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Auburn Twp. -
ELIZABETH DAUGHTERTY, Tiro.
Resolved White was a native of Connecticut. He
moved to New York when but a lad, and lived there until the year
1818, then emigrated to the West in search of a home. In
1819, he came to Auburn Township, Crawford Co., and there
purchased 160 acres of land of one Mr. Laugherty, paying
for the same $3.75 per acre. On this farm was a small log
house. In 1820, Mr. White returned to New York.
In 1821, he married Lucy Searl, and the same year he,
together with his young wife, emigrated to their wilderness home
in Ohio. There were born to them six children - Philo,
Elizabeth, Resolved, William W., one that died in infancy,
and Lucy. Elizabeth and Lucy are the
only ones living. Lucy is the wife of Dr.
Cuykendall, of Bucyrus; Elizabeth, on the 31st of
March, 1842, was united in marriage with Ezekial Daugherty,
a son of Daniel and Lydia (Smyers) Daugherty. He
was born in New Jersey Feb. 5, 1818, and was reared upon a farm.
In 1832, he came to Auburn Township, and began working for the
farmers by the month. His marriage with Elizabeth
born the fruit of six children - Alva, Melissa, Searl,
Orrissa, Resolved and Clara. Alva and
Searl are dead. Melissa is the wife of
Martin V. B. Wood, and lives in Auburn Township; Orrissa
is the wife of John Hahn, and lives in Delaware, Ohio;
Resolved lives on the old place with his mother. In
February, 1879, he married Catharine Bender, and by her
has one has one daughter - Orrissa, born May 8, 1880.
Clara is at present going to musical school in Columbus,
Ind. Mr. Daugherty is now dead. His widow and
her son live on the old place first bought by Resolved White.
They own 224 acres of excellent land. Mrs.
Daughterty is a descendant a Perigrine White, of
Plymouth Rock notoriety. Of Puritan ancestors, the
Daughertys are honest and upright people, and are highly
respected in the community in which they live.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago:
Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. -
1881 - Page 863 |
Auburn Twp. -
JOHN O. DAVIS, merchant, Tiro; is a son of
John and Mary (Hamilton) Davis, and was born in Crawford
Co., Ohio, in 1839. His father was a native of Maryland,
and was born in 1791. The mother was a native of
Pennsylvania, and was born in 1796. They were married in
Columbiana Co., Ohio, and came to Crawford Co. in 1832, locating
in Sandusky Township. There were born to them the
following family - Julia A., Susan, Jonathan, Keziah, Henry,
Mary, James, Jefferson, Joseph, Louisa, William, Martha and
John O. Of these, Susan, Keziah, Mary and
Joseph are dead. Julia is the widow of John
McIntire, and lives in Illinois; Susan married a
Mr. Mills; Jonathan married Margaret Hudson
and lives in Hardin Co., Ohio; Keziah married Dr. T.
A. Mitchell; Henry married M. A. Stone, and lives in
Shelby, Ohio; Mary married Samuel Anderson; James
married Catharine Mickey, and lives in Crestline, Ohio;
Jefferson married Amanda Fox; Joseph
married Louisa Fisher; Louisa is the wife of G. H.
Lee; William married Leah McCrady, and lives in
Galion, and Martha married John Dempsey, and lives
in in Shelby, Ohio. John was reared and educated in
the country. In 1859, he was united in marriage with
Rachel M. Rigby, daughter of Nimrod Rigby, and by her
has three children - William B., born Nov. 8, 1860;
George H., born May 3, 1868, and John H., born Jan.
7, 1872. Mr. Davis owns 80 acres of land in Auburn
Township, and 160 acres in Kansas. He also owns a fine
business house in Tiro, the upper story being the I. O. O. F.
Hall. The store in the building is as fine a grocery store
as is usually found in large cities. The firm name of the
owners is Davis & Mitchell. Mr. Davis being the
junior partner. Mr. Davis is a member of the I. O.
