Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Ottoville Items - 1886


1-7-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
Accept my best wishes for a happy new year.
Last week the new smokestack for the flouring mill was raised, and the machinery for grinding flour by steam will soon be in operation. This is the fifth smokestack in Ottoville and some are connected to fine and costly engines. If this is an indication of industry and prosperity of a town, Ottoville will class second to none for its size in Ohio.
On Wednesday last Anthony Fuersth. Who resides about five miles north-east of here, came near losing his life in the following manner: He was chopping a tree down in the woods, which lodged in another tree about six feet from the ground; when nearly off the tree twisted and broke, throwing him on a log below, and the tree which he felled across his body, holding him in this critical position until assistance came. Dr. Skinner was immediately summoned and on examination found no bones broken. The patient is doing moderately well under the circumstances.
Mr. John Harpster has spent the holidays at Chicago and Kankakee, Ill., in company with Charles E. Ross.
Two infant children were buried here on Saturday afternoon; one belonging to Martin Bendele, the other to Jerry Hays.
The new Sheriff left for Ottawa by railroad to take charge of his office, not being able to move his family on account of bad roads.
Henry Ernst and wife have returned home from Sherman, O.

Jan. 3, 1886                                                    ARGUS

2-4-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
The present little snow has added a great deal to the travel and hauling in general.
The Ottoville flouring mill is now in full operation with steam power. The machinery is excellent, and no better flour is produced anywhere than that made at this mill at present. Their business has increased very much; almost daily they are shipping carloads of grain to the markets from Douglas Station.
Mr. Joseph Otte is about to open up a new store at the old saddlery stand, which he will carry on in connection with the poultry business.
Old aunt Sellet fell on the ice and sprained her wrist severely.
Aaron Huysman is now running a portable sawmill with his thrasher engine, and moves about for the accommodation of those desiring to build. A number of our farmers are preparing to build new barns and houses the coming season.
Mr. Sebastian Kehres will have a public sale on the 13th inst.
Dr. Skinner had a call from Delphos and one from St. Mary’s last week. His practice seems to spread.
Mr. Sebastian Kehres and Miss Theresia Yacklin were married at the Catholic Church in this place, and are now enjoying a wedding tour through central Ohio.

Feb. 1, 1886                                        ARGUS

2-11-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
The dwelling house of Jacob Schneider, one-half mile south of Douglas Station, was burned to the ground last Thursday afternoon. The building was a large two-story log house. The older folks were working in the woods when the children discovered fire in the upper part of the house, which gained such headway before assistance came that only the furniture in the lower story could be saved. The loss is heavy, but there is insurance on the property in the Delphos Mutual Farmers Insurance Company. The family has moved in the old house of Sebastian Kehres until a new house can be built.
A committee of twelve members and Rev. Father Oechterding, pastor of the Catholic Church at Ft. Wayne that was recently demolished by the explosion of the boiler attached to the steam heating apparatus, were here this week to inspect our new church after the plan of ours. The committee seemed to be highly pleased with the style and appearance of the church here, and no doubt will soon have in course of election a building in their city after the style of ours, possibly yet a little grander.
Mr. William Rekart and J. L. Martin, whose names were forged to a note that was presented to the bank of Delphos by A. C. Castle, went to Lima on Thursday to attend the trial.
Married, February 9th, at the Catholic Church in this place, Mr. Arthur Carter of Delphos and Miss Emma Koelde of this county.
On last Sunday, at the Reformed church in Delphos, Mr. H. Miller and Miss Th. Steinbrenner, both from Putnam County.
Mr. H. Martin and F. H. Baker are happy men, but at the cost of more calico.

