Donald and Barbara Gorrell Family Papers (Kunkle and Cocanower Families)
Collection Overview
Abstract
The papers are divided into two main family collections: the Kunkle and Cocanower Family Papers. These two families lived in Pioneer, Williams County, Ohio and are related through the marriage of Henry P. Kunkle and Mary Elsie Cocanower, the step-father and mother of Mrs. Barbara Gorrell.
The Kunkle Family Papers date inclusively from 1848-1960. Documentation includes correspondence, receipts and stock certificates, concerned chiefly with the business dealings of the Kunkle farm. Also included is the highlight of the collection, the marriage certificate of Henry S. Kunkle, founder of Kunkle, Ohio and Matilda Jane Baltasser.
The Cocanower Family Papers date from 1872-1937 and include the diary of William Divine, several diaries of Sylvester Cocanower, largely concerned with his carpentry business interests and school memorabilia of Sylvester's wife Dora (Divine) Cocanower and their daughter Mary Elise (Cocanower) Kunkle. Other items such as school souvenir books, a photo of a civil war soldier and a lady in formal wear, a greeting card, and a newspaper draft are from the family of Mr. Donald Gorrell. Also, several undated and unidentified pictures are included.
Dates
- Creation: 1848-1960
Extent
1.38 Cubic Feet (3 legal manuscript boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Creator
- Kunkle family (Family)
- Cocanower family (Family)
Scope and Contents
The Donald and Barbara Gorrell Family Papers are divided into two categories: the Kunkle Family Papers and the Cocanower Family Papers. Both collections are somewhat sketchy and deal largely with the business dealings of the two families.
The Kunkle Family Papers (1848-1922) present a limited view of the very successful business dealings of the Kunkle Family in Williams County, Ohio through property tax receipts, business tax receipts, and stock certificates. The personal correspondence (1881-1882, 1904) is even more narrow, but does provide a short narrative of the westward move of the John H. Kunkle family to Kansas in the early 1880s and an interesting description of an 1881 company meeting. Also, of particular interest is the reprinted 1500 word narrative of Lavina Bargasier Kunkle, sister-in-law of Henry S. Kunkle, in which she recounts her travels to Williams County, Ohio from Pennsylvania and gives a brief genealogy (no date is given).
The Conanower Family Papers are narrower yet in overall scope, but provide a detailed account of the business transactions of Sylvester Cocanower, a carpenter in Williams County for approximately 40 years, through eighteen of his personal journals (1892-1931).
Parts of the Cocanower Family Papers are the school souvenir books of Dora (Divine) Cocanower and Mary Elsie (Cocanower) Kunkle. Also, contained within the Donald and Barbara Gorrell Family Papers are several well preserved photos, which unfortunately have neither names nor dates with which to identify them.
Biographical / Historical
Thanks to a glowing biographical sketch of Henry S. Kunkle (1823-1871), contained in Shinn's Williams County History (1905) we know a good deal about this Williams County pioneer for whom Kunkle, Ohio was named.
Henry was born in Pennsylvania to Henry H. and Mary (Stone) Kunkle. His father fought in the War of 1812 and his grandfather, Jacob, was a German mercenary from the province of Hesse, who deserted the British and fought with the Americans. In 1843 Henry left Pennsylvania and set out for Ohio on foot arriving at West Unity, Ohio, where his brother resided. After saving his wages earned by chopping wood and clearing land, he purchased 160 acres of timbered land, of which he cleared 40 acres. In 1850 he set out for California to secure mining interests. This endeavor proved very successful and coupled with his timber success, Henry had the financial base from which Kunkle, Ohio, was built. An active businessman, dealer in stocks, and philanthropist, Henry provided an important thrust in the growth of the city that bears his name. In 1856, he married Matilda J. Baltosser and together they raised four children: Mary Alice, Martha Jane, John C., and Ira H.
Unfortunately, it has not been quite so easy to find information on Sylvester Cocanower. We do know, however, that he was born in Missouri in 1877, and that his mother was from this state while his father was from Pennsylvania. He married Dora Divine of southern Michigan, perhaps Woodbridge, Hillsdale County, in 1898. They resided in Pioneer, Williams County, Ohio and had three children, Clare D. (1901), Mary E. (1904), and Martha C. (1905). The middle child, Mary Elise, is the mother of Mrs. Barbara Gorrell; her stepfather was Henry P. Kunkle, grandson of the aforementioned Henry S. Kunkle.
Conditions Governing Access
No known access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Donald and Barbara Gorrell Family Papers were donated to the Center for Archival Collections on 27 October 1995 by Donald and Barbara Gorrell.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Jason Wesco, Graduate Student Assistant, in 1995.
- Title
- Guide to the Donald and Barbara Gorrell Family Papers (Kunkle and Cocanower Families)
- Author
- Jason Wesco, Madeleine Williams
- Date
- 1995, February 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin