Eugene Marion Priest, Lewis Priest, and Elery Priest - Tragic Family

By Pamela Pattison Lash

It started with the old newspapers - here is a detailing of a family of tragedy; two brothers and the son of one who all ended up being admitted to the Toledo State Asylum in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH and died there.


Eugene Marion Priest (1845 – 16 November 1907, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH), son of Andrew Shenline Priest and Lydia Keeler

Catherine Mary Smetzer, (Sept 1857 OH – 14 Aug 1907), Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH, dau of William Smetzer and Mary DeGroff

1860 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 41; Image: 86; Family History Library Film: 805052
h/h Priest, Andrew 41 PA farmer
Lydia 36 PA
Frederick 14 OH
Lewis 13 OH died 1917 in Toledo State Asylum
James 9 OH
Eugene 4 OH died 1907 in Toledo State Asylum
Unnamed male 1 OH

1870 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 171B; Image: 346; Family History Library Film: 552781
h/h 206/206 Priest, Andrew 53 PA farmer
Lydia 50 PA
Francis 24 OH
Lewis 23 OH
James M 19 OH
Eugene M 14 OH
Irving 11 OH

1880 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 621D; Enumeration District: 011; Image: 0104
h/h 121/128 Priest, Andrew S 63 PA-PA-PA farmer, widower
Eugene M 24 son OH-PA-PA teacher
Washington J 21 son OH-PA-PA teacher
Kaily, Susan 25 niece OH-PA-PA housekeeper

15 Mar 1894, Lucas Co, OH – Eugene M Priest and Mary C Smetzer marriage

Birth of William Priest 26 Dec 1896, parents EM Priest/Catherine Smetzer
Ellery Priest – WWI Draft 1917 – patient at State of Ohio in Toledo Asylum – insane – has the same birth date as William Priest

1900 Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH
Priest, Catherine 42 (Sept 1857)  mar 7Y 2/2 ch OH-PA-PA
Edna dau, all lodgers of Samuel Zigler 5 (Mar 1895) OH-OH-OH
Elery son 3 (Dec 1896) OH-OH-OH
Note – Eugene is not with the household nor have I found him in 1900 census

Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 22 August 1907 p9 c6 – obit of Mary C Smetzer Priest; her death certificate says Katherine Priest, d/o William Smetzer and Mary Dgroff, born Jefferson, OH

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 1 October 1907 p1 c2
Eugene Priest Insane
Eugene Priest of Jefferson Township was adjudged insane by Probate Judge Fraser yesterday morning.  Priest has been making his home with John Hallock, north of Bryan, and his condition was thought to be dangerous.  The demented man claims someone will murder him and to escape this has threatened to commit suicide.  When placed under arrest Saturday a razor and bottle were found on Priest.  His wife is dead but he has two children, Elery aged 9 who lives at Pulaski and Edna aged 12 who lives in Toledo, Eugene Priest is a brother of Lewis Priest of Bryan.  He was taken to the Toledo State Hospital by Sheriff Ames yesterday afternoon.

16 November 1907, Toledo State Asylum, Lucas Co, OH -Eugene Priest died, age 62, residence Williams Co, OH; born in Toledo

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 19 November 1907 p1
Eugene Priest who had been a resident of Williams County a great part of his life died in the state hospital at Toledo Friday.  He was about fifty years old.  Following the death of his wife several months ago Mr Priest’s mind became unbalanced and it was necessary to take him to the hospital at Toledo. His condition did not improve and he steadily grew weaker, until the end came Friday.

Eugene Priest was born on a farm a few miles north of Bryan, where he lived until a few years after the death of his father, which occurred about ten years ago.  In 1893 he united with Katherine Smetzer, to which union two children were born who survive the parents. Mr Priest also leaves four brothers, Lewis of Bryan, and three living in the west, Marion, Irving, and Monroe.
Note – his age is wrong, his marriage date is wrong

4 June 1913, Lucas Co, OH, Edna Priest, d/o Eugene and Catherine Priest, married John L Lee, son of Samuel and Rebecca Johnson Lee

Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 27 September 1917
Lewis Priest died in the State Hospital in Toledo last Friday. He was taken there about a year ago when his health both physical and mental showed signs of giving way and he needed the care of the institution.  He was 63 years old and married 1 January 1880 to Emma McFadder, by whom he had two children.  Mr Priest was well-known about Bryan for a long time and had many admirable qualities.  Funeral services were handled from the Deck Undertaking Rooms on Sunday with burial in Brown Cemetery.