O. F., and a Republican in politics. He served faithfully
in the late war, enlisting in Company H, 123d O. V. I. He
was discharged June 15, 1865. He was in some of the
hardest contested battles of the war; was taken prisoner at
Winchester, and for thirty days was confined in Belle Island.
After being exchanged, he again joined his regiment, and was
again taken prisoner, and served some months in Andersonville
and Florence, suffering all the agonies of starvation and
disease. He was finally exchanged, Dec. 6, 1864, and since
that time Mr. Davis makes Dec. 6 his holiday. His
brother William was in the 101st Regiment, and served as
Quartermaster Sergeant, but was promoted to lieutenancy.
Mr. Davis was a Sergeant in his regiment. Both
John and William Davis were said to have been brave and
gallant soldiers, and were always found in the thickest of the
fight. Much honor and credit is due them for the heroic
part they took in the war.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago:
Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. -
1881 - Page 863 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
GEORGE A. DEAGLE, Bucyrus, is a son of John and
Barbara (Hoffman) Deagle, who were residents of Lancaster
Co.. Penn. His birth occurred Jan. 27, 1828. His father
was a shoemaker by trade about the year 1811. He moved his
family to a place near Ashland, Ohio what was then Richland Co.,
but is now Ashland. The subject of this sketch received
but a meager education, attending school until his 13th year
only, when, coming to this State with his father, he began
working by the month as a farm hand, at which he continued for
about nine years. The family then moved to this county,
settling permanently in Liberty Township. He then engaged
in work for six years as farmer for Mr. George Lauck,
beginning at $120 a year, his employer raising his wages to $180
a year, on account of his industrious habits. On March 26,
1857, he was married to Rebecca J. McMichael of Liberty
Township. she was a daughter of David and Margaret (Anderson)
McMichael, one of the earliest pioneer families of this
county. She was born in Liberty Township on Sept. 30, 1834
and of this marriage four children are living: Mary Margaret,
John G., Eddie (who died at 2 years of age), Ella J. and
George W. The mother of this interesting family of children
died April 23, 1877, of congestion of the Lungs. After
marriage, Mr. Deagle rented for eight years, of
Mr. Lauck, the same farm on which he had already
spent six years, meeting with success as a farmer until the year
1865, when he purchased his present home on Poplar street in
Bucyrus, where he was engaged in teaming and farming until the
year 1870, when he was elected to serve a term as Street
Commissioner of the city of Bucyrus. He is a member of
Howard Lodge. K. of H., a Democrat politically, and a member of
St. Paul's English Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 734 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
H. M. DEAL; P. O. Bucyrus; is the son of
Martin and Sarah Lilley Deal, and was born Dec. 26, 1854,
in Bucyrus; he attended school here until his 18th year, and
attended the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1875; he next became
assistant clerk in his father's manufactory of smutters,
remaining in this position two years. In 1878, he became
general manager of the establishment, which position he now
holds. They have about six hundred local agencies in the
United States and Canada; also in South America and London,
England. The annual shipping capacity is from 60,000 to
75,000. They are making thirty-six different styles of
machines for cleaning grain. Mr. Deal is a partner
in Deal's Improved Wheat Heater, which has proved lucrative, and
is also the manufacturer and sole proprietor of Deal's Corundum
Polisher, a tool for cutting, leveling and polishing the furrows
and face of mill stones, which has a precedence among such
inventions. He was married Sept. 12, 1876, to Emma
Rowse, daughter of Horace Rowse, of Bucyrus.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 731 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
J. W. DELANCY, miller, P. O. Bucyrus, son
of Francis and Mary (Rice) Delancy, was born Aug. 20,
1833, in Richland Co., Ohio, where a portion of his youth was
