Early Williams County, OH Settlers - Christopher Spade and Wife Anna Margaret Clark

By Pamela Pattison Lash

I was researching the Christopher Spade family recently and found this information on a very early Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH family.

Christopher Spade (21 Feb 1817 Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA – 15 Oct 1888, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH @71Y 7M 24D of heart disease; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH) Obit from Bryan Democrat, 18 Oct 1888 p5

Anna Margaret Clark (20 Nov 1822, Cumberland Co, PA – 23 Oct 1890 @67Y 11M 3D of diabetes; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH); d/o Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Fowler Clark; to Richland Co, OH 1 May 1833

Obit in undocumented newspaper, written by JW Lilly, her pastor: Anna Margaret Spade, nee Clarke departed this life near West Unity, Ohio, Oct. 23rd, 1890, aged 67 years, 11 months and 3 days. The funeral service occurred from the family residence, Saturday afternoon conducted by the writer. Sister Spade was born in Cumberland County, Penn. With her parents she removed to Richland County, Ohio, where in the fall of 1842 she was united in marriage with Christopher Spade, who died two years ago. In the spring of 1843 they located to Williams County, Ohio. The country was new, but the hardships and inconveniences of a pioneer life was patiently shared with her husband, and right well did she perform her part. For forty-six years she resided on the farm about three miles northeast of West Unity. She was converted when but thirteen years of age, and united with the Church of God. In a few years she became identified with the church of the United Brethren in Christ of which she was a member nearly fifty years. She had a clear experience, and the strength of her faith in the Lord, was indicated by her ever-Christian life. She was highly esteemed in the community where she lives, and exerted a wide influence for good. Always interested in the salvation of others, and the welfare of her own family. Her last moments were spent in prayer and her last words were, "Children I must leave you."

She leaves seven children, twelve grandchildren, one great grandchild, one sister, one brother, a large number of near relatives and many warm friends to mourn her departure. The triumphant death of this sainted mother should be a solace to the sorrowing ones; her hallowed influence a benediction upon their lives, and an inspiration to meet her in heaven.

Christopher Spade married Anna Margaret Clark c1842, Richland Co, OH

Children

1. Mary Jane (8 June 1843 Williams Co, OH -11 Nov 1892; buried West Unity, OH) mar Charles Sleight Bavin, 3 July 1862, Williams Co, OH

Excerpt of Divorce Detailing by Pam Lash - On 15 Sept 1877 he (Charles) used abusive language and dragged her out of a chair to a length of 30 feet by her hair, kicking and wounding her.  She tolerated this for the sake of her children, but in Feb 1878 she filed for a divorce but was refused. On 12 Nov 1878 he threatened to bash out her brains with a chair and kick the heart out of her, while striking her repeatedly.  She could not bear this behavior any longer and refiled for relief.  Thus this story was repeated for the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 10 p108 - Mar 1879; Roll 33 case number 549 - Feb 1878). She wanted custody of the children and provided their names and birthdates.  She also stated that Charles owned 80 acres of land in Millcreek and she wanted a portion of this to support her children.  She also stated that she was 35 years old and had been a resident of this county all her life.  Mary provided witnesses to her plight such as Frederick and John Bavin, Julia Ann Spade, John Laser, John Shook, John Kirkenburg, Margaret E. White, Alfred S. Hendricks, George Frick, William Denman, Joseph Greek, and ES Davis.

2. Frederick (1847 Williams Co, OH – 2 Feb 1900 Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH; buried Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH) mar Harietta Rings, 30 Aug 1868 Williams Co, OH, Marriage V4 p11

Bryan Democrat, 8 Feb 1900 p5

Fred Spade of Pioneer is dead.  His lifeless body was found at an early hour Saturday morning in the barnyard of Mr. Baltosser, west and south of Alvordton.  He had probably been dead several hours.  From people who live in that part of the county we learn that Mr. Spade left Alvordton in the evening for his home at Pioneer.  He was driving a horse, which was formerly owned by Baltosser.  There were no witnesses to his taking off but it is surmised that soon after having left Alvordton Spade fell asleep and horse left to his own guidance turned from the road to Pioneer and went to the Baltosser place and turned into the barnyard.  In the yard the buggy collided with a farm wagon with force enough to throw Spade over the dash.  A fractured skull and horseshoe marks on his face seemed to indicate that the horse had either kicked him or stepped on him.  Death was probably instantaneous.  When discovered the horse, detached from the buggy, was eating straw from a stack not far distant.  An inquest was held after which the remains were removed to his home at Pioneer.  Fred Spade was well known in the northern part of the county where he had lived for many years.  He was credited with warm impulses and a generous heart and was possessed of many friends who regret his death.  Also an obit in Bryan Press, 8 Feb 1900

