The Crawford County histories sketch three Heinlen households, all from Wurtemberg, Germany, and they never say how the three are related, so each is kept apart here. Lewis Heinlen, a tailor, came to America in 1817 and worked off the cost of his passage before settling on 80 acres in Whetstone Township, where his sons John, David and Samuel grew up; the sketches give his wife's name three different ways. J. Lewis Heinlen, born in 1799, came to Pennsylvania with his parents, moved on to Crawford County in 1828 and married Hannah Wise, and their sons Samuel F., Henry and Emanuel farmed in Whetstone Township, where Emanuel received 46 acres of the 240-acre homestead. Matthias Heinlen landed at New York in 1837 with his brother George and one dollar, worked on the Maumee canal, and in 1858 bought the Bucyrus Township farm where he died in 1897; his sons Simon Mathias, Samuel and Franklin D. each have sketches of their own. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Crawford County history.
Earliest in the record
J. Lewis Heinlen and Hannah (Wise) Heinlenborn 1799Most recent in our records
E. E. Heinlenborn 1880Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Tailor from Wurtemberg; settled in Whetstone Township
Carpenter, farmer and butcher
JOHN HEINLEN, butcher. Bucyrus; is the son of Lewis and Rachel Heinlen. He was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, on July 29, 1829, and remained a resident of his birth-place until the age of 2 years, when his parents removed to Crawford Co. and settled in Whetstone Township. There young Heinlen grew to man's estate, and received such advantages in schooling as the newness afforded. At the age of 20 years, he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three 3-ears, and then gave it up and turned his attention to farming. He was probably induced to make this change through the gift of 50 acres of land from his father, which was situated in Bucyrus Township. This he afterward sold, and then bought a number of acres in Whetstone, where he resided for two 3'ears, and then sold out and removed to Marion Co., where he resided near the town of Three Locusts for twelve years. In 1867, he again became a resident of Crawford Co. and Whetstone Township. In two years, however, he again returned to Marion Co., but, in a couple of 3-ears, he again came to the old township of Whetstone, where he now owns a finely-improved farm of 200 acres, and where he still resides. In 1878, he rented the meatmarket of J. R. Miller, of Buc3-rus, where Jlr. Heinlen is now doing business, though he still runs his farm. July 6, 1851, he was married to Miss Eliza Winters, of Winchester, Crawford Co. They have seven children living, named as follows: Andrew J., Henry S., Amanda, Lavina L., James, William and Charles; those deceased rr were Samuel and Mary. Mr. Heinlen and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church and have, for many years, been classed among the honorable and reputable class of the community.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, Bucyrus Township
DAVID HEINLEN, farmer; P. 0. Bucynis; is the son of Lewis and Christina (Regina) Heinlen, and was born Feb. 23, 1834, in Whetstone Township; here he was brought up and attended district school; his father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was educated there; he also learned tailoring in the town of FuUingen; came to America in 1817, and was under bonds to pay the cost of his passage by labor; he served three and one-half years at Portsmouth to pay his indebtedness; he afterward lived six years at Circleville, Ohio, and from there came to Whetstone Township, bought 80 acres of land, and lived upon it until his death, following his trade but little after he removed to this county; he raised eleven children — Elizabeth, Jacob, Magdalena, Lewis, Mary and Catharine (both deceased), John, Samuel, Christian, David and Sarah; David lived with his parents until they died, and on the homestead until 1876; he has now a fine form of 150 acres in Bucyrus Township, and is in good circumstances. In April, 1865, he married Miss Mary Wirick, of Whetstone Township; they have seven children living: Charles I., Lewis H., Anna M., Laura S., Amy A., Jennie M. and an infant son. He is a member of the German Reformed Church of Whetstone Township, and in politics has always been a Democrat.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmers; Samuel was a son of Lewis the tailor
Grocer, Bucyrus; son of Samuel
L. FRANK HEINLEN, a prosperous merchant of Bucyrus, O., who conducts a large grocery store at No. 812 North Sandusky Avenue, established the same in February, 1908, for four years previously having been a farmer. He virus born in Wyandot county, O., Nov. 3, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Keiss) Heinlen.
