Lake Erie Islanders - Louis Gemelch

LOUIS GEMELCH. Whether in the staple industry of grape growing or in public affairs Louis Gemelch has exercised a very large and valuable influence on Middle Bass for many years. He is serving as township assessor and has held that office steadily for twenty-two years except for two years when the office was filled by appointment. He is in fact one of the strong and able leaders of the democratic party in this section of Ottawa County. He filled a place on the local school board for 7½ years, and it was his level headed sense and business experience that brought about the straightening out of the school records and affairs. He also served as trustee of Island Hall for three years.

When he first came to Middle Bass Island he spent six months working in the Wehrle Vineyards. After that he was in Springfield, Ohio, for a couple of years, but then returned to Middle Bass Island and has been identified with this general locality ever since. Mr. Gemelch was born at Sandusky, Ohio, June 1, 1859, his father being an early settler there. Both parents died in Sandusky.

After returning from Springfield to Middle Bass Mr. Gemelch was employed on some of the Wehrle boats for five years, and then found work in the Put-in-Bay Wine Company. For two years he was in the service of Jay Cooke, taking care of Gibraltar Island.

After his marriage Mr. Gemelch settled down on Middle Bass Island, and has successfully operated a fine vineyard there for many years. He has twenty-one acres, of which sixteen acres are in grapes.

His wife before her marriage was Catherine Fisher. Her father, Anton Fisher, was one of the early settlers on Middle Bass Island, and his homestead was on the North Shore, where he erected a very beautiful big residence. Louis Gemelch subsequently bought the old Fisher place from the other heirs, and is now its proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Gemelch have one son, Albert E., who spends part of the year fishing but is always at home during the grape season. He is at present trustee of Island Hall.

Mr. Gemelch has been through all the chairs and is past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Commodore Perry Lodge, No.730, of Put-in-Bay, Ottawa County.

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Revised: 21 Jul 2008 07:49:45.

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