The Kiess Family of Crawford County, Ohio

J. H. KIESS,* who has lived on his present farm of 160 acres, situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., for 42 years, has owned this land for 36 of these, purchasing from Jonathan Heinlein, it then being called the old Burkhardt farm. Mr. Kiess was born in Lycoming county, Pa., a son of Jacob and Catherine (Roth) Kiess.

Christopher Kiess, the grandfather, was born in Germany and came from there in 1806 and settled in Lycoming county, Pa., where he was one of the early school teachers. In 1850 the family decided to come to Crawford county, O., and it required two weeks for the loaded farm wagons to make the long overland journey. They settled in Whetstone township and among the good citizens of this section the name is not an unusual one. The mother of J. H. Kiess died after coming to Crawford county, leaving two children: J. H. and Lydia, the latter of whom is now deceased and is survived by her husband, Lewis Cripes. Jacob Kiess married Catherine Delker for his second wife and they had the following children: Simeon, Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, W. C, Christiana and Mary Margaret.

J. H. Kiess had but meager school advantages in the English language but in Pennsylvania attended a German school. His help was needed by his father when he was yet young and he has devoted his whole business life to agricultural pursuits. He has enriched his land and carefully cultivated it and it gives bountiful returns, and his buildings are those that are found on the farms of substantial and self-respecting people, built and kept up not only for shelter but for comfortable living. Mr. Kiess makes no attempt to raise any great aiTiount of stock but always has enough for his own use.

In 1864, Mr. Kiess was married (first) to Miss Elizabeth Cook, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kiess) Cook, and to this marriage the following children were born; Mary B., Franklin J., Ella Lucinda and Matilda, all of whom are deceased; Rebecca, who is the wife of J. P. Crawl; and Ida E., who is the wife of Samuel Keiser. Mr. Kiess was married second to Miss Rachel Cook, a daughter of George and Rebecca (Young) Cook, and they have had five children: Reuben, who is deceased; Wesley, who is a mail carrier; and Olen, Charles F and Bertha May. Mr. Kiess has frequently served in public office but it has not been any political reward as he votes independently. He has been very useful and progressive in relation to educational matters and has been equally concerned in giving the people good roads, for some years serving as road supervisor. With his family he attends the Evangelical church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH F. KIESS was born in Lycoming county. Pa., Sept. 15, 1849, was too young to recall the adventures incident to the long trip over the mountains when his parents came to Crawford county from his native place. He grew to manhood in Whetstone township and, with his brothers and sisters, attended the district school. When he left home he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the old homestead and still owns 390 acres of valuable land in Whetstone township, on which he made fine improvements. He was an extensive farmer, stock raiser and sheep grower and for years kept some 500 head of sheep. In April,

191 1, he retired, having erected a handsome residence on the corner of Lucas and East streets, Bucyrus, and here enjoys all the comforts that modern building now provides. Formerly he was quite active in township affairs and served on the school board and in other offices.

Joseph F. Kiess was married (first) to Miss Rebecca Haldeman, who was born in Morrow county, O., in April, 1856, and died in her home on the farm in Whetstone township, March 17, 1901, having been a member of the Evangelical church for years. She was a young woman when she accompanied her parents, Rev. Christophei and Susanna (Brickley) Haldeman, to Gallon, O., where both died advanced in years. Mrs. Rebecca Kiess was survived by two children: Viola, who is the widow of John Sherer, who died in October, 1910, leaving three children: Catherine R., Evelyn and Joseph N., and Winfield Scott, who manager his father's large farming interests. He married Sadie Cook and they have two children: Leona and William H. Mr. Kiess was married (second) at Bucyrus, Aug. 24, 1909, to Mrs. Elnora (Niebel) Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county, O., and completed her education at the Tiffin high school. In early womanhood she was married to Scott Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county in May, 1860, and died at Sycamore, in November, 1903. He left no children. The parents of Mrs. Kiess were Abraham and Catherine (Haldeman) Niebel, who were of German ancestry but were born in Pennsylvania. They were married in Morrow county, O., and then moved to Wyandot county, where the mother of Mrs. Kiess died. Her father resides at Sycamore and is in his 72nd year. Her one brother, Orval Niebel, is principal of the Sycamore schools, married Marcella Musser and they have one daughter, Catherine. The grandfather of Mrs. Kiess, Enos Niebel, moved from Pennsylvania to Wyandot county in 1829, and died at Sycamore, O., in May, 191 1, when 97 years of age. His father was an early preacher in the Albright, now the Evangelical church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Kiess belong.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM C. KIESS.

