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JOHN GORDON.
The farming interests of Bucyrus township are in the hands of
capable agriculturists, and one of these, who has shown a
thorough understanding of the principles of modern farming, is
John Gordon, a native of South Wales, born there, in
county of Glamorgan, on March 3, 1849, being the only
representative of his family in America. The parents of
Mr. Gordon were Thomas and Catherine (Morris)
Gordon, and they reared a family of seven children:
Mary, Thomas, Eliza, John, Ann, Richard and George,
Ann and Richard having passed away. Both
parents have also passed out of life, while the others of the
family still reside in the old home in South Wales.
John Gordon was reared on his father's farm and
received a common-school education, remaining at home until he
attained his majority, although he had long cherished a desire
to see the country across the Atlantic. On the 20th day of
May, 1870, he set sail for America, landing at Quebec, Canada,
from which point he took a train to Toronto, a schoolmate
living in that city. Later he made his way to Trumbull
county, Ohio, where he secured lucrative employment on a dairy
farm, and remained there for three years, in the employ of
Noble Thompson. During the year 1874 he worked in the
Pennsylvania oil regions, and then another year for Mr.
Thompson, leaving him when Mr. Thompson sold his
farm, but later again returned to this kind employer when he
resided in Painesville.
It was during his association with Mr. Thompson
that he had the good fortune of meeting the lady who later
became his wife. She was the amiable daughter of Henry
Flock, a prominent farmer of Bucyrus township, a visitor in
the home of Mr. Thompson. The marriage of Mr.
Gordon to Miss Callie F. Flock took place February
24, 1875, following which was their removal to Crawford county,
where the home has ever since remained. For two years,
Mr. Gordon remained with his father-in-law and then bought
land in Todd township, where he owns one hundred and sixty-eight
acres of land. In 1888 Mr. Gordon returned to the
farm of his father-in-law, where he now resides, the former, who
lives retired, enjoying the care of his children and
grandchildren. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon
were: Florence, Luella, Henry, Elva, Alice and Letty,
of whom Luella, Henry and Alice survive. Mr.
Gordon enjoys the respect and esteem of the neighborhood in
the highest degree, and is known as one of the most intelligent
and progressive farmers of the township.
Henry Flock, the father of
Mrs. Gordon, is the eldest son of Stephen and
Catherine Flock, and was born in the Rhine province of
Bavaria, Germany, December 14, 1815, and there was thoroughly
educated. While still a youth he went to work in order to
contribute to the support of the family, but then wages were
very low and many days he worked for twenty cents a day.
In the locality of his home wood was scarce and it was necessary
for him to haul fuel, or fagots, a distance of almost ten miles,
on a wheelbarrow; consequently the stoves were seldom very hot.
The law did not permit the peasants to cut green timber, and
their way of obtaining fuel was to break off the dead limbs, it
frequently being necessary for them to climb the trees in order
to secure these branches. Upon one occasion young Henry
became so benumbed with the cold, while in a tree, that he
almost fell to the ground, and this, with other severe trials,
led him to a determination to try his fortune in America.
When he became of military age he was too short to
enter the service, and the officials put him back one year,
expecting him to grow, but he failed and the officials put him
back one year, expecting him to grow, but he failed to do so,
and thus was rejected altogether. Although his
inclinations were toward matrimony, circumstances were not
promising, in Bavaria, and in 1839 he put into practice his
resolve to leave the fatherland. Settling in Bucyrus,
Ohio, he worked in a hotel for Abraham Hahn, remaining
with him three years, receiving for his services seven dollars
and fifty cents per month, and during this period, although sick
for six months, he managed to save one hundred and fifty-eight
dollars. Of this amount he sent forty-five dollars to
Germany to pay the passage of Miss Catherine Slicker to
America. Some two years later she reached the United
States, and upon her arrival in Bucyrus she and Mr. Flock
were married.
After severing his business connection with Mr. Hahn,
Mr. Flock worked for three years for other parties,
keeping continually busy, finally entering the employ of Dr.
