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.

Williams County, OH References Extracted from Steuben Co, IN Newspapers

Angola Herald/Standard Republican (Angola, IN) Newspaper Obits Index

Allman, Edith (Edith Norris), AH, 5 May 1939, p11 c4

Allman, Heyman C, SR, 2 Jan 1907, p1 c8

Allwood, Addie (Addie Marks), AH, 19 Jun 1912, p5 c4

Anspaugh, John L , AH, 18 Aug 1939, p9 c4

Beare, Margaret (Margaret Weldon), AH, 5 Aug 1932, p4 c7

Beattie, Mrs GM (Frances Merchant), AH, 24 Mar 1933 p2 c4

Boner, John E, AH, 12 March 1937, p9 c4

Bontrager, Elizabeth Jane (Elizabeth Jane Hantz), SR, 14 Feb 1905, p1 c4

Bratton, Clara (Clara Theresa Garwood), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10, c4

Buell, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Gipple), SR, 28 Apr 1915, p3 c4

Cain, Charles M, SR, 26 Feb 1919, p3 c4

Campbell, Sylvia (Sylvia Richardson), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c5

Casebere, Theodore, SR, 29 Mar 1939, p10 c4

Casebere, Viola (Viola Cooper), AH, 25 Nov 1927, p2 c6

Cassel, Emily (Emily Thrush), AH, 16 Mar 1910, p8 c5

Clark, Ann (Ann Duke), SR, 26 Mar 1902, p4 c4

Clark, Dorcas Ann, SR, 3 Mar 1897, p8 c4

Compton, Amanda (Amanda Shaffer), AH, 18 Oct 1929, p2 c5

Cooper, Viola (Viola Casebere), AH, 25 Nov 1927, p2 c6

Curtis, Alma, AH, 18 Jan 1935, p9 c4

Davies, Maria (Maria Goudy), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c7

Davis, Eleanor (Eleanor Van Cleve), AH, 24 Jan 1912, p2 c4

Davis, Jerusha (Jerusha Rathbun), AH, 10 Jun 1921, p5 c4

Deller, Frank, SR, 4 Nov 1936, p9 c4

Deller, Lucinda (Lucinda Mawhood), AH, 17 Aug 1917, p4 c4

Dillingham, George, SR, 4 Jul 1894, p8 c4

Duke, Ann (Ann Clark), SR, 26 Mar 1902, p4 c4

Evans, Madge (Madge Sunday), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c7

Fenstemaker, Martha (Martha Ellen Moore), AH, 22 Jan 1958, p4 c5

Fickel, Michael, AH, 22 Sep 1916, p8 c4

Fletcher, Bert A, AH, 28 Dec 1928, p1 c5

Foss, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kailey Sharritt), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Freed, John, SR, 25 May 1892, p1 c5

Friend, Jefferson, SR, 28 Jan 1903, p6 c2

Galloway, Etta, AH, 12 Feb 1943, p3 c4

Garn, Mrs Will (Cora Huntington), AH, 13 Oct 1944, p5 c6

Garwood, Clara Theresa (Clara Bratton), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c4

Gary, Cora Bell (Cora Bell McElhenie), AH, 23 Aug 1950, p11 c8

Gillis, Alexander, SR, 2 Sep 1931, p4 c3

Gilmore, Margaret (Margaret Ellen Myser), AH, 27 Sep 1911, p1 c8

Gipple, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Buell), SR, 28 Apr 1915, p3 c4

Gore, William, AH, 7 Feb 1912, p1 c4

Goudy, Maria (Maria Davies), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c7

Graham, Eunice (Eunice Wells), SR, 10 Jun 1908, p3 c3

Greenamyer, Rosa (Rosa Shoup), AH, 7 Mar 1951, p3 c2

Haley, Oren W, AH, 5 May 1939, p11, c5

Hanna, Henry, SR, 14 Aug 1918, p1 c8

Hanna, Sarah (Sarah Trowbridge), AH, 2 Oct 1912, p8 c4

Hanselman, Anna (Anna Powers), AH, 6 Aug 1943, p4c5

Hanselman, Frances, SR, 18 Apr 1905, p1 c8

Hantz, Alfred, AH, 1 Feb 1935, p1 c3

Hantz, Elizabeth Jane (Elizabeth Jane Bontrager), SR, 14 Feb 1906, p1 c4

Hantz, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kaufman), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c5