Samuel Heinlen was born in Crawford county, O., in 1836, a son of Louis Heinlen, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America when aged twenty years, locating in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., southeast of Bucyrus. He worked at his trade of tailoring among the early settlers, according to the practice of the times going with shears and goose to one house after another and fitting the: male members of the family with garments. He had married in Pickaway county before reaching Crawford, a Miss Starger,. also a native of Germany. Their old farm in Whetstone township still belongs to the family and there they spent their lives into old age, dying when about eighty years old. They were members of the Mennonite church. Of their children, two sons and one daughter survive: John, who lives with his family at Des Moines, la.; David, who lives on his farm near Bucyrus; and Mrs. Sarah Wise, who lives in Marion county, O. Samuel Heinlen followed farming, locating in Whetstone township after marriage and a few years before the birth of their son, L. Frank, moved to Wyandot county, where they lived several years and then returned to Crawford county. He married Margaret Keiss, who was born in Pennsylvania and was thirteen years old when she accompanied her parents to Crawford county. Five children were born to them, namely: WiHiam A., who is a dealer in sewing machines at Bucyrus and has two daughters, Ruth and Gladys; L. Frank; Reuben, who is a railroad agent and lives at Great Bend, Kans.; Mary E., who is the wife of William Stump, a farmer in Dallas township, and has one daughter, Vella; and Edward, who was accidentally killed in an explosion in a saw mill at Bucyrus. In 1887 Samuel Heinlen and wife retired to Bucyrus and here his death occurred in January, 191 1. His wife survives, well and active in mind and body, at the age of 75 years.
L. Frank Heinlen was small when his parents returned to Crawford county and he was reared to manhood here and obtained his education in the local schools and the university at Ada, O. He was connected with several business houses in a clerical capacity before he engaged in farming, after which, as stated above, he embarked in his present business at Bucyrus. Like his late father he is a Democrat in politics and prior to coming to Bucyrus was clerk of Whetstone township for six years. He is a good citizen and as a business man is wide awake to honorable opportunities.
Mr. Heinlen was married in Jefferson township, Crawford county, O., to Miss Eliza Shumaker, who was born there, a daughter of Jacob Shumaker, of German ancestry. Her parents came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. They were members of the German Reformed church. Mrs. Heinlen is one of a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen have-three children: Clinton, who not only has been well educated in a literary sense but has a technical education in wireless telegraphy and is an operator on the vessels in the Great Lakes during a part of the year and is with his father as an assistant during the other months, a very capable and reliable young man for his twenty-two years; Hazel, who was creditably graduated from the Bucyrus high school in the class of 1910; and Grace, who is a student in the city schools, and is now nine years old. Mr. Heinlen and family are members of the Evangelical Association, to which organization his parents also belonged from his childhood.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmers.
Dealer in butter, eggs and livestock, Galion
JAMES E. HEINLEN, a dealer in butter, eggs and livestock, at Gallon, O., belongs to one of the old and substantial families of
Crawford county, and was born on the family homestead in Whetstone township, Aug. 5, 1869. He is a son of Lewis B. and Mary (Fink) Heinlen.
Lewis B. Heinlen was born in Pickaway county, O., a son of Lewis Heinlen, but was reared in Whetstone township, Crawford county, where he followed farming all his active life. He died on Easter Sunday, 1910, when aged 86 years. In politics he was an old-time Democrat, and in religious connection he belonged to the United Brethren church. He married Mary Fink, who survives, and, now in her 77th year, resides at Winchester, O. She is still interested in family affairs, local happenings and church work. Of the family of four sons and three daughters, the following survive: Henry, who is now a widower, who lives with his mother at Winchester and has one son and two daughters; Lavina, living at Bucyrus, who is the widow of Byron Neish, and has one daughter; Amanda, who is the wife of William G. Roberts, of Bucyrus, has one daughter; James E.; and Edward C, a farmer residing in Whetstone township, who has one son and one daughter.
James E. Heinlen grew to manhood on his father's farm in Whetstone township and carried on agricultural operations there until 1904, when he came to Gallon, where he entered a grocery store as a clerk and remained for three years and then went into business for himself in his present line, dealing in the staples for which there is a never failing demand.
Mr. Heinlen was married at Bucyrus to Miss Edna Warrick, who was born in Whetstone township, and they have three children: Hilda L, who was born January 20, 1896; Mildred Olefa, who was born January 28, 1900; and Iva W., who was born August 10, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen are members of the United Brethren church. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. As a business man Mr. Heinlen has met with a large degree of success, and as a citizen of his community commands general respect.
FRANK, SPROW, the leading general merchant at Brokensword, O., and a representative citizen of this place, justice of the peace and owner of valuable real estate, was born in Jackson township, Crawford county, O., Oct. 24, 1852, and is a son of Martin and Hannah (Rhodes) Sprow.