Willis Merriman, where he remained as a faithful clerk for
seven years. In March, 1853, he removed to Wyandot and
formed a partnership with James H. Reinicker in the
mercantile business, and later Mr. Flock bought his
partner's interest and continued the business until 1870, when
he transferred it to his son. While residing in Wyandot,
Mr. Flock served the village as postmaster for seven years,
and while a clerk for Dr. Merriman he was made treasurer
of Bucyrus corporation, possessing the esteem and confidence of
his fellow citizens. In 1870 he located on his present
farm.
The first marriage to Mr. Flock was on September
22, 1842, to Catherine Slicker, born January 20, 1820, in
Bavaria, who emigrated to America with the family of Peter
Geiger. These children were born of this marriage:
Mary, who married William Welsh; Daniel; Kate,
who married Peter Bair; Louisa, who married John B.
Welsh; Caroline, who married John Gordon. The
mother died October 11, 1862, and the second marriage of Mr.
Flock was on November 6, 1864, to Mary Jane Clark,
who was a teacher in the schools of Bucyrus for several years.
Her death occurred January 25, 1875. On October 11, 1877,
occurred his marriage to Lena Hooker, who also passed
away, his last wife having been Mary Stoll, who died in
1901.
When but thirteen years pf age, Mr. Flock united
with the Evangelical church, in Germany. When he settled
in Bucyrus, he joined the German Lutheran church, and later in
life the English Lutheran church.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 602 |
Bucyrus Twp. -
GEORGE C. GORMLY, Cashier of First
National Bank, Bucyrus. The subject of this sketch is the
second son of John A. Gormly. The maiden name of
his mother was Louisa B. Bowman. He was born on the
18th of October, 1841, in Bucyrus. In his 19th year, he
completed the high school course of this place, and in the fall
of 1860, he entered the freshman class of Jefferson College, at
Cannonsburg, Penn. He graduated from this institution in
June, 1864, receiving first honors as the essayist of his
society. On his return to Bucyrus, he entered the First
National Bank as teller, a position which he held until 1876,
when he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier.
In 1878, he was elected cashier - a position for which his
fifteen years of faithful service had eminently fitted him.
He has conducted a general insurance business since 1869, and is
Treasurer of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, and
Secretary of the Joint Stock Company. He is one of the
Trustees of the Oakwood Cemetery, and also served his party as a
member of the Central Committee. He united with the
Presbyterian Church in 1863, and has been Secretary and
Treasurer of the Sabbath school for ten years. On Jan. 4,
1866, he united his fortunes with Sarah A. Wood, only
child of Hon. C. K. Ward. Of this marriage two
children were born - Gracie W. and John Clark Gormly.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page |
Bucyrus Twp. -
JAMES B. GORMLY, banker, Bucyrus; the
oldest son of John A. Gormly was born Nov. 23, 1836, in
Bucyrus. In his youth he received such instruction as the
village schools afforded, until his 17th year, when he entered
the store of his uncle, J. P. Bowman, for one year.
In the fall of 1855, he entered Bartlett's Commercial College in
Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in the spring of 1856.
On his return home he at once entered the Exchange Bank of this
place, as teller and general book-keep0er. He performed
these duties with efficiency from May, 1856, until June, 1859.
In the latter year, he and his father organized the People's
Deposit Bank, Aug. 1, 1859, being sole proprietors. This
institution continued until May 1, 1864. At the
organization of the First National Bank of Bucyrus, Mr.
Gormly was chosen Cashier - a position which he held until
the death of his father, in May, 1878, when he was elected
President - a tribute to his long experience and faithful
service. From 1871 to 1875, he served the Ohio Cent. R. R.
Co., in the double capacity of Secretary and Treasurer. He
was also Treasurer of the Crawford County Agricultural Society,
from 1867 until 1878 - a period of eleven years. In May,
1859, he was united in marriage with Miss E. Virginia Swingly,
daughter of Dr. F. Swingly. This union has been
blessed with three children - Ella K., Susie E. and
James B., Jr. Mr. Gormly was raised a Presbyterian,
and has been Treasurer of his church since his eighteenth year.
