Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 4, Number 3, May-June 1990
MEETINGS
May 21, 1990, Monday, 7:00 pm
Barb Haydu will relate her experiences in researching for ancestors. Meeting held at Edwin Wood Library, Deshler.
June 16, 1990, Saturday, 9:30 am
Please meet with us at the Glenwood Cemetery in Napoleon to begin reading stones for the Napoleon Twp. Cemetery book. Bring a sack lunch and beverage for this all day project. If you have never joined us before please read the cemetery information later in this issue. Also note the date change from June 23 to June 16.
The First Families of Henry County is hard at work processing applications to this new group under the umbrella of HCGS. Applicants that are approved will be recognized at the last meeting of the year. If you missed this year’s deadline begin now to work on the April 30, 1991 deadline.
Our latest publication, Flatrock Township Cemetery Inscriptions, will be available in June. Cemeteries included will be: St. John’s Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Cole, Brinkman, Parry Family, Gunn, Huston Family and Florida Village. Cost of the book will be $8.00 plus $2.00 postage. The book will be approximately 85 pages of inscriptions plus an index. Tentative date for the Napoleon Twp. book is December, 1990.
QUERIES
RISSER
Seeking informataion about Jacob Risser b. 5 Oct 1812 in Friedelsheim, Pfalz, Germany (then France.) Married and had 3 children, emigrated to Ashland Co., OH about 1840, moved to henry Co. early 1850 died Nov. 1850 in Henry Co. of Typhoid fever. (Researched at library and court house. Sent info from 1850 Henry Co. census and Pleasant Twp. Cem. book. Unable to find Jacob Risser.–Cor. Sec.)
–Ellen R. Farrell, Los Alamos, NM 87544
WARD, FOOR, DAUBER, WEIDLER
William and Mary (Ward) Foor of Fairfield Co. had 11 children. Son Irvin/Ervan b. 1837 m. Susan and had 9 children. Irvin’s son Alvin S. b. 1859 migrated to Henry Co. by 1870 and m. Margaret E. Dauber b. 1861, one of 11 children of Henry and Mary E. (Weidler) Dauber. Researching all branches, will share info.
–Shelly Hallard-Beckham, Rossford, OH 43460
HILDEBRAND, MAY, LAVOR, CRONINGER, HELSEL, LEITNER, OVERMEYER, MOORE
Researching John Hildebrand family of Henry Co. including my gr-grandfather Casper Henry Hildebrand who settled in Henry Co. about 1854. Also researching Henry May family, Lavor, Croninger, Helsel, Leitner, Obermayer/Overmeyer, and Isaac Moore family. Will exchange info.
–Norma L. Eaton, Port Clinton, OH 43452
ALLEN, BURKE, DOLAN, KINDER, WESCOTT, FASNAUGH, SPANGLER
Need help with the following: parents of John Wilford Allen b. 1847: Ella (Burke) Dolan; Abraham Kinder b. ca. 1840 d. 1902; parents of George C. Wescott b. 1832 d. 1909; Wesley Fasnaugh and wife Sarah (Spangler) Fasnaugh; Barney Fasnaugh b. 1850 Henry Co.
–Mrs. Betty Teague (dec’d), Machiasport, Maine 04655
RETTIG, YAICHNER, PFIEFER, STAUBER
Searching for burial place of Amelia Rettig, b. 7 Dec 1872 Florida, OH, infant daughter of Leonard/Lenhard and Catharina (Yaichner) Rettig. Catharina buried at St. Paul Lutheran Cem., Flatrock Twp. Also looking for parents and relatives of Catheryn or Gertrude (Pfiefer) Rettig, wife of Michael Rettig. In Holgate area 1853-1888. Interested in surnames Pfiefer, Rettig, Stauber
and Yaichner
–Mrs. Rex (Mildred) Northcutt, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024
LAZENBY, BURROWS, WRIGHT
Would like info of death and burial of Ruth Caroline (Lazenby) Burrows, wife of Thomas Burrows. Lived in Napoleon, OH in 1909. B. 7 May 1851 in Clinton Co., OH to Robert and Anna (Wright) Lazenby.
–Clara Ellen Courtney, Deshler, OH 43516
HALLARD, OPPL, PFEL, HALLERD, ROPP, YOUNT, YURUIT, HEUBNER
Searching for anyone with Hallard surname or descendants. Only dozen known left in U.S., all in OH. Joseph and Katharina (Oppl/Pfel) Hallard had two known sons immigrate in 1871. Daniel b. 1859 to Wood Co., OH and m. Mary J., had 2 sons: Minor L. b. 1890 m. Myrtle had dau. Mahre, and Clyde W. b. 1896. Where did Clyde and Minor go? Minor spelled name Hallerd. Daniel later m. Alice J. Ropp, one son, Russell, b. 1906. Dan’s bro. Joseph b. 1862 m. Elizabeth C. Yount/Yuruit had 5 children: Carl J., Albert E., Elmer S., Silvia F. m. a Heubner and Freddie–all migrating to Paulding Co.
