Author: jimrebar

White Family of Henry County, OH

By Rev. Robert Barr, White Family Library
(Updated 11-25-2020)

Families

FDW-from chart by Florence Dickie – Big Rapids, MI 49307

1-1 Charles White m. Loshey Martin
2-1 Charles F. White 1860-1920, m. Sarah C. Sinkey 1864-1908

2nd generation

2-1 Charles F. White b. Mar 6, 1860, d. Oct 6, 1920 Boyne Falls, MI, m. June 23, 1883 Henry Co., Oh to Sarah C. Sinkey b. Jan. 13, 1864, d. Oct 5, 1908
3-1 Lutta (or Lottie) White b. April 2, 1883, Florida, (Henry Co) Oh, d. MI m. Stanley Hitchcock
3-2 Sherman b. July 8, 1887 in Henry Co., Oh, d. April 1, 1888
3-3 Rosa b. July 18, 1890 Flat Rock twsp, Henry Co., d. Apr 25, 1961 in MI, m. Alfred Van Horn m.2nd Joseph Tisrod, b. Mar 26, 1876 in Indiana, d. Feb 6, 1954 in MI
3-4 George Homer White 1892-1970, m. Mary Maher 1900-1954
3-5 Florence b. Oct 8, 1896, d. Nov 29, 1979, m. (——) Herman, m. 2nd Val Thomas
3-6 Neva White b. July 7, Clarion twsp, Mich, d. July 4, Big Rapids, MI m. Warner Lidell, b. Jan 29, 1886, Colfax twsp, MI, d. July, 1953 Big Rapids, MI

3rd generation

3-4 George Homer White b. Oct 9, 1892, d. Oct 27, 1970 in MI, m. Mary Maher b. Jun 11, 1900, d. 1954 in Illinois. m. 2nd to Ann, m. 3rd to Myrtle
4-1 Geneva

Birth Records 1867-1877

(A) Alice Hicks (F) b. May 14, 1873 in Flatrock twsp, Henry Co to John S. Hicks and Loretta White of Flatrock twp

(B) Obi Rennicker (F) b. April 11, 1873 in Flatrock twsp, Henry Co to Joseph Rennicker and Amanda White of Flatrock twsp

(C) Jennie Donnelly (F) b. Mar 4, 1875 in Washington twsp, Henry Co to Michael Donnelly and Jennie White of Texas

(D) (——) White (F) b. Apr 14, 1877 in Damascus twsp Henry Co to M. W. White & Mary A. (—-)

Cemeteries

A-Bartlow Twp

none

B-Damascus Twsp

Olive Branch Cemetery (B-OliveBrCem)

Jessie (White) Thurlby 1879-1953 Frank Thurlby 1874-1941
—
Stanley White Apr. 14, 1877-Oct. 14, 1900
Nettie White d. 1880, Walter White d. 1884, baby White d. 1890
H. Martin White 1850-1932 father Mary A. White 1850-1906
James A. White 1898-1906

C-Flatrock Twp

Florida Village Cemetery (C-FlVilCem)

Nancy J. (Smith) White d. May 9, 1881 age 27y, 3m, 3dys w/o L. White, d/o S.C. & C/A. Smith  

D-Freedom Twp

None

E-Harrison Twp

Forest Hill Cemetery

none

F-Liberty Twp

Youngs Cemetery (F-YoungCem)

Minnie A. White 1874-1958 Benjamin H. 1861-1917
——
Albert White 1913-1969 (WW II, Korea, Vietnam markers) (Amvets marker)
Albie E. White 1917-1977
Albert White Dec 5, 1913– July 26, 1969 Virginia S-1 U.S. Navy, WW II marker

G-Marion Twsp

None

H-Monroe Twp

None

I-Napoleon Twp

None

J-Richfield Twp

none

K-Ridgeville Twp

none

L-Washington Twp

None

Census –1900 Vol 1

Freedom twsp, Napoleon twsp, Napoleon Village, Ridgeville twsp, infirmary, & jail. Districts 25, 31, 32, and 36.

Head-Charles Evers editor age 59 born Germany Jan 1842 white male married 36 years father and mother born-Germany immigrated to U.S. 1870 (30 yrs.)

