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(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 -
*UNLESS Otherwise Noted.)
AUGUST
ONTROP, a prosperous farmer of Washington township
residing on his well-improved and highly cultivated farm of
216 acres, located in section 34, was born May 25, 1849, m
Walstedde, Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, and is a son of
Matthias and Christina (Kappenberg) Ontrop, both of swhom
died in Germany.
August Ontrop was the youngest of a family of
eight children, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in
Germany. At the age of 20 years he enlisted in the German Army
and served two years and eight months in the Franco-Prussian
War under General Werder, participating in the
battles of Strasburg, Schledstadt and New Breisag, passing
through all these engagements without receiving an injury.
After the war he returned to his father's home, where he
remained for about eight months, after which he emigrated to
America, leaving his home April 16, 1873, and landed in New
York City in the latter part of the same month. He immediately
came to Mercer County, where he worked for two years on the
farm which he now owns. His brother Anthony came to
this country in 1874 and also came to Mercer County and
located in Washington township with our subject. Anthony
Ontrop married Theresia Tiggeman, who
died in 1892; they had six children: August, deceased;
Aloys, deceased; Henry; Stephen; Katie;
and August M. In 1875 August Ontrop and
his brother Anthony bought the farm where they had been
working and engaged extensively in agricultural operations,
carrying on mixed farming. Anthony Ontrop died
September 17, 1905, and since his death our subject has been
living on the farm with his niece and nephew. Mr.
Ontrop has made the greater part of the improvements on
the farm, erecting a large frame house and all the other
buildings with the exception of the old barn, which was
erected by the former owner and still stands.
Mr. Ontrop is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church
in Recovery township, four miles north of Fort Recovery. |
| WILLIAM A. ORR |
| DAVID OVERLY |
ANTON
OVERMAN, who resides on the farm adjoining the one on
which he was born May 6, 1849, owns 8 acres in section 34,
Marion township, and is a son of Henry and Agnes (Bockman)
Overman.
The parents of Mr. Overman, who were
natives of Germany, were married at Cincinnati, Ohio. They
resided for some years in that city and then removed, in 1837,
to Marion township, Mercer County, where the father bought 80
acres of land from the government, for which he paid $1.25 per
acre. Later he purchased another tract of 80 acres from
Henry Hoosman, which is the property now owned by
our subject and on which he resides. Both parents died on this
farm, old and respected residents of the community. They had
one child born during their stay at Cincinnati, Mary,
who is the widow of Henry Reichert. The others
were born on the farm, as follows: Henry, deceased;
Bernard; Caroline; Anton, of this sketch;
Elizabeth; John; Agnes, deceased; and
Frederick Joseph, deceased.
Anton Overman was reared on the home
farm, attending the district schools in his youth and
following the life of a farmer from choice. In 1870 he bought
his present fine property from his father and has put it into
fine shape; here he carries on a general line of agriculture
and is recognized as one of the representative farmers of the
township. He has been a member of the Mutual Fire Insurance
Company for several years, of which period he has been
director two years; he has been an agent for the past 10
years.
Mr. Overman was married (first) in June,
1874, to Mary Barnard, a daughter of Leon
Barnard, who was a. native of Germany but who had
settled in Mercer County before the birth of Mrs.
Overman. She died March 25, 1881, the mother of two
children, John and Frederick, the latter of whom
is deceased. Mr. Overman was married
(second) to Catherine Mader, a daughter of
Robert and Elizabeth (Bauman) Mader,
both of whom were born in Germany and were married at
Liverpool, New York. Mr. and Mrs.
Mader had eight children, namely: Robert, Joseph,
Anton, John, Frank, Josephine,
(wife of B. Beckmeyer), Mary (wife of
David Roesher) and Catherine (Mrs.
Overman).
Mr. and Mrs. Overman have had
seven children, namely: Emma (deceased), Clara,
Anna, Louis, Elnora, Frank and
Agnes. Mr. Overman and family belong to St.
John's Catholic Church. He is also a member of St. Joseph's
Society. Mr. Overman has not taken any active
part in politics, contenting himself mainly with voting for
the candidate who, in his opinion, will best work for good
government. |
| BERNARD OVERMAN |
NOTES: |
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