–Shelly Hallard-Beckham, Rossford, OH 43460
HISTORY OF FREEDOM TOWNSHIP, 1888
(abstracted from History of Henry and Fulton Counties, Ohio, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich)
Freedom was one of the first of the five townships organized in the territory now composing Henry county; that it, and Napoleon township, in 1840 included nearly, if not all of the said territory north of the Maumee River, together with all of Fulton county, which was organized in 1850. At that time, with all of its territory, it had a population of only one hundred and five. By the organization of Fulton county, there was left to Freedom township not even the originally surveyed territory — two tiers of sections having been taken from the north and given to Fulton county; and there is now left to Freedom township but twenty-four sections of land. Notwithstanding this, the township has had a wonderful growth both in population and valuation. In 1850 it contained four hundred and sixty souls, and the taxable valuation of the property amounted to $27,602. In 1860 the population, with greatly diminished territory, was four hundred and fifty and the valuation $71,697. In 1870 the population was eight hundred and twelve, and the valuation of land $85,279. In 1880 the census showed twelve hundred and thirty-five, and the land was valued for taxation at $230,480.
The township is situated in the northern part of Henry county. Is bounded on the north by Fulton county, on the east by Liberty township, on the south by Napoleon township and on the west by Ridgeville township. The topography is that in common with the balance of the county, level, and the soil exceedingly good and fertile. The township is devoid of waterways, with the exception of three small creeks, the largest being Napoleon Creek and Oberhaus Creek. These traverse nearly the whole width of the township. Through the southwest corner of the township runs the bed of the defunct Coldwater and Masfield Railroad.
The early settlers of this section were few; not more than a score lived in this part of the township prior to 1860; among those who did live in this part of the county, from 1838-1850, may be mentioned Daniel Shinaman, John Miller, Samuel and Lewis Eckhart, John Sorrick, John Knapp, Harmon Kline, junior and senior, Conrad Clay, George Struble, John Harmon and Benjamin Holler.
The first church was a United Brethren. It was built in 1852, or thereabouts and also stood in section twenty-eight. Here the settlers from far and near would congregate on Sabbath day and listen to the Word of God interpreted by Geroge Struble.
The township is, as far as is possible to learn, devoid of many of those stirring incidents which make the life of the settler exciting, and for this reason facts of record can only be dealt with, “pleasing incidents of frontier like” will be conspicuous by there absence. And we will proceed to what the township was after the year 1860; not that it was civilized by this time, but because the facts are within our grasp.
From 1860 up to the present time there has been an influx of Germans to this county, and especially to Freedom township. To this frugal people may be given a great deal of the credit of converting a wilderness into a garden, for the reason that they were not choice as to the kind of land Uncle Sam gave them, and whether a swamp or a ridge it was the same to them and they went to work. Now Freedom township is a model of well-kept farms; now there are six fine school-houses, a couple of churches and scores of brick dwellings. The first one was built by Harmon Kline and the others followed thick and fast, and now as one rides through the county, a palatial brick residence, well kept grounds — a sure sign of thrift and wealth — is an ordinary sight.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records will research their files for $6.00 per record request. Fee includes a certified copy of record. Write: Registry of Records & Statistics. 150 Tremont Pt., Room B-3, Boston, MA 02111
