Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 3, Number 2, March-April 1989
MEETINGS
March 16, 1989, Thursday, 7:00 pm
At Edwin Wood Library, Deshler, Ohio. The speaker will be Laura King of Pemberville and her subject will be “First Families of Ohio.”
April 17, 1989, Monday, 7:00 pm
At Edwin Wood Library, Deshler, Ohio. The program will be announced later.
NEW RESEARCH MATERIAL
- The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy
- History of the Bloomdale, Ohio Area Families
- Bloomdale, Ohio Area Obituaries
- Seneca County, Ohio Cemetery Inscriptions, 1987
- Livingston County Cemeteries, Vol. 1
FOR SALE
Pleasant Township Cemetery Inscriptions. Eight cemeteries, 50 pp., $8.00 + $2.00 postage.
History of McClure, Henry Co., Ohio, $2.00 + $1.00 postage.
Vol. 1, Newsletters. October 1986 through December 1987, 60 pp, $3.00 + $1.50 postage.
Vol. 2, Newsletters. January through December 1988, 60 pp, $3.00 + $1.50 postage.
GENERATION CHARTS
In the near future we will be publishing a booklet of the generation charts we now have on file. If you would like your chart included in this issue, please send it to the Henry County Genealogical Society before April 1, 1989.
We would prefer that they be typewritten or plainly printed with a black ink pen. Watch your next newsletter for a publication date and the price.
OBITUARY FILE
Our obituary file consists of note books in which we have put copies of obituaries from local newspapers and those that our members have given us for people in and around Henry County, OH.
We would appreciate copies of any that you may have so we can add them to the file. Names of those who died in 1987 taken from the Northwest Signal were published in Vol. 2 No. 4 and 5 of the newsletter (printed version only).
ARE YOU PLANNING TO MOVE?
Are you planning to move in the near future? If so, please send us your new address as soon as possible. If your newsletter is returned to us because of an incorrect address, then we don’t know where to send it.
JANUARY MEETING
The January meeting of the Henry County Genealogical Society met January 16, at the Edwin Wood Library in Deshler with eleven members present.
The Pleasant Township Cemetery book has been selling with success. Up to date there have been 65 copies sold. It is selling for $8.00 + 2.00 postage. Other cemetery books are in the process of being developed, but have been put on hold for publishing until the society becomes more financially stable.
The annual Ohio Genealogical Society Conference will be held April 28 and 29 at the Holiday Inn in Independence, Ohio.
The election proceedings were amended.
The possibility of beginning a First Families of Henry County was discussed. Following the meeting, members discussed their own successful methods of research.
DAY OF MEETING CHANGED
Please take note of the change of day for our MARCH meeting from MONDAY to THURSDAY. This is because our speaker for the night, Laura King, could not make it on Monday.
RESEARCH MATERIAL
Several of our members have written to ask what kind of research material we have in our library. A complete list of that material is printed in this newsletter. (We are not reproducing it here, because a full listing appears on ourPublications page.)
FAMILY REUNIONS
Are you having a family reunion this summer or fall? Send us the information and we will publish it in the newsletter.
CIVIL WAR LETTERS
In Vol. 2 No. 3 May-June 1988 issue of the newsletter we published some letters from Andrew Altman written to his family while he was in the Civil War. These letters are are in the possession of James E. Jones and are copied exactly as they were written.
From Andrew Altman to John Altman:
Febuary the 5 1862
My dear father it is with pleasure this eavening that I take my pen in hand to tell you that I are well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all well. I have written two letters to you since I have been here and have not recieved one and now i have a good chance to send a one with Micle Nef, our orderly.
So here it goes. we have had one snow about two inches, deep and froze hard till to day. it thawed a little again and we have been a drilling on double quick this wether more than we have since we have been in Camp Chase. and I have been a standing gard over the Seacession twice and that is all i ever stood since i have been in this Camp. and I would not be a bit a fraid to bet that we chould be at home a gainst the 4 of July to help you to pick old gawkys bones. For the way our men has got them fixt they are in a toit place. if i get sight of a rebbel he is my meat for my gun is calculated to shoot 900 yards.
There are some folks here from hancock county. Ed rinehammer is here, the one that was a calling you for a turkey, if you ritly remember. do you?
if i should come home now I would feel lost. the day i left i felt bad but now i are all well of that and if you was here and drild with us a while and here the band and the drums sound, you would make you feel like shottin a rebbel.
Tell Isaac to write a few lines to me if he pleases and put it with yours. We have not got our money yet, nor dont know when we will get it. uncle george and Squire Ed David Hill they are all well to and a taring a round savvage a nouf to eat the Seasessioners up. i must bring my letter to a close so good by.
Di rect your letter to the 68 Ridgment Co. D. In the care of Capt. Crockett.
Excuse me of all my mistakes for i are farea way from home.
