History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 106

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 106

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WILLIAM FRANZ, Bucyrus ; son of John and Jane (Burwell) Franz, was born May 21, 1843, in Leesville, Crawford Co. His youth up to his 14th year was spent on a farm and in attending district school. His father's family then removed to Bucyrus, and young William went to the Bucyrus Union School until he was 19. He served an apprenticeship with William Burkhardt in the watch-making business for one year and a half, and then bought out his employer and continued for himself. He next went to Plymouth. Ohio, and from there to Cleveland, where he was en- gaged at his trade. From Cleveland he went to Meadville, Penn., where he worked at watch making and repairing until 1864, and in the winter of 1865, he came to Bucyrus and started a jewelry store in company with H. J. Riblet. This business union lasted some two years, and then Mr. Franz went to Crestline and engaged in the same business with Dr. William Pope. In 1868, a fire occasioned them considerable loss, but they soon resumed business, and con- tinued until 1869. During the year 1868, they had been interested in the invention of a knit- ting machine, and in November, 1869, they en- tered into a business corporation, known as the Bueyrus Knitting Machine Works, and com- meneed the manufacture of family knitting machines. In 1871, the name was changed to the Franz & Pope Knitting Machine Company, and has done a prosperous business, having engaged in the manufacture of hosiery since 1878. In February, 1879, Mr. Franz retired to regain his health, which had become badly shattered. He was married, Jan. 22, 1868, to Miss Alınira M. Campbell, of Bucyrus. They have four children-Katie J., William C., Mel- lie A. and Jay W. Mr. Franz is a member of Crawford Lodge, No. 443 ; of Ivanhoe Chapter, No. 117 ; Mansfield Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 21, and charter member of the

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Knights of Pythias, Demas Lodge, No. 108. His father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, in 1812, and died Nov. 14, 1870. He was well educated in his native land, and was in the army there. He came to America in 1837, and settled first in Galion and afterward removed to Leesville. He was Justice of the Peace in Jackson Township for nine years, and was elected Sheriff in 1857, and served two terms. He was elected County Treasurer in 1867, and served until his death. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the 101st O. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of Perryville and resigned. There are five children living-J. B., of the St. James Hotel, Mansfield ; William; John S., of Marion ; Mrs. Kate Clymer ; Mrs. Sallie Kerr, wife of Alexander Kerr, of Holmes Township.

HENRY FLOCK, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; is the eldest son of Stephen and Catharine Flock ; born in the Rhein Province of Bavaria Dec. 14, 1815 ; educated in the schools of his native State, and, at an early age, was set to work in order to assist in supporting the fam- ily ; the wages received by laborers were very low, and Mr. Flock worked many a day for 20 cents ; wood was scarce, and it was necessary for him to haul fuel or fagots nearly ten miles on a wheelbarrow ; consequently, the stoves were seldom overly hot; the peasants were not permitted to cut green timber ; they provided themselves with fuel by breaking off the dead limbs, and it was generally necessary to climb the trees to secure these ; once Flock became so numb with cold while in a tree that he near- ly fell to the ground, and this fact led him to considering whether he had not better emigrate to America ; when he became of military age, he was too short to enter the service. and they put him back one year, expecting he would grow, but, as he failed to do so, they rejected him altogether. Flock desired to get married and secure a home ; finding the outlook in Ba- varia was not very promising, he emigrated to America in 1839, and settled in Bucyrus ; he first worked for Abraham Hahn, proprietor of what is now the Sims House ; he remained with Hahn for three years, and received $7.50 each month ; during this period, although he was sick six months. he managed to save $158 ; the first $45 of this amount he sent to Ger- many in order to pay the passage of Miss Catherine Slicker to America, and, some two