–from the Saginaw, MI Genealogical Society
The East German government maintains a central office for genealogy. They will research for a fee. Do not use words “East Germany” in your correspondence. Write in English to:
Zentralstelle fur Genealogie
Georgi – Dimitroff Platz 1
7010 Liepzig, DDR
–from the Florida chapter of OGS
The address of the Genealogical Society in Poland is:
Towarzystwo Genealogiczno
Heraldzczne Societas Genealogica
AC Heraldica
Wodea 27
Polac Gorkow 61-781
Pozna, Polska
–from the Franklin Co. newsletter
CIVIL WAR VETERANS IN HENRY COUNTY, 1890
(continued from last newsletter)
BARTLOW TOWNSHIP
| Name | Rank | Comp. | Reg. or Vessel | Date Enlist | Date Discharge | Length Service | Disability |
| Gallmore, Timothy | pr | F | 20 OH Inf | 21 Feb 65 | 28 Jun 65 | 4m 8d | |
| Robinson, James E. | 3rd Army Eng | U.S. | Great Western | 21 Aug 64 | 14 Jun 65 | gunshot wound, bronchitis | |
| Springer, James H. | pr | I | 82 OH Inf | 3 Dec 61 | 31 Dec 63 | 2y 0m 7d | lung trouble from black measles |
| Ditto | pr | I | 82 OH Inf | 1 Jan 64 | 24 Jul 65 | 1y 6m 24d | |
| Barbara, widow of Myrice, Thomas | pr | D | 124 OH Inf | 21 Aug 62 | 3 Jul 65 | ||
| Davis, William T. | pr | D | 111 OH Inf | 5 Aug 62 | 15 Aug 63 | 1y 0m 10d | rheumatism and resulting heart disease |
| Ditto | pr | A | 128 OH Inf | 22 Aug 64 | 9 Jun 65 | 10m 31d | |
| Boston, John W. | pr | G | 81 OH Inf | 6 Sep 62 | 13 Jul 65 | 2y 11m 17d | rheumatism, heart disease |
| Ward, James L. | pr | H | 68 OH Inf | 1 Sep 61 | Dec 62 | 1y 2m 0d | sunstroke, broken ankle |
| Ward, James L. | pr | I | 144 OH NG | 2 May 64 | 31 Aug 64 | 3m 0d | |
| Jimerson, John | pr | M | 2 OH Cav | 17 Oct 61 | 17 Oct 64 | 1y [sic] | chronic diarrhea, heart disease |
| Larkum, John | pr | B | 83 OH Inf | 24 Jul 65 | chronic diarrhea, dis. of eyes | ||
| Bormuth, Christopher | pr | C | 127 NG Cav | Jan 63 | 65 | discharge dates lost | |
| English, Joseph | pr | H | 48 OH Inf | 9 Sep 61 | 28 Apr 64 | 2y 8m 19d | fistula, piles; discharge on surgeon’s cert. |
| Parson, Sydney N. | pr | A | 123 OH Inf | 15 Aug | 2y 9m 10d | dis. of respiratory organs and deafness | |
| Lucretia, widow of Zimerman, Gabriel | pr | E | 144 OH Inf | dates not known | |||
| Devine, Thomas (alias) William Black | seaman | gunboat Merceedeter | Apr 65 | died in service | |||
| Marian, widow of Davis, Alpheus C. | pr | H | 68 OH Inf | 26 Dec 63 | 22 Feb 64 | died | |
| Shatzer, Henry A. | pr | H | 64 OH Inf | 18 Oct 61 | 31 Dec 63 | 2y 2m 17d | chronic diarrhea, gunshot would, heart disease |
| Ditto | Serg | H | 64 OH Inf | 1 Jan 64 | 3 Dec 65 | 11m 3d | |
| Coates, Moses | pr | A | 7 OH Reg | 2 Jul 66 | 17 Oct 67 | 1y 3m 15d | (line drawn through entry) |
| Ward, Edward | pr | F | 86 OH Inf | 28 Jun 63 | 10 Feb 64 | 6m 12d | rupture, kidney dis., liver dis. |
| James, Thomas W. | pr | H | 129 OH Inf | 20 Jul 63 | 10 Mar 64 | sunstroke, re-enlisted Veteran | |
| Richcreek, James H. | serg | 10 OH LA | 5 Aug 61 | 9 Aug 65 | 4y 0m 14d | chronic diarrhea, piles | |
