John G. Birk

As printed in 1881

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

J enough to bring him to the German colony called " Zoar," in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, where he worked for some time in the smelting works. Then he was taken sick with ague for a period of six months, which again exhausted his earnings. Upon his recover, he worked at his trade there for some time. He came to Bucyrus, April 21, 1847, and found employment in the harness-shop of Frederick Beckle, who died some nine months after. Our subject worked for Israel Jones until 1850, when he started a harness-shop for himself, and has been in the business ever since; being now one of the oldest harness-makers in the town. He has occupied his present shop about eighteen years, where he employs a number of skillful workmen, who turn out every variety of the most substantial and attrac(!tive work. He also carries a full stock of everything in his line of goods. April 24, 1851, he was married to Miss Johanna B. Kuhn, of Whetstone Township. Of this marriage, the following children are living: Christian F., Lewis L, Emanuel and George R. Two children died when young. Mr. Birk had but $4 when he came to Bucyrus, and lost his entire earnings by failure of his first employer. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, in which lie is a Trustee.

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.