From Andrew Altman to John Altman:
Febuary the 8 1862
My dear father i take my pencil in hand to let you know That i are well at Preasant and hope that these few lines May find you in the Same health.
to night we are a taring up to leave to night for Columbus and take the Cars in the morning for kentuckey, Leewis vill. I have wrote two letters to you, one to Isaac. I was standing gard to nite and there was two Dutch men Came a running a Crost my beet and i Run to the middle of the road and Stopped him and drove him back and he did not like it pretty well at all. we expect to have a battle there Some where and they want us to assist. then on the Cars in the morning by 6 o’clock to start for ky. They are a bringing the Rebbles in every day. there were thirteen of our men took 17 of the Seacessioners and they had all the advantage of our men although our men took them.
I love camp life very well. we have all to eat that we want, plenty to ware, and good times and great prospects of the war a ending. it is in the paper that the Rebels in listment is about out and they say that they are a going home. then lots of them is a giving up and a laying down arms. it is frose here a little today, no snow here at all. I saw Edard Rinhammer and Harison Penet and some of the misamores Henry i bilieve is his name. well i must bring my letter to a close, so good by this time.
always direct your letters this way. 68 Reg Co D, In the Care of Capt Crockett, O V U S A. That is rite now, so good by.
MORE ARTICLES
The following article was sent to us from Phyllis Healey, Cortland N. Y. 13045:
From the Defiance Crescent News, Friday, Aug. 13, 1937 (a great genealogical find)
One hundred years ago today, Aug. 13, 1837, the family of Dr. Joram Allen arrived in the little village of Defiance, after making the journey from near Lockport, N. Y. with and ox team and wagon. Dr. Allen’s grand daughter, Mrs. Victoria Allen-Harper, now resides at 822 N. Clinton St.
The family, on its arrival in Defiance, consisted of Dr. Allen, four grown sons; Oramel, Samuel, William and Bushrod; a daughter Maria and a young son, Charles, also Oramel’s young wife Phoebe and her younger sister, Sarah Talbert. Dr. Allen’s wife had died before they left their home in N. Y. to which they had come a few years earlier from Thetford, Vermont.
Of all the family who reached Defiance, all died by the spring of 1856 except young William Allen and Sarah Talbert. All were buried in what is now Riverside cemetery, Defiance. Little Sarah grew up and was married to Robert Carey, whose family history is interwoven with that of Paulding county. Ohio. Mrs. Carey is buried in Paulding County.
Young William Allen married Eliza Jane Carey in the fall of 1848. They later settled on land that Mr. Allen purchased from the government in what is now section 9 of Adams twp., Defiance Co., OH. When they went to build their home the land was covered with virgin forest, with most of the travel to Defiance on horseback, following the blazed trail.
Later, Mr. Allen purchased more land on the south of his farm in the “Prairie”, a swamp where wild grass grew to four feet high and where there were milk snakes, garter snakes and rattle snakes as well as frogs and “hoot” owls. Beaver were often seen busily building their dams and wild turkeys were plentiful. Only “corduroy” roads could cross this swamp land. On the high spots, red raspberries and black berries grew in abundance and people came from miles around to pick them.
Mrs. Harper recalls that her father had a fine apple orchard. She also remembers the swallows around the big barn, the blue birds and especially the whip-poor-wills song.
Mrs. Harper, who was one of the younger of the eight Allen children, is the only survivor. She has three children; Mrs. Victoria Read of Boston, Mass; Mrs. Hattie Baer and Purcell Harper, living on farms originally owned by their Grandfather Allen.
Do any of you have articles such as these? Please send them to us and we will put them in the newsletter as space permits.
Mrs. Healey also sent copies of some obituaries that she has. One of them is printed below, others will be in future newsletters. Phyllis, thank you very much for what you sent us.
Henry Harmon was born 3 Nov. 1853 in Henry Co., OH and died after an illness of 9 weeks on 2 April 1935. He was married 4 June 1874 to Mary Ellen Gehrett, who preceded him in death 10 June 1921. Four children were born to them, all of whom are living; Mrs Stella Heist, Mrs. Laura Conway of Emporia, Kansas; Mrs. Anna Bokeman and Oscar Harmon. Mr. Harmon is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Mary Gehrett; 22 grand children and 13 great grand children.
Mr. Harmon spent his entire life in Henry Co., being a pioneer settler. Interment was made at Forest Hill Cemetery.
QUERIES
FREASE, FRIES, SMOTHERS
Who were the parents of Nettie Frease (Fries) who married William Henry Smothers on Sept. 22, 1888 in Elery in Henry Co., Ohio. Nettie is said to have been raised at “White Farm” at Elery, Ohio.
–Joyce Smothers, Toledo, OH 43611
BENDER
Searching for info on the family of Jacob Bender, died 31 Jan. 1845 in German twp., Lucas Co., OH. Had wife Mary; one son and six daughters.
