The August Fraas Family

August Fraas, born in 1850, was a tinsmith at Archbold, Ohio. His wife, the former Sophia Shoner, was born in 1852. August operated his shop on the second floor of the Vernier, McLaughlin, Probeck Company store, and was. one of the leading citizens of the Archbold community.

The twelve children of August and Sophia Fraas were George, William, Fred, Andrew, August, John W., Henry, Lawrence, Luther, Clara Fraas Baker, Sophia Fraas Bucher, and Elizabeth Fraas Mahler.

Henry Fraas worked with his father operating the tinning business in Archbold. After the death of August, Henry and his son, Edward, went into the plumbing and heating business in Archbold. Edward sold this business several years ago, but still lives in Archbold.

John W. Fraas married Mahalia Cramer of Napoleon, and they lived in Delta, Ohio, where he worked as a harness maker. Their children, Josephine and Clida, were born there.

John's uncle, Fred Shoner, was an established harness shop merchant in Napoleon. When Shoner,'s assistant, frying Switzer, died by drowning, John moved his family to 900 Hobson Street, in Napoleon, and assumed Switzer's responsibilities at the harness shop. John later took over the business, and it was a well known gathering spot for area farmers during those decades early in this century when horses were important to farming.

Josephine Fraas married Ferd Reinking in 1915. They lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a few years, and then returned to Napoleon to raise their four children, John, William, Franklin and Dorothy.

Clida worked with his father in the harness business, and married Frances Rieger early in 1914. Their daughter, Mary Margaret, was born in December, 1914, and Frances died a few days later. Later Clida married Carrie Huber.

Clida Fraas continued to operate the harness business on Perry Street in Napoleon for a few years after his father's death in 1934, but sold the business location to the Moose Lodge in 1938. For some years, the Palmer House restaurant was operated on the first floor of that location. Clida was elected to the office of Henry County Auditor later, and he lived in Napoleon until his death in 1953.

Submitted by: The Family