Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter

Volume 2, Number 5, September-October 1988

MEETINGS

September 17, 1988, Monday, 7:00 pm

At Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 900 Webster St.

October 17, 1988, Monday, 7:00 pm

At Edwin Wood Library, Deshler, OH. A workshop and regular meeting for discussion.

Bake-less Bake Sale

    The time has come for us to do something to replenish our treasury somewhat. At the Sept. 19 meeting, we will be holding a bake-less bake sale. With the weather being so hot, no one really wants to make their home hotter by using the oven, so we are asking for a money donation equal to at least 2 plates of baked goods. If you cannot attend the meeting, and you wish to contribute, just mail your donation to The Henry County Genealogical Society.

For Sale

    History of McClure, Henry Co., OH. $2.00 plus $1.00 postage.

CEMETERY COMMITTEE REPORT

The cemetery committee has worked very, hard the past year on our cemetery inscription reading project.
We are working on them geographically, starting at the southeast corner of the county. The townships of Bartlow, Marion, Pleasant, Richfield, and Monroe have been completed and Flatrock has been started and hopefully can be completed yet  this fall. We also have genealogical society members working in Washington, Damascus and  Harrison Townships. Our next step is to have our inscription readings published in booklet form.
The books will be done either in single townships or by combining two or three in one book, if there are only a few cemeteries in each township. The combination books will be done by placing adjoining townships together.
Along with the inscription readings the book will include county and township maps, a brief township history, pertinent cemetery information and a complete index. Watch our next newsletter for publication dates and cost of the books.
Thanks to the ladies in the Recorders Office of the Henry County Court House, we have maps of almost all of the cemeteries in the county. The maps  are a big help in reading the cemeteries as they show the layout of the cemetery, showing sections and rows. Cemetery maps will also be in the book.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COPY A CEMETERY, OR ALL THOSE IN A TOWNSHIP IN YOUR AREA please contact the committee chairman, Phyllis LaRue or Lucille VanScoyoc. We need to know who is working where so we do not duplicate assignments.
Phyllis LaRue, Comm Chairman

    The Williams County Genealogy Society has invited us to attend their next meeting, which will be held on September 12 at 7:30, in Bryan. The speaker will be Marge Waterfield on “Don’t ignore the black sheep in your family.”
The meeting will be held in the Bryan East End Community Center, located near K-Mart on Rt. 34 or East High St.
Thanks for the invite!

QUERY

ROOD, DENNIS
Searching for information on Frances E. ROOD and Franklin Rood. They signed quit claim deed for Charity DENNIS on 20 Dec. 1888 in Henry Co. Ohio.
–Gladys M. Dennis, Casselberry, FL 32707

From the Secretary

    Our July fleeting found us at the Recorder’s Office at the Henry Co. Court House. Mrs. Fitzenrider and her staff explained what was in the office and how it could help us in our research. Deeds, mortgages, land contracts, oil and gas leases, soldiers discharges and separation papers, powers of attorney and plat maps are just a few of the items in this office. No business meeting was held.

In August, our meeting was held in the Ohio Room at the Library in Napoleon, Ohio. Pam Morelock told us of the contents of the room. The books in this room are on History and Genealogy of Ohio, and books by authors from Ohio. Not all of the books in this room pertain to research. All Henry Co. newspapers from 1852 to the present are on microfilm. They have the Henry Co., OH Census 1840 to 1910 on microfilm. A short meeting was held. We are encouraged to write to our Congressmen re: legislation to close the records to the public. More on this else where in the .newsletter. Also a bake-less bake sale will be held at our Sept. meeting.

OHIO LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS CLOSING VITAL STATISTICS

Genealogists don’t too often come across the need to write to their congressmen about proposed laws even though we are using government records in much of our search for family history; however the need has now arisen!
The Ohio Legislature has a Bill (H. B. 790) now in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that has a section 3705.23 that will limit access to birth, death and other vital records to persons who have a direct and tangible interest in the record and designates those who have such an interest. GENEALOGISTS ARE NOT IN THE GROUP LISTED.
It is not too late to try and change this bill to something that will still give the public access to the vital records. But we must act NOW, as the bill has already been approved in the House and just needs hearings in the committee and a vote on the Senate floor to become a law of the State.
The Ohio Legislature has adjourned for the summer and will not be taking up business again until the fall, but it’s time for phone calls and letters to your Senator and to all of the Senators who serve on the Health and Human Services Committee. Those who serve on the Committee are: W. Scott Gelslager, (R-North Canton); Grace L. Drake, (R-Solon); Gary Suhadolnik, (R-Parma Hts); Roy Ray, (R-Akron); Michael White, (D-Cleveland); Robert Burch, (D-New Philadelphia); ,Linda Furney, (D-Toledo); and Richard Peiffer, Jr., (D-Columbus). The state address for these and the other Senators is: Senator __________, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0604.
We would like H. B. 790, section 3705.23 amended to read that the public be allowed access to the Vital Statistics of the State.