spent on a farm, and in obtaining an education. At the age
of 20, he purchased an interest in a threshing machine, and
followed the business for three years. In 1853, he entered
a mill at Crestline, Ohio, and was employed there some eighteen
months. He then came to McLain's, in which he worked till
1858, when he purchased an interest here. In 1861, he
purchased a half interest in a mill at North Robinson, where he
continued three years. Selling out here, he went to
Richland Co., and purchased a mill at Rome. Here he met
with good success for two and one-half years, at the end of
which time he moved on the old homestead, which he farmed for
two years. His next venture was at New Washington, where
he bought another mill and continued the business for four
years, at the end of which time he bought a farm near
Washington, and turned his attention to farming until 1872, when
he sold the farm and became the partner of S. A. Bowers
in milling business at Bucyrus, where he has continued ever
since. He was married Oct. 19, 1854, to Rebecca
Deardorff, of Bucyrus. Two children - Elizabeth
and Ella are now living; Allie and Lillie
died when quite young. Mr. Delancy was a
member of the Church of God at New Washington. He is a
member of La Salle Lodge, No. 51 I. O. O. F., of Bucyrus Lodge,
A., F. & A. M., and also a Knight of Honor. He stands high
in the estimation of all who know him, and is a business man of
tact and ability.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 727 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
JACOB DENZER, farmer, P. O. Bucyrus, was
born May 13, 1831, in Baden, Germany, and is a son of Andrew
and Hester A. (Finfgelt) Denzer. In the full of 1833,
when he was 13 years old, the family came to America, and to
Bucyrus, Crawford Co., via Sandusky City, where they remained a
week awaiting a conveyance to their destination. They
bought 15 acres of timber land in Liberty Township; and young
Denzer took his first lesson in woodchopping that winter,
preparing for a house in the spring. He went but little to
English school. In the spring of 1834, he began working by
the month, at from $3 to $4 per month, continuing until 25 years
old, and giving his wages to his father's family until he was
21. When at 20, he began farming on rented land, and kept
at it for three years. He was married, March 13, 1850, to
Miss Matilda McNeal, of this township, who
was born Dec. 6, 1826, in Huntingdon, Penn. They have eleven
children living: Mary L., wife of Stephen
Bremen, of Whetstone Township; Jennie, at home;
Andrew, farmer, of this township; Esther, a
successful teacher in this township; Simon J., Anson J.,
Ella, Alexander, Maggie, Lewis J., and Electa V.
Two died when young: Florence and an infant
son. After marriage, he rented the Bechtel
farm for six years and, in the meantime, purchased 38
acres in this vicinity, making additions to it at different
times. In 1863, he purchased his present farm, where he owns
over 400 acres, all made by his own energy and industry.
He ran a saw-mill for ten years, working his farm during the
day, and in the busy season, often running the mill during the
entire night and would sometimes fall asleep standing up.
He is now engaged in farming and stock-raising quite
extensively, and has made many improvements in his farm and
buildings. He has always been a Democrat, casting his
first vote for Van Buren. His father was born in Baden and
was well educated. He was a soldier under the first
Napoleon, and was with him in his ill-fated expedition to
Moscow, where hundreds and thousands of his comrades perished.
He was a farmer in the old country. He married Hester
A. Finfgelt. Four sons and one daughter were born to
them. The family came here in 1833. Andrew,
George, Jacob, Mary and Simon were the
names of his children. Two are buried in Opfingen, Baden.
The father died about 1840 and the mother in October 1876, at
the age of 94 years.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 727 |
SAMUEL
DEWALT. The well-known citizen of Lykens township,
Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is mentioned above, is of that
sturdy Pennsylvania stock, which, transplanted to all parts of
the United States, has been fruitful in enterprise,
progressiveness and enlightenment.
