26 December 2012

Update on Carnahan Divorce

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Dear Reader.........from time to time I stumble onto information that augments prior postings and want to update as I find time.  The original posting is Carnahan Divorce but here is more data on John Carnahan - I worked backwards from the obit of his daughter, Jennie Carnahan Deuchar, to develop this detailing:


John Jackson Carnahan, born 26 Feb 1807, probably Chillicothe, OH, was first married to Rachel Vandever(e), 24 Jan 1829/1830 in Ross Co, OH. The couple had seven children:
1.Elizabeth (5 Dec 1830 – 30 Aug 1831)
2.Mary Wilson (11 July 1832); mar Oscar Mott, 11 July 1865; she was a nurse in CW
3.Joshua Vandever (30 Oct 1834 - 11 Nov 1857 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH); mar Sarah Ward, 24 Dec 1856, Williams Co, OH (Marriage V2 p166); his widow married Uri G Sumner, 25 Feb 1860 in Williams Co, OH
4. Nancy “Jennie” (4 Dec 1836); mar Edgar Deuchar, 8 Nov 1860, Williams Co, OH (Marriage V 3 p138)
5.John Jackson (28 Apr 1840 – 1 Dec 1862 Danville, KY, CW soldier – Co E 38th OVI)
6.William Allen (29 Aug 1842 – pos Eagle Pass, TX); 1880 St Clair, Butler Co, OH- mar Lydia T
7.Catherine Stephens (28 Mar 1846 – 21 July 1865) CW nurse; died of typhoid

Rachel Vandever(e) (on marriage license as Rachel Vandervost/Vandervort) was born in Ross Co, OH on 9 May 1809 and died near Columbus, Franklin Co, OH on 3 Dec 1850.  She was the daughter of Charles and Sarah Stephens Vanderver(e).

US Federal Census records give enumeration of this couple as:
1840 Jackson, Franklin Co, OH, Roll 393 p135
John Carnahan
1m under 5
1m 5-9
1m 30-39
1f under 5
1f 5-9
1f 30-39

1850 Jackson, Franklin Co, OH, Roll M432_680 p156A
h/h 280/285 Carnahan, John 44 OH farmer
Rachel 43 OH
Mary 18 OH
Joshua 16 OH
Nancy 14 OH
John 11 OH
William 9 OH
Sarah 5 OH

Sometime after his first wife’s death, John Carnahan moved his family to NW Ohio where in Defiance Co, OH on 26 Oct 1856 (Marriage V1 p136) he married Mrs. Susannah Clark, a widow, b. 1820, PA; she was formerly Susan Griffith who had married Thomas Clark in Williams Co, OH on 11 Mar 1839 (Marriage V1 p34).  The Clarks were parents of at least five children:
1. Minerva (12 June 1834 – 12 Oct 1868 pos Princeton, Franklin Co, KS); mar Jacob B Stinebaugh, 4 Aug 1859, Williams Co, OH
2. Mary Ann
3. Joseph
4. Sarah Elizabeth (June 1849 -1902) obit Bryan Press, 30 Jan 1902; mar Calvin Egnew
5. Emma

In the 1850 Defiance, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M432_674; Page: 6A; Image: 525, the Clark family was listed as
h/h 78/78 Clark, Thomas 37 ENG shoemaker
Susan 31 PA
Minerva 10 OH
Mary Ann 8 OH
Joseph 4 OH
Elizabeth 2 OH, plus three lodgers, William Morse 19 NY shoemaker, NW Allen 20 CAN, and John Glower 23 PA wagonmaker

After the divorce:


John evidently had moved to Kendalville, IN.  In the 1880 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN federal census p547 a John Carnahan was listed as John 73 OH with PA native parents, flagman on railroad, and he lived with the Oscar and Mary W. Mott family. His obit mentioned that he was a longtime resident of Kendalville and his daughter, Mrs. Deuchar, survived him.  There was no mention of his marriage to Susannah.

The Bryan Democrat, 4 Feb 1892, p5 c3
John Carnahan died at Elkhart on Tuesday and his remains were brought to Bryan Wednesday for burial.  He was formerly a resident of Bryan and enlisted in Co E 38th OVI in December 1861.  In Apr 1863 he was discharged from the service on a surgeon’s certificate of disability.  He returned to Bryan and remained here several years, serving the village as marshal for one or two terms.  He subsequently moved to Elkhart where he resided for nearly a quarter century. He was about 75 years of age.

The Bryan Press, 4 Feb 1892 p2 c3 -John Carnahan


Jennie Carnahan Deuchar
Bryan Press 11 Feb 1915 – b Dec 1836 OH; d 4 Feb 1915; mother in law of John Beach; also 5 Feb 1915 p1 c4

Bryan Democrat, 9 Feb 1915 p1 c5
Obit announcement of Jennie Deuchar which included a list of her survivors: daughter Mrs JE Beach, sister Mrs Mott of Elkhart, IN, brother Allan Carnahan living in the west.
Survived by daughter Mrs J E Beach
Sister Mary Mott of Elkhart
Brother Allan living in the west

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8X5-XHY
name: Jennie Carnahan Deuchar
event date: 04 Feb 1915
event place: Bryan, Williams, Ohio
residence: Bryan, Williams, OH
death age: 78y 2m
marital status: Widowed
birth date: 04 Dec 1836
birthplace: Columbus, OH
estimated birth year: 1837
burial date: 07 Feb 1915
burial place: Bryan, Williams, OH
cemetery: Fountain Grove
father: John Carnahan
father's birthplace: Chillicothe, OH………Ross Co, OH
mother: Rachel Vandevic
mother's birthplace: Chillicothe, Ohio
Collection: Jennie Carnahan Deuchar, "Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953"

Edgar Deuchar, Cpt, Bryan Dem, 22 Sept 1864 p2
Captain Edgar M. DEUCHAR, died 4 September 1864 from wounds received in battle near Atlanta, Georgia; served in 38th Ohio Co. E (buried near Atlanta), married 8 November 1860 to Jennie CARNAHAN, born 4 December 1836, died 4 February 1915. 













13 October 2012

Franklin Eugene Touse of Pioneer, OH


By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 20 October 2012)

I recently had a query concerning Viola Scoville who was married to Frank Touse; after finding out she had married a second time and her obit was under Viola Campbell, I was further asked whether Frank Touse had ever been the mayor of Pioneer, OH.  Although I do not presently know the answer to that, I thought I'd post what I did find in the hopes that maybe someone will recognize this family and wish to pass along some info to the original query-poster.  

Viola Adelaide Scoville Touse Campbell (dau of Ransom Crawford Scoville and Adelaide Fuller
(28 Feb 1877, Frontier, Hillsdale Co, MI – 4 Feb 1963 Hudson, Hillsdale Co, MI; burial Oak Grove Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI)

m1 Frank Touse (operated a jewelry store in Pioneer) 23 Dec 1874 Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI – 5 Oct 1937 Pioneer, Williams Co, OH @62Y 9M 12D; burial Oak Grove Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI)
Marriage Certificate – 16 Jan 1897, Hillsdale Co, MI by Rev DG Blair – he’s 22/she’s 19; his parents are George F Touse/Elizabeth Gordon; hers are listed as Ransom Scoville and unknown; witnesses were John Touse of Ransom and Miss C Scoville of Frontier; neither married before; he of Ransom/she of Frontier; he a farmer/she housework; he born Jefferson/she born Frontier

m2 Frank Campbell sometime bet 1937-1940 (died c20 Apr 1954) Robert Frank Campbell b 23 Oct 1881 Lambton, Ontario, Canada, s/o Robert Campbell and Maggie Thompson
Leader Enterprise, 22 Apr 1954 p2
Bryan Times 20 Apr 1954 p1

Adopted daughter???
Lena Deane Touse, d/o Frank Touse and Viola Scoville married Fred H Decker, son of Cyrus Decker and Emma Kizer on 25 Feb 1921 in Williams Co, OH; he was 26/she was 19, born 1 July 1902 in Alvordton, Williams Co, OH

They lived in 1930 and 1940 Pioneer, OH
Children:
Fred H c1935 IN
Betty L c1936 OH
Robert G c1938 OH

According to Frank's Obit of 1937, his adopted daughter was the wife of Dewey Munday:

From Viola’s obit - Survived by sister Lettie Wolfe of Romulus, MI
Nieces and nephews
Living w/M/M Ed Converse of Waldron, MI for last 7 years – who is this and why not mention Lena and her children????

