My Genealogy Hound

STEPHEN GENSLINGER, Secretary and Treasurer of the Spiker Wagon Works Co., Piqua. Mr. Genslinger, a native of Germany, born in 1831, came to the United States in 1841, with his mother, who lived at Troy until her decease, which occurred in 1856; his father’s death occurred in Germany in 1831. Mr. Genslinger came to Piqua in 1846, and was employed first as a store boy, afterward became clerk, and clerked for a time in Fort Wayne, Ind., then returned to Troy, where he married, in 1854, Caroline, daughter of William McNeely; after his marriage, he returned to Piqua and engaged in the manufacture of turned handles etc., in connection with his brother-in-law, David Ryan, in which he continued until 1860, when he became traveling salesman for O’Farrall, Daniels & Co.; in 1867, he purchased an interest in the grocery firm of J. Zollinger & Co., and remained a member of that firm until 1877, when he sold out and became connected with R. P. Spiker & Co., carriage manufacturers; when the new stock company, styled the Spiker Wagon Works Co., was organized, Mr. Genslinger was chosen Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Grenslinger has been a useful citizen; has served the people of Piqua as Councilman one term, is now serving the third year as Trustee of the City Water Works, also the second term as Director of the County Infirmary, and is now, and has been for the past sixteen years, Captain of the Fourth Ward Fire Company, also Treasurer of the Masonic Lodge since 1870. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and one of its Vestrymen. Thus he has risen from a poor, fatherless boy to a useful and respected citizen, and, what seems remarkable, when we consider the numerous official positions he now fills, and has heretofore filled, he never attended school a day in his life. He is the father of nine children— Charles H., Addie, William H., Harry, Wallace, Nellie, Carrie, Kittie and Stephen J. His oldest son is in business in New Orleans; the rest are members of the family household.