John Weisbecker

John Weisbecker and the former Anna Okuly were married on March 29, 1883, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Bavaria, Ohio. They lived a short while in Hicksville, Ohio, and in 1884 they moved to Holgate.

Anna and John Weisbecker, Holgate, Ohio, March 29, 1883

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Okuly, New Bavaria, Ohio

John and Anna were the parents of ten children. Seven are deceased. Surviving are: Mrs. Alice Feehan of Fremont, Ohio; Mrs. Irene Schwab of Leipsic, Ohio; and Mrs. Teresa Hohenbrink of Holgate.

In 1884, Mr. Weisbecker bought land in Holgate and started the first brick and tile yard. Tile was much needed at that time as Holgate was still mostly swamp. After establishing the mill, he built a nine room brick house at the south end of Keyser Street. At the present time it is known as Swiss Gardens.

Mr. and Mrs. Weisbecker were devout Catholics and until 1886 they walked four miles to New Bavaria to attend mass on Sunday. Mrs. Weisbecker was known as the "beggar Woman" because she solicited donations from New Bavaria parishioners in order to build a church in Holgate. On August 10, 1886, enough money was raised, land was purchased, and the church was built and dedicated on October 31, 1886.

Mrs. Weisbecker sang in the first church choir. In later years all of her children were choir members also. Her daughter Irene was church organist from the age of 12 until she was married. Her other daughters Alice, Bernadine, and Teresa made many trips to sing funeral masses at mission parishes at St. Patrick's Providence and at St. Joseph's North Creek. In winter Mrs. Weisbecker would heat bricks to keep their feet warm while making the trip in horse and buggy.

At one time Mr. Weisbecker was president of the school board of Holgate. His children recall the thrill they got when they received their grade cards which were signed J. A. Weisbecker, President and J. L. Sherman, Secretary.

John Weisbecker home in Holgate about 1905, the present location of the Swiss Gardens.

Mr. Weisbecker died in 1925 and his wife Anna died in 1937.

Submitted by Teresa Hohenbrink