The above article was from the Spring issue of the Delaware Genealogist, Delaware County, Ohio, submitted by Jane Wickham.
In order for us to continue our work in genealogy, the use of these records is very important to us. There is strength in numbers. Maybe a list of signatures along with a letter from our societies would help to benefit the cause. Please do your part to stop the passage of this bill as it is now!

FORT WAYNE TRIP TO THE ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SEPT. 17

    Arrive at the library at 10:00 a.m. Ft. Wayne time, 11:00 Ohio time. Someone at the library will meet us to give a brief talk on the research material available. On the next page is a map and some information on the library. Hope to see you there and good researching!
The library opens at 9:00 a.m. on Sat. and closes at 6:00p..m. It is open on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

HISTORY OF HENRY CO., OH
(continued from July-August issue, p. 96)

    Owing to the destruction of the records at the time of the first, fire, in 1847, and the loss of many since, it is impossible to furnish a complete and civil list of the persons who have been in charge of the several departments of its civil government. The list given here from 1852 to 1887 is taken from thee files of the North-West, the leading newspaper of the county. The following record contains the names of county officers who were elected at the time indicated by the year given in each case and will be found to be reliable.
In the year 1852, those holding office under the county government were as follows: Probate judge, Harvey Allen; clerk of courts, A. H. Tyler; Auditor, William J. Jackson; Sheriff, Daniel Yarnell; treasurer, George Stebbins; prosecuting attorney, Edward Sheffield; recorder; A. Craig; county surveyor, Paul P. Doud; county commissioners, David Harley, D. F. Welsted, and Charles Hornung.
Elected in 1852, sheriff Henry N. Low, commissioner, Matthew Reid; coroner, David Leist.
1853. County auditor, Edward Sheffield; treasurer, Daniel Yarnell; recorder, Rensselaer Hudson; commissioner, John Hamler; prosecuting attorney, Justin H. Tyler; coroner, Abel Montgomery.
1854. Probate judge, Harvey Allen; clerk,. Asa H. Tyler; sheriff, Henry N. Low; commissioner, Ward Woodward; surveyor, W. H. Brownell.
1855. Auditor, Edward Sheffield; treasurer, Daniel Yarnell; commissioner, Matthew Reid; prosecuting attorney, Justin H. Tyler.
1856. Sheriff, C. R. McWilliams; recorder, Rensselaer Hudson; commissioner, John Hamler.
1857. Probate judge, T. S. C. Morrison; clerk, D. M. McCann; auditor, J. D. Cowdrick; treasurer, H. D. Taylor; prosecuting attorney, W. A. Choate; commissioner, George Crawford; surveyor, Charles Hornung; coroner, Michael Neff.
1858. Sheriff, C. R. McWilliams; coroner, John Powell.
1859. Auditor, James E. Cowdrick; treasurer, H. D. Taylor; recorder, Thomas Yarnell; prosecuting attorney, William A. Choate; commissioner, Levi Spangler; coroner, Reuben Reiter.
1860. Probate judge, T. S. C. Morrison; clerk, Thomas W. Durbin; sheriff, John P. Rowan; commissioner, George Crawford; surveyor, Levi Coffman.
1861. The records for this year are missing, yet James A. Parker was prosecuting attorney and Augustin Pilliod was treasurer.
1862. Sheriff, John P. Rowan; recorder, William F. Daggett; commissioner, Levi Spangler, coroner, Edward Lingle; surveyor, _____ Strong.
1863. Probate judge, T. S. C. Morrison; auditor, Rensselaer Hudson; treasurer, Augustin Pilliod; clerk, Charles Reiter; prosecuting attorney, James A. Parker; commissioner, John C. McLain; surveyor, Samuel L. Adams.
1864. Probate judge, John M. Haag; sheriff, Oscar E. Barnes; commissioner, Harrison Hudson; coroner, Edward Lingle.
1865. Prosecuting attorney, James A. Parker; auditor, B. F. Stout; treasurer, C.. R. McWilliams; recorder, W. F.. Daggett; commissioner, Henry Schall.
1866. Probate judge, John M. Haag; clerk, Charles Reiter; sheriff, Oscar E. Barnes; commissioner, John C, McLain; surveyor, James C. Crawford; coroner, Jacob Diemer.
1867. Auditor, B. F. Stout; treasurer, W. A. Tressler; prosecuting attorney, J. L. Robertson; commissioner, H. Hudson.
1868. Sheriff, John C. Jaqua; recorder, J. F. Hoskinson; commissioner, Henry Schall; coroner, Jacob Diemer.
1869. Probate judge, Janel G. Haly; clerk, Oscar E. Barnes; auditor, Frederick Theek; prosecuting. attorney, J. L. Robertson; treasurer, W. A. Tressler; commissioner, Thomas W. Durbin; surveyor, J. C. Crawford; coroner, Henry Seeling.
1870. Sheriff, Charles Reiter; commissioner, R. B. Calkins.
1871. Prosecuting attorney, J. L. Robertson;  treasurer, H. H. Van Fleet; recorder, R. P. Osborn; commissioner, A. J. Saygers; surveyor, Henry Kolbe; coroner, Henry Seeling.
1872. Probate judge, James G. Haly; clerk, Oscar E. Barnes; auditor, J. F. Theek; sheriff, George Daum; commissioner, Tighlman Miller.
1873. Treasurer, Henry H. Van Fleet; prosecuting attorney, John L. Robertson; commissioner, John Powell; coroner, Henry Seeling.
1874. Auditor, W. F. Dagget; sheriff, George Daum; recorder, R. P. Osborn; prosecuting attorney, David Meekison, commissioner, Charles Hornung; surveyor, Henry Kolbe.
1875. Probate judge, James F. Haly; clerk, Oscar E. Barnes; treasurer, John C. McLain; commissioner, Daniel Yarnell; coroner, Henry Seeling
1876. Auditor, B. F. Stout; sheriff, D. W. Spangler; prosecuting attorney, David Meekison; commissioner, Reuben Reiter.
1877. Treasurer, John C. McLain; recorder, Daniel Hartnett; commissioner, Charles Hornung; surveyor, George Welsted; coroner, Michael Neff.
1878. Probate judge, James G. Haly; clerk, Oscar E. Barnes; auditor, H. L. Ennes; sheriff, George Daum; prosecuting attorney, Martin Knupp; commissioner, Daniel Yarnell.
1879. Treasurer, Charles H. Gidley; commissioner, Reuben Reiter; coroner, Dr. Henry Woesterfeldt.
1880. Sheriff, George Daum; prosecuting attorney, Martin Knupp; recorder, Daniel Hartnett; commissioner, W. H. Booher; surveyor; D. P. Hudson.
1881. Probate judge, David Meekison; clerk, Oscar E. Barnes; auditor, Charles Evers; treasurer, Charles Gidley; commissioner, Henry Rohrs; coroner, R. M. Cloud.
1882. Sheriff, Frederick Aller; prosecuting attorney, R. W. Cahill; commissioner, James Connelly.
1883. Treasurer, A. Pilliod; recorder, Thomas W. Durbin; commissioner, W. H. Booher; surveyor. D. P. Hudson; coroner, R. M. Cloud.
1884. Probate judge, David Meekison; clerk, James Donovan; sheriff, Frederick Aller; auditor, Charles Evers; commissioner, Henry Rohrs.
1885. Treasurer, J. C. Waltemire; prosecuting attorney, R. W. Cahill; commissioner, George Daum; coroner, R. M. Cloud.
1886. Sheriff, E. T. Barnes; recorder, Thomas W. Durbin; commissioner, W. N. Zierolf; surveyor, Charles N. Schwab.
1887. Probate judge, David Meekison; treasurer, J. C. Waltemire; auditor, Charles Evers; clerk of the courts, James Donovan; recorder, Thomas W. Durbin; sheriff, Elbert T. Barnes; prosecuting attorney, R. W. Cahill; surveyor, Charles N. Schwab; caroner, Conrad Bitzer; county commissioners, George Daum, Henry Rohrs, William N. Zierolf; infirmary directors, Henry Bostelman, Kimball Rakestraw.and Peter Schall.
(to be continued)

