Jacob Denzer

JACOB DENZER.

Jacob Denzer, who has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, is one of the oldest citizens and most honored pioneers of Crawford county. He was born in Baden, Germany, May 13, 1821, a son of Andrew and Hester A. (Finfgelt) Denzer. The father also was born, reared and educated in Baden and served as a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, going with that general on the ill-fated expedition to Moscow, where thousands of his comrades fell. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and a daughter, namely: Andrew, Georg'e, Jacob, Mary and Simon. Two of the number died in fatherland and were buried in Upfingen, Baden. The father died about 1840, seven years after coming to this country, but the mother lived many years, passing away in 1876, at the age of ninety-four years.

It was in the autumn of 1833 that Jacob Denzer, then a lad of thirteen years, came with his parents and their family tothe new world. Not long after their arrival the)' became residents of Crawford county and the father purchased fifteen acres of timber land in Liberty township. This tract was then cleared and a log cabin was built the followingspring. Jacob Denzer began to earn his own living that spring by working as a farm hand, receiving three and four dollars per month for his services. He was employed in that capacity until twenty-five years of age and gave his wages to Ins parents until he had attained his majority. At the age of twenty-five he began farming on rented land, which he operated for three years.

As a further preparation for a home of his own Mr. Denzer secured as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Matilda McNeal, of Crawford county, their marriage being celebrated on the 13th of March, 1850. The lady was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1826, and proved of great assistance to her husband in his work. After his marriage Mr. Denzer rented one farm for six years, and in the meantime he purchased thirty-eight acres of land. In 1863 he bought his present homestead — one of the best farms in the county, the purchase being made possible through the enterprise and energy of Mr. Denzer, who has labored consecutively and industriously, thus working his way upward to a position of affluence. For ten years he operated a sawmill, working the fields in the day time and running the mill by night and through the seasons in which he was not cultivating his crops. He thus prospered and became one of the extensive and representative farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He made ma..y improvements on his place, adding thereto all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denzer were born the following children: Mary L., Jennie, Andrew, Esther, Simon J., Anson J., Ella, Alexander, Maggie, Lewis I. and Electa V. Two died in childhood — Florence and an infant son. In rearing their children Mr. Denzer and his wife brought up a family of sons and daughters who are a credit to their name, being valued and influential citizens of the respective communities in which they make their homes. Mr. Denzer cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren and since that time has been a stalwart Democrat in his political views. For several years he has loved a retired life, owing to impaired health, and well he deserves his rest for he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey and his honorable, active and useful career deserves to be crowned with a period of rest. He is respected by all who know him, and his acquaintance has been a wide one through his residence of more than six decades in the county, which he has seen developed from a wild region into a splendidly developed tract of country, which has become the abiding place of a contented and prosperous people.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.