USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
CHRISTIAN F. BIRK.
To achieve renown in the political field there must be something sub- stantial on which to base aspirations and something more than the desire to attain prominence. A man must possess a strict sense of honor, a firm con- viction that he is capable of performing the duties to which he is assigned and 1 st have the welfare of his community and constituents at heart. sacrificing his personal interests ' those of the people. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Birk has been identified with the Democracy and has labored untir- ingly to promote its growth and to secure the adoption of its platform. Many times has he been honored with positions of public trust and responsibility, and in these he has ever been found faithful to his duty. He is now serving as mayor of Bucyrus and handles the reins of city government in a manner that has promoted the welfare and progress of the municipality.
One of the native sons of Bucyrus, Christian F. Birk was born April 29, 1852, a son of John G. Birk, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1845. After living for a time in Albany, New York, he went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio. In 1847 he came to Bucyrus, and here followed' harness-making many years. From 1874 to 1876 he served as treasurer of Crawford county. His death occurred November 10, 1888. In 1851 he married Miss Joanna Kuhn, also a native of Germany and a rep- resentative of one of the pioncer families of Crawford county, her people having come to this section of Ohio in 1836. Her death occurred in October,
119
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1893, when she had attained the age of sixty-five years. In their family were the following named: Christian F., of this review; George M., who is en- gaged in the drug business with his brother ; Christian F. ; Emanuel R., who is now proprietor of the harness shop established by his father and is doing a very extensive business, making sales in various portions of the state and even beyond its borders ; Lewis C., who is foreman in the harness store; and Eliza- beth, the wife of F. P. Donnenwirth, a retired citizen of Bucyrus.
Christian F. Birk, whose name forms the caption of this review, acquired a common-school education in Bucyrus, and at the age of fourteen began assisting his father in the harness shop, where he mastered the business both in principle and detail. For several years he was a partner with his father in the enterprise, under the firm name of J. G. Birk & Son. For fifty-three years the business has been continued as the Birks Harness Store and is one of the most successful commercial institutions of the city, being now conducted by two of the sons of the former. In 1892 our subject and his younger brother, G. M. Birk, established a drug store, which they are still conducting. They carry a large and well selected stock of goods and their business methods are such that those who once become their customers remain as regular patrons. Their sales are constantly increasing and the proprietors therefore enjoy a good income. Our subject is also connected with the Board of Trade. In Bucyrus, in 1873, was celebrated the marriage of Christian F. Birk and Miss Bertha S. Volk, a daughter of William F. Volk, who came to Crawford county about sixty years ago. They now have three children : John W., a graduate of a commercial course in Chicago, was the first lieutenant in Company AI, of the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war and served at Santiago, being present at the time of the surrender of the city; Carry Elizabeth is now the wife of G. W. Kerr, of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania ; and Edna T. is a teacher in the schools of Bucyrus. The mother died August 10, 1898, a month after her son sailed for Cuba, and while he was still on the Island. Socially Mr. Birk is connected with Knights of Pythias fraternity, and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the German Lutheran church and in his political affiliations is a stalwart Demo- crat, unswerving in his support of the party. When only twenty-three years of age he was elected to the city council and after an interval he was chosen, in 1896, for a second term of two years. He served as city marshal from 1884 until 1890, and in the latter year entered upon a four years' term as county sheriff. His fellow townsmen conferred upon him the highest honor within their power when, in 1898, he was elected mayor of Bucyrus, and two years
I20
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
later they again called him to the same position, a fact which indicates how faithfully he had served them, his administration being practical, progressive and beneficial. Public spirited, he has withheld his support from no measure that he believes will promote the welfare and substantial advancement of Bucyrus, and his discriminating mind enables him to judge correctly of the value to the city of any measure introduced. Over the record of his public life and private career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and he is rich in those qualities which win and retain personal friendships.
FREMONT F. STURTZ.
Fremont F. Sturtz was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1857, and is the youngest of five children of Solomon and Elizabeth (Kennel) Sturtz. His father was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, August 22, 1821, and his youth was spent upon the old home farm there. He afterward went to Westmoreland county when a young man, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Kennel. Their children were Joseph, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Susan, the wife of Peter Stoner, of Scott- dale, Fayette county ; Samuel, of Crawford county, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife Emanuel Hess, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania ; and Freeman F. For some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz resided upon a rented farm. In 1857 the wife and mother died, and in 1859 the father married Mrs. Barbara Davis, the widow of Solomon Davis. Her maiden name was Bar- bara Brooks. By the second marriage there are three children : Malinda, the widow of James Bodley, of Plymouth, Ohio; Dolly A., who married Henry Morton, of Shelby, Ohio; and George B., of Bucyrus. Soon after his second marriage Solomon Sturtz purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and continued its cultivation until 1865, when he came to Crawford county, locating in Liberty township. Here he rented land until 1887, since which time he has lived retired in Whetstone township. In early life he was a Republican, but since coming to Ohio has joined the Democratic ranks. Religiously he is connected with the Evangelical church.