Martin Sprow was born in Germany and was brought to America when one year old, his parents settling in Vernon township, Crawford county. After his marriage he moved into Jackson township and later to Liberty township, and died in the latter on his well-improved farm, when aged 64 years. He married Hannah Rhodes, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania, and died in Liberty township, Crawford county, O., when aged 68 years. They had children as follows: Frank, born Oct. 24, 1852; G. W., who was born in May, 1855; W. F., who was born Aug. 2, 1858; Sarah, who was born Nov. 3, 1860, and died at the age of 28 years; H. J., who was born July 2, 1863, and died in 191 1; Mary, who was born Oct. 11, 1867, who married Harry Sell; Flora, born April 26, 1871, who married Samuel Gardner; and Ida, now Airs Bender, who was born Oct. 2, 1874.
Frank Sprow secured a district school education and afterward engaged in farming in Liberty township for about 14 years and later for seven years, in Chatfield township. After four years in business in Bucyrus township, in 1903 he purchased his present store at Brokensword, from A. Muth, and is doing a large but safe business. He carries a heavy stock of dry goods, boots, shoes and groceries and supplies the local demand and sells over a considerable outlying territory.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Came from Wurtemberg by way of Pennsylvania; settled in Crawford County in 1828
Farmer, Whetstone Township
SAMUEL F. HEINLEN, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born in Bucyrus Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, July 1, 1833. His lather, J. Lewis Heinlen, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 9, 1799, and, when about 18 years of age, came with his parents to Lancaster Co., Penn., where they remained some two years, then removed to Franldin Co., same State. Here the family resided until 1828, when they removed to Crawford Co., Ohio. J. L. Heinlen, while residing in Franklin Co., Penn., was married to Miss Hannah Wise. She was born in Union Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1809. From this marriage were eleven children, six of whom are yet living. J. L. Heinlen is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Crawford Co. His life has been one of great hardships. His parents had to borrow money from a fellow-passenger to pay their passage to the United States. Upon their arrival here, J. L. was bound out to this man to cancel the debt. He worked three j'ears for this man, and, although not receiving a cent for his labors at the end of that time, had a good suit of clothes and 7. He has been interested in nearly all the enterprises that have had a tendency to build up the community in which he lives, or benefit his fellow-man. Samuel F., the eldest of his eleven children, remained at home, assisting him on the farm until 22 years of age, at which time he began for himself For a number of years, he and Emanuel Keis, a brother-in-law, ran a threshing machine. He purchased 90 acres of land in Marion Co., Ohio, upon which he lived some years, and then sold and bought an adjoining farm of 160 acres, where he resided until his removal to Crawford Co., in 1879. He now owns a nicely improved farm of 171 acres, in Whetstone Township. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Keis March 24, 1860. She was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., May 6, 1840. From this marriage are three children — William H., Margaret A. and Sarah L. Mr. Heinlen is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the German Refoi-med Church. He has held a number of offices in the townships, in which he has lived, and is a respected and honored citizen.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer; son of Lewis and Hannah (Wise) Heinlen
Henry's widow; ran the family farm near Broken Sword
ELIZABETH HEINLEN, farmer; P. 0. Broken Sword; was born Nov. 20, 1844; is a daughter of Christopher and Rachel (Wagner) Auck, of Crawford Co., widow of the late Henry Heinlen, who died March 23, 1877, who was a son of Lewis and Hannah (Wise) Heinlen. Since her husband's death, she has taken charge of the business pertaining to a farm of 160 acres, showing by the extensive improvements which she has made, and the high state of cultivation under which she has the land, that the weaker sex are capable of assuming responsible positions, if the opportunity is given them. She was married to Henry Heinlen Feb. 4, 1868. From this union there were four children—Clara Malinda. born Nov. 28, 1868; Manuel Edward, born May 6, 1871; Caroline Rebecca, born Nov. 26, 1873; Sarah Elmira, born Oct. 31, 1876, died March 8, 1877; the remaining three are living at home with their mother. Jlrs. Heinlen and her husband were members of the German Reformed Church at Wingert's Corners.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, Holmes Township; named as a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Auck) Heinlen
E. E. HEINLEN,* one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Holmes township, resides on his well improved farm of So acres, which is situated nine miles north of Bucyrus, O. He w'as born in Holmes township, Crawford county, in 1880, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Auck) Heinlen.
