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Source:
A Centennial
Biographical History
of
Crawford
County, Ohio
- ILLUSTRATED -
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote
ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride
by remote generations."
- MACAULAY
Publ. Chicago:
The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
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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 |
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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 |
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GEORGE
W. DIDIE is one of the native citizens of Bucyrus, his
birth having occurred here Apr. 21, 1848. He is also
recognized as one of the important factors in political circles
and through many years has been continued in office, a fact
which indicates in an unmistakable manner his ability and
fidelity to duty, for though en may win office sometimes through
unworthy means, when they are incapable of performing the duties
the judgment of the American people is too accurate to permit of
their continuance in positions of public trust. Through
many years Mr. Didie has served for his administration of
public affairs is ever business-like and progressive. His
father, Washington Didie, was a carpenter and builder and
spent his last days in Bucyrus, passing away in 1882, at the age
of sixty-seven years. His wife bore the maiden name of
Maria Layman and was a daughter of Christian and
Mary (Botts) Layman, who came from Berks county,
Pennsylvania, to Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our
subject was Isaac Didie, who resided in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania. His people were formerly from
Philadelphia and originally from France. John
Didie, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, came from
France to the new world and with patriotic spirit aided the
colonists in their struggle for independence. The maternal
great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Holland, and
his family resided upon a farm which Major Andre
made his headquarters during the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Didie, of this review, pursued his
education in the schools of Bucyrus, completing the high school
course, and after putting aside his textbooks entered upon his
business career, being connected with several lines of trade,
and for three terms he engaged in teaching school in Indiana,
but since 1874 he has been almost continuously in public
service, filling many positions of trust and responsibility.
In the year mentioned he was elected city clerk of Bucyrus and
filled the position for six years, while for many
years he was township clerk. He has also been deputy and county
recorder and was deputy county auditor for nine years. He was a
member of the Bucyrus city board of education for twelve years,
ten years of which time he was clerk of the board. He has filled
some of those positions contemporaneously. Since 1897 he
has been justice of the peace of Bucyrus township, and his
decisions are strictly fair and impartial, for he displays
neither fear nor favor in passing judgment upon the merits of a
case, without regard to parties concerned.
In Indiana Mr. Didie was united in
marriage to Miss Amanda F. Wise, a daughter of Jacob
and Maria (Didie) Wise. Two sons have been born of
this marriage: Edgar Allen, whose birth occurred
in 1876 and who is now employed in a retail grocery house; and
Dallas Dio. There are also two daughters:
Laura Delia and Dora Zelah.
Mr. Didie is connected with the Order of
the Knights of the Maccabees and is a gentleman of social
prominence and popularity. He has a very large
acquaintance throughout Crawford county and enjoys the warm
friendship of a large number of those with whom he has come in
contact.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 202 |
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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 |
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JAMES DUNLAP.
The family of Dunlap in America comes of Scotch ancestry,
and in all generations it has produced men and women of
exceptional ability and worth. It is ably represented in
Ohio, and its most prominent representative in Crawford county
is James Dunlap, of Texas township, a progressive and
prosperous farmer of much influence and importance in local
affairs.
James Dunlap was born Lycoming county,
Pennsylvania, Jan. 13, 1832, a son of John and Mary (Loeman)
Dunlap, who had six sons and two daughters. The
following data concerning different members of the family will
be found interesting:
Daniel served his country as a
soldier one hundred days in the Civil war and lives in Kansas.
John lives in Richland county,
Ohio.
Samuel was during a greater
portion of the Civil war a member of the Eighth Regiment Ohio
Volunteer Infantry and is now living in Oklahoma.
William fought for the flag in
the Civil war as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry and is now
living in Kansas.
Mary and Abbie are dead.
Jacob was a member of the
Twentieth Ohio Cavalry and saw much arduous and dangerous
service in the war between the states.
John Dunlap settled in Texas township, Crawford
county, Ohio, in 1835, and bought forty acres of land, on which
there was a clearing of a few acres and a small log cabin.