His death certificate says he was a resident of the asylum for over a year and was diagnosed with senile dementia

Ellery Priest – WWI Draft 1917 – patient at State of Ohio in Toledo Asylum – insane

3 November 1918, Toledo State Asylum, Lucas Co, OH – Ellery Priest, born 29 December 1897, son of Eugene Priest and Catherine Schmetzer, died; single, farmer, burial Bryan, OH – dementia praecox and chronic dilation of heart; there from 18 Oct 1917-3 November 1918

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 12 November 1918 p5 – obit of Elery Priest

A Case of Insanity and Death in Williams Co, OH - 1894 - McCoy

By Pamela Pattison Lash

What I found personally interesting to me was the fact that this family originally came from Spring Twp, Crawford Co, PA, which is home to my Stewart/Stuart and Tarr lines – small world.  The old newspapers, as always, bear fruit for genealogical research.  As you read the entries, it seems hard to believe that one is deemed “insane” at the beginning of September and sent away but by the end of October the person is back in Williams County.  I wonder if he was sent to Toledo for observation and then released (probably never know).  Then add into the mix the death record(s) which I’ve also added; this information adds more – did our subject become too ill to be properly treated in the asylum to the extent that he was sent back home to die?

The Bryan Democrat, 6 Sept 1894 p5 c1

Collins McCoy of Jefferson has been adjudged insane by the Williams County Probate Court and taken to the insane asylum at Toledo.

The Bryan Democrat, 1 Nov 1894 p5 c1

Collins McCoy of Jefferson Township died Wednesday morning, aged 30 years.

Williams County, Ohio Probate – Collin A McCoy, 25 Sept 1894, case #3525, misc (aka usually insanity, which in this case is the situation; this record is unfortunately sealed)

Williams County, Ohio Death Records, V3 p93 – 2 entries apparently for the same man except the death years are different as are the age components (I actually looked at old paper copies)

1. C S McCoy, died 31 Oct 1895 @29Y 4M 13D in Jefferson Twp of Lagrippe; born in OH; farmer, single

2. Collins McCoy, died 31 Oct 1894 @29Y 10M 3D in Jefferson Twp of Lagrippe; born in PA, farmer, single

Williams County, Ohio Death Records, V3 p93 (online)

Collins McCoy, single, farmer, died on 31 Oct 1894 in Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH

Obit – Bryan Press, 8 Nov 1894 (not found yet)


Jefferson Township, Williams Co, OH Cemetery Records - Shiffler Cemetery burial records (WCGS, p72)

McCoy, Collins S died 31 Oct 1894 @29Y 10M 3D s/o Robert and Mary A McCoy

Also buried there were Addie B McCrea, Wilton D, Robert (a Civil War veteran), Mary A, and Flora McCoy.

Once I identified Collins in the above mentioned records, the obits for the parents, and the 1880 census I could piece together his family and add more details.  His father’s obit was extremely helpful.

(Father) Robert McCoy died on 11 July 1901 in Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH @74Y, married, buried in Shiffler Cem; born c1827 Springboro, PA; his father was William R McCoy and his mother was Amy Stu…Eban??

Obit – Bryan Democrat, 18 July 1901 p5 and 25 July 1901 p1 and 19 Sept 1901 p4; Bryan Press, 18 July 1901 and 25 July 1901

Bryan Democrat, 18 July 1901 p5 c3

Mr Robert McCoy another old resident of this community (Jefferson Township) passed away quite suddenly last Thursday after a brief illness of 3-4 days.  Mr McCoy was well up in years, having lived a few years over the allotted time of man.  He was a good citizen and in every respect a model man.

