Genealogy Trails - Mercer Co., Ohio

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ADAM BETTINGER, a successful farmer of Butler township, who owns 80 acres of excellent land, situated in section 28, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 8, 1834, and is a son of John and Barbara (Swartz) Bettinger. The parents of Mr. Bettinger were both born in Germany, where the father owned a small farm. Desiring more land, he decided to emigrate to America, and with his family took passage in 1846 on a sailing vessel, which landed them at the port of New York after a long voyage. John Bettinger settled on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio, four years later removing to Lucas County, where he died in 1856. His widow died in Lucas County in 1871. Adam Bettinger continued to live in Lucas County until 1866 and then returned to Seneca County, where he rented a farm for a few years. In 1869, after investigating the farming land in Mercer County, Mr. Bettinger bought his present farm in Butler township, 40 acres of which were improved. He erected the house and barn himself and made all the other improvements, which have converted this into one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Bettinger has always been a hard worker and through his entterprise and industry and accumulated a fine property. In1861 Mr. Bettinger was married to Mary Omlor, daughter of Theodore Omlor. She was born in Germany and was two years old when her parents brought her with them to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Bettinger have parents brought her with them to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Bettinger have had 13 children, namely: John, who married Lizzie Rhein, lives at Coldwater and has six children; Frank, who married Josephine Albers, lives on his farm of 110 acres in Butler township, and has six children; William, who married Carrie Rahe, deceased, has one child; Charles who married Kate Hoenning and has two children; Jacob, unmarried, who live on the home farm; Mary, who married Ora Rhoades and lives at Dayton; Rose, who married Frank Fullenkamp and lives at Celina; Stephen, who lives at home; and Joseph, Joseph (2), Anthony and Margaret, who are deceased.

Submitted By

Sharon Wick

JOHN BREHM, one of the old and respected residents of Liberty township, who has resided on his present farm of 100 acres, situated in section 10, for the past 34 years, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 10, 1828, and is a son of Fettus Brehm. The parents of Mr. Brehm were intelligent German people who afforded their son good educational advantages. He learned the trade of baker in his own land, but he came to America when 20 yers of age and since then has been entirely engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1872, when he brought his family to Mercer County and settled on his present farm in Liberty township. He still retains 100 acres but has given farms to his children and has been liberal to the church. In Montgomery County, Ohio, John Brehm was married to Mary Lower, and they had eight children, five of whom are still living, as follows: John C., Caroline (wife of John Deitsch), John Peter, Valentine W., and Henry C. Henry C. Brehm, the youngest son of our subject, is a prominent citizen of Liberty township and one of the leading democrats. He has served four years on the township School Board and in 1900 served on the board of election. On June 27, 1889, he married Phebe Leininger, a daughter of Jacob Leininger, of Lilberty township, and they have four children, namely: Margaret C., Walter E., George J. and William H., all grandchildren of whom our venerable subject may well be proud. John Brehm's second marriage also took place in Montgomery County, to Margaret Bollenbacher. They had three children, the two survivors of this marriage being: Mary, wife of Andy Bauer; and Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Brewer. All through the years of citizenship, Mr. Brehm has consistently supported the candidate of the Democratic party. His is one of the leading members of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church.

Submitted By

Sharon Wick