Census info online:

1880 Ransom, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 581; Family History Film: 1254581; Page: 244C; Enumeration District: 091; Image: 0163.
h/h 225/229 Touse, George 33 farmer NY-Eng-NY
Elizabeth wife 25 NY-Ire-Ire
Franklin son 5 MI-NY-NY
John son 3 MI-NY-NY
Nelson, Charles adopted son 14 MI-NY-NY

1900 Ransom, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 581; Family History Film: 1254581; Page: 244C; Enumeration District: 091; Image: 0163.
h/h 138/140 Touse, Frank E 25 (Oct 1874) mar 3Y MI-MI-NY farmer, renting
Viola A wife 23 (Feb 1877) o/o ch MI-OH-NY

1910 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0124; Image: 789; FHL microfilm: 1375254.
Norris Street
h/h 195/199 Touse, Franklin 35 MI-MI-NY mar 13Y retail jeweler
Viola wife 33 1/0 ch MI-MI-MI
Lena foster dau 9 OH-US-US

US WWI Draft Registration, Pioneer, Williams Co, OH
Franklin Eugene Touse, 43, born 23 Dec 1874. Jeweler, married to Viola A Touse

1920 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 156; Image: 161.
Norris St
h/h 5/5 Tover, Frank E 45 MI-NY-NY jeweler in jewelry store
Viola A wife 42 MI-OH-NY
Lena dau 18 OH-MI-MI

1930 Pioneer, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1891; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 149.0; FHL microfilm: 2341625.
h/h 89/91 Touse, Frank 53 mar @22Y MI-MI-NY optician and jeweler in jewelry store
Viola wife  51 mar@19Y MI-OH-NY
And 3 lodgers

1940 Quincy, Branch, Michigan; Roll: T627_1734; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 12-22.
Campbell, Frank D 58 Canada resort business
Viola A wife 60 MI b Hillsdale Co
Maxwell son 13 MI b Lenawee Co

27 September 2012

David Creek/Crick - Civil War Veteran - Brickwall


By Pamela Pattison Lash

Here is a brickwall scenario detailing a Civil War veteran and what may have happened to his family.  If anyone knows more about this family, please email me and I’ll pass along the info to a family researcher who wants to “tear down that wall”. 

David Creek/Crick (c1832 Perry Co, PA – pos c30 Nov 1894), son of Peter and Christina Creek; this family arrived in Williams Co, OH c1842; his parents are buried in Louden Cem, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH, both dying in 1866

David’s enumeration in the following federal census records:
1850 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH
h/h 524/526 Creek, Peter 62 PA farmer
Jane 60 PA
Daniel 18 PA
Note 2 units above Jacob Creek 37 PA and wife Lydia w/family

1860 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 200; Image: 405; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h 1085 Creely, Peter  71 PA
Christina 68 PA
David 28 PA
Clippinger, Mary 17 OH
George 14 OH

David Crick participated in the Civil War as a private in Co E 14th OVI, where most of those recruited were from Defiance Co, OH; a headstone was ordered by the GAR post for him in Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH c30 Nov 1894.

He applied for a CW pension 22 Mar 1883; no widow’s pension application was attached to his file, leaving the possibility that his wife had died or there was a divorce.

The following newspapers by an online source give accounts of the Co E 14th OVI CW service:
Defiance Democrat- 4/27/1861, 10/10/1863
Napoleon North-West- 9/30/1863
Paulding Independent- 4/25/1861, 8/1/1861, 10/8/1863
Williams County Leader- 4/9/1863
(Williams County) Union Press- 3/28/ 1862
Member Williams County Leader- 5/30/1861
"Occasional", Williams County Leader- 5/22/1862

The 14th OVI regiment was organized at Toledo, Ohio from August 14 - September 5, 1861, to serve three years. On the expiration of term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in the service until July 11, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department.

Some of the battles in which this unit participated include:
Wild Cat, KY, October 21, 1861
Mill Springs, KY, January 19-20, 1862
Shiloh, TN, April 6-7, 1862
Corinth, MS (Siege of), April 30, 1862
Hoover's Gap, TN, June 27, 1863
Chickamauga, GA, September 19-20, 1863
Missionary Ridge, TN, November 25, 1863
Ringgold, GA, November 27, 1863
Dalton, GA, May 9, 1864
Resaca, GA, May 13-16, 1864
Kennesaw Mountain, GA, June 9-30, 1864
Utoy Creek, GA, August 5-7, 1864
Jonesboro, GA, September 1, 1864
Goldsboro, NC, March 21, 1865

The brigade, which had lost 33% of its number, was mustered out on July 11, 1865 at Louisville, KY.

David Crick married Emma (aka Maria E) Rouse on 23 Jan 1864 in Hillsdale Co, MI; also called Mina Rowse in Loren’s marriage certificate as Loren Krick (Lena Turner, 30 Dec 1905 St Louis, Gratiot Co, MI)

Maria E Rowse (2 Sept 1844 Crawford Co, OH – pos aft 1880); d/o Calvin and Margaret Wiseman Rowse; this family moved from Crawford Co, OH to Morrow Co, OH c1851-1853 and then to Williams Co, OH and lived there c1855-1865; they moved to Owen Co, IN and then to Lewis Twp, Clay Co, IN

Maria Emma (pos aka Mina C) was listed on the following census enumerations:
1850 Bucyrus, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M432_671; Page: 443B; Image: 255.
Maria F Rowse 6 OH

1860 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 105; Image: 216; Family History Library Film: 805052.
Maria Rouse 15 OH

1870 Marion, Owen, Indiana; Roll: M593_348; Page: 290A; Image: 586; Family History Library Film: 545847.
Maria not living in parents household b/c she’s married to David Crick; Maria 26 OH

1880 Lewis, Clay, Indiana; Roll: 270; Family History Film: 1254270; Page: 602C; Enumeration District: 243; Image: 0225.
Mina C Rowse 25 OH divorced
Note the age is not correct but there does not seem to be any data to support the parents, Calvin and Margaret Rowse having a daughter named Mina C so it could be Maria E and Mina C are the same person.

David and Maria (after 1864 marriage) are found in this federal census:
1870 Camden, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: M593_673; Page: 258A; Image: 196; Family History Library Film: 552172.
h/h 136/137 Crick, David 36 PA works on farm
Maria E 26 OH
Matilda J 6 OH
Margaret 3 MI
George W 2 MI

Ten years later they are not together.  Was David truly a widower or was there a divorce?  If a divorce, it was not filed in Williams Co, OH.

1880 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 504C; Enumeration District: 005; Image: 0643.
Crick, David 50 PA-PA-PA widower, farm laborer living w/John and Clar Ashliman
Note David’s age is not consistent with other census information.

1890 Tiffin, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 60; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 151.
David Creek Co E 14th OVI private, Evans Post GAR, record lost on disability; service 1 Sept 1861 – 11 July 1865

Census ages:
David is 18 in 1850
28 in 1860
36 in 1870
50 in 1880

Next the information available at the present time shows their children:
1. Matilda J (c1865 OH – bet 1882 and 1900)
Matelda J Creek married Hiram E Noyes in Woodbridge, Hillsdale Co, MI on 13 Nov 1882; they were both 18 years of age; she was born in OH and he was born in MI;
Ceremony performed by Samuel Jacobus JP with Mary and S L Dickinson as witnesses; both of Woodbridge (Hillsdale Co, MI Marriages V1 p399 #4793); by 1900 her husband is enumerated as a widower

2. Margaret (c1866/1867 OH – aft 1870)

3. George W (c 1868 MI – aft 1880)
1880 Pittsford, Hillsdale Co, MI
Creek, George W 11 MI with Mary C and Jonas Brown
George’s parentage - father Germany; mother MI
Mary C Brown’s parentage father OH; mother NY

4. Loren E (2 May 1873, Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI – aft 1905)
Father David Creek, b OH, rr engineer/Mother Maria E Creek, b NY
Born Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI on 2 May 1873
(Hillsdale Co, MI Births, V2 p197)
Married 30 Dec 1905 Lena Turner in Gratiot Co, MI; his parents listed as David Krick and Mina Rowse; he’s a farmer, born in Hillsdale Co, MI; he’s 32/she’s 29

5. Calvin Eugene (29 July 1875, Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI – 10 Nov 1889, Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI)
Father David Creek b PA/Mother Maria E Creek
Born Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI on 29 July 1875

1880 Woodbridge, Hillsdale Co, MI
Creek, Eugene O 4 MI with Samuel and Mary Dickinson – he’s listed as son
Mary Dickinson is listed as 38 PA-PA-PA

Eugenia Crick, male child of David and Nina E Crick died in Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI on 10 Nov 1889 at 14Y 2M 12D
Buried West Woodbridge Cemetery, Hillsdale Co, MI







18 September 2012

Don't Believe Everything You Read in Old Newspapers - Owen


By Pamela Pattison Lash

This is an example of how an old newspaper may give some clues but also gives some mistakes to be discovered.