Feb. 9, 1886                                        ARGUS

4-1-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
The slating of the new church is now completed, and a full view of the outside appearance can now be had, which is much admired by visitors.
The canal is open again for transportation, though several breaks are yet interfering with the steady use of said canal. The largest break however will be turning out of Democrats and replacing them with Republican working hands.
Mr. Imbers, State boat captain has bought himself a young team, which he shipped to his farm in Seneca County, where he intends to move in a short time.
Mr. Nicholas Schilly has bought another thrasher and engine of the Rumly Manufacturing Company of Logansport, Indiana, and will hereafter supply both sides of the canal in the trashing line.
Mr. V. Braun is about to build a sidewalk to the graveyard south of town; the citizens assisting him with lumber and labor in the improvement.
Mr. Joseph Otte has his entire store supplied with new goods and is doing a lively business.
Mr. James Morrison is rebuilding the tile kiln of Gmeiner & Co. Both yards have sold their entire stock of tile manufactured last season.
Mr. Conrad Studer has just finished a kiln of lime, and will hereafter keep lime for sale all the season in any quantity. He has erected a new lime house at his premises near this town.
Mr. C. Wannemacher has brought to his place of business the largest stock of plows and cultivators ever brought to this place, and of the best manufacture in the country.
A little infant of Andrew Kehres died last Sunday evening.

March 28 1886                                        ARGUS

4-22-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
Ex-squire Joseph Wannemacher started last Sunday for Europe to visit his old home.
Old Squire Wrocklage a former resident of this place, but now of Saginaw County, Michigan, was here last week to attend the funeral of his sister, who died at Delphos, Ohio.
On last Sunday morning while Joseph Wurst and family were coming to church, the neck yoke got loose from the tongue while going down the hill at the creek bridge and caused the horses to run away, throwing them all out of the wagon, hurting Mr. Wurst and one of his daughters considerably.
Messrs. George Schlagbaum, H. H. Hilvers and Mike Kehres are each building fine new barns.
Chas. Wannemacher got in a full supply of reapers, mowers, self-binders, sulky hay rakes, cultivators and wagons for the demands of the coming season.

April 19, 1886                                        ARGUS

5-4-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
Dr. Binder, of Cincinnati, a young physician, has located here and opened up an office in Winkelman’s frame dwelling house, where he tenders his services to the public in sickness.
The sawmill at Hamer, Ohio the property of Bell and Adams was entirely destroyed by fire in the afternoon one day last week.
Ex-squire Jos. Wannemacher sailed for Europe from the port of New York last Thursday.
Andy Fleck has remodeled and painted his store during last week, and now makes a nice appearance. Andy smiles more than ever to his customers.
Work on the new church will be commenced again in a few days.
Both of our tile yards are filling orders with new burned tile at present.
It becomes our painful duty to chronicle the untimely death of one of our most esteemed citizens, Mr. Joseph Rekart Sr., which occurred last Thursday morning. His body was found in the canal by Wm. Wannemacher and J. Brandehoff. Mr. Rekart suffered for the last two months with severe attacks of sickness, which affected his mind, and which undoubtedly caused the act. Mr. Rekart was nearly 64 years of age and was one of the pioneers of Putnam County. He came with his father when yet a boy and settled in Glandorf, when this section of country was yet an unbroken wilderness and hunted over by the Indians; from there they moved to Jennings about 1841. He afterwards moved to this vicinity where he resided ever since. He was a man of strict integrity, honest and true to everybody; lived the life of an exemplary citizen; filled several positions of public trust, and was township trustee at the time of his death. He leaves a wife and five grown children, besides many friends to mourn his sad death. Many friends and relatives were here on last Saturday attending his funeral; among them was Adam Wilhelm, M. Weisenberger and wife, and George Rekart, of Defiance; Sheriff Wannemacher and Mrs. Beckman, of Ottawa, and a number from Ft. Jennings and Delphos. It was the largest funeral held here for some time. May he rest in peace.
On last Sunday first communion was celebrated at the Catholic Church. It was an imposing feast, and was attended by a large concourse of people. The citizens band of Delphos, under the leadership of Mr. Ferd. Moening was present and discoursed some excellent music.

May 3, 1886                                        ARGUS

5-6-1886
The Richwood Gazette
            The other morning at Ottoville, Putnam County, the dead body of Joseph Rekart, a resident of Ottoville, was found floating in the canal. Rekart has been laboring under a fit of despondency for some time and it is supposed he committed suicide by throwing himself into the canal. Deceased was sixty-five years of age, and leaves a large family.