Hardenbrook, Emma (Emma Young), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Harmon, Sarepta (Sarepta Tingler), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c7

Hart, Margaret Luella (Margaret Hix), AH, 3 Feb 1939, p10, c2

Hart, Thompson, SR, 12 Jul 1916, p2 c4

Hix, Margaret (Margaret Hart), AH, 3 Feb 1939, p10 c2

Huntington, Cora (Mrs Will Garn), AH, 13 Oct 1944, p5 c6

Ingram, Elva, SR, 17 Jun 1914, p3 c3

Johnson, May Belle (May Belle Moor), SR, 12 Apr 1939, p3 c4

Johnson, Santford, AH, 16 Oct 1963, p22 c5

Kailey, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Foss Sharritt), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Kaufman, Henry, SR, 24 Jan 1923, p3 c3

Kaufman, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Hantz), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c5

Kent, Sarah (Sarah Smith), AH, 6 Sep 1940, p9 c6

Kint, Cyrus, AH, 9 Aug 1929, p8 c4

Knapp, Jane (Jane Shupp), SR, 28 Feb 1923, p3 c4

Lanning, Delbert, AH, 4 Feb 1953, p4 c7

Light, Mary (Mary Zimmer), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c2

Lohrey, Nancy Jane (Nancy Jane Moseman), SR, 23 Feb 1916, p8 c4

Maier, Ann (Ann Reese), AH, 30 Aug 1935, p4 c5

Malcomb, Avery, SR, 11 Jan 1899, p5 c3

Mann, Lloyd P, AH, 11 Oct 1961, p3 c2

Marks, Addie (Addie Allwood), AH, 19 June 1912, p5 c4

Maugherman, Samuel, AH, 28 Oct 1927, p2 c4

Mawhood, Lucinda (Lucinda Deller), AH, 17 Aug 1917, p4 c4

McClain, Reverend IA, SR, 2 Jan 1895, p4 c4

McClellan, Evaline (Evaline Richards), SR, 3 Apr 1940, p1 c5

McConnell, John R, SR, 2 Sep 1891, p8 c6

McElhenie, Cora Bell (Cora Bell Gary), AH, 23 Aug 1950. P11 c8

Merchant, Frances O (Frances Beattie), AH, 24 Mar 1933, p2 c4

Moor, May Belle (May Belle Johnson), SR, 12 Apr 1939, p3 c4

Moore, Martha Ellen (Martha Fenstemaker), AH, 22 Jan 1958, p4 c5

Morgan, John William, AH, 11 Jun 1952, p16 c6

Moseman, Nancy Jane (Nancy Jane Lohrey), SR, 23 Feb 1916, p8 c4

Moss, William C, SR, 25 Aug 1886, p4 c4

Myser, Margaret Ellen (Margaret Gilmore), AH, 27 Sep 1911, p1 c8

Neihardt, George, AH, 19 Mar 1926, p8 c6

Norris, Edith (Edith Allman), AH, 5 May 1939, p11 c4

Parrott, Henry S, AH, 25 Sep 1936, p9 c7

Pickens, George, AH, 15 Jan 1926, p5 c6

Powers, Anna (Anna Hanselman), AH, 6 Aug 1943, p4 c5

Powers, Volney, SR, 25 Nov 1914, p3 c3

Priest, David, AH, 24 Jun 1927, p3 c3

Rathburn, Jerusha (Jerusha Davis), AH, 10 Jun 1921, p5 c4

Reese, Ann Lavina (Ann Maier), AH, 30 Aug 1935, p4 c5

Rice, Sophronia (Sophronia Simons), AH, 1 Feb 1929, p2 c4

Richards, Evaline (Evaline McClellan), SR, 3 Apr 1940, p1 c5

Richardson, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Wilkes), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Richardson,, Sylvia (Sylvia Campbell), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c5

