Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 4, July-August 1988
MEETINGS
July 18, 1988, Monday, 7:00 pm
At Henry County Courthouse, Napoleon, OH. In the Recorder’s Office — Land Records, Mortgages, Veterans Records.
August 15, 1988, Monday, 7:00 pm
At Napoleon Public Library, Napoleon, OH. “Ohio Room Resources” will be explained.
New Research Material at the Deshler Library
Obits of the Pioneer Families of Columbus Grove, Putnam Co., OH 1850-1950 by Marjorie Waterfield.
Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Williams and Wood Counties, Ohio Newspaper Obituary Abstracts 1838-1870.
A Genealogist’s Guide to The Allen Co., Public Library. Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
The Source
Ohio Newspaper Abstracts Series V 5 1987
On loan from Karen Sunderman:
Hancock Co., Oh. Census 1830-1840, 1860, 1870.
Marriage Records, Hancock Co., Oh. 1828 thru 1864, 1865 thru 1884.
Hancock Co. Cemetery Inscriptions, Bechtel and Rader Cem., Allen Twp.
The Day Book and Genealogy of George Vaneman, Presbyterian Minister, Hancock Co., OH
New microfilms (all of Henry County) at the Deshler Library
Probate Court: General Index, 1847-1919
Will Record, Oct. 1899 – Feb. 1904
Will Record, Mar. 1904 – 1910
Naturalization Records, 1859 – 1906 and 1852 – 1905
Henry County Register, 1870 – 1979
Guardians Docket, 1874 – 1895
Administrations Docket, 1882 – 1889
Passengers by the ship Alexandria, Edmund Fanning, master, from Derry. Arrived the 12th of June.
(From “The Hibernian Chronicle” of New York, June 29, 1811)
Robert Potts & Family, David Hanshaw, George Cobine, Robert Cobine, Joseph Akin, Mary Akin, Felix O’Neal, John Huges, William Akin, James Foster, Mary Foster, Margaret Foster, Andrew Robison & Family, John Foster, James Stewart, John Carson, Joseph Michell, John Hinds, Hugh Dolonson & Family, Hugh McKosher, Edward Harver, Margaret Aken, James Robston, James Given, John Hutchin, Junr., Margaret Given, Daniel Killy, Patrick Quin, James Smyth, John Foster, John Hall, Charles Vimmo, Eliza Vimmo, Edward Doholy, Neal Dougherty, Nancy Clark, Thomas Neilson, William Neilson, Hugh Harkin, Neal McLorlan, Patrick McLorlan, Neal Kelly, Patrick Cannon, William George & Family, John George & Family, William Elliot, John Given, Elizabeth Miller, Mary Ann Dixon, John Aikens, Thomas Dixon, Robert Kelly, Robert Miller, John Stevenson, Sohn Scott, William Young, Robert Mansfield, Andrew Collins, James Coslarder, William Smith, Andrew Lindsay, Isabella Lindsay, Charles McFeely, Michael Gillespie, Philip Dougherty, William Dougherty, Daniel McFaul, William Stevenson, Wil. Mathewson, Fanny Young, Owen Mechan, Catherine Mechan, John Boyd, James M Anulty, James Murry, George Carson, James Carson, William Nelson, Gerard Nelson, Robert Hunter, Ann Hunter, John Little & Family, Mary Clark, John Nelson
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Dr. Sara Sharpe of Bowling Green University spoke on oral history at the May meeting of the Henry County Genealogical Society. She defined oral history as a collection and preservation of accounts of historical events by persons who had participated in them or observed them. She gave guidelines for interviews, using open and closed questions and chain questions. She also spoke of the responsibility of finishing any project once it was started.
At the business meeting, it was voted on to do a reasonable amount of time on research for members, using what is available in the Edwin Wood Library. Copies will be done at the regular cost of copies at the library.