5-13-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
A fearful storm swept through the northern part of this township last Thursday evening, about six o’clock. It commenced in Jackson township, Van Wert county, entirely demolishing a stable for Charles Ferry and also injuring the buildings of Mahlan Thompson; from there it swept eastward, throwing down all the fences for miles in length; the house and stables of Martin Wise were unroofed, also the granary of D. J. Hale; next was the house of Trueman Payne, which had the roof torn off; a cow of Wm. A. Hammons was killed; trees were uprooted, even saw-logs were thrown about. As far east as Muntanna the country was observed with fence-rails and debris of every description. Fortunately no lives were lost and no one was seriously injured. The people from the neighborhood came and assisted in repairing of the buildings of those that were damaged, and by the time this reaches your readers will be in fair condition again.
Mr. Ben Wannemacher and Mr. Mathias Schulien had each a cow stolen on the night of April 27th. No clue of the thieves was found until last Sunday evening, when it was learnt that two suspicious looking individuals, who had been seen leading the cows through Middlepoint the day after they were stolen. Officers are in pursuit of the thieves and it is hoped that they will be captured.
There is a break in the canal at the aqueduct, and there is no water in the canal at this point.

May 10, 1886                                        ARGUS

8-5-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
On Sunday night, August 1st, the large frame barn of George Hetrich, in Jackson township burned to the ground, together with all of the contents; thirty tons of hay, about one thousand bushels unthreshed wheat, all agricultural machinery used on the farm, and also three horses. The fire was first discovered shortly after midnight, when it had already made such headway that the north part of the roof began to fall in, and nothing could be saved, except two horses. The loss to Mr. Hetrich is very heavy, he has however a partial insurance in the Delphos Mutual Farmers Insurance Company.
A daughter of Squire Lehmkuhle, twelve years old, is dangerously sick of cholera morbus.
The marriage of William Burgie and Miss Margaretha Studer took place at the Catholic Church in this place on Tuesday last. The young wedded couple is sojourning in the eastern part of the State at this time.
Mr. Fredrich, of Detroit, Michigan, was here last Monday with samples of church windows, in anticipation of getting the contract for the windows in our church.

August 2, 1886                                        ARGUS

9-23-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
The whistle of Nick Schulien’s mill is heard once again and he is now pushing things with new vigor.
Mr. B. J. Straman has bought the blacksmith shop owned by Frank Baker and is at work in it. Farmers will find him daily at his anvil.
The schoolhouse in this village was supplied with new patent seats last week. School has taken up with Mr. J. B. Gard as teacher of the higher department, Anna Helmkamp as teacher of the primary department.
Died on last Sunday, of typhoid fever, Mr. Henry Gutekunst, aged 28 years and 29 days. His remains were interred on Tuesday in Christian cemetery at Antioch, Rev. Depuy officiating. The funeral was attended by a large course of friends and relatives, who deeply feel his loss. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn his early death.
The little infant son of Henry Beckman died last Monday. Little Henry was about eighteen months old, and suffered a long time before death relieved him.
John Wank and wife, of Seneca County, Ohio, were visiting Mr. Kortokrax family last week.

Sept. 21, 1886                                        ARGUS

10-7-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
The new Ottoville coronet band have received their new instruments and are now making their first noise. The boys are showing great energy in their practice, and we have no doubt will succeed in making a first class music band.
The Ft. Jennings band paid our band a visit last Sunday and discoursed excellent music. They are doing excellently under the leadership of Professor Geier.
Max Winkleman left last Thursday on a trip to Nebraska and Dakota.
Mrs. H. H. Hilvers is lying dangerously sick. Her son and daughter arrived at her bedside last Saturday.
The wife of Squire Seemer, of Jackson Township, Van Wert County, died last Sunday night very suddenly. Dr. Skinner was sent for, but death ensued before he arrived.
Nich. Krebs is building a fine barn and stable on the lots bought of Wm. Fryburger.
Mrs. Kate Rekart and Miss Lizzie Ogly returned here from Saginaw County, Michigan, to visit their friends; the former to stay a while.
The contract for furnishing the stained windows for the new church was awarded to Carter Bros. of Cleveland, Ohio.