years after she arrived at Bucyrus, they were married ; after leaving Hahn's employ, Flock worked for three years for other persons, and then acted as clerk in Dr. Willis Merriman's store for nearly seven years ; in March, 1853, he removed to Wyandot, and formed a partner- ship with James H. Reinicker ; they embarked in the mercantile business, and, after Flock bought his partner's interest, he continued the store until 1870, when he transferred it to his son. While a resident of Wyandot, he served as Postmaster of the village for nearly seven- teen years, and, while a clerk in Merriman's store, was Treasurer for one year of Bucyrus corporation. In 1870, he settled on his present farm of 80 acres, just southeast of town. where he has resided during the past decade. He was married to Miss Catherine Slicker Sept. 22, 1842 ; this lady was born Jan. 20, 1820, in Bavaria, and, in 1840, emigrated to America with Peter Geiger and family ; the result of this marriage was the following children : Mary Flock, now Mrs. William Welsh, near Wyan- dot; Daniel Flock, now a merchant at Wyan- dot ; Kate Flock, now Mrs. Peter Bair, of Todd Township ; Louisa Flock, now Mrs. John B. Welsh, of Wyandot; Caroline Flock, now Mrs. John Gordon, of Todd Township; his first wife died Oct. 11, 1862. and, on Nov. 6, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Clark, who was a teacher in the schools of Bu- cyrus for several years ; she died Jan. 25, 1875, and he was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Lena Hooker, on Oct. 11. 1877. Mr. Flock joined the Evangelical Church, in Bavaria, at the age of 13. and since then has been an exemplary member of some religious society ; when he settled in Bucyrus. he united with the German Lutheran Church, in which congregation he served as a Deacon for many years ; he is at present connected with the St. Paul's English Lutheran Church of Bucyrus.

DR. JAMES F. FITZSIMMONS, physician, Bucyrus ; son of William and Ann E. (Holman) Fitzsimmons, was born Sept. 18, 1843, in Whet- stone Township, in this county. He was brought up on a farm until 19 years of age, when he attended several terms of school at Upper San- dnsky. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the 134th O. V. I., and was discharged in August. In the fall of 1864, he attended the Vermilion In- stitute at Haysville, Ohio, remaining until the summer of 1865, when he entered the office of

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Drs. Ferris & Byron at Upper Sandusky. In the winter of 1865-66, he attended his first course of lectures at Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland. He then went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he studied and practiced in connection with Dr. J. S. Gregg, of that place, until the fall of 1867, when he entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he gradu- ated in March, 1868, and resumed his practice in Ft. Wayne until the spring of 1871. HIe then went to Cincinnati, spending a short time in that city in special practice, when he was called home, on the illness of his sister. In June, 1871, he located in Bucyrus, and has a pleasant office on corner of East Mansfield and Walnut streets. Has been a contributor to the periodicals published in the interest of his pro- fession ; enjoys a good practice. He was mar- ried, Jan. 1, 1872. to Miss Ella Ryan, an adopted daughter of G. L. Saulsbury, late of Bucyrus. Two children have been born to them ; Ralph, born Oct. 16, 1872; Nellie, born June 9, 1874. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and lives on Warren street, east of Disciples Church. Dr. Fitzsimmons' father was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., in 1791, and was well educated ; was County Surveyor of his native county. He was married, in Novem- ber, 1826, to Ann E. Holman, of Franklin Co., Penn. He followed farming until May, 1831, when they came to Ohio, driving through in a carriage to Bucyrus. He bought 160 acres of land in Whetstone Township, four miles from Bucyrus, where he resided until his death, Oct. 10, 1848, at the age of 54 years. He kept post office four years. When he settled in the county there were but three other houses be- sides their own between Bucyrus and Galion. For several years they entertained strangers, though not, strictly speaking, keeping tavern.

SAMUEL GARNER, blacksmith, Bucyrus ; son of William and Sarah (Cook) Garner, was born Feb. 20, 1818, in Pittsburgh, Penn. He went to school there until his 15th year, and then commenced learning blacksmithing with John Stewart, serving three years, when he purchased a set of tools and started a shop at Sharpsburg, Penn., where he continued for ten years with good success. His next point was in Athens Co., Ohio, where he purchased a farm of 105 acres and farmed, also working at his trade. He lived here ten years, and in Septem- ber, 1864, came to Bueyrus, where, for three

years, he was the partner of his brother, William. His next partnership was with Van Rinkle, and their union lasted some two years. Since then Mr. Garner has been working alone, assisted by his son. He has occupied his present shop for fifteen years. It is situated on Sandusky ave- nue, where he is doing a prosperous business, repairing and horseshoeing. He was married in July, 1844, to Miss Margaret Bougher, of Bakerstown, Penn. Of this marriage, there were five children-John, Amelia, Sarah, Mary and William. John was the victim of a fatal accident in the spring of 1876. While living at Delaware, Ohio, engaged in the study of medi- cine with Dr. E. H Hyatt, a large flag-stone over a cavity under the pavement broke, and falling with it, one-half crushed him, and he died soon after. He was a young man, and held in high esteem, and left a wife and family to mourn his sad and untimely loss. His first wife dying, Mr. Garner was remarried July 9, 1857, to Miss Della Chapman, of Athens Co., Ohio, a woman of fine mind, and more than or- dinary intelligence, possessing the most desira- ble qualities as a wife and mother. Of this marriage there are six children-James, Isabel, Charles, Nettie, Carrie and Samuel. Mr. Gar- ner has been a hard-working, industrious, as well as a successful business man. He is a member and class leader in the Methodist Church, and has always been a Republican.

