Andrew Wilhelm

Andrew Wilhelm, one of the prominent farmers of Peru township, is a son of Christopher Wilhelm, a native of Bavaria, who was born in that Kingdom in 1814. When a young man he came to the United States, and worked at the shoemaker's trade in Buffalo, NY, for some time, but subsequently settled in Peru township, Huron Co., Ohio.

On coming to America he learned the value of a trade. Being a complete stranger in a new land, his own hands and mind were his only friends. At Buffalo he to labor late and early for very small pay, and even then his taskmasters did not seem satisfied with the volume of work produced by the young Bavarian. Out of his small earnings, however, he saved enough to venture farther west, and fortune led him to Peru township, Huron county, where he resided until his death. Here he worked at his trade for some years, until he had saved enough money to purchase a farm. Then buying a part of the "Redenburg Tract" of the "Firelands", he began its improvement, and resided thereon until the Centennial Year (1876), when he retired and took up his residence at Monroeville, where he died October 6, 1881. Mr. Wilhelm was thrice married: first time to Arazula Krabeck, by which union there were three children: one son- Frank, who died in 1864 during the Civil War in which he served as a post-quartermaster;-- and two daughters-- Margaret and Mary Ann, the former of whom died in 1876. The second wife was Catherine Hiss, a native of Baden Germany, who bore him three children: John, who died when aged 29 years; Caroline, widow of Andrew Duffnerr, of Monroeville, and Andrew, our subject.For his third wife Mr. Wilhelm married Agatha Duffnerr, and two children were born to them, viz.: Elizabeth, who died in 1878, and Fred. Christopher Wilhelm was a natural scholar. He was educated at the schools of Bavaria, and after settling here he was an omnivorous reader of history, current literature, and newspapers. A Democrat in politics and a leader in his district, he never tried to condone the local or national errors of his party, and thus he became known as a man who estimated fair play above price. He was trusted and respected, being several times elected to township offices. He was a concistent Catholic, a man who, if he could not accomplish good, would not descend to do harm.

Andrew Wilhelm was born September 14, 1860, on the homestead farm. He recieved a rudimentary education in the school of his district in Peru township, and completed a commercial course in the Dayton Business College. On October 6, 1876, he married Rosa Bower, a native of Bronson Township, and a daughter of Peter Bower. To this marriage seven children were born: Alfred P, Charles A (deceased), Frederick A, Mary Frances A, Edward C, Conny C, and Florentine J. The same year in which Andrew was married, the father moved to Monroeville, and Andrew took charge of the farm. Politically he is a Democrat, and one of the advisors of the party of his district. He held various township offices, and is considered a man of sound judgement, honor and principle. Religiously he is a Catholic; as a businessman he devotes all his attention to to agriculture and stock growing, and takes a place among the practical, successful farmers of northern Ohio.

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Source: Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, illustrated.   Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1894.  Page 385.