Samuel Dewalt was born on the farm on which he now
lives October 18, 1855, a son of Robert Dewalt,
who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and was
married there to Elizabeth Broder, who bore him
six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth
in order of birth. Their daughter Isabella married
Owen Olds 1, of Texas
township, Crawford county, Ohio. Their daughters Henrietta
and Savannah and their son Alexander are dead. The
fifth in order of birth was the subject of this sketch. Their
youngest son, Richard, is dead. In 1850 Robert
Dewalt removed from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Crawford
county, Ohio, and settled on the farm on which his son Samuel
now lives. His first purchase of land there was two hundred and
twenty acres, thirty acres of which were cleared, and on which a
log cabin had been erected. He died there February 17, 1894,
aged seventy-seven years, and his wife died October 10, 1877.
They were members of the German Reformed church and Mr.
Dewalt took a great interest in all its work, serving in
the offices of deacon and elder and as a member of the building
committee which had charge of the erection of its house of
worship.
Samuel Dewalt was
interested with his father in agricultural enterprises until
1876, when he took charge of the farm on which he now lives. He
owns one hundred acres of the old Dewalt homestead,
which, together with eighty acres in another tract, makes his
real estate holdings aggregate one hundred and eighty acres.
These two pieces of land adjoin and constitute one of the best
farms in the vicinity. Mr. Dewalt is a Democrat in
politics and is a member of the German Reformed church.' He was
married in 1876 to Mahala Shawk, of Seneca county,
Ohio, and they have four children, Dora; Delora,
who is the wife of J. W. Swalley; Alta and
Ralph. Mr. Dewalt is a man of much recognized
public spirit, who remembers with pride the fact that he was
educated in the public schools of his native township and has
always taken an interest in their development and improvement.
There is no question affecting the public welfare in which he
does not take an intelligent interest and there is no movement
for the general good which he is not ready to assist to the
extent of his ability. He naturally takes an interest in the
church, toward the upbuilding of which his good father labored
so zealously, and he is liberal in his assistance of all its
varied interests.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 814 |
JAMES M. DICKSON.
One of the prominent and representative citizens of Crawford
county, Ohio, is James Madison Dickson, whose name
carries with it an assurance of great financial stability as
well as business prominence, as he is the president of the Bank
of Tiro. The birth of Mr. Dickson was in Vernon
township, in this county, on Feb. 4, 1851, and he was a son of
James and Nancy (Morrow) Dickson, and a member of a
family of seven children, four of whom still survive, these
being: Charles M., who was born on June 16, 1833,
and is a farmer and large landowner in Johnson county, Kansas;
Mary, who was born on April 6, 1836, a maiden lady who
resides on her farm east of Tiro; Nancy, who was born on
Nov. 19, 1838, and is the widow of John Dallas and
resides with her children; James Madison, who is the
subject of this sketch; and those who have passed away but are
not forgotten were: Sarah, who was born on Jan. 27, 1831,
married William Wilson and died on Aug. 27, 1893, at
Edgerton, Kansas; Rebecca, who was born on Nov. 15, 1844,
and died on Nov. 24, 1888; and Harriet S., who was born
on Aug. 8, 1847, first married William Nagle, and later
J. P. Johnston, and died on Mar. 21, 1890.
George Dickson, who was the great-grandfather of
our subject, emigrated from Ireland to America, in 1778,
bringing his family with him. He settled in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Indiana county.
His son, Andrew Dickson, who was the grandfather of our
subject, was born in Ireland on May 27, 1776, and was two years
old when the family came to the United States. He grew to
manhood in Indiana county Pennsylvania, and had, with the rest
of the family, many thrilling adventures. At one time,
while still a lad, he was taken by his intrepid mother and
carried on horseback over the mountains in flight from pursuing
Indians. Grandfather had three brothers and three sisters,
their names being Samuel, George, William, Rachel, Leah
and Hannah. About the time he reached his maturity
and trouble known in the history of Pennsylvania as the "whisky
insurrection" broke out. Our subject's great-grandfather
was a member of the regular army, and, of course, it was his
duty to suppress the riots, but he family owned much property
which had been won by hard labor; therefore, it was decided that
the family, for the sake of discretion, should divide, one part
of it seeming to aid the insurrectionists. However, the
unlawful element was soon conquered and the rioters disbanded.
