Shep's Place Family Tree

The 1860 census finds John "Genter" 26 and wife Catherine 20 with toddler Caroline two years old, living in Pomeroy, Ohio. Two years later in 1862, they had established their home in Hartford City, West Virginia, where John followed the trade of blacksmith, keeping in repair the boilers and machinery of the salt works. He made all of the wrought iron fences for homes during this period.

John served as mayor of Hartford and elected to the town council thirteen times.

In the 1900 census John 66 years, Catherine 61 years and son John 27, who is a blacksmith like his father, are still living in Hartford. Catherine has had thirteen children of whom seven are living. They have a household servant named Nettie Hoffman, 21.

John Ginther, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Hartford, died at his home at that place at 1:45 Tuesday morning, his death being due to a stroke of paralysis which he suffered about three weeks ago.
Mr. Ginther was born at Hesse, Germany, Dec. 24, 1833, being at the time of his death aged 81 years 1 month and 22 days. Besides his wife he is survived by the following children: Mrs. B.J. Lerner, Hartford; Mrs. J. J. O'Donnell, Pittsburg; G.W. , A.D. and John F, Hartford; J.A., Pittsburg; M.E., Ravenswood, W.Va.
The deceased was employed as a blacksmith by the Hartford City Salt company 40 continuous years, retiring from the employ of that concern 12 years ago. Fifty-nine years ago he became a member of Rhein Lodge of Odd Fellows of this city, being one of the first candidates to be initiated by that organization. At the time of his death he belonged to the Hartford lodge.
The funeral service will be held at the residence at 2 p.m. Thursday, conducted by Rev. Miller, pastor of New Haven Lutheran church. Interment in the Brown cemetery at Hartford.

Note: This articles gives John Ginther's birth date as 24 December, whereas Mildred Gibbs' book about Hartford gives December 27. Another death notice also gives Dec. 24.

DEATHS.
John Ginther
John Ginther was born December 24, 1833, at Hesse near Frankford ‎[Frankfurt?]‎, Germany, died at Hartford, W.Va. February 16th 1915, age 81 years, 1 month and 23 days. He emigrated to America in 1850 at the age of 16 years, he being sober, industrious, and energetic, bgan the work that seemed best for him that being the blacksmith and machinist trade with which he soon became an expert and his services were sought by all who knew him and it was a common saying by his many friends that John Ginther could make any thing out of iron or steel that anyone else could make, and even more. In two short years after he came to this country by his industry and economy he saved enough money to bring his father, brothers and sisters to cincinnati, Ohio, ‎(his mother having died in 1848)‎. In 1855 he moved to pomeroy, Ohio, and engaged in foundry and machine work, Pomeroy at that time being quite a center for heavy steamboat machinery, in which line of work he was a master at this time.
In 1856 he was married to Katherine Kauff of Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1862 he moved to Hartford, W.Va., and accepted employment with the Hartford City Salt company which position he held continuously for 40 years, as their machinist, boiler maker and blacksmith, giving entire satisfaction to his employers for all those years.
He was a devout Odd Fellow, having been a charter member of Rhine Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Pomeroy, Ohio in 1856, and when Liberty Lodge number 21 ‎(same order)‎ was organized at Hartford, W.Va., some time in the sixties, he became a charter member of Liberty Lodge No. 21 and has been a consistant Odd Fellow for 59 years and at all times ready to practice the teachings of the order whhich are friendshipo, love and truth, and to know Mr. Ginther was to admire him for his many amiable qualities. He was never heard to speak evil of any one, and when others would go wrong he would often be heard to say I am sorry he or they, as the case might be did that; I hope they will do better hereafter. That was about the extent of his comments.
He and his esteemed wife joined the German Reform church at Pomeroy, Ohio, shortly after their marriage, and later connected themselves with the Luthern church of New Haven.
As evidence of his esteem in his home town, he was mayor of Hartford a number of time, and on the City Council more than half of the time since the organization of the town.
He leaves to mourn a loving wife and the following children, Mrs. Caroline Lerner, of Hartford, Lizzie O'Donnell, of Pittsburgh, George W., Andrew D., John F., of Hartford, James E. of Pittsburgh, and Michael E. of Ravenswood, sixteen grand children and two great grand children and a host of friends. He lived a life that was an example for any man to follow, and his man good traits will long be remembered. May his ashes ever rest in peace.
BY ONE WHO KNEW HIM WELL.

Gebu-- fschein
Denb‎[h]‎eiden che..atten
Hartford City, Mason Gunther
10th April Catharina
Virginia
George Wolf 27 May
Die Tafzengen waren:
Johann Jona?
Amalie....