Sept. 28, 1886                                        ARGUS

10-21-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
      The past week was one of mourning to a greater degree than any previous, caused by a number of deaths in this neighborhood. The first was Frank J. Hammans, who died last Tuesday of typhoid fever, aged about 35 years. He was resident of this township all of his lifetime, and respected by every one who new him. He leaves a wife and several children. The next death was that of John Miller, a young man of 22 years, who died last Friday of paralysis and fever. On the same day a daughter of H. H. Helves, aged 16 years, died. The young girl summoned per telegraph from Cincinnati to the deathbed of her mother some two weeks ago; she left Cincinnati in delicate health and walked home from Delphos, about nine miles, after night. Her condition kept getting worse until death ensued. The loss is doubly heavy on the family. On last Saturday morning Mr. Jacob Edwards died very suddenly of apoplexy while husking corn in the field. He was about 60 years of age, served in the 118 Regiment during the war, and was a pensioner.
This Sunday morning intelligence reaches us of the death of Frank H. Heitz of Delphos, contractor and builder of the new church at this place, which occurred last night after a short illness. His loss falls heavily on his family, and is also a great misfortune to this congregation.
Mr. George Halter and Jos. Muhlenbach returned home Tuesday night from an extended visit to Stark County, Ohio, and the eastern part of the state, their former home.
Mrs. S. Kehres and daughter returned from a trip to Kansas, and brought with them her son Charley and family, who resided there a few years, to live here in future.
Mr. Rathburn has moved to town to work on the shoe bench for Frank Krebs.
Mr. L. Rieger is building a shoe shop on his lot, and will hereafter follow that business.

October 17, 1886                                  ARGUS

12-2-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
Mr. Henry Beckman and his father have been to Cincinnati to have the old man’s eyes operated on for cataract.
Mr. C. G. Wannemacher has the contract for building two new schoolhouses in Paulding County.
Mr. N. Schulien has shipped a lot of hickory double and single trees to Springfield, for the Champion Reaper Company.
Mr. A. DeCurtins & son, of Carthagena, Ohio, were here during this week taking details in view to contract for the completion of the new church.
A lot of sand was hauled for plastering of the church, which will be commenced early in the spring.
Mrs. Kennington and Ludwina Kehres from Mechanicsburg, Ohio, are here visiting the parents of the later.
Mr. Henry Worst and John Schwartzmueller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, are here to view their old home.
Geb. and Len. Gmeiner have returned home from Michigan.
Mr. John Giesken of Grand City, Missouri, is back to see his old friends.
Married at the Catholic Church, on last Thursday, Mr. Barney Giesken and Miss Anna Brandehoff. They have settled on their farm on Dog Creek.
Mr. Melchers of the St. Louis Amerika and Mr. Pruenter of the Lima Courier were here, both soliciting for their papers.
Both of our tile yards and the brickyard, ready to fill orders in their line in any quantity.

Nov. 28, 1886                                        ARGUS

12-30-1886 PCS
Ottoville Items
Daniel Mueller, a brother of Father Mueller, has bought part of section 16, Van Wert county, and moved here with his family from Huron county, and will improve his land.
Charles Kehres has bought the Epps farm on the county line and settled on it with his family.
Mr. Berner has sold his land to N. Needling and bought part of the True Payne farm.
Jos. Pittner returned home from the Michigan pineries after an absence of nearly five years.
Ex-Squire Wannemacher made a trip to Boston last week and Dr. Skinner one to Ft. Wayne.
The grain blockade is heavily felt at this point. No shipments can be had per Narrow Gauge, they having no cars. However when the freights shall have risen they will move faster. The elevator here has taken in as high as 1000 bushels per day.
Christmas has brought many a smile to the faces of our young folks. In the evening the coronet band serenaded in front of the Beckman House – it meant the proprietors birthday! A happier crown we have never seen.
Sheriff Wannemacher and wife spent Christmas at their old home here among their relatives.
Gross & Brown, the planing mill firm, have dissolved their partnership.
Our hardware merchant, Charles Wannemacher has just received a shipment of wagons per railroad, from the Turnbull wagon works at Defiance. They seem to give excellent satisfaction, inasmuch as he sold thirty-five of them during the last nine months.

Dec. 26, 1886                                      ARGUS

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