| Cheadle, Nathan R. | pr | H | 14 OH Inf | 22 Apr 61 | 13 Aug 61 | 3m 21d | chronic diarrhea, piles |
| Fairchild, Emanwell | pr | K | 31 OH Inf | dates not known | |||
| Cain, William W. | pr | A | 62 PA Inf | 4 Jul 61 | 13 Jul 64 | 3y 1m 9d | chronic diarrhea |
| Welder, Joseph | pr | K | 8 OH Inf | 11 Jun 61 | 22 Oct 62 | chronic diarrhea, broken shoulder | |
| Ditto | pr | C | 6 US Cav | 62 | 64 | ||
| Poisson, Joseph | pr | H | 57 OH Inf | 4 Oct 62 | 4 Feb 63 | 4m | rheumatism |
| Allen, John W. | pr | I | 179 OH Inf | 16 Sep 64 | 17 Jun 65 | 9m | |
| Dayringer, James Henry | pr | G | 21 OH Inf | 30 Jan 64 | 25 Jul 65 | heart disease | |
| Cassiday, George | pr | G | 122 OH Inf | 9 Aug 62 | 30 Nov 63 | 1y 3m 14d | chronic diarrhea, piles |
| Ditto | pr | B | 174 OH Inf | 8 Aug 64 | 8 Jul 65 | 11m | |
| Bla_elt ?, Isaac | pr | H | 88 OH Inf | 18 Jan 65 | 3 Jul 65 | 5m 16d | |
| Wooley, Theodore | pr | K | 74 OH Inf | ||||
| Bath, Jacob | pr | D | 124 OH Inf | 15 Aug 62 | 9 Jul 65 | 2y 11m | gunshot wound |
| McQuiston, Peter | pr | A | 174 OH Inf | 23 Jul 64 | 28 Jun 65 | 11m 6d | impaired eyesight |
| Mason, Franklin | pr | G | 163 OH Inf | 2 May 64 | 10 Sep 64 | 4m 9d | chronic diarrhea, heart dis. |
| Reese, Richard | pr | 27 OH Inf | 6 Feb 64 | 11 Jul 65 | |||
| Jenkins, Thomas | corp. | A | 68 OH Inf | 11 Oct 61 | 15 Dec 63 | 3y 10m 31d | |
| Ditto | corp. | A | 68 OH Inf | 31 Dec 64 | 10 Jul 65 | re-enlisted Veteran | |
| Tabitha W., widow of Brown, Nathan D. | pr | B | 50 OH Inf | 28 Jul 62 | 26 Jun 65 | 2y 10m 28d | |
| Frederick, Erastus | pr | A | 68 OH Inf | 17 Oct 61 | 5 May 62 | 6m 19d | heart disease and spinal affection |
| Ditto | 68 OH Inf | 7 Nov 63 | 10 Jul 65 | 1y 8m 3d | |||
| Earp, William | corp. | D | 81 OH Inf | 21 Oct 61 | 26 Oct 64 | 2y 11m 6d | chronic diarrhea, catarrh |
| Margaret, widow of Devore, Jacob | pr | I | 3 OH Inf | 25 Apr 61 | 22 Aug 61 | discharge cos___ | |
| James H. Thomas | pr | A | 174 OH Inf | 25 Jul 64 | 28 Jun 65 | ||
| Ward, Edward | pr | I | 144 OH Inf | 1 May 64 | 31 Aug 64 | 4m | |
| Sherman, Frederick | pr | I | 9 OH Cav | 29 Dec 63 | 31 Jul 65 | 1y 7m 2d | gunshot wound in left hip |
| Roderick, Thomas L. | pr | G | 152 IL Inf | 8 Feb 65 | 11 Sep 65 | 7m | bronchitis, ruptured veins |
| Botter, Barak M. | pr | D | 65 OH Inf | 21 Dec 61 | 14 Dec 64 | 3y 20d | frozen feet |
| Heller, George E. | pr | K | 84 OH Inf | 31 May 62 | 20 Sep 62 | 4m | |
| Ditto | 84 OH Inf | Sep 62 | 20 Jun | re-enlisted | |||
| Howe, Charles W. | pr | L | 4 NY H. A. | 16 Feb 64 | 3 Aug 65 | 1y 6m | chronic diarrhea, sore eyes |
| Gray, William | pr | H | 21 OH Inf | 2 Sep 61 | 4 Oct 62 | 1y 1m 2d | lung, heart disease |
| Armstrong, James C. | serg. | D | 13 OH Inf | 25 Apr 61 | illegible | ||
| Ditto | serg. | D | 13 OH Inf | illegible | illegible | ||
| Lazenby, Adolph J. | corp. | K | 50 OH Inf | 31 Dec 64 | 26 Jun 65 | ||
| Larcom, John | pr | B | 48 OH Inf | ||||
| Parsons, Sidney N. | pr | 119 2 Bat. VRC | |||||
| Wenner, Jacob | pr | H | 101 OH Inf | ||||
| French, Franklin | pr | C | Vet. Res. | ||||
| Brown, Nathan D. | pr | C | 99 OH Inf | ||||
| More (Mohr?), Henry | pr | D | 99 OH Inf | ||||
| Kelly, James H. | pr | K | 188 OH Inf | ||||
| Heller, George E. | pr | G | 10 OH Cav |
If you are new to genealogical research or just beginning to “dig” into cemetery research the following information might be helpful to your work. As noted in the coming programs for HCGS we will be doing cemetery work on June 16 at Glenwood Cemetery in Napoleon. It is located on Glenwood Ave. in Napoleon, OH.
