D. H. Straw

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 Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.