Bryan Democrat, 25 July 1901 p1 c4 (very long obit so I picked out the vital info)

Robert McCoy, born in Springboro, PA, 26 Sept 1826; married 7 Apr 1859 Mary A Stanford; had 3 children – 2 sons and 1 daughter: Addie (Mrs Will McCrea) of Danville, IL, Collins, a young man of promise was snatched away by death, and Wilton who lives on an adjoining farm. He lived for 6 years on a farm in PA and then came to Williams Co living on a farm 3 miles east of Edgerton for 8 years while he engaged in school teaching part of the time; then he purchased a farm in Jefferson Township where he lived until he died.  He was buried Shiffler Cem – survived by 2 children, 3 grand-children, 2 brothers, 1 sister, and his wife.

(Mother) Mary Ann Stanford died on 31 Jan 1919 in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH @80Y 7M 17D, widow, buried in Shiffler Cem; born 14 June 1838 in PA, the daughter of James Stanford of England and his wife (unknown) Logan

Obit – Bryan Democrat, 4 Feb 1919 p1; Bryan Press 6 Feb 1919

1860 Spring, Crawford, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1100; Page: 921; Image: 300; Family History Library Film: 805100.

h/h 1832/1731 McCoy, Robert 33 PA farmer

Mary 22 PA

Note they lived next door to his parents (Collins’ grandparents), William and Amy McCoy plus his siblings; Robert is 23 PA in the 1850 Spring, Crawford, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_770; Page: 18B; Image: 43, living with his parents and siblings, Asa, James, Sarah, Ella, and Julia

1870 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 79B; Image: 162; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 289/289 McCoy, Robert 43 PA farmer

Mary A 32 PA

Wilton 9 PA

Collins 5 PA

Ada B 3 PA

1880 Jefferson, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 517B; Enumeration District: 006; Image: 0669.

h/h 14/15 McCoy, Robert 53 PA-PA-PA farmer

Mary A wife 42 PA-PA-PA

Wilton D son 19 PA-PA-PA (born Mar 1861, Springboro, PA; died 16 June 1943 Bryan, Williams Co, OH; buried in Shiffler Cem) mar Flora Hughes, 27 Mar 1895, Williams Co, OH

Collins S son 15 PA-PA-PA

Adda B dau 12 OH-PA-PA (born 24 June 1867; died 8 Feb 1913 as Adda  B McCrea, divorced; buried in Shiffler Cem) mar William McCrea, 26 Mar 1890, Williams Co, OH; by 1910 she’s married to David G Harter with her mother Mary McCoy living with them in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH

1900 Jefferson, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 106; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h 24/24 McCoy, Robert 73 (Sept 1826) PA-PA-PA mar 41Y farmer

Mary wife 62 (May 1838) PA-Eng-PA 3/2 ch

Note son Wilton and his family live next door; Wilton’s place of birth is listed as OH

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Gorrell, 1870

By Pamela Pattison Lash (20 May 2012)

Thanks to eyes of Beth Gubbins, I have another divorce from Williams Co, OH, 1870.  If any one knows the parentage of either party, please contact me.

Ann S (Bowlby) Gorrell v James Madison Gorrell

Bryan Democrat, 1 Sept 1870 p2

Ann Gorrell filed a divorce petition in the Court of Common Pleas on 31 August 1870 charging James with adultery with Mary D Zeigler.  His residence is unknown. The notice appeared in the newspaper for six consecutive weeks.

This needs to be checked - Civil and Criminal Court Records - Roll 22 case #39 – 1870

The couple was married on 23 Sept 1858 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V3 p26).  Note – the groom was listed as Madison Gorrell; the bride as Anna Maria Bowlby.

