Sometimes when doing research and a write-up of a family, one can begin with the obituary of one or both of the husband/wife team and then go to other sources to add or adjust to what the obituary tells us. Note that all information in an obit is not always accurate. The data was usually supplied by a family member in the throes of grief or with little to no real knowledge so family lore is thrown into the mix.
The obituary for Benjamin Robert Willett gives a few details - Benjamin, born in Montgomery Co, MD, died on 18 February 1907 at his Bryan home at the corner of Beech and Bryan Streets. He became an Ohio resident in 1834 when his parents left Maryland and settled in Ohio. Benjamin was a partner in several business ventures when he came to West Unity in December of 1849 from Mansfield, Richland Co, OH. He later moved in 1861 to his present home in Bryan. He and his wife, Nancy L Wilhelm (m. 16 March 1856 in Williams Co, OH) did not have any children so they adopted the present surviving daughter, Mrs Ada T McElhenie. “Uncle Ben” as he was known to many purchased a tombstone shop located on the west side of the square. Later he was part owner of a dry goods store on the east side of the square…..The Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 19 February 1907, p1 c4-5 with picture.
Another smaller obit appeared in The Defiance Express (Defiance, OH), Friday, 20 February 1907 p8 c1 – Benjamin Willett recently died at his home in Bryan at the age of 79. He was a Williams County, Ohio native for 58 years.
The History of Williams County, Ohio by Weston Goodspeed, 1882 p600-601 tells of the senior Willetts coming from Maryland to Ohio. The parents of Benjamin are buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, OH, where Benjamin JR and his wife were buried. Benjamin Willett, SR (25 July 1786 – 4 August 1862) and wife Anna Howes Willett (1793 – 1863) were the parents of the following children: Horatio, Hamilton, Catherine, Meredith, Sarah, Otha, Elizabeth, our subject Benjamin, Joseph, and Oliver. The father, Benjamin SR has a will found in Will Volume 1 p117, 18 August 1862 case number 699.
Benjamin JR. was listed in the following federal census records:
1850 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH – Benjamin 22 MD farming and mill maker, living with brother Horatio
1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – now married Benjamin R 32 MD no occupation and Nancy L 25 PA
He married Nancy L Wilhelm, who was born on 11 November 1833 in Canton, Stark Co, OH, the daughter of John and Charlotte Kreisler/Crider Wilhelm of Franklin Co, PA. Nancy’s siblings were Mariah, Susannah, John, Fanny, Henry, Rebecca, and Catherine, and most of them were enumerated in the 1850 Canton, Stark Co, OH Federal Census. Note that Benjamin’s obit says Nancy was born in OH but most of the census records list her as Pennsylvania native. The earliest census record for Wilhelm is 1840 in Plain Twp, Stark Co, OH. Nancy’s mother died in Canton, Stark Co, OH on 16 February 1879, but her father died in Bryan, OH on 28 March 1887; both Wilhelms are buried in the Rowland Cemetery in Stark Co, OH
According to the 1863 Civil War Draft Registration Benjamin of Bryan was a marble dealer. He did not serve in the war.
1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – BR 41 MD marble cutter and Nancy 35 PA
1880 same location – BR 52 MD merchant, Nancy 45 PA, and Ida 5 OH
1900 same location listed as 14 Lynn St – Benjamin 72 MD (Jan 1828), Nancy 66 (Nov 1833), mar 39Y, no children
Sometime between 1907 when Benjamin died and 1914 Nancy moved to Toledo, Lucas Co, OH as his widow according to the Toledo City Directory. By 1920 she was living with Ada and Thomas J McElhennie (married on 9 March 1898 in Williams Co, OH), still in Toledo until her death on 10 November 1924. The Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 13 November 1924 p5 c3 contains her obituary. She was laid to rest in Fountain Grove Cemetery, next to husband Benjamin Willett.
In his Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 21 February 1907 p4 c3 – additional information:
1. He died of kidney and heart problems
2. He was a man of pronounced opinions, often gruff, but a kind heart.
3. He retired in 1875.
4. They were married in West Unity, OH.
