The Straw Families of Wyandot County, Ohio

DAVID STRAW, one of the wealthiest and most prominent business men of this county, was born in what is now Pitt Township March 28, 1826. Samuel C. Straw, his father, was a native of Vermont, and came to Ohio about 1820. He was a school teacher for several years, and married Christina, daughter of John Staley, a native of Pennsylvania, who came first to Pickaway County, Ohio, thence to Pitt Township, this county in 1815. He reared six children, and prospered in agricultural pursuits, owning at one time upward of 400 acres. In 1844 and 1845, he lost his entire possessions by subscribing as security for others, and in 1858 died near Upper Sandusky, his wife surviving till 1874. Being the eldest of the family, and arriving at manhood during the financial embarrassment of his father, David Straw was obliged to start in life unaided, not even possessed of a common school education, being scarcely able to write his own name when nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1844, he began to work at odd jobs, as opportunity presented itself; the following spring found him employed in Huron County, Ohio, where he remained several months, at $13 per month. In November, 1845, he returned to this county, and with a cash capital of about $50, the net earnings of his few previous months' labor, he opened a grocery store on a small scale at Carey. His business increased rapidly and steadily, until in 1851 it had attained such proportions that he was entering upon an extensive wholesale trade. " There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Equipped with a robust constitution, energy and pluck, Mr. Straw was prepared to improve every opportunity. Through the advice of a grocery salesman of New York, a party in that city engaged Mr. Straw, in 1847, to purchase and deliver to him a number of horses, which was done with entire satisfaction to his employer. Five men were employed to assist Mr. Straw in taking the drove of forty-two head, the trip from here to New York being made in thirty-two days. This transaction having given him considerable prestige as a successful horse-buyer, Mr. Straw was recommended by a friend, I. W. Hollister, of the American Fur Company, to the famous railroad contractor, De Graff, as the man best qualified to furnish the latter with horses for railroad work. Mr. Straw was consulted, and delivered a few animals at Springfield, Ohio, after which Mr. Hollister touching,for his integrity, he was furnished by De Graff with $5,000 to make other purchases from time to time as directed, his aggregate investment for that gentleman amounting to $36,000. Because of his business tact, Mr. Straw was introduced by Mr. De Graff to a member of an extensive wool-dealing firm, of Providence, R. I., their agent having decamped with a large amount of their funds. Mr. Straw was put in possession of their contracts, with instructions to operate for them in Ohio, and with this firm he was engaged till it disbanded in 1860, his purchases amounting to $500,000 per year. From 1860 to 1873, he was engaged with a firm in Philadelphia. Mr. Straw was also one of the most extensive grain shippers in this State. Through his friend, I. W. Hollister, he secured the co-operation of a firm of grain dealers in Oswego, N. Y., doing an immense business, his shipments amounting to four and five thousand bushels of grain daily, enabling him to load two boats at Sandusky City each week. Mr. Straw's mercantile trade was also extensive, his annual business, for a period of eighteen years, amounting to $80,000 per year, besides his commission business. In 1870, he withdrew personally from the mercantile field, but retained an interest two years later. He may be said to be one of the pioneer merchants of Carey, now being the only representative of the town's original business men. He was one of the founders of the People's Bank at Carey in 1868, which institution began business with a cash capital of $40,000, and in 1872 purchased its entire interests. The bank is now under the sole supervision of Mr. Straw, with his son Harry, as cashier, and with a capital of $70,000. D. Straw & Son are also extensively engaged, aside from their banking interests, in handling grain, seeds and wool. He owns about forty-one hundred acres of land in this county, stocked with 4,000 head of sheep, short-horn-cattle and fine horses. In 1883, at a cost of about $21,000, he completed one of the finest residences in this section of Ohio. March 25, 1852, he married Lucy Ann, daughter of Samuel and Laura (Day) Turner, and seven children were born to them, namely, Emma, Harry, Anna, Willie, Minnie, Grace and Robert. Willie and Minnie are deceased. Mrs. Straw departed this life in 1870, and two years later Mr. Straw married Margie V. Kirtland, of Huron County, Ohio. By this union three children have been born — Nellie, George and Lawrence. There is perhaps no better example of what may be accomplished by duty fully done, or what business obstacles may be surmounted through tact and energy, than that afforded by the history and life of Mr. Straw. Although a keen observer and a shrewd financier, he is likewise possessed of a broad and generous nature. Through business reverses his old friend, I. W. Hollister, became reduced in circumstances, and the closing hours of his life found him penniless. With much gratitude for assistance rendered in less prosperous days Mr. Straw and another party kindly defrayed all expenses for his care in sickness, and at his death accorded him a respectable burial. As a representative citizen of the county, we present a steel-plate port'ait of Mr. Straw in this work.

