Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    JOHN G. WETZEL


    JOHN G. WETZEL, one of Covington's leading business men, whose interests have been centered in this city for the past nine years, was born in Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, on a farm not far distant from the village of Laura, March 8, 1872. His parents were Gottleib and Rose (Trost) Wetzel. The parents of Mr. Wetzel moved from Miami County to a farm in Franklin Township, Darke County, Ohio, in 1874, and there the father died in 1888. The mother still survives and lives on the Franklin Township farm.

    J. G. Wetzel remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, helping on the farm and securing his education in the public schools. His first outside work was in a butcher shop at Potsdam, where he was employed for one year and he then bought the business and conducted it for a year and a half, after which he sold and engaged in the wagon and horse business at the same place, continuing until 1900, when he came to Covington. In March, 1902, he suffered considerably from fire, his stables burning down, and, although he succeeded in getting out his own and a number of boarding horses, amounting to thirty-seven head, he lost buggies, and all his stored hay and feed. Ever since coming to Covington, his livery stable has been his main interest, although in 1906 he entered into partnership with C. A. Ditmer, under the firm name of Wetzel & Ditmer, and carried on a carriage and buggy business for one year. Immediately following his fire loss in 1902, be transferred his horses to the Fosdick barn and on the morning following was ready for business again. In the fall of 1906 he purchased the McGowan barn and tore it down, in its place building a fine new barn, into which he moved March 4, 1907. Again misfortune fell upon him, fire destroying his stables for a second time, on May 27, 1908, in which conflagration he lost six head of horses, twenty-two buggies and all his feed and hay, meeting with a total loss of over $4,000. Mr. Wetzel, however, was not discouraged, on the other hand he immediately began the erection of still larger and more substantial stables and by August 10, 1908, he was established in his new quarters.

    He keeps thirteen head of horses, conducts a first-class livery and deals in both horses and buggies. Mr. Wetzel is a good citizen but is not particularly active in politics. He is a member of the order of Red Men.

    December 19, 1892, Mr. Wetzel was married to Miss Lillian Martzall, of Gettysburg, Ohio, daughter of Martin and Catherine (Hice) Martzill, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wetzell became the parents of three children; Bryan, Lova Bell and Nora. Mrs. Wetzell died at Potsdam, Ohio, May 31, 1900.

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