. The capitulations at Sedan and following restoratian of the old German Empire, manifested itself by an outburst of joy and jubilee. At the bicentennial anniversary of German emigration in 1883, the strength of the German element was plainly seen. It was a multitude of th0usands, that turned out on that bright Sunday afternoon to honor their pilgrims. A very accurate account of this celebration was pub- Wished in the local columns of the Sandusky Demokrat, October 9, 1883, and we take the liberty to quote from it : " A gala day. Two thousand in procession and six to eight thousand at the fair ground ; the most imposing demonstration ever witnessed in Erie county. The procession started from the West Market at 2 P. M., under RAILWAYS OF THE COUNTY - 263 the leadership of Charles Baetz and Constantin Zipfel, assisted by Osterman, Motry and Wiedeman. All the German societies of Sandusky were represented ; the old German pioneers were under the command of Cornelius Schnaitter. A large delegation representing the German element of Kelley Island, Middle Bass and Put-in-Bay were in line. L. Herb's State coach, drawn by four white horses came next. The president, Adam Bauer, Captain Dewald, of Mexican fame, Councilman August Kunzman, and the orator of the day, Dr. von Schulenburg, were the proud occupants. In the following carriages the members of the city council and the vice-presidents were seated, prominent among them being Messrs. Lorch, Mooss, H. Rudolph, Pietchman and Wm. Brehm. A cavalry troop of a hundred men under Gottlieb Epples' command came next, followed by an endless caravan of vehicles of all descriptions, music bands and drum corps heading the subdivisions. A score of thousands of people lined the streets. In strict accordance with the program of the day, the president, Adam Bauer, introduced at the fair grounds after an overture by the Great Western Band, the orator of the day, Dr. von Schulenburg, who spoke at length about the true Mission of the German element in America, defining it in masterly and well received-way. Herman Ruess made an eloquent address. The Frohsinn and Harmonie singing societies captured the immense audience by their superb rendering of patriotic songs. The Active and Social Turnverein gave an exhibition of gymnastic exercises, Gambrinus even had a stand but may it be put on record that not a single one could be found in all this multitude, although watched with argus eyes, who did not deport himself respectfully." May this feeble effort to put the Germans of Erie county on record, be kindly accepted by all interested.