JOHN WENDT, JR., a well-known farmer of Ridgeville township, Henry county, was born on the farm where he now lives, on October 22, 1860, and is the son of John and Sophia (Leinau) Wendt, both natives of Germany, the father born in 1829, and the mother in 1831. The father came to the United States in 1854, some time after the emigration of the family, he having been detained by military duty. The subject's mother came the same year, her father, John Leinau, buying eighty acres of land adjoining that of Mrs. Wendt's parents. John Wendt, Sr., is still living, making his home with the subject; the mother died July 28, 1900. Their children were Frederick, August, Willie, John, Jr., Emma, Charles and Minnie.
The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life on the farm where he now lives, and in his youth was educated in the common schools and in the Lutheran parochial school. He was early taught the secrets of successful agriculture and has long been considered one of the leading farmers of the township. He also owns another farm of eighty acres in Ridgeville township and one of forty acres in Adams township, Defiance county. He has taken excellent care of the old homestead, having remodeled the residence and made other good improvements on the place.
Mr. Wendt married Miss Emma Wesche, who was born in this township on March 8, 1870, the daughter of Daniel and Ricka (Martin) Wesche. To them have been born three children, Emial, August 30, 1889, Alfred, October 19, 1891, and Mary, August 23, 1895; two others died in infancy. Mr. Wendt has served as constable, assessor and supervisor of Ridgeville township. In religion he is a member of St. John's Lutheran church, of which he was a trustee at the time of the construction of the present edifice. Fraternally he is a Forester. He is well known in his community and by all is esteemed for his genuine worth.