John Wiest

As printed in 1913

JOHN WIEST.

John Wiest, who bases his success in agricultural work upon hard work and a practical knowledge of farming, is the owner of a fine tract of one hundred and nineteen acres in Pitt township and is recognized as a factor in the agricultural growth of that section. He was born in Richland township, Marion county, March 24, 1855, and is a son of Christopher and Mary (Wilt) Wiest, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1822 and the latter in Stark county, Ohio, in 1831. The father came to America when he was fifteen years of age and settled immediately in Richland township, where for fifteen years he worked as a coach driver, later engaging in farming. He died in 1901, having survived his wife since 1889. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are now living except three, namely: Christopher, who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Caroline and another child who died in infancy. Those who survive are Louisa, Barbara, John, Samuel, Lena, Caroline, Christina, Maggie and Charles.

John Wiest's educational opportunities were limited to three months' attendance in the district schools of Little Sandusky and he is therefore largely self-educated, his knowledge coming as the result of observation, reading and study in later life. From the age of fifteen until he was twenty he aided in the operation of the home farm and then in 1875 purchased land on his own account, buying eighty acres which he sold in 1908. In that year he purchased one hundred and nineteen acres in Pitt township and has since engaged in farming and stock-raising upon this property, both branches of his business being extremely profitable. He raises oats, com, wheat and hay and keeps three hundred and fifty Duroc Jersey hogs, three hundred sheep, sixty head of cattle and fifteen horses, his animals commanding a high price and a ready sale in the local markets. Mr. Wiest has improved his farm with a modern residence, good barns and outbuildings and has

installed all of the conveniences and accessories necessary in the operation of a model agricultural enterprise.

On January 14, 1870, in Upper Sandusky, Mr, Wiest was united in marriage to Miss Emma Swinehart, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Swinehart, the former a farmer in Pitt township. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest are the parents of three children: Daisy M., who married Edward Hornby, a farmer in Pitt township, by whom she has one daughter, Ima; Alrader, a farmer in Pitt township, who married Miss Wyna Mauser, by whom he has one. child, Mozella; and Maud C, who married Clarence Roberts, a farmer of Pitt township, by whom she has two daughters, Katherine and Helen.

Mr. Wiest 's fraternal afl&lations are with the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees. He is a member of the Wyandot Mutual Protective Association, and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party and has served his fellow citizens as supervisor of Pitt township for five years and as treasurer of the school board for third;een years. His influence is ever on the side of right and progress and his labors have therefore been a force in the county's advancement.

As printed in Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement; (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.