Mary Jo Cunninghan, Sect’y
At the June meeting of the Henry County Genealogical Society, the cemetery committee gave a report of townships where stones had been read. The election amendment committee gave a report of their last meeting where they decided to not change the proposals already submitted. There was a query for tutors read and a short item about an 1849 wagon train involving people from Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Gladys Spitler, of Seneca County and Margaret Kelly and Darlene Lewis, of Hancock County, spoke of their experiences publishing cemetery books.
Mary Jo Cunningham, Sect’y
QUERIES
All of the queries listed below are from Connie Baer Petersen, Deshler, OH 43516.
JOLLIFF, LISLIE, BRANDENBURGH
Seek any information on Milliken JOLLIFF. b. ca April 1830, in Butler Co., OH. Served in the Civil War. d. Jan 27, 1890 in Van Wert Co., OH md. Mary (LISLIE?) BRANDENBURGH, May 4, 1856, Butler Co., OH.
CLENDENNING, SPRINGER, LASLEY
Seek any information of Robert CLENDENNIG, son of Samuel Clendenning and Cynthia SPRINGER. b. June 27, 1839. Robert md. Mary LASLEY, March 1, 1866. Possibly at Twenty Nile Stand, OH. Robert d. April 13, 1914, Van Wert Co., OH.
CLENDENNING SPRINGER
Seek information of Samuel CLENDENNING and Cynthia SPRINGER, dau. of Harry SPRINGER, Bedford Co., PA. Samuel b. Oct. 14, 1792, d. May 30 1833, md. Cynthia, June 27, 1816. Cynthia b. March 19, 1792, d. Nov. 6, 1864. OH? PA?
LASLEY, AGNEW, LASLEY, CLENDENNING
Seek information of James LASLEY, b. VA. ca 1820. Wife Rebecca AGNEW, b. PA ca 1820. Had dau. Mary Elizabeth (LASLEY) CLENDENNING. Mary b. March 2, 1842, Butler, Co., OH. d. March 2, 1911, Van Wert Co., OH.
LANTOW, ENGELHART, HUGH
Seek information on Edgar Eugene LANTOW, b. Feb. 11, 1907, Defiance Co., OH. d. ? Defiance. Co., OH. Son of Alex LANTOW and Marie ENGELHART. Alex possible son of John LANTOW and Nancy Mari HUGH?
SPECK, ENGLAND FOWLER, BURT
Seek information of James Henry SPECK, b. March 24, 1854, PA. d. Dec. 2, 1911, Defiance Co., OH. Son of Henry and Mary (ENGLAND) SPECK. md. Caroline FOWLER 1878. dau of Joseph and Mary (BURT) FOWLER. b. Zanesville, OH 1859.
LISK, BROWN, SMITH, WRIGHT, HILLMAN, KNAPP
Seek information of John LISK, a Rev. War soldier, from Middlesex Co., New Jersey. Son of John LISK, md. to Mary BROWN. Mary d. May – Aug. 1838, Middlesex Co., N. J. They had a son Peter LISK. b. ca 1785-1788 probably N. J. d. 1845-1850, “along the road”. 1830 & 1840 census, listed in Franklin Co., OH. md. 1 Deborah SMITH, 1810, N.J. md. 2 Mary WRIGHT, 1817, N.Y. md. 3 Nancy HILLMAN b. 1801, MD. After Peter’s death, Nancy md. Samuel KNAPP.
POHLEN, BEAR
Seek information on Mary Ann POHLEN. b. ca 1815 VA? d. 1856 Putnam Co., OH. md. Samuel BEAR Jan 23, 1834, Stark Co., OH.
CROW, CRAVEN
Seek information of Rachel CRAVEN CROW.. Dau., of ? b. ca 1754, PA? VA? d. 1831 in Columbiana Co., OH. md. Abraham CROW, Sr. Beaks Co., PA.