The First National Bank, under the management of father and
sons, has become widely known as the Gormly Bank. Within a
period of ten years it has returned to its stockholders in
dividends their entire original investment of $100,000, besides
putting $20,000 into a reserve fund. The father, John
A. Gormly, whose portrait appears in this work, was born at
Pittsburgh, Penn., Feb. 19, 1804. He was the son of
John Gormly, an Irish Protestant, who was born in the county
of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1776, and came to America about 1790;
settling at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he followed the business of
milling. John A. Gormly was reared by pious and
godly parents, whose early lessons blossomed, and, in after
years, bore the fruit of a well-rounded life and exalted
Christian manhood. About 1830, he removed to Brownsville,
Penn., where he became a member of the Presbyterian Church.
It was here that he met and married Miss Louisa Bowman,
in 1833. The result of this happy union was three children
- James B., George C. and Mary L., wife of Rev.
James G. D. Findley. Pastor of the United Presbyterian
Church, at Newburg, N. Y. Mr. Gormly was employed
in mercantile pursuits at Brownsville, Penn., until 1836, when
he removed to Bucyrus. He had but little capital at that
time, and purchased a house and lot on Sandusky avenue, and kept
a small store, on the site of H. H. Moderwell's tin and
stove store. It was a general store where the meager wants
of both the white and the red children of the forest were
supplied. In those days, he and his faithful wife came to
know what toil and privation meant, but by unswerving purpose
and careful management, step by step Mr. Gormly became
one of the substantial men of Bucyrus. He invested his
surplus capital year by year, in the rich farm lands near town,
until he owned over 1,000 acres, besides considerable city
property. In 1859, he became proprietor of the People's
Deposit Bank of this place, which continued in successful
operation until 1864, at which time he was elected President of
the First National Bank of Bucyrus, a position which he held
until his death, and to him that worthy institution owes much of
its past prosperity, and present prestige for fair dealing and
sterling integrity, which were synonyms of his life and
character. He took a prominent part in church affairs, and
in the year 1838, he was elected a Ruling Elder in the
Presbyterian Church, and chosen by the Presbytery of
Bellefontaine Lay Commissioner to the "General Assembly, which
met at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1876. His faithful wife
departed this life May 6, 1872, and he passed away peacefully
May 8, 1878, in the 75th year of his age.
Source: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 741 |
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JAMES B. GORMLY
|
JAMES B. GORMLY
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 134 |
Auburn Twp. -
SAMUEL S. GREEN, farmer; P. O. Tiro.
The oldest settler living in Auburn Township is the subject of
this biography. He was born in Indiana Co., Penn., June
25, 1807. Is a son of William and Martha (Stanton)
Green, who were married in Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1806.
The father was a native of Berkshire Co., Mass., and was born in
1778, and the mother was born in New London Co., Conn., in 1788.
In 1813, they came to Licking Co., Ohio, where they remained
three years. In 1815, Mr. Green came to Auburn
Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, where he entered 640 acres of land
in the southeastern part of the township. In December,
1816, he moved his family to the log house he had on his
clearing in Auburn Township. Mr. and Mrs. Green
were the parents of eleven children, one dying in infancy
without any name - Samuel S., Caroline, Walter, Julia A.,
William, Martha M., Daniel, John, Mary and Hannah J. Those
named are all living. The father died in 1862, and the
mother in 1865. Samuel S. was 9 years old when they
came to Auburn Township, and much of the Auburn Township history
was learned from him. He is single; owns 80 acres of land,
and is a Democrat in politics, and a genial, wide-awake
gentleman.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago:
Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. -
1881 - Page 864 |
ISAAC C. GUINTHER.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success
has been worthily achieved, who has acquired high reputation
along the line toward which his energies have been directed and
whose social prominence is not less the result of an
irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. It
is a pleasing indulgence to write the biography of a man of this
character. The country has produced many brilliant men,
who in military or civil life have won prominence and honor;
most of our noblest and best men are self-made, and Mr.
