In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1835
From The history of Wyandot county, Ohio, containing a history of the county: its townships, towns, churches, schools, etc.; (1884), 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)
MICHAEL HETZEL was born in Lembach, county of Weisenburg, France, October 8, 1835. He is a son of George and Barbara (Hetzel) Hetzel, natives of the same locality, their children being Magdalena, George, Michael, Eva and Catharine. His mother died in her native country February 27, 1853, and his father emigrated to this country in 1854, and settled in Crawford Township, Wyandot Co., Ohio, where he died September 8 1864. Our subject, Michael Hetzel, was married, March 28, 1862, to Susan Sprau, who was born in Walshausen, county of New Hornbach, RheinpEalz, Bayern, Germany. Her parents were Christian and Susana M. (Schei-er Sprau, natives of the same place, where they married, and thence they emigrated to America in 1842; they located first in Crawford County, Ohio, but sold out and moved to Salem Township, Wyandot Co., Ohio, about ten years later. Their children were Catharine, Mary, Lucy Ann, Christian, Margaret, George, Susan, Elizabeth and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Sprau both died on the same day, February 8, 1871. Mr. Sprau attained the age of sixty-six years and two months, and Mrs. Sprau sixty-three years and three months. To Michael and Susan Hetzel have been born ten children — Emma M., Anna, Frederick W., Lucy, Mary, Charles M., George R., Cora E., Sarah, Ida and Lillie M. Those now deceased are Anna, Lucy, Charles M. and Cora E. In 1861, Mr. Hetzel purchased eighty acres in Ridge Township, selling out in 1868, and moving to the home farm, where he and his brother George were in partnership, and doing all their business and farming under the name and firm of Hetzel Bros. In 1869, they together purchased a tract of land of 340 acres, and remained partners for twenty years, which was finally divided. They are living there at the present time. Michael Hetzel is the owner Of 212 acres of land in Tymochtee Township, on which he erected a good barn in 1879, and an elegant brick residence in
1883. He is a Democrat politically, and himself and family are members of the German Lutheran Church of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
As printed in The history of Wyandot county, Ohio, containing a history of the county: its townships, towns, churches, schools, etc.; (1884). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
MICHAEL HETZEL.
Michael Hetzel, agriculturist and highly respected citizen of Tymochtee township, was a native of France, being born in Lem* bach, Elsasz, France, on October 7, 1835. He was the son of George and Barbara (Hetzel) Hetzel, who lived in Lembach, France. The Hetzel family were from a long line of French ancestry, some of whom won laurels for valiant conduct in the French wars. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hetzel, viz: Maghelin, deceased; George, died April 7, 1893 1 Michael, the subject of this biographical sketch; Eva married Christ Sprau and is living in Wayne county, Iowa; Catherine married Robert Yohe and is living in Wayne county. Iowa. The family lived in France until September, 1854.
The father, realizing the advantages of the United States over any of the old countries, decided to make a home for his children in this country. In 1854 the father and children sailed for America. They took transportation on a sailing vessel and found a very rough sea. The voyage was a long one, requiring forty-one days to reach the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he came to Seneca county, Ohio, where they remained for two months; at the end of which time they moved to Crawford township, Ohio, and bought a farm of one hundred acres. This land was all timber land and it required much hard work to clear the ground and put it in shape for the plow.
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; Baier, Germany. She was the daughter of Christian and Sasana Sprou. They moved to America in 1842 and located in Crawford county, Ohio. After living there about ten years they moved to Salem township, Wyandot county, where they both died in one day. They were blessed with ten children, viz: Catherine, deceased; Mary, deceased; Christian, living in Wayne county, Iowa; Margaret, George, Susan, living in Salem township; Elizabeth and Sarah, deceased. Michael Hetzel and wife had ten children, viz: Emma, who married Charles O.
Swigerd, of Crane township, had four children. Laura. Robert, May and. Lester: Anna, deceased; Frederick W., a farmer, married Florence Walton and lived in Tymochtee township: Lucy, deceased; Mary married Aaron Swigard, who is a farmer and lives in Tymochtee township; Charles M., deceased; Robert G. married Florence Davis and lives in Crawford township: Cora E., deceased; Sarah Ida, at home; Lillie M., at home. After the marriage of our subject 1 and wife, which occurred in 1861. they lived in Ridge township for seven years. He bought eighty acres of land which he afterwards sold, and went into partnership j with his brother, George. In 1869 they purchased three hundred and forty acres of 1 land, all in Tymochtee township. Michael j Hetzel now owns over two hundred acres of land, which is all under a high state of cultivation save thirty acres. I le is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Hetzel has always been a stanch
They lived on the old home place until January 17, 1865. when Mr. Ellis died at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Ellis died in
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Democrat and a very influential citizen. ITe is a member of the German Lutheran I church, and takes great interest in church work. He is courteous and genial in his bearing and has made many friends; throughout the county. In 1883 Mr. Het-: zel erected a beautiful brick residence which ! is a credit to the county of Wyandot.
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.
Named in this biography: Elias Ellis
The printed record stops around 1884. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.