James Madison Gorrell (25 Dec 1836 Beaver Co, PA - 26 Jul 1924 at the I.O.O.F Home in Springfield, Clark Co, OH; buried in Grove Street Cem, Huron Co, OH)

1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH, p40 – my handwritten compilation

h/h /602 Ganel, Madison 23 OH

Ann 23 NJ

Ella 1M OH

Note – possibly Ann related to Zilpha Bowlby 20 NJ living in Bryan as well as father and step-mother, Adam and Mary Bowlby, all from NJ - see below

Note – Mary Covill with Henry Gorrell also in Bryan; Mary 60 MD and Henry 26 OH

1870 Kendallville Ward 3, Noble, Indiana; Roll: M593_347; Page: 187B; Image: 380; Family History Library Film: 545846.

h/h 124/111 Zeiler, Mary 29 OH

Ezra E 8 OH

Gorrel, Madison 33 OH stone cutter

James M Gorrell married Mary Drusilla Macomber Ziegler on 5 Nov 1870 in Noble Co, IN (Marriage Book 2 p450).  Mary was the widow of John Zeigler/Zigler and had a son Edward Ezra Zeigler (28 Sept 1861 Richland Co, OH – 2 Jan 1904 Plymouth, Marshall Co, IN); Mary married John Zeigler on 30 Aug 1860 in Richland Co, OH.

Mary Macomber (6 June 1841 Blooming Grove, Richland Co, OH - 24 Apr 1918, New London, Huron Co, OH; buried at the Grove Street Cem, Huron Co, OH); d/o William J and Elsie M Ferguson Macomber.

1880 New London, Huron, Ohio; Roll: 1035; Family History Film: 1255035; Page: 134D; Enumeration District: 149; Image: 0270.

h/h 96/97 Gorrell, James 43 PA-PA-PA marble cutter

Mary wife 38 OH-NY-NY

And William San Clair family possibly as boarders

1900 New London, Huron, Ohio; Roll: 1288; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 28; FHL microfilm: 1241288.

h/h 77/82 Gorell, James M 63 (Dec 1836) PA-PA-PA mar 30Y renter, marble cutter

Mary wife 58 (June 1841) 1/1 ch OH-NY-NY

1910 New London, Huron, Ohio; Roll: T624_1200; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0032; Image: 552; FHL microfilm: 1375213.

112 High St

h/h 108/114 Gorrell, James M 73 mar 2x mar 30Y PA-PA-PA monument dealer, own shop

Mary D wife 68 mar 2x 3/0 ch OH-NY-NY

From Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center (online):

James Madison Gorrell

Nickname:            Uncle Jimmy

Birth Date:            25 Dec 1836

Death Date:            26 Jul 1924

Age at Death:            87

Death Place:            Springfield, Ohio

Spouse:            Mary Drusilla (Macomber)

Marriage Date:            14 Nov 1870

Newspaper:            New London Record, New London, Ohio, 31 July 1924 p1 c3

Newspaper Repository: New London Public Library, OH; New London Public Library, OH

What happened to Ann Gorrell?

1850 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 88B; Image: 176.

h/h Bowlby, Adam R 39 NJ farmer

Mary 39 NJ

Ann 14 NJ with siblings John, William, Samuel, Andrew, Annina, Oliver McGrue, Hannah, and Emmeline

Note – Ann was the daughter of Adam Riley Bowlby and first wife, Martha McDaniel.

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 180B; Image: 364; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 95/95 Garl, Ann 32 NJ

Flora 8 OH

Cora 6 OH

Ann M Gorrell married John Saultzman, 8 Jan 1878 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V4 p555)

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 658D; Enumeration District: 012; Image: 0178.

h/h 596/624 Suttsman, John 57 insurance agent OH-OH-OH

Ann wife 42 OH-NJ-OH

Belle dau 16 OH-OH-OH

Flora L Gorrell married George A Newcomer, 17 Oct 1878 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage 4 p599)

Bryan Democrat, 14 July 1881/Bryan Press, 14 July 1881 – John Saltzman

Williams Co, OH Probate - 25 June 1898 Ann Saltman – misc – case #2934

Bryan Democrat, 30 June 1898 – Two cases of lunacy were up before the Probate Court last week – Mrs Jessamine Denman of Montpelier and Mrs Ann Salzman of Bryan.  They were committed to the asylum at Toledo.

1900 Toledo Ward 15, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: 1299; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 113; FHL microfilm: 1241299.

