James L. Maus
James L. Maus, the well- known wagon-maker of LaFayette, was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, November 14, 1840, and is a son of Nicholas Dill and Elizabeth (Creps) Maus, who were natives of Maryland. The father was born in 1803 near where afterward was to be fought the battle of Gettysburg. He came to Ohio in 1832 and entered land in Perry township, Allen County, where he carried on farming for many years and also operated a sawmill which was run by water-power. He was a miller by trade and followed that business in his native State. He made his home in Perry township until he retired from active life when he spent some time in Fort Wayne and later returned to Westminster, this county, where he passed away at the age of 95 years. He was a Whig and later a Republican. His wife died in 1895 at the age of 85 years. There were four children, namely: William A., Margaret Elizabeth, Rebecca Barbara and James L. William A. served 12 months in the 180th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Calvin S. Brice, and is now a resident of Vaughnsville, Putnam County, Ohio. Margaret Elizabeth became the wife of Samuel Moore and resided in Hardin County where she died about 1899. Rebecca Barbara married Taylor Hefner and lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
James L. Maus was the fourth and youngest of the family. He attended school until he was 14 when he learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he continued to work for several years. In 1867 he moved to LaFayette and began his wagon-making business, and has been thus engaged almost ever since. He operated a sawmill for some 12 years and also started a feed-mill, now run by his sons.
On April 13, 1869, he was married to Hannah E. Leatherman, daughter of Michael Leatherman, a prominent character of the early days of Allen County and for many years probate judge. Their children are Arthur Dill, a machinist and a member of the firm of Maus Brothers; Charles Venton, who was killed in the mill when in his 17th year; Harry Page, another member of the firm of Maus Brothers; Frank H., who conducts a hotel at Fort Wane, Indiana; Ruea Mrytle, who lives at home; Jesse Donald, who has great ability as a mechanic and is a photographer and electrician of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and two daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Maus is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., and was a member of the G. A. R. post until its disorganization.
In the Civil War Mr. Maus was in Company H, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Charles M. Hughes and Colonel Morton; but after four months became ill with measles and was discharged on account of disability. As soon as he recovered he reenlisted in June, 1862, in Company E, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. John Walters and from that time was in the thickest of the fray, following Bragg's army and taking part in the battles at Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, not missing an engagement in which his regiment participated. While waiting in 1865 for a transfer home from Salisbury, North Carolina, he was taken down with fever, which ended his army experiences.