RICHARD D. COLWELL FAMILY

Richard D. Colwell was born February 21, 1887, in Defiance County, Ohio, to Jacob and Mary (Karnes) Colwell. He had four brothers: James (Bud), Charles, Verne, and Guy, and three sisters: Clara Peters, Daisy Hall and Rosie Hire.

His grandfather, Bauzil Colwell, came to Defiance from the New England States about 1812 and was said to have run a trading post at Fort Defiance. Richard D. attended country school through the eighth grade and then worked on his father's farm and in local Defiance factories until 1909.

In 1909 he moved to Deshler to operate the Star Theater with his brother James (Bud) Colwell. At the same time he opened an auto and bicycle repair shop in a small frame building located behind the theater. In 1910 he moved his business into the House Building at 131 West Main Street and continued in business at this location until his death in November 1974. At the time of his death, he was the oldest businessman in Deshler. He was an active lodge member for many years and served several terms on the Village Council and Board of Public Affairs.

R. D. Colwell Garage - about July 4, 1914

[Photo A, p. 146] Left, L. K. Spangler and right, R. D. Colwell repair a Model T Ford.

On March 26, 1910, he married Carrie M. Hutter, daughter of Frank G. and Katherine M. (Fishburn) Hutter. She was born in Defiance, Ohio, on September 17, 1891, and moved to Deshler with her family at an early age. She attended Deshler Public School and graduated in 1909. She had two sisters, Ella (Weist) and May (Pocquette) and one brother, Edward Hutter.

Richard D. and Carrie Colwell had five children: Thelma who died in infancy; Catherine, who married Walter Mitchell and has two daughters, Amy (Mitchell) Seaburn and Virginia (Mitchell) Perry. Catherine resides in Deshler; Richard E.; John J. at home; and Robert A. who married Blanche Rausch and has two sons, Robert and James. Robert and Blanche reside in Pemberville, Ohio.

Carrie Colwell resides in the family home at 439 West Main Street, Deshler.

Submitted by Richard E. Colwell