Wife-Ida Evers age 55 born Germany Jan 1845 white female married 36 yrs father and mother born Germany Immigrated to U.S. 1872 (28 yrs) mother of 12 children, 5 living

Son-Otto K. Evers editor age 22 born Ohio Mar 1878 white male father and mother born Germany

A-1 Daughter-Anna White age 25 born Ohio Oct 1874 white female married 3 yrs father and mother born Germany

A-2 Granddaughter-Ruth White age 1 born Ohio Nov 1848 white female father born Massachusetts mother born Ohio

A-1 Son-in-law-William White age 32 born Massachusetts Jan 1868 white male father and mother born Massachusetts married 3 yrs

Death records

Death records-A (Wood Co., Oh) (see Wood Co., Oh)

Stanley b. about 1877, d. Oct 14, 1900 age 23y,6m single b. Henry Co

Death Records-B (Henry Co)

BA-(Vol. 1-1867-1877)

C.E. White d. Apr 22, 1870 in Henry Co, no relatives, (female) married (Flatrock twsp, Henry Co, Oh)

BB–(Vol 2 & 3-1877-1890)

Nettie White age 7m. Female single d. Jan 10, 1881 Damascus twsp. B. Henry Co, Oh

Clural White age 3m, 15 dys single d. Aug 28, 1885 Deshler, Bartlow twsp b. Deshler,

Bartlow Twp

Walter H. White age 4m. 9dys d. Mar 9, 1885 Henry Co, Oh b. Henry Co., Oh

Honora White age 45y, 3m, 18dys d. Apr 2, 1887 Washington twsp, b. Ireland

BC-(Vol. 4 & 5-1891-1908)

H. E. White age 37y, 3m, 22dys married telegrapher d. Oct 20, 1905 in Malinta Monroe twsp, b. Hillard, Oh

Death records-C (Deshler Obituaries)

Death records-CA–Vol 1 (1897-1905) no Whites

Death records-CB-Vol 2 1906-1912

Daniel White age 61 435 Twelfth St, Toledo father of Mrs Biker of Deshler

Death records-CC-Vol 3 1916-1980

(CC-1) Edith A. White age 72 of Leipsic died in St Rita’a Hospital in Lima Thursday Sept 23, 1976 b. in Cascade Aug 16, 1904 to Wesley & Elizabeth (Coit) Dray m. George White June 29, 1928 he died May 2, 1971 survived by son Ray E of Leipsic three daughters Mrs. Paul (Dorothy Jean) Rutter of Deshler, Mrs Jim (Edith Louise) Brooks of Leipsic, and Mrs Larry (Shirley) King of Albuquerque, a brother Leonard of Marion, Ind, 20 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren she was a member of Leipsic United Methodist Church services Sunday Sept 26 in the Leipsic UM Church buried in Sugar Ridge Cemetery

(CC-2) Ethel L. White age 75 of Leipsic services Wednesday Feb 8, 1978 in Bliss-Peoples Funeral Home buried in Sugar Ridge Cemetery in Leipsic she died Saturday in Paradise Oaks Nursing Home in Cloverdale. B. Deshler July 6, 1902 to Matt & Emma (Hill) Schneider married Mr White and he survives. Also surviving Earl W. of Oakwood, 3 grandchildren, her brother Pete Schneider, and a half brother Alvin Tussin of Deshler she was a member of the Leipsic UM Church

Death records-CD-Vol 4 (1981-1985) & Vol 5 (1913-1924) No Whites

Death records-CE-Vol 6 (1925-1927)

Edith White age 13 d/o Alva White of Mermill died in Bowling Green Hospital on Tuesday-dated July 1, 1926

Death records-CF-Vol 7 (1928-1931)

(CF-1) Charles White resident of McComb was found dead in the swimming pool in Ingold Park last Thursday dated Oct 15, 1931

(CF-2) Miss Miriam White age 72 of Grand Rapids, Oh died at home last Wednesday former school teacher burial service last Saturday at Methodist Church in Grand Rapids former resident of Toledo servived by two brothers Phillip of Deshler and Martin of Grand Rapids dated Mar 6, 1930.

