History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 104

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EMANUEL DEARDORFF, Bucyrus (whose portrait appears in this work, and that of his deceased wife also), is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Myers) Deardorff, and was born Nov. 6, 1805, in York Co., Penn. He removed with his father to Cumberland Co. when but 2 years old. Two years later, his father died, and he lived on a farm with his uncle for ten years. when he commenced working by the month. Ile continued at this for two years, and, in his 17th year, went into a tannery owned by James Davidson, and served an apprenticeship of three and a half years. He then worked in Philadel- phia for one year, and also at other points. In the fall of 1827. in company with his brother-

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in-law, George Myers, he came to this county in a wagon drawn by one horse, and at Pittsburgh, owing to the roads, they had to leave their bed- ding. On their arrival here, he bought 38 acres of land at $10 per acre, and started a tannery. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and, on March 13, 1828, he married Elizabeth Howen- stine, of Cumberland Co. In the June follow- ing, they started with a team for his new home in this county, and arrived here after a journey of fifteen days, and settled on West Mansfield street, where his tannery was situated. Here he lived, and continued his business until 1852, when he sold out, and engaged in running a steam saw-mill for the next eight years. He then traded for 200 acres of land in Whetstone Township, and engaged in farming for ten years. In 1870, he came to Bucyrus, where he has since lived in retirement from business. His wife died in June, 1867, and, while on a visit to Pennsylvania in 1869, he was married to Miss Catharine Scoby, of Carlisle. Eleven chil- dren are living of the first marriage-Eliza, now Mrs. Wise, of Bucyrus ; John, a miner of California ; Jacob (see sketch) ; Ellen, now Mrs. Dumbaugh, of Marion ; Rebecca, of Bucyrus ; Christopher and Alexander, of Portland, Ore. ; Mrs. Martha Bogun, of this county ; Barbara, at home ; George, stone-cutter, of Bucyrus, and Mary. Mr. Deardorff is a member of the Lu- theran Church. He was a Democrat until the days of Fremont, since which time he has been a Republican. They were two of the old pio- neers of Crawford Co., whose names will ever be linked with the early history, hardships and privations so little known and feebly compre- hended by the present generation. Mrs. Dear- dorff, who has gone forever from the scenes of so many trials and heartaches, is still remem- bered by her children and friends as a lady whose portrait is in every way worthy to grace the pages of this tale of the pioneers. Mr. Deardorff still resides in Bucyrus, where he is well known as an old and honored citizen, whose name and reputation are above reproach.

JACOB DEARDORFF, salesman, Bucyrus ; is the son of Emanuel Deardorff, and was born Sept. 2, 1831, in Bucyrus, making him a resi- dent of most half a century's duration. He was given a good common education, and, in vacation, he worked in his father's tan-yard. In 1852, he purchased an interest in a saw-mill, which he ran for seven years. He then went

into partnership with William Garner in the provision trade, continuing in it some two years. He then retired from that partnership, and has since been a salesman in many of the leading business establishments of Bucyrus. He has been in the employ of E. Blair since May, 1880, and is an efficient and valuable salesman. He was married, May 15, 1856, to Miss Isabella Garner, of Sharpsburg, Penn. They have one child-Lizzie E., born April 19, 1858. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church.

HUGHI DOBBINS ; P. O. Bucyrus. This gen- tleman was born Feb. 11, 1830, in Wayne Co., Ohio. He is one of a family of two sons and three daughters, born to John and Annie (Mc- Collough) Dobbins, both of whom were natives of the " Keystone " State. The father's people were early settlers of Mahoning Co., and the mother's of Harrison Co., this State. They were married in Harrison Co., but, soon after this event, moved to Wayne Co., where the father had entered 72 acres of land. In 1832, Mr. Dobbins entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 4, Bucyrus Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, and, two years later, removed with his family to it. The entire family went to work with a will, and, after a few years of toil and economy, had the satisfaction of seeing their wilderness home quite nicely improved, and themselves sur- rounded with conveniences they had been strangers to on first coming to the country. In 1858, the parents left the farm and moved to Bucyrus, where the father died July 23, 1859. The mother died Sept. 14, 1880. Hugh Dob- bins' youth and early manhood were passed upon his father's farm and in attending the common schools of the neighborhood. He was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Cleland, May 19, 1859. She was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, April 30, 1836, and is the daughter of William and Rachel Cleland, who settled in Vernon Township, this county, in a very early day. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins, seven of whom are yet liv- ing-William J., Curtis L., Rachel E. A., Hugh M., Joshua E., Dora D. and Pearl B. The one deceased was Cora E. Mr. Dobbins owns the old homestead, upon which are good, substan- tial farm buildings. He is Conservative in his views, but usually votes with the Democratic party. He is a successful farmer, and a man respected by all his neighbors and acquaint- ances.

