Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

Source:
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, OHIO
and Representative Citizens
Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio
Published by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Illinois
1907

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	ABRAHAM G. FAST, an old settler and well-known citizen of Mercer County, who is also a survivor of the great Civil War, resides on his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres, which is situated in section I, Hopewell township.  Mr. Fast was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 9, 1843, and is a son of Abraham and Mary J. (McGinter) Fast.      The parents of Mr. Fast were also natives of Fairfield County, where their parents had been among the earliest pioneers. Jacob Fast, the great-grandfather of our subject, came to Fairfield County from New Jersey at an extremely early date.  In 1852 Abraham G. Fast accompanied his parents from Fairfield to Mercer County, and they settled in Center township, where they were among the early settlers.      Abraham G. Fast was reared in Center township, and enjoyed only the educational advantages offered by the pioneer schools.  From his youth up he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. On February 22, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company D, 71st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in the service almost two years.  During this time served under Generals Sherman and Thomas, and participated in a number of the great marches and battles which occurred in the closing years of the great struggle.  He was present at the siege and taking of Atlanta, and after his regiment was attached to the Fourth Army Corps he was engaged in the battle of Franklin, the siege and battle of Nashville, and later was sent to Texas, where this army corps became a part of the Army of Observation.  He was honorably discharged in November, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, having been mustered out in Texas.  He immediately returned to Mercer County, of which he has been a resident ever since.  Although he was subjected to many dangers, he escaped them all and has the record of a brave, cheerful, faithful soldier.      On January 17, 1867, Mr. Fast was married to Loverda Doty, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, June 3, 1850, and is a daughter of Thomas and Rhoda (Hinkle) Doty.  The Doty family settled in Auglaize County in early times and when the mother of Mrs. Fast first came there the present busy town of St. Marys had but a few log houses.  Mr. and Mrs. Fast have had 13 children, the seven survivors being: Ethan H., of Hopewell township; Thomas Sherman, also of Hopewell township; Mary A., wife of Charles Rickets, of Hopewell township; Rhoda R., wife of Michael Wilson of Union township; and Dee W., Myrtle B. and Icy Sciota, all at home.  All the members of this family, including children and grandchildren, are members of the Church of God.      Mr. Fast has been very prominent in the development of this section, encouraging educational progress, moral movements and material improvements.  He has served at various times on the School Board of Hopewell township.  He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at St. Marys. Few men of this section are better or more favorably known. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page  702
	ETHAN H. FAST, a well-known agriculturist of Hopewell township, now serving his second term as a member of the township Board of Education, belongs to an old family of this county. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, January 5, 1867, and is a son of Abraham G. Fast.      Abraham G. Fast was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a lad of nine years when his parents came to Mercer County and settled in Center township. His home for many years has been in Hopewell township, section 1.      Ethan H. Fast was educated in the schools of Hopewell township and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and now owns a well-cultivated farm of 60 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in public questions in his locality and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens in large degree.  He is serving his second term as a member of the .Board of Education and gives a large amount of time to the proper per­formance of the duties of this office.      Mr. Fast was married to Allie Crane, who was born in Mercer County,. Ohio, and is a daughter of the late E. S. Crane. They have had six children, namely: Herbert E., Hazel, Laird G., Myrtle V., Earnest Fidelis, who died aged 17 months; and Irvin A. Mr. Fast is a member of the Church of ; God and holds the office of deacon. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page  725
