Holers Family

Herman Holers came to the U.S. in 1855 at the age of 17. He came from Hanover, Germany. He landed in New York, boarded a train for Ohio, and when the conductor came through to collect for his ticket, he had only $2.00 in his pocket, but the conductor was benevolent and let him continue on to Ohio.

In 1865 he married Catherine Langenhop who had come also from Hanover in 1859 at the age of 13.

They lived in Adams Twp., Defiance County, then in Freedom Twp., Henry County, then in Colorado, and then back to Ohio. It is reported that they were instrumental in the founding of St. John Lutheran Church in Freedom Twp. 11 children were born, with 2 having died in infancy.

[Photo, p.257c] Herman Holers and Catherine (Nee Langenhop)

William Holers was one of the 11 children of Herman and Catherine, and in the early 1900's, he married Dorathea Stallbohn and they lived in Section 16, Freedom Twp., Henry County. Their marriage was successful except for an ill fated land investment in Texas. Two children were born, Fred in 1897 and Arthur six years later.

Fred married Minnie Gerken in 1920. Minnie's parents were John H. Gerken and Sophia, nee Meyer.

Fred and Minnie lived on Road 16 in Freedom Twp. and operated a farm, the same as nearly all their ancestors had done. Fred held several elective township offices. In 1923 Lorna was born, and at age 5 she once found herself locked in an upstairs bathroom with a friend, and rather than wait for help, she jumped out of the window and broke her foot. She married Paul Ludeman and in 1975 they are living in lower Michigan. They have two children, Richard and Linda.

Vernon was born in 1927 and barely lived through a bout with pneumonia at age 4, but Dr. Quinn saved him by draining his lungs, the operation being performed on the kitchen table at the Holers' residence. Vernon married Jeannette Gerken in 1950. Larry was born in 1936, and he was a climber. Once Vernon found him hanging upside down in the barn. He had slipped while climbing a ladder, and fortunately a spike caught in his trouser leg, and the trousers ripped but the spike got caught in the seam at the bottom of his trouser leg, and there he hung, upside down. Larry married Connie Ludeman in 1959, and in 1975 they are living in northern Louisiana. They have three children: Diane, Brian, and Eric. Fred Holers died in 1958. Minnie is living in Napoleon in 1975.

[Photo, p. 258a] William Holers and Dorathea Stallbohn

Vernon graduated from St. John Lutheran School in 1941, from Ridgeville High School in 1945, and from Bowling Green State University in 1950. He served with the Allied occupational force in Italy in 1946 and 1947. Jeannette also graduated from St. John's and Ridgeville High. Her parents were John F. Gerken and Ruth Cline. She was born in 1930 and grew up in the village of Gerald. Vernon grew up with his parents on Road 16 in Freedom Twp., Henry County. On Nov. 26, 1950, Vernon and Jeannette were married in St. John's Lutheran Church, Freedom Twp. There was a great snowstorm the day before, and the bride and groom had to be dug out the next day. Ohio State fans will remember that day (Nov. 25, 1950) as the "Battle of the Blizzard" when Ohio State and Michigan played football in the snowstorm. A regular rehearsal had to be cancelled as Robert Meineke, the best man, couldn't make it from Ft. Wayne because of the storm. Despite all this, the wedding came off in fine style. At the time Vernon was a teller at the Community Bank in Napoleon, and Jeannette was a secretary for Mr. and Mrs. George Meekison, attorneys, in Napoleon.

[Photo, p. 258b] Fred Holers and Minnie Gerken, married in 1920

V. Michael was born in 1952, Jeffrey in 1954, and Julie in 1957.  . . all three were delivered by Dr. Harrison, and all three graduated from St. Paul Lutheran School, and Napoleon High School. In 1975 Michael is a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; Jeff a college senior at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; and Julie is a senior at Napoleon High School. Since 1958 the family has resided on Orchard Lane in Napoleon. Vernon has served several terms as a Napoleon City Councilman. He owns and operates an insurance agency which he founded in 1959.

So from the time Herman stepped off the boat in 1855 until the printing of this book, the Good Lord has smiled on all the members of the Holers family.

Submitted by Vernon Holers