Rigelman, George, SR, 8 May 1940, p3 c3

Rinehart, Lewis, SR, 29 Dec 1943, p5 c5

Robinson, Salena (Salena Townsend), AH, 13 Apr 1945, p2 c2

Saul, Jonas Leander, SR, 31 Dec 1919, p3 c3

Schieber, Samuel, SR, 8 Feb 1922, p3 c4

Shafer, Henry, AH, 9 Aug 1911, p4 c3

Shaffer, Amanda (Amanda Compton), AH, 18 Oct 1929, p2 c5

Sharritt, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kailey Foss), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Shearer, Delia Ann, SR, 3 Mar 1897, p8 c4

Shook, Willard W, SR, 15 Jul 1925, p3 c3

Shoup, Rosa (Rosa Greenamyer), AH, 7 Mar 1951, p3 c2

Shupp, Jane (Jane Knapp), SR, 28 Feb 1923, p3 c4

Sickles, John W, AH, 3 Mar 1939, p5 c6

Simons, Sophronia (Sophronia Rice), AH, 1 Feb 1929, p2 c4

Smith, Rebecca (Rebecca Truxall), SR, 18 Feb 1914, p3 c3

Smith, Sarah (Sarah Kent), AH, 6 Sep 1940, p9 c6

Stoneburner, Alberta, AH, 22 Sep 1939, p3 c3

Street, Mrs Calvin, SR, 28 Apr 1886, p8 c5

Struble, Martha (Martha Word), SR, 14 Jan 1953, p15 c4

Sunday, Madge (Madge Evans), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c7

Thomas, Edward, SR, 1 Mar 1911, p3 c4

Thomas, Ralph, AH, 17 Sep 1943, p3 c3

Thrush, Emily (Emily Cassel), AH, 16 Mar 1910, p8 c5

Tingler, Sarepta (Sarepta Harmon), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c7

Townsend, Emeline (Emeline Wallick), SR, 25 Feb 1914, p4 c4

Townsend, Salena (Salena Robinson), AH, 13 Apr 1945, p2 c2

Trowbridge, Sarah (Sarah Hanna), AH, 2 Oct 1912, p8 c4

Truxall, Rebecca (Rebecca Smith), SR, 18 Feb 1914, p3 c3

Van Cleve, Eleanor (Eleanor Davis), AH, 24 Jan 1912, p2 c4

Van Fossen, John Wilson, SR, 13 Nov 1912, p3 c4

Wallick, Emeline (Emeline Townsend), SR, 25 Feb 1914, p4 c4

Weidler, James, AH, 25 Sep 1936, p9 c7

Weldon, Margaret (Margaret Beare), AH, 5 Aug 1932, p4 c7

Wells, Eunice (Eunice Graham), SR, 10 Jun 1908, p3 c3

Wicoff, William, SR, 21 Mar 1906, p1 c4

Wilkes, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Richardson), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Word, Martha (Martha Struble), SR, 14 Jan 1953, p15 c4

Young, Emma (Emma Hardenbrook), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Zeigler, Charles, SR, 2 Jan 1963, p3 c4

Zimmer, Mary (Mary Light), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c2

Clara Louemma Yates Murray v Edward Murray, Divorce 1892

By Pamela Pattison Lash

While browsing an old newspaper I found this entry:

Bryan Democrat 7 January 1892 p5 c6

Edward Murray whose place of residence and post office address are to Clara L Murray unknown will take notice that on 20 November 1891 the said Clara Murray filed her petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Williams County, OH pursuit to a divorce from him on the grounds of willfully absence of the Edward Murray from Clara L Murray for a period of 3 years last past. 