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JACOB DENZER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born May 13, 1821, in Baden, Germany, and is a son of Andrew and Hester A. (Finfgelt) Denzer. In the fall of 1833, when he was 13 years old, the family came to America, and to Bucyrus, Crawford Co., via Sandusky City, where they remained a week awaiting a convey- ance to their destination. They bought 15 acres of timber land in Liberty Township, and young Denzer took his first lesson in wood- chopping that winter, preparing for a house in the spring. He went but little to English school. In the spring of 1834, he began work- ing by the month, at from $3 to $4 per month, continuing until 25 years old, and giving his wages to his father's family until he was 21. When at 25, he began farming on rented land, and kept at it for three years. He was mar- ried, March 13, 1850, to Miss Matilda McNeal, of this township, who was born Dec. 6, 1826, in Huntingdon, Penn. They have eleven chil- dren living, viz., Mary L., wife of Stephen Bre- men, of Whetstone Township ; Jennie, at home ; Andrew, farmer, of this township; Esther, a successful teacher in this township; Simon J., Anson J., Ella, Alexander, Maggie, Lewis J., Electa V. Two died when young-Florence and an infant son. After marriage, he rented the Bechtel farm for six years, and, in the meantime, purchased 38 acres in this vicinity, making additions to it at different times. In 1863, he purchased his present farm, where he owns over 400 acres, all made by his own en- ergy and industry. He ran a saw-mill for ten years, working his farm during the day, and, in the busy season, often running the mill during the entire night, and would sometimes fall asleep standing up. He is now engaged in farming and stock-raising quite extensively, and has made many improvements in his farm and buildings. He has always been a Demo- crat, casting his first vote for Van Buren. His father was born in Baden, and was well edu- cated. He was a soldier under the first Napo- leon, and was with him in his ill-fated expedi- tion to Moscow, where hundreds and thousands of his comrades perished. He was a farmer in the old country. He married Hester A. Finf- gelt. Four sons and one daughter were born to them. The family came here in 1833. An- drew, George, Jacob, Mary and Simon were the names of his children. Two are buried in Up- fingen, Baden. The father died about 1840 ;

the mother, in October, 1876, at the age of 94 years.

J. W. DELANCY, miller ; P. O. Bucyrus ; son of Francis and Mary (Rice) Delancy, was born Aug. 20, 1833, in Richland Co., Ohio, where a portion of his youth was spent on a farm, and in obtaining an education. At the age of 20, he purchased an interest in a thresh- ing machine, and followed the business for three years. In 1853, he entered a mill at Crestline, Ohio, and was employed there some eighteen months. He then came to McLain's, in which he worked till 1858, when he pur- chased an interest here. In 1861, he purchased a half-interest in a mill at North Robinson, where he continued three years. Selling out here, he went to Richland Co., and purchased a mill at Rome. Here he met with good success for two and one-half years, at the end of which time he moved on the old homestead, which he farmed for two years. His next venture was at New Washington, where he bought another mill and continued the business for four years, at the end of which time he bought a farm near Washington, and turned his attention to farm- ing until 1872, when he sold the farm and be- came the partner of S. A. Bowers in milling business at Bucyrus, where he has continued ever since. He was married Oct. 19, 1854, to Rebecca Deardorff, of Bucyrus. Two children -Elizabeth and Ella-are now living ; Allie and Lillie died when quite young. Mr. Delan- cy was a member of the Church of God at New Washington. He is a member of La Salle Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., of Bucyrus Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and also a Knight of Honor. He stands high in the estimation of all who know him, and is a business man of taet and ability.

A. W. DILLER ; P. O. Bucyrus ; is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Lauck) Diller, and was born March 31, 1832, near Carlisle, Penn. His father was of French descent, his great-grand- father being a native of Alsace, France, and emigrated to Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1685. Mr. Diller attended school in the winter, and assisted his father in the summer, he being a miller. At the age of 18, he commenced learn- ing the carriage trade at Carlisle, Penn., serv- ing four years. In 1851, in company with his father's family, he came to Bucyrus, and there he entered the dry goods store of A. Failor, re- maining there about eight months. He next

