FREDERICK LIENAU, deceased, who was a well-known and successful farmer of Ridgeville township, was born in Prussia, Germany, on July 23, 1835, the son of Jochim Lienau. The family came to the United States in 1854, settling at once in Ridgeville township, Henry county, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father having owned the property on which the subject now resides. The place was originally in a wild state, but has beep brought up to a high state of cultivation, the old log house and barn being superseded by a splendid residence and substantial barn and other necessary buildings. Mr. Lienau was up-to-date in his methods and took pride in his farm. His death occurred on November 22, 1896. He was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran church of Ridgeville township and was a trustee of the same for many years. In 1862 he married Miss Dorothy Schultz, who was born in Prussia, Germany, on November 17, 1837, the daughter of Frederick and Dorothy (Cerleng) Schultz, also natives of Germany who came with their family to this country in 1853 and settled in Adams township, Defiance county, Ohio. Frederick Lienau and his wife had the following children: Wilhelmina married Henry Brandt; Louisa married John Schultz; Dorothy; Anna married Joseph Buhrer; Charlotte married William Wesche; Augusta married Henry Reinking; Frederick is mentioned in another paragraph.
Frederick Lienau was born on the home farm where he now lives, on September 1, 1880, and secured his education in the public schools and the Lutheran school. He has always lived at home and after his father’s death he took charge of the farm, which was willed to him by his mother in 1896. On August 14, 1904, he was married to Miss Ida Bruns, who was born in Freedom township, this county, July 29, 1879, the daughter of William and Sophia (Bargmann) Bruns, natives of Hanover, Germany, who now lives in Defiance county, Ohio. The subject and family are members of St. John’s Lutheran church of Ridgeville township.