The subject of this review is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of his career, has battle earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the leading citizens of Crawford county, where he is now occupying the position of judge of the probate court, having entered upon the duties of his office on the 9th of February, 1900. His public service has demonstrated that the trust reposed in him is fully merited, and his name is now found on the record of reliable and capable officials in this section of Ohio.

Mr. Kiess was born on a farm in Whetstone township, in 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Delker) Kiess. His paternal grandfather, Christopher Kiess, was a native of Germany, received excellent educational privileges and became a successful teacher in his native land. Crossing the Atlantic to America, he followed the profession of teaching for twenty years in Pennsylvania. Jacob Kiess, the father of our subject, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Catherine Delker. whose birth occurred in Germany, and who came to the United States when a maiden of fifteen summers. In the year 1850 they removed to Crawford county, locating upon a farm, which the father owned and operated until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife passed away in 1885, at the age of sixty-nine years. They were people of the highest respectability, enjoying the esteem and good will of all with whom they came in contact. Of their family, four sons and a daughter are living, namely: William Christopher, of this review; Jonathan H., Simeon and Joseph H., all of whom are successfully following farming in Whetstone township; and Mrs. M. A. Butts, of Hiawatha, Kansas. Two sons, Daniel and Samuel, and two daughters, Lydia and May Margaret, are deceased.

Born upon his father's farm, William Christopher Kiess was there reared and early- took his place in the fields to assist in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. In the public schools he acquired his elementary education, which was supplemented by study in the Ada Normal University in the year 1887-8. Subsequently he became identified with educational work, and for seven years was known as a competent instructor in the schools of Whetstone township. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, then called him to public office, and for four years he served as clerk of the township, and was also land appraiser there. In the fall of 1899 he was elected to the office of probate judge of Crawford county and entered upon his duties February 9, 1900, for a three years' term, so that he is the present incumbent. He is extremely faithful, prompt and reliable in performing the labors that devolve upon him, and is making a most creditable record.

Mr. Kiess was united in marriage, in 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Wagner, a daughter of John and Mary Wagner, of Wrhetstone township, who came to Crawford county from Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1852. Both have now passed away, the father dying at the age of sixty-four years, the mother being called to her final rest when sixty-nine years of age. The marriage of the Judge and Mrs. Kiess has been blessed with two children, — Thomas Clinton, who is now seventeen years of age and is a student in the high school, and Bessie Belle, who is also pursuing her studies in the schools of Bucyrus. In his political affiliations the Judge has ever been a Democrat, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, politically and otherwise. His religious views are indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church. On the 15th of March. 1900. he removed his family to Bucyrus, where they now occupy a pleasant home, which is celebrated for its gracious hospitality.

In the county which has been his home throughout his entire life Judge Kiess has made many warm friends, owing" to his possession of those sterling traits of character which every where command admiration and respect.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SIDNEY ELLSWORTH KIESS, a general farmer who has been very successful in his agricultural operations, resides on his own farm of eighty acres and is interested with his father in 160 acres, both properties lying in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O. He was born in Whetstone township, July 25, 1868, and is a son of Simeon and Catherine (Kile) Kiess.

Simeon Kiess was born in Lycoming county, Pa., a son of Jacob and Catherine Kiess, of German extraction, and for many years was a farmer in Whetstone township and now lives retired at Bucyrus. He is a Democrat in his political views and both he and wife are members of the Evangelical church. He married Catherine Kile, who was born in Whetstone township, a daughter of Tobias and Catherine Kile, and they have three children: Sidney E.; Harvey E., who is cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank, Bucyrus; and Verne E., who is a farmer in Whetstone township.