–Phyllis Healey, Cortland, N.Y. 13045
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.
–Connie Baer Petersen, Deshler, OH 43516
ENGLISH, LILLIE, WILLIAMS
Seek information on Sarah E. English Lillie, d/o Joseph and Rebecca Williams English. b. ca 1853 Fayette Co., OH. d. Aug. 31, 1930 Putnam Co., OH. md. Willian Lillie ca 1890. Where? She had several other husbands first.
–Connie Baer Petersen, Deshler, OH 43516
CLENDENEN, CLENDENNING, LASKEY, AGNEW
Seek information of James Lasley, b. VA. ca 1820. Wife Rebecca Agnew, b. PA ca 1820. Had daughter Mary (Lasley) Clendenen. Mary b. March 2, 1842, Butler Co., OH, d. March 2, 1911, Van Wert Co., OH.
–Connie Baer Petersen, Deshler, OH 43516
HARDY, THOMPSON
Researching descendents of John Casper Hardy, b. 12 Oct. 1810, Frederick, MD, md. Rachel P. Thompson 13 Mar. 1834 in Berkeley Co., W. VA. children: Jacob, Joseph, David, Rachel, Sarah, Ann. Resided Texas, Henry Co., OH, 1857 on.
–Jack and Jeannine Hardy, Swanton, OH 34558
KERSTETLER, TUBBS, HARDY
Researching descendents of Daniel Kerstetler who md. Nancy Ann Tubbs, Stark Co., OH. Daughter Lydia md. David W. Hardy, 1874, Henry Co. Resided Texas, Henry Co., OH.
–Jack and Jeannine Hardy, Swanton, OH 43558
LEACH, COZZENS
Need information on Austin Leach who md. Matilda Cozzens, 1838 in Bucks Co., PA. Resided 1850 Wabash Co., Ind, 1860 in Henry Co., OH. d. 10 May 1870 Henry Co., OH.
–Jack and Jeannine Hardy, Swanton, OH 34558
LEACH, GREEN, BAKER
Need information on Ira Leach and wife, Anna Green? md. 2 Sept. 1866, Henry Co., OH. Daughter Mary b 31 July 1867, Henry Co., OH md. Andrew Baker.
–Jack and Jeannine Hardy – 205 Clark St. – Swanton, OH 43559
GORDON, SMITH, DOUNHAM
Looking for a cousin, Virginia Gordon (born about 1927) daughter of Irene Smith Gordon (born 1899). Parents of Irene were Watt A. and Frances Dounham Smith of Deshler.
–Mrs. Gerald W. Morris, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
POTES, BRETTS
In search of any relatives of David Potes (1859 – 1910) who lived in Richfield Twp., Henry Co., OH on the property now owned by Bretts (Bretz) BRETZ family.
–Mr. James Lonsinger, Walhonding, OH 43843
DUNN, McMILLEN, MARTZ
Looking for Mrs. R. T. Dunn and Mr. Charles McMillen from Malinta, Henry Co., OH who attended the funeral of Catherine McMillen Marts in 1914 in Pleasant Mills, IN.
–Vivian Boerger, Shelton, Washington 98584
The above queries were received in the corresponding secretaries mail and are printed here in the hopes that some one may know some information about the people that are being looked for.
RESEARCH MATERIAL AT THE EDWIN WOOD LIBRARY FOR GENEALOGY
For a complete listing of research material available (books, CDs and microfilms) at the Wood Library in Deshler, see our Edwin Wood Library page. To see a complete listing of publications that we offer for sale, please see ourPublications page, which also has instructions on ordering materials and the current prices.
The North West Newspaper, Napoleon, Ohio
17 May 1854
Lost on 3d or 4th inst. near Napoleon a small memorandum book containing $10, a note of hand drawn in favor of D.C. Harris, or bearer by Jno. McElroy for $165 and dated Delaware, Ohio in Sept. 1853 due in one year with 10% interest, a judgment note given at Marion, Ohio about fall of 1852 by Horace Strong and J. T. Anderson to Jane L. Harris or order (not signed by her) for $184.25 due in one year with interest at 10% after maturity and about 50 cents in postage stamps. Ten dollars reward will be paid by Renselaer Hudson, Recorder, Napoleon and any information leading to its recovery. All persons are cautioned against purchase of said notes as they were fraudulently obtained, and that payment will be stopped.
7 June 1854
On Thursday 1 June 1854 by Rev. Mr. Morse, John A. Simon Esq., Attorney at Law of Bryan, Williams County and Miss Elizabeth Emery of Swanton, Fulton County.
Adm. Sale at door of Court House, Napoleon, 6 day of July 1854 real estate belonging to Robert Sturgeon, dec’d, undivided 1/9 part of South half of NW qtr. of Sect. 12, Twp. 4N, Range 8 East. Appraised $300 subject to widows dower. M. R. Sturgeon, Adm.