Toledo State Asylum

Ann Saltzman patient 63 (May 1837) OH-OH-OH 2/2 ch widow

1910 Toledo Ward 10, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1209; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 1164; FHL microfilm: 1375222.

Toledo State Asylum

Ann Saltzman  inmate 73 widow 2/0 ch NJ-unk-unk

Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH

Saltzman, John Co E 21^st OVI

Ann M no dates

Dimma May 1895-1898

Ann Saltzman (May 1837 – 28 Aug 1911, Toledo State Asylum, Lucas Co, OH; bur Bryan, OH; widow; lived there 13Y)

Bryan Democrat, 1 Sept 1911 p1 c2 – Ann Saltzman

Ann Saltzman died at the Toledo State hospital Monday morning on 28 Aug 1911 at the age of 74.  The remains were brought to Bryan Monday evening and taken to the Deck undertaking establishment.  The funeral was held from there Wednesday morning and the remains laid to rest in the Fountain Grove Cemetery.

Accidental Finding of Divorce and Toledo State Asylum Referencing - Balthasar and Rebecca Myers Hoffman

By Pamela Pattison Lash

It seems I can’t go anywhere without bumping into divorce material (and as I discovered asylum inmate info). In a volume at the Williams Co, OH Recorder’s Office titled Miscellaneous Record #1 p5 I found the following:

Balthasar Hoffman to Rebecca M Hoffman

“Article of marital separation

They can no longer live together and cohabit together.”

Balthasar gives a deed of warranty to their son Jacob Hoffman as trustee to land in St Joseph Twp on the sw corner of east ½ se ¼ of Section 36, T6N R1E of 10 acres on 21 Nov 1895.

Battes Hoffman, born on 15 April 1845, Wurtemburg, Germany, married Rebecca Myers in Crawford Co, OH on 21 December 1871. (possibly daughter of John G and Margaret Myers, both natives of Germany, living 1850 in Liberty, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M432_671; Page: 416B; Image: 200 as John G 47, Margaret 44, Rebecca 2 OH and many siblings: Henry, John, David, Susanna, Jacob, William, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Daniel)

1860 Bucyrus, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M653_951; Page: 47; Image: 51; Family History Library Film: 803951.

h/h 348/353 Hoffman, Charlotte 56 Wurtem

Jacob 22 Wurtem day laborer

Bartis 15 Wurtem day laborer

1870 Holmes, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M593_1186; Page: 431B; Image: 248; Family History Library Film: 552685.

h/h 281/284 Myers, Daniel 21 OH farmer

Margaret 62 Wurtem

Caty 25 OH

Rebecca 22 OH

Eli 19 OH works on farm

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 233A; Image: 471; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 24/34 Hoffman, Baltes 23 Wurtem farmer

Charlotta 67 Wurtem

George Hoffman, son of Baltz Hoffman and Rebecca Miers, was born on 9 Aug 1876 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V1 p101)

1880 Saint Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 591A; Enumeration District: 009; Image: 0042.

h/h 127/128 Hoffmann, Baltus 35 Wurtem-Wurtem-Wurtem farmer

Rebecca 33 wife OH-Wurtem-Wurtem

Jacob 7 son OH-Wurtem-OH

George 4 son OH-Wurtem-OH

Charlotte 77 mother, widow Wurtem-Wurtem-Wurtem

Edward Huffman, son of B Huffman and Rebecca Miers, was born on 22 Mar 1881 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V2 p24)

Daniel Hoffman, son of Baltes Hoffman and Rebecca Myers, was born on 9 Dec 1883 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V2 p61)

Charlotta Hoffman died in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH on 12 Dec 1885, widow, born in Germany, age 82Y (Deaths V2 p35)

Baltasser Hoffman married Katie Mavis in Williams Co, OH on 3 December 1896 by Rev F Heckleman. (Marriages V7 p86); it appears that Catherine Mavis was born on 3 May 1872 probably in Defiance Co, OH, the daughter of Abraham Mavis and Caroline Stahl.

