Wahl Family

Johann George Wahl, a mechanic by trade, was born on March 28, 1819, in, Wurtemberg, Germany. Johann married Eva Barheis Gehringer on April 30, 1844. Eva was born on March 27, 1822, in Wurtemberg.

According to Port of New York records, Johann, Eva and their children, Frederick age six years, Christian age 3 years, and Rosina age nine months arrived in New York on July I, 1852. Maria Wahl, a spinster of nineteen years, also arrived then. They made their way to Liverpool, Ohio, and stayed for one year. From there, they moved to Medina County, and finally journeyed to Pleasant Township, Henry County, Ohio, in the spring of 1855.

Four more children were born: Jacob, Johann, Wilhelmina, and Eva Catherine. The parents, Johann and Eva, became members of the German Reformed Church of New Bavaria, Ohio. Upon Johann's retirement from farming, he moved to Holgate, Ohio, where he died on January 21, 1895. Eva died on February 18, 1908.

Frederick Wahl was born on February 13, 1846, in Germany, and died in Henry County. He served in the Civil

War in Company B, 100th REGT Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He married Anna Christina Franz who was born on October 6, 1846, in Hesse, Nassau, Germany. She died on September 8, 1924, in Henry County, Ohio. Frederick and Anna Christina Wahl had five children: Charles, Albert, William, Julie and Minnie Mae.

Minnie Mae Wahl married Frederick Lesh who was the grand-son of Frederick Loesch, an early pioneer who came to Pleasant Township, Henry County, Ohio, in 1836. Two children were born to Minnie and Frederick Lesh: Homer Robert Frederick who was born on October 24, 1899, and Beryl who was born on May 12, 1902.

Homer, a farmer, married Nettie Eding of Henry County, daughter of John A. and Lena Seifert Eding. They lived near New Bavaria, Ohio, until 1057 when they moved on a farm near Grand Rapids, Ohio, to be near their daughter, Dorothy. Homer and Nettie Lesh were members of Emanual's United Church of Christ, of New Bavaria, and now are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Dorothy, daughter of Homer and Nettie, married George Harle Heitz- man of Putnam County. They have two daughters: Valerie born on April 8, 1949, and Gloria born on March 29, 1950. George and Dorothy are members of the First Presbyterian Church. George is a farmer, and is employed by Andersons' Elevator in Maumee, Ohio. George is a veteran of World War II. Valerie married Chester Kenneth Hughs and they have Brian Kenneth born April 25, 1975, and Carrie Anne born January 4, 1977. Valerie graduated from Bowling Green State University and majored in Physical Education. Valerie lives near Grand Rapids and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids. Gloria married Randy Eugene Box of Henry County, and they have Alison Marie, born November 6, 1975, and Leslie Kay, born on April 24, 1977. Both Alison and Leslie were born in Napoleon at Heller Memorial Hospital. Gloria's husband, Randy, graduated from the University of Toledo in 1972, and is the manager-pharmacist at Gilbert and Herr Pharmacy in Liberty Center, Ohio. Gloria graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1972. She majored in Elementary Education and Library Science. Randy, Gloria, and family live near Grand Rapids. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church there.

Beryl Lesh, the daughter of Frederick and Minnie Wahl Lesh, married Cassius McGill (Magill) of Holgate, Ohio, and has one son, Kenneth. She lives in Toledo, Ohio. Kenneth McGill graduated from the University of Toledo and lives in Toledo with his wife, Joyce Koontz McGill. Joyce is a graduate of the University of Toledo. They have three children: Jeffery, Kathleen, and Gary. Jeff and Kathy are graduates of the University of Toledo, and Garly lives at home and attends the university. Jeff lives in Indiana and is not married. Kathy married Tom

Shealy and their daughter, Andrea, was born on April 20, 1977. They are planning on moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, soon.

Wilhelmina, daughter of Johann George and Eva Barheis Gehringer Wahl, married John August Franz. The history of Minnie's family is told in this book under Franz family.

The close ties between the Wahl and Franz families in Henry County, Ohio, is due to the fact that John August Franz married Wilhelmina Wahl. Frederick Wahl, a brother of Wilhelmina, married Christina Franz, a sister of John August Franz.

Submitted by: Gloria Box and Faye Sterling