John Wilhelm
This promiment carriage manufacturer immigrated to Wooster on the 9th of July, 1836, coming from North- ampton County, Pennsylvania, where he was born, June 14, 1810. On his arrival in Wooster, with his wife and two chil- dren, he immediately embarked in the business of carriage-making. His first shop was located on North Walnut Street, where, besides other work, he kept in repair six or seven lines of stage coaches. He built the first carriage ever con- structed in Wooster or Wayne County, there being no other maker nearer than George Hine, of Massillon. This carriage was built for Michael Mowry, the father of Michael Mowry, of Chester Township, at a cost of $165. Before Mowry left the shop some one remakred that, in advance of the carriage being removed, it would have to be "wet," to which he consented; and calling on the hands in the shop, sixteen in number, with James Jacobs, Michael Bucher, Henry Koller and Mr. Wilhelm, they all went to Koller's tavern and got "a stiff cocktail," for, as Mr. Wilhelm remarked in narrating the circumstance, they "drank nothing stronger than whisky and brandy then."
After doing business on the west side for about three years Mr. Wilhelm bought lots on East Liberty Street, and built the structure now owned and occu- pied by Frederick Schuch and Mr. Saal. He remained there for twelve or thirteen years, or until 1852, when he took possession of the new brick shops he had erected across the street, and was pre- pared to carry on business co-extensive with his increased capacities. In 1860 he built a fine residence on the corner of Beall Avenue and Bowman Street.
Mr. Wilhelm has been an industrious man all his life, is identified with our public improvements, and has contributed his share to the general advancement of the town. He contributed freely to the University, and was one of the number who signed the $17,000 bond. For 46 years he has been connected with the Reformed church of Wooster. Three of his sons were in the Federal army, one of whom, Owen A., was after- wards, from 1875 to 1877, Mayor of the city.
From History of Wayne County, Ohio, From the Days of the Pioneers and First Settlers to the Present Time, by Robert Douglass, 1878