1880 Farmer, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 222A; Enumeration District: 240; Image: 0669.

h/h 123/129 Mavis, Abraham J 40 OH-OH-OH farmer

Caroline wife 35 OH-PA-PA

Jenne dau 12 OH-OH-OH

Charles P son 10 OH-OH-OH

Catherin dau 8 OH-OH-OH

Nettie dau 6 OH-OH-OH

Elsworth son 5 OH-OH-OH

Mellie dau 3 OH-OH-OH

Beulah S Hoffman, daughter of B Hoffman and Kathryn Mavis, was born in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH on 20 July 1898 (Births V 3 p88)

Charles Hoffman, son of B Hoffman and Kate Mavis, was born in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH on 28 Feb 1900 (Births V 3p89)

1900 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 110; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h 207/209 Hoffman, Baltser 54 (April 1846) mar 3Y Germ-Germ-Germ to USA 1856 and naturalized, farmer, renting land

Katie A 28 wife (Mar 1872) 3/3 ch OH-OH-PA

Daniel C 7 son (July 1892) OH-Germ-OH

Beulah C 1 dau ((July 1898) OH-Germ-OH

Charles R 3/12 son (Feb 1900) OH-Germ-OH

Jake 25 son (Nov 1874) OH-Germ-OH farmer, single

On 27 January 1902 Rebecca Hoffman (Williams Co, OH Probate #4316 misc – aka probably confined to Toledo State Asylum) Note I did not find her in the 1900 federal census.

Franklin A Hoffman, son of B Hoffman and Katie Mavis, was born in Center Twp, Williams Co, OH on 24 March 1902 (Births V3 p91)

On 10 May 1906 Naomi Mildred Hoffman, daughter of Baltosser Hoffman and Katherine Mavis was born in Defiance Co, OH

1910 Farmer, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: T624_1177; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0011; Image: 249; FHL microfilm: 1375190.

h/h 112/114 Hoffman, Baltharsa 64 mar 2x mar 13Y Germ-Germ-Germ general farmer

Catherine wife 38 mar 13Y 6/6 ch OH-OH-OH

Beulah dau 11 OH-Germ-OH

Charles son 10 OH-Germ-OH

Franklin A  son 8 OH-Germ-OH

Burnell son 6 OH-Germ-OH

Mildred dau 4 OH-Germ-OH

Swager, Darrel step son 17 OH-OH-OH farm laborer, working out

1910 Toledo Ward 10, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1209; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 1151; FHL microfilm: 1375222.

Rebecca Hoffman 65 inmate of Toledo State Asylum, divorced OH-OH-OH, mother of 5 children, unknown how many are living

Rebecca Hoffman, born 1845, died in the Toledo State Hospital, Lucas Co, OH on 28 June 1913; burial in Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH; her death certificate says cause of death was exhaustion and senile dementia @68years of age; there is no tombstone to mark her burial

Rebecca Hoffman, Williams Co, OH Probate, 11 Aug 1913, estate  #5782

Baltoser Huffman died on 19 January 1914 at St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH at 68Y 9M 4D (born 15 Apr 1845 in Germany); he was married, a farmer; buried in Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH; father Baltoser Hufman and mother Charlotta Schwartz, both of German birth. Note there are tombstones for Baltoser and his mother Charlotta, but none for his wives, Rebecca or Catherine/Katherine.

Baltosser Hoffman, Edgerton Earth, 23 Jan 1914, p2 c2 obit

Ballis Hoffman, Williams Co, OH Probate, 17 June 1915 estate #5985 1/2

Caroline Mavis died on 1 Aug 1915 in Defiance Co, OH; daughter of Peter Stahl and Catherine Conrath.

Katherin M Hoffman died in Defiance Co, OH on 14 Jan 1916.

Jacob Hoffman, son of Baltasser Hoffman and Rebecca Myers, married Susie Mathias, daughter of Jacob Mathias and Mary Siraies, in Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH on 1 March 1917. He was born in St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH and was 43 years old; she was born in Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH and was 23 years old. (Marriages V7 p403)

Abraham J Mavis died on 15 May 1927 in Farmer, Defiance Co, OH at 77Y 3M 12D; he was born on 3 Feb 1840 in Knox Co, OH, the son of Andrew Mavis and Mary Husted; burial in Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH; widower; spouse Caroline.

