Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 24, Number 6, November-December 2010
A PUBLICATION OF:
THE HENRY COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
P. O. BOX 231
DESHLER, OHIO 43516
www.henrycountyohiogenealogy.org
The Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter is now published bi-monthly. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted. The Newsletter is copyright protected, but the Society gives permission for material to be copied for personal research and to other chapter newsletters for their use. Any other use of this material should carry written permission from the Henry County Genealogical Society and acknowledge the source. Annual membership is $10.00 for 1-2 people at the same address.
Meetings will be held quarterly or as announced in the newsletter. Publications for sale are listed on the last page with the newest ones appearing on the first page.
We print all queries that are related to Henry County – membership is not required. Send queries to Henry Co. Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 231, Deshler, OH 43516 or to the editor as “Query” at wendypen@wcnet.org. After May 2016, queries may be directed to our website and will appear there.
Officers:
President – Jim Rebar
Vice President – Phyllis LaRue
Treasurer/Membership Chmn. – Lucille Van Scoyoc
Corresponding Secretary – Phyllis LaRue
Recording Secretary and First Families Chmn. – Kathy Bishop
News Reporter – Clara Ellen Courtney
Newsletter Editor – Karen Sunderman
Webmaster – Jim Rebar
Meetings
November 15, 2010, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
First Families Recognition and carry-in dinner. Lucille Sunderman will be speaking on the Hannover Settlement of Henry County. Please bring two dishes to pass. Beverages will be provided.
December 2010, No Meeting
Enjoy the holidays!
January 17, 2011, Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Program will be a video from the PBS program “Faces of America” regarding DNA and other scientific means to determine your background.
New Members
#491 Jan D. Morey, Napoleon, OH 43545
#492 Julia Chase, Haskins, OH 43525
#493 Patricia Marshall, Deshler, OH 43516
Membership is $10 per year. Dues are paid the first of each year and newsletters are mailed from that date. Please address correspondence to the website, the editor, or to our P. O. Box. Include your membership # (on address label). All Henry Co. queries are printed free.
Publications
Deshler Flag Obituaries Vol. XXIII (2007-2009), which is priced at $12.00 and Northwest Signal Obituaries Vol. XXIII (2009) — formerly advertised as two books priced as one, but we were able to staple it into one big book, which will cost $22.00. Each of these will also have a $2.00 charge for postage and handling.
Let’s Finish This
We still need help transcribing cemeteries. This is computer work and can be done from your home. Please email Jim Rebar and offer to help.
QUERIES
No new queries this month.
FAMILY HISTORIES DONATED
Two sets of family information have been donated to the Deshler Edwin Wood Memorial Library, where our collection is housed. One is a set of papers containing information on the BAUM(S) family of Harrison Twp., originating in Mosberg, Germany through Berks Co., PA. It includes information on the death of Elizabeth ALTMAN BAUM and was contributed by Sara BARNETT of Melbourne, FL.
The second is a book entitled “Town Girl Marries Country Boy, 300+ Years of Kinfolk” with family research by Rose Rombeiro and was compiled and edited by Mary Betley. Areas of settlement include Ohio, VA, PA, NY, KN, MD, WV, NJ, IN, MI, and Germany. Surnames are Scott, Miers/ Myers, Brown, Hamilton, Cowdrey, Jones, Roberts, Veiles, Markey, Leidy, Kinney, Reimund, Clemenger, Harman, Leech and Willoughby and others. This book is 465 pages with documentation, family stories and photographs. There is no index. Mary Betley proved Austermiller, Reimund, Dawber, Kinney, and Jones ancestors for First Families of Henry Co. in 2009.
THE INEVITABLE LAWS OF GENEALOGY
The records you need for your family history were in the courthouse that burned.
John, the son of Thomas, the immigrant your relatives claim as immigrant ancestor, died on board ship at the age of twelve.
The public ceremony in which your distinguished ancestor participated when the platform under him collapsed turned out to be a hanging.
Records show that the grandfather, of whom the family boasted, “He read the Bible at four years and graduated from college at sixteen,” was at the foot of his class.
From The Deshler Flag, January 29,1897
This issue of the Deshler Flag was devoted to a review of the history of Deshler and promotion of the businesses.
O. L. NORRIS
Physician and surgeon, he is a graduate of the Detroit Medical College, has gained a rank high in our professional column. He is a young man well read in medicines, and is building up for himself a remunerative practice. Of course the health of this community is such as not to allow a doctor to become rich, but sickness and babies will occur in the best regulated families, you know, no matter what else comes, and the services of a physician is always more or less needed. The doctor is a clever, social gentleman, and has a host of friends who wish him well.
JOHN VOGT
Another old-timer in Deshler circles, who has traveled with the ups and downs of the difficult task of establishing a new town, and has weathered the storm. For years he was one of our foremost merchants, but, being elected to the Ohio Senate a year ago last fall, he retired from business to serve his constituents. At present, during the recess of that body, he is working life insurance, representing the New York Life Co., one of the best old=line companies in existence, and judging from the large number of policies he has written lately we should say that he has not missed his calling by any means. Mr. VOGT is an enterprising citizen, and is never satisfied unless he is pushing ahead in some good cause.