Death records-CG- Vol 8 (1932-1936)

(CG-1) Phillip L. White age 78 yrs, 11m, 9dys, funeral held Wednesday afternoon at his residence –s/o James & Elizabeth (Hathaway) White b. outside Weymouth, Medina Co, Oh on April 24, 1854 passed away at home Monday April 3, 1933, m. March 16, 1898 to Mary E. Brown had one child-soon after marriage moved to Wood Co, Oh near Deshler (had moved to Deshler 18 yrs prior) survived by wife, one daughter Ruth and two step-children Albert Hardy of Gibsonburg and Pearl Walden of Lima. One sister and 3 brothers , proceeded her in death funeral services Wednesday at home buried in Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Lucas Co. Dated April 6, 1933

(CG-2) Jennie A. (Beal) White age 80 yrs, 1m, 13 dys died Friday May 5 or 6, 1932 at home in Hoytville, Oh. b. March 23, 1852 at Ontario, Oh Spent childhood near Ontario m. August 17, 1873 to A. M. White had 6 daughters. Survived by husband and 4 daughters, Mrs. Lily Barber and Mrs. P.J. Dennis of Hoytville, Mrs. Gertrude Kerr of Bowling Green, and Mrs. Susie Deter of N. Baltimore. Also survived by 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and one brother Willard Beal of Bowling Green. Two daughters and 2 grandchildren preceded her in death. Was member of Hoytville United Brethren Church funeral services held at United Brethren Church Sunday afternoon. Buried in the Baltimore Cemetery dated May 12, 1932.

(CG-3) Francis White in charge of advertising at Telephone Engineering Construction Co, Lima,  Oh died on way home from Chicago. They stopped at Wauseon where it was discovered he had died. Dated Oct 17, 1935.

Death records-CH-Vol 9 (1937-1942)

Albert M. White age 84 yrs, 7m, 17 dys, d. at daughter’s home in Hoytville, Oh April 3, 1937 b. near Cresline, Oh Aug 17, 1852 s/o John & Mary White, one of 6 children five preceded him in death. m. 1873 to Miss Alfretta Beal she died in 1932. they had six children, 2 died in infancy. Family moved to Hoytville, Wood Co, Oh in 1883 and joined United Brethren Church. After wife’s death he remained in his late home until 6 weeks efore he died. He is survived by 4 daughters, Mrs. Lillie Barber of Findlay, Mrs Porter Dennis of Hoytville, Mrs Gertrude Kerr of Bowling Green, and Mrs George Deters of N. Baltimore, 23 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren. Funeral at U.B. Church in Hoytville, burial in McComb Cemetery dated April 8, 1937

Death records-CI-Vol 10 (1943-1947)

White family died in collision Mr. and Mrs. Lyle J. White and daughter were killed in train wreck west of Defiance Thursday evening. Mrs White is former Jean Garber of McClure and niece of Mrs Nelson Hill she leaves 4 brothers, 3 sisters, and her mother and father, one sister preceded her in death. Mr White is survived by his mother, father, a sister, and a brother of Terra Haute, Indiana funeral service held in Mansfield Funeral Home in Defiance. Dated Jan 9, 1947.

Death records-CJ-Vol 11 (1948-1951)

Mrs. Phillip L. (Mary Ellen) White age 81, of Fostoria, formerly of Deshler, died Thursday (Oct 19, 1950) in Fostoria Hospital in Fostoria where she lived. She lived with her daughter, Mrs Lester Bohyer. She was d/o John & Clarissa Brown b. March 10, 1869 in Lucas Co, Oh and spent childhood there . Remainder of life lived in Wood Co and in Deshler in Henry Co . Preceded in death by husband Phillip L. White 17 years ago. Leaves children Mrs. Lester Bohler of Fostoria, Mrs. Pearl Walden of Lima, Albert Hardy of Gibsonburg, and George Porrier of Holton, Michigan, brother Albert Brown and sister Mrs. Fred Graf, both of Waterville, and 7 grandchildren. Taken to Croll Fumeral Home in Grand Rapids, funeral will be held Sunday afternoon. Burial in Mt Pleasant Cemetery near Grand Rapids, Oh dated Nov 2, 1950