	LOUIS FELTZ, whose valuable farm of 97 acres is situated in section 20, Marion township, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 24, 1841, and is a son of Florenz and Margaret (Loeffler) Feltz.      The father of Mr. Feltz was born in that part of France that is now included in Germany in 1803, and served in the French Army for a period of eight years.  He was twice married, first to a French lady, who accompanied him to America, with their two children, Florenz and Joseph.  The former married Lena Rable, served as a soldier in the United States Army, and now resides at Wapakoneta.  The latter who is deceased, was also a soldier in the United States Army, and lived at Baraboo, Wisconsin.  The mother of these sons died in Seneca County.  After some time, Mr. Feltz married Margaret Loeffler, and two children were born to this union, namely: Louis, of this sketch, and George, a prominent citizen of Lima, who married Elizabeth Holdgraven.  George Feltz is auditor of Allen County, and for years has been a man of consequence there.  While editing one of the Lima journals, he spent some time abroad and during this period wrote very entertaining letters to his subscribers.  Upon his return he had much to say in praise of foreign countries, but always concluded with the statement "America is home."       When our subject was about nine years of age, his father sold the Seneca County farm and removed to Mercer County, buying a farm in Marion township, upon which the family moved in 1851, as pioneers in their section.  A log cabin in the woods was their home, and deer and other wild creatures roamed at will through the thick forest which stood where now are thriving villages and cultivated fields.      On the above farm Louis Feltz grew to man's estate. On May 18, 1854, he was married to Rosalia Schuler, who was born in France and accompanied her parents to America.  The children born to this union were:  Rosa, who married Joseph Fecher and lives at Wendelin; Adolph, an electrician, who is foreman of the Westinghouse branch at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Frank, a blacksmith, who married Philomena Cron; Mary, who married Cornelius McGreevy, of Greenville, Ohio; William, now a mail carrier at Cincinnati, who served in the United States regular army and was wounded in the Spanish-America War - married Carrie Diehl; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Bernard Seitz and lives at Chickasaw; and Emil, who married Mallie Hierholzer, daughter of A. J. Hierholzer, and lives at Massillon, Ohio.      The second marriage of Mr. Feltz was to Josephine Sonderman, who was born at Fort Recovery, Ohio, December 10, 19079, and is a daughter of Frank Sonderman, who came to America from Germany and was married at Dayton, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Sonderman live on their home place at Victoria, near Fort Recovery.  They had eight children.  Mr. and Mrs. Feltz have had eight children, as follows:  Elenora, who married John Vandrell and lives at Cassella; Henry, who is engaged in the blacksmithing business; and Florintina, Albert, Charles Frances, Otto and Leona.  The family belong to St. Mary's Catholic Church at Cassella.      Mr. Feltz was one of the founders of the Marion Mutual Fire Insurance Association and is a member of its board of directors.  He has served as township assessor, as land appraiser, and as a member of the School Board.  His farm - the old home farm on which his parents settled in 1851 - he purchased from his father, who died in 1889.  The surroundings are very attractive, the house being almost concealed from the road by evergreen and well-kept orchards.  Almost all of Mr. Feltz's children are gifted with a talent for music and he is giving them every advantage in his power.  This is one of the representative families of Marion township. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 276
	DANIEL FENNIG, a representative farmer of Washington township, resides upon his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres in section 10.  He was born in the house in which he lives, Mar. 27, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Holtser) Fennig.      Jacob Fennig was born in Germany but the greater part of his life was spent in America, as he came here in young manhood.  He settled first at Mansfield, Ohio, but later moved to Mercer County.  He married Catherine Holtser, who was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States at the age of seven years.  She died Nov. 1, 1905, having survived her husband since 1877.  They had nine children.      Daniel Fennig is the youngest but one of his parents' children.  He obtained his education in the local schools, was reared to be a practical farmer and has remained on the homestead farm.      Mr. Fennig was married on May 22, 1895, to Susan Betz, who died Mar. 15, 1906.  She was a most estimable lady and was a daughter of John and Mary (Walter) Betz, who were pioneers of Washington township.  Mr. and Mrs. Fenning had three children, namely: Raymond, Foster Andrew and Forrest Lowell.      Politically Mr. Fennig is a strong Democrat.  He is a prominent man in his township and has served as township trustee since 1900.  He has also served as supervisor.  Mr. Fennig belongs to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington township. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 707