THE LUNCH ROOM
and saloon of McCRORY BROS, has its share of trade in this line. These gentlemen are courteous to their customers, and when it comes to a “hand out” set out as good a lunch as can be found anywhere. The brothers are peculiarly divided—George is the fisherman and Sam the hunter, and we wish to add right here that no two men in this county take more pleasure in this sport than the McCRORY brothers. If you want to secure pointers in this line drop in and see them just after they have returned from one of their trips—they’ll tell you how it’s done. In short, when you are hungry or dry’ or want to hear a good tale, they can fit you out in true metropolitan style.
THE DESHLER BARGAIN STORE
by W. H. SHATTENBERGER, is an establishment that Deshler could illy do without. Here you will find everything from a hair pin up to the most useful article needed in a house, store, office or shop. It is simply a large and rare collection of almost everything that is made and sold. A good point to add right here, too, is that Mr. SHATTENBERGER is the man fitted for the place. Every new novelty finds a place on his bargain counter as soon as out, and his stock in trade and the prices quoted, would put to shame many of his competitors in larger towns. Everything in the house is either useful or ornamental, and cheap and we are confident that his efforts to supply the public in this line of goods is fully appreciated by our generous citizens. It is well worth your time to look through his stock and see what a big bundle of goods you can buy for a dollar. Try it once.
J. B. GEIB
proprietor of the City Restaurant, where warm meals and lunch are served, at all hours, at very moderate prices. Mr. GEIB keeps everything about the place neat and clean, and has a (k)nack of serving dainty dishes to suit the tastes of his customers. He also carries a lull line of confectionery, tobacco and cigars, besides being retail agent for bread, pies and cakes for one of our bakeries. Mr. GEIB is a model young man, full of thrift and enterprise, and ought to succeed if push will do it. His place of business is the third door east of the C., H., and D. track, and we extend for him a general invitation to the public to give him a call when in need of anything in his line.
DANIEL DONOVAN’S
favorite resort is the place where all the “boys” hang out to while away the long hours when they have nothing to do. Daniel has the reputation of keeping on tap the best and finest brands of liquors, and when he tells you that it is ten or fifteen year old goods you can depend upon what he says. Mr. DONOVAN is a whole-souled fellow at all times about whom there is such an attraction that the boys all like him.
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP
operated by Mr. A. A. SUBER, is another industry that is of vast importance to Deshler. They do all kinds of casting and machine work, and what is more interesting, the plant has secured two or three new patents to manufacture, which in connection with those already in hand, adds quite a number of new men to the force of employees. They are making a laundry ironing machine which is bound to become popular and create a big demand; a feed mill and a patent plow point. These already have a large sale, keeping the men busy filling orders. Mr. SUBER is a practical mechanic himself and all the work is done under his supervision. They make a specialty of repairing boilers and engines, and all work is done with neatness and dispatch. He is also our coal dealer, supplying the wants in this line promptly. Call and see this busy industry. [Ed. Note: This business, begun in 1876, is still operating—four generations later]
W. G. EBERLY
of the Opera House Grocery, never loses an opportunity to supply the public with staple goods, and buys so that he can sell the cheapest. He has a nice stock of goods and is pushing ahead to capture his share of the trade. Mr. EBERLY is one of our new-comers, but takes hold of the business like an old hand, and we are pleased to note that he has, of late, been wonderfully increasing his trade. He also has a bakery in connection, which has its share of the business. Orders for pastry for parties or suppers will receive prompt attention. Don’t forget EBERLY, the grocer.
HISTORY OF MONROE TOWNSHIP 1888
Abstracted from History of Henry and Fulton Counties. OH edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich and other references
Cut out of the “Big Woods,” this township was once a hunting ground for the sportsman and the natives. It was organized in 1850, being detached from Harrison. The tax duplicates of 1851 show only seven chattel taxpayers: Samuel E. EDWARDS, William HILL, Michael HILL, Waite HILL, Jr., Christopher KEMM, Matthias KNOPSLEY, Amonah PARKINSON, and Paulus QUITMAN.
Samuel EDWARDS was the author of a book entitled Ohio Hunter, which described many encounters with black bear and other wildlife which the current generation would find amazing.
By 1860 the township grew to include 352 residents and in 1888 the population was about 1,500 with nine school districts and five churches, all Protestant. The United Brethren church was situated near Levi DRESBECK’s property. Other early settlers were David LATTA, Matthew HILL, Daniel and W. H. BIGFORD, Rev. Williamson BARNHILL, Charles HUBER, John BENSING, John FRANKFORTHER, Peter REIMOND, John B. MEYERS, Rev. Frederick WITZGALL, and Jacob SNYDER.