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

D. H. STRAW, Deceased.

Through a residence of forty years in Wyandot county, the late D. H. Straw became known to his fellow townsmen of Carey as a man who could be trusted at all times and places, one who was honorable and successful in business, loyal to his duties of citizenship and faithful to his many friends. During the period of his active life his business career and the industrial history of Carey were very closely interwoven, therefore as well for his long and prominent connection with the growth and prosperity of the community as for his sterling rectitude of character do we gladly present his life record to the readers of this volume. D. H. Straw was a son of the late David Straw, one of the most eminent and successful business men Wyandot county has ever known. For an account of the life, character and achievements of the latter, the reader's attention is respectfully directed to his biography, which will be found elsewhere in these pages. D. H. Straw was born in Wyandot county on the 29th day of January, 1855. He received a good education in the public schools of Carey and obtained his first knowledge of business under the careful direction of his father, who \ early instilled into his mind correct and honorable principles. After a very thorough and efficient training in various lines of business, he became, in 1874, a partner in the People’s Bank of Carey and later was promoted to the office of cashier. Subsequently he came into possession of one-half of the capital stock of the institution and after his father's death succeeded to the management, in which he displayed abilities of a very high order. He also co-operated with his father in the grain, seed and wool business and in due time became one of the most successful and widely known man of affairs in this part of the state. By judicious investments in real estate he became the owner of a large and valuable tract of land in Wyandot county, owning at the time of his death a fine farm of four hundred acres, to the cultivation of which he gave his personal attention.

Mr. Straw was married on the 9th day of June, 1877. to Miss Mary A. DeWitt. daughter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Snowden) DeWitt, parents both natives of Delaware county, this state. Joseph W. DeWitt. a stone mason by trade, came to Carey a number of years ago and died in that town at the age of seventy-nine; his wife also departed this life here, dying in 1880 when fifty-four years old. Mrs. Straw was born and reared in Carey and received a good education in the public schools. She I bore her husband two children, Clara, who, married Bert Wallace, a lumber dealer of Carey, and Lucy E., a bright little miss of I seven years.

At the death of his father Mr. Straw took charge of the large and valuable estate and managed the same to the satisfaction of all concerned until ill health compelled him to turn the business over to other hands. He took an active part in public affairs and did much in various ways to promote the material interests of his town and county. He was essentially a business man and as such ranked with the most enterprising and successful men of. Wyandot county and other counties of northern Ohio. lie bej came prominent in Masonic circles, passing the Scottish Kite degree and at different 1 times held the most important offices within 1 the gift of the fraternity.

1 Mr. Straw died in the time of manhood on the 12th da\ of February. 1895. leaving to his family an estate valued at eighty thousand dollars, a part of which was inherited from his father, the greater portion, however, being acquired by his own exertions. The deceased possessed all the attributes that make men respected and esteemed in any community. A man of sterling, rugged honesty, pure moral sentiments, and withal of a kindly, cheery disposition, he was liked by every one. He was the highest type of a good citizen and the county could boast of no more creditable or loyal son. He lived in Carey all his life and loved the town with the pride of one whose interests were largely interwoven with its welfare. Mr. Straw was one of the prominent men who assisted in making the town's history and his death is sincerely mourned by those who knew him in the days of his successful business career. He performed faithfully and energetically his part in life and its “fitful fever over he now rests well. Mrs. Straw has a beautiful and elegant home in Carey and is popular in the best society circles of the place. She is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, active in all good work and noted for her liberal benefactions to all charitable and benevolent enterprises.

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

D. H. STRAW, Cashier People's Bank, son of David Straw, was born January 29, 1855. He received a good education in the public schools of Carey, and was married, in June, 1877, to Mary A., daughter of Joseph DeWitt. They have one child — Clara. Mr. Straw is one of the most energetic and enterprising young men of this county. March 4, 1874, he became a partner in the People's Bank, and now owns a half-interest in the same. He also owns a farm of 400 acres, which he himself overseas. He is also co-operating with his father in the grain, seed and wool business, this being, perhaps, the strongest firm in the county. Mr. Straw is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, having passed the Scottish Rite degree and held many prominent positions in each.