When only eight years of age Fremont F. Sturtz was bound out to a man by the name of Jehu Davis, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and with him our subject remained until eighteen years of age, when he entered upon an independent business career. For three years he was employed as a farm hand by Mr. Laucks, of Westmoreland county, and in December, 1878. he came to Crawford county, Ohio. During the three succeeding years he
12L
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
worked by the month for his brother. On the 17th of February, 1881, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Ella J. Charlton, a daughter of John E. and Laura E. (Lones) Charlton. Her father was born on the farm where our subject now resides, December 18, 1830, and was a son of John Charlton, who came to Crawford county among its first settlers, making the journey hither from Maryland. He entered eighty acres of government land, upon which Mr. Sturtz now resides. After his death this farm was purchased by John E. Charlton, who afterward bought an adjoining forty acres, so that the farm comprised one hundred and twenty acres. It remained his place of residence up to the time of his death, and he also purchased another farm of ninety acres on the Bucyrus road. He voted with the Republican party and in religion was a stanch member of the Evangelical church, in which he held different offices for many years. His death occurred July 12, 1897. He had three children : Ella J .; Joseph E,, of North Enid, Oklahoma; and Wilbur J., who is in the employ of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Sturtz took charge of his father-in-law's farm, which he operated up to the time of the latter's death, when J. E. Charl- ton was appointed administrator of the estate. When the business was settled up our subject purchased the old homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, and he and his wife are now thereon rearing their children, namely: Melvin Roy, Florence E. and Milton Clare.
Mr. Sturtz votes the Republican ticket and is a stanch supporter of the principles of the party. He, too, belongs to the Evangelical church, in which he has served as trustee, and socially he is connected with Sulphur Springs Tent, No. 298, K. O. T. M. At the tender age of eight years he started out to make his own way in the world and has since depended entirely upon his own resources. Whatever success he has achieved has resulted from his labors and his energy, guided by sound judgment. His career has ever been upright and honorable, winning him the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
SAMUEL SPONSELLER.
Samuel Sponseller is one of the influential and esteemed citizens of Craw- ford county, where he owns and operates a well cultivated and productive farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres of land, in Liberty township. His birth utas on the farm where he now resides, on December 31. 1836, a son of Michael and Susanna ( Mentzer) Sponseller, and is one of a family of eleven
I22
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
children born to his parents, ten of whom grew to maturity and five of whom still survive, viz .: Susanna, the widow of Martin Brown, resides near Dixon, Indiana ; Emanuel is a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio; Henry is a farmer of Kosciusko county, Indiana; Reuben is a farmer of Defiance county, Ohio; and Samuel, of this sketch.
The father, Michael Sponseller, came to Crawford county from Colum- biana county about 1831, having been married there, and eight of the children were born there. Upon his arrival in this county he purchased eighty acres of land, where our subject now resides. This was owned by his brother-in- law, John Mentzer. Then he entered the eighty acres adjoining this on the west, and soon after purchased another eighty acres on the south, making his farm one of two hundred and forty acres. In 1858 he built a commodious farm residence and the year following he erected a substantial and sightly barn, making his property one of the best improved in this locality. The mother died in 1858 and the father contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Maria Hatton, who survived him some seven years. The father died in 1874, having been one of the thoroughly respected citizens of the township. In his early days he was a Democrat, but cast his first Republican vote for Abraham Lincoln, and ever after voted and worked for that party.
Our subject, Samuel Sponseller, grew up and spent his boyhood on the old farm, gaining his education in the schools of the locality, with one summer at the Haysville Academy, and at the age of twenty-two took charge and managed the home farm for his father. In 1860, on the 18th of April, he was united in marriage with one of the fair daughters of this county, Miss Sarah A. Kling, a native of Cranberry township, the daughter of Moses Kling, who for fifteen years was a well known justice of the peace in his township. After his marriage our subject remained on the home place and continued to manage it successfully, but about 1870 he bought forty acres of the home farm, which he cultivated until his father's death, when he purchased the old place of one hundred and twenty acres, from the other heirs, the father having previously disposed of eighty acres to his son Emanuel, and still later our subject bought of his brother eighteen and one-half acres, and also seventeen and one-half of the Daniel Chambers farm, making his acreage one hundred and ninety-six acres, which is desirably located in section 20.
Mr. Sponseller has displayed great energy, judgment and industry in the acquisition of so large a farm, but he thoroughly understands the management and care of it and enjoys the ownership of not only one of the most productive but also one of the most attractive farms of the county.
