In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1912) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1834
From History of Crawford County and Ohio : containing a history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time ... a history of Crawford County ... biographical sketches, portraits (1881), History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912)
G. K. ZEIGLER, Main Street Mills, Bucyrus; son of Abraham and Rachel (Krouz) Zeigler, was born Dec. 4, 1834, in Mnnlcnu ly Co., Penn., where he lived on a farm until he was 19 years of age, attending school less than one winter, all told. In his 19th year, he entered a mill on Perkioming, in Pennsylvania, as an apprentice, remaining one year, and became foreman; in two years he ground over 42,000 bushels of grain. He remained in this mill about two and a half years, and in summer of 1855, he came to Ohio, and settled at Bloomville, where he worked for Simon KoUer six months. He then returned to his native State and remained one year: was a partner in drygoods for about a yeiir. with.Inhn Huusicker, when he sold out ami hisi all he had invested. He removed to New Washiiieton about 1858- 59, and was engaged in a mill for some fifteen months, when he came to Bucyrus and worked for McClain over two years, after which he took charge of Honey Creek Mills for two years more, when he returned to his former employers here, for about three-ears; he then, in partnership with Martin Roller, bought the Osceola Mills, which were successful; they owned them about five j-ears, making repairs and improvements; he and Roller next bought Honey Creek Mills and ran them for two years. From there he went to Napoleon, Ohio, and with Roller Brothers ran mills there for two years, and built an elevator, costing $10,000, In April, 1876, he came to Bucyrus, where he became proprietor of the Main Street Mills, which he has since successfully operated, Mr, Zeigler has had about twenty-seven years' experience in milling and understands the business. His present mills are written up elsewhere in this work. He is and has always been a Democrat, Twenty-two years ago, he lost all and was left in debt; now, he is one of the solid men of the town. He was married, Oct, 24, 1857, to Miss Ann M, Roller, of Seneca Co,, Ohio, and has two children living — Anna Mary and Josiah Martin; one daughter (Jennie) died in her 4th year.
As printed in History of Crawford County and Ohio : containing a history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time ... a history of Crawford County ... biographical sketches, portraits (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
G. K. ZEIGLER,* vice president and a member of the board of directors of the Second National Bank of Bucyrus, O., and a member of the firm of Zeigler & Company, proprietors of the Main Street Mills, is one of the older business men of this city, where he is still active in the milling industry with which lie has been long associated, lie was born in Montgomery county, Fa., Dec. 4, 1834, and is a son of Abraham and Rachel (Kroutz) Zeigler.
G. K. Zeigler had few educational opportunities in youth and the whole period of his school attendance was covered by a part of one winter session. When he was 19 years of age he left the farm and became an apprentice in a mill at I'crkiomicn, I’a., where he proved so apt in learning details and methods, that within a year he was made foreman, and in two years lie made a grinding record, 42,000 bushels of grain having been passed by him through his hopper. In the summer of 1855 he came to Bloomville, O., and was in the employ of Simon Keller, a well known miller there, for six months, when he went back to Fciinsyl vania. There he was induced to embark in the dry goods business but as he was entirely without experience in that line, he lost his entire investment. He took a practical view of the matter and knowing that lie could succeed at mill work, he returned to Crawford county, O., and secured work in a mill at Newr Washington. Fifteen months later he came to Bucyrus, where lie was employed by a Mr. McClain for more than two years, and for the next two years had charge of the Honey Creek mills, and then returned to Mr. Keller where lie remained for three years. By this time Mr. Zeigler had established a reputation as a very competent miller and he was anxious to go into business for himself, this resulting in a partnership with Mr. Keller and they conducted a mill for five years, afterward purchasing and operating the Honey Creek mills. Mr. Zeigler’s next move was to go into business with Mr. Keller at Napoleon, O., where they not only conducted mills but also built an elevator at a cost of $10,000. In April, 1876, Mr. Zeigler returned to Bucyrus and became proprietor of the Main Street Mills, where the capacity is 150 barrels of flour per day, and since 1877 these mills have been continuously operated by Zeigler N Company and the enterprise is one of large importance in this section.
Mr. Zeigler was married in 1857, to Miss Ann M. Keller, who was born in Seneca county, O., and three children were born to them. Mr. Zeigler has never been active in politics but is a Democrat in his political convictions, and his vote as an honest and well-meaning, law-abiding citizen is always to be counted on. lie can recall many changes in the methods of milling, his memory going back to the old water-wheel mill race mill, until the present when he can show interested visitors his own plant where the latest improved complicated mill machinery is more easily governed, working like clock-work under steam power.
HENRY C. S FONDA l ’ FR,* boiler and machine manufacturer at Gabon, (4., and for many years prior to iqu, when he retired.
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Martin Sponhauer, who is one of Gabon’s most venerable and respected citizens, was born in Pennsylvania in 1822 and came to Gabon in 1854, where he engaged in business as a druggist and continued until 1875, when he retired. Time has been gentle in its passage and in a very remarkable degree he preserves both physical and mental vigor. He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1853, leaving four children, namely: Ida, who is the wife of R. A. Williams, of Cleveland, O., and has two children — Morris and Ida; Stephen, who is a retired hardware merchant at Fort Wayne, Ind., and has a family of two sons and two daughters; Henry C., subject of this sketch; and Martin, who died unmarried, at Chicago, Ill., when aged 54 years. The second wife died in 1875, the mother of two children, Edward and Retta. The former was a railroad man and was accidentally killed at Hamilton, O., in his 26th year. The latter is the wife of John Smith and they reside at Cleveland, O.
Henry C. Sponhauer was three years old when his father brought the family to Gabon and here he was reared and educated and learned the machinist trade with a local foundry and machine company. In 1882 he went into business for himself and for almost 30 years carried it on with success, frequently during this time expanding, re-equipping his quarters and adding to his office and shop force until now a dozen skilled workmen are required. In addition to boiler and machine manufacturing, a general tinning business is carried on. Mr. Sponhauer continued at the head of affairs until April, 191 r, when he turned over his heaviest responsibilities to his son William, who is the present manager. It would seem strange t < > not find the name of Henry C. Sponhauer identified with the lire department of this citv, for very nearly a half century has passed since he assumed duties as a volunteer in this protective body. Few of the old names or personalities remain hut Mr. Sponhauer has continued his active interest and has had much to do with building up the present strong and efficient organization, for 3O years having been its engineer and chief engineer.
In 1847, at Gabon, Mr. Sponhauer was married to Miss Mary DeVore, who was born at Cardington, O., and was reared and educated in Morrow county and at Gabon. The following children were born to this marriage: Florence, who is the wife of M. McDonald, of Rochester, N. Y., and has two children — Mary and Harland; William, who learned the plumbing trade and for some years was connected with his father’s business, of which he became manager in April, 1911; Jennie, who is the wife of Frank Martine, of Gabon, and has three children: Grace, who is the wife of Daniel Connors, foreman in a boiler shop at Elgin, Ill., and has two children — -Robert and Mary; Blanche, who is the wife of Robin Reingert, a druggist at Barberton, O.; anil Verna, who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sponhauer are members of the Lutheran church. Politically he and his son are Democrats, while fraternally he is connected with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows, being a Shriner and a member of A1 Koran Temple, at Cleveland and past grand in the latter organization.
As printed in History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Henry C. Sponhauer (b. 1851)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.