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

LEWIS STRAW, Deceased.

Many of the largest farms in the state were made wholly by the owners thereof, not a cent having been received from the parents of such owners. It is also true that many of the largest farms were almost wholly inherited from parents. It would seem at first "lance that the latter holders were the ones to be congratulated, -but this is not always the case, because very often they did not receive in youth the proper habits of thrift and industry that would enable them to save and manage their large inheritance. On the contrary it may lie set down as an unqualified truth that the man who by hard knocks made all his property, beginning as a poor boy, learned at the same time how to take care of it. To know how to save money, as well as to know how to make it, is of die greatest importance in the rearing of a boy. Such training was received by the subject of this notice. He inherited some of his great landed property, but in his youth was given the best of instruction in the practical problems of the farm and accordingly was one of the best farm managers and financiers in the whole county. It is interesting to notice, step by step, how he secured his great success in the acquirement of land and stock. He was born in Waterbury, Vt., on the 16th of May, 1817, and is the son of David and Mary (Cady) Straw, the former being a native of Maine and the latter of Connecticut and both being of Welsh descent. While yet a boy he came to Ohio with friends, but in 1831 returned to the Green Mountain state. His parents immediately left that state and came to Ohio, learning that the chances here were better than in the east. The father located on section 31, Pitt township, and began to clear the land and cultivate the soil. The father lived to be a very old man, dying at last full of years and with the highest respect of the community in which he moved. He was a man of exceptional habits and passed an exemplary life. His son, Lewis, the subject of this memoir, was one of nine children born to David Straw. He grew up on his father’s farm, receiving an excellent training in business management and acquiring the rudiments of an education at the early subscription schools. Pie was at an early date given an opportunity to show his skill in stock dealing and trading, and was soon: able to gain nearly all transactions of this character. In after years this valuable experience served him in good stead and enabled him to become one of the most skillful stock dealers in this portion of the county. He likewise became very adept in buying and selling land — improved farms or timber land. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. when he began serving an apprenticeship at die cabinetmaker's and painter’s trades. After his apprenticeship he worked at his trade until his marriage, in 1847, to Miss Caroline Moody. This lady bore him one child. Dudley, and died shortly afterward. Dudley died at twenty-five. In 1851 Mr. Straw those for his second wife Miss Rebecca Miller, who presented him with eight children, as follows: Caroline, who owns the old homestead of one hundred and seventy-six acres: Eugene, who is engaged in farming and stock raising; Leander, who resides in Little Sandusky and is engaged in buying stock; Edith, the wife of Robert Carey, of Upper Sandusky; Cannie, deceased; Cathy eine; Lemora and Lenora, twins, both deceased. After our subject’s marriage lie moved to w hat is now known as the an! farm and remained there until 1860, when he came to the farm where he passed away.

I When his father died Lewis had purchased j considerable property, which he added to very materially during his ]i L time. At the time of subject’s death, lie owned a total of one thousand acres in Pitt, Marseilles and Mifflin townships, all constitutingone of the largest as well as one of the best farms in the entire state. Lewis was a most successful farmer and stock raiser, as well as a good financier. He was of an energetic nature and was noted for his great industry. He amassed a great property, and left a name above reproach. He was mainly self-educated, but possessed unusual powers of discrimination in all the operations that fall to the lot of a farmer. The soundness oh his judgment was fully recognized by his neighbors, who those him for township trustee, in which position he served for twenty years, highly to his credit. In politics he was a Republican, tie passed away in November, 1891, and lies buried at Oak Hill. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying April 10. 1883. She was a lady of uncommon attributes of mind and heart, and left many close friends to mourn her departure.