123
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sponseller have been born three children, two of whom, Sylvanus E. and James, are deceased, the survivor being William H., a farmer of Bucyrus township. Although not a member, Mr. Sponseller is a liberal supporter of the German Baptist church, of which his estimable wife is a con- sistent member and he is an attendant on the services. A life-long Republican, he has taken an active interest in the success of his party and its men an plans, believing the principles advocated by it to be the best for the country at large. Several years he served as a member of the school board and is re- garded as one of the safe and reliable advisers in educational matters. The esteem in which he is held is general, and he may be justly regarded as a representative man of Crawford county.
WILLIAM A. ECKERT.
Among the successful and highly esteemed farmer citizens of Dallas township, Crawford county, is William A. Eckert, who was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, on August 1, 1851, a son of the late Nathaniel H. and Emeline (Decker) Eckert.
Nathaniel H. Eckert was born in Syracuse, New York, on August 4, 1819, and was reared and educated in his native state. When about thirty years of age he came to Ohio and bought forty acres of land in Wyandot county, near Nevada, and upon that farmed for some nine or ten years. Selling that tract he bought fifty-five acres just east of Nevada and here he farmed until 1867, when he came to Dallas township and bought ninety-five acres in section 24 and later fifty-five acres in section 25. For several years he lived on the former tract and about twenty-five years ago built a residence on the south side of the road, on the other tract, and lived upon it until his death, with the exception of about two years' residence in Nevada.
The marriage of Mr. Eckert was to Emeline Decker, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, her parents being pioneer settlers of the county. Her death took place on September 3, 1892, her husband surviving until April 25, 1900. Their children were William A., Marietta, Caroline, Delia Jane, Sarah Loetta and George E., the latter a farmer of Bucyrus township. Only William A. and George survive.
Although Mr. Eckert began life with limited means, by industry and good business management he became a substantial farmer and stock-raiser. Before his death he added still another fifty-acre tract to his estate and was thus one of the large land owners of the county. In politics he was a Re-
124
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
publican and for many years was a leading member of the United Brethren church, and was a man who enjoyed the respect and esteem of the whole neighborhood.
William A. Eckert, the most worthy son of this estimable father, was reared on the farm, and was educated at the State Deaf and Mute Institute at Columbus, Ohio. His home has always been in Dallas township since his parents came to Crawford county.
Mr. Eckert was married on December 7, 1880, to Bertha O. Solilke, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Christian and Emma Sohlke, who emigrated to America when Bertha was four years old. They settled in New York, but later removed to London, Ohio, later to Putnam county, where they died. Mrs. Eckert was also educated in the fine institution for the mutes at Columbus, and there formed the acquaintance of her husband. Three bright, entertaining and well educated children form the home circle for Mr. and Mrs. Eckert,-Callie, Victoria and Robert Ray. Mr. Eckert has been a successful farmer, is a Republican voter and is one of the most . highly respected citizens of the township.
TARLINGTON B. CARSON.
Tarlington B. Carson is now serving as postmaster of New Washington and is one of the honored pioneer settlers of Crawford county, whose growth and progress he has witnessed from an early period, having located within its borders when civilization had hardly gained a foothold, much of the land being in its primitive condition, while the work of development and improve- ment lay in the future. A wonderful transformation has since occurred, and the forests have been replaced by waving fields of grain, giving evidence of the care of enterprising agriculturists ; towns and villages have also been founded and have been supplied with all of the accessories known to the older east.
Mr. Carson was born in Venus township, Seneca county, Ohio, June 7, 1837, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Willoughby) Carson, both of whom are of German-Irish descent, and were natives of Virginia, but were married in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1814. In 1835 they removed to Seneca county, locating in Venus township. The father entered a section of land and erected thereon a double log house, which served as the family residence for several years and was also used as a place of religious worship. Later a log schoolhouse was built in the neighborhood and it was used for church
darling ton B. Larson.
127
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
as well as school purposes. Samuel Carson was a distant relative of the celebrated trapper and Indian fighter, Kit Carson. A man of very decided views and excellent judgment. he was in his day considered one of the most prominent `and intelligent residents of northern Ohio. In politics he was a Democrat until the election of Buchanan to the presidency. Entertaining strong abolition views and not being pleased with Buchanan's administra- tion, he enlisted under the banner of the new Republican party which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, and was identified with that organization from the early days of its history until his death. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability, frequently called him to positions of public trust, yet he was never an office-seeker. He had the high regard of his neighbors and friends and he left the impress of his individuality upon public thought, feeling, progress and advancement. His wife died in February, 1866. She was very devoted and considerate in her relations with her hus- band and children and won the love of all. Her husband survived her until June of the following year, when he, too, passed away and was laid to rest by the side of the woman who had been to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey. They were both active and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church, Mrs. Carson being most influential in carrying forward all church and charitable work. They became the parents of eleven children, namely : Robert, Jackson W., Annie, Harrison H., George, Margaret, Sarah, Hannah, Eliza, Samuel and Tarlington B.
