Mrs. Maria Pingel

Mrs. Maria Pingel, who resides with her son August at No. 737 summit street, may by count of years be the oldest inhabitant of our city and is without a doubt by the length of her abidance in Defiance the oldest pioneer woman.

She was born on the 15th of October 1824 in Schliefen, Mecklenburg, Germany and spent her youth there. In spring of the year 1850 she decided to immigrate and, acting on her decision, arrived after an almost three month journey here in Defiance, where she has resided ever since. Of four children, whom she gave life, still living are the daughter Mrs. Minnie Groh in Paulding county, the daughter Mrs. Mary Wertman in Strausstown, Berks county, Pennsylvania and the son August, who lives with his aged mother. The descendants also include 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her husband Jakob Pingel had died in the summer of the year 1867.

No matter how much burden and care the day might bring, up until a few years ago Mrs. Pingel was fit as a fiddle and spry. The last few years, however, have not passed without leaving their mark, and her 91st birthday, which she celebrated on the Friday before last, found her somewhat frail. Apparently her days are numbered. But as an examplar of the German housewife, who will let no care annoy her and no labor to go sour, her picture deserves to be held up to our youth. And therefore we bring in this issue a short sketch of her life.