Perhaps no other family had a greater impact on the development of Sidney than the Mathias Wagner Family. Mr. Wagner was born in Germany and immigrated to America in 1830. Arriving in Sidney in 1837, Mathias was hired to work on the construction of the canal. With his savings he began raising steers and hogs to feed the men who labored on the canal. Noticing the rapid growth of Sidney, Mathias soon invested those profits in real estate. With hard work and a determination to succeed, Mathias became a wealthy man.
Mathias was married to Mary Rauth. Twelve children were born to that union. Mathias operated his farm and managed his investment properties in Sidney. He paid strict attention to his business and was seldom away from either the farm or town. The family helped with operations and learned their father’s work ethic and persistence.
Mr. Mathias Wagner purchased and substantially enlarged a hotel on the corner of Poplar and Ohio in 1863, calling it the Wagner Hotel. This hotel was the finest hotel in town. It was the scene of most major community banquets for many decades. The hotel stood for 110 years, being in operation most of those years.
Always looking for and opportunity or an investment, Mathias was influential in the early industrial development of the city. His sons founded Wagner Manufacturing. One daughter married another visionary, I.H. Thedieck. The Wagner family has left an impact on Sidney, Ohio.