The parents of Mr. Heinlen were born also in Crawford county and the father engaged in farming during life, his death occurring at the age of 34 years. The mother resides in Whetstone township. They had three children, namely: Cora, who is the widow of Charles Miller; E. E.; and Caroline, who married E. Sttry.
E. E. Heinlen obtained his education in the public schools of Crawford county and afterward engaged in farming on the home place, and in 1900 came to his present farm. Here he has made notable improvements, including the building of a comfortable residence. He raises excellent stock and carries on a general farming line.
Mr. Heinlen was married to Miss Hattie Kellogg, a daughter of William Kellogg, of Crawford county, and they have one daughter, Mary. They attend the Evangelical church. Mr. Heinlen is a Democrat but is no political agitator, merely taking a good citizen’s intelligent interest in public matters.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer on the old homestead; church elder
EMANUEL HEINLEN, a member of one of the old and leading families of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where his farm of 46 acres is situated, was born June 27, 1845, in the old pioneer loghouse that then stood on this farm, and is a son of Lewis and Hannah (Wise) Heinlen.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
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As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Immigrants from Germany; farmers in Bucyrus Township
Farmer and stock raiser, Bucyrus Township
SIMON MATHIAS HEINLEN, whose fine farm of 84 acres lies in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., is a native of this township, born June 3, 1853, and is a son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Bickle) Heinlen.
Mathias Heinlen and wife were both born in Germany and came young to Crawford county and married here, spent their lives in Bucfyrus township and now rest in the old cemetery at Nevada. They were good and virtuous people, members of the Lutheran church. It is said that no call for help in their neighborhood was ever disregarded by them and on their farm friends and strangers found a hospitable, German welcome. They had the following children: Elizabeth, who is the wife of A. E. Bolinger; John, Simon Mathias; Samuel; Frank; Matilda, who was twice married, first to Harry Ochse, and second to James Johnston; Magdalena, who is the wife of Byron Kent; and Lucinda, who is the wife of Smith Murphy.
Simon Mathias Heinlen has spent his life in Crawford county, a part of the time living in Bucyrus township and a part in Tod township. He has followed farming and stock raising ever since his school days ended, and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation. On Dec. 31, 1889, he was married to Miss Jennie McConnell. Her parents, Alexander and Leanna (Wortman) McConnell, are both deceased. They were born in Belmont county, O., and after marriage settled on a farm in Wyandot county. Mrs. Heinlen is a granddaughter of Isaac Wortman, who served in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell had the following children: Nettie, deceased, who married Josh Henry of Michigan; Rachel, who married John McAllister; Newton, Jennie, who is the wife of Mr. Heinlen; and Elmer. Two daughters and one son have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen: Edith E., Ethel V. and Herman M. The family attends the Martin Luther church. In his political views Mr. Heinlen, like his late father, is a Democrat. Since settling on his present farm he has accepted no public office but served two terms as assessor while residing in Todd township. He is one of the well known and repre-
L. J. LINN sentative men of this section of Crawford county.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Retired farmer, Bucyrus
SAMUEL HEINLEN,* one of the highly respected retired citizens of Bucyrus, O., residing in his comfortable residence on Wallace Avenue, owns an excellent farm of 92 acres, which lies in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O. Mr. Heinlen was born in this township, April 4, 1855, and is a son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Beckel) Heinlen.
Mathew Heinlen was born in Gerinany and there learned the weaving trade but later settled in Crawford county, O., and followed farming in Bucyrus township. He was married to Elizabeth Beckel, in Crawford county and they had the following children: John, S., M. and Frank; Elizabeth, wife of Absalom Bolinger; Matilda, wife of James Johnson; Lena, wife of B3Ton Kent; and Lucinda, wife of J. S. Murphy.
Samuel Heinlen attended the district schools in boyhood and then began to work on farms, first by the day and later by the month, and thus, by hard labor acquired enough capital to buy 40 acres of land. This tract he subsequently sold and purchased the 92-acre farm which he still owns and on which he lived and carried on farming for a number of years and then shifted his responsibilities in large degree to younger shoulders and retired and took up his residence in Bucyrus.
Mr. Heinlen was married April 12, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Catherine Speigle; who was born in Crawford county and died April 28, 1908, a daughter of William and Barbara (Myers) Speigle. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Speigle are well known people of Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen the following children were born: Lewis, Lawrence, Leroy and Dora Alvena. Leroy married Ermina Eckert, a daughter of George Eckert, and they have one son, William Lee. Mr. Heinlen and sons are identified with the Democratic party. The whole family attends the United Brethren church.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer on the Heinlen homestead; newspaper correspondent
FRANKLIN D. HEINLEN.
