John Deppler
John Deppler, well-known both as a contractor and farmer of Richland Township, is a Swiss by birth and an American by long residence and sympathies. He was born October 10, 1847, in Tagerfelten, Canton Bern, Switzerland. His parents were John and Fannie (Shifferly) Deppler, both of whom were natives of Bern. The father was a contractor and met his death a short time before the birth of our subject by the caving-in of a sand-bank. He was the father of two children, Elizabeth, who died in Paulding County, Ohio, and John. The mother married a second time, her second husband being Rudolph Smith, who brought the family to America in 1853. After remaining in Wayne County, Ohio, for a couple of years, they came to Allen County and settled in Richland township. Later they moved to Paulding County, Ohio, where the mother died in her 63rd year. By her second marriage she had two daughters and one son, all of whom have passed to the life beyond.
John Deppler resided in Allen County about 10 years, being 18 or 19 of age when he went with his parents to Paulding County. He was a carpenter and worked at his craft after returning to Allen County in 1869. Later he also engaged in contracting and continued this business until about five years ago, when he gave up the more arduous work and now enjoys the comforts of his pleasant home in well-earned ease. In 1889 Mr. Deppler purchased a small farm of 60 acres, to which he afterwards added an adjoining tract of 85 acres, the land lying in sections 11 and 12, Richland Township. This he has converted into a most desirable home by erecting a good comfortable house and remodeling and building the out buildings to suit his needs. he carries on general farming, the work having been in charge of his son while he was engaged in carpentering and contracting.
Mr. Deppler has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Huber, daughter of Charles and Nancy Huber of Richland township. She left two sons Albert, of Bluffton, and Eli. In 1888, Mr. Deppler was married to his present wife, who was Anna P. Garber, a native of Wayne County, Ohio. Her parents Peter and Anna (Shiverly) Garber, were natives of Switzerland. Peter Garber died in Wayne County. After his death, his widow and daughter came to Allen County where the latter met and married John Deppler. Three children, all sons, have been born to them namely: John Calvin, who lives at home and looks after the farm; and Daniel Walter and Harry Edison, who are attending school. Mr. Deppler is a Democrat in Politics. In religion he is a consistent member of the Mennonite Church.