The Birk Family of Crawford County, Ohio

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

J enough to bring him to the German colony called " Zoar," in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, where he worked for some time in the smelting works. Then he was taken sick with ague for a period of six months, which again exhausted his earnings. Upon his recover, he worked at his trade there for some time. He came to Bucyrus, April 21, 1847, and found employment in the harness-shop of Frederick Beckle, who died some nine months after. Our subject worked for Israel Jones until 1850, when he started a harness-shop for himself, and has been in the business ever since; being now one of the oldest harness-makers in the town. He has occupied his present shop about eighteen years, where he employs a number of skillful workmen, who turn out every variety of the most substantial and attrac(!tive work. He also carries a full stock of everything in his line of goods. April 24, 1851, he was married to Miss Johanna B. Kuhn, of Whetstone Township. Of this marriage, the following children are living: Christian F., Lewis L, Emanuel and George R. Two children died when young. Mr. Birk had but $4 when he came to Bucyrus, and lost his entire earnings by failure of his first employer. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, in which lie is a Trustee.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHRISTIAN F. BIRK.

To achieve renown in the political field there must be something substantial 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 conviction 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, sacrificin * 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 untiringly 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 ne 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 representative of one of the pioneer families of Crawford county, her people having come to this section of Ohio in 1836. Her death occurred in October,

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 engaged 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 Elizabeth, 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 A, 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 Democrat, 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 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.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHRISTIAN F. BIRK, of the well known drug firm of Birk Bros., operating at Bucyrus, O., and made up of George M. and Christian F. Birk, was born at Bucyrus, April 29, 1852, and is a son of John G. and Joanna (Kuhn) Birk.

The Birk family is of German extraction and the grandfather, John G. Birk, Sr., was born in Wurtemberg, in the village of Kricheim, where the-old family residence still stands. He was one of the patriots of 1848 who, on account of his courage in advocating freedom of speech and action, was threatened with persecution and in order to avoid it, in 1849, followed other members of his family to America, feeding his estate in his native land to a daughter, but later it was confiscated by the government. Mr. Birk and wife found a safe and pleasant home in Liberty township, Crawford county, he following agricultural pursuits until his death in 1876. He became an American citizen and identified himself with the Democratic party, but never severed his connection with the German Lutheran church. In his own neighborhood he had married a Miss Schmidt, who died in 1862. They had the following children: Louis, who died at Fort Plain, N. Y., in 1865; J. Christian, who died unmarried in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, O., at the age of sixty-two years, having served in the Civil war from 1861 until 1865; John G.; Salome, who married William Carle, a farmer in Holmes township; Wilhelmina, who married Jacob Bower, and lived and died in Liberty township; and Rosanna, who married Jacob Donnenwirth, and lived and died at Bucyrus.

John G. Birk, Jr., was born in Germany, July 22, 1823, and came to the United States in 1847, locating first at Albany, N. Y., but in 1849 reached Bucyrus and here established himself in the harness making business and continued in this line until the close of his life, his death occurring October 10, 1888. He was active in the Democratic party and served four years as county treasurer of Crawford county. On April 24, 1851, he married Joanna Kuhn, who was born also in Germany, June 6, 1831. Her parents came to America in 1832 and during the long voyage she learned to walk, although, it may well be supposed that the ship's floor was unsteady for little feet. Her people remained in New York until 1837 and then came to Bucyrus, where she died October 9, 1893. Both she and husband were members of the Lutheran church. The following children were born to them: Christian F.; Louis C, born in 1854, who is in the harness business at Bucyrus, and who married Caroline Kircus; Elizabeth, born in 1857, who is the wife of Frank P. Donnenwirth of Bucyrus and has two children

Louis and Gertrude; Helen and Matilda, both of whom died in infancy; Emanuel, born in 1866, who is proprietor of the harness store which his father founded in 1849, and who married Theresa Vollworth; and George M., who is associated with his brother. Christian F. Birk, in the drug business at Bucyrus.

Christian F. Birk attended school at Bucyrus and then learned the harnessmaking trade with his father and for eighteen years worked in the shop. In 1892, associated with his brother, George M. Birk, a licensed pharmacist, he became part proprietor of the present drug business, this being the third oldest drug store in the city. Mr. Birk has not only been a successful business man but he has been a useful, reliable and active citizen. In 1877 he was elected a member of the city council for a period of four years; in 1884 was elected city marshal, serving until 1890, when he was elected sheriff of Crawford county and served in that capacity for four years and nine months. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Bucyrus and served as such for two terms. In many ways his fellow citizens, at times, endeavored to show their appreciation of his public-spirited and faithful efforts and on one occasion presented him with a handsome ring, properly engraved. On numerous occasions he has been sent as a delegate to Democratic conventions where matters of vital party interest have been under consideration.

