The Donnenwirth Families of Crawford County, Ohio

GEORGE DONNENWIRTH, president of the Bucyrus City Bank, of Bucyrus, O., has been identified with the business interests of this place for over a half century and occupies an enviable position in the esteem of his fellow citizens that he has won through his personal characteristics. He is a man of broad and abundant sympathies, keeping ever in memory (he struggles of his own youth, and has so built up his own fortunes that the path he has traveled lies plain for another to follow, through the exercise of the same industry, frugality and integrity. The life of such a man is always interesting.

George Donnenwirth was born Jan. 28, 1835, at Columbus, O. His parents were George and Sophia (Anthony) Donnenwirth, and his grandparents were George.and Magdalene (Ruth) Donnenwirth. Tt was in 1827 that the grandparents left France and came to America, making their first stop at Buffalo, N. Y., and from there moving to Stark county, O. The grandfather was seeking farm land and this he secured to his satisfaction when he came to Crawford county, in 1834, settling in Cranberry township.

Of their five children, one son, George, was born at Slrasburg, France, (now in Germany) in 1810, and in 1 827 accompanied his parents to the United States, l'rior to 1833 he worked as a blacksmith at several points and also assisted in the construction of the Ohio Canal, in 1838 he came to New Washington, Crawford county, where he opened his blacksmith shop and also invested in property, andere long was recognized as an enterprising and worthy citizen, 1846 being elected a representative to the state legislature. Subsequently, in 1855, when elected county treasurer, he moved to Bucyrus, where the remainder of his life was spent and there he was twice elected mayor.

Until he was 14 years of age, George Donnenwirth, Jr., attended school, but his father was a very practical man and in accordance with his decision the son began to learn a self-supporting trade and spent four years at his father's forge. He then went to Sandusky and worked in a grocery store for almost two years and afterward became a clerk at Burlington, la., from there returning to Ohio and locating in Bucyrus. Deciding to make this city the seat of his business efforts he shortly afterward entered into partnership with Henry Anthony in the establishing of a brewery. This partnership continued for but a brief time, however, Mr. Donnenwirth’s father then buying the Anthony interest and becoming the senior partner. The business was conducted under the style of George Donnenwirth & Son until 1875, when the senior partner retired. At this time the junior member of the firm became the senior; he admitted his half-brother, Frank P. Donnenwirth, and the business was continued until 1889.

In the meanwhile, George Donnenwirth had become a banker in a small way, and in 1881 was one of the organizers and vice president of what was known as the Monnctt Bank of Bucyrus. January 1, 1892, the investment was increased and the style of the concern was changed from the Monnctt Bank to the Bucyrus Cilv Bank. Mr. Donnenwirth was elected president of the institution )an. 2, 1888 which position, as above indicated, he still

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

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 j'ears 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 grocer. 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. Donnenwirth's father purchased the interest of Mr. Anthony, and the business was conducted under 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.

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

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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, deceased. Four children were the fruits of the second marriage, viz.: Lewis C, Franlilin P., Sophia M. and Caroline M. After Mr. Donnenwirth 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 185.T, he was elected to the responsible position of County Treasurer, and the following year removed to Bucyrus, where he has since resided. In the winter of 184(5—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 JIayor of Bucyrus, and is highljspoken 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. Donnenwirth was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, May 24, 1853. When 3 j-ears 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 tw(> 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 return 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, enterprising gentlemen, respected by all who know them.

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

L. C. DONNENWIRTH, New Washington, was born in New Washington, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1851. His parents were Hon. George and Caroline (Durr) Donnenwirth. The main history of the family will be found in the biography of Hon George Donnenwirth, of Bucyrus Township. When 6 years old, our subject, together with his parents, moved to Bucyrus, where he remained until 18 years old. He then apprenticed himself to Jacob Seifert to learn the blacksmith's trade. After about two and a half years, he mastered the trade, and then, for one year, assisted his preceptor. Mr. Seifert died at the end of that time, and our subject, with his half-brother William, continued the business. In 1877, he commenced blacksmithing by himself in New Washington, and as such has ever since continued. Mr. Donnenwirth is considered one of the best disciples of Vulcan in the town. On May 1, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Guiss, daughter of Christian Guiss, and to them were born two children— William A., born Oct. 7, 1874, died Jan. 1, 1877; Annetta J., born Feb. 24, 1880. Mrs. Donnenwirth was born Aug. 22, 1853. Mr. Donnenwirth is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a Democrat in politics. He has held the position of City Clerk since 1874, and Township Clerk since 1877. Mr. Donnenwirth is an enterprising and industrious young man, of good morals and good character.

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

WILLIAM H. DONNENWIRTH, merchant, New Washington; was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1838. He is a son of John and Margaret (Lang) Donnenwirth, who were parents of nine children. The parents were natives of Alsace, Germanj-. They were married in Stark Co., Ohio, in 1828, and the names of their children respectively are Elizabeth, deceased; John, deceased; Mary, George, William, Margaret, Elizabeth, Andrew and Samuel. The mother is dead; the father is yet living, at an advanced age, in Stark Co., Ohio. Mary lives in Canton, Ohio, the wife of Emanuel Raber. George married Matilda Stump and is a farmer and lives in Stark Co. Margaret lives in Michigan and is the wife of Henry- Hettleman, Elizabeth is the wife of Lewis Schneider and resides in Stark Co. Andrew is a saddler, married Mary Ingraham and lives in Summit Co. Samuel is a farmer in Stark Co., his wife being Emma (Housman) Donnenwirth. William was reared on a farm, receiving a good common-school education. He began for himself when 27 years old, by farming. Jan. 30, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine A. Sheetz, daughter of John A. Sheetz by his second wife. To this union were born the following family: Margaret 0., born Dec. 2, 1866; Caroline L., born Oct. 18, 1868; Mary M.,born Sept. 25, 1870; Etta I., born July 19, 1872; Emma A., born March 14, 1875, and Ida E., born Feb. 3, 1878. Mrs. Donnenwirth was born in Auburn Township, Aug. 8, 1838. Mr. Donnenwirth opened a hardware store in New Washington in 1872, and by excellent business tact has increased his stock to one of the best stores of its kind in the county. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Donnenwirth is a genial, intelligent and enterprising gentleman, and one of the best business men in New Washington.

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

GEORGE F. DONNENWIRTH, a well known business man of Bucyrus, O., dealing in fine wines and liquors, and a citizen whose public spirit and liberality may be counted on in every emergency, was born in this city, December 6, 1869, and is a son of William and Catherine ( Assenheimer ) Donnenwirth.

William Donnenwirth was born at New Washington, O. The greater portion of his life was spent on his farm in Liberty township but his death occurred at Bucyrus, when in his fifty-eighth year. 1 fc married Catherine Assenheimer, who survives and is a resident of Bucyrus and a member of the German Lutheran church.

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

A. F. DONNENWIRTH, who is railroad agent for the Pennsylvania lines at Tiro, O., was born at New Washington, O., Dec. 9, 1872, and is a son of John and Malinda Donnemvirth.

A. Ik Donnenwirth was reared and educated at New Washington and after his school days learned the art of telegraphing and for a time was in the offices of the Pennsylvania road there, was then transferred to Waldo and before coming to Tiro had a large amount of experience at Bucyrus and other points. At each place he has been interested in the raising of poultry and is a member of the Tiro Poultry Association and is treasurer of this body. Mr. Donnenwirth not only raises poultry as a diversion but makes it very profitable, handling mainly the White Orpingtons. His residence mi Ilumcr Street is one of the most modern and best fitted in the town, in which he has a hot and cold water system and an acetylene light plant.

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

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