Benjamin Robert Willett, Old Settler of Williams County, OH

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.

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. 

More Info on Dr. Quido H Graser

By Pamela Pattison Lash

To supplement the divorce detailing of Graser's son, I found this article in an old newspaper.  The divorce article can be found here: http://williamscountyohiogenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/10/divorce-action-in-williams-county-ohio_5265.html

The Bryan Democrat, 18 Jan 1872

Dr. Q H Graser – quaint, eccentric, volatile Graser, who was at one time a distinguished surgeon in the Hungarian army, has shaken the dust of Bryan from his feet and now talks learnedly and eloquently to the wonder-loving people of Leavenworth, Kansas.  We are sorry to lose Dr Graser and his museum; neither of which was ever appreciated by the straightforward everyday people of this locality.  They failed (except Capt Fisher, Squire Myers, and BR Willett) to recognize the medical skill, scientific attainments, which has puzzled the savants of both hemispheres and genius for collecting wonderful curiosities in nature and art, and did not therefore accord to him the encouragement and approbation, which the Doctor was frequently heard to say he was entitled to.  All this made him unhappy, discontented, despondent; he felt that the circumstances of his situation were against him; that the minds with which he came in daily contact could not be watered up to his standpoint; that the limits of Bryan were to circumscribed for a mind that took in at a glance the world from its earliest chaotic period to the furthermost point of eternity and he therefore went in search of a more congenial clime where science and professional skill would be more fully appreciated.  The magnetic needle of his hopes designated Leavenworth and there he has settled.  May his many good qualities of head and heart and above all his claims to distinction as a scientist and philosopher be recognized by his new fellow citizens and his life be peaceful – he has the facility of making it profitable.

Judge With Bryan Ties Has Colorful Time on Omaha Bench - Scott

Judge Cunningham Robert Scott of Omaha, NE Had Ties to Williams County, OH

By Pamela Pattison Lash (update 26 Apr 2011)

(Judge) Cunningham Robert Scott (Oct 1832 Wayne Co, OH – c 28 June 1905 Bryan Democrat/c 28 Dec 1905 Bryan Press Obit and Bryan Democrat Obit - see below); s/o Robert and Charlotte Cunningham Scott

Almira R. Hunter, d/o William Alexander and Nancy Day Hunter; (Nov 1837 OH – 1 Oct 1902, Omaha, NE found in 2 Oct 1902 Bryan Press Obit, p2 - Almira Hunter Scott died on 1 Oct 1902 at home on Dodge St from combination of heart failure/asthma attack; her husband was notified while he was a sitting judge of ongoing case; she left three children; member of Presbyterian Church )

Cunningham R. Scott/Rachel Almira Hunter, 6 July 1858, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH

1860 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 36; Image: 75; Family History Library Film: 805052.

Scott, Cunningham 26 OH lawyer

Almira R 22 OH

Laura 11/12 OH

US CW Registration, Fairview, Jones Co, IA c1863 – CR Scott, 29 years old, married, birthplace OH, attorney

1870 Anamosa, Jones, Iowa; Roll: M593_401; Page: 46A; Image: 95; Family History Library Film: 545900.

h/h 155/165 Scott, CR 36 OH lawyer

Almira 31 OH

Laura 10 OH

Edgar H 6 IA

Kate 2 IA

1880 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa; Roll: 361; Family History Film: 1254361; Page: 247C; Enumeration District: 192; Image: 0497.

h/h 73/74 Scott, Cunningham  47 OH-OH-OH lawyer

Almyra 42 wife OH-OH-OH

Laura dau 20 OH-OH-OH

Edgar H son 18 IA-OH-OH

Kate dau 14 IA-OH-OH

1885 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co, IA State Census

h/h 165/166 Scott, Cunnigham R 52 OH attorney

Elmera 45 OH

Laura 25 OH

Edgar 23 IA attorney

Kate 17 IA

1890 Omaha, NE City Directory – CR Scott, Miss Laura Scott, Miss Kitty Scott, Edgar Scott all living on Dodge St.

1892-1899 Cunningham R. Scott served as judge of the District Court in Omaha, NE.

Omaha Memories, Edward F. Morearty, p123 (a very negative entry)

  

Article Title: Who Killed Maud Rubel? A Case of Black and White in Omaha, 1894

Full Citation: Tommy Thompson, “Who Killed Maud Rubel? A Case of Black and White in Omaha, 1894,” Nebraska History 86 (2005): 26-36.

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH2005Rubel.pdf

Date: 11/29/2010

Article Summary: When a young white woman, Maud Rubel, was found dead in South Omaha, suspects included Sam Payne, an African-American who had lived in a building near the crime scene. In spite of conflicting eyewitness reports and the fact that Payne recanted his original confession, he was convicted. Racial beliefs of the day, expressed in newspaper articles, played a role in his sentencing. After ten years in prison the governor pardoned Payne.

