BIO: JOHN b1834 Stark Co OH s/o Peter b Westmoreland Co PA+Eliz Hagerman
JOHNSTIMMEL, was born on the pioneer farm of his father in Paris township, this county, on the 22nd of May 1834, being a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Hagerman) Stimmel, who became the parents of eight children, of whom the only survivor is the subject of this sketch.His maiden sister, Elizabeth, died at her home in the village of Paris, this county, January 5, 1903.The father was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1792, his parents having come to the old Keystone state from Germany, which was their fatherland.They died when he was a mere child and he was reared in the home of an English family, thus finally losing all familiarity with the language of his parents.As a young man he was employed on a farm and ina gristmill, and in the latter connection he gained a practical knowledge of the cooper's trade, to which he continued to devote his attention at intervals for a number of years.He was twice married, his second wife having been the mother of the subject.She likewise was born in Pennsylvania, and their marriage was there solemnized.In 1826 they came to Stark county, and here the father effected the purchase of a farm of eighty acres, in Paris township, the same being practically in the midst of the virgin forest, so that no easy task confronted him, since he was compelled to literally hew out his farm.He succeeded in his efforts to an admirable degree and was one of the prosperous and honored citizens of the township at the time of his death, which occurred on this homestead in the year 1865.He was democrat in his political proclivities, and he was called upon to serve in various offices of distinctive trust and responsibility.He was first elected constable, later served several terms as township assessor, held the office of county commissioner one term, and for several years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, in which connection it is interesting to record the fact that he learned to speak the German language, his mother tongue.His second wife, the mother of the subject, was summoned into eternal rest in 1844, at the age of forty-two years; she was a Methodist.
John Stimmel was reared to maturity on the homestead farm which was the place of his birth and he is indebted to the pioneer schools for his early educational discipline.He assisted in the fork of the farm until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when he left home and, after passing a short interval in Canton and Louisville, this county, he came to the village of Paris, where he entered upon an apprenticeship at the wagon maker's trade, and within the time he was thus working, at wages of thirteen dollars a month, he was married, and for some six months thereafter he and his brie managed to maintain themselves on this meager amount, their courage being unlimited and their mutual trust inviolate.After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Stimmel was employed as a journeyman in Paris about ten ears, at the expiration of which he leased the shop and continued operations on his own responsibility.He was an earnest and indefatigable worker and such was his desire to accumulate a competence for the future that the days were not long enough for him to accomplish all his energy prompted, and he frequently labored far into the night.While employed as a journeyman he received one dollar and twenty-five cents a day, which was considered good wages at that time, and such was his careful economy that he found it possible to save an average of one hundred dollars a year out of his earnings.From this source, while still working as a journeyman, he was able to erect for himself a good residence, and in 1871 he had accumulated a sufficient surplus to enable him to purchase his present home farm, of twenty-five acres, which is eligibly located one mile distant northwest from village of Paris and in the township of the same name.He forthwith took up his abode on this place, which has ever since been his home and upon which he has made excellent improvements.Here he engaged in gardening and the raising of small fruits, conducting his operations with such discrimination and care as to make the venture a profitable one, and that in a cumulative way.For two years after coming to the farm Mr. Stimmel continued to work at his trade at intervals, but eventually found it expedient to give his entire time and attention to the work of the market farm.Though he takes a proper interest in all that pertains o the well being of the community he has not been an active factor in public affairs, and in politics he maintains an independent attitude, supporting such men and measures as his judgment approves.
Mr. Stimmel has been twice married.On the 5th of October, 1855, he was united to Miss Mary E. Turner, of Paris, a daughter of Jesse Turner, a pioneer of the county, and of this marriage were born five children, of whom the following named four survive:Arthur, who is a carpenter and blacksmith by vocation, is located in Paris;Robert is living in Indianapolis, Indiana;Jennie is the wife of Rev. Levi Ditch, a clergyman of the Dunkard church, now located in the state of Nebraska;and Ellen, the wife of Ezra Stuckey, a successful farmer of Paris township, this county.The wife of Mr. Stimmel's youth was summoned into eternal rest in 1869, and on the 3rd of April, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stimmel, who was born in Paris township, this county, a daughter of Christian and Rebecca Stimmel, who came as pioneers from Pennsylvania, and she still remains with him to solace his declining years, having been a devoted companion and helpmeet.They became the parents of two children, of whom the one survivor is Walter, who is engaged in mercantile business in the village of Paris.