August Bartel is the owner of the Miami Post, a German paper published at Piqua. He was born June 15, 1862, in the city which is still his home and is one of the ten children of Adam and Mary (Hergenham) Bartel. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, learned the shoemaker's trade in early life, and when a young man sought a home in America, believing that better opportunities were here afforded. He took up his abode in Buffalo, New York, where he was married and followed his trade. When the canal was being built through Miami county, he came to Piqua and worked on that artificial waterway for a time. Later he engaged in shoemaking in partnership with his brother, Joseph, and subsequently opened a shop of his own. He built up an immense business, furnishing employment to twenty-five operatives. He carried on shoemaking until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-three years of age. In politics he was a Democrat, but took no active part in political work. In his business affairs he met with creditable success, acquiring a comfortable competence. He was one of the first members of St. Mary's parish Catholic church, and became a leading member of St. Boniface church. His wife, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, died on the 17th of September, 1896. She, too, was a member of St. Boniface church at the time of her death. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, of whom four died in early life. The others are Anna, who became the wife of A. F. Thoma, and died in 1899, at the age of fifty-six years; Cecelia, wife of Gregory Strohmenger, of Piqua; John, baggage master at Piqua; Mary, wife of John Stelzer, of the same city; A. A., who is living in Piqua; and August.

Mr. Bartel, of this review, spent his boyhood days in Piqua, obtaining his education in the Catholic schools. When about seventeen years of age he entered the office which he now owns, and was employed there for seventeen years, after which he purchased the plant. The paper had formerly been known as the Piqua Correspondent, but when it came into the possession of Mr. Bartel he changed its name to the Miami Post, the first issue under that title appearing on the 2d of August, 1894. Under his management the circulation of the paper has increased one-third. It is the only German paper in Miami county and has a large circulation among the German speaking people of this locality and their descendants. He also does a good jobbing business, both in English and German.

On the 27th of September, 1897, Mr. Bartel was united in marriage with Miss Mary Murphy, of Piqua, who was born in Cincinnati. She died May 7, 1900, when about thirty-five years of age. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Murphy, and, though born in Cincinnati, spent almost her entire life in Piqua. She was a member of the Catholic church and an earnest Christian woman, whose many excellent qualities gained for her the regard and esteem of all with whom she was associated. Mr. Bartel also holds membership in St. Mary's Catholic church and has a large circle of friends in Piqua, where he is known as a reliable and enterprising business man and capable journalist.