The Frederick Saneholtz Family

A family that were pioneers in this area was Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Saneholtz. Frederick Saneholtz, his mother, and his sister came to Henry County from Hanover, Germany, in 1860. Wilhelmina Goltschalk, her mother, brothers and sisters came from Meakelburg, Germany, in 1876. Two of the older children came to Henry County in 1871. They wrote back to the rest of the family about this wonderful country. These two saved their money and brought other members of the family to this area until the mother and nine children had emigrated from Germany to Henry County.

Frederick and Wilhelmina met soon after she came to this county. They were married and first lived in a log cabin west of Napoleon near Wayne Park. Several years later they moved to the Waite farm which is along the old canal. The older members of the family recalled interesting stories about the canal boats that passed their home.

From this place they moved to Liberty Township on the Freytag farm about four miles west of Liberty Center. The Saneholtz children recalled interesting stories about attending country school and church in their area. One story told was about the oldest daughter, Ida, carrying a market basket of food to school to feed her brothers and sisters at noon.

By this time they had a family of five sons and five daughters. The parents worked very hard to care for their family and each child was taught to do his share. Frederick farmed and also managed the brickyard that he owned on West Maumee Avenue in Napoleon.

The Frederick and Wilhelmina Saneholtz Family

After the death of Frederick in 1900 the family moved to Harrison Township on the farm across from the township house, now owned by Clarence Huddle. Here the younger children of the family grew up.

In 1908 Mrs. Saneholtz and her three younger daughters moved to Napoleon on Appian Avenue. The daughters were married while living here and Mrs. Saneholtz lived here until her death in 1926.

The Frederick Saneholtzs had a family of ten children. The oldest, Will, married Eva King in 1901. He was a farmer and lived in Liberty Township. They had four children: Irene, Raymond, Donald, and Marjorie. In 1899 Ida married Daniel Yarnell. They lived on West Maumee. He first had a brickyard, then later the City Coal Company and he was also a farmer. Their children are: Fred, Norma, Ruth, Herbert, Robert, Lester, Richard, Leonard, and Thelma.

John married Carrie Yarnell in 1902. He first had a brickyard in partnership with Dan Yarnell and later the monument business in Napoleon. They had five children: Arthur, Byron, Lawrence, Inez, and Dorothy.

In 1907 James Saneholtz married Florence Greutsman. He was a farmer in Harrison Township. They had two children: Ruth and Virgil.

Lydia married Elmer Niebel in 1906. He was a farmer in Harrison Township. They later went to Florida to live. They had three children, Paul, Merril, and Lois.

Fred Saneholtz married Velma Swartzlander in 1917. He was a minister and lived in southern Ohio and Tennessee. They had two children, Lauson and Monford.

In 1913 Henry Saneholtz married Lillian Greutman. He was a minister and they lived in Pennsylvania. They had five children: Naomi Ruth, Ruel, Phillip, Paul, Esther, and Miriam.

Laura married Clyde Brillhartin in 1916. He was a minister serving congregations in Kentucky, California, and Michigan. They had four children: John Mark, Joy, Mary, and James.

Edna married Martin Nelson in 1916. He was a farmer in Harrison Township. They had six children: Martha, Anna Mae, Grace, Evangeline, Wallace, and Leah.

Naomi married Hugo Saneholtz in 1919. He was a farmer in Liberty Township. Their children are: Lavon, Wilbur, Orville, Tony, Ardith, Paul, Mary, and Lois.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Saneholtz have more than 400 descendents, most of them living in this area. They represent many occupations and professions.

Submitted by Ruth Saneholtz