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

LEWIS STRAW is a native of Vermont, born May 16, 1817. He is a son of David and Mary (Cady) Straw, natives of Maine and Connecticut respectively, and of Welsh descent. His parents came to Ohio in 1831, and located near Bowsherville, where his father became the owner of 195 acres of land; they had a family of nine children: Lewis, Elizabeth, Samuel C, Israel, David, Joel, Jason, Sally and Polly. The father died, aged eighty-two years; the mother, aged seventy-five. The children are all deceased but Lewis and Elizabeth. Lewis Sti-aw remained at home till twenty-one, and was then apprenticed as a cabinet-maker and painter. He began dealing in stock very early in life, and has conducted the business on a small scale ever since. He inherited and bought the old homestead of 195 acres, to which he has added till he now owns 1,000 acres in this county and 150 acres in Indiana. He was married, in 1847, to Caroline Moody (daughter of David Moody), her death occurring three years later, leaving one child, Dudley, also deceased. In 1851, he married Rebecca Miller, daughter of William Miller, and eight children were born to them — Caroline, Eugene, Leander, Edith, Cannie and Kit. Lenora and Elmora (twins) are deceased. Mr. Straw began life with little help financially, and among the Indians; but by energy, industry and good management he has amassed a handsome fortune. He is a Republican, and has served as Trustee of his township near twenty years in succession.

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

ORRIN F. STRAW was born on the farm where he now resides, July 29, 1846. He is a son of Joel and Mary (Swayze) Straw, the former born near Waterbury, Vt., August 11, 1811; the latter in Sussex County, N. J., December 5, 1808. They were married in this county, August 11, 1836, their children being Rachel, born May 29, 1839; Orrin F., July 29, 1846; Amanda, November 15, 1849; Augenette, September 7, 1852, and four others deceased. The father died January 28, 1867, aged fifty-six; the mother is still living at the ripe age of seventy-five years. Our subject was married April 9, 1873, to Miss Maria M., daughter of Barnett and Catharine (Woodcock) Hughes, and a native of this county, born March 27, 1849. Their children are George W., born April 5, 1874; Iva E., October 27, 1878; Anna B., July 25, 1881; and William S., who was born July 19, 1876, and died May 11, 1880. Mr. Straw owns 307 acres of good land, and is one of the substantial farmers of the township. He is a Republican and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, formerly a Treasurer of the township.

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

Eugene Straw owns and operates a fine farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres on section 31, Pitt township, constituting the homestead upon which he was born. By constant supervision and practical methods of operation he has made this a valuable and productive property and in its cultivation, as in all business affairs, has met with that success which follows earnest, straightforward and persistent labor. His birth occurred on the 11th of June, 1854, and he is a son of Louis and Rebecca (Miller) Straw, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Kentucky. The father came to Ohio when he was still a young man and settled in Pitt township, where he turned his attention to general farming, an occupation which he followed until his death in 1889. The mother has also passed away, her death hang occurred in 1879. Louis Straw had been twice mari'ied. His first union was with Miss Moody, who died one year after their marriage, leaving one child, Dudley. By his union with the mother of the subject of this review he had eight children, Caroline, Eugene, Leander, Edith, Cannie, Lenora and Lemora, twins, and Catherine.

Eugene Straw acquired his education in the district schools of Pitt township and spent his summers assisting his father with the work of the farm.. When he was eighteen he laid aside his books and for some time thereafter continued upon the homestead, but in 1881 moved to his father-in-law's property, where he remained for ten years. At the expiration of that time he purchased the old homestead and upon this he has now resided since 1892. It comprises three hundred and seventy-five acres lying in Marseilles and Pitt townships, most of the property being located on section 31, Pitt township, and it is a well improved, valuable and productive property, its neat and attractive appearance evidencing the care-

, Google ful supervision and practical labor he has bestowed upon it. In addition to tilling the fields and raising hay, com and oats, which form his principal crops, Mr. Straw is also extensively interested in stock-raising, specializing in the breeding of sheep and hogs, of which he has about three hundred each. These he sells in the local markets, where they command a high price and a ready sale. He owns besides the farm upon which he resides another on section 6, Pitt township, and on sections 1 and 3, Marseilles township, and is one of the extensive landowners in this vicinity.

On the ist of February, 1877, Mr. Straw married, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Miss Ada Bowen, a daughter of Gideon and Deborah (Wooley) Bowen, of that city, the former one of the oldest settlers of Wyandot county. He settled here the year after the Indians had left this section of the state and plowed and planted oats upon the property where the Wyandot county courthouse now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Straw, having no children of their own, have adopted a son,. Curtis. Mr. Straw is politically identified with the republican party, having served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He is one of the best known and most widely popular men in the southern part of Wyandot county and his place in the favorable regard of the community has come to him by reason of his honorable, straightforward and upright life and his high standards of business and personal integrity. Many of his stanchest friends have known him from childhood and to them his name is a synonym for honor in business, loyalty in citizenship and fidelity to all the duties and obligations of life.

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