Sidney E. Kiess attended the public schools and assisted his father on the home farm until he was 22 years of age and afterward engaged in farming for himself. In 1900, in partnership with his father, he bought 160 acres of the old Elias Lavely farm and in the spring of 191 1, purchased the remaining eighty acres. This is considered a fine property, the land being well situated for both farming and stock raising and improved with substantial buildings including two houses and two barns. Mr. Kiess is an intelligent and progressive farmer, a member of the local Grange, and he is also one of the leading Democrats of the township and served for seven years as township trustee. On Jan. 29, 1891, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Amanda M. Cook, a daughter of Fred and Rosanna (Wagner) Cook. They were both born in Lycoming county. Pa., their parents being George and Margaret Cook and John and Catherine Wagner, and they now live retired at Bucyrus and are members of the Evangelical church. They have three children: Mrs. Kiess; Harvey W., who is a farmer in Whetstone township; and Earl E., who is assistant cashier of the Second National Bank at Bucyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two interesting children, a son and daughter, Harold Raymond, who was born Nov. 29, 1901, and [name withheld], who was born June 13, 1910. They attend the Evangelical church. Mr. Kiess is one of the township's substantial as well as reliable citizens and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Citizens Bank at Bucyrus.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

VERNE E. KIESS,* who is one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., operating 200 acres of farming land belonging to his father, was born in Whetstone township, April 30, 1880, and is a son of Simeon and Catherine ( Kile) Kiess. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Ohio, and they now live retired at Pucyrus. Three of their children died in infancy and three survive: Sidney, llarvey and Verne E.

Until he was 19 years of age, Verne E. Kiess attended school every winter and a portion of the time the summer sessions as well, hut as he became strong enough his help was needed on the home farm, where ploughing, seeding, having and harvest taxed the endurance of his father and brothers, lie remained at home until his marriage, in 1904, and then took charge of the farm that he has been managing ever since. Like other members of his family he is a Democrat in politics hut has never been a seeker for office.

On Oct. 20, 1904, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Rebecca Neff, who is a daughter of John and Emma ( McKinstry) Nell, farmers in Marion county, O. Mr. and Mrs. Neff had seven children: Rebecca, Kinsel, Lena, Laura, Paul, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two daughters: Marjorie, who was born Dec. 7, 1905; and Marion, who was born July 14, 1908. They attend the Evangelical church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WINFIELD S. KIESS, who, as his father's representative, successfully operates one of the large farms of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., 390 acres of very valuable land, belongs to a well known and highly respected family of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, Oct. 12, 1880, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Haldeman) Kiess.

Joseph Kiess came to Ohio from Lycoming county, Pa., and now lives retired at Bucyrus. He married Rebecca Haldeman, who was born at Galion, O., and died March 19, 1902. They had two children: Winfield S.; Viola, who married J. A. Shearer and has three children, namely: Catherine, Eveline, Joseph. The father of the above family has always given political support to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Evangelical church, to which his wife also belonged.

Winfield S. Kiess attended the public schools and afterward the Ohio Northern

University, at Ada, O. His business has been farming but during six winter terms he made use of his decided musical talent, being director of music during that time in the public schools of both Whetstone and Liberty townships. His present farm, known as the Joseph Kiess homestead, not only now engaged all his time and attention but makes it necessary for him to keep two hired farmers and also to utilize the services of a boy, all the year round. Mr. Kiess is very enterprising, keeps thoroughly posted as to crops, stock and other matters pertaining to his business, and is numbered with the most reliable farmers of this part of the county.

In October, 1904, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Sadie Cook, a daughter of Philip and Rachel (Nefif) Cook, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Cook, who is a retired farmer now living at Bucyrus, married Mary Lust for his second wife, and three children were born to them; Minnie, Bessie and Ethel. To his first marriage the following children were born: Ella, wife of William Ronk; Sadie, wife of Winfield S. Kiess; Clara, wife of William Hosterman; Emma, wife of Clarence Kelly; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two bright little ones, Leona and William. They attend the Evangelical church. Politically Mr. Kiess is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Maccabees. Although his father still owns this farm, its entire management and direction is in the hands of Mr. Kiess.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.