The last named is the immediate subject of this review, and is one of the well known citizens of Crawford county. His school privileges in youth were very meager, for he probably never attended more than forty days in any one year. At the time of his birth there were but five families in the school district, the country round about being a vast wilderness. He, however, mastered the common branches of the English course. and when twenty years of age he began teaching, which profession he followed for four years. Desiring to still further perfect his own knowledge, he then entered the Seneca Academy and he was also materially assisted in his studies by his two older brothers, who were teachers, and by his brother-in-law, Alanson Cory, who at that time was one of the ablest educators of this portion of the state. He had two brothers, Harrison H. and George W., who were ministers of the Methodist Protestant and Freewill Baptist churches, respectively, and four of his sisters and three of his brothers were teachers. Mr. Carson eagerly continued his pursuit of knowledge, often studying far into the night, and by this means he acquired an excellent education. On the breaking out of the
7
128
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Civil war he responded to his country's call and joined the boys in blue of Company H, Fourteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mus- tered into the service on the 5th of September, 1861. Not long afterward the regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland, and he served his country faithfully throughout the war and participated in many engagements, among the most prominent of which were the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Jonesboro, Wild Cat, Spring Mills and many others of lesser importance. He was also in the skirmishes around Pitts- burg Landing and was in the battle of Tuscumbia, Alabama. He sustained two flesh wounds, one at Missionary Ridge and the other at Chickamauga, and on the close of his three years term of service was honorably discharged September 9, 1864, returning home with a most commendable record for valor and loyalty.
After again reaching Ohio Mr. Carson purchased eighty acres of the farm upon which he was born, but in 1868 sold that property and for a year resided upon what was known as the Joseph Summerland farm. Later he removed to a farm of eighty acres, now owned by Samuel Willford, having purchased this property at the time he sold his first farm. He cleared and improved it, making it his home for seven years, when he found a purchaser for the property, and having disposed of it invested his money in another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cranberry township, which he still owns. During the ten years of his residence thereon he cleared eighty acres, placing the tract under a high state of cultivation, but in March, 1886, he rented his land and removed to New Washington, taking up his abode in his present residence. which he rented for a year and then purchased.
On the 2d of May, 1861, Mr. Carson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah R. Smith, a native of Venus township, Seneca county, and a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Bigam) Smith. By this marriage were born seven children, of whom three are yet living. During the earlier years of his business career Mr. Carson also engaged in teaching in the public schools for twelve years in connection with his farming operations, and many of the prominent men of New Washington and vicinity were among his pupils. On the 15th of May, ISSO, without solicitation on his part he was appointed postmaster of New Washington, and occupied the position until October I, 1893. On the Ist of September, 1897. he was again appointed to the office and is the present incumbent. In his political views he is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party which upheld the Union cause during the Civil war, and has ever been found on the side of progress and reform.
129
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
In 1894 he was solicited by many of his friends to become a candidate for the office of township trustee. At length he consented, and although the township is strongly Democratic he was elected by a majority of fifty-five votes. His party would have again given him the nomination, but he refused uncompromisingly to become a candidate. A member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is an earnest Christian gentleman, whose business record, public career and private life are likewise above reproach or con- demnation. To the duties of the home, in commercial circles and when in office he is as true and loyal as when he was a Union soldier upon the battle-fields of the south.
JACOB DENZER.
Jacob Denzer, who has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, is one of the oldest citizens and most honored pioneers of Crawford county. He was born in Baden, Germany, May 13, 1821, a son of Andrew and Hester A. (Finfgelt) Denzer. The father also was born, reared and educated in Baden and served as a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, going with that general on the ill-fated expedition to Moscow, where thousands of his comrades fell. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and a daughter, namely: Andrew, George, Jacob, Mary and Simon. Two of the number died in fatherland and were buried in Upfingen, Baden. The father died about 1840, seven years after coming to this country, but the mother lived many years, passing away in 1876, at the age of ninety-four years.
It was in the autumn of 1833 that Jacob Denzer, then a lad of thirteen years, came with his parents and their family to the new world. Not long after their arrival they became residents of Crawford county and the father purchased fifteen acres of timber land in Liberty township. This tract was then cleared and a log cabin was built the following spring. Jacob Denzer began to earn his own living that spring by working as a farm hand, receiv- ing three and four dollars per month for his services. He was employed in that capacity until twenty-five years of age and gave his wages to his parents until he had attained his majority. At the age of twenty-five he began farm- ing on rented land, which he operated for three years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.