Guinther is a representative of this class, for his life has
been devoted to labors where wealth or influence availed little
or naught, the measure of success depending upon the mentality,
intellectual acquirements and broad culture of the individual.
Mr. Guinther has left the imprint of his individuality on
each place in which, for any length of time, he has resided, and
has opened to many the portals of knowledge, wherein memory's
casket may he filled with the choicest gems, - the only
treasures which we may safely call our own. As an educator
Professor Guinther is widely known and is now occupying
the responsible position of city superintendent of the schools
of Galion. Familiarity through the medium of books and
study with the most gifted minds of every nation and of every
clime has well qualified him for the incumbency. He has
served in this capacity since 1896, during which period the
schools have made marked progress.
Professor Guinther is numbered among the native
sons of Crawford county, his birth having occurred in Wheatstone
township, Dec. 25, 1856, and his parents being Jacob and
Catherine (Schallenmiller) Guinther. His father was a
native of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, near Stuttgart, in 1814,
but when fourteen years of age he came to the new world, taking
up his abode in Philadelphia, where he remained until he had
attained his majority. He then came to Ohio, acting as
clerk for William Miller in one of the first hotels in
Bucyrus. Subsequently he located upon a farm in Tully
township, Marion county. A few years afterward he took up
his abode in Whetstone township, Crawford county, a location
joining the one in Tully township, where he spent his remaining
days, his death occurring in 1884, when he was about seventy
years of age. His wife represents one of the pioneer
families of Pennsylvania, her people having located in the
Keystone state prior to the war of the Revolution. From
Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, representatives of the name came
to Ohio, and Mrs. Guinther was one of the first settlers
on the plains south of Bucyrus. She is still living at the
old homestead in Whetstone township, south of New Winchester, at
the age of eighty years. Her children were as follows:
Mrs. Mary Ulmer, who is living in Whetstone township;
George J., a resident of the old homestead in Tully
township, Marion county; Sophia, at home; Catherine,
the wife of S. Rexroth, of Polk township, Crawford
county; Isaac C., of this review; Charlotta, wife
of S. Stump, of Whetstone township; and J. F., who
is living on the old homestead in Whetstone township.
Jacob Guinther was, as is still his surviving widow, well
known for honesty and integrity, and for devotion to the welfare
of the family, and held in the highest esteem by all.
Professor Guinther, who forms the immediate
subject of this review, pursued his preliminary education in the
public schools of Whetstone township and later entered the
Northwestern Ohio Normal University, at Ada, where he pursued
the scientific and classical courses, being graduated in 1883,
with the degree of bachelor of science and master of arts.
He determined to devote his life to educational work, and some
time before his graduation he began teaching, his first school
being at New Winchester, in Whetstone township, taking charge
thereof in the year 1876. For several years his time was
devoted to teaching and to study. After graduation he
continued teaching having been employed at Nevada, Galena, and
Utica, all in Ohio. Throughout his teaching he has never
been obliged to change positions, but did so as better fields
opened up for his service. In 18i91 he accepted a position
as teacher in the grammar grades at Galion, since which time he
has been identified with the schools of this place. In
1892 he became principal of the high school, and for four years
served in that capacity, and was then, in 1896, chosen to the
position of superintendent of the Galion schools. In this
position he has direction and supervision of all the pupils of
the public schools, and at present thirty-two teachers.
There are four school buildings in the city. The high
school course now covers four years and is most thorough and
efficient, as is the work done in the grades. Professor
Guinther is continually studying, striving to improve the
school work and introduce new methods, as they seem of practical
value and benefit, and his own interest in the work is an
inspiration and aid to the teachers.
In 1885 occurred the marriage of Professor Guinther
and Miss Mary M. Rexroth, a daughter of John and Anna
(Reimhern) Rexroth, who came from Germany to this country in
1840 or '41, and are now deceased. The marriage of our
subject and his wife has been blessed with five children,
namely: Paul Emerson, a youth of fourteen, who is now in
the high school; Fred Ernest, Robert I. and Lawrence
Oliver, aged, respectively, twelve, ten and seven years; and
Mildred Lucile, the only daughter, now a little maiden of
four summers.