The grandmother's name had been Sarah Frazee, and they
reared these children: Andrew, George, Jonathan,
Mollie, James, Rachel, Leah, Sarah, William Hannah, John
Elizabeth and Margaret, all growing to maturity and
founding homes of their own, and all now deceased. In
later life they could recall that their father was called to
dinner by the blowing of the horn. The death of the
grandfather was upon Jan. 28,1859, at the age of eighty-three
years, eight months and one day, the death of the grandmother
being on Oct. 8, 1850, at the age of fifty-two years.
George Dickson, who was a brother of the father
of our subject, came to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1823, and
settled in Vernon township and in 1825 he planted the first
orchard of the township. His son, Andrew was the second
white child born in this township. His son Andrew
was the second white child born in the township. In 1829
James Dickson, who was the father of our subject,
followed his brother to Ohio. He purchased two hundred and
seventy-six acres of land which had been entered by his father
some years prior, and here James Dickson built a cabin
and immediately began the clearing of the land. He was a
leader in Democratic politics, and efficiently served several
terms as township trustee and was a prominent member of the
United Presbyterian church. His death occurred on Mar. 7,
1889. For fifty-one years he and his devoted wife lived in
close affection before the angel of death visited the family.
The mother of our subject was born in Auburn township, and she
was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Cummings) Morrow,
who were among the early settlers who came to Crawford county
from Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Her marriage to Mr.
Dickson was on Oct. 29, 1829, and her death took place on
Dec. 14, 1879.
James Madison Dickson, of this biography,
passed his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended the
common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years assumed the
management of the home farm. He first cultivated it on
shares, but after his father's death he was made administrator.
When the estate was finally settled our subject purchased one
hundred and seventy acres, which included the residence and the
farm buildings, but in 1892 he removed to Tiro and rented his
farm, although he still retains its management. During
this same year the Tiro Building & Loan Association was formed
and Mr. Dickson became the treasurer for two years, later
the president, serving in that capacity ever since. In the
spring of 1899 A. C. Robinson, who was the president of
the Bank of Tiro, died, and Mr. Dickson purchased his
interest and later was made the president of this reliable and
substantial institution.
For many years Mr. Dickson has been a prominent
politician, a leader in the Democratic party, and in 1893 he was
made a member of the central committee of the township, and in
the spring of 1901 he was elected township treasurer, entering
upon his duties in September of the current year. He was a
charter member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. of P., and was the
representative to the grand lodge both in 1899 and 1900, has
passed all of the chairs in the order and at present is keeper
of record and seals, serving for three years. Mr.
Dickson is well known not only in the community but also
through the county, and his social, political and business
prominence makes him a thoroughly representative citizen of
Crawford county.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 469 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
FRANK P. DONNENWIRTH, Bucyrus, George and Magdalena (Ruch)
Donnenwirth, grandparents of this gentleman, were natives of
France, and removed from that country to the United States in
1827, and settled in Stark Co., Ohio, where they remained until
the year 1834, when they came to this county, and entered land
in Cranberry Township. They were the parents of seven
children, five of whom are now living, and all except one
sister, who resides in Columbus, Ohio, live in and near New
Washington, this county. George, one of the seven
children and father of Frank P., was born Sept. 7, 1810,
near Strasbourg, France. He was educated in the common
schools of his native country, and when 15 years of age, was
apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. After serving about
eighteen months, his parents came to the United States, and he
accompanied them. They stopped in Buffalo, N. Y., some
time, where the son found employment at his trade. While
the family resided in Stark Co., this State, the son was
variously employed. He worked at his trade and on the Ohio
Canal. In the spring of 1830, he went to Pittsburgh,
Penn., and there worked in a machine-shop and at his trade for
some time. In 1836, he came to Crawford Co., which he has
since made his home. He has been twice married. The
first was to Miss Sophia Anthony, in 1834. She was
born in Lorraine, France, in 1809, and died in Crawford Co., in
1849. The second marriage was to Mrs. Caroline Derr,
Oct. 22, 1850. She was born in Lorraine, France, in1809,
and died in Crawford Co., in1849. The second marriage was
to Mrs. Caroline Derr, Oct. 22, 1850. She was born
in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 12, 1819. By the first
marriage, there were ten children, viz.: George, Adam, Jacob,
William, Magdalena, Charles and John, living;
John, Susan and Mary, deceased. Four children
were the fruits of the second marriage, viz.: Lewis C.,
Franklin P, Sophia M. and Caroline M. After
Mr. Donnenwirth came to this country, and until 1856, he was
engaged in the mercantile business, and worked at his
trade in New Washington. In the fall of 1855 he was
elected to the responsible position of County Treasurer, and the
following year removed to Bucyrus, where he has since resided.
