Karl Robert Oberhaus

Karl Robert Oberhaus was the son of Fred and Sophia Marie Oberhaus.

Fred Oberhaus, the son of Casper and Mary Elizabeth (Grolier) Oberhaus, was born on July 18, 1842 in Halle, Germany. When he was 20 years of age, Fred came to Henry County from Germany. The voyage across the ocean was made in a sail boat which took considerable time and many hardships were experienced during the trip. He was a carpenter and assisted in clearing the land on his farm located in section 4 of Napoleon Township. As one of the six original founders of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Napoleon Township, Fred assisted in the construction of the church building which still remains.

On April 19, 1872 Fred married Sophia Marie Biederstedt, the daughter of August and Sophia Maire (Spadholtz) Biederstedt. She was born on December 12, 1851 in Mechlenberg, Germany. Sophia came to the United States with her parents in the middle 1850's, who settled on a farm in Adams Township, Defiance County.

Fred and Sophia had ten children: Anna (Badenhop), Mary (Zumfelde), Fred, Ida (Springhorn), George, Karl, Ferd, William, Wilhiminna (Minnie), and Albert. Fred died January 23, 1928 at the age of 85. Sophia died March 19, 1939. Both are buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Napoleon Township.

At this point continues the life story of Karl Robert Oberhaus, who was born July 24, 1884, Napoleon Township, Henry County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Napoleon Township. Karl received his formal schooling at Gilson School in Napoleon Township.

During the threshing season, Karl and his brother George, operated the threshing machine from 1904 to 1908. He first received $1.25 per day and finally earned $2.00 per day by 1908. In October, 1904 he attended the St. Louis World's Fair for seven days incurring the total expense of $24.48. Karl attended the Chicago Livestock Show December 5-8, 1906 with expenses totalling $9.66. During 1906 he worked as a carpenter with his brother Ferd, earning $1.00 to $1.75 per day. In his ledger, in 1906, Karl lists purchases of shoes $1.59, boots $1.78 and an overcoat $7.76. From January 21 through February 7, 1908, he traveled from Napoleon, Ohio to Brownsville, Texas via the Wabash Railroad with the total expense of $63.50. On Karl's trip to Texas the following persons traveled with him: his brother Ferd, Adolph Mahnke, and Ferd Wachtman. One of their best meals (they thought) was roast beef and, when they asked, they were told it was horse meat. From 1909 to 1912, Karl worked as an engineer on a steam engine at $2.25 per day. He worked for the Gerald Telephone Company too. In 1910, Karl lists the following items in his ledger, a horse for $150 and a buggy for $84.

On May 2, 1913 Karl married Ida K. Buchenberg. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Hamler, Ohio.

Ida K. Buchenberg, daughter of Deitrick and Bertha (Hahn) Buchenberg, was born December 28, 1893 on a farm near Holgate and at the age of four, Ida with her parents, brother Louis and sister Elizabeth moved to Hamler. Here she grew up and received her schooling at Rohrs School.

Ida was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Hamler, Ohio. As a young girl, Ida worked as a maid for different families in the Napoleon area.

The young couple first lived on a farm near Hamler. Here Karl and Ida's first child, Edna was born. In 1913, Karl bought a farm one mile west of the Damascus Bridge on State Route 24, in Liberty Township, and moved his family to his farm on December 16, 1913. The next year in January and February, they began cutting logs and sawing lumber. By June they had the usual barn raising with the neighbors and relatives helping. For this occasion he bought 2 gallons of whiskey, 4 dozen quarts of beer and 1/4 barrel of beer for $10.

Material for the barn was: shingles, 55 squares; 350 linear feet of facer, 200 plaster lath; 6600 feet of white pine siding for the barn. The barn measured 36 feet by 60 feet, with a 40 feet by 40 feet L, and with a hip roof. The cost was $460. for the above mentioned items. All the other material came form the woods.

Karl hauled grain to Grelton Elevator and bought concrete for his barn. In 1915, he ditched his farm at .13 cents a rod. The tiles were $14.50 a thousand, purchased at Grelton Elevator.

At this time the young couple's family began to grow. Karl and Ida's second child, a daughter, Laura was born in 1915, on the farm in Liberty Township. Also a third child, a daughter Alma was born in 1916 to Karl and Ida.

In 1916, he received $1.84 a bushel for wheat. On March 8, 1917 he bought an Overland car, and traded in a horse valued at $185. plus $415. for the car. Karl drove the car for 6 years and got $125.

Again the family grew, in 1918, Karl and Ida's fourth child, a son, Karl F. was born. Also a fifth child, a son, Alvin, was born in 1921 to Karl and Ida. The following year, 1922 a sixth child, a daughter, Ida was born to Karl and Ida. Karl built a new house in 1926 for his growing family. The five older children attended Damascus School. In 1928 the Damascus School was closed, which then was returned to the Oberhaus farm. After the Damascus School closed the children attended Liberty Center School. In 1928, the seventh child, a son, Eldor was born to Karl and Ida. Karl had rheumatism, so Ida did the farming, but still raised a family, and did the housework too. They received their first electricity on the farm April 5, 1930. Again the family grew, Karl and Ida's eighth child, a daughter, Leona was born in 1931. Also a ninth child, a son, Alfred was born in 1933 to Karl and Ida. The family took a three week trip to California in 1940. During World War II, Karl and Ida's sons, Karl F. and Alvin, served in the Army in Africa and Europe. In the 1950's, their son, Alfred, served with the U.S. Navy at Pensacola, Florida. Karl spent their entire life on the farm. They built the entire set of buildings. For a number of years they raised cabbage and strawberries. Karl farmed until his sight failed him. He enjoyed playing cards and ice skating on the river, until 1956, Karl at the age of 72, fell while watching his son ice skating. They always enjoyed having the family home on holidays. Karl died June 26, 1960 and Ida died October 29, 1975. They are both buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Napoleon Township.

The Oberhaus family have been active members of St. Paid's Lutheran Church all through the years, with six generations attending at present.

Their surviving children and grandchildren are as follows:

• Edna married Bernhard W. Michaelis. Their children are: Clarence (d. 1976), Bernhard T., Betty Jane, Marvin and Diann. Edna and Bernhard are presently living on a farm on County Road 0, five miles east of Napoleon.
• Laura married Wilfred Racker. Laura and Wilfred are presently living at 1650 Cherrylawn Drive, Toledo, Ohio.
• Alma married Albert H. Meyer. Their children are: Shirley, Melva Jean and Delores. Alma and Albert are presently living at 3252 Heather Downs, Toledo, Ohio.
• Karl married Laura Vorwerk. Their children are: Eileen, Doretta, and Vernon. They are presently living on a farm on County Road 0, four miles east of Napoleon.
• Alvin married Evelyn Vajen. Their children are: Alvin K., Donna Jean (d. 1971), Sandra and David. Alvin and Evelyn are presently living on a farm on U.S. Route 6, about seven miles east of Napoleon.
• Ida died on April 3, 1936. She is buried at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery.
• Eldor married Lois Washington. Their children are: Richard and Carlene. Eldor and Lois are presently living at South Street, Waterville, Ohio.
• Leona married Henry Bahler Jr. Their children are: Jerry and Bonnie. They are presently living at 2353 Ho11- away Road, Holland, Ohio.
• Alfred married Vivain Pohrant. Their children are: Victor, Karen, Kevin, Thomas, Eric and Andrew. They are presently living on the Oberhaus homestead, located on U.S. Route 24 about a mile west of the Damascus Bridge.

Submitted by: The Karl Robert Oberhaus Family