USA > Ohio > Erie County > A standard history of Erie County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic, and social development. A chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs > Part 12
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In politics Mr. Craig cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880, and has been regularly identified with the grand old party for fully thirty-five years. For several years he served as chair- man of the Republican County Central Committee. In 1899 he was republican candidate for the office of county auditor, and in 1914 was elected to his present office as treasurer of Erie County. Mr. Craig is affiliated with Garfield Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Sunyendaend Club.
LOUIS DUENNISCH. Many of the more prominent and prosperous citizens of Ohio were born on the further side of the Atlantic, and since coming to this country to live have been active and useful in advancing the industrial, commercial, financial and social interests of town, county and state. Conspicuous among the number may be mentioned Louis Duennisch, of Sandusky, who, through his own efforts, has acquired a competency, and is now living retired from active business, devoting his time and energy to his extensive private interests. A native of Germany, he was born September 4, 1842, in Ostheim, Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach, where his childhood days were spent
His father, Andrew Frederick Duennisch, was born in Koenigshofen, Bavaria, in 1803. IIe learned the trade of a millwright when young, and followed it as a journeyman in different places in Germany, among them being Ostheim, Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach. He owned and oper- ated a grist mill until his death, in 1855. His last place of business was at Fladungen, Bavaria, where he resided. He married Marie Elizabeth Engel, a native of Ostheim. She survived him, and in 1857, two years after his death, came with her son Louis to Ohio, locating in Sandusky, where she continued her residence until her death, in 1886, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-eight years. She reared two children, namely : Christian and Louis. Christian Duennisch immigrated to Ohio in 1853, and after living for a time in Sandusky purchased a farm near Venice, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at a com- paratively early age.
Lonis Duennisch attended school at Melfers, until after the death of his father, when he assisted his mother in the management of the mills until she sold out, in 1857. In that year, desirous of joining his brother Christian, he came with his widowed mother to the United States, setting sail from Bremen July 4, and landing in New York August 29, 1857. He spent a short time in Sandusky, after which he lived for a year with his brother on a farm. Returning to Sandusky, he continued his studies at the English school, and when sufficiently familiar with the native lan- guage to be of use, entered the employ of J. 'E. Norcross, then sole pro- prietor of the Sandusky Sash, Door & Blind Company. Shortly after, Mr. Norcross sold an interest in the business to Mr. E. E. Upp, who be- came junior member of the firm of Norcross & Upp. At the age of nine- teen, Mr. Duennisch was made foreman of the shop, and continued with that firm and its successors for a period of thirty-five years, at the time of his resignation the firm name being George R. Butler & Company. Since resigning his position with that company he has been busily em- ployed in looking after his private affairs, which are many and im- portant.
Mr of Mrs: Louis Quennisch
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Mr. Duennisch has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Newman, was of German parentage. She passed to the life beyond in 1875, in early womanhood. He married, second, in 1878, Margaret Ebert, who was born, reared and educated in Sandusky. HIer father, Conrad Ebert, was born in Bavaria, where his father, a man- ufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, was a life-long resident. Educated in Bavaria, he learned his father's trade while working with him, and also obtained a thorough knowledge of cabinetmaking. In 1853, at the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Ebert eame to Ohio, and thereafter followed his trades in Sandusky through his active life, residing in this city until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Ebert married Margaret Denninger, who was born in Maroldswersach, Bavaria, the daughter of a life-long farmer of that locality. She came to this country at the age of thirty-one years; was married to Mr. Ebert in 1853, and died at the age of fifty-eight years. She was the mother of three children, namely : Karl Ebert; Margaret, now Mrs. Duennisch ; and Conrad Ebert.
Mr. and Mrs. Duennisch have traveled extensively, both in this eoun- try and abroad. In 1895 they visited the "Land of the Midnight Sun" at a very fortunate time, when the weather was clear and the atmosphere free from fog. On this trip they also visited throughout Europe. In 1899 they toured Mexico, and in 1900 they again visited Europe, going to the place where he was born, and also seeing the principal points of interest in France, Switzerland, Belgium and England. They likewise had the pleasure of witnessing the Passion Play at Oberammergan. They also made an extended trip through the Holy Land, visiting all places of interest to the traveler, including among others the City of Jerusalem. They also made stops in Gibraltar, Malta, Algiers, Alexandria, Cairo, Constantinople, and Athens, becoming familiar with the people of those noted places and their enstoms.