ITEMS NEEDED FOR COPYING CEMETERIES
Copies of sample page or kindergarten tablet marked off in sections as per sample. Black medium or heavy point pens, clipboard, soft lead pencils, soft brush (to clean moss and dirt), hand shovel, clippers, gloves, insect repellent, shaving cream, sponge brush, small piece of carpet (for kneeling), drinking water, and cloth or wet-wipes for cleanup.
GUIDELINES FOR COPYING CEMETERIES
- Fill in first two lines of the form before you begin.
- Number each tombstone, Copy all stones in order of location.
Note if stone is broken, missing, lying in a pile or against a tree or another stone. Copy the inscription as it is given. - DO NOT abbreviate anything except the month, but spell out May, June, July in full.
- Surname in CAPITALS. Print or write clearly.
- Write out the date as Jan. 12 NOT 1, 12, 1884.
- Be especially careful with eroded numbers such as 4 – 1 2 – 5 3 – 8.
- Copy age as __y., m., _d.
- Use dashes or “ne” to designate information not engraved, such as JONES, Barbara L. 1894 – 19– or 1894 – ne.
- Copy any relationship, military or service record, war markers and organization symbols.
- Number and list any large family name headstone.
- Check all sides of a stone.
- If you are unsure of a name or date, do your best, but use a question mark to show your uncertainty.
- Omit uninformative phrases such as, “Rest in Peace” and scripture.
- Use a new form for each row, unless there are only a few stones in a row, but mark your form accordingly.
- If a funeral home marker is the only indication, note information and indicate F-H-M.
- Start in south east corner of cemetery or section and number and read stones from south to north.
- USE BLACK MEDIUM OR HEAVY POINT PEN.
- PRINT OR WRITE ALL LETTERS AND NUMBERS PLAINLY.
- WHEN STARTING NEW ROW NUMBER ROW AND START WITH 1, 2, 3, etc. FOR EACH ROW.
NUMBER EACH STONE (NOT NAME).
On April 16, 1990 the HCGS meet at the office of the Clerk of Common Pleas Court with clerk Betty Huddle. The following information was gleaned from this visit and is used with the permission of Ms. Huddle.
The office of Clerk of Courts, an ancient English institution originating before the time of Edward II was transplanted to America during the colonial period. The American Revolution made no radical change in the political heritage derived from England, and the office was continued by the States. The duties of the office were modified in the new states, however, because of a separation of administrative and judicial functions, which under the English system had been combined.
The sections of the Ohio Constitution of 1802, creating the judicial system for the state, provided for the appointment of a Clerk of Courts by the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. He was to serve a seven year term, but was subject to removal by the appointing power for a breach of good behavior. The Constitution of 1851 made the office of Clerk elective with a three year term. A Constitutional Amendment in 1905 provided that the terms of all elective offices should be for an even number of years not exceeding four. In compliance with this amendment, the general assembly passed an act fixing the term of office of the clerk at two years. The term remained at two years until 1936 when it was extended to four years.
Civil actions are filed, indexed, and assigned case numbers and placed in individual jackets which contain all records of the case as it proceeds to trial, settlement, appeal or dismissal. In Criminal matters the Prosecuting Attorney files a Bill of Information or proceeds with the actions through the Grand Jury. The cases are then processed similar to civil actions.
Civil cases include: divorce, dissolution, reciprocals, domestic relations – support, money only, personal injury, cognovits judgment, judgment, marshalling of liens, foreclosure, execution on certificate of judgment, replevins, garnishments, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Appeals, appropriation, medical malpractice, quiet title, Industrial Commission, transfer of funds and partition.
Chancery records begin as early as 1850. Some other records begin with 1847. Court journals and indices are available for research. Some early naturalization records are also located here.
From the pages of the Deshler Flag
22 Jan 1897
The following letters remain in the Deshler post office uncalled for: Henry Sells, Geo. Taylor, Edmun Meaker, Odis McIntyre, Mr. May McBride, Geo. Gearch, Geo. McClelland.
Married on Tues. evening, by Squire Brown at the Candy Kitchen parlors, Mr. Meeker and Mrs. Bretbruner.
Mr. Chas. W. Herr and Miss Emma Newman were married last Thurs. at the home of the officiating minister, Rev. W. P. Bennett.
The brave old soldier, Captain David Bowker, of the 14th O. V. I. was buried at Liberty Center Saturday, by his surviving friends. He died Thursday, his first surrender. The Captain was one of the bravest of the brave under Gen. Steedman.
Jimnie Sheffield, of Grand Rapids, visited his sister, Mrs. Joseph Fish last week.
Mrs. Hattie E. Gregg, of Licking Co., is the guest of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Patterson.