Mr. Birk was united in marriage with Miss Bertha S. Volk, who was born at Bucyrus, March 3, 1851, and died August 10, 1898. They had three children born to them: John W., who is a graduate of the School of Pharmacy, at Columbus, O., and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, of which he is a member of the faculty, who served as first lieutenant in Co. A, in what was known as McKinley's Own, in the Spanish-American war, and who married Margaret Curtis and has one daughter, Helen; Caroline Elizabeth, who is the wife of Glenn W. Kerr, who is private secretary to the president of the Good Roads Machinery company, at Kennett Square, Pa., and has two children — Virginia and Caroline; and Edna T., who is the wife of O. VV". Kennedy. Mr. Birk is a member of the German Lutheran church. He is identified with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

EMANUEL R. BIRK.

Emanuel R. Birk is one of the prominent business men of Bucyrus, where he is engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness and saddlery. A country has but one chief ruler, be he king, emperor or president. Comparatively few men can attain to the highest office in civil or military life, but commerce offers a broad and almost limitless field in which one may exercise his powers unrestrained and gain leadership at the head of a chosen calling. Drawing the lessons which we do from the life of Mr. Birk, we learn that the qualifications necessary for success are a high ambition and a resolute, honorable purpose to reach an exalted standard that has been set up.

One of the native sons of Bucyrus, he was born July 25, 1866, unto the marriage of John G. and Johanna B. (Kuhn) Birk. His father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born July 22, 1823. In accordance with the laws of his native country he attended school until fourteen years of age, and then began learning the harnessmaker's trade, which he mastered both in principle and detail. Believing that the new world offered better opportunities for advancement than the older and more thickly settled countries of Europe, he determined to cross the Atlantic, and in 1845 sailed for New York. In 1847 ne came to Bucyrus and three years later established a harness shop on his own account, beginning the business which is now carried on by his son, our subject. In 1851 he married Miss Johanna B. Kuhn, of Whetstone township, Crawford county, though born in Germany, and unto them were born four sons and one daughter, Christian F., who is now mayor of Bucyrus; Lewis C; foreman of the harness shop; Emanuel R., of this review; George M., who is conducting a drug store in Bucyrus; and Elizabeth, wife of F. P. Donnenwirth, of Bucyrus. The father was the treasurer of Crawford county from 1874 to 1876. His death occurred November 10, 1888. Emanuel R. Birk spent his youth in the usual manner of lads in the ordinary walks of life and enjoyed the pleasures of the playground and gave considerable time to the duties of the schoolroom. After putting aside his text-books he began learning the harnessmaker's trade of his father in 1882. He worked with him until the latter's death, in 1888, when he succeeded to the business, which he has since carried on. He now enjoys a large and growing trade, which covers Crawford county and northeastern Ohio. The business has more than doubled under the management of Mr. Birk. He carries on a retail trade and also manufactures harness and saddlery, and the excellent quality of his goods, combined with his honorable business methods, reasonable prices and earnest desire to please, has secured to him gratifying prosperity.

On the 25th of October, 1892, Mr. Birk was joined in wedlock to Miss Melinda L. Vollrath, a daughter of Albert Vollrath, who for a number of years conducted a planing-mill in Bucyrus, but is now living a retired life. He is a native of Stadtilm, Germany, born January 31, 1830, and is a son of Gottlieb R. Vollrath, who was born in the same place September 29, 1804. There the grandfather acquired his education and married Frederike Meissner. After coming to Bucyrus he carried on the cabinet-making business, being one of the leading representatives of industrial concerns in this part of the state. He was highly respected as a reliable business man and public-spirited citizen. His son, Albert Vollrath, acquired his education in the schools of the fatherland, and when twenty-one years of age came to Bucyrus, in company with his parents, his two brothers, Charles and William, and his sisters, Mrs. Christian Renkert and Mrs. Frank Blicke. Mr. Vollrath entered upon his business career in Bucyrus as a contractor and builder, and in 1852 he became a partner in the planing-mill, which he conducted up to me time of his retirement from active business life. Mr. Birk is identified with two fraternities, the Masonic and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He attends the German Lutheran church, and as a citizen he co-operates in all movements for the general good, withholding his support from no measure which he believes will advance the public welfare.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE M. BIRK, Ph. D., of the drug firm of Birk Bros., at Bucyrus, O., located at No. 4 Opera House block, was born at Bucyrus, February 25, 1869, and is a son of John G. and Joanna (Kuhn) Birk, and a grandson of John G. Birk, who came from Germany to Ohio in 1849, one of that notable band of patriots which included such men as Mr. Birk and the late Gen. Carl Schurz, both of whom became honored citizens of their adopted country.