He improved the property and died there in 1878, at the age of
eighty-two years. His wife died in 1846. When his
parents went to Texas township James Dunlap was three
years old. He remembers having walked a mile and a half to
a school kept in a log school house and states that during his
youth game was plentiful in the woods round about and Indians
were frequently seen. When a mere boy he began to help his
father clear land and put it under cultivation, and when he was
sixteen years old he began working out by the month, but made
his home with his father until 1854, when, December 23, he
married Mary Livensparger, who bore him eight children.
Their daughter Florence married a Mr. Dorrick, of
Tiffin, Ohio. Their daughter Laura is the wife of
Scott Hoyelett, of Texas township. Their daughter
Jane married William Tuttle, of Crawford county.
Their son Elmer lives in Bucyrus, Ohio. Their son
Sidney lives at Shelby, Ohio. Their daughter
Minnie is dead. Their daughter Elva is the wife
of Horace Miller. Their son Ralph lives in
Sycamore, Ohio.
For a time after his marriage Mr. Dunlap lived
at Bloomfield, Ohio. He then moved to a small farm in Kent
county, Ohio, which he had previously pre-empted. It was
heavily timbered and he made a small clearing there and erected
a log cabin, in which he was domiciled for two years. Then
he removed to crestline, Ohio, where for one year he was
employed by a sawmill company. From there he removed to
Wyandot county, where after three years he bought seventy acres
of land in Eaton township, on which he lived until the spring of
1862, when he removed to Texas township, where in the September
following he bought eighty acres of the farm on which he now
lives.
In 1864 Mr. Dunlap enlisted as a private in
Company C, Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was
sent to North Carolina, where it performed picket duty until the
spring of 1865. Thence in succession it went to Nashville,
Tennessee, Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Washington, D. C.,
and Alexandria, Virginia, where it was stationed until the close
of the war. After he was discharged from the United States
service with all due honor he returned to his farm in Texas
township, Crawford county, Ohio, and has since given his
attention to general farming and stock-raising with such success
that he has added to his home farm until it now contains one
hundred and sixteen acres, and he owns fifty acres in another
tract.
In politics he is a Democrat, and he wields
considerable political influence in his township and has served
his fellow townsmen for many years as a school director and for
six years as township trustee.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: 1902 Page 675 |
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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 |
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LUDWIG DURR was
born in Chatfield township, June 7, 1845, a son of Henry and
Cathirine (Green) Durr. In his early youth he attended
the common schools, and at the age of sixteen he began working
for Adam Klink, receiving eight dollars per month in
compensation for his services. He was thus employed for
two years, and at the age of eighteen he began operating his
father's threshing machine and also ran a wood-saw until his
marriage, since which time he has given his attention to
agricultural pursuits. He removed to Sandusky township,
where he rented land for two years and then went to Chatfield
township, where he also operated a rented farm for two years.
On the expiration of that period he bought ninety acres of land
in Chatfield township and afterward purchased two additional
tracts of fifty and eighty acres respectively. In 1883 he
removed to the farm upon which he now resides - a tract of one
hundred and sixty acres in Lykens township. He also owns
another farm of one hundred and eight acres, his landed
possessions amounting altogether to two hundred and sixty-six
acres. He carried on general farming and stock-raising
until 1900, but is now practically living a retired life, the
active work on the farm being performed by others, while he is
enjoying a well-merited rest.
In the year 1869 Mr. Durr was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of Caleb Brown,
and they became the parents of four children: Eliza, the
wife of William Fick, of Lykens township; Katie,
who married Jacob Kellar, of the same township;
and two who died in infancy. The eldest daughter was a
music teacher and Katie engaged in teaching school. Mr.
and Mrs. Durr took into their home in 1874 John
Baumgardner, of Columbus, who remained at their home until
the age of twenty-one, when he began the manufacturing of
tiles. They also reared Alpha Bardner who resided
with them between the ages of six and seventeen years.
In his political views Mr. Durr is a Democrat,
and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being
able to support his position by intelligent argument. For
two years he served as assessor. Starting out in life
empty-handed at the age of sixteen years, he has been the
architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well,
acquiring through determined and honorable effort a comfortable
competence.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Crawford County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: 1902 - Page 473 |
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