Biography/Notes

Paul Huss, a redhead, was born on March 26, 1843 in Niederkorn, Differdange, Luxembourg. In, 1846, he and his family immigrated to America. They settled in Big Spring Township, Seneca County, Ohio where Paul's father purchased a 30 acre farm.

Paul married Josephine Plentz on January 26, 1869 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Riegel. Father Anthony Laux conducted the service. There were four witnesses listed on the church record: Peter Brosmer, Marie Lafontaine, Joseph Plentz, and Barbara Peter. The other witnesses were all from the families of the early settlers of the New Riegel area, well regarded and great friends of the family.

The Huss family settled down to a life of farming. Paul worked his father's farm, and he eventually purchased it from his father's estate after his death. By 1886, Paul owned 80 acres of improved land. In the winter of 1890, he needed his children's help clearing five acres of heavy timber so that the land could be farmed. Heavily wooded land required a great deal of work for a family to clear it. The work was done with hand tools, oxen, and muscle.

In February 1905, the family bought a house in the town of New Riegel. The house had been in the family for
Huss family home and exchange
Josephine with son Arthur  D some time. Paul bought the home from Nicholas Plentz, his father-in-law. The lot was originally purchased by Nicholas and Elizabeth Plentz on April 3, 1872 for $100.00. It was bought by Joseph and Mary Plentz on October 30, 1877, presumably now with a house for $1,200.00. It was bought back by Nicholas Plentz on June 1, 1885 for $800.00 and sold to Paul Huss on February 25, 1905 for $800.00. Philomena (Huss) Steinhauser purchased it on November 5, 1937 for $1,200.00. Paul and Josephine lived there for the rest of their lives.

In New Riegel, Paul ran the telephone exchange for the area out of his home. He had an excellent reputation for his operation of the central office of the New Riegel Mutual Phone Company. Overall, he had an excellent reputation as a farmer and businessman. He was fair in his dealings with all men and provided his customers with great service. He was also active in the community, serving several terms as a trustee of Big Springs Township. In politics, he was a Democrat.

In the summer of 1919, Paul and Josephine celebrated their 50th. wedding anniversary. It was a grand affair. There was a Mass at St. Boniface Church. Blandine Steinhauser acted as Josephine's honorary bridesmaid. She wore a white dress that her mother, Philomena, had made for her. Rudolph Huss acted as Paul's best man. After the Anniversary Mass, there was a huge party at Charles Huss' house. A photo was taken of the event with the house in the background.

Paul died in 1927 after being in poor health for about one year. A week before his death, the children were summoned to his side. His death was finally caused by pneumonia. He died on a Wednesday, and the funeral was on Saturday, October 8th at St. Boniface Church at 9:00 am. There was a large dinner for friends and family after the funeral. Philomena Huss was very busy during this time. She made many cakes for the occasion, probably between 25 or 30.

Anniversary clipping taken from the 1919 Tiffin Daily Tribune:

Celebrate Golden Anniversary at New Riegel

Renew Marriage Vows at St. Boniface Church as Fifty Years Ago--Many Present

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Huss, of New Riegel, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Tuesday morning at St. Boniface Church at 8 o'clock, renewing the marriage vows made fifty years ago. At noon a sumptuous family dinner was served to over a hundred friends and relatives at the Huss homestead. The decorations in the home were white and gold.

Mr. and Mrs. Huss were united in marriage on January 26, 1869 at New Riegel at St. Boniface Church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Father Alphonse Laux. As their youngest son, Arthur, is in Germany with the Army of Occupation, the celebration was postponed hoping that he might have returned by this time.

Sponsors and flower girls for them Tuesday morning were four grandchildren Rudolph Huss, Mondina [Blandina] Steinhauser, Mildred and Erma Huss.

Mr. and Mrs. Huss were the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls, and of those living the following were present: Joseph, St. Cloud, Minnesota; Mrs. Philomena Steinhauser, New Riegel; Mrs. Henry Huss and family and Mr. and Mrs. John P. Weaver [Wagner] and family, St. Cloud, Minnesota; Mrs. Peter Antoinetta Elkhart [Elchert]; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Huss, Louiston, Montana; and Edmund, New Riegel. The majority of their 29 grandchildren were also present. One of the honored guests was Peter Grosener of Huntville, Alabama, the only surviving sponsor at the marriage fifty years ago.

Anniversary clipping taken from the January 27, 1926 Tiffin Tribune:

New Riegel Couple Married 57 Years

Relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Huss, New Riegel, joined in an anniversary surprise given last evening in honor of their 57th wedding anniversary. The evening was spent in playing cards. Light refreshments were served.

Mrs. Huss, formerly Miss Josephine Plentz, was married to Mr. Huss in New Riegel where she has resided practically all her life. Mr. Huss was born in Niederkorn, Luxembourg, Germany. His family were among the early pioneers of New Riegel. He has lived in that community since he was three years old.

Arthur Huss of this city, one of nine children, attended the party last evening. There are 40 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Obituary from Tiffin Tribune, Tiffin, Ohio, October 6, 1927, page 4, column 3.

New Riegel Resident Dies; Rites Friday

Was 84 Years Old; Son is Keeper of Village General Store

Funeral services for Paul Huss, aged 84, resident of New Riegel who died suddenly Wednesday afternoon will be held Friday morning at nine o'clock in St. Boniface Church at New Riegel. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Mr. Huss had been in poor health for more than a year but his death yesterday was unexpected and came after an attack of pneumonia. His son, Charles Huss, general store keeper at New Riegel, was in this city on business when his father died.

He was a son of Nicholas and Catherine Huss and was born in Niederkorn, Germany, March 26, 1843. The family came to the United States when he was three years old and he had lived in New Riegel practically ever since. He married Miss Josephine Plentz on January 26, 1869 at New Riegel.

Besides his widow, Mr. Huss leaves the following sons and daughters: Joseph Huss of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Mrs. Joseph Steinhauser of New Riegel; Sister M. Louise of Maria Stein Convent; Charles Huss, Edmund Huss, and Mrs. Peter Elchert, all of New Riegel; Mrs. Wagner of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Robert Huss of Great Falls, Montana; and Arthur Huss of this city. Mr. Huss was the last member of his family.

Mr. Huss had been a life long member of St. Boniface Church.

From the History of Seneca County, page 420: 1884--Paul Huss, N. Kinn, John Mathias, trustees; William Haines, clerk. The officers of Big Spring Township, elected in 1885, are Paul Huss, Nicholas Kinn, A. W. Simonis, trustees; William Haines, clerk; Charles Shubert, treasurer; Peter Goshe, assessor, William Haines, T. M. Frink, I. W. Cline, and Charles Shubert, justices of the peace; J. Vetter, and Joseph Wullen schneider, constables.

Residential note: Paul and Josephine were living with Nicholas Huss at the time of the 1870 census. Their son Joseph was also listed.

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Grave of Paul and Josephine Huss,
St. Boniface Cemetery, New Riegel, Ohio