I searched the Civil and Criminal Court records and found the divorce entry in Roll 51 #2941 which shed very little light on the circumstances of this action. It appears that Clara wanted custody of their son, Edwin Murray, $500 in alimony, and court costs paid by the defendant.  It also appears that the divorce was finalized c 8 March 1892 in the Common Pleas Court.  With some digging I found the marriage for this couple and the birth record of their son:

Married 8 July 1888, Williams Co, OH (Marriage V5 p 427)

Edward Murray and Clara Louemma Yates – the marriage application was made by John Yates, her father

Birth of their son - 13 November 1888, Bryan, Williams Co, OH – Edwin Yates Murray

I then checked out the census for 1870, 1880, and 1900 but found that by 1900 Clara was not living in Williams County as she had remarried and her son was listed as the adopted son of her parents, John and Mary Yates. 

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 180A; Image: 363; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 92/92 Yates, John 35 OH carpenter

Mary 29 OH

Elmer 8 OH

George 6 OH

Clara 1 OH

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 656D; Enumeration District: 012; Image: 0174.

h/h 561586 Yates, John 41 OH-PA-PA carpenter

Mary wife 38 OH-PA-PA

Elmer son 18 OH-OH-OH

George son 155 OH-OH-OH

Clara dau 10 OH-OH-OH

Kahl, Edward 21 OH-Prussia-Prussia boarder, laborer

Clara Murray married Charles P Harring in Williams Co, OH on 30 June 1892 (Marriage V6 p242)

Everything fell into place with her obit.

Clara Louemma Yates (6 June 1869, Williams Co, OH – Birth V1 p5; 27 March 1951, Bryan, OH; buried in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH)

d/o John Yates and Mary J Schartzer

Leader Enterprise (Montpelier, OH), Thursday, 29 March 1951 p1 c8

Mrs. Harring Dies in Hospital

Mrs Clara Louemma Harring, 81, life long resident of Williams Co, OH died Tuesday morning (March 27) at the Cameron Hospital in Bryan.  She had been ill only a short time.

Funeral rites were conducted this afternoon at the Creators and Kissell Funeral Home in Bryan with Rev Clinton W Swengel officiating.  Burial was made in Fountain Grove Cem.

Surviving:

Son Edwin Murray of Bryan

2 step-sons Emmett P Harring of Grand Rapids and Claude P Harring, Houghton Lake

1 step-dau Mrs Ethel Long of Toledo

4 grandchildren

10 gr-grandchildren

Mrs Harring was a member of the Bryan Methodist Church, the Order of Easter Star, the Women’s Relief Corps, and the Pythian Sisters.

More information on her second husband: 

Charles P Harring (21 April 1856, Osseo, MI- 29 November 1912, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH); s/o Henry H Harring and Mary Shurtleff

1860 Jefferson, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: M653_543; Page: 342; Image: 337; Family History Library Film: 803543.

Charles P Herring 7 MI s/o Henry and Mary Harring

1870 Jefferson, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: M593_673; Page: 372B; Image: 427; Family History Library Film: 552172.

Charles Harring 17 MI s/o Henry and Mary Harring

Charles P Harring married Bell Parter (Isabell Porter) in Osseo, Hillsdale Co, MI on 26 September 1876 – children Stacy (c1878), Emmett P (Apr 1880), Ethel (1883), Claud P (Feb 1888)

1880 Camden Center, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 580; Family History Film: 1254580; Page: 90D; Enumeration District: 083; Image: 0619.

h/h 370/382 Harring, Charles P 27 MI-NY-NY grist miller

Belle wife 21 MI-Eng-Eng

Stacy son 2 MI-MI-MI

Emma dau 2M (Apr) MI-MI-MI – misidentified as girl

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0111; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h 266/278 under John Yates running boarding house - Edwin Y Murray, 11 (April 1888) adopted son of John and Mary Yates OH-OH-OH

1900 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH City Directory – Charles P Harring, painter

1900 Toledo Ward 14, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: 1299; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0108; FHL microfilm: 1241299.

h/h 619/295 – 298 Prouty Ave - Harding, Charles P 47 MI-NY-NY mar 8Y painter

Clara L wife 30 OH-PA-PA 1/1 ch

Emmet P son 20

Ethel dau 17

Claud P son 12

1910 Toledo Ward 2, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1207; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0043; FHL microfilm: 1375220.

h/h 830/158 – 206 Michigan St -Harring, Charles P 53 MI-NY-NY mar 17Y, mar 2x, stone mason

Clara wife 40 OH-OH-OH mar 2x, no children

Charles P Harring died in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH on 29 November 1912

After his death it would appear that Clara moved from Toledo back to Bryan, where she spent the rest of her life.