In the winter of 1846-47, he represented Crawford and Wyandot
Cos., in the State Legislature. Besides this, he has held
other positions of honor and trust in the county.. He was
twice elected Mayor of Bucyrus, and is highly spoken of as an
official. He has always voted with the Democratic party,
and his judgment in the political councils of his own party are
considered sound. He is one of he prominent en of the
county, and has aided not a little in advancing the best
interests of the prominent men of the county and has aided not a
little in advancing the best interests of its people and
industries. Frank P. Donnenwirth was born in
Crawford Co., Ohio, May 24, 1853. When 3 years of age, his
parents removed to Bucyrus, where he was raised and educated.
When 20 years of age, his parents removed to Bucyrus, where he
was raised and educated. When 20 years of age, he went to
St. Louis, and there found employent in a brewery for two years,
when he returned to his home in Bucyrus. He was united in
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Birk, Oct. 30, 1877.
She was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1856. They have
one child - Gertrude. Soon after his return from
St. Louis, he purchased his father's interest in the brewery,
and has in connection with his brother George, since been
engaged in that business. They are intelligent,
enterprising gentlemen, respected by all who know them.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 728 |
|
GEORGE DONNENWIRTH |
GEORGE
DONNENWIRTH. There is ever a degree of satisfaction
and profit in scanning the life history of one who has attained
to eminent success as the diametrical result of his own efforts,
and has had the mentality to direct his endeavors toward the
desired end and to singleness and steadfastness of purpose.
As a distinctive type of the self-made man we can refer with
singular propriety to the honored subject of this sketch, the
president of the Bucyrus City Bank and a well known and honored
resident of Crawford County.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, George Donnenwirth
was born Jan. 28, 1835, a son of George and Sophia (Anthony)
Donnenwirth. His paternal grandparents, George and
Magdalene (Ruth) Donnenwirth, were natives of France, who in
1827 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first
in Buffalo, New York, whence they removed to Stark county, Ohio.
In 1834 they came to Crawford county and secured land in
Cranberry township, where they spent the rest of their lives.
They were the parents of five children, including George
Donnenwirth, the father of our subject, who was born in
Strasburg, France, Sept. 7, 1810, and was educated in the
schools of his native town. At the age of fifteen he was
apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, and soon afterward
accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world.
He found employment at his trade in Buffalo, New York, and later
in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and then in Stark county, Ohio, and
then worked on the Ohio canal, drifting to Columbus, Ohio, in
1833, and there he wedded, in 1834, Miss Sophia Anthony,
who was born in Lorraine, France, in 1809, and died in Crawford
county in 1849. Their children were George and Adam
(twin brothers), Jacob, William, Magdalene, Charles and
John. Three other children died in childhood.
William, Charles, and Jacob are deceased.