Tri-State Alliance, 20 June 1946 p1 c4
Edward Owen, Farmer Takes Own Life

Edward E Owen, 72, well known farmer near Camden in Woodbridge Township, despondent of poor health took his own life by hanging himself in his barn Monday morning.  He seemed in good spirits when he left the house for the barn to do the chores and when not returning at the usual time, search was started by the family.

Born in Williams Co, OH 14 July 1873, but most of his life spent in Hillsdale County.  Surviving are his wife, 3 sons – Merle of Addison, Keith and Kenneth of Hillsdale, 2 daughters – Mrs Hazel Roose of Hillsdale and Mrs Doris Fish of Burlington, 2 brothers – Heman of Pioneer and Frank of Hillsdale, and 2 sisters – Mrs Cora Franks and Mrs Myrtle Hawkins of North Adams.

Funeral services today, Thursday at Camden with burial in Lakeview in Hillsdale.

If one takes this at face value, the data looks promising.  If one digs a bit deeper, however, there are a few incorrect bits.
1.  If one were looking for Edward E Owen, using nothing but census for Hillsdale Co, MI, one would be disappointed.  He is found in a variety of geographical locations that need further investigation.
2. His death date says he’s 72 but if you do the math, this appears to be not the case; it also gives a birth year of 1873, but the birth records and his marriage license state the year of birth is 1872 not 1873.

Here is a brief account of Edward E Owen’s stats; much more could be done.

Edward E Owen (24 July 1872, Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH - 17 June 1946, Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI; buried at Lakeview Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI); son of James Owen and his third wife, Sarah Ann Strayer, married 25 Dec 1870, Williams Co, OH; both buried in Pease Cmetery, Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH

Married Myrta Wineland, 6 Dec 1899, Williams Co, OH by Rev J W Clark (Marriage V8 p90)

Myrtie Wineland (4 May 1881 Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH - ) daughter of Henry Wineland and Lucinda Everhart

Children:
Hazel (1901 OH)
Merle (21 May 1903 Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH)
Doris L (4 June 1905 Hillsdale Co, MI)
Keith (1913 MI)
Kenneth D (1914 MI)

1880 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 457D; Enumeration District: 002; Image: 0549.
h/h Owen, J M 55 NY-NY-PA farmer
Sarah wife 44 OH-PA-PA
Adelaide dau 28 OH-NY-NY
Charles son 25 OH-NY-NY
James D son 22 NY-NY-NY
Robert V son 20 NY-NY-NY
Henry son 17 OH-NY-OH
Franklin son 15 OH-NY-OH
Cora dau 11 OH-NY-OH
Edward son 8 OH-NY-OH
Phebe dau 6 OH-NY-OH
Heman son 4 OH-NY-OH

1900 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 102; FHL microfilm: 1241332.
h/h 41/41 Owen, Edward 27 (July 1873) OH-NY-OH
Myrtie  wife 18 (May 1882) mar 0Y 0/0 ch OH-OH-PA
Note the incorrect birthdate
Note the couple is living next door to Myrtie’s mother, Lucinda Wineland

1910 Woodbridge, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T624_649; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0119; Image: 587; FHL microfilm: 1374662.
h/h 292/292 Owen, Edward 37 mar 10Y OH-NY-OH farmer
Myrtie E 27 wife 3/3 ch OH-OH-PA
Hasel dau 9
Merl son 7
Doris dau 4

1920 Rollin, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: T625_781; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 88; Image: 397.
h/h Owen, Edward 46 OH-NY-NY farmer
Myrtie E wife 36 OH-OH-PA
Hazel 19
Merel J 16
Doris L 14
Keith W 7
Kenneth D 5

1930 Butler, Branch, Michigan; Roll: 977; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 6; Image: 659.0; FHL microfilm: 2340712.

1940 Woodbridge, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T627_1755; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 30-27.

This should give someone a few helpful bits to further the research on this family.




14 September 2012

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Stephen Downs v Irene Foust Downs, 1888

By Pamela Pattison Lash



Stephen Downs v Irene Foust Downs (Journal 14 p412 - 12 Nov 1888; Roll 46 case number 1950 – Nov 1888)

            The couple was married in Wms Co on 25 Apr 1875.  Stephen stated that Irene was willfully absent for three years or more.  She was unfit to have custody of their ten-year old son, Samuel Downs. A divorce was granted.

Stephen Downs (21 July 1837 Crawford Co, OH - 29 Dec 1928 Williams Co, OH)
He was the son of Charles Grafton Downs and Sarah Rogers, both of whom lived in Williams Co, OH by 1860 federal census (Superior Twp).  In 1850 Bloom, Seneca, Ohio; Roll: M432_728; Page: 129A; Image: 632 the Downs family was enumerated with Stephen as 14 OH.

Stephen Down first married Christine Brillhart (14 Nov 1838 pos Stark Co, OH-22 Oct 1872 Seneca, Lenawee Co, MI; buried in Chatfield, Crawford Co, OH) prior to 1860 possibly in Crawford Co, OH;  Christina (various spellings) was the daughter of John and Mary Hull/Hall Brillhart; they had at least three children. They may have lived in Seneca Co, OH c1866

1870 Bloom, Seneca, Ohio; Roll: M593_1266; Page: 50A; Image: 103; Family History Library Film: 552765.
h/h 24/24 Downs, Stephen 34 OH farmer
Christenia 30 OH
John C 17 OH……..probably brother Charles John Downs
Mary M 7 OH
Nancy 4 OH
William 2 OH

Stephen Downs married Miss Irene Foust on 25 April 1875, Williams Co, OH by Rev BB Powell; note license was obtained by Charles J Downs (Marriage V4 p397)

Rosanna Foust (pos 1 July 1848/1849 OH- ) daughter of Samuel Ely Foust and Cynthia Cutler.
1850 Morrow Co, OH
1860 Cambria, Hillsdale Co, MI – Roxannah Frost
1870 Cambria, Hillsdale Co, MI

1880 Reading, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 581; Family History Film: 1254581; Page: 270A; Enumeration District: 092; Image: 0214.
h/h 60/60 Downs, Stephen 38 works in chair factory OH-OH-OH
Roena wife 30 OH-OH-OH
Makay, Myron 13 step son OH-PA-OH
Burton A 9 step son OH-PA-OH
Downs, Sml 3 son MI-OH-OH

Stephen Downs married Polly Mepham on 18 Nov 1888, Williams Co, OH by Elder James Neal (Marriage V5 p457  #1354)

Polly Mepham (1852-1921) was buried in the Olive Branch Nazarene Cemetery, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH; I believe she was Mary Jane Rutledge who first married Albert Mepham in Williams Co, OH on 8 Apr 1883 (Marriage V 5 #327).  Her husband Albert died on 14 June 1887 @41Y 11M 16D and was buried nearby in the Olive Branch Cemetery, next to daughter Sadie who died 4 Apr 1883 @5Y 11M 16D.  Polly, I have found, is often the nickname for Mary.

