Michael Trimmer

As printed in 1902

MICHAEL TRIMMER.

Michael ‘Trimmer, who traveled life's journey until after he had passed the ninety-third milestone, was a man whose worth to the world was widely acknowledged. He was so conscientious and faithful in the performance of duty that he sustained an unassailable reputation in business circles and in his private life was equally above reproach. In some of the good buildings of the city are yet seen the evidences of his handiwork, but he built for himself a monument more lasting than any of brick or stone in the regard and friendship of his fellow men, who yet honor his memory as one who was worthy of their highest regard.

Mr. Trimmer was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1806, a son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Fisher) Trimmer, who were also natives of the same county, and was there reared and married. The former was of German descent, while the mother was of English lineage. Four of their sons became residents of Springfield, but John remained here for only a brief period. David and Mathias were associated for some time in brick contracting with the subject of this review, and David died in this city in August, 1849, while Mathias passed away in Iowa in the spring of 1873. He is buried in Greenmount cemetery, while David lies in. Ferncliff,

In the county of his nativity Michael Trimmer ‘pursued his education and also learned the stone mason's trade, after which “ he went to Hagerstown, Maryland, and there secured work in that line. While there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Catherine Barbara Eitel, who was born in that city May 11, 1806, a daughter of John Martin and Christiana (Stotler) Eitel. Her father was a native of Germany, born near Stuttgart, and when a young man came to America. His wife was a native of Winchester, Virginia, and was an only child. Her father died when she was but fifteen months of age and her mother passed away in Hagerstown, Maryland. Mr. Trimmer sought in marriage the hand of Miss Eitel and being successful in his wooing they were joined in wedlock in 1834.

The bridal trip of the young couple consisted of a journey to Springfield, Ohio, made by stage, for that was before the advent of railroads into this state. Mr. Trimmer here began working at the stone mason's trade. He had also learned the trade of laying brick and was one of the first brick masons of this city. He came to Ohio a young man full of determination, industry and perseverance and it was not long before he had won a commanding position in the industrial circles of the city. He at once began contracting, and a little later was joined by his brothers, David and Mathias, who entered into partnership with him. After the death of David the surviving brothers dissolved partnership, and our subject was afterward a partner of John Kershner, who had learned the trade with Mr. Trimmer and who joined him under the firm style of Trimmer & Kershner, a relation that was maintained through consecutive years until 1873. Mr. Trimmer received and executed contracts for the erection of many of the most important buildings of the city in an early day. He erected the old Pennsylvania eee IET rd

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