Mathias Wenzinger Family

Right to left: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wenzinger, Beverly, Kenneth; standing: Linda, Ronald, George, Gerald and Janet.

Henry County Road 16 was a swamp many years ago. Mathias Wenzinger and his parents used to go down to the swamp and cook maple syrup in the woods, on what is now Carl Wenzinger's farm (Mathias's son). Located on County Road 16 was a stave mill in New Bavaria, where the cannery is now. Here they made barrel staves.

Mathias Wenzinger's father, Theodore, died of pneumonia when Matt was nine years old. Pneumonia also took the lives of two other people in that home.

A lot of gravel pits were located on the Ridge Road, and other roads near the New Bavaria area. They used to make concrete out of this material.

In 1946 Carl Wenzinger built a two story hog barn 200 ft. long by 40 ft. wide. Helping him were German war prisoners from Defiance Prison Camp.

Gerald Wenzinger, Carl's son had three Philippine men staying with them during 1975. The three men were vocational agriculture teachers in their own country, and came to the New Bavaria area on a 4-H exchange program. They came to America to learn farming techniques and to improve the food situation in their country.

John Steffan and Mary Zink Steffan were the parents of Gertrude who married Mathias Wenzinger on Nov. 17, 1909, and were blessed with eight children. Mathias Wenzinger was an only child and his parents were Theodore Wenzinger and Mary Mangas Wenzinger.

Frances Wenzinger's niece lived in her own home.

Mathias and Gertrude's oldest child was Harold who graduated in 1937 from the Louisville Medical College, Louisville, Kentucky, and married Mary Hauser, R.N. and had five children. Dr. Wenzinger had his office in Continental, Holgate, and Defiance. Dr. Wenzinger, his wife Mary and daughter Mary Jo were killed in an auto accident in 1955. The remaining children were: Jim married to Barb Stankov and they have Mary Jo, Matthew, Curt and Anne; John married Laurie Stankov and their children were Sarah, Greta, Amanda, George is in Seminary and Tom is farming.

Standing, back row: Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Wenzinger with Audrey; front row: Rita, Carl, Leo, Paul, Harold and Margaret and Joseph in front.

Paul Wenzinger, retired farmer living in Continental married Berta Gust- wilier; children: Dick married Irene Westrick and they have Rick, Carol, Randy, Rob, Roger, Connie, Roy, and Russell; Marlene married Ron McKibben, a farmer-carpenter and their child is Steve (Michael and Shelley deceased); Diana Wenzinger - beautician - married Gary Maag mechanic, children - Cindy, Joe, Dan; Sharon Wenzinger married Don Lammers - farmer and Meyer Construction, children - Mike, Mark, Chris; Brenda Wenzinger, nurse married Clyde Vennekotter - farmer, son Matthew; Lynette Wenzinger married Frank Ordaz - Meyer Construction, have a son Jeremy; Carl Wenzinger, New Bavaria - farmer, married Margaret Giesige, son Ronald - swine and mailman, married Arlene Niese, children - Patty, Kevin, Sandy, Scott; son Gerald - farmer-banker and swine,

married Dolores Lammers, children Kay, Karen, Lisa, Lori and Bobby. Janet - Bowling Green State University, Linda - Bowling Green State University and Beverly and Ken at home.

Rita Wenzinger married Ora Burkhart - farmer, they live in Continental, children Larry Burkhart - teacher, married Marilyn Hovest - beautician, children Robyn and Ryan. Robert Burkhart, born 1944, died 1947. David Burkhart - teacher-farmer. Joan Burkhart - beautician married Dale Bruskotter - teacher. Rosalyn Burkhart - Dayton University, Donna Burkhart - Bowling Green State University and Mary Lou Burkhart.

Joe Wenzinger - farmer of New Bavaria married Viola Roof, children Denny - factory, married Linda Gerschutz - children Chad and Tanya. Debbie - teacher, married Darrel McDonald - Lawyer. Bonnie - beautician, married Tom Rosebrock - mechanic, a son Michael. Dan - Northwest Technical College, Archbold and Cheryl at home.

Margaret Wenzinger married Keith Montgomery - banker at Port Clinton, children, Patrick - college, Brian, Laurie.

Joe E. Brown with Holgate Mayor Hanley in 1961, at left, Mrs. Carl Wenzinger and daughter Beverly, Santa Claus (Carl Wenzinger), Melvin Junge with American flag.

Audrey Wenzinger married Elmer Vorst - farmer, Columbus Grove, children Judy, Phy. Ed. teacher, married Barry Bastian - accountant. Joyce married Don Jewers, children, Jeremy and Jennifer. Barb and Carol, Ohio State, Tim, Susan born 9-12-1960 - Died 10-24-1962. She was hit by a car in front of her house.

County Road Sixteen was a swamp many years ago. Mathias Wenzinger and his parents used to come down to the swamp and cook maple syrup in the woods, by what is now Carl Wenzinger's farm, (Mathias's son). Also on County Road Sixteen was a stave mill in New Bavaria, where the cannery is now. Here they made barrel staves.

Mathias Wenzinger's father, Theodore, died of pneumonia when Matt was nine years old. There were many diseases around, and pneumonia took the lives of two other people in that home.

There were a lot of gravel pits around this area. They were located on the Ridge Road, and other roads near the New Bavaria area. They used to make concrete out of this material.

In 1946 Carl Wenzinger built a two story hog barn 200 feet long, by 40 feet wide. Helping him were German war prisoners from Defiance Prison Camp.

Dec., 1964, Carl Wenzinger as Santa with oldest granddaughter Patricia, daughter of Ronald Wenzinger.

Every Christmas season for 20 years - Carl Wenzinger in the person of Santa Claus has visited children giving them candy and listening to their lists of wants and telling them to be good boys and girls. He visits New Bavaria and surrounding community. He does this for schools, churches and each year he delivers the town council's treat to every household in New Bavaria. All for the light of a smile from a child, or the elderly.

Gerry Wenzinger, Carl's son had three Philippine men staying with his family during 1975-197_. The three men are vocational agriculture teachers in their country, and came to the New Bavaria area on a 4-H exchange program. They came to America to learn farming techniques to improve the food situation in their country.

Submitted by Patrick Wenzinger