Old Newspaper - Sad Account of "Wife of Andrew Svoboda", 1904

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Bryan Democrat, 11 August 1904 p3

Note the surname changes but it seems to be Svoboda: “The wife of Andrew Snoboda, residing on the Nye farm about five miles south and east of this place, became suddenly insane last Friday night.  The woman is about 30 years old and is the mother of 4 children – the youngest quite small.  Her case was diagnosed by Dr JW Long as acute dementia and appears to be a complete prostration of mind and body.  She has been a hard workingwoman and the outcome of her condition is uncertain.  It may take a violent form or may not.  At any rate it is a very unfortunate occasion.”

It appears to me that poor Mrs. Snoboda is probably suffering from postpartum depression as in 1904 she gave birth to a child and had other children c10, 7, and 5 years old age.  The outcome appears to be she continued living and caring for her family.  Here’s what I found:

Andrew Svoda (Aug 1868 Austria – c1945 South Bend, St Joseph Co, IN; s/o John Vendal and Anna Schindler Svoboda)

Andrew Svoboda married Mary Helen Osburn in OH c1893.

Mary Helen Osburn/Osborne (18 Oct 1875 Madison Twp, Licking Co, OH – c1930 Kendallville, Noble Co, IN; d/o James and Sarah McKinney Osburn)

Andrew (1869 Germany)

1880 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH

Swooboda, John 57

Anna 42

Peter 20

Joseph 17

Andrew 11

Moshana 8

Frank 5

John 1

1900 Benton, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T623; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 40.

h/h 79/79 Svoboda, Andrey 32 (Aug 1868) mar 7Y 3/3 ch Austria-Aus-Aus farmer; to USA 1874; naturalized

Mary wife 23 OH-PA-PA 3/3 ch

Grace dau 6 (May 1894) OH-Aust-OH

Clarence son 3 (Aug 1896) OH-Aust-OH

Alva son 10/12 (Aug 1899) OH-Aust-OH

1904 newspaper article probably short time after giving birth to son David

1910 Orange, Noble, Indiana; Roll: T624_372; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0114; Image: 1094; FHL Number: 1374385.

h/h 24/24 Svoboda, Andrew 43 mar 18Y Aust-Aust-Aust to US 1874 naturalized; general farmer renting land

Mary wife 33 4/4 ch OH-OH-PA

Grace dau 15 OH-Aust-OH

Clarence son 12 OH-Aust-OH

Elven son 9 OH-Aust-OH

David son 6 OH-Aust-OH

1930 Bronson, Branch, Michigan; Roll: 4607713; Page: 4A; Image: 647.0; Family History Library Film: 2340712.

h/h /78 Andrew Svoboda widower as head of household w/son Clarence, a housekeper, and a laborer, all divorced; Andrew is general farmer 56 Bohemia-Bohemia-Bohemia; to US 1880, naturalized

Sensitive Subject - Insanity in Williams County, Ohio - Schnurr

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 16 May 2011)


A day after I posted this, I found more information plus a correction to the online death record of Ursula Schnur, so look for add-ons in bold.

Thank goodness for old newspapers being available for public research.  Here is an example of an insanity hearing that was mentioned in a Williams Co, OH newspaper, printed close to 106 years ago; however upon closer research one finds an error in the account.

Bryan Democrat, 1 June 1905

“An inquest as to the sanity of Ursula Schnurr, a daughter of John Schnurr who lives one mile south of Stryker, was held before Judge Schrider last Monday.  After hearing the testimony of three witnesses – Geo Buehrer, Charles F Mignin, and John Schnurr, she was found to be a fit subject to be sent to the hospital to undergo treatment.  She was taken to the Toledo state hospital for insane on Wednesday by Sheriff Ames.”

Tie this in with the following information:

Ursula Schnur - Williams Co, OH Probate case number 4698 misc – 18 May 1905 (i.e. one will be unable to see the case until a change, if ever, in judicial personnel takes place in Williams County, OH)

Tie this to the Ohio Death Records online:

Ursula Schnurr died on 26 July 1915 in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH.  According to her online death certificate she was married, 58 years old (born 1857), and buried in the Evansport Cemetery.