Death records-CK-Vol 12-16 (1952-1988) no Whites

Marriages-A 1899-1925

1899-1908 no Whites

1910-1925 no Whites

Anna Emerson White m. Christ Brown Jun 22, 1909

`

Marriages-B 1847-1898

Grooms

A-B.H. White m. Minnie Schlender on April 15, 1897
B-Charles F. White m. Sarah C. Sinkey on Jun 21, 1883
C-Deforest A. White m. Laura E. Woodell on Jan 14, 1884
D-Henry M. White m. Mary A. Patterson on Mar 9, 1875
E-John White m. Ida Flickinger on Aug 13, 1887
F-John White m. Honora Riley on April 27, 1869
G-John White m. Catherine Sheridan on Feb 2, 1862
H-Lewis White m. Nancy J. Smith on Mar 18, 1880

Brides

I-Adaline White m. William Weaver on Jan 18, 1866
J-Amanda White m. J. Renaker on Jan 1, 1868
K-Jane White m. John Purcell on May 12, 1860
L-Kate White m. Wendel Okuly on Nov 4, 1897
M-Laura White m. Stephen Cunningham on Oct 1, 1857
N-Loretta White m. J. S. Hicks on Dec 2, 1868
O-Susie F. White m. James O. Caldwell on Aug 2, 1881

Misc–A (from History of Henry Co., Oh, Vol. I) (see Miami Co., Oh)

1-1 Fred White, m. Ruth moved to Tipp City, Miami Co. Oh about 1942,
2-1 Stephen White-b. 1940, m. 1963 to Carole Kinsel
2-2 Robert White b. Oct, 1933

2nd generation

2-1 Stephen White-b. Venedocia, Van Wert Co., Oh Oct 5, 1940, m. in 1963 to Carole Kinsel born & raised in Oak Harbor, Oh d/o Carl & Fannie Kinsel, moved to Napoleon in Henry Co., in 1972 children (see Van Wert Co)

3-1 Karen b. March 16, 1964
3-2 Ellen b. Dec 4, 1965
3-3 Jason b. Oct 9, 1969

Veteran’s Census 1890

A-Nancy Roy address Deshler, Henry Co, Oh formerly widow of Daniel W. White rank private,  Co. D, 118 Reg. Ohio Inf. Enlisted Aug 13, 1862, discharged June 12, 1864

B-John White address Texas, Henry Co., Oh private Co D. 14 Reg Ohio Inf enlisted Dec 19, 1863 discharged Jul 11, 1865

C-Benjamin F. Motter alias Charles White address Holgate, Henry Co, Oh private Co. G 120 Reg OVI enlisted Oct 20, 1864 discharged Oct 20, 1864 transferred to Co. K, 114 th OVI enlisted Nov 27, 1864 discharged July 31, 1865 as Charles White, private Co. D 48th Reg OVI Battery enlisted July 31, 1865. discharged Oct 19, 1865

We have compiled information known about White families known to have resided in the county prior to 1900. This manuscript should not be viewed as a source of complete genealogies but as a guide to assist those doing research in the area. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information since the information here has been gathered by a wide variety of researchers and some are more careful than others. Any known discrepancies have been noted. If you know of any additions or corrections, feel free to let us know and we will correct them in future updates. Whenever possible, please refer to index codes to ensure accuracy. You may contact me at E-mail Robert.barr34@yahoo.com.

Sincerely

Rev. Robert Barr
White Family Library

Deshler Elementary, ca. 1930

Deshler Elementary

Front row (from left): Arthur Wolfe, Leon Suber, Dick Kerns, Dorothy Ziegler, Helen Metzner, Betty Collier, Betty McMillen, Nedra Booher, Dorothy Puckett, Frances Howe, Frances Moore, Joy Crouch, and Norma Jean Wilcox

Row 2: Danny Phillips, Don Wilcox, Donald Meyer, Paul Boyer, Bob Montain, Arthur Gordon, Jane Young, and Betty Zernhel

Row 3: Wayne Collier, Esther Wooley, Virginia Rugman, Loretta Schendel, Grace Wooley, Stella Firman, Carriette McNally, Guy Dishong, Bob Sigler, and Bill Smith

Row 4: Clyde Dishong, Glenn Fry, Sam Aldrich, Miss Van Scoyoc, Russell Willier, Bob Haughawout, Bob Holder, Kathryn Newman, and Marie Ball

Viers-Wright

Name: Tracy Massimiano

Comment: I am looking for proof/records for my DAR lineage that shows my 3rd GG Luranea Viers Wright (23 APRIL 1825) was the daughter of John Viers (1801-1873) and Rebecca Salisbury Viers (1805-1888). Do you have any birth record or family Bible? She was born in Harrison, OH and died in Henry CO OH.