The agricultural interests of Crawford county are well represented by Franklin D. Heinlen, one of the leading and foremost citizens of the locality. He was born on the farm where he still resides, on the 24th of June, 1858, a son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Bickle) Heinlen. The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 181 5, and in 1837, m company with his brother George, he came to the United States, landing in New York city after a voyage of seventy days. On his arrival in this country his worldly possessions consisted of but one dollar, which he spent for his night's lodging, and on the following day he and his brother borrowed enough money from a friend who was coming to Crawford county to accompany him to this locality. The brother remained in Crawford county and worked out their indebtedness, while Matthias proceeded north to the Maumee canal, where he worked on the construction of the canal for a year, after which his health failed and he then returned to Crawford county and secured employment at farm labor south of Bucyrus, where he remained for eight years. He was then married and purchased a small farm of twenty acres, now known as the Nussbaum farm, in Bucyrus township, where he remained for another six years, when he sold that property and purchased forty acres near Glenville, now known as the Benjamin Simm farm, and after residing there for five years he sold that tract, and on the ist of March, 1858, secured possession of the present Heinlen farm, then known as the McLain farm. It contained a tract of eighty acres, and by hard work and persistent effort Mr. Heinlen was enabled to add another eighty acres thereto, making a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and there he spent his remaining days, his death occurring on the 16th of September, 1897. The brothers deserve great credit for the success that they attained in life. They arrived in this country without money and without friends, "strangers in a strange land," and by perseverance and economy they both succeeded in acquiring a competency, and were numbered among Crawford county's most honored citizens. Matthias Heinlen was a Democrat in his political views, and was a worthy member of the Lutheran church. His wife, who was born in German) in 1820, came to America with her parents, Simon and Elizabeth Bickle, when a child of eight years, the family locating in the cranberry marsh in Ohio, but later removed to Bucyrus township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Heinlen is still living and now makes her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen became the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Absalom Bolinger, of Wyandot county, Ohio; John, of Bucyrus township, Crawford county; Simon M. and Samuel, also of Bucyrus township; Lena, wife of Byron Kent, a resident of Bucyrus township; Matilda, widow of Henry Ochse, of Nevada. Ohio; Lucinda, wife of J. S. Murphy, of Dallas township; and Franklin D., the subject of this review.
The latter was reared on the home farm, but received very limited school privileges, for at the early age of five years he began working on the farm, riding a horse in the fields for plowing corn, and as he grew older more important tasks were assigned him. Thus when most boys enter upon the active duties of life he was a leading factor in the conduct of the home farm. In 1 88 1 he assumed full management of the old homestead, working on the shares, and in 1889, with the accumulation of his former years of hard and incessant toil, he was enabled to purchase a farm of his own, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, in Dallas township. The land was then in its primitive condition, but he cleared and improved the tract, erected substantial farm buildings, and not only has he cleared it of all indebtedness, but has also made it one of the most desirable farms of the county. However, he has never resided on this property, it being conducted by a tenant. He has always made his home on the old Heinlen homestead, which after the father's death was divided, the mother retaining a power interest in the original tract of eighty acres, while our subject purchased the remaining eighty acres. On the loth of October, 190-1, be purchased a farm of thirty acres of his neighbor and
7i4 CENTENNIAL friend, Frank M. Harvey, who was obliged to sell owing to the poor health of his sister, Minnie, and move to town.
On the loth of February, 1901, Mr. Heinlen was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Harris, a native of Antrim township, Wyandot county, Ohio, and a daughter of A. E. Miller. By her marriage to Arthur Harris she became the mother of three children, only one of whom is now living, Chester A. A.
In his political affiliations our subject exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. For the past nineteen years he has been a correspondent for the Nevada Enterprise, one of the leading journals of the locality, and he is also a member of the school board, now serving on his second term. Fie is also a prominent and active member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, No. 234, of Nevada, Ohio, in which he has filled nearly all of the chairs. He served one term as outer guard, one term as inner guard, one term as master at arms, one term as prelate, one term as vice chancellor commander, two terms as chancellor commander, one term as deputy grand chancellor, and at the present time is serving as master at arms. He is one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Crawford county, and all measures for the public good receive his hearty support and co-operation.
As printed in the source3. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Known only from their son-in-law's sketch.
The printed record stops in the early 1900s. We pick up from there and trace your line down to you and back as far as the records go, into a written book with every source cited.
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