Jacob Kroninger
Jacob Kroninger, a representative citizen of Delaware Township, where he is engaged in general farming and truck gardening on his 30-acre farm, was born in Delaware Township, Delaware County, Ohio, April 20, 1856, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Swartz) Kroninger.
John Kroninger was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and there learned the trade of blacksmith. On attaining his majority, he came to Delaware Township, and engaged in the blacksmith business north of the city of Delaware, but subsequently removed to Stratford, where he also carried on blacksmithing. His later years were spent in farming on the east side of the river, near Stratford, where his death occurred September 24, 1894. By his first marriage Mr. Kroninger had two sons, Peter and Hosea, and not long after his first wife's death he was married (second) to Elizabeth Swartz, by whom he had seven children, six of whom grew to maturity: James, Shelby County, Illinois; George, who resides at Shepard; Alvesta, the widow of Milo Graham; James and Daniel, who live in Shelby County, Illinois; and Katherine, the wife of Charles Grogan, of Delaware, Ohio. Mr. Kroninger's third marriage was to Mrs. Hannah Stickney, who was the widow of Hugh Stickney of Union County. The family were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church at Delaware.
Jacob Kroninger remained on the home farm until eleven years of age, and when 18 years old returned thereto and managed it until his father's death. Since that time Mr. Kroninger has owned the farm, which consists of 30 acres, four or five acres of which he devotes to truck. He has over 400 apple trees, 100 peach trees, 25 pear trees, and also gives much attention to the raising of gooseberries, currants, strawberries and quinces. He raises from 200 to 300 chickens annually, and has been very successful in this industry.
On May 18, 1898, Mr. Kroninger was married to Mrs. Agnes Brahm. who is the widow of Jacob Brahm, and daughter of Thomas Luke, of Delaware Township. Three children have been horn to them: Robert, Raymond and Carrie. By her former marriage Mrs. Kroninger had three children: George, Ethel and Lottie Brahm. Mr. and Mrs. Kroninger are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Stratford. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, but has never cared to hold public office.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908