For many years this township remained relatively undeveloped, with the growth beginning after the construction of the Toledo, Delphos and Burlington Railroad (later called the Cloverleaf). The lands are low, flat, level and were wet, requiring considerable drainage with the Turkeyfoot Creek being the main natural water course. By 1888 three-fourths of the land was under cultivation.
Herrtown, or Elery, was plotted by Peter RITTER in 1881. An early resident, Frederick MUELLER, was well-known for carving wooden shoes for the inhabitants.
Grelton is located in the comer of the townships of Harrison, Damascus, Richfield and Monroe and was laid out by Eli C. CLAY in the same year according to one source and was platted by William MEAD in 1880 according to another. Andrew H. BALLARD was the first postmaster. Because of the Cloverleaf Railroad and readily available timber, the town prospered. Early businesses included the Anthony WILFORD sawmill and the DEWEY Stave Company.
Among the first teachers were Cynthia SHIVELY EMERY and Asa SENTER. A frame school was built by Al SHIVELY in 1864 and later a brick school was constructed on the south edge of town on the Charles BOULTON farm. Due to stock bequeathed by a relative of Wilford NICHOLS, a graduate of Grelton School, the cemetery (also known as HOY Cemetery) is one of the richest in the nation.
The principal village in the township is Malinta, laid out and platted by John BENSING in 1880. It had four dry goods stores, two saloons and restaurants, one saw mill, a stave factor}’, a tile and brick factory, a picture gallery, blacksmith shops, a shoemaker, a railroad station, and expresss telegraph, post office, and two churches, one Lutheran and one United Brethren.
Although, like much of southern Henry County, the development of the township depended upon exploitation of the natural timber and the industries needed for drainage, the area is now mainly agricultural.
LAND, TOWN LOTS AND CHATTEL RETURNED DELINQUENT
By the Treasurer of Henry County January 11, 1853. More information on the taxes owed is in the book, but not included here These were early settlers or landowners in these townships.
All in Monroe Township:
| Owner’s Name | Section | Description | Acres |
| BECKFORD, Jacob BLOUGH, John DUNELO, George DUNELO, Andrew GILSON, S. D. HUNT, John E. HARRIS, James HARRIS, James HARRIS, James HILL, William HILL, Abner HILL, Wm. Jr. KEEZER, Mary METCALF, S. OH, State of ” ” ” ” ” ” ” POTTER, Benjamin PATRICK, L. L. ROWAN, J. M. REESE, Daniel SEYMOUR, Wm. H. THARP, Nathan |
10 6 19 18 19 13 24 25 25 17 8 17 34 19 2 24 13 12 21 11 35 28 31 29 28 4 26 17 |
N 1/2 SW S 1/2 SW S 1/2 NW W 1/2 SW N 1/2 W W 1/2 SE SW 1/4 S 1/2 NW 1/2 NW SW SW NW SE NW SW NE 1/4 W 1/2 NE NE 1/4 NE 1/4 E 1/2 NE NE Pt NW 1/4 W Pt NW N 1/2 SW 1/4 N 1/2 SE NW 1/4 NE 1/4 E 1/2 SE NW 1/4 W 1/2 SE |
80 80 80 80 80 80 160 80 80 40 40 40 160 80 160 160 80 160 160 100 320 160 80 160 160 80 160 80 |
FIRST FAMILIES OF HENRY COUNTY 2010
Congratulations to the new First Families members who have proven ancestors for First Families of Henry County. Gold = in Henry County before 31 Dec 1870. Silver = in Henry County before 31 Dec 1885.
| Barbara (Schall) Young of Piqua, OH, has proven the following: | |||
| George Micheal Schall | 1878 | Silver | |
| Bertha D. (Ward) Schall | 1880 | Silver | |
| Amos Addison Ward | 1870 | Gold | |
| Elizabeth (Starkey) Ward | 1870 | Gold | |
| Jacob Starkey | 1870 | Gold | |
| Peter Schall | 1870 | Gold | |
| Christina Barbara (Bauer) Schall | 1870 | Gold | |
| John Henry Schall | 1844 | Gold | |
| Margaret Anna (Horning) Schall | 1844 | Gold | |
| Sandra Drabik of Toledo, OH has proven the following: | |||
| Thomas Jennings | 1869 | Gold | |
| Bridget Ellen Shinners | 1869 | Gold | |
| Charles Martin Jennings | 1870 | Gold | |
| Heidi Brush of Acme, PA has proven the following: | |||
| Zinthia Lewis (Curtis) Parker | 1850 | Gold | |
| Seth Lewis Curtis | 1850 | Gold | |
| George A. Hildred | 1863 | Gold | |
| Miranda (Cullen) Hildred | 1863 | Gold | |
| Elizabeth Potts of Elida, OH has proven the following: | |||
| Thomas Barron | 1870 | Gold | |
| Sharon Whitney of San Luis Obispo, CA has proven the following: | |||
| John A Edgar | 1860 | Gold | |