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worked as journeyman in the carriage-shop of Jefferson Norton for six months, and then clerked for a short time in the provision store of J. J. Boeman. In 1853, he entered the United States Navy, and was carpenter's Mate on board the U. S. Steamer Michigan, on the Northern Lakes. After two years naval serv- ice, he returned to Bucyrus, and was pattern- maker for the Eagle Machine Company and the Bucyrus Machine Works. On the break- ing-ont of the war, he enlisted in April, 1861, in the 8th O. V. I., served four months, and, his term of enlistment having expired, re-enlisted in the 36th Regiment Ill. Engineers, as 2d Lieutenant. They were discharged after a

year's service. He then volunteered in the 65th (Scotch) Regiment of Illinois, and was 1st Lieutenant of Co. G, and was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry. He was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md. He resigned on account of his eyesight, and returned to Bucyrus. He next became Major of the 161st Regiment of Heavy Cavalry, and was in command of Ft. Worth, near Washington City, for four months. After his discharge he returned home, and soon after went into the 197th O. V. I., as Cap- tain, and was mustered out at Baltimore at the close of the war. In 1866, he engaged in the manufacture of marble monuments with .J. G. Sherwood. He next became traveling agent for the Bucyrus Machine Works, and also for A. Monnett & Co., for seven years. In April. 1879, he formed a partnership with Henry Stuckey, and entered into the manufacture of portable engines, castings and general repairing, doing a prosperous business. and employing from ten to twenty hands. Mr. Diller is a member of Bucyrus Lodge, and of La Salle Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F. He has been a Re- publican since the organization of the party. lle was married in 1858, to Miss Mary A. Everett, of Bucyrus, born in Romulus, N. Y. They have four children-Charles F., Kate. Hiram J. N. and Fennie C.

GEORGE DONNENWIRTH, JR., brewer, Bucyrus ; son of George Donnenwirth; was born Jan. 28, 1835. in Columbus, Ohio. His father's family removed to New Washington, Crawford Co., in 1838, where the subject of this sketch lived until 1855. When 15 years of age, he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade with his father, and worked at this some four years. He then went to Sandusky City, and

remained eighteen months, employed in a gro- cery. In March, 1857, he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he was a clerk until December of the same year. He then came to Bucyrus and entered into a partnership with Henry Anthony, in the manufacture of beer. This partnership lasted some eleven months, when Mr. Donnen- wirth's father purchased the interest of Mr. Anthony, and the business was conducted un- (ler the firm name of George Donnenwirth & Son. Mr. Donnenwirth, Sr., retired in 1875, and the firm became George Donnenwirth & Bro., Frank P. entering as partner. and they are now doing an extensive business. On Nov. 23, 1865, our subject was married to Miss Mary Fuhrman, of Bucyrus. He is at present a member of the School Board and Town Council, and has been Treasurer of the township for ten years. He is also Treasurer of the School Board. and is a Democrat.

FRANK P. DONNENWIRTH, Bucyrus. George and Magdalena (Ruch) Donnenwirth, grandparents of this gentleman, were natives of France, and removed from that country to the United States in 1827, and settled in Stark Co., Ohio, where they remained until the year 1834, when they came to this county. and en- tered land in Cranberry Township. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living, and all except one sister, who re- sides in Columbus, Ohio, live in and near New Washington, this county. George, one of the seven children and father of Frank P., was born Sept. 7, 1810, near Strasbourg. France. He was educated in the common schools of his native country, and when 15 years of age, was appren- ticed to the blacksmith's trade. After serving about eighteen months, his parents came to the United States, and he accompanied them. They stopped in Buffalo. N. Y., some time. where the son found employment at his trade. While the family resided in Stark Co., this State, the son was variously employed. He worked at his trade and on the Ohio Canal. In the spring of 1830, he went to Pittsburgh. Penn., and there worked in a machine-shop and at his trade for some time. In 1836, he came to Crawford Co., which he has since made his home. He has been twice married. The first was to Miss. Sophia Anthony, in 1834. She was born in Lorraine, France, in 1809, and died in Crawford Co., in 1849. The second marriage was to Mrs. Caroline Derr, Oct. 22. 1850. She was born in