1920 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 164; Image: 356. – under John Yates - Clara Hering 50 OH-OH-OH telephone operator living as roomer with Yates family, widow

1940 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T627_3169; Page: 61A; Enumeration District: 86-17.

Clara Harring 70 OH-OH-OH lodger, widow, living in household of William and Mildred Miller

Sad Event in Bryan, OH - 1900 Suicide - Krepps/Crepps

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Note the surname can be Krepps and Crepps within a span of one week in the same newspaper, so researchers need to look for both spellings so as not to miss vital clues.  I also noted from online sources on this family that there were no pieces of info on this young boy.

Bryan Democrat, 1 Feb 1900, p5

Thomas Krepps, aged about eighteen years, son of constable David Krepps, committed suicide last Sunday night by taking a large dose of morphine.  He was a genteel sort of young man, of good appearance, industrious, and possessed of no bad habits.  The cause of his self-destruction is attributed to unrequited affection.

Bryan Democrat, 8 Feb 1900, p5 c5-6

Tommy Imes Crepps was born Feb 21, 1881 at Monclova, Lucas Co, OH, and died Jan 29, 1900 at Bryan, OH, aged 18Y 11M 8D.

He was the youngest son of David and Janey Crepps.  He leaves his father, 4 brothers and 1 sister, also the only mother he ever knew, Mrs Sarah Crepps, second wife of his father, his own mother having died when he was but 13 months old also 2 step-sisters, Alberta and Daisy Shouf.  He was baptized by Prof LM Sniff on 23 Apr 1893.

He was a boy that was proud of himself as he a right to be; he was a natural musician, he had a lovely voice for singing when he would sing, which was not often; he drew beautifully with pen and pencil; as a cartoon artist for a person with no instruction he could not be excelled; as a boy he was good and obedient both at home and at school.  His teachers always spoke highly of him and he had carried himself through the temptations of youth as well as he was doing he would have made a man to be proud of.  He had a large circle of friends who will miss him greatly.

We wish to thank our neighbors and friends for their kindness in our great affliction.

We wish to thank the Show Case boys and WRC and all others for contribution of flowers……David and Sarah Crepps and Family

Thomas Imes Crepps (21 Feb 1881 Monclova, Lucas Co, OH – 29 Jan 1900 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH @18Y 11M 8D)

Father – David Russell Crepps (29 June 1843 North Woodbury, Richland Co, OH – 22 Nov 1928 Clausen, Oakland Co, MI)

1890 Veterans Schedule – Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH, David Crepps, private in Co F 100^th OVI, 1862-1865

Mother – Janey/Jancy Adams (20 June 1841 OH – 20 June 1882, Monclova, Lucas Co, OH) Mar 10 Dec 1865, Monclova, Lucas Co, OH

Murder of a Former Williams County, Ohio Resident, James Roop, 1896

By Pamela Pattison Lash

A former resident of Williams Co, OH was murdered in California.  He disappeared from the county and his family about 12 years before his death.  Definitely a tragic story made even more so because his parents had already passed away, never knowing what happened to their son.  After you, the reader, digest the news article and the particulars I have found concerning this family, take a closer look at the event through the eyes of different points of view from news articles in California.  You will see a completely different “character” of James Roop.  The lesson to be learned: carefully take what one reads in the old newspapers, sift for facts, and look for inconsistencies. The truth is usually somewhere in between.

