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• jk * , * \ ;*.ws*V-- • * ^ V*** * ******* * * * * * - i i • i «. Z-lteMarketer $«$tember 16, M*,,,■ * *■ -v * « ** ... _ ..Six homes. one ch urch tea tured* * ft « %I * M *.lit*t \ 1*.^ •**»*»******* ‘ * *^ v .3 S’ • •. .v® ■. ■» * *eon Heritage Society hosts fall tourNAPOLEON — Beautiful homes and churches abound in Napoleon, and the Napoleon Heritage Society wants to ensure that they are seen.The group will conduct its annual fall tour on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 1to 5 p m Six homes and one churchare on this year’s agenda.Tickets, at $4 each, may be purchased at St. Paul United Methodist Church, comer of Washington and Webster streets, beginning at 12 30p m the day of the tour. Advanceticket sales are at Napoleon Pharmacy. 705 N. Perry St.Tour participants may visit the structures in any order they wish, but St Paul could be the first stop.The church was established in 1835 when Rev. Austin Coleman came from Defiance to Napoleon to organize a Methodist church. Services were conducted every four weeks in places such as a tavern and homes.A total of 15 ministers served Napoleon in this manner until 1854.In that year, Napoleon was removed from the Defiance charge and was made head of a circuit consisting of four churches — Napoleon, b tor;da, Texas and Hartmans lt;Napoleon south side).In 1860, the first permanent church was built on the present site.The frame church, served well, but a larger facility soon wasneeded due to a growing congregation. Bids were taken in 1897 to construct a larger brick structure.Many fundraisers were held, including a chicken and biscuit supper served by the women of the church at a cost of 25 cents each.The new church was completed in the spring of 1898 at a construction cost of $8,975, excluding stained glass windows.The church served until Jan. 11, 1920, when it was destroyed by fire. It was decided to rebuild, and the present structure was dedicatedAug. 20,1922. Cost was $87,500.A pipe organ was purchased in 1934 and used until the present electronic one was dedicated in 1971. A new parsonage was constructed in the early 1950s on the south side of the river.Other improvements included the construction of an educational unit and parking lot in 1962 and a chapel in 1972. Another recent addition was the Youth Club.Homes featured on the tour will be the Ron and Marilyn Schueler residence, 504 W. Washington St.;the Tony and Sue Cramer residence. 703 W. Clinton St.; the Bill and Liz Schnitkey residence, 407 W. Main St.; the Alan and Karen Stein residence, 538 W. Washington St.;the Dean and Suzanne Flightner residence, 443 Welsted; and the Ken and Peggy Frysinger residence, 501 Welsted*Schueler — This home, of Georgian Revival architecture, was built in 1901 for Dr. Alfred Maerker at an estimated cost of $4,000.Maerker, who came to Napoleon in 1876 from Germany, was a physician, teacher, banker and civic leader. He was joined on the 500 block of West Washington by four other doctors but retired in 1921 after his office burned.The Maerker family occupied the home for about 60 years. In 1943, itwas sold to Dr. Charles and Florllla■Clippinger. The back lot was sold two years later to Mr. and Mrs.George Wiemken, who still reside thereFrom 1955 to 1967, the house was rented to various families. In 1967, it was purchased by the Clifton Ingrams for $13,000. They did extensive remodeling, including new wiring, plumbing, kitchen and baths.The Henry Springers bought the home in 1970 and added a new two-car garage and patio. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Miller bought the house in 1976 and remodeled the attic.The Schuelers became the ownersin I960 and added skylights in thekitchen area.Cramer — This house, built for Conrad and Margaret Miller in 1906, was purchased in 1921 by Fred Zahrend Sr for $5,000.It is of Midwestern Queen Anne style, a simplified middle-class variation of the larger Queen Anne homes. The front bay window and gable portions echo the variety and detail of the period.After the death of Zahrend, who moved to America from Germanyin 1892, the home went to his son, Fred Jr., a carpenter and cabinetmaker responsible for many homes in the Napoleon area.While the Zahrends owned the house, many changes were made. The wooden front porch was replaced with brick; the present living room was the parlor, and behind it was the living room; the present dining room was the living room; the garage was the kitchen; and a chicken coop stood where the patio and gazebo are now.The Cramers purchased the house in 1983 from the Zahrend estate and have since remodeled the kitchen.Schnitkey — Grace King purchased the lot in 1939 and built a house there, but never resided in it. Instead, she lived with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry King, cm West Main Street, and rented the house.Tenants included; the Ralph Shepherds, of Napoleon Egg Auction; the W.W. McClures, owner of an electrical store; the Earl Edwards, manager of Napoleon’s State Theater; the Robert Elliotts, sales representative for Dinner Bell; and the Russell Osborns, former superintendent of NapoleonWater Works.Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sycks bought the home in 1967, and the Schnit-keys became the owners in 1973.There has been no major remodeling except to update the kitchen. The architecture is Colonial Garrison, reminiscent of the simplistic English cottage of the 17th centuryThis is the newest home on any of the fall tours. It was chosen because it is completely furnished v/ith family heirlooms and antiques.Stein — Anthony Vanderbroektore down a small frame house to build this home in 1895. He had come to Napoleon from Holland in 1866 and became a successful clothing merchant and tailor.In 1869, he established the A.J. Vanderbroek Clothing Store, which was passed down through -the generations to become the Augenstein and Hoeffel store.Next owner of the house was David Meekison, from 1903 to 1907. He was a banker, attorney, judge, U.S. congressman and town mayor.In 1107, the family of Dr. Henry Coy owned the home. Subsequent owners were Claude Shockey and Earl and Geraldine Wirick. Duringthis time, it underwent extensive remodeling.In 1958, Denver Alexander bought it and divided it into two living units. The front porch was enclosed and used as his photography studio.A few years later, James Westho-ven purchased the house and converted it into three apartments His son, Gary, who rented one of the apartments, found the original ornate fireplace mantel and wood trim in a neighborhood bam and review of downtown Napoleon from the curved glass tower windows onthe second and third floors.Flightner — This brick Queen Anne home was built in the early 1900s by William and Sophia Hess. Hess also built other homes in the Napoleon area.The house is reduced in scale but posesses many of the same characteristics as larger Queen Annehomes. .In 1923, it was bought for $7,000 bySt. Paul United Methodist Churchis first stop on this annual fall tour of ISapoleon's historical beauty, sponsored by ISapoleonHeritage Society.turned it to the house.It was returned to a one-family dwelling in 1976 when Roger Winner bought the home. The Steins moved in in 1978 and have continued to redecorate.Of particular interest is the elegant lt;pen oak stairway with the original statuary on the newel 1 post. The landing is enhanced by an Italian stained glass window featuring a wedding design.The High Victorian Queen Anne tower house includes a corner tower and balconies and originally featured a wrap-around porch and bay windows. The style was popular in the 1800sTour participants will be allowed into the attic and will be treated to aMoses and Hassiba Basset, who had moved here from West Virginia to purchase the Canfield 5 10 Store. They changed the name to Bassett Variety Store, and it was located where Avina Wholesale is now. Thestore closed in 1950.The house was purchased in 1972 by John Casey and in 1974 by the FTightners, who have done extensive remodeling.The ceilings were lowered to provide heat runs to the second floor, and the walls were plastered. A corner fireplace in the living room was removed to make the house more energy-efficient.The kitchen cabinets were custom-built. When the existing doorway was expanded, an arch wasfound in the wall between the living and dining rooms; it originally had french doors.They also replaced the front porch and added an eating area beyond the kitchen.Frysinger — Built in 1910 by G.F. and Minnie Fraley, this house is of the Dutch colonial style of the early 1900s. The graceful and distinctive gambrel roofline, tower, flanking porch and carport, and the combination of stone, brick and clap board, all combine to create this cozy, cottage-like house.Fraley was an architect/contractor. and his name appears in the tile floor of the entry way.In 1920, Gerald Donnelly Sr., a career employee of the federal government, purchased the home. The town of Gerald reportedly is named after him.From 1922 to 1943, the house was owned by Stephen and Katherine Bissonnette. Bissonnette owned the local hardware store on West Washington Street.Gladys and Edwin Charles Sr next occupied the home for 16years. Charles opened a bargain store in the basement of what is now the Charles Co., and it grew into the department store of today.Also living in the house were Rob ert and Betty Elliott and Margery andDonGerkenRichard and Suzanne Mullen bought it in 1976. They stripped and refinished all the woodwork and floors and remodeled the kitchenThe current owners purchased it in 1983.
Newspaper Details
Defiance Marketeer
Defiance, Ohio, US
Mon, Sep 16, 1985
Page 4
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 12 May 2021
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