In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1905) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and (1899), The county of Williams : a history of Williams County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on various subjects, including each of the different townships ; also a biographical departme (1905)
PHILIP WEIDNER.
This member of the firm of P. Weidner & Co., general merchants of Kunkle, Williams county, has demonstrated the true meaning of the word “success” as the full accomplishment of an honorable purpose. Energy, close application, perseverance and good management — these are the elements which have entered into his business career and crowned his efforts with prosperity.
Mr. Weidner was born August 23, 1840, in Richland county, Ohio, a son of Wendal and Catherine (Weidner) Weidner, who, though bearing the same name, were not related previous to their marriage. Both were born on the Rhine, in Baden, Germany, were there married, and in 1831 crossed the Atlantic, becoming residents of Richland county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining days. The father purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he transformed into a good farm, and upon that place died in 1873 aged seventy-three years; his wife passing away in 1855. They held membership in the German Reformed Church, and politically he was identified with the Democratic party. Their children were: Mrs. Christine Pfingsday, who was born in Germany; William, a resident of Mansfield, Ohio; Henry, who lives on the old homestead; George, of Williams county; Catherine, of Mansfield; Philip, the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, wife of J. Dohm, a farmer of Williams county.
The common schools of his native county afforded our subject his educational privileges, and upon the home farm he was reared to habits of industry. On leaving the parental roof in 1860, he came to Williams county, where during the first year he was employed at chopping timber and clearing land at twelve dollars per month, and then engaged in carpenter work until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Hancock’s Corps, Army of the Potomac. When the war was over he was mustered out at Baltimore, Maryland, and at Columbus, Ohio, was paid off and received an honorable discharge. During his service he was mostly engaged in guard duty.
On his return to Williams county, Mr. Weidner resumed work at r the carpenter’s trade, but in the fall of 1865 he purchased eighty acres of timber land, and began to clear and improve the place, erecting thereon a small frame residence. Having secured a home, he in 1867 married Miss Catherine E. Stiving, a native of Richland county, and a daughter of Philip and Leah (Dohm) Stiving. Her father was born on the Rhine, in Baden, Germany, and in 1821, when a lad of thirteen years, came to the New World with his parents, Jacob and Savilla (Weidner) Stiving, who subsequently became residents of Richland county, Ohio, where they invested their capital in raw land. Jacob Stiving, as well as the other members of the family, labored at anything by which he could make an honest living, and at intervals worked on his own land in order to make a home for the family. Finally he was able to devote his entire attention to the cultivation and improvement of his own land. He died upon that place, and his wife later made her home among her children in Williams county, where she passed away at the age of eighty-two.
Philip Stiving grew to manhood in Richland county, where for several years he operated rented farms, and where most of his children were born. On coming to Williams county in 1856, he purchased a tract of wild land, which he converted into a good farm, and meeting with success in his undertakings, he later became the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land, and a half of that amount he placed under cultivation. When he arrived here, in order to reach his new home he had to cut a road through the forest, and the family made their temporary home in an old shanty until a more substantial log house could be erected. This was afterward weather-boarded and made into a comfortable home, and in subsequent years was replaced with an elegant two-story brick residence, supplied with all modern conveniences. In connection with general farming he also dealt quite extensively in stock, especially cattle and horses. Both he and his wife died in 1888, the latter surviving him only six months. Before leaving his native land he joined the Lutheran Church, always adhered to that faith, was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. To his children he left a valuable estate, and they have carried forward the work he inaugurated, and are to-day prominent and useful members of society. In order of birth they are as follows: Catherine, wife of our subject; Jacob, a farmer; Mrs. Mary Traxler; George, a farmer; Mrs. Sarah A. Greek; Peter, a farmer; Mrs. Emma J. Keller; and Savilla L., wife of J. Kunkle.