In his political affiliations the Professor is a
Democrat, but has no time for active political work. He
holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is deeply
interested in its growth and progress. He is a man of
broad, scholarly attainments, who has had marked influence upon
the intellectual development of the city and whose labors have
been of incalculable and of far-reaching benefit.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 386 |
JOHN GUISS.
Research j into the early history of Crawford county indicates
the fact that the Guiss family was founded here in early
pioneer days and that they became identified with agricultural
interests, thus aiding in the work of reclaiming wild land for
purposes of civilization. Our subject is numbered among the
native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in
Cranberry township, on the farm which Jacob Sheets
and wife now own. His father, Abraham Guiss, was a
native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of
Jacob Guiss. Both removed from the Keystone state to
Columbiana county, Ohio, at a very early day, locating near New
Lisbon, and in 1836 they came with their respective families to
Crawford county. The journey was made with ox-teams and they
were twenty-one days upon the way. In addition to their
household effects and other personal property they brought with
them .three geese, one of which is still living and is now in
possession of our subject. The grandfather entered nearly one
thousand acres of government land and took up his abode where
Jacob Myres resides. He was the father of twelve
children, namely: John, George, Abraham,
Christian, Henry, Anne, Susan,
Catherine, Martha and others whose names are not
remembered. The grandfather, Jacob Guiss, or real
name Guissinger, wandered from home when quite young, and
on going to school the "inger" was omitted by the teacher
and thus only Guiss remains.
The Guiss family lived in true pioneer style and
endured the usual hardships and trials which fall to the lot of
settlers upon the frontier. Amid such surroundings our subject
was reared, and upon the old homestead he remained until
twenty-one years of age. At the age of nineteen he began
teaching in the district school, having thirty-five scholars, of
whom thirty-one were relatives. He remained in charge of that
school for two years. and for a similar period had charge of the
New Washington school, after which he was engaged in
photographic work in Plymouth, Ohio, for two years. Subsequently
he spent one year as a bookkeeper in Cleveland, and then
returning to Plymouth, he clerked in a general store for two
years. The succeeding year was spent as a salesman in Shelby,
Ohio, after which he bought an interest in a store in West
Liberty, carrying on business at that place for two years. He
was next owner of a half interest in a store in Sulphur Springs,
where he carried on mercantile pursuits for fourteen years,
meeting with good success in his undertakings. On the expiration
of that period he removed to the farm tip on which he now lives
and which has been his home continuously since 1880. He is
engaged in general farming, having eighty acres of rich land,
which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.
On the 19th of November, 1863, Mr. Guiss
was united in marriage to Miss Susan Fry,
and unto them have been born six children: William H., a
practicing physician residing in Tiro, Ohio.: Mellville,
who makes his home in Cedartown, Georgia, where he is
serving as treasurer and secretary of the Alabama & Georgia Iron
Company; Ethie, who is engaged in school-teaching and
makes her home with her parents; Charles A., who was also
engaged in teaching school, but is now taking a course at the
Ohio State University; Warren G., who is the principal of
the Chatfield schools: and Maude R., who is attending the
Heidelburg School of Oratory. The children have been provided
with good educational privileges, all but one being graduates of
the Washington high school.
Mr. Guiss has frequently
been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who,
recognizing his worth and ability, have chosen him for public
honors. For nine years he served as justice of the peace and
discharged his duties with strict fairness and impartiality. He
was also township clerk of Liberty township, was assessor,
notary public for six years, and for ten years was assistant
postmaster at Sulphur Springs. In politics he is a stalwart
Democrat, and in every position in which he has served he has
discharged his duties in a most able and energetic manner,
winning the commendation of all concerned. In religious faith he
is a Lutheran. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias
lodge at New Washington, has filled all the chairs and is now a
past chancellor. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of
the fraternity. He is widely and favorably known and is held in
the highest regard where he is best known.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 804 |
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