Frank Laba was born in Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada in 1830. Someone from around Napoleon, Ohio, heard that around Three Rivers there were some hardy and strong Frenchmen that were very good timber and lumber men. He came to Three Rivers and recruited about 40 of them and returned them to Napoleon and Henry County territory. It is told that they came by timber ship to Ohio. He never heard from his family again. On March 4, 1862, he married Miss Clarinda Parmer from Napoleon, Ohio, by probate judge, T. S. C. Morrison in Napoleon in Henry County.

Standing rear, left to right: the Lebay Family; James MayHeugh, Benjamin Ashley, Frank J.; center: Frank Sr., Jennie Viola, Clarinda Farmer; front: Cora Ellen, John Milton, Dora Etta.

Living members of the Frank Lebay Family taken about 1910. Front row, left to right: Walter, Bessie, Kermit, Mabel, Frank Jr. (behind Kermit); back row: Frank J., unknown, Riley, Carles, Kenneth.

Jackson School, two miles south of West Hope, about 1908. Teacher is believed to be Elmer Hadley. Five Lebay boys in group: Riley, Carles, Frank Jr., Kenneth, Walter.

United Brethren Church, West Hope, Ohio, 1904, where the Lebays attended church.

The above name was changed to Lebaye and later changed to Lebay. The first homestead was in Napoleon across the street from the Catholic church where they attended on the north side of the river. Although Clarinda who was known as Louisa was Protestant and Frank was Catholic, they had an agreement when they married that they would go to the closest church wherever they lived. Here two children were born: Franklin J., born January 6, 1863, and Jennie Viola, born July 31, 1864.

In 1864 Frank enlisted in the Civil War, Company C, 9th Ohio Calvary. At the close of the War he received an honorable discharge. Then the family moved to West Hope, Ohio, and lived in a log house one mile west and one quarter mile north of West Hope. Here the following children were born: Hattie May, born April 20, 1866; Benjamin Ashley, March 3, 1868; Cora Ellen, December 15, 1869; William Denis, July 26, 1871; Dora Etta, November 12, 1873; John Milton S., July 28, 1875; James Mayheugh, August 21, 1877. While in West Hope their home was closer to the Protestant church so they attended the United Brethren Church with their family. Clarinda was baptised June 25, 1882. One of the grandchildren tells that Frank read the Bible daily with devotions, and that Grandpa would pray for us all. Frank had a soldier's land grant and received a monthly pension.

Franklin J. married Anna Frankfother and they had II children, and there are 4 of them still living at thisdate, May 27, 1975. Frank J. was township appraiser for years for Richfield Township; he was also superintendent of United Brethren Church Sunday School in West Hope, Ohio, for many years. Frank J. and his brother-in-law, Edward Frankfother, owned a Huber engine and separator, clover huller, corn huller that they operated for many years in the West Hope territory.

Benjamin Ashley moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he married Fanney. They have 3 children still living at this date. James Mayheugh moved to Columbus, Ohio. He married a girl named Jessie and they had several children but 1 do not know how many there were or still alive. Benjamin Ashley was superintendent of mechanical maintenance for about 50 years for the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio. Of the rest of the children, I have no record.

The story is told by the grandchildren how they carried their sandwiches to school in a round ton molasses pail. The lunch consisted of a fried egg or apple butter sandwich or maybe both. For water they went to the water pump out doors and drank out of the community dipper. Every morning school opened with the National Anthem followed by the Lord's Prayer.

Frank and Clarinda moved back to Napoleon where Clarinda died February 3, 1905, at the age of 59 years. Frank died July 25, 1906, at the age of 76 years. Both were laid to rest in the cemetery in Napoleon, Ohio. All of the children of Frank and Franklin J. attended school at West Hope, 0., and the Jackson School two miles south of West Hope.

Franklin J.'s children were born one mile south and three quarters of a mile south of West Hope on a farm. Oldest Bessie Lebay Brown still is living in Detroit at this time and is 88. Riley Lebay is still living in Detroit at the age of 86. Mabel Lebay Jackson moved to Canada and died in 1917. Charles Lebay was a farmer in Wood County, Ohio. He is dead at this time. Kenneth 0. Lebay, a cement contractor for years and retiring years ago, is still living in Maumee, Ohio, at age about 76. Walter R. Lebay married and moved to Toledo, Ohio. I have no date of his death. Kermit A. Lebay left Henry County about 1916. He is still living, age 71. For the other three children, I have no dates or names.

Submitted by Kermit R. Lebay