Joseph F. Kiess

As printed in 1912

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 History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.