Henry Willard

Samuel Willard, born April 10, 1799, and Louisa Adams, born Oct. 31, 1817, were married Jan. 24, 1840, and went to housekeeping in Freedom Twp., Henry County. They were the parents of 11 children. The youngest son, Henry was a farmer and teacher in Freedom Twp. until his marriage to Lucina Pittman, daughter of Levi and Susanna Pittman, a pioneer family of Marion Twp.

Henry and Lucina moved to Hamler and he was one of the first rural mail carriers from Hamler Post Office. When his route was started, there were three miles of improved road, and when he was killed all the roads were improved but three miles. For many years the mail carrier was the go-between the home and the store, delivering needed repairs, and emergency items. For many years mail was delivered on Christmas day, but not on New Year's Day. In the winter at butchering time, many of the families remembered their carrier. Henry was also the Mayor of Hamler, but during that time the ruling was made that a postal carrier could not hold down an elective office, so he resigned as Mayor. He was an insurance agent and an active member of the Methodist Church.

Lucina died in 1921 and later he married Eva Kimberly. On May 3, 1930, he was killed at a railroad cross- mg while on his mail route.

Henry and Lucina were the parents of two children, Nellie, a teacher who married William Punches. They lived in Marion Twp. on a farm until he retired and moved to Liberty Twp., Putnam County. Nellie now resides in Leipsic. They were the parents of two children. Mary, a secretary, married Lloyd A. Ward of Leipsic. They have always lived in Liberty Twp., Putnam Co. They have one daughter, Patricia Sue who married William Courtney of Findlay where they reside. They are the parents of eight children, four are deceased.

James, an employee of John Mansville, Defiance, married Cordelia Heistand, a teacher of Bluffton, and they live at Evansport, Ohio. They have 3 sons, Paul of Defiance, and an employee of General Motors, Doyle of Defiance who married Connie Fleagle and Ralph at home.

Henry and Lucina's son, Harry, who died in 1930 was married to Ruth Red- din, daughter of Dr. F. O. Reddin of Hamler. She later married Alfred Haffey who is deceased. Ruth died in 1974.

Harry and Ruth had three children: (1) Helen, now deceased, married Harold Lint and lived in Detroit where their two sons, Harold and Wayne now reside; (2) Wayne Willard married Polly Weisel of Harrisburg, Pa. where they live. They have one daughter, Susan, Mrs. Lewis Keith of Pa.; (3) Edna, Mrs. Larry Watkins lives in Phoenix, Arizona and has a daughter, Linda.

Henry Willard's brother John and sister Sarah also lived in Hamler together for many years. Neither ever married. Uncle John, as he was known, operated a route through the country for many years, buying poultry and eggs from farmers. After Sarah (Aunt Sade's) death in 1925, Uncle John who was nearly 90 years of age made his home with his niece, and family, Mrs. William Punches. He died in 1935.

Submitted by the Family