Elisabete Moment

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Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 12, 1819. By the first marriage, there were ten children, viz. : George, Adam, Jacob, William, Magdalena, Charles and John, living ; John, Susan and Mary, de- ceased. Four children were the fruits of the second marriage, viz. : Lewis C., Franklin P., Sophia M. and Caroline M. After Mr. Donnen- wirth came to this country, and until 1856, he was engaged in the mercantile business, and worked at his trade in New Washington. In the fall of 1855, he was elected to the respon- sible position of County Treasurer, and the fol- lowing year removed to Bucyrus, where he has since resided. In the winter of 1846-47, he represented Crawford and Wyandot Cos., in the State Legislature Besides this, he has held other positions of honor and trust in the county. He was twice elected Mayor of Buey- rus, and is highly spoken of as an official. He has always voted with the Democratic party, and his judgment in the political councils of his own party are considered sound. He is one of the prominent men of the county, and has aided not a little in advancing the best interests of its people and industries. Frank P. Don. nenwirth was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, May 24, 1853. When 3 years of age, his parents removed to Bucyrus, where he was raised and educated. When 20 years of age, he went to St. Louis, and there found employment in a brewery for two years, when he returned to his home in Bucyrus. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Birk, Oct. 30, 1877. She was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1856. They have one child-Gertrude. Soon after his re- turn from St. Louis, he purchased his father's interest in the brewery, and has, in connection with his brother George, since been engaged in that business. They are intelligent, enterpris- ing gentlemen, respected by all who know them.

J. DOUGHERTY, photographer, Bucyrus ; is the son of Edward and Abigail (McComb) Dougherty, and was born in Cannonsburg, Penn., April 14, 1826 ; he went to school until his 16th year, when he commenced to learn carriage-painting, and followed it for ten years. About this time, he learned daguerreotyping in Washington, Penn., and worked at the business some eight years. In 1859, he came to Bucy- rus, and established a gallery in a building where the Sims House now stands. He has been located in his present place, Quinby Block, for fifteen years ; here he is doing a

splendid business, and is a skillful photogra- pher, paying much attention also to the copying and enlarging of pictures in water-colors and India ink. He has exhibited at the county fairs, and has always outstripped his competi- tors ; he is the oldest resident photographer of the place. He was married June 29, 1848, to Miss Annie Butts, of Washington Co., Penn., and three children are living, the fruits of that union-Ella, Blanche and Lulu ; Laura died at the age of 5. Mr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, and a Trustee of their organization.

H. M. DEAL; P. O. Bucyrus ; is the son of Martin and Sarah Lilley Deal, and was born Dec. 26, 1854, in Bucyrus ; he attended school here until his 18th year, and attended the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1875; he next became assistant clerk in his father's manu- factory of smutters, remaining in this position two years. In 1878, he became general man- ager of the establishment, which position he now holds. They have about six hundred local agencies in the United States and Canada ; also in South America and London, England. The annual shipping capacity is from 60,000 to 75,000. They are making thirty-six different styles of machines for cleaning grain. Mr. Deal is a partner in Deal's Improved Wheat Heater, which has proved lucrative, and is also the manufacturer and sole proprietor of Deal's Corundum Polisher, a tool for cutting, level- ing and polishing the furrows and face of mill- stones, which has a precedence among such in- ventions. He was married Sept. 12, 1876, to Emma Rowse, daughter of Horace Rowse, of Bucyrus.

H. H. ELLIOTT, proprietor of Sims House, Bucyrus ; a son of Ennion and Susan (Garver) Elliott, was born Aug. 16, 1840, at Chambers- burg, Penn., where he lived until 14 years old, receiving a fair education. In 1855, then 15 years of age, he came to Pittsburgh, where he began as brakeman on the Pennsylvania Rail- road. He rose to the position of conductor at 17 years, and at 20 became train dispatcher on the Western Division of the P. R. R., where he remained some five years, giving good satis- faction. In 1865, his father died, and he re- signed and went home; subsequently he became conductor on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, and after a year and a half in that position be- came train dispatcher of this road, where he

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continued from 1867 to 1875. In the mean- time he bought the Montgomery House, at Chambersburg, Penn., in 1872, and carried it on with success for three years. In 1875, he re- signed his position as train dispatcher, and bought the National House, at York, Penn., the largest hotel in the city, and run it for two years successfully. In 1876, he bought the Taylor Hotel, of Winchester, Va., but, not being able to give it his personal attention, he lost heavily and disposed of it in 1878; he also had Bentz House at Carlisle, Penn., sold it with loss after one year ; owned three hotels at one time. In October, 1878, he leased the Sims House at Bucyrus for three years, with priv- ilege of five years. Under his management, the Sims has become one of the best hotels in the city. He makes the comfort of his guests a personal study, and it may with truth be said that the entertainment of travelers, to him, has become one of the fine arts. The Sims House is centrally located; has four fine sample rooms, and 35 light, airy, well-furnished and comfortable rooms. His table is furnished with the best the market affords. He was mar- ried in October, 1862, to Miss Emma V. Mitch- ell, of Pittsburgh; they have one child-Susie Ella. In October, 1880, in partnership with W. J. Ryan, he bought the Capital House, at Galion, Ohio, of which they are still proprietors.