1900 Montpelier, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 118; FHL microfilm: 1241332.
h/h 68/70 Downs, Stephen 63 (July 1837) OH-OH-Eng mar 11Y day laborer
Polly wife 48 (June 1852) OH-PA-PA 1/0 ch
3 boarders

1910 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0136; Image: 1089; FHL microfilm: 1375254.
h/h 259/263 Downs, Stephen R 72 OH-MD-Eng mar 3x laborer
Polly wife 57 mar 2x OH-PA-PA 1/1 ch

1920 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 158; Image: 203. North Main Street
h/h 49/50 Downs, Stephen 82 OH-OH-OH no occup
Polly wife 67 OH-MD-Eng

Rena Foust married Robert Jobes on 14 Aug 1890, Williams Co, OH by John H Nelson JP (Marriage V6 p96 #284)
Robert Jobes (8 July 1840 – 17 Nov 1917 Hillsdale Co, MI)
s/o John Jobes and Permelia

1900 Cambria, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 713; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 85; FHL microfilm: 1240713.
h/h Jobes, Robert 60 (July 1840) PA-NJ-NJ mar 9Y farmer
Rena wife 53 (June 1847) OH –OH-PA 3/3 ch

1910 Hillsdale Ward 4, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T624_649; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0108; Image: 296; FHL microfilm: 1374662.
h/h 278/288 Jobes, Robert mar 2x 69 PA-PA-PA mar 18Y no occup
Rena wife mar 2x 62 OH-OH-PA 3/3 ch

Where is Maze Corners? Who is the Maze Family of Williams Co, OH?


By Pamela Pattison Lash

This detailing springs from a recent query on the Maze family who lived in Williams County, Ohio in its early days.  These pioneers lived on property that was known as Maze Corners.  The first part of the query asked for a location of Maze Corners.  It appears to be in the sw ¼ of Section 5 in Center Twp, Williams Co, OH and had an active post office from 1842-1849. (Post Offices of Ohio, John S Gallagher, 1979, p256-257)

The Williams County Public Library has a wonderful resource known as the family files – these are alphabetical by surname and can contain a wealth of information deposited by other researchers, queries to the library, stray obits, etc OR they may simply contain a card with the name of someone who is interested in connecting with another researcher.  Sometimes you hit pay dirt checking out the files.

In this case, I’ve included entries that were found in the Maze file with the corresponding source, if one exists.  You will also find in the Bryan Press article for 1903 (**) a very inaccurate history of this family.  Below all this you’ll find some things I’ve discovered about this family. 

West Buffalo (Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH)
Nelson Maze, then 20, came to West Buffalo c1841.  His father was a minister of the English Lutheran Church.  Their farm was the northwest quarter section in Center Township.  After 3-4 years there the family moved over into Michigan, where the remuneration was better for the labors of a preacher (undocumented source in West Buffalo file)

West Buffalo - David B Maze, one of our old settlers, moved from our midst last week.  We understand he has pitched his tent in the vicinity of Pioneer.  Since the removal of Mr Maze, the life of our post office is seriously endangered, but it is to be hoped it will survive. (Bryan Press, 13 Nov 1873)

**(Bryan Press, 8 Oct 1903) – you will find that some of this is totally inaccurate (see below)
Reminiscence
Nelson Maze, whose death notice appears elsewhere in this paper, came to this county with his father's family in 1841.  His father was a minister of the English Lutheran Church.  The family settled at West Buffalo, their farm being the northwest quarter section in Center Township.

The last night before the family reached their destination they spent in Bryan, then a village of but 3-4 houses.  They stopped with a family that then occupied a cabin on the lot where the dwelling of George W Hopkins now is.  After remaining there 3-4 years on their farm at West Buffalo, the family moved over into Michigan, where for better remuneration for the labors of a preacher.

Mr Maze's father was twice married; his first wife's children were
Jason
Jackson
Joseph
Martin
Nelson
His children from his second wife were
David B, who passed from life at or near Pioneer, recently
Mrs Elizabeth Yeagley, daughter, now and for many years past a resident of Bryan

Mr Maze was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in Company I, 40th Regiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers, 21 Oct 1861, and serving until 1 Aug 1863, when he was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability.  He was a pensioner on account of disease of the eyes and for several years past has been almost totally blind.

David B Maze - on 11 July 185? was post master of West Buffalo PO; the postmaster before him took over on 11 July 1854 (Daniel W Wright) next post master was William Street on 22 Apr 1857; later after several others, David Maze was postmaster on 1 Apr 1872 (National Archives Microfilm M841 - Record of Appointment of Postmasters, Roll 101, Ohio - Pike-Wyandot Counties)

Early Burials in West Buffalo Cemetery (A History of Williams County Cemeteries: A Documentary, Bryan, Ohio, Richard Cooley, 1988 p4)
Rev R Maze (d 16 July 1851)
Joseph Maze (d 1852)

Row 20
Rev R Maze (1798 - 1851)
Joseph (1828-1852)
Robert (? - 1861)

Row 21
Samantha Maze (1834-1856)

Row 31
Eva C Maze (1870-1961)

The above information was basically what I started with to piece together this family.  Here is what I found on this Maze group:

Reverend Robert Maze (c1798 Washington Co, PA – 16 July 1851 Center Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial at West Buffalo Cem, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH); son of Lancelot and Mary Maze

This Maze family appears to have moved around quite often:
C1808 they came from Washington Co, PA to Portage Co, OH (now Summit Co)
By 1818 they lived in Darby, Union Co, OH
C1825 they lived in Crawford Co, OH* where Robert served as JP from 1830-1838 when they moved to Seneca Co, OH
By 1840 the family lived in Wayne Co, KY for about a year and then c1841 they came to Williams Co, OH**; Robert became the postmaster at Maze Corners; they again moved to Jackson Co, MI but were back in Williams Co, OH c1850

(History of Crawford Co, OH, 1881, p667-668 and 699)
*On 22 June 1826 Robert’s father, Lancelot Maze of Union Co, OH, deceased; Robert and Mary Maze were appointed administrators of his estate according to Delaware Patron and Franklin Chronicle; on 27 Sept 1826 Robert Maze filed an inventory of goods and chattels in Millcreek Twp, Union Co, OH
**In 1838 there is a deed for land sold by R Baker to R Maze in Deed V5 p267-268 for 160A on sw ¼ of Sec 35 in Wi

1883 History of Union Co, OH
Lancelot Maze, who also became a settler here in 1818, located on Mill Creek on land now owned by Mrs. Freshwater, where he died in the fall of 1823. He was a native of Ireland, from which he emigrated to America when sixteen years of age, and, with his wife Mary, to whom he was married in Pennsylvania, is, removed to Huron County, Ohio; thence to this county, as above stated. It is said by some of the early settlers that he was one of the first Justices of the Peace of Mill Creek Township. Children-John; one daughter, married and resides in Huron County, Ohio; Robert, Sarah, Jane, Joseph, Jesse and Millie, all of whom moved away soon after their father's death.

Married 1 – Mary King, 24 Sept 1818, Darby, Madison Co, OH
Mary King (d 27 Sept 1821 and was buried in Mitchell Cem, Darby, Union Co, OH)
(Darby-Jerome Twp Cemetery Records, Union Co, OH, 1982)
Known children:
Martin b1819
Nelson b1821, pos Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH; CW vet

Married 2 – Sarah Delano Mitchell, 20 Nov 1823, Union Co, OH by James Boals, JP (Union Co, OH Marriage Records, Dianna Hearl, 1997, V1 p12; Gateway to the West, Ruth Bowers, 1989, V2 p586
Sarah D Mitchell (3 Feb 1802 Danby Twp, Union Co, OH – 18 Feb 1887 Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH; bur Oak Hill Cem); dau of Samuel and Elizabeth Robinson Mitchell

1883 History of Union Co, OH, Beers
Samuel Mitchell, Jr. had married Elizabeth Robinson in York Co., PA and removed to Darby with his family a few years after his relatives settled here.  After his emigration, he continued his residence upon the place until his death, which occurred about 1820.  He built the first wool carding machine within the bounds of Union County and operated it in connection with farming.  His children were Sarah, who married Robert Maze; Margaret, who was the wife of John Crawford; Samuel who removed to Iowa, James, an old bachelor, and David both of Washington, Iowa; Jane, Betsy and Eleanor, married and residing in Iowa.

