L. William Mundhenk

As printed in 1882

L. WILLIAM MUNDHENK, farmer, P. 0. Pyrmont, is the youngest son of Mary Ann Mundhenk, who was born in Germany, February 13, 1790, and is a daughter of John Henry and Anna Maria Feit, natives of Germany. In the fall of 1806 they determined to.emigrate to America, their country then being engaged in war, it was expected that all their sons old enough to do military duty would be forced into the army, it was arranged that the mother and her children should proceed to America and Mr. Feit should follow the next year, or as soon as possible By strategy and careful management, the family eluded the sentries, and arrived at Amsterdam, where they obtained passes to America and set sail on the ship “ Cornelia,” under Capt. Delmore. But before reaching the ocean, while passing through the English Channel, the mother was taken sick and died, and by the kindness of the Captain they were permitted to take her body on shore where it was buried. Then the children were left alone, without father or mother, and continued their journey, and in due time landed safely at Philadelphia where the children were 11 sold” or bound out to pay their passage. The father, who remained in Germany, tried to follow his family, but as he was aged and no friends with him, he was refused passage, and before an opportunity came for him to get away he was taken sick and died. Mary Ann, the mother of our subject, after serving three years in Philadelphia to pay her passage, continued to work out till June 4, 1812, when she married Lewis Mundhenk, a native of Germany, and on the next day they departed for New York, where they resided four years; thence removed to Ohio, locating in Montgomery County, near Germantown, and a few years after located on the place where she now lives and has since resided; being the first and only settler at that time between Lewisburg and Brookville. Here they opened out in the woods in an open log cabin in November in the midst of a deep snow; here they toiled and labored year after year to make a farm and a home, “ Aunt Mary” proving a true helpmeet, being robust and healthy. She would chop wood, grub, make fence, etc., would do more work than half the men. They knew no such word as “ fail,” and they did not, but cleared up and became owners of a large farm, erected large and commodious buildings, and now have a beautiful home and farmer’s residence. But for twenty-one years before the death of Mr. Mundhenk, his mind became affected from religious excitement, so that he was unfitted for business; and during this time especially appeared the great powers, mentally and physically, of “ Aunt Mary,” who, with her children, took charge of and kept the business of the farm moving right along; and we may safely say that not one woman in a thousand has gone through or could go through the hardships and trials she has endured. She has been the mother of eleven children, seven grew to maturity; five now survive — Anna Maria, Philip, Lewis, Daniel E. and L. William. Mr. Mundhenk departed this life April 10, 1859. Since his death his wife has resided with our subject on the old home farm. William was married September 11, 1857. to Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. William and Martha Sodders, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. William and wife have three children — Martha Dell, Clarence W. and Lizzie Forest. We have here a brief sketch of one of the early pioneers, and whose labors and hardships are but partially portrayed, yet we trust we have placed enough on these pages of history to carry her in grateful remembrance to the descendants of future generations, who shall have to sow and reap much from the benefits of her many labors.

As printed in The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.