I cannot find a record for DAR that ties her to her parents even though I have their DNA. Is there a record? Or can you tell me where to go to find one?

Names I am researching: Luranea Viers Wright, Rebecca Salisbury Viers, John Viers

First Families 2017

On November 20, 2017, we celebrated the induction of our newest First Families of Henry County at a dinner at the Log Cabin Tavern in Liberty Center. The following people were honored:

Kay Clady Baldwin (photo below), 15386 Dononey Rd., Defiance, OH 43512, baldwin@ayersvilletelco.com, had the following ancestors approved:

Ancesor Year Proven Award
Johannas Ricker 1860 Gold
Johann Michael Rettig, 1860, Gold 1860 Gold
Elisabeth Ricker Stephans/Stevens, 1860, Gold 1860 Gold
Johann Peter Ricker, 1860, Gold 1860 Gold
Caroline Catherine Stevens, 1863, Gold 1860 Gold
Jacob Clady 1879 Silver

Robyn Saul Mosher, 4331 Gratiot Ave., Fort Gratiot, MI 48059, rlmosher@gmail.com, had the following ancestors approved:

Ancestor Yerr Proven Award
Patience P. Spiegle 1860 Gold
John Thomas West, Sr. 1860 Gold

History Book Photos

These photos were found in a box at the Henry County Historical Society. The late Russell Patterson, one of the founding members of the Society, told me they were photos sent in with the family stories that had been submitted in the mid-1970s to form the Henry County, Ohio, Volumes One, Two, and Three: A Collection of Historical Sketches and Family Histories Compiled by Members and Friends of The Henry County Historical Society. Russell explained that the photos’ owners did not want them returned because they were just copies of the originals.

These photos are high-resolution, though not necessarily high-quality. The Henry County Genealogical Society scanned them all at 300 dots per inch. Where the original was high quality, the scanned version is also good. Because of space limitations on our server, the version you see in the gallery below are only 150 dots per inch, which is good enough to print. If you want a higher resolution, email us HERE with the subject “High Resolution Photo Request,” and we’ll email a better version.

Henry County Historical Photos

Heinrich and Maria Koehnke Seedorf

by Lori Rabe Esch

(This is an abbreviated version of this family history. You can view the full version HERE.)

The following is a story about my great grandparents, Heinrich Nicolaus Wilhelm “Henry N.W” Seedorf and his wife Maria Koehnke who were born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. and eventually settled in Bartlow Township in Henry County.  They were the grandparents of my mother, Amanda Ludeman Rabe.  Fortunately, my mother saved many newspaper articles and worked on genealogy in the 1970’s.  Her efforts and papers have been invaluable to me as I have continued her journey.

Heinrich departed Bremerhaven, Germany on the Strassburg [see photo below] and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on the 24th of May, 1884 which was 2 days after his 27th birthday.  His “calling” or occupation was listed as workman. He was in the steerage compartment and had one piece of luggage.   Steerage described the part of the ship where most of the passengers traveled.  This was an area between decks and the ceiling height was usually 6-8 feet.  This area was allotted to those passengers traveling at the cheapest rate. This all sounds fairly straight forward; however, he left behind his fiancée, Maria in Germany.  He came to the new world to work and earn enough money to eventually go back to marry her and then to return to Ohio with her.  Yet when he departed, Heinrich had no idea how long they would be separated. What a struggle that must have been to leave her behind!

Twenty seven years prior, Heinrich was born in Vellen Beverstedt in the province of Hannover on 22 May 1857.  This area in northwestern Germany is where the majority of Henry county ancestors originated. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and then confirmed on Easter Sunday 1871.

The Seedorf settlement existed near Beverstedt in 1845. Today, no Seedorf descendants from this line are living in Germany.  In September 2014, my siblings and I visited their house which is now occupied by non-relatives [see photo below]. German records state that Heinrich was a ‘sechstelhoefner”.  “Sechstel” means one-sixth, so a sechstelhoefner would farm a small, one-sixth sized farm.  The exact acreage of the farm is not known because farm sizes varied from place to place in Germany.