ENGLISH, LILLIE, WILLIAMS
Seek information of Sarah E.. ENGLISH LILLIE. Dau. of Joseph and Rebecca WILLIAMS ENGLISH. b. ca 1853 Fayette Co., OH.. d. Aug. 31, 1930 Putnam Co., OH. md. William LILLIE ca 1890. Where? Had several other husbands first.
ENGLISH, INGLISH, MOUNDJOY, WILLIAMS
Seek information of Joseph ENGLISH/INGLISH. Son of James and Malinda (MOUNDJOY) ENGLISH. b. ca 1816-1826 where? d. Aug. 4, 1910 Henry Co., OH. md. Rebecca WILLIAMS 1848 Fayette Co. OH.
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
(continued from May-June issue, p. 84)
Under an act of the State Legislature passed during the session of 1834, the civil organization of Henry county was completed, and it was no longer annexed to Williams county, but authorized to elect its own officers, administrate its own affairs, and govern itself. The act made provisions, also, for the appointment of three commissioners, not residents of the county, to whom fell the duty of locating the seat of justice for the county. In the performance of the trust the commissioners visited the county, to view the several localities proposed, heard the arguments of the people, and finally, and with no opposition, or very little, fixed the seat of justice at the town of Napoleon.
By virtue of an act passed June 20, 1835, entitled “An act to erect the county of Lucas” Henry county was called upon to, surrender a portion of her territory to the formation of the new county. It also provided by this act that the counties of Lucas, Darke, Shelby, Mercer, Allen, Van Wert, Putnam, Henry, Wood and Williams, should participate in common election of a representative to the General Assembly of the State, and with the additional county of Miami, should elect one State Senator.
Again, in the year 1845, by an act passed March 4, Henry county was called upon to surrender a part of her territory to the formation of Defiance county, thus taking from her lands on the western border, and her jurisdiction and authority over the part so taken ceased, except as to suits and actions thus pending.
For a third time the county was made to surrender her territory to a new formation, in the year 1850, under an act passed on the 28th day of Feb., creating the county of Fulton.
Henry county occupies a central position among the counties in the section of the State of Ohio, that is usually termed the Northwest. Its boundaries, after formation of the several counties in the region, are as follows: north by Fulton, east by Wood, south by Putnam, and west by Defiance and a small part of Williams.
A term of court, the first in the county, was held at the public house of George Stout, a short distance north of the Maumee River. Judge David Higgins presided upon this occasion, having reached the place by coming up the river on horseback. Unfortunately, the journal of the proceedings of this pioneer court was destroyed by fire upon the occasion of the burning of the frame court-house, in the year 1847, and no record of the same is now obtainable.
It became necessary that for the proper conduct of terms of court, and the administration of the affairs of the county, there should be a court-house, and this became one of the first duties of the commissioners. These officials made an agreement with George Stout that he should build an addition to his log tavern for this purpose. The court-room proper was located on the second floor of the log addition, while the other part was used by ‘mine host’ Stout for the purposes of trade. Court was held but twice a year, so the landlord enjoyed sole possession most of the time, to do with the rooms as he pleased. It was the custom, upon the adjournment of court, for all to participate in a jolly, old-fashioned country dance, in which everyone could participate.
This old log court-house answered the demands of the county for a number of years, but, as the town grew in population, and the county became settled, a more adequate and attractive appearing building became necessary. In the year 1844, the first frame court-house building was erected. It stood near the corner of Perry and Washington streets, about on the site of the present building. It was a plain, two-story structure, with court-rooms on the upper floor, while the offices of the county officials were on the lower or ground floor. It was built by Michael Shuman, and cost about two thousand dollars.
During these years the old jail continued in use as a place of confinement of prisoners and offenders. This log jail stood about south from the present jail, across and on the south side of the canal. As law-breakers became more frequent and desperate, the old building proved no longer secure, and until the first brick court-house was built with the jail in its basement, many of the more serious offenders were taken to Maumee City, and perhaps to a few other places. The most noted escape from the old log jail was that of the murderers of three unoffending Indians.