3. Julia Ann (17 Jan 1849 Williams Co, OH – 18 June 1893 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH @44Y 5M 1D); single, took care of parents, obit in Pioneer Alliance, undated; Williams Co, OH Probate #3423 – estate – 31 July 1893

4. Margaret E (6 Mar 1853 Williams Co, OH – 5 Oct 1896 Hillsdale Co, MI; buried Evergreen Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI); mar John M White, 27 Oct 1872 Williams Co, OH, Marriage V4 p242

5. Christopher Columbus (16 Apr 1856 Hamer, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – 15 Dec 1914 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH); patient of Toledo State Hospital; Williams Co, OH probate #2506 misc – 14 Sept 1883

Obit in West Unity Newspaper Collection p 203, gleaned by Pam Lash - CC Spade

5^th of 7 ch of Christopher & Ann Margaret Spade

b Hamer, OH 16 Apr 1856

d Toledo 15 Dec 1914 @58Y 7M 29D

member of UB Church; had buggy accident

survived by 5 nieces 10 nephews 3 sis-in-laws

funeral – home of nephew George Spade of Pioneer under Rev Money

bur – Franklin Cem

6. Cornelius (6 Feb 1859 Hamer, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – 31 Jan 1905 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH); mar 1 Emily A. Mann, 24 Sept 1882Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI; she died 8 Dec 1893, buried West Franklin Cem; mar 2 Amie Eunice Ely, 30 Oct 1894, Fulton Co, OH, Marriage V6 p170; she died 1924, buried West Franklin Cem

Obit in West Unity Newspaper Collection p113, gleaned by Pam Lash – Cornelius Spade

b north of West Unity 6 Feb 1859

d 31 Jan 1905 @45Y 11M 25D

joined UB Church at West Unity as youth; later joined Franklin ME Church, then later ME Church in West Unity

m1 Emily A. Mann 24 Sept 1882

dau Daisy, survives

m2 30 Oct 1894 Eunice Ely of Fulton Co, OH

ch – 3s 1d – dau dec at 5M of age

survived by wife, 3s, 1d, 1bro CC Spade

funeral at ME Church in West Unity under Revs Hill, Money, Coslet, Stockton

bur – Franklin Cem

7. Joseph A (May 1862 Williams Co, OH -1903 Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI; buried Evergreen Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI); mar Josephine R. Bugbee, 29 Dec 1881, Ransom Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI

1850 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 28A; Image: 59.

h/h 358/360 Spade, Christopher 33 PA farmer

Anna 23 PA

Mary 7 OH

Fredric 3 OH

Julia 1 OH

1860 Millcreek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 123; Image: 251; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 1/1 Spade, Christopher 43 PA farmer

Anna 37 OH

Mary 16 OH

Frederick 13 OH

Julia 11 OH

Margaret 7 OH

Christopher 4 OH

Cornelius 1 OH

Christopher Spade 43 PA farmer on draft list for CW service; res Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH

1870 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 124B; Image: 252; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 29/29 Spade, Christopher 54 Pa farmer

Anna 47 PA

Julia A 21 OH

Margaret 17 OH

Columbus 14 OH

Cornelius 11 OH

Joseph 8 OH

1880 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 483A; Enumeration District: 4; Image: 0599.

h/h 3/3 Spade, Christopher 63 PA-PA-PA farmer

Anna wife 57 PA-PA-PA

Mary J daughter 31 schoolteacher OH-PA-PA

Columbus C son 24 schoolteacher OH-PA-PA

Cornelius son 21 farmer OH-PA-PA

Joseph A son 18 farmer OH-PA-PA