After arriving in the United States, Heinrich worked for 3 ½ years as a hired hand on a farm located where the Filling Home, just outside of Napoleon, stands today. Most likely Heinrich did not know English nor did he have his bride-to-be Maria by his side, so the first 3 ½ years alone in a strange, new country must have felt immensely longer. Finally in the winter of 1887-1888, he had saved enough money to return to Germany and marry Maria Koehnke on 9 Mar 1888. [see their wedding photo below]

Maria was born 2 Dec 1856 in Barkhausen in the Hannover province and baptized in the Lutheran church 1 Jan 1857. When she was 15 years old she was confirmed.  Seven weeks after Heinrich and Maria’s marriage, they made the final and permanent trip from Germany, arriving in Baltimore on the ship Main.  For some unknown reason, she is listed separately on the ship passenger list as Maria Koehnke.  The couple brought a simple wooden chest containing all of their belongings and measuring only 29 inches long, 15 inches wide and 14 inches deep. Today, this chest is in my possession; one side of the chest still retains a partial label that says “Bremerhaven” which was their departure port. [see photo of chest above]

Now the two newlyweds were finally able to begin their new life together. Initially they lived in Flatrock Township and then moved to Bartlow Township where they rented a farm for 10 years.  Finally after a decade, they had the resources to purchase their own farm in 1899 on County Road F between State Route 65 and County Road 3. They worked the fields and raised their family; Anna Maria, Christ, Sophia, William, Mary and Henry.  Today, Seedorf descendants still reside on this farm. From a single wooden to chest to their own farm, Henry and Maria were able to build a home and life for their family for generations to come.

For family history researchers in the United States, the U.S. federal census is the principal record type for research because it puts people in a certain place at a certain time. Enumerations were mandated by the Constitution and have taken place in all states and territories since 1790.  With the exception of the loss of the 1890 records in a tragic 1921 fire, the collection of original pages is virtually complete.

Therefore, the 1900 census is the first census we have of Henry and Mary [these were their names as given to the census enumerator.] who were both 43 years old at the time.  Other family members recorded were Christopher, age 10; Sophia, age 8; William, age 6; Mary M, age 3; and Henry, age 1.  Additional information in the census stated Mary was the mother of 6 children with 5 still living.  Previously, the eldest child, Anna, died at the age of 8 months and 6 days due to unknown causes. Unfortunately they lost another child when Henry, the youngest child died 11 weeks after this census was taken.

In the loose papers and files of my mother, Amanda Ludeman Rabe, she had written that Henry died when he was 2 years of summer complaint.  Merriam Webster defines summer complaint as diarrhea most common in children that is prevalent in hot weather; it is usually caused by ingestion of food contaminated with various microorganisms responsible for gastrointestinal infections. The culprit very likely could have been spoiled milk. In addition, the 1900 census stated that the children, Christopher and Sophia, were in school.  Henry gave his occupation as a farmer and said he owned the farm with a mortgage. Although Henry and Mary were well on their way to building a new life and fulfilling the American dream, life did not come without its challenges. Life would have been lonely at times and the heavy burden of grief from losing two children as infants was a weight the family would always bear.

On the 1920 census, both Henry and Mary stated they were naturalized back in 1889.  At this time a woman could not file for naturalization.  Citizenship was granted under a husband’s petition.  There are three steps to the naturalization process:  declaration of intent, petition for naturalization, and the final papers granting citizenship.  Henry appeared on 30 May 1887 before the probate court in Henry County and declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States.  About six months later on 5 Nov 1889, he again appeared before the court and became a citizen.  Two individuals appeared with Henry in front of the judge to vouch for him—Fred Brinkmann and August Hinseland.  They swore they had been acquainted with Henry for five years and that “during the time of their acquaintance with Henry Seedorf he has behaved as a man of good moral character attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States of America and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the same”. Henry forever renounced allegiance to William, Emperor of Germany and was admitted to be a citizen of the United States. Five years after he first stepped foot on American soil in Maryland, Henry became an American citizen. [see photo of naturalization papers above]

Following a number of different illnesses, Heinrich [name recorded on his obituary] died at the age of 64 years, 10 months and 10 days on 4 Mar 1922.  The translation of his German obituary states “The deceased was a faithful member of the Lutheran church and a committed Christian.  Since he knew that he was saved by his Redeemer, he went to his death without fear and had prepared himself through prayer and sacrament.  Along with his bereaved widow, mourning at his coffin are his 2 married sons and 2 married daughters, 2 sons-in-law and 2 daughters-in-law as well as 11 grandchildren.  Also surviving him are 6 siblings, of who 1 brother and 1 sister are here in America and 4 brothers in Germany.  May he rest in Peace.”