Maze -- At the residence of her son, David B. Maze in Bridgewater Township, February 18, 1887, Mrs. Sarah D. Maze, aged 85 and 15 days.
Another of Williams County pioneers has fallen. Mrs. Maze was married in 1823 in Union Co and from hence various migrations moved to Williams County OH in 1841. When the ashes of the Indians dwellings were yet seen. Amidst the privations and hardships of pioneer life the father and mother found time for religious enjoyment, and for several years Mr. Maze was a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His death occurring in 1851 left her dependent upon the resources and the care of her children. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom survive her (David, Sarah, Jason, Mary, Elizabeth living; Joseph, James, Andrew deceased). Twenty-three years of her widow hood were spent at the home of her son David, who, not withstanding the perplexities, unfortunate circumstances did not fail to give the most tender care and filial attention to his aged mother, though she had not been subject to disease, yet age brought serious infirmities and made life a burden to herself. Frequently, she longingly prayed that she might be released; death comes as a welcome guest. She was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery; unfavorable circumstances preventing her burial in the West Buffalo Cemetery by the side of her husband. (Bryan Press, 24 Feb 1887 p2 c6)

Note the mention of “unfavorable circumstances” for her burial beside her husband – I have no idea what that means. Perhaps there was no money for her body to be transported there or no space available in the cemetery for her remains??

Note the proper listing of her children, which shows the inaccuracy of the later 1903 Bryan Press article.

Known children:
1. James H (22 June 1826 Milford, Union Co, OH – 9 June 1884 Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI) m Sally M Savage, 22 Mar 1853 Hillsdale Co, MI
2. Joseph (1828 OH – 13 Feb 1852 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH; m Samantha Gilbert)
3. Elizabeth (1830 Crawford Co, OH – bef 1912); m Melancthon W Lewis, 30 Apr 1849 Pulaski, Jackson Co, MI
4. David B (29 Oct 1832 Crawford Co, OH – 15 July 1900 Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH); m Nancy Ann Sullenberger, 20 Feb 1855 Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI
5. Jason (4 Jan 1835 Seneca Co, OH – 10 Aug 1906 Ellsworth Co, KS) m1 Sarah Maze, 22 Nov 1857 Williams Co, OH; m2 Mary C Rainey 18 Oct 1866 Williams Co, OH
6. Mary Elizabeth (22 Jan 1837 Crawford Co, OH – 9 Apr 1912 Bryan, Williams Co, OH) m 14 Mar 1860 Williams Co, OH to Charles Henry Yeagley – later divorced (see divorce data on my blog under Yeagley)
7. Andrew Jackson (1840 Wayne Co, KY - )
8. Sarah Mitchell (7 July 1842 Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH – 5 July 1927 Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co, CA); m William Scofield, 6 Sept 1866 Litchfield, Hillsdale Co, MI

1820 Millcreek, Union, Ohio; Page: 207; NARA Roll: M33_94; Image: 254.
Robert Maze
1m under 10
1m 16-25
1f 16-25

1840 Wayne, Kentucky; Roll: 126; Page: 145; Image: 963; Family History Library Film: 0007832
h/h Robert Mays
2m under 5
1m 5-9
1m 10-14
1m 15-19
1m 40-49
1f under 5
1f 5-9
1f 30-39

1850 Center, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 71A; Image: 143.
h/h 91/93 Maze, Robert 52 PA farmer $1200
Sarah 49 OH
David 17 OH farmer
Jason 15 OH farmer
Mary 14 OH
Andrew 10 KY
Sarah 8 OH

This should be a good start to help someone discover Maze/Mays/Maize roots for Williams Co, OH.

09 September 2012

Amazing Civil War Veteran from Williams County, OH - Simeon Gillis


By Pamela Pattison Lash

I discovered a list of Civil War veterans who had made petitions to the US government for pensions due to their various disabilities, attributed to their CW service.  The soldier whom I detail here is a true example of courage under fire both figuratively and literally, based on his life after his service.  He went on to perform honorable tasks for his community as the Williams County Auditor, editor of the Bryan Press, and an insurance agent.  He suffered from an amputation, being taken prisoner, and later adjusting to civilian life. 

Simeon Gillis
Pension Certificate #25,696
Loss of left leg (below the knee)
Co K 68th OVI

A Treatise on Mark’s patent artificial limbs with rubber hands and feet, AA Marks, 1888, p32

BELOW-KNEE AMPUTATION.
Fitted from Measurements.
Office of the Bryan Press, Simeon Gillis, Publisher, Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio, Oct. 29, 1887. A. A. Marks:
Dear Sir :—I have been wearing your make of artificial limbs since 1868. Previous to that I had worn one of the highest-priced legs in this country, and consider yours much the better. Its points of superiority are chiefly in tile doing away with the loose togel joints found in all other artificial legs at the ankle and toe. Your rubber foot does away with the necessity for these joints, and gives the step a certainty of action that no other leg has. It also gives :i springy, light step that is impossible in a wooden foot. Your knee joint irons are much better than those of the other leg I wore. I have had three of your legs, and one was fitted from measurements furnished by myself, and I went to the shop and had the others fitted. The one made from measurements was as good as any of the three. I am very hard on a leg, as I am active and not careful to favor it, and weigh 186 pounds. My point of amputation is two and one-half inches below the knee I think the most difficult point to fit. for the reason that the bones are movable and change the form of the stump, and the prominence of some bones in standing and others in sitting makes it difficult to secure a perfect fit. Wishing you may have the opportunity to lighten the step of many more unfortunates, I am, truly yours.
Simeon Gillis.

Simeon Gillis (2 May 1842 near Iberia, Morrow Co, OH -15 Mar 1919, Bryan, Williams Co, OH); buried at Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Williams Co, OH.  Simeon Gillis was the son of William and Jane McClaren Gillis. (Pulaski Township, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, WCGS, p52); his online death certificate stated he was in the insurance business, widower.  His father was born in Harrison Co, OH and his mother was born in Aughnagar, Ireland.

Obit for Simeon Gillis - Bryan Press, 20 March 1919 p10 c2
Bryan Democrat, 18 March 1919 p1 c2

It would appear that Simeon and his family moved from Morrow Co, OH to Williams Co, OH c1845.

Simeon Gillis married Myra Ball on 7 July 1870, Des Moines, Polk Co, Iowa.  (familysearch.org)

I found this a bit odd as both the Gillis and Ball families were enumerated in Williams Co in federal census records for 1850 and 1860; the married couple was also listed in the 1870 Williams Co, OH census so perhaps they eloped or were visiting relatives in Iowa.

Myra Ball (30 July 1843, Deerfield, Portage Co, OH -20 Sept 1909, Bryan, Williams Co, OH); burial at Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Williams Co, OH.  Myra Ball was the daughter of Thomas and Phebe Wright Ball. (Pulaski Township, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, WCGS, p52)
Obit for Phoebe Wright Ball – Bryan Democrat, 21 Aug 1890 p5
Obit for Thomas Ball – Bryan Press, 12 May 1898

Children
Ethel (10 May 1871 Bryan, Williams Co, OH - 1938) mar Frank Dorsey
Faie (16 Oct 1879, Bryan, Williams Co, OH – 1957) mar Omar L Spangler, 25 June 1903, Bryan, OH by Rev H Kohr (Marriage V8 p493)
Harlan Schuyler Wright (16 Sept 1881, Bryan, OH - 1959) mar Besse Stone, 18 Sept 1907, DeKalb Co, IN; res Shelbyville, KY, Mishawaka, St Joseph Co, IN
Donna (Oct 1883 - 1966) mar Hugh Ernest McCurdy, 10 Jan 1910 Portland, OR

1850 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 90B; Image: 180.
h/h 338/314 Ball, Thomas 36 PA farmer
Phebe 35 OH
Joseph 13 OH
Sarah 9 OH
Almira 7 OH
Mary 5 OH
Angeline 2 OH

1850 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 59B; Image: 121.
h/h 822/824 Gillis, William 37 OH farmer
Jane 35 Ireland
Martha 13 OH
Rebecca 11 OH
Elisca 9 OH
Simeon 8 OH
James 5 OH
William 3 OH
Mary 1 OH

