Laver Family

Belteshazzar Laver came from Frankfort, Germany to America in the late 1830's or early 1840's. He met Jane Fitzsimmons in Ohio where they were married on August 26, 1843 in Findlay, Ohio. They had 11 children during their married life. George Washington Laver, Mary, Edward, John, Harmon and another son that died enroute and whose name has been forgotten, traveled with them to Texas, Ohio with a team and wagon. In Henry County, they had an additional 5 children, Joseph William, Emma, Freddie, Charles, and Tillie May.

Belteshazzar had been married in Germany before coming to America. He had 11 children in Germany. One of his sons from Germany, Hans, changes his name to John and later became a Justice of the Peace in Fulton County. He was known to the Laver's as "Big Uncle John."

George W. Laver (1844-1922) and his wife Aurelia lived in this area. He was a trustee of the Liberty Center Order of the Oddfellows at the time of the building of their building on Main Street.

Mary Laver never married.

Edward Laver married his cousin Emma Fitzsimmons and moved to Kansas. They had a large family.

John Laver was known as "Little Uncle John" as he was of smaller stature than "Big Uncle John." Hsi wife's name was Alice.

Harmon Laver married Harriet Croninger. They lived near Ai, in Fulton County.

Emma Laver married J. K. Withers. They moved to Topeka, Kansas and never lived in Henry County.

Fredrick (Freddie) Laver died in 1861 as a child. He is buried with most other Lavers in Young Cemetery at Liberty Center.

Charles Laver's wife's name was Ina from Delta.

Tillie May died in 1893 at 31 years of age.

Joseph William (1856-1924) was raised by his half brother "Big John Laver". He married Ola Belle Crosby on December 24, 1879. They had 7 children. Two died in infancy. Lloyd (1880-1943) moved to California in 1901. He and his wife Anna had 13 children.

Rose Della Welch (1884-1963) married several times but never had any children. She adopted a girl Nellie who lives with her husband Frances (Frank) Ziehr in Florida. They had four sons, Carl, James, Ralph, who was killed on a construction accident and Pat. They all have families.

Harry Charles (1889-1967) moved to California. He had 3 children, Helen, Vera and Joseph. Joe and his wife Louise are in Florida. He has twin sons Joey and Alvy. Vera married Marion Connolly and lives in Delta. Helen lives in Michigan with her husband and children.

Ruby Leola (1899-) married William Winover. They had one child, Annabelle who died at 8 years of age in 1928. William died in 1946.

Everette Vernon (1894-1963) married Margaret Sibyl Mattin. She makes her home with the children now. They had 3 children, Vernon, Nola and Lola.

Vernon Earl (1930) married Lucille Triggs. They had 5 children. Rolland Allen (1955) Gerald Dean (1956) Russell Earl (1959) died 12 hours after birth. Joy Ellen (1960) and Brian Eugene (1965). They took Richard Triggs (1968), (Mrs. Laver's nephew) to make his home with them in 1968.

Nola Eileen (1931) married Johnny Franklin Spangler. They live outside Holland, Ohio. They had 4 children, Johnny Franklin Jr. (1953) Everett Edward (1955) Edward Everett (1957) who was stillborn, and Susan Kay (1959).

Lola Irene married Carl Long. They own a welding shop near Holland, Ohio, and live near Holland. They have 2 children, Leroy Edward (1958) and Lois Jean (1959).

Rolland Laver married Wanda Lee Morgan of Rapid City, South Dakota. THey are stationed with the Air Force in Okinawa. Gerald Laver attends the University of Minnesota. Joy Laver is a senior at Liberty Center High School. Brian Laver is a sixth grade student at Liberty Center. Richard Triggs is a 4th grade student at Liberty Center.

Johnny Spangler Jr. married Sherry Bateman. They have one child, Johnny Franklin III (1974). They live in Holland, Ohio. Everett Spangler married Wanda Harris and they have one child Brian James (1976). They live in Holland, Ohio. Susan Spangler lives at home and goes to Business College.

Leroy Long married Jackie Overmier. They have one child, Rachel Marie (1975). They live near Swanton. Leroy is a welder. Lois Long is a factory worker and is living at home.

Vernon Laver is employed by Campbell Soup Company as a machinist in the Container Manufacturing Plant. The Vernon Laver family live in Washington Twp. on Twp. Rd. 2 and T-3, across from what was New Dayton.

Submitted by: Vernon Laver and Joy Laver