Henry Kruse
Henry Kruse, who has resided continuously for upwards of 40 years on his present farm in section 17, German township, is one of the thrifty, substantial citizens of Allen County, was born July 24, 1833, in Prussia, Germany. His parents were Joseph and Anna Kruse. The mother died in 1843 and the father followed her in 1848.
After the death of his father, Henry Kruse, who was then 15 years of age, was bound out to a showmaker for a term of three years. After serving out his time, he remained in the same service two years longer, receiving wages for his labor. He was desirous of starting in business for himself but, as the laws of the country did not allow him to take such a step until he was of age, he decided to try his fortune in America.
With 25 of his fellow townspeople, he began the journey across the ocean, the trip being made in a sailing vessel and covering a period of eight weeks. An epidemic of smallpox broke out, which proved fatal to seven of their number, and caused a change in the plans. They had intended to land at New Orleans but this they were not permitted to do on account of the smallpox, although they were allowed to proceed up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. A landing was made at Cincinnati. Mr. Kruse remained in that city three and a half years working at his trade and then went to Champaign County, near Urbana, Ohio, where he worked four years on a farm. About this time he was married and leased the farm for five years, until 1865, when he came to Allen County and purchased 68 acres of land where he has since resided. Mr. Kruse prospered in his business, and added to his original purchase until he owned at one time 200 acres. Most of this has been sold since, his son and son-in-law recently buying 140 acres of him. This leaves 30 acres in the homestead.
Mr. Kruse was married in 1859 to Doretta Booman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, November 24, 1833. Five children have been born to them, namely: Charles, residing on the homestead, who married Minnie Counselor, daughter of Rev. Counselor, of this county, and has six children; Henry, who married Bertha Becker, who died 10 years ago, leaving two sons, Earl and Kenneth, who live with their grandfather Kruse; Anna, who married Jacob Smith, lives about three miles south of Lima and has five children Paul, Alice, Gladys, Dean and Floy; Emma, who married Lewis Freightner, lives in Lima and has two children Evan and Robert; and Frank, who married Maggie Neely, lives in Lima and has one child, Grace. Mr. Kruse is a Democrat. In religion he is a Lutheran and is a trustee of the church of that denomination at Elida.