REV. JACOB GRAESSLE, Bucyrus ; was born Feb. 14, 1836, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is the son of Jacob and Sophie (Smith) Graessle. He received a common-school edu- cation, and this was supplemented by a course in a gymnasium. He also went to a State Normal School, called Nuertingen Seminary, remaining there till 19 years of age. He ob- tained a State certificate, and taught in his native village until he was 21 years of age. He then sailed for America, from Havre, France, and, after a voyage of 47 days, landed at New York, in August, 1857. Having relatives at Lancaster, Ohio, he removed thither, and re- mained some eight months. In the fall of 1858, became a teacher in a private school at Rich- mond, Ind., and taught two years. In Septem- ber, 1860, he entered the Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, and entered upon a theological course, graduating in 1862. He was received into the ministry, and commenced his labors at Sidney, Ohio, in September, being Pastor of St.

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John's Lutheran Church for five years. From this field of labor, he came to Bueyrus in 1867, and has remained here ever since as Pastor of the Good Hope Church. He has established a missionary station at Wingert's Corners, which has been productive of much good. His con- gregation is at present one of the strongest and largest in the town, its Pastor being a devoted and earnest worker. He was married in April, 1864, to Louisa Fuechtemeyer, of Richmond, Ind. They have seven children living-Emma C., Otto L., Ida, August A., Bertha, Sophia and Whilhemina. His father was a carpenter by trade, and Mayor of his village. Both his par- ents and seven other children removed to this country, and both father and mother died at Jacksonville, Ill.

JAMES W. GAMBLE, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; is the son of Filson and Bathsheba (Mor- row) Gamble, and was born April 29, 1852, in Concord, Franklin Co., Penn. At the age of 13, he came to this county, and worked for two years on the farm of his uncle, Calvin Gamble, and then returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he lived two years. In the spring of 1869, he returned to Whetstone Township, and worked for George Brehman at $20 per month for three years. Ou Oct. 21, 1873, he married Miss Lizzie McCreary, of Bucyrus Township. He managed a farm in Vernon Township four years, and, in 1877, moved on to his present place of 240 acres, owned by his father-in-law. Mr. Gamble has but one child living-Curtis Guy, born June 26, 1875. Mabel Grace died at the age of 8 months. Mr. Gamble is a Re- publican in politics. Both himself and wife are members of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church of Bucyrus.

JAMES GLOYD, merchant, Bucyrus ; is the son of Samnel and Rebecca Gloyd, and was born Aug. 1, 1811, in Hampshire Co., Va. The days of his youth were spent on a farm, and his educational advantages were limited. In 1821, his father removed his family to Ohio, settling in Richland Co., where Plymouth has since become a town of some importance ; he was compelled by the exigencies of the times and his father's condition in life, to work hard, and was allowed but little time for recreation or education. Yonng James remained with his father until he attained to his majority, and then commenced to work by the month at meager wages, continuing some two years, until

he was able to purchase some land ; he was a farmer in Richland Co. until the new division of the county, and continued as a citizen and farmer of Vernon Township until 1873, being the possessor of some four hundred acres of land, and also managing a steam saw-mill. During his residence in the township, he was one of its prominent citizens, and for four years he kept a store at Liberty Corners. As a farmer and business man he was uniformly successful. In 1873, he came to Bucyrus, and has been living there ever since. He has been a partner in the large mercantile establishment of Malic & Gloyd since 1876, and is recognized as a busi- ness man of ability and enterprise. He was first married March 26, 1835, to Charlotte Wethewill, a native of England ; of this mar- riage, five children survive out of eight born to them-Henry, Ira (both farmers in Missouri) ; Rebecca, wife of C. G. Malic ; Amy Dickson, widow of the late Andrew Dickson. Jr., and Anna, wife of Emanuel Magner. The first wife of his affections departed this life Jan. 13, 1873, and April 27, 1876. he was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Ruth Plants, widow of the late Jeremiah Plants. Mr. Gloyd is a business man of tact and commendable enterprise, his deal- ings being characterized with honesty and up- rightness, and he has always commanded the respect of his fellow-citizens.

