The Kettenring Family

J. F. Kettenring in Biographical Record of Ashland County, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

J. F. KETTENRING.

J. F. Kettenring, who owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and five acres on section 35, Green township, was born in Knox township, Holmes county, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1856. His parents, Melchor and Christina (Price) Kettenring, were both natives of Canton Pir- masens, Germany, the father’s birth occurring July 25, 1815, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 10th of January, 1815. The> were married in this country and both passed away on the farm on which our subject now resides, Melchor Kettenring dying October 10, 1887, at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 14th of April, 1894, when seventy-eight years of age. The record of their children is as follows: Henry, deceased; Jacob, a resident of Green township; Katharine, the wife of John Kaylor, of Wisconsin; Adam, who makes his home in Loudonville; Lany, the wife of Jacob Wolf, of Viola, Kansas; Elizabeth, the wife of Jonas

Etzwiler, of Green township; John, who died in early life; and J. F., of this review.

In 1869, J. F. Kettenring accompanied his parents on their removal to the farm on which he has since resided in Green township, the property com- prising one hundred and five acres and being located one and three-fourths miles northwest of Loudonville on the Perrysville road. Here he is success- fully carrying on general farming and stock raising, both branches of his business bringing to him a gratifying financial return, owing to his well directed labor and capable management. In 1906 he built a large bank barn, thirty- six by seventy-two feet, and his place is lacking in none of the accessories and equipments which go to make up a model farming property of the twentieth century. He is likewise a director in the Farmers Telephone Company and is widely recognized as a most substantial and enterprising citizen of the community.

In 1875 Mr. Kettenring was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Miller, a native of Washington township, Holmes county, Ohio, her natal day being April 13, 1856. Her parents, Frederick and Katharine (Swaidner) Miller, were born in Bavaria, Germany, and Columbiana county, Ohio, respectively, the father coming to the United States at the age of seventeen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller passed away in Holmes county, Ohio, and all of their eleven children, with the exception of one who died at the age of fourteen years, lived to reach maturity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kettenring have been born the following children: Clara Ida, the wife of J. S. Barr, of Cleveland, by whom she has three sons, Brick, Robert E. and Paul; Dora Anna, who is the wife of Frank Carey, of Green township, and has one child, Vera Margaret; Minnie, who died in infancy; and Clarence William, at home. He is a graduate of Loudonville high school and the Fort Wayne Business College of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was married June 3, 1908, to Freda B. Lemon of Loudonville.

Politically Mr. Kettenring is a democrat and for four terms capably served as township trustee. He is now a member of the township board of education, the cause of public instruction finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church of Loudonville, in which he has acted as a trustee for the past twenty years. Having lived in this county for forty years, he is widely and favorably known within its borders, his life record having ever been honorable and upright and such as to win for him the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.

GEORGE J. LEONI1ART.

George J. Leonhart, proprietor of the Elks Cafe, a popular dining parlor of Ashland, is a native of Sullivan county, New York, born in the village of Callieoon, June 10, 1858. His parents were John and Mary (Gundlach) Leonhart. His father was born in Alsace, then a French province, and came to the United States when a young man, locating in the above named village, where he engaged in the mercantile business until 1862 when, with his wife and

family, he came to Ashland. Here he remained but a few months, when he removed to Nashville, Holmes county, Ohio, and there for three years was proprietor of a hotel. Subsequently he settled in Leesville, Crawford county, this state, where he engaged in the hotel business until his death, which occurred April 2, 1870, when in his thirty-eighth year. His widow then returned to New York state, where her parents resided, and later was united in marriage to a Mr. Kauffman, after whose death she wedded Jacob Broadt of Akron, Ohio, who departed this life leaving his widow now living in Ashland.

In the public schools George J. Leonhart received his educational advant- ages and at an early age, when about fourteen years old, started out to make his own way in the world, his first venture being at farming at which he continued for two years. On the expiration of that time he was apprenticed to a butcher, by whom he was employed for five years, and upon becoming of age, in the meantime having laid by the greater portion of his earnings, he entered the saloon business in Zanesville, Ohio. After carrying on this enterprise for about a year he disposed of it and located in Ashland where he carried on the same business until February, 1905, when the Beall law went into effect and the saloons were compelled to close their doors. Mr. Leonhart from that time until 1907 lived in retirement, and two years ago established himself in his present business.

On December 21, 1882, Mr. Leonhart wedded Miss Delia Merling of Ash- land. He is an energetic business man and of everything to which he has thus far turned his attention he has made a success. His present enterprise is thriving under his careful management and is among the best paying businesses in the city.

Source: Biographical Record of Ashland County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.