Henry Junge

Henry Junge, native of Germany, was the pioneer son of Henrich and Gesine Junge born in Germany, May 22, 1859. He married Cathrina Botjer, daughter of Gehardt and Margaret Botjer. They were married in Germany and came from Hanover, Germany, with one son, arriving in Napoleon on Dec. 26, 1884. They lived a short time with a brother-in-law and sister, Fred and Dora Brinkman, then they moved into a log house on a farm one mile south and one mile west of Herrtown, now known as Elery. They later moved to a farm two miles south of Elery, there clearing timber and selling timber for railroad ties.

In 1889, he received his alien's certificate of citizenship after taking the oath to support the Constitution of the United States. In 1890, they moved to a farm three miles north of Deshler on the Richfield and Bartlow Township line road, and farmed there until 1910. At that time some of the German families were buying land and moving to the state of Oklahoma. Henry and his wife decided to have a sale that fall and move to Oklahoma. But things changed and Henry took sick. He went to Toledo Hospital and died on July 2, 1911.

The family decided not to go to Oklahoma, then rented a farm in Richfield Twp. near the Marion, Monroe, Bartlow, Richfield corner and Mrs. Junge farmed there until the children were grown. She retired from farming and moved to Hamler, living there until she died at the age of 92 in 1952.

They were members of Peace Lutheran Church near Deshler since about 1890. They were the parents of 10 children: George, born in Germany in 1884; and the rest born in Henry County, Kate, in 1886, Henry in 1888, Emma in 1890, Carl in 1892, Anna in 1894, Alvina in 1896, Herman in 1899, August in 1902, and Gustav in 1904. They received their education in the country schools and the Deshler School.

Children still living are: Alvina Peterson, Deshler; Herman, Napoleon; August, Hamler; and Gustav, McClure.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Junge

August married Marie Fintel on June 15, 1922. He was a poultry buyer for 22 years and a buyer of wool and furs for 52 years. He worked on the maintenance department of the DT&I Railroad for seven years. August served the village of Hamler for 20 years as mayor, council member, and board of public affairs member. He is president of the Hamler Civic Club and a past treasurer of the Northwest Ohio Poultry and Egg Shippers Association.

August and Marie were the parents of two children, June, born June 28, 1927, and Melvin, born June 29, 1925. June married Raymond Imbrock and they live at Okolona. Raymond is employed at Johns-Manville Fiber Glass, Defiance. They are the parents of a daughter, Karen. Melvin married Miriam Lazenby and they live at Holgate where he is engaged in the poultry and egg business. They are the parents of three sons, Roger, James, and Thomas, and a daughter, Mary.

Submitted by August Junge