JAMES B. GORMLY. banker, Bucyrus ; the oldest son of John A. Gormly was born November 23, 1836, in Bucyrus. In his youth he received such instruction as the village schools afforded, until his 17th year, when he entered the store of his uncle, J. P. Bowman, for one year. In the fall of 1855, he entered Bartlett's Commercial College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in the spring of 1856. On his return home he at once en- tered the Exchange Bank of this place, as teller and general book-keeper. He performed these duties with efficiency from May, 1856, until June, 1859. In the latter year, he and his father organized the People's Deposit Bank, Aug. 1. 1859, being sole proprietors. This in- stitution continued until May 1, 1864. At the organization of the First National Bank of Bucyrus, Mr. Gormly was chosen Cashier-a position which he held until the death of his father, in May, 1878, when he was elected President-a tribute to his long experience and faithful service. From 1871 to 1875, he served

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the Ohio Cent. R. R. Co., in the double capac- ity of Secretary and Treasurer. He was also Treasurer of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, from 1867 until 1878-a period of eleven years. In May, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss E. Virginia Swingly, daughter of Dr. F. Swingly. This union has been blessed with three children-Ella K., Susie E. and James B., Jr. Mr. Gormly was raised a Presbyterian, and has been Treasurer of his church since his eighteenth year. The First National Bank, under the management of father and sons, has become widely known as the Gormly Bank. Within a period of ten years it has returned to its stockholders in dividends their entire original investment of $100,000, besides putting $20,000 into a reserve fund. The father, John A. Gormly, whose portrait appears in this work, was born at Pitts- burgh, Penn., Feb. 19, 1804. He was the son of John Gormly, an Irish Protestant, who was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1776, and came to America about 1790 ; settling at Pittsburgh Penn., where he followed the busi- ness of milling. John A. Gormly was reared by pious and godly parents, whose early lessons blossomed, and, in after years, bore the fruit of a well-rounded life and exalted Christian man- lood. About 1830, he removed to Brownsville, Penn., where he became a member of the Pres- byterian Church. It was here that he met and married Miss Louisa Bowman, in 1833. The result of this happy union was three children- James B., George C. and Mary L., wife of Rev. James G. D. Findley, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, at Newburg, N. Y. Mr. Gormly was employed in mercantile pursuits at Brownsville, Penn., until 1836, when he removed to Bucyrus. He had but little capi- tal at that time, and purchased a house and lot on Sandusky avenue, and kept a small store, on the site of H. H. Moderwell's tin and stove store. It was a general store where the meager wants of both the white and the red children of the forest were supplied. In those days, he and his faithful wife came to know what toil and privation meant, but by unswerving purpose and careful management, step by step Mr. Gormly became one of the substantial men of Bucyrus. He invested his surplus capital year by year, in the rich farm lands near town, until he owned over 1,000 acres, besides considerable city property. In 1859, he became proprietor

of the People's Deposit Bank of this place, which continued in successful operation until 1864, at which time he was elected President of the First National Bank of Bucyrus, a position which he held until his death, and to him that worthy institution owes much of its past pros- perity, and present prestige for fair dealing and sterling integrity, which were synonyms of his life and character. He took a prominent part in church affairs, and in the year 1838, he was elected a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and chosen by the Presbytery of Belle- fontaine Lay Commissioner to the General As- sembly, which met at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1876. His faithful wife departed this life May 6, 1872, and he passed away peacefully May 8, 1878, in the 75th year of his age.

GEORGE C. GORMLY, Cashier of First National Bank, Bucyrus. The subject of this sketch is the second son of John A. Gormly. The maiden name of his mother was Louisa B. Bowman. He was born on the 18th of October, 1841, in Bucyrus. In his 19th year, he com- pleted the high school course of this place, and in the fall of 1860, he entered the freshman class of Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Penn. He graduated from this institution in June, 1864, receiving first honors as the essayist of his society. On his return to Bucyrus, he en- tered the First National Bank as teller, a po- sition which he held until 1876, when he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier. In 1878, he was elected cashier-a position for which his fifteen years of faithful service had eminently fitted him. He has conducted a general insurance business since 1869, and is Treasurer of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, and Secretary of the Joint Stock Com- pany. He is one of the Trustees of the Oak- wood Cemetery, and also served his party as a member of the Central Committee. He united with the Presbyterian Church in 1863, and has been Secretary and Treasurer of the Sabbath school for ten years. On Jan. 4, 1866, he united his fortunes with Sarah A. Ward, only child of Hon. C. K. Ward. Of this marriage two children were born-Gracie W. and John Clark Gormly.

