HERMAN HENRY FLEDDERJOHANN was born in Ladbergen, Prussia, January 16th, 1816, and died at his home near New Knoxville, July 25th, 1904. He came to America in 1835 and settled with his parents in the western part of Washington township, Auglaize county. At this time the State of Ohio was building the Miami and Erie canal, on which Mr. Fledderjohann secured a position as a common laborer. Displaying unusual ability in this line of work, he was raised to the position of foreman, in which capacity he superintended the construction and reconstruction of a number of locks along this water way. Following the completion of the canal, he constructed a sawmill at lock six, which he operated for nearly forty years. Mr. Fledderjohann was a successful business man, being interested in a number of business enterprises. He was also one of the largest land owners in the county. He was twice married, his first marriage being blessed with six children, of whom only two are now living. Twelve children were the result of his second union, of whom eight still survive him. The children now living are William, contractor and sawmiller; Frederick, a farmer; Dr. Henry, a practitioner in New Knoxville; Herman, a contractor and boat-builder, living in southern Illinois; George, a farmer; Dr. Frederick, a practitioner in New Bremen; Hon. B. A. Fledderjohann, Representative of Auglaize county in the Ohio General Assembly. The three daughters are married to F. Schroer, a farmer; William Henschen, a farmer, and H.Detjen, a farmer and grain dealer. The entire family consists of seven sons, three daughters, thirty-seven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.
From the time of his arrival at man's estate to the day of his death, Mr. Fledderjohann affiliated and voted with the Democratic party. Being intensely loyal to the land of his adoption, he believed it to be the duty of every American citizen to vote, and emphasized this conviction on numerous occasions during the early days by walking from his home to Lima, the nearest voting place at that time.
Mr. Fledderjohann possessed talents above mediocrity, a sound judgment in public affairs, and was an active and influential man in the early settlement of the county.
Source 1: History of Western Ohio & Auglaize County - by C. W. Williamson - Columbus, Ohio - Press of W. M. Linn & Sons - 1905 - Page 687