Among their cherished possessions Mr. and Mrs. Duenniseh have a Bible which has been in the family nearly 300 years, bearing the dates 1643 and 1644. Mr. Duenniseh also has a watch upwards of a hundred years old. It is of the bull's-eye type, with a separable ease, and at the end of the silver chain attached is a seal upon which his father's mono- gram is engraved.
Fraternally Mr. Duennisch is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 329, Free and Aeeepted Masons; of Sandusky City Chapter, No. 72, Royal Areh Masons; of Sandusky City Couneil, No. 26, Royal and Select Masters; of Erie Commandery, No. 23. Knights Templars; and of San- dusky Lodge, No. 285, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Both Mr. and Mrs. Duenniseh were confirmed in the Lutheran Evangelical Church, but are now members of the Christian Science Chureh.
PROF. ROY D. MITCHELL. As proprietor of the Sandusky Business College, Prof. Roy D. Mitehell is personally identified with an important educational institution of the eity, and is contributing his full share in so developing the business ability of the young men and women of Eric County as to make them a self-reliant and self-supporting class of people. Ile was born November 4, 1873, in a sod house five miles north of the present site of Bradshaw, York County, Nebraska. IIe saw a train of cars for the first time when the Burlington road was extended into Brad- shaw ; he was then nine years old. He is a lineal descendant of Ingh Mitehell, who emigrated from Ayr County, Scotland, to America in 1782, the line of descent being as follows: Hugh Mitchell, John Mitchell, William Mitchell, James Mitchell, and Roy D. Mitchell.
William Mitchell, the Professor's grandfather, was born September 14, 1811. At Cadiz, Ohio, October 18, 1838, he married Mary Ann Atki- son, and there was a resident until 1855. In the spring of that year.
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accompanied by his family, he removed to Lynnville, Jasper County, Iowa, going by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Keokuk, thence by team to Lynnville, where he became a pioneer settler. At that time there were no railroads west of the Mississippi, and all of the country roundabout was in its original wildness. His wife died in 1864 and is buried in Lynnville cemetery. After farming a few years in that local- ity, he moved to Boone County, Iowa, and there spent his last days, at his death, which occurred June 6, 1887, being buried in the Mitchell cemetery, three miles west of Zenorsville. He married Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson at Ridge Port, Iowa, in November, 1868, who survived him at the time of his death.
The birth of James Mitchell occurred June 13, 1845, in Cadiz, Ohio, where the first ten years of his life were spent. Going then to Iowa with his parents, he was there reared to agricultural pursuits. On December 31, 1869, he was united in marriage with Lucinda Myers. The following spring he joined the Myers colony, which included his wife's father and mother, brothers and sisters, and made an overland journey, driving an ox team to York County, Nebraska. All of that section of the Union was then owned either by the Government or by the railroad companies, and antelope and other wild game native to that section were plentiful, and not very far away large herds of buffalo roamed the prairies. Each autumn the pioneer settlers used to go in parties in search of buffalo, and would cure the large quantities of buffalo meat brought home by the sportsmen for future use on the table. Securing a tract of Government land, Mr. James Mitchell built a sod house which the family occupied a number of years, and began the improvement of a homestead, doing all of his farm work and marketing with oxen, having no horses. The sod house made possible the settlement of the prairies, as no wood was obtain- able without hauling it a great distance. The walls were thick and the houses comfortable both summer and winter, but the settlers endured many hardships and discouragements on the wind-swept plains the first few years. Columbus, sixty miles away, in Platte County, was the near- est trading point, and he not only frequently went there, but he also made trips with oxen to Lincoln, which was still further distant. Snc- eeeding well in his agricultural undertakings, he improved his land, erected a good set of farm buildings, and there lived until 1914, when he sold out his Nebraska interests, and now makes his home with a son who lives not far from the old homestead. His wife died November 11, 1904. leaving four sons, as follows: Charles B., York, Nebraska ; Chann- cey H., Oklaunion, Texas; Roy D .; and William P., who resided at Tel- luride, Colorado, at the time of his accidental death there May 24, 1911.
