Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 3, Number 2, May – June 1989
MEETINGS
May 15, 1989, Monday, 7:00 pm
At Edwin Wood Library, Deshler, Ohio. There will be a demonstration of use of the microfilm reader-printer and material available to use on it.
June 19, 1989, Monday, 7:00 pm
At Edwin Wood Library, Deshler, Ohio. Jane Yarnell of Napoleon, Ohio, will speak on Mayflower descendants.
EDITOR’S NOTES
This will be the last newsletter for me as editor. I have enjoyed doing the paper for the past two years, and I want to thank everyone who has contributed articles and research material so that I would be able to fill the pages. Without your help, this newsletter would not be possible. Keep on giving.
FOR SALE
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.
The booklet, “A Description of Deshler, Ohio with Profiles of Businessmen from The Deshler Flag January 29, 1897” is now available for $2.00 plus $1.50 postage and handling. It includes information on the history of Deshler, its manufacturing and business interests, churches, schools and fire protection.
There are also business sketches which sometimes include biographical information about the following businessmen: W. S. Gehrett, W. H. Page, Florin Giauque, _____ House, ______ Hefflinger, D. D. Donovan, ______ Dunn, _____ Reddersen, _____ Wiedenroth, J. C. H. Elder, _____ Rangler, A. W. Lee, M. R. Brooks, John Donovan, C. S. Witham, Homer Stevenson, Stafford Bros., Eger Bros., C. L. Huttinger, D. E. Kramer, E. J. O’Hearn, O. L. Norris, John Vogt, McCrory Bros., W. H. Shattengerger, J. B. Geib, Daniel Donovan, A. A. Suber, W. G. Eberly, Dr. T. M. Gehrett, C. F. Davis, T. J. Edwards, H. L. House, John Gribbell, Dr. J. H. Lathrop, _____ Rice, Mrs. A. R. Nanna, W. H. Darby, Dr. W. M. Conn, F. H. Monthaven and Fleck Bros.
Soon to be available: A second booklet, “Representative Firms of Deshler from the Deshler Flag March 2, 1900” at a cost of $2.00 plus $1.50 postage and handling. The following businessmen are included: Mrs. A. R. Nanna, Bara Calahan, H. C. Cole, C. F. Davis, Dr. Sherman Cook, Chas. A. Lueders, W. W. Campbell, A. F. Thompson, R. J. Rangler, H. A. Dunn, M. R. Brooks, W. H. Harper, Jr., A. J. Meihls, Dr. James Lathrop, Wm. Sheffield and his wife, (blacksmith), J. C. H. Elder, M. Spangler, A. W. Lee, W. H. Page, J. W. Page, C. V. Page, J. W. Dipman, W. E. Hunter, A. A. Suber, Jesse Morehart, W. H. Shattenberger, David Lytle, Frederick D. Prentis, Vincent J. Waltz, C. Beckman, E. J. O’Hearn, D. D. Donovan, E. N. Warden, J. B. Gribbell, L. Baughman, L. E. Long, Stephen Schon, Dr. A. H. Barber, Harry Fayram, S. A. Jones, Wm. Buck, Roy Buck, _____ Gilchrist, and _____ Howe.
If any of your readers are researching genealogy in Ontario and would like help on where to write, etc., I am willing to help any way that I can. I am not a professional genealogist. This is a spare time hobby which I enjoy doing very much.
With each request please enclose two International Reply (IR) coupons (available at the post office) or some money to help cover the cost of postage. Looking forward to hearing from your readers in the months ahead. Ted Wallace, Brantford, Ont., Canada N3R6Z8
Deshler Flag, Sept. 21, 1900
Quite a Family. A remarkable birth is reported from Mary’s Home, a little town in Missouri. Mrs. Henry Smith, wife of a tie maker, became the mother of five boys at one time on Sunday last. They are reported to be well and weigh a total of thirty pounds. Smith, according to reports, has a remarkable family. He has been married about seven years and is the father of sixteen children. Only one time has there been born a single baby at a single birth. There are two pair of twins, two pair of triplets and the quintet just born..
QUERIES
DENNIS, TRAVIS, DILDINE, ROOD
Seeking information on Mary Ann Dennis Travis and Emma J. Dennis Dildine. Mary Ann was b. 1857 and Emma b. 1858. Also seeking any information on Francis and Franklin Rood who were in Henry Co., OH in the 1880s. Other surnames I am researching are: Lepley, Thomas, McCollough, Mockerman, Mitchell, Brady, Simon, Rose, Smith, Par and Diehl.
–Gladys Dennis, Casselberry, FL 32707
WENSINGER, OEDY
Am interested in information on Edward Wenzinger. He married Mary Oedy. They had adopted daughter Lily. Edward d. 19 April 1909. They lived in the Hamler area. Edward had a sister, Caroline, who married Valentine Oedy. Would like to know Edward and Caroline’s parents names and if there were other brothers and sisters, etc.
