In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902)
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 A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1902. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.