In the month of April, 1847, by an incendiary fire, the frame courthouse was entirely destroyed, with it all records, books and valuable papers belonging to the several departments of county government, except a few of the tax duplicates, which were saved through the efforts of James G. Haly, then the auditor of the county. The commissioners held a meeting to consider the misfortune, but with no unnecessary delay decided upon the erection of another and more substantial court-house. But at that time there was a serious threat to remove the county seat from Napoleon. With the burning of the courthouse an effort was made to have the county seat moved to Florida by the people on the west of the county, and to Damascus by those residing on the east.
The commissioners then in office were under contract with the firm of James B. Steedman & Co. for the erection of a new county jail, and in fact the work was already started when the fire occurred. For a modest sum the contractors were induced to stop work and surrender their contract. On the 7th of March, 1848, the commissioners adopted a resolution. The result of this resolution and discussion was in the determination of the commissioners to erect new buildings on the site of the old. Two town lots were donated by the proprietors of the town in December, 1849, for additional grounds for this purpose. It was provided that the court-house and jail should be in one building, and that the county officials quarters should be in another, separate from the first. In January 1850, the contract for these buildings was awarded to James Durbin, Achilles Smith and William Russell, at the price of $7,495.75.
This building answered well the needs of the county for many years but, like its predecessor, was doomed to fall a victim to the ravages of fire. On the night of the 8th of November 1879, a fire broke out in what the residents were pleased to call “Dutch Row” and soon spread to the adjoining buildings, and ended in a sweeping and disastrous destruction of property. The court-house “caught fire” from the burning buildings and was soon a mass of ruin and debris. Fortunately, none of the records of the county were destroyed, they being saved before the fire could reach them.
On the 25th of March, 1880, the commissioners entered into a contract with Jacob Karst and William Woodruff for the erection of the new and elegant court-house, an ornament to the village of Napoleon and an honor to the county. The contract price was $79,825, and added to this the cost of furnishing, made the total price about $95,000. At the same time and in the same contract these parties were awarded the work of building the present jail and sheriff’s residence, at the price of $20,000. The jail was completed during the latter part of 1880, but the court-house was not finished until the early months of 1882. During its building Beckmann Hall was used for county and court purposes. These buildings will stand as a last monument to the generosity and public-spiritedness of the people of Henry county, and they can point with much pride to this magnificent structure that bears favorable comparison with any in the State.
(to be continued)
NATURALIZATIONS, Vol. A, Henry Co., OH, copied by Ruth Kieffer
| Name | Became Citizen | Formerly Subject of |
| John Evert | 15 Apr 1854 | King of Hanover |
| George M. Kuller | 15 Apr 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Patrick Conway | 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Barnard McWilliams | Apr 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Michael Roserk | Apr 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Michael Donovan | Apr 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Michael Bourke | Apr 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| George Miller | 1 May 1854 | King of Bavaria |
| Michael Smith | 1 May 1854 | King of Bavaria |
| Samuel Sherman | 27 Apr 1854 | King of Wurttemberg |
| William Goldenster | 1 May 1854 | King of Prussia |
| William Dervers | 12 June 1851 | King of Hanover |
| Peter Luderman | 10 Apr 1852 | King of Hanover |
| John Course | 11 May 1854 | King of Germany |
| Frederick Coleman | 11 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Frederick Delventahl | 11 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Frederick Watchman | 11 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Dietrick Batenhof | 11 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Harman Kruse | 11 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| John M. Cofferty | 11 May 1854 | Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| William S. Edgar | 17 Sept 1854 | Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Nicholas Pretseh | 4 Sept 1854 | King ? |
| Henry Everly | 30 Oct 1854 | King ? |
| James Burns | 15 June 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Jessy McCarty | 15 June 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Michrech C. Bartle | 10 July 1854 | King ? |
| Frederich Sager | 6 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Charles Sager | 6 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Henry Kister | 6 May 1854 | King of Hanover |
| Roderick J. Spelman | 16 Sept 1854 | Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Diedrick Chustoltz | 15 Sept 1854 | Frederick, King of Hanover |
| Patrick Finn | 25 Sept 1854 | Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| John Brown | 25 Sept 1854 | Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Peter Rodgers | 25 Sept 1854 | Queen of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Julian Hulaniski | 22 May 1854 | Nicholas, Emporer of Russia |
NATURALIZATION
(continued from May-June newsletter)
Aliens could go before any court of record and declare their intent to become a citizen after they had resided in the United States for at least three years. Many made the initial declaration to buy land but have no formal citizenship right recorded by the local courts during the nineteenth century. Paying taxes over an established length of time seemed sufficient to grant also the right to vote, hold office and serve on juries. Soldiers, after honorable discharge, were granted citizenship without formal petition.
