From "Biographical Record of Auglaize, Shelby and Logan Counties, Ohio" (a book which I own):
ANDREW MADER. It is a source of inspiration to brave-doing and endurance to learn the history of those who have, through hardship and privation, won for themselves a home in this Western world, and we delight in telling the story of Mr. Mader, who is one of the prominent, intelligent and worthy pioneers of Loramie Township, Shelby county. He was born in Germany, November 25, 1826, of the union of Frederick C. and Anna M. (Kruspe) Mader, natives of the Old Country. Our subject remained in his native country until 1844, or until eighteen years of age, when he sailed for America, preceeding his parents to this country about two years. A revolution was threatened in Germany at that time, and as he did not care to be detained there, no telling how long, if war actually broke out, he determined to leave for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave," and make his fortune there. Although he had some difficulty in securing a pass, he was finally successful, and took passage at Bremen.
The parents of our subject crossed the ocean to America in 1846, and located in the woods of Loramie Township, Shelby County, where they purchased eighty acres of raw land, built a rude log cabin and began their career as pioneers. On this farm the father died, in 1878, when eighty-two years of age. He had always been a very strong man, and was sick only two days. He served in the German army eight years, and took part in the war between France and Germany in 1813. While a resident of his native country, he followed farming, and after coming to the United States was perfectly satisfied to remain here. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife died in 1872, when sixty-two years of age. Six of the nine children born to them are now living.
Andrew Mader, the eldest of these children, passed his boyhood days in assisting his father on the farm and attending school. After passing his fourteenth birthday he worked on a farm, and in 1844 concluded to come to the United States. After an ocean voyage of sixty-seven days, he landed in New York City, but shortly afterward came to Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained eighteen months. In 1846, after the arrival of his parents, he came to Shelby County, and for a few years worked out, receiving about $10 a month for his services. In 1857, he bought twenty acres of partly cleared land, and began clearing and improving. Deer and other animals were still quite plentiful, and Mr. Mader killed a good many. He has resided on his present farm since the spring of 1846, and anyone viewing his well cultivated and productive fields could hardly realize that it was at one time covered with a forest and that filled with wild animals.
In 1857, Elizabeth Barbara Brehm, a native of Shelby County, Ohio, and whose parents were natives of Germany, became the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Mader are the parents of ten children as follows: Frederick W., Mary Elizabeth, Edward C., Matilda A., Minnie R., Emma C., John A., Franklin A., Harrison N., and Clara I., respectively. Mr. Mader is independent in his political views, and votes for the best man irrespective of party. He was Assessor for four years, Land Appraiser in 1890, Trustee for three years, and has been School Director for many years. In religion, he and Mrs. Mader are members of the Lutheran Church. He owns one hundred and twenty-four acres on section 24, all improved, on which he has a fine new house and barn. He raises all kinds of stock, has been as successful in this as farming, and is a man of excellent judgment, well liked in his community. A view of his homestead will be noticed on another page. (p. 481)
Info received from George Reed, 6/99: Andrew Mader was born in 1827 in Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated in 1848 from Germany. He died in 1896 in Shelby Co., Loramie Twp., Ohio. He was a Miami & Erie Canal worker. |