George M. Birk attended school at Bucyrus through his boyhood but, unlike several of his brothers, did not incline to learn the father's trade of harnessmaking. He seemed to have natural talent in the direction of chemistry and by himself followed a course of reading along that line although he never had any collegiate training. In 1885 he went to Nebraska and there passed the strict examination demanded by the State Board of Pharmacy, and in 1889, two years before he had reached his majority, he was licensed to practice. In 1892 he returned to Bucyrus and in the same year associated himself with his older brother, Hon. Christian F. Birk, in the drug business and for twenty years he has been at the head of his present store. This is the third oldest drug store in this city, having been started in 1878 by A. C. Lewis, who operated it until 1892, when the present firm took possession. They not only carry a complete line of pure drugs and honest proprietary remedies, but all the sundries to be found in a first class establishment of its kind and additionally have a side line in wall paper.

George M. Birk married Miss Florence Mae Eckhart, who was born at Marion, O., a daughter of William H. and Julia C. (Martin) Eckhart, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio, both of German parents. Mr. Eckhart died in Marion county, O., at the age of fifty years, while his widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Birk, who was an only child. Mr. and Mrs. Birk have one daughter, Kathryn Eckhart, who was born May 12, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Birk are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN W. BIRK, M. D., was born in Crawford county, Ohio, March 3, 1874, a son of Christian F. and Martha S. (Volk) Birk. He is a grandson of John G. Birk, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, who came to the United States in 1845. After residing for a time in Albany, N. Y., John G. Birk removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio; but he did not remain there long, as in 1847 he came to Bucyrus, where he established a harness making business, which he carried on for many years and which is still flourishing. He became a prominent citizen and served as treasurer of Crawford county from 1874 to 1876. His death took place Nov. 10, 1888.

In 185 1 he married Miss Joanna Kuhn, who was also a native of Germany and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Crawford county, her people having come to this section of Ohio in 1836. She died in October, 1893, having attained the age of 65 years. In their family were the following children: Christian F., father of Dr. John W. Birk; George M., who is engaged in the drug business with his brother, Christian; Emanuel R., who is now proprietor of the harness shop established by his father and is doing a very extensive business; Lewis C, who is foreman in the harness store; and Elizabeth, wife of F. P. Donnenwirth, a retired citizen of Bucyrus, O.

Christian F. Birk was educated in the common schools of Bucyrus, which he attended until he was 14 years of age. He then began assisting his father in the harness shop, where he mastered the business, which he mastered in all its details. For several years he was a partner with his father in the enterprise, which was carried on under the firm name of J. G. Birk & Son. For 53 years the business has been continued as the Birk's Harness Store, and is one of the most successful commercial institutions of the city, being now conducted by two of the sons of J. G. Birk, as above intimated.

In 1892 Christian F. Birk, in connection with his younger brother, G. M. Birk, established a drug store, which they are still conducting. They carry a large and well assorted stock of goods and conduct their business so as to retain their patrons and build up their trade. Their sales are constantly increasing and the proprietors enjoy a good income. Christian F. Birk is also connected with the Board of Trade. In Bucyrus, in 1873, he was married to Miss Bertha S. Volk, a daughter of William F. Volk, who came to Crawford county about 60 years ago. They had three children — John W., Carrie Elizabeth and Edna, of whom Carrie E. is the wife of G. W. Kerr, of Wrightsville, Pa., and Edna, at one time a teacher in the public schools, is now the wife of Otho Kennedy. Mrs. Christian F. Birk died Aug. 10, 1898, a month after her son, John W., had sailed for Cuba on military service and while he was on the island.

Mr. Christian F. Birk is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to.the German Lutheran church and in politics is a stalwart Democrat. When only 23 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 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. His public career has been epitomized as follows: "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."

John W. Birk, the direct subject of this article, was educated in the common schools. He graduated from College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Illinois, in 1901. Previous to this, however, he had seen military service, being first lieutenant in Company A, Eighth O. Vol. Inf., during the Spanish-American War, and was present at the surrender of Santiago. He began the practice of medicine in 1903, locating in Bucyrus in that year. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Curtis, who is a daughter of Dr. Geo. Curtis of Hawley, Pa., and the family consists of one child, Margaret H. Dr. Birk and his family are now residents of Chicago, Ill. He belongs to the Masons and the Elks.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.