This article is the sixth in a series exploring the rich historical information contained within H.S. Knapp’s 1873 work, “History of the Maumee Valley.” It is important for the modern reader to recognize that this text, like most historical documents of its time, is written from a white, Euro-American perspective. The voices, motivations, and sufferings of the Native American tribes are often interpreted through the lens of their conquerors. In this series, we will adhere strictly to the details provided in Knapp’s collection, presenting the events as they were recorded, while acknowledging that this is only one side of a complex and often tragic story. By focusing on specific themes and locations, we aim to illuminate the pivotal events and figures that shaped the settlement and development of the region, with a special emphasis on Mercer and Auglaize counties.
6. The German Pioneers of Auglaize County: The Founding of New Bremen and Minster
While much of the Maumee Valley was settled by pioneers from the eastern states, the southern portion of what is now Auglaize County developed a unique and enduring character, shaped by a wave of German immigrants who arrived in the early 1830s. These settlers, bringing with them the industry, faith, and social customs of their fatherland, carved two of the most distinctive and prosperous communities in the region—New Bremen and Minster—out of the dense wilderness.
The vanguard of this settlement arrived in 1833. The text specifically names Ferdinand Breidike, Henry Ridenour, and the Rev. John W. Horstman among the first to settle at Glandorf, in Putnam County, but the movement quickly spread south. In that same year, a group including Philip Reis, Christian Kaumann, F. Siemer, F. Nietur, and John B. Mesloh, laid the foundations of New Bremen. The text records that Mr. Mesloh had entered his land even earlier, when the U.S. Land Office was still at Piqua, securing a patent signed by President Andrew Jackson himself on November 27, 1833.
Among the most influential of these early arrivals was Charles Boesel. A young man at the time, he left Germany with his widowed mother and his sister’s family, the Maurers. After landing in Baltimore and making their way to Cincinnati, they pushed north into the wilderness. His brother-in-law, Jacob Maurer, a man of some means, entered a section and a half of land, and generously loaned the young Boesel the money to purchase his own sixty-acre tract. The tragic death of Mr. Maurer from cholera in September 1833 was a severe blow to the fledgling colony, but the survivors persevered.
These were not land speculators, but families seeking permanent homes. They were joined by others who brought essential trades to the new settlement. Charles Beuns, arriving in 1833, opened the first boot and shoe shop. The community grew steadily, as men like William Finke arrived in 1834, first working as laborers and then becoming contractors on the Miami & Erie Canal, which would soon become the economic artery of their towns.
The town of Minster was established three miles south of New Bremen, also on the canal route. Like its neighbor, it was settled almost exclusively by German immigrants, who quickly established a thriving community. The text notes that by 1872, Minster was a “neat, growing town” of 1,000 inhabitants, boasting a large flouring mill, a woolen manufactory, two saw mills, and “one of the largest and best appointed lager beer breweries in the State.”
The character of these settlements was one of intense industry and communal effort. The German pioneers transformed the landscape, not just with farms, but with the industries necessary for self-sufficiency and growth. The text highlights New Bremen’s “good water power,” which drove two flouring mills, a large woolen factory, and an oil mill. This focus on manufacturing, combined with their agricultural thrift, created a solid economic base that allowed these towns to prosper rapidly.
Their cultural identity remained strong. The text notes that even in 1872, the inhabitants of both towns were “all Germans.” They built their own churches, maintained their language, and created a distinct social fabric that set them apart from the largely Anglo-American settlements elsewhere in the valley. The story of these German pioneers is a powerful chapter in the county’s history, demonstrating how a determined group of immigrants, through hard work and mutual support, could build a prosperous and enduring community in the heart of the Ohio wilderness.
Works Cited
History of the Maumee Valley, by H.S. Knapp (1873)
- Auglaize County—New Bremen, for the names of the first German settlers, the account of Charles Boesel’s arrival, and the establishment of early trades. (p. 680)
- Putnam County—Pioneers, &c., for the mention of the first German settlers at Glandorf in 1833, including Rev. Horstman and Ferdinand Breidike. (p. 608)
- Auglaize County—St. Mary’s in 1872, for the description of the industries and population of New Bremen and Minster. (p. 474)
- Additional Pioneers of the Valley, for the mention of William Finke’s canal contract. (p. 680)
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