Mr. and Mrs. Weidner began their domestic life upon his farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until it became one of the best farms in the locality, a good orchard having been planted, a two-story frame residence erected and substantial outbuildings. In 1875 he left the farm and removed to the village of Kunkle, where he invested one thousand dollars in a stock of merchandise, becoming third owner in a general store; but at the end of three years sold his interest, and for a year engaged in contracting and building. At the end of that time, however, he purchased the store, with which he was formerly connected, and so rapidly has his trade increased that he has greatly enlarged his stock, and in 1896 was forced to add a new store room to his building, now occupying a good double store, in which he carries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, etc. lie also deals in country produce, buying and shipping large quantities of poultry, wool, hay, clover seed, etc. Being a popular merchant, he has met with well-deserved success, has become quite wealthy, and, besides his home in Kunkle, he owns a fine brick residence in that village, where he makes his home, and a good farm in Williams county. For eleven years he acceptably served as postmaster at Kunkle, but resigned in 1886 in order to give his entire attention to his business interests.
To Mr. and Mrs. Weidner have been born three children, namely: George, who is married, and is now interested in the store; Homer, who is also in the store; and Laura, at home. Although Mr. Weidner still superintend both farm and store, he leaves the more arduous labors to his sons, who are wide-awake, progressive young business men. Since attaining his majority he has been identified with the Democratic party; socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 821, of Kunkle, and London Post, G.
As printed in Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
PHILIP WEIDNER, head of the well-known firm of P. Weidner & Co., engaged in the general merchandise business in Kunkle, is a citizen who has turned the tide of success by his own vigorous efforts and who has gained high standing in the community both as a citizen and as a business man, and his marked prosperity has a substantial basis in honorable and legitimate effort. He was born in Richland county, O., on the 23d of August, 1840, and is a son of Wendal and Catherine (Weidner) Weidner, both of whom were born in the Rhine district of Baden, Germany, where they were reared and educated, and while both bore the same name they were not consanguineous. They were married in the Fatherland and in 1831 severed the home ties and came to America, making Richland county, O., their destination and there passed the remainder of their lives, being persons of inflexible integrity and of industrious habits. Mr. Weidner purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he reclaimed and improved, and on this homestead he continued to reside until his death, in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, his devoted wife having passed away in 1855, at e age of fifty-six years. Of their eight children three sons and three daughters are still living. Both were zealous members of the German Reformed church, and in politics the father was a stanch Democrat. In his native country Philip Weidner was reared to the invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools. In 1860 he came to Williams county, where he found employment during the first year in chopping timber and clearing land, receiving twelve dollars a month as compensation. Thereafter he devoted his attention principally to work at the carpenter trade until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, which was a part of General Hancock’s corps in the Army of the Potomac. He served until the close of the war, engaged principally in guard duty, and was mustered out in Baltimore, Md., receiving his honorable discharge at Columbus. O. After the close of his military career Mr. Weidner returned to Williams county, and in the autumn of 1865 he purchased eighty acres of timber land in Madison township, initiating the work of clearing the place and erecting a small frame house on the embryonic farm. In 1867 he was married and he and his bride took up their above in the little home which he had provided, and both bent their energies to the winning of a position of independence. Their co-operation was fruitful in-good results, and the homestead farm in 1875 was one of the best in that section of the county, having a two-story frame residence and other substantial buildings, while thrift was evident on every side. In 1875 Mr. Weidner left the farm and removed to the village of Kunkle, where he invested one thousand dollars in a stock of merchandise, acquiring a third interest in a general store. Three years later he retired from the firm and for the ensuing year gave his attention to contracting and building. He then purchased the store with which he had previously been connected, and he has built up a very extensive business, the same being quartered in a commodious double store-room, in which the various departments are stocked with the best lines of merchandise german thereto, and the trade is of a representative order and drawn from a wide area of surrounding country. The reputation of the house is of the highest, and this fact indicates the honorable business policy which has been followed without the slightest deviation. In the business Mr. Weidner is associated with his sons, who are progressive and capable young business men. The fifm also buy and ship large quantities of poultry, wool, hay, clover seed, etc. Mr. Weidner owns his store building and a handsome brick residence in Kunkle, and his landed estate in the county now comprises two hundred and fifteen acres, including his original homestead, on which he laid the foundation for his pronounced success. In June, 1903, Mr. Weidner and his two sons organized a bank, under the State law, and they adopted the title of the Kunkle State Banking Company, under which incorporation was made and the banking business initiated. The bank has received a gratifying support and its officers are as follows: Philip Weidner, president; and George W. Weidner, cashier. Mr. Weidner is also a stockholder and director in the Kunkle Furniture Manufacturing Company. In politics he has been unfaltering in his allegiance to the Democracy, whose cause he has supported from the time of attaining his franchise. He was the first postmaster of Kunkle and retained this office for a period of eleven years, at the expiration of which he resigned in order to give his entire time to his business interests. