By: Mark Holtsberry
Dr. George Washington Demuth was born in Cecil, Ohio February 22, 1895. The son of Dr. Fisher Franklin, born January 30, 1856 in Lucas County, Ohio and Margaret Lucinda (Crosby) Demuth born August 27, 1858 in Lucas County, Ohio. This couple was married September 2, 1874 in Lucas County, Ohio.
In 1886 the Demuth family had moved to Crane Township. The Demuth family consisted of son Seth Ellis born 1875, Charles born January 20, 1877, he passed away July 16, 1882. He is buried in Lucas County, Ohio. Howe Hamilton born April 1, 1881, Fisher Forrest born November 29, 1883. By 1900, the Demuth family was still living in Crane Township. Seth had graduated from medical school, married and on his own.
Howe was a reporter. Fisher and George were in school. On June 5, 1917, George registered for the draft at the Cecil precinct and was listed as medium height, slender build, blue eyes and light hair. George joined the Enlisted Reserve Corp out of Cincinnati. Serving at the Central Department of Surgery Office, Illinois until November 5, 1917.
George was enrolled in the Student Army Training Corp. at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery and Electric Medical School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was called up to active duty October 25, 1918.
On September 12, 1918, George’s brothers, Howe, a court reporter for Williams and Paulding Counties and Fisher a railway mail clerk will register for the draft. Neither were selected. George was Honorably Discharged December 20, 1918.
On December 26, 1918, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, George married a gal named Florence Edna Clark Harrison. She was born July 31, 1893. Florence graduated from Defiance College in 1918. Florence’s first husband, Frank W. Harrison, a chemist, became ill and died January 1, 1915 in Michigan. On December 25, 1921, a daughter Helen Margaret was born, followed by a daughter Mary Louise June 7, 1923, and Nancy Ann born December 7, 1929. All three were born in Sherwood. A son, George Richard, was born November 16, 1925 in Defiance. By 1930, the Demuth family was living on Harrison Street in Defiance, George was a dentist.
On February 8, 1934, George’s brother Howe, an at-torney from Bryan passed away. He was buried in Forder Cemetery, outside of Cecil. On October 16, 1938, George’s fa-ther, Fisher Franklin passed away. He was buried in Rochester Cemetery.
By 1940, the Demuth family had moved to Sherwood. George was still practicing medicine as a dentist. June 3, 1941, George’s mother, Mar-garet passed away, she was buried with her husband. Stepson Frank Harrison, had married and moved to Anderson, Indiana. A college graduate working as a service engineer. In 1942, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On December 23, 1943, Frank was mustered to serve. George and his brothers had to register, but were not selected. By 1950, George and Florence were living in Defiance.
Still working as a dentist. May 11, 1956, George’s brother, Seth, a doctor, passed away. July 31, 1960, George’s wife, Florence passed away, she was buried in Sherwood Cemetery.
George was living in Thomas, Georgia by 1963. On March 22, 1963 while a passenger in a car driven by his son in law and daughter Nancy, were in a head on collision on a highway. George was killed while Nancy and son in law were injured. George was buried with his wife at Sher-wood Cemetery.
Strange as it may be, George’s brother, Fisher, died the very next day, March 23, 1963.