OGS Grows Faster Than a Family Tree

    The historic Bushnell House house has just the kind of elbow room the Ohio Genealogical Society needed.
The society, founded in Mansfield in 1959 is now the nation’s largest state genealogical society and its library is one of the major family history libraries in Ohio: Last year, more than 3,000 patrons from 26 states came to Mansfield to trace their family roots.
Several thousand books and records that had to be stored in the basement of the former location at 419 W. Third St., have now been shelved in the sunny reading room at the rear of the Bushnell House.
Among the library’s holdings are Bible records, early Ohio land and court records and 1,000  rolls of microfilm.
Also on hand is a card catalog listing more than 200,000 names of ancestors, along with the name and address of the genealogist who submitted the names.
All materials are available free to anyone doing family history research Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are on hand to help visitors locate materials and to answer questions on genealogical research.

NEW ADDITIONS AT THE LIBRARY FOR RESEARCH

History & Government of Wood. Co,. , OH 1803 – 1953

The Key, 1937, Year book for Bowling Green State University

Families! Vol. 1 No. 2, Yates Publishing Company

Original Church Register and Record for CHURCH of CHRIST, Mungen OH, Wood Co. 16 Jan. 1883 to 5 June 1925, 5 Volumes. Contains Births, Deaths, Marriages, Memberships, Minutes of meetings and other material.

RESEARCH

Mrs. Jane Yarnell, Napoleon, OH 43545, a member of the Henry County Genealogical Society, will do research for you. Just write to us for her fees.

Newspaper articles from The Northwest, Napoleon, OH

29 Oct. 1852

    Married on the 26th inst. by H. H. Van Fleet, Esq., Mr. Thomas Myrice and Miss Barbary Crosser all of of this county.

    Married Thursday, 28 Oct. in Liberty Township by Rev. Fink, Mr. David Kilpatrick and Miss Mary, eldest dau. of John Patrick, Esq.

    Asa Emery appointed Administrator of Jeremiah Eskridg late of Henry Co.