1860 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 51; Image: 106; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h /773 Ball, Thomas 46 PA farmer
Phoeba 45 OH
Joseph 23 OH
Sarah 19 OH
Elmira 16 OH
Mary 14 OH
Angeline 12 OH
Flora 6 OH
Emma 4 OH
Begg, Joel A 15 OH

1860 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 30; Image: 63; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h /447 Gillis, William 47 OH farmer
Jane 45 Ire
Martha 23 OH
Rebecca 27 OH
Eliza 19 OH
Simeon 18 OH
James 16 OH
William M 13 OH
Mary 11 OH
Alexander 9 OH
Rhoda L 7 OH
Sarah 2 OH

U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009

Name:            Simeon Gillis
Residence:            Spring Lake, Williams Co., Ohio
Age at enlistment:            19
Enlistment Date:            22 Oct 1861
Rank at enlistment:            Private
State Served:            Ohio
Was Wounded:            Yes
Survived the War:            Yes
Service Record:            Enlisted in Company K, Ohio 68th Infantry Regiment on 13 Dec 1861.
Mustered out on 10 Dec 1863 at Memphis, TN.
Birth Date:            abt 1842
Sources:            Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio
Research by R. Ross Houston
The Medical and Surgical History of the Civil War


This data is from online pension application:
22 Oct 1861 Simeon enlisted as a private in Co K 68th OVI
16 May 1863 Simeon was wounded at Battle of Champion Hills, MS
26 May 1863 Simeon was taken prisoner by Rebel forces and detained for 29 days before being released.
29 Nov 1863 Simeon was discharge at Memphis, TN with a surgeon’s certificate of disability

Note that on 23 Apr 1863 Simeon filed for invalid pension (this date is on his official CW service for pension file which is before the wound at Battle of Champion Hills, MS)

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 195A; Image: 393; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 337/337 Gellis, Simeon 28 OH auditor mar July 1870
Myra 23 OH

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 647B; Enumeration District: 012; Image: 0156.
h/h 360/382 Gillis, Simeon 38 OH-OH-Ire editor
Myra wife 36 OH-OH-OH
Ethel dau 9 OH-OH-OH
Faye dau 8M (Oct) OH-OH-OH

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 111; FHL microfilm: 1241332.
North Walnut Street
h/h 50/53 Gillis, Simeon 58 (May 1842) OH-OH-Ire mar 30Y insurance agent fire
Elmira wife 57(July 1843) OH-PA-OH 4/4 ch
Ethel dau 29 (May 1871) OH-OH-OH bookkeeper well drilling
Faye dau 20 (Oct 1879)OH-OH-OH help in family
Harlan W son 19 (Sept 1881) OH-OH-OH
Donna dau 17 (Oct 1883) OH-OH-OH

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0130; Image: 934; FHL microfilm: 1375254.
227 North Lynn St
h/h 104/106 Gillis, Simeon 66 OH-OH-Ire widower, insurance agent, living with son-in-law and dau Omar L Spangler and Fay G Spangler

(History of Williams Co, OH, Weston A Goodspeed, 1882, p557)

SIMEON GILLIS, of the Bryan Press, was born hear Iberia, Morrow Co., Ohio, May 2, 1842, and is one of eleven children, six yet living, born to William and Jane (McClaren) Gillis, who were natives respectively of Jefferson County, Ohio, and Northern Ireland.  They were married in Ohio and engaged in farming.  Mr. Gillis, Simeon's father, is one of the pioneers of Ohio, as well as of Williams County, having come to the latter place in 1845.  They settled in Florence Township, where they are both yet living.  Simeon Gillis was reared on the farm, in youth receiving but a very limited education. 

October 22, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company K, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  They went into camp at Napoleon, afterward at Camp Chase.  They left the latter place the Sunday previous to the Battle of Fort Donelson, and were present but not actively engaged in that battle.  Mr. Gillis was at the battle of Shiloh, and was with Grant on his Mississippi campaign in the fall of 1862.  Was at Port Gibson, Jackson, and engaged in the Battle of Raymond.  Early in the Battle of Champion Hill, he was shot by a minie ball through the left leg, the result of which was the amputation of that limb below the knee.  After lying on the battlefield from about 1 o'clock to sundown, he was conveyed to the field hospital, and ten days later, on the 26th of May, was taken prisoner and remained in rebel hands twenty-nine days.  He was then in the hospital at Memphis until December 1, 1863, when he was discharged. 

The fall of 1866, he was elected County Auditor by the Republican Party; re-elected in 1868, and again re-elected in 1870, serving in all six years; and by act of the Legislature, in changing time of taking seat of office, served eight months longer than six years.  In 1875, Mr. Gillis engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business, which he ran until the fall of 1877, when he and Judge Bowersox purchased the Bryan Press, continuing as its proprietors and publishers for one year, when Mr. Bowersox sold his interest to Elisha M. Ogle, since when Gillis & Ogle have conducted the periodical.  The Press, under the supervision of Gillis and Ogle, has increased its circulation, and has prospered, and today is the leading Republican paper of Williams County, and one of the best county papers of Northern Ohio. 

Mr. Gillis was married, July 7, 1870, to Miss Myra Ball, and to this union have been born three children - Ethel, Fay and Wright.  The mother is a daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Wright) Ball, of Williams County, Ohio.  Mr. Gillis is a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

James F. Gillis, brother of Simeon and two years younger, enlisted in the same company and regiment one year later than did Simeon.  By exposure, he contracted bronchial consumption, and went to the hospital, when Simeon was wounded, and acted as nurse, not being able to do active service in the field.  After doing efficient services in this capacity, he was paroled, sent to St. Louis, and a few days later sent to the hospital at Columbus.  He was discharged September 23, 1868, and died at Mount Gilead, Ohio, four days later, while on his way to his home in Williams County.


(History of Williams Co, OH, Weston A Goodspeed, 1882, p748)

WILLIAM GILLIS, one of the early settlers of Florence Township, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 11, 1813.  He is one of the family of nine, but four of whom survive, born to William and Rebecca Gillis.  He remained in Harrison County until 1832, when he went to Richland (now Morrow) County, remaining there until 1845.  Moving to Williams County, he settled on the farm he now owns in 1855; it embraces 120 acres.  Mr. Gillis has spent most of his life in farming and clearing land, and but few men, if any, have cleared more than he.  Before his marriage he worked chiefly at chopping and clearing.  He was married in Richland County, Dec. 24, 1835, to Jane McClaren.  They have had ten children, with six living - Rebecca M., Eliza J., Simeon, Mary, Alexander C. and Rhoda L.  Mr. and Mrs. Gillis are members of the Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Gillis has been and is yet a hard worker, and his success is due thereto.

(1 microfilm reel; 35 mm. Call# Archives MS746mf LIB USE ONLY. Center for Archival Collections. Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green. Ohio)

Gillis Family Papers 1780-1988.
Family from Spring Lake, Williams County, Ohio. James and Simeon served with the 68th O.V.I. during the Civil War, during which James was killed; Simeon went on after the War to become the editor of the Bryan Press, in Bryan, Ohio. Civil War diaries from 1862 and 1863 of James and Simeon Gillis while serving with the 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, along with post-war reunion material, correspondence, and genealogical information.

A History of Northwest Ohio, Otto Nevin Winter, 1917,V3,  p2144-2146

SIMEON GILLIS. As soldier, county official, a business man and citizen, Simeon Gillis has lived up to the most exacting standards of responsibility and faithfulness to duty' during his long career. His home is in Bryan, where for a number of years he has represented the Continental Insurance Company and other companies, and his family was among the pioneer makers of Williams County.


His birth occurred near Iberia, then in Richland, but now in Morrow County, Ohio, May 2, 1842. His parents were William and Jane (McClaren) Gillis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Ireland. His mother was of Scotch ancestry, her forefathers having gone to Ireland with William of Orange during the latter part of the sixteenth century. She always boasted that her ancestors had retained their Scotch blood in all its purity despite their residence in Ireland.


The Gillis family has been resident in Ohio for more than a century, in fact since Ohio was' part of the Northwest Territory. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Gillis were born in Maryland and came to Ohio in the spring of 1800. William Gillis, his father, was born near Annapolis, in what was then Harrison but is now Jefferson County, Ohio, May 11, 1813. When nineteen years of age he moved to Richland County with the family of his widowed mother and settled in Congress Township, in what is now Morrow County. There he assisted his brothers in clearing up the farm acquired by their mother. Having had only three months of schooling William Gillis was in every practical sense a self-educated man.