	The FORT RECOVERY STIRRUP COMPANY, manufactures of bent wood and metal bound saddle stirrups, the largest exclusive manufacturers of wood stirrups in the world, and the leading manufacturing establishment of Fort Recovery, was organized in 1899 by William Koch, president of the company, and his son Edward, who is secretary and general manager. The company employs from 18 to 20 men. Previous to its establishment, the building now occupied by the company was used as a tannery, which was owned and operated by William Koch.      WILLIAM KOCH was born January 31, 1834, in Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Frederick Koch, a farmer by occupation, who emigrated to America in 1845, locating at New Bremen, Ohio, where he died in 1856. William Koch moved to St. Marys when 18 years old and subsequently learned the tanner's trade at New Bremen, Ohio. He worked at his trade for seven years in St. Marys. In 1864 he moved to Fort Recovery where he opened a tannery, in which business he continued until the establishment of the stirrup company in 1899.      Mr. Koch was married in 1857 to Dorothea Backaus, a daughter of Henry Backaus. To Mr. and Mrs. Koch 10 children were born, six of whom are still living. The record is as follows: Lucilla, who married Charles Schhneider; William, who died in childhood; Julia, deceased; Frank, who lives in Lima, Ohio; Minnie, who married William Heiby; Flora; Edward; Carrie, and two children that died in infancy. Edward Koch, who is secretary and manager of the Fort Recovery Stirrup Company, was married in 1901 to Matilda Frommel, a daughter of Edward Frommel. Mr. Koch is a member of Pisgah Congregational Church of Fort Recovery, and a member of the Fort Recovery Village Council. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Pages 500-501  (Contributed by Tracy Clark )
	HENRY C. FOX, general merchant and member of the milling and elevator firm of Fox & Hess, is one of the leading business men of Coldwater.  He was born in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 26, 1860, and is a son of Mathias and Barbara (Weigel) Fox.      Mathias Fox was born in Prussia, Germany, and when a boy of 17 years accompanied his parents to America.  They settled on a farm in Seneca County, near Tiffin, where Mathias Fox married.  About 1850 he removed to Mercer County, locating in Washington township. In 1868 he removed to Jay County, Indiana, where he died in 1876, and his wife in 1878.  Of their 11 children, six still survive, namely: John, residing in Butler township; Henry C.; Joseph, residing at Cincinnati; Benjamin, residing at Dayton; Charles, residing at Indianapolis; and Sophia, wife of Charles Hess, residing at Coldwater.  Those  who died were: Mary, at the age of 47 years; Elizabeth ; Margaret, who was known as Sister Blanche, in a convent at Quincy, Illinois, at the age of 52 years; George, at the age of 49 years; and Mathias, at the age of 18 years.  Mary, who was the first born of the family, was married (first) to Max Stark, and (second) to Mathias Renn.      When Henry C. Fox was eight years old, his parents removed to Jay County, Indiana, and there he resided until 19 years of age.  After completing his district school education, he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, remaining three terms, and for one term was a student at Lebanon, Ohio.  Upon his return to Coldwater, he taught school for some nine years,  becoming one of the most popular of the public school teachers in the county.  In 1889 he started the general mercantile establishment known as the H. C. Fox store, in a building in the west part of the town, but in the fall of 1889, after six months in the old structure, he moved into a building he had purchased and improved until it was adapted to his purposes.  He continued to become interested in the town’s important enterprises, was made president of the People’s Bank, and entered into partnership with Charles Hess in a mill and elevator business at Coldwater and St. Henry, under the firm name of Fox & Hess.  He has demonstrated high qualities commercially and enjoys the confidence of the business community.      In 1885 Mr. Fox was married to Rosa Schockman, and they have eight children, viz.: Norah, a graduate of the Coldwater High School and of the Ursaline Convent at Tiffin, Ohio, who is now engaged in teaching in Butler township; Urban, a graduate of the Coldwater High School, who is now a pupil at St. Joseph’s College, at Collegeville, Indiana; Leo, who is a student in the Coldwater High School; Frances, Anna and Agnes, who are attending school; and Henry Paul and Raymond.  The family belong to the Catholic Church.      Mr. Fox occupies a seat in the Village Council of Coldwater, and his advice as a man of business perception concerning village government is highly valued.  Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of St. John, of Coldwater, and to the Lima Council, Knights of Columbus. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Pages 491