Note is appears that Ursula remained as inmate of the Toledo State Hospital for Insanity for ten years before her death. Note that according to the Springfield Twp Cemeteries, WCGS, both Ursula A Schnur (1856-1915) and husband John Schnur (1854-1924) are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Ursula's father, Martin Buehrer, a cooper from Luzern, Switzerland, is also buried in that cemetery with the dates of 12 Apr 1823 - 3 July 1891.  There is also more data on the Buehrer family in The Ancestry and History of the Buehrer Families, James D. Buehrer, 1916, p37.

John Schnur  (20 Jan 1854, Williams Co, OH – 25 June 1924, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH) @70Y 5M 5D, buried in Reformed Cemetery, widower, spouse – Ursula, father Henry Schnur; both parents natives of Germany)

Now we have a better picture of who Ursula Schnurr really was – NOT the daughter of John Schnurr, but his wife.

From other sources I have been able to piece together a little bit of information regarding the husband, John, and his wife, Ursula Buehrer Schnurr.

1860 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 72; Image: 148; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h /1092 Snoren, Henry 42 Alsace farmer

Lucy 43 Wurt

George 9 OH

John 6 OH

Laura 2 OH

1870 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 206B; Image: 418; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 211/211 Shiner, Henry 50 FR farmer

Louisa 53 Wurtem

George 17 OH

John 15 OH

Lena 12 OH

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 678A; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 0217.

h/h 282/302 Shnur, Henry 60 Germ-Germ-Germ farmer

Lucy wife 63 Germ-Germ-Germ

John son 25 single OH-Germ-Germ

1883; Arrival: New York, United States; Microfilm Serial: M237; Microfilm Roll: M237_461; Line: 43; List Number: 166

On 12 Feb 1883 aboard the Labrador a family arrived in NY from port of departure, LeHavre, FR; their birthplace was recorded as Switzerland; their destination was Ohio.  Family members arriving in the US were:

Burrer, Martin (1824) 59

Verena (1855) 28 (Mrs. Seiler in Fulton Co, OH)

Ursula (1857) 26

Jean (male – 1859) 24 (in 1892 went to CA seeking gold and died 1897)

Martin (1859) 24 (married M Miller in Williams Co, OH)

Guillane (1862) 21 (known as William, b1861, 1882 graduate of military academy in Zurich; became a mail carrier in US, married Wilhelmina Fuchs)

Maria (1865) 18 (Mrs Schlatter of Defiance Co, OH)

Jacob (1859) 24

Jean (1862) 21

John Schnur married Ursula Buehrer in Williams Co, OH on 7 May 1891 (Marriage V6 #442)

1900 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 115.

h/h 208/209 Shnur, John (Jan 1854) 46 mar 9Y OH-Germ-Germ farmer

Ursula wife (June 1858) 4/2 ch Switz-Switz-Switz

Albert son (Sept 1893) 6 OH-OH-Switz (died 2 July 1958 - buried by his parents in Mt. Zion Cem)

Samuel son (July 1897) 2 OH-OH-Switz

Williams Co, OH Probate case number 4698 misc – 18 May 1905

1910 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0133; Image: 1020; FHL Number: 1375254.

h/h 219/224 Shnur, John 56 mar 1x mar 19Y OH-Germ-Germ farmer

Albert S son 16 OH-OH-Switz/Germ

Samuel F son 12 OH-OH-Switz-Germ

1910 Toledo Ward 10, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1209; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 1164; FHL Number: 1375222.

Mosula Schmier 58 married, 2ch, Germ-Germ-Germ, inmate of Toledo State Hospital for Insane, can read and write, speaks English

Note the real name of the inmate was Ursula Schnurr.

1920 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 167; Image: 420.

h/h 156/165 Schnur, John 65 widower OH-FR-Germ farmer

Albert S (Sigmund) son 26 OH-OH-OH single, farm laborer

Samuel (Fred) son 22 OH-OH-OH single, farm laborer