After the death of his first wife the father wedded Miss
Caroline Derr, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and four
children graced this union, namely: Lewis C., Franklin P.,
Sophia M. and Caroline M. but the last named has
passed away. In 1838 the father came to Crawford county
and located at New Washington, where he engaged in
blacksmithing, continuing with success for several years.
He became well and favorably known, and about 1846 was elected
to the lower house of the state legislature, representing
Crawford and Wyandot counties. In 1855 he was elected
county treasurer and the following year removed to Bucyrus, the
county seat, where he resided up to the time of this death, in
1884. In 1868 he was chosen mayor of Bucyrus and filled
the office for two terms of one year each. In all the
public positions which he was called upon to fill he discharged
his duties with entire satisfaction to all concerned, his
loyalty being above question, was prompt and energetic and
gained the unqualified approval of the best citizens. His
judgment was considered sound and reliable in the councils of
the Democratic party, and he aided materially in advancing the
best interests of his community.
George Donnenwirth, whose name
introduces this record, pursued his education in the schools of
New Washington, Crawford county, until his fifteenth year, when
he entered his father's shop and worked at the blacksmith's
trade for four years. On the expiration of that period he
removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he was employed in a grocery
store for eighteen months. For a short time he was also a
clerk in Burlington, Iowa, but returned to Bucyrus and entered a
business career that has been prominently successful through a
long period of forty-four years. His first venture was in
connection with Henry Anthony. They established a
brewery and after a short time Mr. Donnenwirth's father
purchased Mr. Anthony's interest, the enterprise being
then conducted under the firm name of George Donnenwirth &
Son. Upon the father's retirement, in 1875, Frank
P. Donnenwirth, a half-brother of our subject, entered the
firm, and their business connection was maintained until 1889,
when they sold the business. They had built up an
excellent trade, having a large and constantly increasing
patronage, owing to the excellence of the brewing product and
through reliable business methods. In 1881 Mr.
Donnenwirth was one of the organizers of the Monnett Bank,
of Bucyrus, the style of which was changed in 1892 to Bucyrus
City Bank. He became a director of the institution upon
its organization, and was also elected vice-president of the
bank. Since 1886 he has been its president, and the
concern is one of the most substantial in this portion of Ohio.
His business career in Bucyrus covers a period of about
forty-three years and has been one of uninterrupted success due
to tireless energy, cool, sound judgment and to strict
integrity. These traits have been a tower of strength to
the bank, and have had much to do with its steady and
substantial growth.
In 1865 George Donnenwirth was united in
marriage to Miss Mary A. Fuhrman, of Bucyrus.
Fraternally Mr. Donnenwirth is connected with the Masonic
fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
A stanch advocate of Democratic principles, he exercises his
right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the
party, and on that ticket has been frequently called to public
office. He is also active in formulating the policy and
controlling the campaigns in his county, having served as a
member of several committees, while his advice and counsel carry
weight in Democratic circles. For twenty-five years, from
1874 until 1899, he served as a member of the school board, and
for a number of years was its treasurer. He has also been
a member of the city council for fifteen years, and was
treasurer of the township through a long period. In public
office he has labored for the good of the majority, and his work
has proved of benefit and value. In business affairs he
ahs displayed great discrimination and superior executive
ability, and such qualities, combined with industry and strong
purpose, never fail to gain success. He stands today among
the wealthy residents of Bucyrus, and his enviable position in
financial circles is well merited.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 164 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
GEORGE DONNENWIRTH, JR., brewer, Bucyrus;
son of George Donnenwirth; was born Jan. 28, 1835, in
Columbus, Ohio. His father's family removed to New
Washington, Crawford Co., in 1838, where the subject of this
sketch lived until 155. When 15 years of age, he commenced
learning the blacksmith's trade with his father, and worked at
this some four years. He then went to Sandusky City, and
remained eighteen months, employed in a grocery. In March,
1857, he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he was a clerk until
December of the same year. He then came to Bucyrus and
entered into a partnership and with Henry Anthony, in the
manufacture of beer. This partnership lasted some eleven
months, when Mr. Donnenwirth's father purchased the
interest of Mr. Anthony, and the business was conducted
under the firm name of George Donnenwirth & Bro.