On December 24, 1835, he was married in Richland County to Miss Jane McClaren. Her parents, James and Jeanette (McClain) McClaren, arrived in Richland County about the same time as the Gillis family. From Richland County in October 1845, William Gillis removed to Williams County, reaching that section on the 27th of October. His first location was eighty acres of land, covered with dense woods, in Florence Township. He spent about nine years there clearing and cultivating his land, but in 1854 sold out and bought 160 acres in section 11 of the same township. The unsettled and undeveloped condition of Williams County at that time is well illustrated by the fact that in order to reach his new purchase Mr. Gillis had to cut a byroad through the woods.. He and his family arrived and took possession in the early spring of 1855. That farm, the fifth to be cleared by his sturdy arm, was ever afterward his home. While distinguished by a sturdy application of his energies to his private affairs and the development of a successful farm property, William Gillis was nonetheless a leading citizen in every community where he lived. The respect and esteem of his fellow citizens were paid him in generous measure, and in public affairs he took a patriotic interest and to the best of his means and ability aided all projects that had in view the best interests of the community. In politics he was strongly anti-slavery, though never a radical abolitionist. He was successively allied with the liberty, the free-soil and the republican parties. He was also a militant Christian, and he and his wife as Presbyterians became charter members of the Eagle Creek Presbyterian Church, organized at the home of Robert Ogle in Superior Township. William Gillis died April 30, 1889, at the age of seventy-six, while his wife passed away in 1903.


They had children that did them honor. Martha E. was one of the early schoolteachers of Williams County, and died unmarried at the age of twenty-six. Rebecca McC. in early womanhood performed a feat. as a weaver which possibly has never been equaled; on a hand loom with an ordinary hand shuttle she wove in one day twenty-two yards of linseed, a cloth with cotton chain and wool yarn filling; she afterward became the wife of Samuel A. Young, a soldier of the Civil war and a farmer of Northwest Township, both now being deceased. Eliza J. married John W. Van Fossen, a soldier of the Civil war. The next in order of age is Mr. Simeon Gillis. James F. had a notable military record. Enlisting in September 1862, in Company K of the Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry, he went directly to the front, served through the early campaigns of the regiment up to May 16, 1863, and then through loss of health being incapacitated for further duty in the army he was detailed nurse in the field hospital at Champion Hill. battlefield. Only a few nurses were assigned to care for the hundreds of injured, and he had to labor twenty hours out of every twenty-four until he was completely exhausted at the abandoning of the hospital. He and others left at the hospital were taken prisoners by the enemy, but he was paroled and sent north, where he died one year after the date of his enlistment. William M., the next of the family, was a school teacher, farmer and carpenter, and died in 1877, at the age of thirty-one. Mary, a teacher and milliner, married Benjamin S. Carpenter, who died some years ago, and she is now a resident of Montpelier in Williams County. Alexander C., who followed school teaching and farming, now resides at Orland, Indiana. Rhoda L., a former teacher, married Edward L. Brooks, who was one of the pioneers of Northeastern Nebraska, was successful as a farmer, merchant and banker, and died suddenly in 1913; after his death his wife returned to Williams County and is now living at Montpelier. Sarah, the youngest of the family, died at the age of eight years.


It was 3 ½ years after the birth of Simeon Gillis that the family came into Williams County. His early years were spent on his father's farm in Florence Township, and his developing strength had full practice in assisting to clear up the farm of eighty acres.


Every passing year lends a heightened appreciation of the services of those brave and faithful men who went through the struggles of the early '60s to preserve the Union. It is therefore consistent to give record in this publication to Mr. Gillis' past service as a soldier. October 22, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K of. the Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry. He was not yet twenty years of age. He had a sturdy physique developed by work on the farm, and went into the army with such education as was supplied by the pioneer schools of his day and a course in a commercial college at Flint, Michigan. The regiment first encamped at Napoleon, Ohio, and later at Camp Chase, where he was assigned to guard duty over the Confederate prisoners. He also took part in the drilling exercises and other preparations for the campaigns to follow. Early in the spring of 1862, on the Sunday previous to the battle of Fort Donelson, his regiment entrained for Cincinnati, then took passage on a steamboat and the following Friday morning debarked and took its position in line with the army surrounding Fort Donelson. The regiment faithfully performed its duty in the line until the surrender on the Sunday morning following. The regiment next marched across the country to Metal Landing on the Tennessee River, embarked on a steamboat and arriving at Crump 's Landing became a part of General Lew Wallace's division on the battlefield of Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh. During the great battle that. Followed on the days of April 6th and 7th the regiment was detailed to guard the division property at Camp Crump and Camp Crump No. 2, close enough to hear and realize the horrors of that sanguinary struggle, without the excitement of actual participation. In the siege of Corinth the Sixty-eighth the Regiment was on the extreme right of the line and performed its full share of work in building roads and entrenchments. Following the evacuation the regiment marched to Bolivar, Tennessee, and spent the summer engaged in guarding the railroads from Jackson to Grand Junction. The regiment was present and took part in the battle of Metamora, Tennessee, and was highly complimented in general orders by the division commander, General Hulbert. Starting from LaGrange, Tennessee, November 28, 1862, the regiment took part in. General Grant's winter campaign to reach the rear of the Confederate works at Vicksburg. However, the supplies being cut in the rear, after the regiment had reached Water Valley, the project was abandoned and the army retreated to Memphis, where it arrived January 19, 1863, and remained until February 20, 1863. When the regiment, with the Army Of the Tennessee, embarked on steamers to join the army 'encamped just above Vicksburg, Mr. Gillis and his comrades had their share in constructing the famous canal by which General Grant expected to reach the high ground south of Vicksburg. April 23, 1863; with the rest of the army, the regiment began to march around Vicksburg, crossing the swamps, bayous and swollen streams, and on May 1st crossed the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg, Louisiana, and following a forced march arrived -at 'the battlefield while the engagement of Thompson's Hill was in progress. Then followed the, battles of Raymond and Jackson' and the battle of Champion Hill. Champion Hill was the end of the military career of Mr. Gillis. Early in the day he was wounded, a ball piercing his left leg and necessitating amputation below the knee. From shortly afternoon until sundown he lay on the battlefield before being conveyed to the field hospital, and on. May 26th he was taken prisoner. Released June 24th, he remained at the hospital in Memphis until December 1863.


Thus for two years Mr. Gillis accepted every hazard and fortune of the brave and efficient soldier, and came home with an honorable record that will always be cherished by his descendants. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Gillis was nominated on the republican ticket for auditor of Williams County. He was elected, and in 1868 re-elected and again in 1871. Altogether he served six years and eight months, and for one year following was deputy in the office.


Retiring from his official duties, he spent two years after 1875 in the sawmill and lumber business. Associated with Hon. C. A. Bowersox and A. W. Killits, they then bought the Bryan Press and for a number of years he was influentially and actively identified with that prominent Williams County paper. The firm afterward became Gillis & Ogle, and after several years Mr. Gillis became sole proprietor of the Press. He sold it in 1889, and definitely retired from the newspaper business. For the past quarter of a century he has been engaged in the insurance field, and he has also served as pension attorney at Bryan.


For nearly forty years he enjoyed the companionship of a devoted wife, and in his declining years he may take a full measure of comfort in the character and attainments of his worthy children. On July 7, 1870, he married Miss Myra Ball, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe (Wright) Ball. Her parents were early settlers in Williams County, locating there in 1845. Mrs. Gillis died October 20, 1909. She was the mother of four children. Ethel, who after fourteen years of a successful business career became the wife of Mr. Frank Dorsey, and is now devoting her energies to the domestic duties of her home at Perth, Amboy, New Jersey, and is the mother of a son, Frank G. Faie, a former school teacher, is the wife of Omar L. Spangler, a manufacturer and jobber of candies and confectionery; they have two children, Helen and Harlan G. Harlan W., who spent some years in the building and superintendence of telephone plants, is now superintendent of the cost, stock and statistical department of the Dodge Transmission Company of Mishawaka, Indiana: Donna is the wife of Hugh E. McCurdy, a life insurance agent and expert bookkeeper at Toledo ; they have one child, a daughter, Ardis.