–Diana (Oedy) Meyer, Ottawa, OH 45875
ERFORD, KLAUS
Am interested in locating pictures of Henry Sr. and Josephine (Klaus) Erford. I have some of Henry but have been unable to
locate any pictures of Josephine Klaus Erford, my g-grandmother.
–Diana Meyer, Ottawa, OH 45875
BULLION
Looking for information on a cousin, John Bullion, who was around Deshler and worked in Iron Foundry around 1900.
–Howard Romaker, Hermann, MO. 65041
(Cor. Sec. note: Could the Iron Foundry be Suber Foundry?)
HARRA, HARRAS, WENDT, GUSSCHA, HOOPS
Am looking for any information at all on Frederick Harra/Harras who married Dora Gusscha (Wendt?). Frederick b. 1833 d. 1914. Dora b. 1839 d. 1909. They had a daughter Louise (Lucy) who married Johann Henry Ludwig Hoops. Frederick and Dora lived in Defiance and Paulding Counties, OH.
–Harold Petersen, Deshler, OH 43516
HOW OUR COUNTIES GOT THEIR NAMES
by Jim Baker, 1963
ALLEN COUNTY
Allen County was formed from Indian territory in 1831. It took its name from Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary war hero. The first place in the county to be occupied by whites was Fort Amanda, built on the west bank of the Auglaize River in 1812. Lima is the present county seat.
DEFIANCE COUNTY
Defiance County was formed March 1, 1845, from Henry, Williams and Paulding Counties. It took its name from General Anthony Wayne’s nearby stockade Fort Defiance. “Mad Anthony” Wayne built Fort Defiance in 1794, during his famous and successful campaign against the Ohio Indians. Wayne declared the fort strong enough “to defy the devil”, hence, the name Defiance, the county seat.
HANCOCK COUNTY
Hancock County was formed April 1, 1820. It was named for John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress and the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. The early settlers at Findlay found gas that would burn coming out of the ground. When it was discovered how valuable were the gas and oil deposits nearby, Findlay became a big city overnight, and is the county seat.
HENRY COUNTY
Henry County was formed April 1, 1820 from a part of the old Indian territory. The county was named in honor of the orator of the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry. In the early days, a great portion of Henry County was covered by the famous “Black Swamp”, a marshland of about 120 miles in length, and an average of 40 miles wide. Napoleon is the county seat.
PUTNAM COUNTY
Putnam County was formed from old Indian territory on April 1, 1820. It was named in honor of General Israel Putnam, who was born at Salem, Mass. in 1718, and died in 1790. Israel was a noted soldier of both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. He was a cousin of General Rufus Putnam, one of the leading founders of the settlement at Marietta. Ottawa is the county seat.
WOOD COUNTY
Wood County was formed from old Indian territory on April 1, 1820. It was named for one Col. Wood, an engineer in the War of 1812, who built Fort Meigs. Fort Meigs stood on the banks of the Maumee River near present day Perrysburg. The fort was named for Gov. R. J. Meigs, and it withstood heavy siege by both British and Indians in 1813. The county seat is Bowling Green.
Deshler Flag, Deshler, Ohio
5 Jan. 1900
The holidays were made glad for Mr. & Mrs. Andy Rowell by the coming of their nine children. Those present were: William, of Sidney; Lucinda Babock, of Jackson Center; A. J., of Tama Co., Iowa; Vince, of Fostoria; L. J., of Munising, Mich.; Dave and George of Muncie; Chris, of Avis, Oh.; and Mrs. Henry Young, of Deshler. Katie, a daughter, living in Brooklyn, N.Y. was unable to get here.
A little girl of Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Croninger, aged about 9 yrs. died very suddenly Mon. from a relapse with fever.
On Sun. the 24th of Dec. Rev. L. Sharp united Mr. Theodore Osenbaugh and Miss Bertha M. Shively in holy wedlock at the home of her parents at Oakdale.
Howard Miller, son of D. C. Miller, was married by Rev. Williams on Dec. 23rd to Miss Florence Bretburner.
Miss Almeda Stevenson of Deshler was married on Dec. 26 to John W. Sellers, of Grand Rapids, by Henry Meeker, J. P.
Mr. & Mrs. E. A. Blakeley’s Christmas present arrived a little behind schedule. Dr. Cook informs us that it is a boy, born Dec. 28.
12 Jan. 1900
Mrs. Eva Beard, of Deshler was married to Mr. George D. Johnston of McClure on Dec. 31st.
Jud Measel, a teacher at Grelton, was married last week to a Miss Oakley, of near Holgate.
19 Jan. 1900
A boy was born to Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Vanhorn last Thursday.
A twelve pound girl was born to Mr. & Mrs. John Mailberger last Friday.
A boy was born to Mrs. Cecil Jameson this Thursday morning.
26 Jan. 1900
John Hudson, a resident of Liberty Twp. died at his home two miles south of Liberty Center, Wed. morning, Jan. 17
2 Feb. 1900
W. H. McKee, a victim of the recent fire at Hamler, will open a new store in the building occupied by Mr. Steve Collins. We understand that Mr. Collins will move back on his farm.
