HENRY FRANZ, a retired farmer, now living in South Napoleon, Ohio, was born in Prussia, Germany, July 6, 1837, the son of John and Christina (George) Franz. The father came to America in 1852, settling in Richland county, Ohio, and two years later removed to Henry county, settling in Flat Rock township, where he purchased forty acres of wild land, which he developed into a fine farm, and where he lived until his death in 1883, his wife having died in 1878. They had ten children; William, Henry, Elizabeth, Jacob, August, Christina, Frederick, Mary, Peter and John.
Henry Franz remained at home until attaining his majority and attended the common schools. In August, 1864, he bought eighty acres of land in Flat Rock township, which he cleared up and made one of the best farms in Henry county, it still being in his possession. In 1900 Mr. Franz removed to South Napoleon, buying and improving a splendid property there and now having one of the best homes in the locality.
In 1867 Mr. Franz married Miss Mary Kemm, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 4, 1849, the daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Greumyer) Kemm, both natives of Germany. They came to America about 1849, settling in Richland county, Ohio, and four years later coming to Monroe township, Henry county, later removing to Flat Rock township, where the father bought eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and where the parents made their home until their deaths, the father dying in 1891 and the mother in 1905. They were the parents of ten children, Christina, Richea, Philpena, Mary, William, living, and five who are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Franz have become the parents of seven children, Irene, wife of Charles Souers; Emma, wife of Frank Lamb; Lewis, of Flat Rock township; Katie, wife of Nathan Kramer; Mary, at home; Nettie, wife of Charlie Webber; and Adolph, at home. In politics Mr. Franz is independent, while in religion he and his wife belong to the Reform church.
Before closing this brief sketch, it should consistently be noted that on October 7, 1861, Mr. Franz enlisted in Company A, Sixty-eighth Ohio Regiment, serving until December 15, I863, when he was discharged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, but immediately re-enlisted and served until the close of the conflict, being finally discharged on July 10, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He took part in all the engagements in which the famous Sixty-eighth took part and faithfully served his country in her hour of need.