Biography/Notes

Jacob Dornbirer was born July 31, 1825 in Amriswil, Canton Thurgau, Switzerland. He was christened on August 1, 1825 in the Evangelical church in Amriswil. Ancestry was from the Tyrolean Alps. He graduated as an engineer in Switzerland and came to Fremont, Ohio in 1855 to work. He installed and serviced some machinery which his father had invented and had sent to Fremont.

When Jacob came to install the machinery, he was encouraged by a Lutheran minister, Pastor Lehrer, in Fremont to become a Lutheran minister and stay in this country. He graduated from Capital University and Seminary in Columbus, Ohio in 1857.

Jacob married Elizabeth Trott on November 10, 1858 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Ohio by Pastor Lehrer. He applied for citizenship in 1864.

Jacob served several congregations throughout northwestern Ohio. He served at Zion Lutheran Church, Adams Township, Seneca County, Ohio from 1859 to 1865. He was listed as the pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bellevue, Ohio around 1866-1869. He later became pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Ohio. The Dornbirer family evidently moved to Loudonville, Ohio around 1870 where Jacob served as pastor there until around 1879. The family returned to Sandusky, where he served as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church from April 20, 1879 until his death in 1891.

On Thursday the week before he died, his horse ran away from him and in the accident his ribs were broken and his lungs were pierced. Three days later, he was called to his eternal home.

Obituary taken from the Fremont Journal:

DEATH OF REV. J. DORNBIRER

The Rev. J. Dornbirer, pastor of the German Lutheran Church at Sandusky, died at his home in that city on Sunday last, aged 65 years. The deceased was at one time a resident of Fremont, an intimate friend of the late Rev. Henry Lang, and has many friends in this county who will sincerely mourn his death.

Rev. J. Dornbirer was born in Canton Thurgau, Switzerland, in 1826. In early youth, he attended the Polytechnic Institute at Aran, Switzerland. He came to America in 1855 and settled in Fremont working at the machinist's trade in June's Engine Works. In this city, he formed an intimate acquaintance with the late Rev. Henry Lang, who encouraged him to enter the Lutheran ministry. After a residence of one year in Fremont, he entered the Lutheran theological seminary at Columbus and in 1858 was ordained a minister. In the fall of 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Trott. He was pastor of the church at Sandusky for the past twelve years. Rev. Dornbirer frequently occupied the pulpit in this city, and preached the funeral sermon of his old friend and benefactor, Rev. Lang. The funeral was held at Sandusky yesterday and was attended by Rev. Pfeiffer, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Grund, and other Fremont people.

Obituary translated from the German language newspaper, the Fremont Courier:

PASTOR JACOB DORNBIRER

The following is reported about Pastor J. Dornbirer who died of an accident in Sandusky: He was a capable, honest, and upright man who served the Lutheran congregation when he died of an accident caused by a skittish horse. He was a loving and kind father and reliable counselor whom they all honored.

He was born in Thurgau, Switzerland in 1826. As a young man, he attended the Polytechnical Institute in Aran. He was very interested in mechanical science.

In 1855, he arrived in America. A year after, he attended the Lutheran theological seminary at Columbus. In 1858, he was consecrated as a minister. The same year he was married to Elisabeth Trott with whom he was very happy. Eight years ago she died.

Jacob Dornbirer served 8 years in Bellevue, 8 years in Loudonville, and 12 years in Sandusky. He left twelve children, three of whom are minors.

We would like to add that Pastor Dornbirer shortly after his arrival in America settled in Fremont in 1855. For some time, he worked at June's workshop where he met Minister Heinrich Lang of the Lutheran congregation. They became close friends. Heinrich Lang induced Jacob to dedicate his life to the church. Pastor Dornbirer gave the funeral sermon for Heinrich Lang.

The funeral took place this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. M. Loy, president of the Lutheran church of Ohio and Rev. Bauch of Oak Harbor gave the funeral oration. The funeral service was attended by numerous people.