18 Feb 1893 – Jurors in Omaha went on strike due to poor quality and quantity of food served to them as they were locked up and could not return to their homes to eat or sleep until the trial was over. Judge CR Scott agreed with the jurors that they should not be deliberating on half-full stomachs and the provisions of the Grand Central Hotel, which had the lowest bid and therefore was awarded the food and lodging of jurors by the county commissioners at 25 cents per each juror.  Lincoln Weekly News, 29 June 1893

17 Oct 1894 - Two judges in two different rooms tried the same case.  Judge CR Scott, a personal enemy of Edward Rosewater, editor of the Omaha Bee, insisted on trying the criminal libel suit of Sophia Bennett v Rosewater.  Later both judges involved dismissed the case.  NY Times, 18 Oct 1894

7 Nov 1895 – Judge CR Scott, the famous criminal judge, was returned to office of judge as a Republican candidate for the Omaha District Court even though he had been bitterly criticized by the lawyers and press of the area.  NY Times, 7 Nov 1895

4 Oct 1897 – Judge CR Scott issued a strangely worded to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

NY Times, 5 Oct 1897

16 Dec 1898 – Judge CR Scott decided an Omaha contempt case known as the Exposition Affair.  He lectured prominent men of the area for two hours and found them guilty of lawless acts.  He disbarred the Attorney Carroll Montgomery.  Scott called his fellow jurists “anarchists” and levied $30,000 in fines.  NY Times, 17 Dec 1898

28 Jan 1899, Charges were leveled in the form of impeachment proceedings against District Judge Cunningham R. Scott of Omaha.  Endorsed by the majority of the Omaha Bar, Speaker of the House of Nebraska Legislature, Mr. Clark, began the action citing “every shortcoming and abuse of power of which a judge could be accused.”  NY Times, 29 Jan 1899

1900 Omaha Ward 4, Douglas, Nebraska; Roll: T623_924; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 36.

2033 Dodge St

h/h 82/100 Scott, Cunningham R. 67 (Oct 1832) mar 42Y attorney

Almira R. wife 62 (Nov 1837) 3/3 ch OH-OH-OH

Laura dau 40 (June 1859) OH-OH-OH

Edgar son 39 (Aug 1860) IA-OH-OH attorney

Katharine dau 32 (Nov 1867) IA-OH-OH

Lindberg, Emma servant 20 (Feb 1880) IA-Sweden-Sweden

By 1910 the children live in Omaha, NE

Edgar is married with children

Laura and Kate are living together, both single

Who Do You Think You Are – Robert Patterson?

Who was Robert N. Patterson, Publisher of the Bryan Democrat?

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

In 1863 the population of Bryan, Ohio, was close to 1500 people.  This community and its nation were in the midst of the Civil War.  In the spring of 1863 Robert N. Patterson traveled to Bryan and established a weekly newspaper, which came out each Thursday.  This paper known as the “Bryan Democrat” missed only three printings from its inception to 1882 – once later in 1863 for repairs, once in 1865 when the office was moved, and once in 1871 for a holiday vacation.  The first issue was printed on 30 April 1863 above Samuel Will’s grocery store located on the southwest corner of Butler and Main Streets.  Samuel White, a hatter, owned this two-story frame building.

Robert Patterson, born 19 Jan 1831, Delaware, OH, the son of Andrew H. and Roxanna Vining Patterson, began his early training as a printer for the “Buckeye Eagle” in Marion, OH. [Father Andrew H. Patterson died of consumption in Bryan, Ohio, on 30 Aug 1863 @55Y 4M.].  As editor and proprietor of the “Bryan Democrat”, he served in that capacity from 1863 to 1900 when he retired.  A biographical sketch of Patterson can be found in Weston Goodspeed’s History of Williams County, Ohio, 1882, p583-584; however the biography stops short of many accurate personal details.  It states that he was married to an E.J. Fulkerson in 1852.  [Her name was Eliza Jane Fulkerson and she appears to be a native of NY, b. 1831 according to the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p27 (print); Eliza Jane died in Dec 1910.].

It tells that the couple had six children but only names the surviving four. [These children appear to be Cora Z 1854 – May 1919; mar Andrew Obrist, 19 Jan 1876, Wms Co, OH (V4 p444); Addie 1858-?; Madera M. (male) 1863 – Aug 1931, mar. Cora Mason, 15 May 1892, Wms Co, OH (V6 #690); and Mary Margaret 1868 – Feb 1901; mar. Olin Root, 6 Aug 1899, Wms Co, OH (V8 p49).]  A more recent history of the county states that Patterson died in 1901. [His obituary appeared in the “Bryan Democrat” on 7 May 1903 p1, 14 May 1903 p4, and 18 June 1903 p7-8.  County death records show his demise as 4 May 1903 (V3 p105).  His estate was probated here on 17 July 1903 (#4471).]

What is also interesting about a man who for 37 years was one of the major journalistic and political voices of the county is that he was buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio, without any tombstone inscription or stone; the same is the case for his wife and several children.