The Fremont Messenger, Fremont, Ohio, Thursday, March 12, 1936

Landmarks of Sturdy Pioners Ab(???)

Mrs. Henry Wott Tells of Experiences in Eighties; 
Home in Green Creek Township Was Established

In 1866 Charles Wott emigrated with his family to America.  They had lived 
in Prussia, he being a squire or magistrate, an office corresponding to our 
justice of peace.

Upon their arrival in America they lived for a year in Venice, Erie County, 
Ohio, then they came to Green Creek township, Sandusky county and purchased
eighty acres of land, where they lived and followed agricultural pursuits.

Mr. Wott was active until his death which occurred in the fall of 1868 at the 
age of sixty-three years.  His wife survived until April 5, 1894.  They had 
a family of twelve children as follows:  Carolina, Albertina, Henry L., 
Charles A., William, who settled in Oak Harbor, Wilhelmina, Kate, August, 
John and three who died in Prussia.

Henry L. Wott was twenty-seven years of age when he came with his parents 
to America.  Upon his father's death which occurred about six months after 
he had bought his farm in Green Creek township, Henry L. and his brother 
Charles A. purchased the interests of the other heirs, and began to farm 
the newly acquired home place.  They also purchased eighty acres additional 
and later divided the property between them, Henry L. retaining the home farm,
most of which he had under a high state of cultivation.  In 1883, he erected 
at a cost of $3000 a fine brick residence, carefully designed and constructed.

Henry L. Wott was married April 20, 1869, to Mary Schiska, to them five children
were born: William H. Charles R., John, deceased, Minnie and Henry.  Henry L. 
is deceased but Mrs. Wott lives with her son Charles R., on the home place.  
William H. is a retired farmer.  Henry is at the Soldiers and Sailors Home 
at Sandusky.  Minnie became Mrs. Jarke.

The home farm is now an estate, and is operated by Charles R. Wott who married
Elizabeth Wobser.  To this union was born six children: Arthur, who is employed
by the township; Martin, who married Marie Nurly; Emma became Mr. Thomas 
Skilliter; Lester, married Gladys Graves; Clarence, married Florence Rife; 
Lawrence remained single and lives with his parents on the old homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wott are the parents of a six year old son, Lindon.  
Mr. Martin Wott is employed at the cutlery trade.

Mrs. Lester Wott is the mother of June Sherer by a former marriage.  
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wott are connected with the Clyde Builders Supply company.
He is also a deputy to Sheriff Tom Pask.

Clarence Wott is employed by a Clyde automobile agency as a mechanic.  
They, as well as all the married children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Wott 
make their homes in Clyde, Ohio.

An interview with Mrs. Henry L. Wott was interesting.  She related the primitive
conditions of Green Creek township, as she recalled them as a girl.  She told 
of the time required to reach the only worthwhile market at that time in 
Sandusky for the barley raised on the farm.  Two to three days was the usual 
time necessary with a loaded wagon.  Barley sold at the brewery in Sandusky 
for 80 cents to $1.20 per bushel.  Dressed ducks and chickens were sold and 
eggs found a ready market.  These were troublesome to take because of the bad 
roads.  She stated they simply had to hold the baskets for otherwise the sudden
jars would break the eggs.

The trip was not made often.  Fencing and much necessary farm equipment were 
brought back.  Sugar sold at 10 cents a pound.  Coffee was bought at 7 to 8 
cents, this was not roasted, as most farmers of that time preferred to roast 
their own, or as she put it "burn their own coffee beans".

She feels that the younger generation, instead of being at an advantage, 
are in many ways handicapped.  To her the hardships, common to all at that 
time, developed a more considerate and human side to fellowmen.  As for 
good times, she is certain, no young people could enjoy themselves more than 
those in the early eighties.

[Note: Mary Wott died July 1936, a few months after this was published.]

The Wott Homestead and Members of the family

(picture)

The homestead of the Wott family in Green Creek township is pictured above.  
This home built in 1883 for $3000, would cost several times that amount 
to duplicate today.

In the reproduced snap shot, back row, left to right are Thomas Skilliter, 
Arthur Wott, Martin Wott, Clarence Wott, Lawrence Wott and Lester Wott.  
The next row to front, left to right are Mrs. Martin Wott, Mrs. Clarence Wott
and Mrs. Lester Wott.  The next row, June Sherer and Mrs. Thomas Skilliter.  
Just back of the children are Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Wott.  The children, 
left to right are Mary Lee Skilliter, Linden Wott, Willis and Alvin Skilliter.

In the oval is pictured Mrs. Charles Wott, the wife of our pioneer from Prussia.