Mr. Joseph Welfle, the Hamler blacksmith who was burned out two or three weeks ago, will erect a two-story brick on the site of the old building.
Mr. W. B. Vermilga and Miss Mary R. Brink were married at the home of her parents in Bartlow Twp. on Thurs, Jan 25, by Rev. W. J. Easterbrook.
9 Feb. 1900
Mr. Chas. Lillie, of Deshler was married to a young lady from Muncie.
Miss Liller Bavis, of Deshler, a daughter of Mr. A. Bavis, was married to Mr. Cinda, of Muncie.
Mr. Ernest Itill and Miss Dora Reigle were married at the home of the bride’s mother Tues. evening by Squire Long.
Charles Priest and Martha Brethinger, both of Jackson Twp., have been granted a Wood Co. marriage license.
Mr. Oliver Freeman and Miss Nettie Cramer, living over in the edge of Wood Co. went to Bowling Green last Fri. and were married by Rev. Wright. The bride is the daughter of Levi Cramer.
16 Feb. 1900
In another column it will be seen that Mr. H. D. Helmke will have a large public sale of livestock on Thurs. March 1.
Mrs. F. Knoke, living south of town, never forgets to remember the FLAG. Sat. night she brought us a pail of fresh smear-cream.
23 Feb. 1900
HAMLER – Will Precht spent Sunday in Okolona. O. A. Stuve was a Napoleon visitor Tues. We are sorry to state that Mr. Hudson Davidson, who has been quite sick with typhoid fever, has had a relapse. Miss Lulu Parker returned to her home in Fostoria last Thurs., after spending several days with Mrs. Wm. Barhite.
Quite a pretty wedding was solemnized at the Catholic church last Thurs. The contracting parties were Miss Katie Boley, of Hamler, and Mr. John Brickners, of New Cleveland, OH.
John W. Dunbar, of Richfield Twp., has applied for a divorce from his wife Sarah, charging willful absence.
Married, at the home of the bride, on Tues. morning, 20 Feb., by Rev. J. Richards, Mr. Harry Piddock and Miss Vic Tice.
People performing in the minstrel show are: Will Page, Clem Page, Arthur Barr.
Squire L. E. Long has been chosen Mayor of Deshler, to take the place of D. D. Donovan, who has moved to Napoleon.
2 March 1900
The liberal donations made to Mr. B. M. Butler and his family shows that Deshler is surely composed of sympathetic and kind-hearted people.
The little three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kinn accidentally fell into a pan of boiling water Monday and was severely scalded.
A great big boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sipe, on W. Main St., Wednesday.
Mr. James Beck and Miss Ellen Bellefeuille, of West Bartlow, were married by Squire Long Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Herman Guilde, the reliable shoe dealer at Hamler, had 1,000 bills issued from this office this week announcing a closing out sale of heavy winter foot wear.
9 March 1900
John Sevada informs us that it is a boy and arrived last Sat.
Henry Sheely is the proud possessor of a brand new boy at his home.
A baby girl was born to Mrs. Frank English one day this week. Frank is now putting on more airs than he ever did while acting as drum-major in the band.
You won’t see Frank Knoke in town for a while. The big bouncing boy which put in an appearance at his home last week is demanding his attention.
Avery Curtis and wife are rejoicing over the arrival of a girl at their home last Monday evening.
Deshler Flag, Deshler, OH, 21 April 1899
Two Sisters Are Reunited After Years of Separation. Reads Like a Romance
A story that reads like a romance was brought out Tuesday after two sisters who had never know the existence of each other had been brought together.
Seventeen years ago John & Susan Bandent, living in Frenchtown, near Toledo, died, leaving five children–three sons and two daughters. The children were placed in St. Vincent’s Orphans’ Home in Toledo. May, the eldest of the two girls, was four, and Elizabeth was one year old. May was adopted by Patrick Haggerty and wife, of Delphos, and Elizabeth was taken by Wm. Schnels and wife, of Ottawa, OH. They were reared within eighteen miles of each other, yet neither learned of the existence of her sister. Their brothers were also taken by good families and James and Joseph Bandent are now living in Frenchtown. John, the youngest son, died some eight years ago. Recently Elizabeth became aware of the existence of her brother, John, but learned that he was dead. She made inquiry of the Mother Superior of the Orphans’ Home regarding him and was informed that she had a sister living in Delphos. Inquiry developed the fact that May was employed as a dining-room girl at the Harrod Hotel in that city, and accompanied by her foster mother, Elizabeth went there, met her sister, explanations were made and the meeting was a most affectionate one. The young ladies are now in Delphos at the home of May’s foster parents and will remain some time.
During the past eight years Elizabeth was a frequent visitor to Delphos from Ottawa, met and became a warm friend of May, but they did not know each other for the reason that they used the names of their foster parents, and no reference was made to their early life. They will endeavor to learn something regarding their parents, their burial place, etc.