Frank P. entering as partner and they are now doing an
extensive business. On Nov. 23, 1865, our subject was
married to Miss Mary Fuhrman, of Bucyrus. He is at
present a member of the School Board and Town Council, and has
been Treasurer of the township for ten years. He is also
Treasurer of the School Board, and is a Democrat.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 728 |
JOHN JACOB DURR.
For four score years Mr. Durr has traveled life's
journey and his has been an upright, useful and honorable
career, which has made him a venerable and respected gentleman.
In pioneer days he came to Crawford county, and for two-thirds
of a century has been a witness of its development and progress,
aiding, as he found opportunity, in the work of growth and
improvements, and feeling a just pride in what has been
accomplished here.
Mr. Durr is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany,
born October 31, 1821, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth
(Crumb) Durr, who had five children, namely: Henry
and Mary, now deceased; John J.; Barbara, who has
also passed away; and Adam, who is living in Mercer
county, Ohio. After the death of his first wife the father
married Mary Coile, and their children were: Martin,
who is deceased; and David, who makes his home in
Chatfield township. The father was a farmer and baker, and
conducted a tavern in the old country, where he remained until
1832, when with his family he came to America, crossing the
Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which reached Baltimore harbor
after a voyage of sixty-five days. From that place the family
proceeded by team to Columbiana county, Ohio, and in the winter
of 1832 came on sleds, drawn by oxen, to Crawford county,
locating in Chatfield township. Here the father purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of government land, where Thomas
Regula now lives, and erected a double log cabin. The land
was heavily timbered, and the entire region was wild and
primitive, the family, therefore, experiencing the hardships of
pioneer life. Henry Durr continued to engage in farming
there until - his life's labors were ended in death, when he was
seventy-five years of age.
Mr. Durr of this review was a youth of eleven
years, when, with his father he came to Chatfield township. So
wild and unbroken was the trackless forest that he was several
times lost in the green woods while hunting the oxen and cattle
in his boyhood. He aided in the arduous task of developing the
raw land, clearing it of the timber and preparing it for the
plow. He lived with his father until his marriage, when he
established a home of his own, removing to his present farm,
whereon he has resided for fifty-seven years. His first home was
a log cabin, and the young couple began their domestic life in
true pioneer style, but as the years passed ail the comforts and
conveniences known to the older east were introduced and the
farm was thus transformed into a very valuable property.
He now owns one hundred and thirty-eight acres, of which he
cleared from the woods one hundred and twenty acres. He has
carried on general farming and stock-raising, and has also
successfully practiced veterinary surgery. His labors have been
crowned with an enviable degree of success and he has
accumulated a comfortable competence for the evening of life.
In 1844 Mr. Durr was married to Miss
Elizabeth Jacoby, and they became the parents of the
following- children: Daniel and Benjamin, now
deceased; Leo, the wife of the Rev. Philip Kessler;
Sarah, who married Fred Crother, of Liberty
township; Mary, who resides in Holmes- township; and
Lena. On the 18th of June, 1872, Mr. Durr was united
in marriage to Hannah Solge. His present wife bore the
maiden name of Hannah Herman, and they were joined in
wedlock in September, 1890. Their home is a large brick
residence, which was erected by Mr. Durr in 1858, being
one of the many excellent improvements which he has placed upon
his farm. He has long been a member of the Methodist church, and
when he first resided in the county religious services were held
in his father's cabin. He votes with the Republican party, and
has always favored every movement and measure tending to promote
the general welfare.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 866 |
NOTES:
* Note 1: See
Owen Ohl whose biography states
he married Isabella DeWalt
|