Bryan Democrat, 21 May 1896, p4 (which apparently served as an obituary)

James Roop who was raised at Pulaski mysteriously disappeared from his home some 10-12 years ago making no sign of his intended departure and during all these years giving no hint of his whereabouts.  His relatives made diligent search and inquiry but could obtain no trace of him.  A few days ago letters were received by his relatives here stating that he had gone hence to California where he had married and engaged in gold mining in which he was quite successful, he and his father-in-law owning a 2/3rds interest in a paying mine.  On March 12 both Roop and his father-in-law were murdered – Roop being shot through the heart, dying instantly and the old gentleman so seriously wounded in the head as to render him unconscious in which condition he remained until death.  The motive of the double murder is not known.  Several persons were arrested on suspicion but no positive clue has been developed.  Mr. Roop, though somewhat eccentric, was an exemplary young man and his untimely death is regretted by many acquaintances.  His sisters, Mrs. Byron Wyatt of Bryan and Mrs. George Gares of Stryker are almost prostrated with grief.

Here’s what I discovered on the Roop family:

James F Roop (1863 IN – 12 Mar 1896 Riverside Co, CA), s/o William F and Christena Chilcote Roop; married Nellie E Conover McLaughlin on 15 Sept 1892 in Mariposa, CA(Sept 1868 IA - );  he was 27 and she was 23; they had a son Allen B (July 1893 CA - ) and a daughter Eunice Maude Roop Waite Jackson (9 May 1895 CA – 20 Aug 1983 Contra, CA)

Nellie E Conover McLaughlin, d/o Robert and Adeline Conover (Sept 1868 IA – aft 1930 Richmond, Contra Costa Co, CA; after the murder of her husband, Nellie married William Kearney, c1899 and had three children

James’ parents and siblings:

William F Roop, s/o Frederick R and Elizabeth Clayton Roop (13 Apr 1828 OH – 14 June 1886 Stryker, Williams Co, OH)

Married Christena Chilcote, 7 Oct 1855 Allen Co, IN

Christena Chilcote, d/o Heathcoat C and Hannah/Anna McClain Chilcote (1 Mar 1838 pos Crawford Co, OH – 10 Feb 1886 Stryker, Williams Co, OH)

Their children:

1. Anna Elizabeth (24 Oct 1857 IA – 29 July 1939 Stryker, OH); mar George Gares, 31 Jan 1895 Williams Co, OH

2. Rebecca J (13 Apr 1859 IN – 24 Mar 1921 Montgomery Co, OH); mar Byron Wyatt, 30 Sept 1880 Williams Co, OH

3. James F

4. William Paul (23 June 1880 Williams Co, OH – 26 Apr 1960 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH); mar Elda Gunn, 4 Sept 1904

Obits

Bryan Press, 18 Feb 1886 – Christena Chilcote Roop

Bryan Press, 17 June 1886 p4 – William Roop

William Roop died this morning aged 58 years. The funeral and burial will be in Edgerton, Tuesday afternoon, where Mrs. Roop was buried some months ago. The remaining family are one son and daughter past 21 years, and a lad six or seven years old. Mrs. B Wyatt, of Pulaski, is a daughter of Mr. Roop.

Williams County Death Date of Record 18 May 1887 No. 2-39-11

William F. Roop

Date of Death – 14 June 1886

Condition - Widowed

Age – 58Y 2M 1D

Place of Death Stryker

Place of Birth Ohio

Occupation Carpenter

Cause of Death Dropsy

Last Place of Residence Stryker

Williams County Probate Index, General Index 1

#4177; 2 Aug 1878; Roop, William F.; Case # 2028)

Williams County, Ohio, Probate Index, General Index 1

# 4178; 22 Sept 1886; Roop, William F.; Case # 2741 guardianship

Obits for sisters of James Roop:

Bryan Democrat, 29 Mar 1921 p4 c4 – Rebecca Roop Wyatt

Bryan Press, 4 Aug 1938 p9 – Anna Gares

The federal census records for the Roop family:

1860 Cedar Creek, Allen, Indiana; Roll: M653_243; Page: 370; Image: 134; Family History Library Film: 803243.

h/h 957/935 Roop, William 26 OH carpenter $1200/350

Christina 23 OH

Anna 4 IA

Rebecca 1 IN

Note: /934 Chilcoat, Heathcote 50 PA

Anna 40 PA

James 18 OH and other siblings living near the Roop family; by 1870 the Chilcotes live in Milford, then in 1880 Hillsdale, MI; both parents died in Edgerton, Williams Co, OH and are buried in Maple Grove Cemetery

Allen Co, Indiana Volunteer Bounty and Volunteer Relief Fund

88th Reg. William F. Roop Aug. 29, 1862 $20.