Mrs. Gillis was for many years a successful teacher in the common schools of Williams County and for two years in the graded schools of Greensburg, Indiana. After her marriage she was intensely devoted to the welfare of her home and children. Mr.. Gillis is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his children worship in the Presbyterian Church.

19 August 2012

Family Group Sheet - David Thompson/Barbara Lambright of Williams Co, OH

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The following is the information gathered from many sources in reporting the family of David Thompson/Barbara Lambright.  A descendant is looking for more information or another researcher who is interested in this family.  This project was part of my summer research endeavors.  If you know more about this family, please email me and I'll hook you up with the researcher.


Name:      David Thompson
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Birth:      30 Apr 1812      Beaver Co, PA
Death:      2 Jul 1896      West Jefferson, Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH
Burial:            West Jefferson, Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH
Father:      Thomas Thompson (1785-)
Mother:      Hannah Wilson (1787-)
Marriage:      16 Sep 1841      Beaver Co, PA
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Spouse:      Barbara Ann Lambright
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Birth:      20 Dec 1823      Beaver Co, PA1
Death:      2 Apr 1892      Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH
Burial:            West Jefferson, Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH
Father:      John Lambright (1795-1875)
Mother:      Sarah Hiner (1800-1838)
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Children
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1 F:      Mary Anna Thompson
Birth:      8 Apr 1844      South Beaver, Beaver Co, PA
Death:      12 Sep 1930      Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Frederick Mott
Marriage:      19 Dec 1861      Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Aaron Luther Kast
Marriage:      16 Sep 1866      Williams Co, OH
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2 F:      Hannah A Thompson
Birth:      6 Jul 1848      South Beaver, Beaver Co, PA
Death:      11 Sep 1926      Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Josephus W Barger
Marriage:      4 Feb 1864      Williams Co, OH
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3 M:      Robert John Thompson
Birth:      26 Jun 1850      South Beaver, Beaver Co, PA
Death:      26 Dec 1933      Fayette, Fulton Co, OH
Spouse:      Amanda Jane Andrews
Marriage:      11 Oct 1877      Williams Co, OH
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4 M:      George W Thompson
Birth:      5 Mar 1852      South Beaver, Beaver Co, PA
Death:      13 Oct 1916      NW Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Ellen Cesta Strong
Marriage:      12 May 1878      Williams Co, OH
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5 M:      Samuel Ross Thompson
Birth:      15 Dec 1854      South Beaver, Beaver Co, PA
Death:      20 Dec 1924      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Elizabeth Young
Marriage:      4 Apr 1880      Williams Co, OH
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6 M:      Andrew S Thompson
Birth:      1857      OH
Death:      1 Mar 1928      Toledo, Lucas Co, OH
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7 M:      William Wallace Thompson
Birth:      22 Nov 1860      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death:      20 Sep 1943      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Frances C (Erskin) Stoffer
Marriage:      11 Mar 1899      Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Tressa H Evans
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8 M:      Martin S Thompson
Birth:      7 Jan 1862      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death:      3 May 1944      Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Mina Eckerfield
Marriage:      26 Nov 1886      Williams Co, OH
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9 M:      Josephus C Thompson
Birth:      13 Oct 1864      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death:      7 Mar 1940      Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Katherine (Dye) Kellogg
Marriage:      20 Jun 1911      Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI
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10 F:      Frances Ella Thompson
Birth:      12 Jun 1868      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death:      13 Feb 1942      Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH
Spouse:      Ezra Tressler
Marriage:      21 Jun 1888      Williams Co, OH
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11 F:      Margaret R Thompson
Birth:      1870      Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death:      aft 1940
Spouse:      Edward Macomber
Marriage:      13 Feb 1914      Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI
Spouse:      George G Wilson
Marriage:      18 Jan 1919      Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI


Notes for David Thompson
David was a farmer and came to Williams Co from Toledo, Lucas Co, OH with oxen; he was in Co G 38th OVI as a guard and on garrison duty; he had a brother in Civil War (William as LT), a brother in Mex-Am War and his father was in War 1812

David’s brother Thomas Jefferson Thompson married Barbara Lambright’s sister, Sarah (brothers married sisters)

List of some resources:
Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen, 1892, p637-638
History of Williams Co, OH, Bowersox, 1920, p365-366
Williams Co, OH Marriages V4 p682 - Samuel; V4 p573 - George W; V4 p537 - Robert J; V6 #119 - Martin S; V5 p1248 - Ella; V3 p352 - Hannah; V8 p13 #26 - William W; V3 p209 V3 p209 and V3 p598 - Mary Ann
Montcalm Co, MI Marriages - William
Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, Jefferson Twp - West Jefferson Cem p24
Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, Madison Twp - Floral Grove (Pioneer) p19, 20, 78
Williams Co, OH Births V1 p22- Margaret R
Williams Co, OH Deaths V3p133 - George W; V3 p134 - Josephus and Katherine
1874 Williams Co, OH Atlas - Madison Twp, Sec 33 - David

1850  South Beaver, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_750; Page: 127B; Image: 255.
h/h 63/63 Thompson, David 31 Pa farmer
Barbara A 27 PA
Mary A 6 PA
Hannah 4 PA

1860 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 202; Image: 410; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h /1117 Thompson, David 38 PA farmer
Barbra 36 PA
Mary 16 PA
Hannah 14 PA
Robert 10 OH
Geo 6 OH
Samuel 4 OH
Andrew 3 OH
William 6/12 OH

1870 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 106B; Image: 216; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 59/60 Thompson, David 52 farm laborer PA
Barbara 47 PA
Robert J 21 farmer PA
George W 19 farm laborer PA
Samuel 16 farm laborer OH
Andrew 13 OH
William 11 OH
Martin S 9 OH
Josephus 7 OH
Frances E 3 OH
Margaret 1/12 OH

1880 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 478B; Enumeration District: 003; Image: 0591.
h/h /367 Thompson, David 67  farmer condition poor w/asthma PA-PA-PA
Barbary A wife 56 PA-PA-PA
William W son 20 OH-PA-PA
Martin 18 son OH-PA-PA
Josephus 15 son OH-PA-PA
Frances E 13 dau OH-PA-PA
Margret R dau 10 OH-PA-PA
Samuel 25 son PA-PA-PA
Elisabeth 26 dau-in-law PA-PA-PA

/365 Thompson, Andrew 22 laborer OH-PA-PA
?366 Thompson, George 26 PA-PA-PA
Ellen wife 24 OH-PA-OH
Freddie son 1 OH-PA-OH


Notes for Barbara Ann Lambright
Her obit says she was survived by husband, 11 ch, 12 grch, 2 sis, 4 bros, one time Presbyterian and after moving to OH joined Brethren Church; buried at Jefferson Cem; her grandfather was a Rev War soldier

1850  South Beaver, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_750; Page: 127B; Image: 255.
h/h 63/63 Thompson, David 31 Pa farmer
Barbara A 27 PA
Mary A 6 PA
Hannah 4 PA

1860 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 202; Image: 410; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h /1117 Thompson, David 38 PA farmer
Barbra 36 PA
Mary 16 PA
Hannah 14 PA
Robert 10 OH
Geo 6 OH
Samuel 4 OH
Andrew 3 OH
William 6/12 OH

1870 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 106B; Image: 216; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 59/60 Thompson, David 52 farm laborer PA
Barbara 47 PA
Robert J 21 farmer PA
George W 19 farm laborer PA
Samuel 16 farm laborer OH
Andrew 13 OH
William 11 OH
Martin S 9 OH
Josephus 7 OH
Frances E 3 OH
Margaret 1/12 OH

1880 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 478B; Enumeration District: 003; Image: 0591.
h/h /367 Thompson, David 67  farmer condition poor w/asthma PA-PA-PA
Barbary A wife 56 PA-PA-PA
William W son 20 OH-PA-PA
Martin 18 son OH-PA-PA
Josephus 15 son OH-PA-PA
Frances E 13 dau OH-PA-PA
Margret R dau 10 OH-PA-PA
Samuel 25 son PA-PA-PA
Elisabeth 26 dau-in-law PA-PA-PA