Philip Ondler was born the son of Frederic Ondler buried in Tuscarwas County, Ohio and Catheine Fuchs (Fox) in France She is buried in Holt Cemetery in New Point, Holt County, Missouri. Linn County History 1911 Volume 2 on pages 597 and 598-It is noticeable that Linn County numbers among her citizenship many who in early life have emigrated to America without capital and from a position of comparative obscurity have worked their way upward to a substantial place among its business men. To this class belongs Philip Ondler, who was born in France on June 7, 1832, a son of Frederick and Catharine (Fox) Ondler, who were likewise natives of the father land. Emigrating to America, they landed in New York City, January 8, 1848, and at once made their way to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, arriving there in May. The father purchased seventy-five acres of land in that section of the state and was identified with its cultivation until his death, which occured about 1875. The mother died in Missouri in 1872. Philip Ondler was a youth of sixteen at the time of the family's emigration to the new world. Immediately upon his arrival here he began to work by the month at farm labor, his time being thus occupied until he was twenty-two years of age, when he rented a farm and began business on his own account, operating one hundred and twenty acres. In the meantime, in 1864, he had located in Iowa, and three years later, in 1867, he took up his obode in Spring Grove township, Linn county. In the latter section he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, operating the same for two years. In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of his present property in 1875 bought eighty more and subsequetly purchased an adjoining tract of two hundred and twelve acres. He has made many modern improvements on the place, on which stands a nice country residence, a good barn and outbuildings, and the propery with all of its equipment is one of the valuable tracts in Spring Grove township. The fields, too, are under a high state of cultivation, returning golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon them. On the 2nd of April, 1854, occured the marrage of Mr. Ondler and Miss Sally Sherrets, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Sherrets, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ondler were born thirteen children, as follows: William Cyrus Ondler born in Ohio, who is married and lives in Oklahoma; Albert LeRoy Ondler born in Ohio, who is married and makes his home in Dows, Iowa; Mrs. Malinda Stawl born in Ohio, who lives in New Mexico; Mrs. Amanda Mahala Carson born in Ohio, who resides in Spring Grove township; Ira Elliott Ondler born in Ohio, who is married and lives in Coggon,Iowa; Madison Millvile Ondler born in Iowa, who makes his home in Spring Grove township, and is now acting as trustee of the same; John Wesley Ondler who was born in Iowa, who died in 1902 and is buried in this cemetery; Philip Harley Ondler born in Iowa, a resident of Buchanan County, Iowa; Mrs Cora Elizabeth Helbig born in Iowa, a resident of LaFayette, Iowa; Mrs. Rhoda N. Ann Laird born in Iowa, of Walker, Iowa; Frederic Perry Ondler born in Iowa, who is married and lives in Grant township, Linn County, Iowa; Lewis H_______ Ondler born in Iowa who departed this life in 1867
burial place in unknown; Ada Grace Ondler born in Iowa, whose death occured in 1880. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in Janurary, 1898, after a happy married life covering fourty-four years. On the 22nd of March, 1899, Mr. Ondler was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Miles (Harriet) Laird. In principle and practice, a republican, Mr. Ondler is ever found ready to promote the best interests of the party and to assist his fellowmen or the public. For eighteen years he served as road supervisor, while for twenty years he acted as school director. For a similar period he was also treasurer of the Highland Creamery and for ten years was a treasurer of the Troy Mills Horse Company. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran Church, while his fraternal relations connect him with Morris Lodge No. 500, A.F. & A.M. His record in public servic as well as in the pursuits of private interests is one of unremitting and tireless toil, and he has worked his way up in his present high standing in the business world and in the hearts of his neighbors by adhering strictly to honest and honorable methods.

*Harriet Mills was 17 and Grandma Simmons 18. Came together on same wagon train. Married Anna Laird who died 1894 married Phillip Ondler.