Hlaving obtained his preliminary education in the rural schools of his native district, Roy D. Mitchell continued his studies at York Col- lege, later teaching three terms in the rural school of his home district. Ile then completed a full course at the Omaha Commercial College, in Omaha, Nebraska, after which he entered the Woodbine (Iowa) Normal School, where for two years he still further advanced his studies in preparation for teaching. In 1898, on July 11, Professor Mitchell came to Sandusky to accept a position as teacher in the Sandusky Business College, and taught under T. W. Bookmyer, the proprietor for nine years. On June 1. 1907, the professor succeeded to the ownership of the insti- tution, and in its management has met with snecess, his school being well patronized, and its graduates being well fitted for business positions ; he is also closely identified with some of the financial and manufacturing interests of the city.
On June 28, 1899, at Woodbine, Iowa, Professor Mitchell married Bertha Emily Hall, who was born in Harrison County, Iowa, a daughter of John and Camilla Hall. A woman of enlture and refinement, she
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was educated in Iowa, being graduated from the Woodbine Normal School, and is now a teacher in the Sandusky Business College.
The professor is identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a mem- ber of Perseverance Lodge No. 329, Free and Accepted Masons; of San- dusky City Chapter No. 72, Royal Arch Masons; of Sandusky City Council No. 26, Royal and Select Masters; and of Erie Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar.
SAMUEL IRVINE. For a quarter of a century identified with the busi- ness interests of Sandusky, Samuel Irvine, now living retired from active pursuits, is a veteran of the Civil war, and eminently deserving of special mention in a work of this character. A son of John Irvine, he was born, May 28, 1834, in the City of Philadelphia, of Scotch-Irish descent. Ilis paternal grandparents, who were of honored Scotch ancestry, were life- long residents of County Antrim, Ireland, although several of their children came to America to settle, including the following: David, Samuel R., William, John, and another son, who after living a few years in New York City returned to Ireland. David located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he spent his remaining days. Samuel R. settled first in Philadelphia, from there coming, in 1852, to Ohio, locating in Sandusky, and a few years later moving with his family to Toledo, which was afterwards his home. William lived in Pittsburgh for a time, from there going to Mississippi, where he married, and was subsequently engaged in the culture of cotton until murdered by one of his slaves.
John Irvine came to America directly after his marriage, and after following his trade of carpenter in Philadelphia for a time settled in Pittsburgh. Leaving that city in 1847, he came by stage to Sandusky, Ohio, where, the following spring, he was joined by his family, who proceeded by boat up the Ohio River to Beaver, Pennsylvania, thence via canal and lake to ('leveland and Sandusky. Following his trade of a carpenter and builder, he erected some of the more important buildings of that early day, including a number of fine residences. Going to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1858, he was engaged in contracting there for a short time, and then moved to Elwood, Kansas. In 1860, joining the tide of emigration surging westward, he crossed the plains with ox teams to Denver, from there going to the divide, where he took up Government land, and embarked in the culture of potatoes, home-grown ones at that time bringing eight cents a pound, and other provisions, all of which had to be transported by teams, were correspondingly high. Two years later he settled in the valley, half way between Denver and Pueblo, in the place later known as Irvine Station. Securing 500 acres of land, he irrigated and improved the place, and there resided until 1886. He then sold a part of his ranch and moved to Pueblo, where his death occurred, JJuly 3, 1887. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Boyd, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and died October 6, 1906, in Los Angeles, California, leaving five children, Samuel, John, William, David A., and Milton B.
Having obtained a practical knowledge of the common branches of learning in the public schools of Sandusky, Samuel Irvine served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with his father, and subsequently accompanied the family to St. Joseph, Missouri, later going to Kansas, where he continued at his trade until after the breaking out of the ('ivil war. On October 12, 1861, inspired by patriotic enthusiasm, Mr. Irvine enlisted in Company 1. Seventh Kansas Cavalry, under command of ('apt. J. M. Anthony. In 1863, having faithfully performed his duties as a brave soldier in camp and field until the expiration of his term of enlistment, he veteranized, and with his command went to Corinth, Mis-
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sissippi, where he spent much of his time in guarding the railways of that seetion of the country.