OSWALD E. GRAVELL, carriage manu- facturer, Bucyrus ; son of Thomas and Mary (Keys) Gravell, was born Sept. 12, 1844, in Hollidaysburg, Penn., and came with his par- ents, when but one year old, to Upper San-

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dusky, Ohio. He lived there until grown ; go- ing to school until 18 years old-part of the time with Indians-in the old council house, until it was burned. In May, 1861, he volun- teered in Co. D, 15th O. V. I., and served through the war; was in some twenty general engage- ments, including Shiloh, Murfreesboro (where he was a prisoner for a few minutes), Nash- ville, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and all the battles of the Atlanta Campaign ; was wounded in the right arm by a shell, at Burnt Hickory, in Georgia, for which he now draws a pension. He was mustered out at Columbus, in December, 1865, and afterward traveled over the States of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory, returning to Bucyrus in 1868, where he learned carriage-making, with Jeffer- son Norton, serving for two years. He worked for a time at Mansfield and Kenton ; in the lat- ter place he started in business, and continued it until 1876, when, at the death of Mr. Norton, he came to Bucyrus and managed the business for one year, and in 1877, became the proprietor. Since then he has done a large business in man- u facturing carriages, buggies and spring wagons. He was married Oct. 2, 1872, to Miss Flora Norton, eldest daughter of Jefferson Norton. Has one son, Leroy, living ; another son, El- mer, died at the age of two years. He was a member of Demas Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias. His wife's father, Jefferson Norton, was a son of Samuel Norton, the first settler of Bucyrus. He was a carriage-maker by trade, and for over twenty five years the leading me- chanie in that line in the town. He died Aug. 20, 1876. He married Eleanor M. Byron, May 23, 1850, and had six children-Mary died in infancy ; Flora, Hattie, Charles, Fernando and Byron. Flora married O. E. Gravell, the sub- ject of this sketch ; Hattie married Joseph Boure; the sons are residents of Bucyrus. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Boure, at Upper San- dusky.

JOHN HOPLEY, editor and proprietor of Bucyrus Journal, Bucyrus, Ohio. Mr. Hopley, whose portrait appears in this work, came to Bucyrus in the spring of 1856, to fill the posi- tion of Superintendent of the Union Schools. He is by birth an Englishman, although he was naturalized many years ago, and has long been thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country. His paternal ancestors were

substantial farmers in the county of Suffolk, England. His father was a Surgeon in the English navy, and in private life, first a practic- ing surgeon at Whitstable, a small sea-coast village in Kent, and afterward at Lewes, in Sussex, one of the most venerable towns in England. His mother's ancestors were for many generations distinguished dignitaries in the Church of England, and he has the genea- logical tables of their descent for hundreds of years back. Mr. Hopley was born at Whitsta- ble May 21. 1821, but his parents removed to Lewes while he was yet an infant. He finished his education at the Royal Naval College, then at Camberwell in the county of Surrey, and a suburb of London, now at New Cross in the same county. It was an institution for the sons of naval officers, and, although not licensed to confer degrees, the course of education was very extensive and thorough, embracing a course as comprehensive and as high as any college course in the country. The institution received 330 pupils, all of whom lived in the college. The Roll system of education was adopted ; it comprehends the instruction of pupils in large classes by the aid of the best pupils acting as monitors, and it is sometimes known as the Monitorial system. It was, therefore, although not by design, a Normal School, and it afforded to the monitors at the head of their classes a large experience in the art and duties of teach- ing. Although Mr. Hopley, as a boy, excelled in many of the sports of the play-ground, he was never an idler at his studies. He was a constant contestant for the head of his various classes, frequently standing first and acting as head-monitor for weeks together. He thus early acquired the art of teaching. which after- ward contributed to his reputation as a teacher in this country. About the close of his term as a student in the Royal Naval College, he was made a teacher, and continued in the institution for some years in this capacity. In 1842. soon after he became of age, he came to the United States with his mother's brother, John R. Prat, Esq., of Zanesville, Ohio, and went into his store as clerk. He continued elerking until the fall of 1844, when he commenced to teach school with a view to reading law. But he was earnest in whatever he undertook, and the better he became known as a teacher, the larger were the schools he taught and the more time he de- voted to them, thus making his progress

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 106

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