John Howald
JOHN HOWALD, carriage-maker. Bucyrus: is one of the substantial business men of Bucyrus, and was born Jan. 9, 1824 in the Province of Alsace, France. His early life until he was 15, was passed in his native land, where he received a good education, and assisted in tilling the soil. In the spring of 1840, his parents removed to the United States. and young Howald came with them to tread the path of success in the New World. The family lived for a short time near Utica, N. Y. In December, however, they came to Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, where his father bought a farm and there lived until his death. Young Howald remained on the farm assisting his father until he was 19, when he commenced learning his trade of carriage-making with a man near Millersburg, learning the department of wood-working. He was here a short time and also spent a short time at Wooster, completing his trade at Tallmadge, Summit Co. He worked there three years after the end of his apprenticeship, and at that time it was the largest carriage-shop in the West. Mr. Howald was the first foreigner employed in these shops, which employed about sixty men. He then traveled until 1843, working at his trade in different places in Ohio and New York. In 1853. he settled in Ashland, and worked there until 1857, when he removed to Bucyrus in March. He here became a workman for Jefferson Norton, remaining in his employ about two years. He then commenced business for himself as partner with David Lindsay, the business union lasting two years with success. He then sold out his interest to Mr. Lindsay and located on Walnut street, Mr. Howald and John Schaber, the present Sheriff; were together in the business, but Schaber withdrew at the end of six months: since when, Mr Howald has conducted the business himself Since 1861, he has built a fine frame residence and a two-story carriage and blacksmith shop in which he employs from eight to ten first class workmen. He has a wide reputation for making carriages, buggies and spring wagons and enjoys a handsome patronage. He started without capital, and is a self-made, substantial business man, of whom the city might be proud. He is a member of Crawford Lodge, F., & A M., and has always been a Democrat. He was married, July 31, 1852, to Miss Louisa Rappold of Upper Sandusky. There are two children of this marriage: Julia and William.
From History of Crawford County and Ohio by Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1881