Even with these exceptions, there are many naturalization records on file before state and federal courts of record. Before 1906, the records were kept by federal, state and local courts. After 1906, copies were forwarded to the Immigration and Naturalization Service as well. Since 1968, uncertified copies of these papers can be requested for research purposes. Write to: Office of Immigration and Naturalization, 425 I Street, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20530.
The Northwest Newspaper, Napoleon, Ohio
26 Nov. 1852
Married on Sunday the 14 inst. by H.H. Van Fleet Esq. Mr. Jacob Lightner to Miss Mariah McCracken all of Liberty Twp. this County.
E. Barnhart appointed Adm. of Lyman Back late of Henry Co. Florida 9 Nov. 1852.
A young man named Battenfield aged about 18 years, son of Solomon Battenfield, residing in Napoleon Twp. was killed last nigh by the falling of a tree. It appears he in company with other young men were hunting coon and having one on a tree his comrades cut it on, the tree falling on his head killing him instantly.
Married on the 14th ult. by E. Carr Esq. Mr. D.B. Scofield to Miss Melissa Austin all of Florida this county.
On the 14th ult. by the same. Mr. D. Truby to Miss Esther D. Heath of the same place.
Married on the 18th ult. by H.H. Van Fleet Esq. Mr. Casteel to Miss Zuba Preston all of Liberty Twp. this county.
Died in this place, after an illness of 5 days, on the 20th ult. Miss Louisa Glass, aged 12 years.
10 Dec. 1852
From Toledo Republican – A frenchman Peter Lovelette, clerk in Mr. Sharatt’s grocery killed last night by two boatman.
A son of Mr. Betts of Wayne (Erie Co. PA) was heating a kettle of spirits of turpentine on a stove with four younger brothers and sisters about him. The father was absent, the mother in an adjoining room when the young man put rosin in the kettle it exploded or boiled over on the floor filling the whole room with flame and gas and striking every person blind and helpless. Mrs. Betts was found strangled by the neighbors and all of her children so burnt that three of them died that night and two remaining were no expected live when last heard from.
Died in California on the 23d Sept. Mr. Alpheus Magill aged 30 years.
31 Dec. 1852
Married on the 12th inst. at Lafayette, Ind. by the Rev. E. D. Long, Doct. Charles Baker to Miss Julia T. Lawrence of Louisville, Kentucky. The Doctor and lady left this morning for Louisville, attended by the following ladies and gentlemen of that place. Misses Fairchild, Cox, Brown, Holiday, and Webster. Messrs. Lawrence, Fithian, Pool, Mitchell, Perkins and Fairchild. The company was joined by a number from this place.
Married on the 23d inst. by James Armstrong Esq. Mr. Jeremiah Glass to Miss Nancy N. Christy all of this place.
H. H. Van Fleet, Justice of Peace of Liberty Twp. an attachment was issued against property and effects of Solomon Knapp an absconding debtor.
14 Jan. 1853
Married on 6th inst. by H. H. Van Fleet Esq. Mr. John Ward to Miss Esther Crosser of Liberty Twp.
