George M. Birk

As printed in 1912

GEORGE M. BIRK, Ph. D., of the drug firm of Birk Bros., at Bucyrus, O., located at No. 4 Opera House block, was born at Bucyrus, February 25, 1869, and is a son of John G. and Joanna (Kuhn) Birk, and a grandson of John G. Birk, who came from Germany to Ohio in 1849, one of that notable band of patriots which included such men as Mr. Birk and the late Gen. Carl Schurz, both of whom became honored citizens of their adopted country.

George M. Birk attended school at Bucyrus through his boyhood but, unlike several of his brothers, did not incline to learn the father's trade of harnessmaking. He seemed to have natural talent in the direction of chemistry and by himself followed a course of reading along that line although he never had any collegiate training. In 1885 he went to Nebraska and there passed the strict examination demanded by the State Board of Pharmacy, and in 1889, two years before he had reached his majority, he was licensed to practice. In 1892 he returned to Bucyrus and in the same year associated himself with his older brother, Hon. Christian F. Birk, in the drug business and for twenty years he has been at the head of his present store. This is the third oldest drug store in this city, having been started in 1878 by A. C. Lewis, who operated it until 1892, when the present firm took possession. They not only carry a complete line of pure drugs and honest proprietary remedies, but all the sundries to be found in a first class establishment of its kind and additionally have a side line in wall paper.

George M. Birk married Miss Florence Mae Eckhart, who was born at Marion, O., a daughter of William H. and Julia C. (Martin) Eckhart, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio, both of German parents. Mr. Eckhart died in Marion county, O., at the age of fifty years, while his widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Birk, who was an only child. Mr. and Mrs. Birk have one daughter, Kathryn Eckhart, who was born May 12, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Birk are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a Democrat.

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.