Honorably discharged from the service as first lieutenant on Septem- ber 29, 1865, Mr. Irvine followed his trade at Waukon, Kansas, until 1868. Coming back then to Sandusky, where he had spent the days of his boyhood and youth, he entered the employ of the Sandusky Wheel Company, with which he was actively connected for twenty-two years, during the last eight years of the time being superintendent of the busi- ness. Since severing his connection with that company, he has lived retired from business activities and eares.
Mr. Irvine married, July 1, 1866, Daphne R. Foster, who was born in Erie County, Ohio, a daughter of William Howell Foster. Born Novem- ber 21, 1810, in St. Albans, Vermont, Mr. Foster there acquired a good education in his youth, and while a young man started westward in search of fame and fortune. Coming to Erie County, Ohio, he taught school for a while at Seven Mile House, and then, having met with most encouraging suecess in his labors, he returned to the Green Mountain State, where he married, and with his bride came back to Ohio, coming by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by Lake Erie to Cleveland, and from there to the interior with ox team. Locating near Castalia, he bought land, but soon sold that property, and purchased another farm in the same township. Ile was subsequently there successfully engaged in tilling the soil until his death, February 26, 1874. Mr. Foster married Caroline Charlotte Brush, who was born at St. Albans, Vermont, Sep- tember 22, 1810, and died in Erie County, Ohio, March 17, 1901. She reared three children, as follows: Helen Charlotte, Daphne Rhoda, and Romeo William.
Mr. and Mrs. Irvine became the parents of four children, and the two living are John W. and Justin S. John W. Irvine, a resident of Cincin- nati, married Rose Kirkpatrick, and they have three children, Daphne, Carrie Luella, and Helen Lucille. Justin S. Irvine, who lives in Cleve- land, married Carrie Dunlap. Carrie, born November 14, 1866, died January 10, 1894, and Helen L., born October 16, 1868, died May 7, 1887. Mr. Irvine is a member of MeMeens Post No. 19, Grand Army of the Republic, and Mrs. Irvine belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps.
WILLIAM A. WALDOCK. Worthy of special mention in a work of this character is William A. Waldock, who holds an assured position among the esteemed and respected citizens of Sandusky, his industry, integrity and thrift having gained for him the confidence and good will of the community in which he resides. A son of the late Frederick David Wal- doek, he was born August 10, 1866, near Bloomingville, Erie County, Ohio, on a farm, and is of English descent, his grandfather Waldoek, who as an ironmonger dealt in metals and implements, having been a lifelong resident of Huntingdonshire, England.
Frederick David Waldoek was born in 1832 in Huntingdonshire, Eng- land, where, at the age of twelve years, he began an apprenticeship at the butcher's trade. Embarking in business on his own account in his native place, he carried on butehering until 1859, when, accompanied by his family, he crossed the ocean to the United States. Coming direetly to Ohio, he joined his brother-in-law in Erie County, hoping to soon find remunerative employment. Business was then very dull throughout the Union, and the times unusually hard. Being offered the job of digging a ditch, he agreed to do the work for fifty cents a day. As the man demurred at giving so much for the labor, Mr. Waldock offered to take the job by contract at fifteen cents a rod, the ditch to be five feet wide at the top, two feet at the bottom, and three feet deep. The man agreed to the price set, and at that rate Mr. Waldock earned seventy-five cents per
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day. A year after his arrival in Erie County, he purchased four acres of land half way between Bloomingville and the "seven-mile-house," and there started in the butchering business, having one horse and a wagon, and retailing his meat in Sandusky. Ile was soon enabled to buy eight more acres of land, and as his means increased he bought live stock, and greatly enlarged his operations. He bought a farm situated one mile north of the seven-mile-house, and there continned his business snecess- fully until his death, in 1912. He was a man of good business judgment, and made wise investments, at the time of his death having title to 365 acres of valuable land. Ile married Fannie Greene, who was born at St. Ives, England, and died in Erie County, Ohio, in 1913. Of their union eight children were born, as follows: Frederick ; Lizzie, deceased : John; Charles; Annie, deceased ; William A., the subject of this brief sketeh ; George; and Fannie.
