Life Story from Ancestry.com for William Franz

WILLIAM FRANZ, Bucyrus ; son of John and Jane (Burwell) Franz, was born May 21, 1843, in Leesville, Crawford Co. His youth up to his 14th year was spent on a farm and in attending district school. His father's family then removed to Bucyrus, and young William went to the Bucyrus Union School until he was 19. He served an apprenticeship with William Burkhardt in the watch-making business for one year and a half, and then bought out his employer and continued for himself He next went to Plymouth, Ohio, and from there to Cleveland, where he was engaged at his trade. From Cleveland he went to Meadville, Penn., where he worked at watch making and repairing until 1864, and in the winter of 1865, he came to Bucyrus and starteda jewelry store in company with H. J. Riblet. This business union lasted some two years, and then J lr. Franz went to Crestline and engaged in the same business with Dr. William Pope.In 1868, a fire occasioned them considerable loss, but they soon resumed business, and continued until 1869. During the year 1868, they had been interested in the invention of a knitting machine, and in November, 1869, they entered into a business corporation, known as the Bucyrus Knitting Machine Works, and commenced the manufacture of family knitting machines. In 1871, the name was changed to the Franz & Pope Knitting Machine Company, and has done a prosperous business, having engaged in the manufacture of hosier}' since1878. In February, 1879, Mr. Franz retired to regain his health, which had become badly shattered. He was married, Jan. 22, 1868, to Miss Almira M. Campbell, of Bucyrus. They have four children—Katie J., William C, Mellie A. and Jay W. Mr. Franz is a member of Crawford Lodge, No. 443 ; of Ivanhoe Chapter, No. 117 ; Mansfield Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 21, and charter member of the

Knights of Pythias, Demas Lodge, No. 108.

His father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany ,in 1812, and died Nov. 14, 1870. He was well educated in his native land, and was in the army there. He came to America in 1837, and settled first in Gallon and afterward removed to Leesville. He was Justice of the Peace in Jackson Township for nine years, and was elected Sheriff" in 1857, and served two terms. He was elected County Treasurer in1867, and served until his death. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the 101st 0. V. L, and was wounded at the battle of Perryville and resigned. There are five children living—J.B., of the St. James Hotel, Mansfield ; Wil Ham; John S., of Marion ; Mrs. Kate Clymer ; Mrs. Sallie Kerr, wife of Alexander Kerr, of Holmes Township. 

Submitted to Ancestry in 2017.

From FindAGrave.com

John Franz Dies At Florida Home

Eber B Priest had a telegram Thursday evening from Fritz Franz, of Jacksonville Florida, saying his father, John Franz, had died at Tampa that morning. The message contained no other information, and the assumption is that Mr. Franz came to his death suddenly.
John Franz had resided in Jacksonville Florida for twenty years or more. he originally came from Bucyrus, married Cora Reynolds in that city in 1871, and located in Florida in the early eighties. he was approximately sixty years of age.
~ The Marion Star- Marion, Ohio Friday, May 19, 1911