Jacob Westerman

The Westermans came to the U.S.A. from Baden, Baden Germany September 22, 1834, along with the families of Reicherts, Shermans, Lockmans, Konzens and other Catholic families. All settled within a reasonably close area and they visited back and forth often. They left Germany and arrived in New York after sailing for 28 days. They then traveled westward by rail and water to their land of opportunity in Henry County's fertile Maumee Valley. They acquired a tract of land and began clearing the land and raising their families. Jacob Westerman, our grandfather enlisted in Henry County for the Grand Army of the Republic as a private in Company G of the 34th Ohio Volunteer infantry. He was discharged July 9, 1865.

Edward A. Hoeffel's parents migrated to the U.S. from Alsace-Lorrain about 1845. Alsace-Lorrain was a disputed piece of land on German and French border. France owned it to 1861. Germany now owns it since 1871. Both languages were spoken. They settled in Defiance County. Edward was born June 1, 1869, he was the third son of Edward H. and Elizabeth Leonhart, who are interred in the Catholic Cemetery at St. Michael's Ridge, Defiance County. Other brothers were John A., of Napoleon, Isadore of San Francisco, California, and sisters; Caroline (A. Pessefall) of Defiance, and Josephone (J. Coressel) of Denver, Colorado.

As a young man he made friends in Henry County by hauling gravel for the construction of roads and buildings in the summer, and he hauled ship-timber for the building of large boats in the winter time. They were transported to Toledo by water and rail to the dry docks where ships were built by skilled workers. He also hauled other choice logs of the oak, walnut, maple, beech, and hickory varieties to local saw mills for sawing into lumber for building, which the settlers in 1890 needed for their homes and families.

In seeking for a place to stay, with room and board for himself and team, he stopped at the Jacob Westerman farm. The farm was located 11/2 miles north of Napoleon, on the Adrian Pike, now known as Co. Rd. 13A. They had a son, Peter, who also was a teamster. They drove and lived together for sometime. While getting acquainted with the family, Edward discovered a daughter, Anna, in whom he became interested. In the mean time, Peter contracted typhoid fever and passed away at age 29. He is buried in St. Augustine's Church cemetery.

Shortly after this tragedy, Edward and Anna, daughter of Jacob and Lucretia (Richert) Westerman were married on November 9, 1897. They were married in St. Augustine Catholic Church by Rev. Michael Puetz. The newly-weds lived with the Wester- mans for a short time; a new home was built at 1217 Oakwood Ave. in Napoleon which Jacob and Lucretia occupied. They were only 11/2 miles from the farm, where Jacob walked almost daily; enjoying this until his death on October 16, 1915. Lucretia died on August 28, 1931 at her daughters' home on the farm, which she helped clear of woods. They both are at rest in St. Augustine's Cemetery. The Westerman's' home on Oakwood Ave. is now occupied by a granddaughter and family, Gertrude Hoeffel Fahringer. Anna and Ed continued to live on the farm where she was born September 22, 1870.

To this union were born 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. The eldest was Josephine E. born October 2, 1898 who never married and was engaged in doing cullinery work in and around Napoleon. She helped to organize the school cafeteria in St. Augustine's Catholic School, under the guidance of Father Joseph Myers in 1946. She helped take care of her father who died May 6, 1933 and her mother who died June 14, 1956 at the age of 86. Josephine lived on the homestead with her brother Lawrence and family. She was known by the family and friends as "Aunt Jo". Josephine died suddenly January 9, 1965.

February 9, 1900 a son was born, Peter I. He was not interested in farming so he and a few friends went first to Toledo, worked at Willys Overland Co., then went on to the motor city, Detroit, to help build automobiles. After working for Graham-Paige Motor Co. for some time polishing radiator shells, he obtained employment with Chrysler Corporation, from where he retired in 1965.

He married Caroline Ulrich in 1929. Four children were born to them; Joseph B. who died at age 11 in 1942. James P. with his wife Betty and three children live at Wayne, Michigan. John E. resides with his wife Mary and three children in Jacksonville, Florida. Mary Carol married Arthur Schaldenbrand and they have six children and live in Garden City, Michigan. Peter and wife Caroline now live on a farm near Montgomery, Michigan.