Edneated in the district schools, William A. Waldock learned the trade of a buteher when young, and in early manhood became associated with his father in the live stock and butchering business, and has been actively engaged in the same business until the present writing, in 1915. In 1900 he bought a farm lying one mile south of Sandusky, and occupied it until 1913, when he removed to his present beautiful home on Wayne Street, Sandusky.
Mr. Waldoek married, on April 26, 1900, Ida Erbe, who was born on a farm in Margaretta Township, Erie County, of German ancestry. Her father, Philip Erbe, was born, reared and edneated in Baden, Germany, and as a young man there learned the trade of a miller. In 1849, Inred by the wonderful reports of the prosperity of the Americans, he came to the United States, being six weeks in making the ocean voyage in a sail- ing vessel. After spending a very few days in New York City, he eame to Ohio, and for a while operated a mill in Castalia. When ready to invest in land, he purchased a farm in Margaretta Township, Erie County, and was subsequently engaged in tilling the soil until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Erbe married Emilia Warnke, a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, who in 1849 came to America with her parents. Her father died a few years later, leaving his widow with eight children, four sons and four daughters, the sons being Charles, Frank, Ernest and William, and the daughters Charlotte, Louise, Min- nie and Amelia. Mrs. Emilia (Warnke) Erbe, who died at the age of seventy-four years, reared seven children, as follows: Anna. Caroline, Tillie, Charles, Rose, Ida and Minnie. Mrs. Waldock taught in the Cas- talia High School for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Waldock are the parents of four children, namely : Frederick, William, Lucille and Marion.
Fraternally Mr. Waldoek is a member of Sandusky Lodge No. 669, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Sandusky Council No. 278, United Commercial Travelers.
HON. CYRUS B. WINTERS. An esteemed and eminently useful citizen of Sandusky, Hon. Cyrus B. Winters is widely and favorably known in the legal circles of Erie County, and as a representative to the State Legislature has taken an active part in the administration of public affairs. He was born in a log house in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, on the farm of his father, the late Benjamin Winters.
. His paternal grandfather, Christian Winters, was born in Pennsyl- vania, of German aneestry. Leaving his native state in early manhood, he lived for a time in Maryland, from there moving with his family to Canada. Upon the breaking out of the War of 1812 he returned to the United States, and subsequently served in the army until the elose of the conflict. Ile continued to reside in the East until 1821, when he mi- Vol. II- 6
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grated to Ohio, settling as a pioneer in what is now Huron Township, Erie County. Buying a tract of land that was in its primitive wildness, he cleared and improved a homestead, on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying when about seventy-two years of age. He was very successful as a farmer, and in addition to his original purchase of land bought 600 aeres in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, a traet that subsequently came into the possession of three of his sons, Daniel, John and Benjamin. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Palmer, was a native of Pennsylvania.
Born in Canada, near Fort Erie, Benjamin Winters was about four- teen years old when he came with his parents to Ohio. He assisted his father in the arduous task of redeeming a farm from the wilderness, and when of age assumed possession of that part of the land lying in Townsend Township given him by his father. After ereeting a log cabin and the necessary buildings for earrying on general farming, he began to improve his property, and there remained a resident until his death, in September, 1861, at the age fifty-four years. He married, first, a Miss Whitmore, and, second, Delia A. Downing, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, where her father, Milton Downing, was a pioneer settler. His first wife died in early life, leaving him with three children. By his second marriage he became the father of seven children, as follows: Bruce M .; Cyrus B., the special subjeet of this brief sketeh ; Milton I .; Delia B .; Eugene B .; Benjamini W., and Wilmer D. Mrs. Winters was a woman of mueh ability, and kept her family together until all were grown and had homes of their own.
Acquiring his elementary education in the rural schools of his native distriet, Cyrus B. Winters subsequently completed the course of study at Milan Normal Sehool, after which he assisted in the management of the home farm for two years. The ensuing two years he was deputy clerk in the office of the clerk of the courts. In the meantime he em- ployed all of his leisure in the study of law, and in 1874 was admitted to the bar. After practicing his chosen profession for a short time in Fremont, Mr. Winters located in Sandusky, where he has built up a large and luerative practice, and has identified himself with the leading movements tending towards the uplifting and betterment of the city.
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