Konrad and Katherine Wagner Austermiller

Konard and Katherine (Wagner) Austermiller left Darmstaat, Germany, Hesse Castle, Germany, with their daughters, Christine and Mary, son Frederick, approximately mid year of 1851. Konard was born in 1818 and died January 29, 1875. Katherine was born December 17, 1822, and died March 10, 1886. They were buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Flatrock Township, four miles north of Holgate, Ohio.

Arriving in America after a long and hard voyage, they were forced to stop in Utica, New York, for a period of six weeks, during which time a second son William was born to the family. The family then headed across country to the newly developing Northwest Territory now known as Mansfield, Ohio, where they remained for one year. During this time Konard chose to homestead.

Their chosen homestead was a bit of pure wilderness and swamp near Malinta, Ohio. Upon arrival there, Konard and Katherine built a log cabin near the running stream on their property in Monroe Township. In a few years Konrad had cleared enough land for their farming needs. He then proceeded to build a larger, more permanent, log cabin, where they lived. To this union four additional children, Conrad, John, Henrich, and Elizabeth were born. Henrich is listed in St. John's Reformed Church records as born July 8, 1860, and baptized March 6, 1861. No records can be found since this recording regarding later life.

During Konrad's life in Germany he followed his occupation as a cooper (barrelmaker). In the states he became a farmer, increasing his original homestead to 40 acres and later 160 acres.

Being a religious family, they had tired of living in war torn Germany where even professing of their faith in their church could result in imprisonment. Konrad especially did not want to see his son enter into the German Army, as was required of males at the age of 18. Contrary to Konrad and Katherine's wishes when they left Germany, the Austermiller family in later years did serve in the military. The family has defended the flag of the new land adopted by Konrad and Katherine. They have done so with the same bravery as shown by Katherine in crossing the ocean to a new country, learning a new language and new acquaintances. For their religious and spiritual comforts, Konrad and Katherine with their family met with other community families. These occasional religious services were held in various homes. About 1855, Reverend Charles Bank preached at New Bavaria, Napoleon, and also in a schoolhouse, one mile west of the Reformed Church (now known as St. John's United Church of Christ) where both Reformed and Lutherans worshipped together in the area. Approximately 1860 both re-organized into separate congregations. Konrad was one of 48 pioneers who started the St. John's Reformed Church, north of Holgate, Ohio.

The following information regarding their children is incomplete at this time but research is continuing.

Their eldest daughter Christine born 1846, married Fred Sterm, and they had one daughter, Mrs. Charles Daniels.

Mary born in 1848 married Ferdinand Hoff. To this union were born two children, William and Charles.

Frederick born 1849 married Caroline Dauber. Six children, Conrad, Chancey, Amandia, Alvin, Perry, and Nettie May, were born in this family.

William born in 1852 married Mary Frantz and to this union five children, Katie, Henry, Lewis, Ervin, and one more was born.

Conrad born 1854 married Susar Knipp. Children were Frank John Rueben, Mary and Ada (twins), Hattie Letah, Bertha, Albert and Edward.

John born 1857 married Margare Eberly. Their five children were Da Charles, William, Arthur, and Lau (Hess).

William Austermiller with no fc mal education learned the trade barn building. Descendants have be told his mathematics in constructin barn was unexcelled.

It has been stated that the fan was of healthy, intelligent stock, wlwas not unusual, as immigrants of period had to be in order to surviv the wilderness of northwest Ohio.

It is recorded that one of the br ers was awakened one night by a turbance among the livestock out He accosted a large timber wolf threw it against a stone fence. The animal landed on its back and its spine was broken.

Henrich born 1860 was no issue.

Elizabeth born 1865 married Joseph Devore, and they had six children: Elsia May (Boyce), Arizona (Wood), and Leroy, Arletta, Isiah, and Silva lived only a few years.

Submitted by: Russell Austermiller