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BIOGRAPHIES |
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CHRISTOPHER
H. DAMSCHRODER, one of the most prominent factors
in commercial circles in Elmore, Ottawa county, and an
enterprising and wideawake merchant, was born in Toledo,
Ohio, Jan. 1, 1840, son of Christopher and Mary (Myerholts)
Damschroder.
The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1813, where
he was for many years foreman of a large plantation,
receiving, however, only $16 per year. At the age
of twenty-one he emigrated to America in order to avoid
service in the German army, but during the year after
his arrival he had a severe attack of cholera.
Later he went to Toledo, and, after working on the Ohio
canal and the Ohio railroad for a time, learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years.
In 1844 he removed to Woodville township, Sandusky
county, and engaged in farming, which he followed with
excellent success, accumulating a property valued at
$125,000. In 1838 he wedded Mary Myerholts,
who was born in Germany in 1818. Her father,
John F. Myerholts, was born about 1795, and served
in the memorable battle of Waterloo as did the paternal
grandfather of our subject; both spent their last days
in America, and were buried in the old Damschroder
cemetery. When a young girl, the mother of our
subject worked out by the week, and gave her earning for
the support of her younger brothers and sisters.
On different occasions she walked to Fremont, purchased
a bushel of potatoes and carried them home, walking
through the mud. Such were the experiences which
fell to the lot of the early pioneer. She has
lived, however, to see the county develop from a
wilderness into one of the best counties of the State,
and also to see her children, for whom she struggled
hard, now in a prosperous condition.
Our subject was only four years old when his parents
removed to Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he
lived until twenty-one years of age. He attended
the district schools of the neighborhood, which were
held in log buildings, and in this way and through his
own efforts has secured a liberal education, which has
enabled him to become one of the successful business men
of Ottawa county. In 1859 he started in business
for himself as a salesman in the store owned by his
father and J. H. Blinn. At the end of two
years the father purchased his partner's interest and
built a store on his farm near Woodville, of which our
subject had charge for several years. In 1864 he
removed his stock of goods to Elmore, establishing a
store in what is now a part of the "Elmore House," there
remaining two years. He then spent three years on
the opposite side of the street, after which he
purchased the stock of Beach & Wilson, where he
continued for sixteen years, when he built the handsome
brick block that he now owns and occupies, and where he
has been located for eleven years. He carries a
full stock of general merchandise, and his annual sales
amount of $15,000, being one of the largest trades in
the county.
In 1863 Mr. Damschroder wedded Mary Frese,
daughter of Henry and Louise (Heilbrant) Frese,
and born October 15, 1844, in Woodville, where she lived
until her marriage at the age of eighteen years.
Her father was born in Germany, in 1813, her mother in
1815, and in 1838 they came to American, locating in
Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where Mr.
Frese died in 1853. Five years later his widow
married R. Berleman, and about 1865 they removed
to Toledo, Ohio, where he death occurred April 6, 1893,
when she was aged seventy-eight years. Mr. and
Mrs. Fese had seven children: Henry, Louis,
Charlotte, Mary, Augustus, Charles and Louise,
all of whom, with the exception of Henry are
living in Ohio, his home being in Minnesota.
Mr. and Mrs. Damschroder have nine children,
their names and dates of birth being as follows:
Henry L., June 5, 1864; John Henry R.,
Oct. 10, 1866; Clara, Apr. 26, 1869; Dora
Louise, Jan. 27, 1871; Bertha H., Jan. 12,
1874; Augusta F., June 24, 1876; Nellie,
Jan. 1, 1879; Charles F., May 14, 1881; and
Edwin Frese, Mar. 27, 1883. They have a fine
home on Main street, and the elder children aid the
father in carrying on their excellent store.
Mrs. Damschroder is also daily found at the store
and is of great assistance to her husband in their
business.. He is an energetic and progressive
business man and their success is the just reward of
their own efforts. While of German parentage,
Mr. Damschroder is a loyal American, believing fully
in the principles of our government, and, although his
business interests are extensive, he yet finds time to
keep well informed on the subjects of the day, and to
materially advance the interests of town and county.
He is eminently public spirited, and o citizen of the
community is held in higher regard or has more warm
friends.
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