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A broad-minded, public-spirited man, no citizen of the community is held in higher esteem and none has achieved success by more worthy means. In 1866 Mr. Weidner was united in marriage to Miss Catherine E. Stiving, who was born in Richland county, a daughter of Philip and Leah (Dohm) Stiving, who came to Williams county in 1856, here passing the remainder of their lives, and both dying in 1888. Mr. Stiving was one of the representative farmers of the county and a citizen of worth and influence. Concerning the Stiving family proper data will be found on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Weidner have three children: George Washington, the eldest, was born in Madison township, this county, on the 2d of March, 1870, and was educated in the excellent public schools of the county. In 1891 he married Miss Maggie Connolly, of Madison township, and she died in 1892, leaving one child, Maggie. In August, 1894, he married a second time, his choice being Miss Jennie Greek, daughter of Joseph Greek, of Millcreek township, and they have one daughter, Audrey. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been associated with his father in the mercantile business since attaining his legal majority. Homer Frank Weidner was born in Kunkle, October 26, 1875, and received a good educational training in the public schools, while, like his brother, he was reared to the mercantile business, in which he is now associated with his father and brother. He also is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Laura Almeda Weidner was born in Kunkle, May 1, 1877, was given good educational advantages and is now the wife of John Holstien, a successful farmer of this county. They have two children — Evaline and Florence Kathleen.
LOUIS WEIGLE has one of the extensive and finely improved farms of Superior township and is one of those who are upholding the high prestige which has so long been enjoyed by the progressive and enterprising husbandmen of Williams county, which has been his home during the major portion of his life. He was born in Seneca county, O., on the 22d of April, 1860, and is a son of George and Rosanna (Winter) Weigle. George Weigle was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 17th of November, 1821, and in the Fatherland he was reared and educated, while he there served a three years’ apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, becoming a skilled workman. His father died in Germany, and in 1846, accompanied by his widowed mother, he came to America and located in Seneca county, O., where he followed his trade until 1861, when he came to Williams county and purchased a tract of land in Superior township, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, developing one of the valuable farms of the county and ever retaining the implicit confidence and regard of the community, in which his influence was always exerted for good in the various material and social relations of life. He continued to reside on his homestead until about 1892, when he removed to Winfield, Kan., where he died in September, 1897, his devoted wife, to whom he was married April 2. 1850, having passed to the life eternal on the 20th of September, 1891. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Jacob, who married Mary Pennington and is engaged in farming in Cowley county, Kan.; Sophia, who is a resident of Winfield, Kan.; Louise, who is the wife of Jacob Beck of Montpelier, Williams county; George, who married Miss Alice Clark and is engaged in the hardware business in Pewoma, Mich.; Louis, who is the immediate subject of this review; John, who married Miss Lura Crawford arid is engaged in farming in this county; William F., who married Miss Sadie Stephenson and is now a resident of Cowley county, Kan.; Rosanna, who resides in Winfield, Kan.; and Gustave and Rosella, who are deceased. Louis Weigle received a good public school education in Superior township, being reared on the farm and continuing to attend school at intervals until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. Thereafter he worked at the carpenter trade about two years, then passed about four years in the west, visiting various states and territories. He returned to Williams county in 1886 and located upon his present farm, where he has ever since maintained.his home, successfully engaged in diversified agriculture and stock-growing. His farm comprises three hundred and five acres and the greater portion of it is available for cultivation, while the improvements and accessories are of the best order. Though essentially public-spirited and a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, Mr. Weigle has never sought office. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are popular in the community. March 30, 1886, Mr. Weigle was united in marriage to Miss Alice Griffith, daughter of Benjamin L. Griffith, a prominent farmer of Superior township, where she was reared and educated. Of this union have been born four children: Weir, in the Montpelier school; Grace, who died when two years old, the only daughter; Weldon, now attending school; and an infant who died unnamed.
As printed in The county of Williams : a history of Williams County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on various subjects, including each of the different townships ; also a biographical departme (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: George Weigle (b. 1821) Joseph Greek (b. 1844)
Their biographies name Philip Weidner: Daniel B. Stewart
The printed record stops around 1899. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.