Christina Roop wife of Wm. F and 2 children

1870 Milford, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M593_1195; Page: 135A; Image: 273; Family History Library Film: 552694, PO Farmer

h/h 60/60 Roop, William F 38  PA carpenter and joiner

Christina 32 OH

Annie E 12 IA

Rebecca J 11 IN

James F 6 IN

1880 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 616A; Enumeration District: 011; Image: 0091.

h/h 3/3 Roop, William F 49 OH-PA-OH Justice of the Peace

Christena wife 43 OH-OH-OH has asthma

Annie E dau 22 IA-OH-OH

Rebecca J dau 21 IN-OH-OH

James F son 17 IN-OH-OH works in sawmill

Calender, Inez B 7 OH-OH-OH

Now, as I stated above, here are several accounts of this same murder, but with different points of view and more detail than the newspaper article appearing in Bryan, Ohio.  I discovered these accounts online:

Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA 14 Mar 1896

TWO MINERS KILLED - A QUARREL OVER A MINE RESULTS IN THE SHOOTING OF JAMES ROOF AND HIS SON -IN- LAW

BEAUMONT

Two brothers named Nicholson, miners from a mine about a hundred miles east of here, called The Lost Horse, came into Banning today and gave themselves up to the Sheriff of Riverside County claiming to have killed their partners named Robert Conover and James Roof, his son-in-law, of Pasadena, in a quarrel over the division of their mine. Self-defense is given as the reason for the murder. The Nicholson's claim that Roof shot one of them in the arm and that Conover struck him with a pick. The other Nicholson then shot both Roof and Conover, killing them both instantly. The wife of one of the dead men is bringing in the bodies, and the coroner from Riverside will investigate the matter fully.

Los Angeles Evening Express, Los Angeles, CA 14 Mar 1896

Two Pasdenans Killed Near Banning - They Were Shot by Two Other Men - Who Quarreled With Them Over the Possession of a Mining Claim. Murderers Surrender.

Word was received in this city this afternoon to the effect that a double murder had been committed at a place called Twenty-nine Palms, about twenty miles from Banning, in which two miners named Robert Conover and James Roof were killed by a man named Nicholson.

As near as can be learned, the trouble arose over a mining claim. Roof and Conover were working a claim, when Nicholson and a brother put in an appearance. The brother ordered Roof and Conover to vacate, which they declined to do. Words ensued, when Roof picked up a pick and attempted to hit Nicholson's brother over the head. At this point, Nicholson, who carried a Winchester, took a hand, and shot both Roof and Conover down. The Nicholsons then fled. Roof and Conover are said to be residents of Pasadena.

San Bernardino Sun, San Bernardino, CA 15 Mar 1896 - Last Thursday about noon, six miles southwest of the Pinto mountain, on Cottonwood road, in the Pinion mining district, Riverside county, P. R. Nicholson shot and killed R. Conover and James Roof. These men, together with J. J. Nicholson, were partners in mining claims, and they had a difficulty in dividing interests in the mines, out of which the fatal quarrel arose.

One of the survivors of the fight, P. R. Nicholson, says that Conover with a gun and Roof with a pick handle attacked J. J. Nicholson, his brother, and shot him in the arm and knocked him in the head with the pick handle. At this juncture P. R. Nicholson attempted to separate the combatants, and he was himself knocked in the head with the pick handle. He then went to his tent and got a Winchester and killed Conover and Roof. J. J. Nicholson was shot in the arm from which he came near bleeding to death. After the killing the two brothers came to Banning, where they surrendered themselves to H. M. Carpenter, Deputy Sheriff of Riverside County. The bodies of the dead men will be in Banning this afternoon and an inquest will then be held. By mistake the Sheriff of San Bernanrdino County was called to Banning, under the erroneous supposition that the killing took place in this county.

