David C. Bixel
David C. Bixel, jeweler and optician, one of the leading business men of Bluffton, was born on a farm one mile north of the town, May 26, 1866, and is a son of Abraham and Magdalena (Schumaker) Bixel.
The father of Mr. Bixel now lives retired at Pandora, Putnam County, having been a farmer all his life. He was born May 18, 1843, and came to Allen County when a child of three years. He married Magdalena Schumaker, who was born March 31, 1842, in Richland township, and is a daughter of Rev. Peter and Elizabeth (Sutter) Schumaker, the former of whom was pastor of a Mennonite Church. They were natives of Germany, where the father of Mrs. Schumaker, Peter Sutter, spent his whole life. The children born to Abraham and Magdalena Bixel were 11 in number, seven sons and four daughters, our subject being the second in order of birth.
Mr. Bixel remained on the farm until he was 13 years old and then spent several years at La Porte, Indiana, wher he learned the watchmaking and optical business in Hutchinson's Optical and Watchmaking School. For the past 12 years he has been established at Bluffton, where he not only has one of the largest and most complete jewelry and optical stores, but also deals in pianos and other musical instruments.
On December 3, 1892, Mr. Bixel was married to Delilah Baumgartner, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, near Mount Eaton, January 1, 1867, and is a daughter of Peter and Barbara (Lehman) Baumgartner. The four children of this union are: Dora, Mildred, Gordon and Fern.
In political sentiment, Mr. Bixel is a Democrat and he has more than once been elected to responsible township offices. In the conduct of his business and in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens socially, he has established a reputation which insures him the respect and esteem of the community.