HIRAM B. EVERETT. Street Commissioner, Bucyrus ; son of Jesse and Mary Russell Ever- ett, was born Sept. 4, 1833, in Seneca Co., N. Y. He lived on a farm till he was 15 years of age, and for two years worked at the painting trade. In March, 1854, he came to Bucyrus, and farmed near here for three years, and then worked at house painting for eight years. In 1863, he went to New Orleans via New York, and became first mate on a steamship plying on the Mississippi River, and he became Cap- tain of the Time and Tide, which was de- stroyed, with nine other boats, Mr. Everett being a witness of the affair, and, at the time, he secured the money and came out through the flames. In 1865, he purchased a trading boat called the Star, of 75 tons' capacity, and ran it on the Red River. He sold it in the spring of 1866, and soon after purchased an interest in the War Eagle, making trips to St. Louis and Omaha, with success. In June, 1867, he sold this vessel, and was taken sick at St. Louis, being disabled for three months. After

recovering somewhat, he went to Saginaw, Mich., and resumed his trade of house painting for a year. In 1868, he went to Washington as wit- ness before the Court of Claims, in the case of the loss of J. H. Russell, and the steamer Lib- erty. When court adjourned, he resumed his trade, in all some 16 months. In February, 1878, he returned to Saginaw, Mich., and worked at his trade for three years. In December 1873, he came to Bucyrus and has since then been engaged in painting. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Street Commissioner of the city of Bucyrus, and is now discharging the duties of that office with great credit. He was married, Ang. 5, 1878, to Mrs. Louisa Keeney, a daughter of Benjamin Warner, and widow of Edwin Keeney. They have one child, Thos. Ewing. Mr. Everett has always been a Demo- crat and was in favor of the war for the preser- vation of the Union.

MOSES EMRICH, clothier, Bucyrus. This popular and widely known clothier was born in Baden, Germany, March 31, 1838, and is the son of Moses and Esther (Breidenbach) Emrich. Until 14 years of age, Mr. Emrich attended school, and at 15 he sailed for the United States, being upon the ocean forty days, and arriving at New York July 7, 1853. He came in a few days to Fremont, Ohio. He attended school somewhat at Rochester, Ohio, acquiring a knowledge of our language, of which he was entirely ignorant upon his advent here. He was a diligent student and made good progress. In the spring of 1854, he commenced to travel through the country on foot, and sell notions ; but soon purchased a horse and wagon, and with this outfit traveled some four years in Northern Ohio and Michigan. He then bought and shipped live stock for some two years, and later accepted a clerkship in a store at Tiffin, Ohio. In March, 1861, he removed to Bucyrus and opened a store for the sale of ready-made clothing, in the room now occupied by Malic & Gloyd, continu- ing in that room some two months, then remov- ing to the old Failor corner until fall, when he entered his present quarters in Nos. 1 and 2 Quinby Block, two rooms having an area of 40 x80 feet, where he has been ever since. Ile is engaged in the gents' furnishing goods business, and has an immense stock of ready-made cloth- ing-a specialty being his merchant tailoring department. The whole establishment is one of the largest in Central Ohio, he employing

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some thirty-five hands in different branches. He at one time had two branch houses, one at Tiffin and another at Upper Sandusky. He is one of the oldest business men in his line in the city. Ang. 19, 1867, he was married to Miss Rachel Trounstine, of Cincinnati. They have two children-Selma and Blanche. As a busi- ness man, Mr. Emrich stands among the first in Bucyrus, and he has an extended reputation as a clothier, which he justly deserves.

JOHN A. EATON, lawyer, Bucyrus ; is the son of Reason and Margaret E. (Hayes) Eaton, and was born Nov. 17, 1853, in Holmes Township, Crawford Co. He was reared on a farm and remained there until he reached his 17th year. He then entered Mt. Union College, Stark Co., Ohio, and remained nearly two years, when he returned to the farm, where he was so unfortu- nate as to meet with an accident which resulted in lameness. In the fall of 1874, he commenced the study of law in the office of Jacob Seroggs. He was admitted to the bar on Oct. 3, 1876, and was admitted to practice in District and Circuit Courts of the United States, by the Supreme Court on Jan. 24, 1880, and during his profes- sional career has had good success. For nearly three years he was partner with W. B. Richie, but this partnership was dissolved May 14, 1879. Mr. Eaton has conducted an extensive commercial practice, being attorney for several banks. He is now Vice President of the Craw- ford County Agricultural Society, and also City Solicitor. He was united in marriage with Miss Bashie G. Quaintance, of Holmes Township, Oct. 8, 1873. They have three children-Dud- ley W., Vincent and Inez G.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034