After Heinrich died, Amanda Ludeman Rabe, her 10 year old granddaughter, stayed with Maria [name used by my mother, also recorded in the 1930 census and name on her obituary] for a year, and then Maria lived with her grown children.  At the time of the 1930 census, Maria, age 73 was living with her son Christ, age 40 , along with his wife Margaret, age 43, and children Walter, age 13, and Emma, age 11. Other answers given on the census give us a snapshot of their life at that time: they lived in a rented house on a farm; Maria indicated she could speak English but could not read or write English and Christ was a farmer and was not a veteran.

Following her husband 11 years later, Maria died on 18 May 1933 at the age of 76.  Her German obituary states she suffered a stroke six years earlier. It also states “Several weeks before her death she had a ruptured blood vessel which led to internal bleeding and hemorrhaging and the strength quickly ebbed.  She was fully conscious up until about 7 hours before her death.  She prepared herself for her death through the Word of God, prayer and the sacraments; just as in the days of her health she attended divine worship in God’s house…May she rest in peace and the perpetual light shine upon her!”

After all of their struggles to build a new life and raise a family in a new country, both Heinrich and Maria were able to die peacefully in their new homeland. In addition, their children were faithful and blessed with children of their own. From their small villages and all the way to Henry County with a single wooden chest, Heinrich and Maria built a life for their children but also paved the way for generations to come.

PUNCHES-GOLDEN

My great grandparents, Edson Goit Punches and Eliza Ann Golden were married in Hamler in 1869. Edson’s uncle, Peter Punches, signed the consent form for the marriage.

I am interested in finding out if any Golden family members are still living in Henry County because I’d very much like to get in contact with them. I know that the local cemeteries are Golden family burial sites.

Thank you
Jim Punches

Biographical Sketch of Andrew J. Saygers

This article appeared in the Democratic Northwest on January 12, 1893:

Prominent Citizen and Official of Henry County.

A majority of our prominent men In Henry are self-made in every sense of the term, having begun life with no other heritage than grit, ambition, and a determination to surmount obstacles in the path to success. We see many around us who have begun at the bottom round, and who, after years of combat with adversity, mounted round by round to the top.

Among this number is Andrew J. Saygers, President of our present efflcient Board of County Commissioners.

He was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, October 17, 1834, the son of a farmer and the only boy, being third child in a family of nine. Of this large family none survive save the subject of this sketch.

When Andrew was two years old, the parents moved to Clarke County, Ohio, but not liking the county removed to Champaign County, where they permanently located. At the age of six he lost his father, and a year later was robbed of a mother’s guiding hand and influence. From the date of his mother’s death the orphan has moved his own way through life.

Although left in charge of an uncle, as soon as lars– enough to earn his own living, he did so, working on a farm in Summer and attending school in Winter. At that time the system of free schools was not known, and the boy Andy was compelled to pay tuition, which, together with books and clothes footed up quite an item for one receiving a farm hand’s wages, and made the path to an education no bower of beauty from a bountiful supply of roses.

Surmounting all difficulties, he gained a practical education, which, with a good allowance of grit and push worked his success.

In 1856 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Overhulls, and estimable young lady of Champaign County, and who now presides ofer his home in West Napoleon.

He pursued the occupation of farming until the war when he enlisted In Company E, 17th Regiment, Ohio Infantry. Serving until peace was declared, he returned home and moved with his family to Monroe township. Here he entered into the saw-mill and mercantile business, with his post-office at West Hope. Later on he moved to Napoleon and entered the saw-mill of A. Imber. Being of a saving disposition he soon purchased a half Interest, and after several months partnership! the senior partner sold out, leaving Mr. Saygers in possession of the mill, which, by careful management proved a paying piece of property.

As an office holder his record Is not a lengthy one, having held but one office, that of clerk of Monroe township, prior to his election as commissioner in 1888. But he has proven himself an efficient officer, and was given a second term. He has manifested a sound Judgment and the courage to utter his convictions.

Personally Mr. Baygers is a genial fellow, a good story teller and ready mixer, and has hosts of friends.