	LEWIS EDWARD FOX, one of Union Township's representative business men, who is engaged in the manufacture of tile and in the operation of a farm of 80 acres on which he has lived for the past 25 years, was born June 15, 1853, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  He is a son of Peter and Fanny (Moyer) Fox and a grandson of Peter and Anna (Secrist) Fox.      Peter Fox, Jr., the father of our subject, was born and reared on the farm in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where Lewis Edward was born and raised, and it was here that the paternal grandfather was also reared.  The maternal grandfather of our subject, Christian Moyer, moved from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Dauphin County, where he lived the greater part of his life.  Peter Fox died in1858 at the age of 53 years.  He was the father of six sons and one daughter, as follows:  Lewis Edward; Benjamin Franklin, deceased; Christian Henry, deceased; John Wesley, who is a resident of Springfield, Ohio, where he is engaged as a machinist; William L., a resident of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; Peter W., deceased; and Clara Annie, who married W. H. Wolf, of Pembroke, Pennsylvania.      Lewis Edward Fox was reared on his father's farm in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, received a common school education and then engaged in farming.  In the fall of 1870 he moved to Mercer County, Ohio, and worked on a farm at Neptune for two years.  He then went back to his old home in Pennsylvania, but later returned to Mercer County, where he has since lived.  Mr. Fox settled on his present farm in 1881.  He was subsequently located for one year at Rockford, where he helped put in a tile plant.  After selling the same, he returned to his home in Union township, where he has been engaged in manufacturing tile for the past 24 years, having established the factory in 1862.  He has always had a large trade and never has been able to manufacture enough to supply the full demand.  In 1905 he established a new plant, and with new appliances and improved machinery he has largely increased the output.  He finds a ready sale for the product, as their is a growing demand for tile and building blocks.  He employs eight men to operate the plant.  Mr. Fox has made a great many improvements on the farm, on which there was only a small log cabin when it came into his possession.  Views of the residence and tile plant accompany this sketch.      Mr. Fox was married Jan. 5, 1876, to Jennie R. Boroff, a native of Union township, Mercer County, and a daughter of the late Harrison and Rebecca (Ross) Boroff, who were among the early settlers of Mercer County.  Children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox as follows:   William H.; deceased; Clara B., who married Milton Faurot and resides in Van Wert County; Harry G., deceased; Amy who married Perry Hays and has one child, Helen; Richmond Boyd, deceased; Eddie and Fannie (twins, aged 17 years), who live at home; Peter, aged 14 years; and Marlin, aged 7.  Mr. Fox is an Odd Fellow of high standing, being a member of the subordinate and Rebekah lodges at Mendon and the encampment at Celina.  He is also a charter member of Mendon Lodge, No. 586, F. & A. M.  He is a Democrat politically, but supports the man in preference to the party. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 661
	JOHN F. FRAHM, clerk of the Board of Education of Hopewell township, is one of the representative men of this section of Mercer County. He resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres in section 15. Mr. Frahm belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the township, in which he was born October 7, 1860, and is a son of John H. and Sophia (Smith) Frahm, natives of Germany.      The parents of our subject emigrated to America and settled in Hopewell township, Mercer County, about 1852. John H. Frahm was a man of more than usual good judgment and in the course of time he became a very useful and prominent citizen-'of Mercer County. He served as trustee of Hopewell township and for six years was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. His political views made him a Democrat and he was an active party worker. His death occurred in April, 1899. He was a worthy member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran Church. His seven surviving children are: Minnie, wife of John Hoenie, of Hopewell township; August, of Hopewell township; John F.; of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Brasch, of Tipton, Indiana; Frederica, widow of Frederick Rahn, now residing at Celina; Charles, of Hopewell township; and Anna, wife of John Luth, of Dublin township. John F. Frahm was reared in Hopewell township and was thoroughly trained in agricultural pursuits. He was educated in the public schools, in which he has always taken a great interest and, as noted above, is now serving as clerk of the Board of Education. The schools of Hopewell township have an enviable reputation for their efficiency. Previous to taking this position, he served four years as township clerk. Mr. Frahm carries on general farming and is considered one of the leading agriculturists of his locality.      Mr. Frahm was united in marriage with Louisa Sielschott, who was born in Hopewell township, Mercer County, and is a daughter of G. W. Sielschott. Mr. and Mrs. Frahm have six children, namely: Clarence W., Otto B., Hilda B., Edgar J., Harold and an infant son.      Politically Mr. Frahm is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and is serving as one of the deacons of the church in Hopewell township. Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Pages 603 & 604

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