On April 30, 1902 a daughter, Frances C. was born. She attended St. Augustine's school and Napoleon High School. She contracted scarlet fever. It left her with rheumatic fever which took her life April 10, 1920. She is buried in St. Augustine's Cemetery.

On November 18, 1905 a son Lawrence E. was born. He attended St. Augustine School and graduated from the 8th grade from the blue one room school just 3/4 mile west — now remodeled into a suitable home. He graduated from Napoleon High School in 1923. He stayed home with his mother and sisters. He was active in the Democratic Party, a township trustee for 10 years until moving out of the township, also active in St. Augustine Church and school and Knights of Columbus. He farmed the homestead until retirement in 1971. He was united in marriage June 10, 1935 to Mary Rose Thompson of Ft. Wayne, Indiana where they were married in Precious Blood Catholic Church. They have 7 children.

The oldest C. Ann born April 3, 1936, who married Ervin Hoover. She is a graduate of St. Vincent School of Nursing and is employed by the Henry County Health Department. Her husband "Sep" has been employed at the Fred H. Gerken Co. for the past 25 years. They have 2 children James E. and Mary Jane both at home.

November 2, 1937 a daughter Elizabeth Rose was born. She is a graduate of International Business College, Ft. Wayne. She was employed in the can office dept. of Campbell Soup Co. until her marriage to Phillip Meyer who is a self-employed carpenter. They live in Hicksville, Ohio with a son and daughter, Steve and Susan.

William L. was born November 23, 1938. He attended Ohio State University for sometime. He married Norrine Westhoven who is an LPN. They have six children, David, Karen, Cynthia, Mary Ann, Amy, and Thomas all at home. William is employed at Napoleon Warehouse and Cold Storage.

Edward A. was born December 6, 1939. He is a graduate of Defiance College. He married Mary C. Martin of Genoa, Ohio. She is a graduate of St. Vincent School of Nursing. They have four children, Julia, Timothy, Patrick, and Annette. They live on the old homestead of the Westerman's, Edward’s great-grandparents, making it the 4th and 5th generation on that farm now. The farm was acquired in 1866, and a direct descendant of Jacob Westerman has lived there for the past 110 years.

Mary Frances born May 4, 1942 is a graduate of St. Vincent School of Nursing. She is employed by Community Hospital in Hicksville. She married Linus Slattery, who is employed by General Telephone Co., Ft. Wayne. They have five children Terry, Tony Beth, Jenny, and Katy. Their home is Hicksville, Ohio.

R. Joseph born November 30, 1944 a graduate of International Business College, Ft. Wayne. He married Alice Osborn. They have 3 children, Kristine, Kimberly, and Todd. Joe is employed at Gould Inc. in Napoleon.

Grace E. born October 5, 1948. She attended Sienna Heights College, Adrian, Michigan. She married Michael Speiser who is an electrician. They have 2 children, Andrea Jo and Eleanore Rose.

On February 3, 1909 Gertrude I. was born, the youngest child of Edward and Anna Hoeffel. She is a graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Ft. Wayne. Practically all her life was spent in nursing in Henry and Fulton Counties. January 1, 1977 she retired as a supervisor from Fulton County Health Center, Wauseon, Ohio. In 1941 she married Ralph Fahringer, a self-employed truck driver and former owner of Ralph's Recreation in Napoleon. He is now retired. They have two daughters.

The oldest daughter, Rose Marie a graduate of St. Vincent School of Nursing and Mary Manse College. She is employed by Dr. Geracioti in Toledo. In 1972 she married John Kirk- bride a real estate investor of Toledo where they reside with their daughter Wendy.

Ruth Ann a graduate of Sienna Heights College, Adrian, Michigan and Toledo University. She is employed by the government, teaching, remedial math and reading in Napoleon.

Submitted by: Gertrude Fahringer and Lawrence Hoeffel