Riverside Daily Press, Riverside, CA, 14 Mar 1896

Two More Men Killed - A Shooting Affray on the Desert Over Mining Claims - The Slayer Under Arrest and Claims Self-Defense

Sheriff Johnson received a telegram this morning from Constable Carpenter of Banning stating that two men had been killed on the desert and that he had the man who did the killing under arrest at that place. The Sheriff immediately telegraphed to hold the man and send particulars of the affair. District Attorney Gill also received a telegram from Carpenter to the same effect, and sent a reply to bring the man here.

The San Bernardino Sun of today received some particulars by telegraph, from which it is learned that the two men killed were Robert Conover and James Roof of Pasadena. The killing took place near the Lost Horse mine, 90 miles east of Banning. Conover and his brother-in-law, Roof, were in partnership with two brothers named Nicholson in the mining business. The trouble arose over the division of the property, the men intending to separate. Anticipating trouble, the two brothers decided to leave camp to avoid it, when Roof seized a Winchester and without warning shot the younger Nicholson in the arm, at the same time Conover rushing at Nicholson with a pick-handle with which he struck him. The elder Nicholson, who was armed, fired upon and killed both his brother's assailants. The Nicholson brothers both came to Banning and game themselves up.

Mrs. Conover was expected to arrive in Banning today with the bodies of her husband and brother, on the way to Pasadena, and Coroner Sherman telephoned to Constable Carpenter to hold the bodies there. He will go up on the afternoon train to hold an inquest.

LATER - Sheriff Johnson this afternoon received another telegram from Carpenter, stating: "Will hold prisoner her until inquest. Will give you particulars when I come down." The Sheriff expects Carpenter to arrive in Riverside with the prisoner tomorrow.

Riverside Daily Press, Riverside, CA, Monday, 16 March 1896

The Nicholsons - They Were Brought to Riverside Yesterday

The two men, James J. and Thos. R. Nicholson, engaged in the trouble on the desert Thursday at a mining camp, near the "Lost Horse" Mine, 90 miles east of Banning, were brought to Riverside Sunday on the 11:30 motor, and were placed in jail. The inquest over the dead bodies of the two men killed, Conover and Roof, was held by Coroner Sherman at Banning Saturday night, the verdict of the jury being that they came to their death from gunshot wounds from a gun in the hands of the younger of the Nicholson brothers. It was previously reported that the older of the Nicholson's did the killing. Mrs. Conover, the wife of one of the murdered men, took the remains of the two men on to Pasadena Sunday for burial.

The version of the affair as given by the Nicholsons at the inquest, the four men mentioned being the only ones present when the quarrel began and ended, is to the effect that the difficulty occurred over the younger of the Nicholson brothers having located a claim with other parties, leaving out Conover and Roof. Up to this time the four men were partners, and Conover and Roof were incensed over the action of young Nicholson "locating them out" in the new discovery. Hot words ensued, and, as the Nicholsons tell it, they started to their work to avoid trouble when Conover seized a Winchester and shot the elder Nicholson through the right forearm. The wounded man grappled with Conover and was in the act of attempting to take the gun from him when the brother called to Roof to help him part the men, but he answered, "Let them fight!" But young Nicholson rushed in to separate the men and Roof picked up a pick-handle and struck James Nicholson over the head, knocking him down, and then hit the younger Nicholson on the head. Young Nicholson ran to a tent of some other miners and secured a Winchester left by them in the tent, and commenced shooting at Conover and Roof, firing three shots, two of them taking effect, one each in the left breast of the two men. The shooting occurred about 11 o'clock Thursday. Roof lived for about a half hour, and Conover until 8 o'clock in the evening.

The Nicholson's, after carrying Conover into a tent and furnishing him with water, started for Banning to give themselves up, stopping at another camp a half mile from the place of the shooting, and informed the men what had occurred and asking them to go down and take care of Conover. These men refused to go, not caring, probably, to mix in the affair. Later some other miners came to the camp and found Roof dead, and Conover died within a half hour after. Conover recognized the men but was unable to speak. The younger Nicholson testified that before he left Conover the latter told him to write a letter to his (Conover's) wife, taking all the blame upon himself and Roof, but that when he had gotten it written, Conover could not hold the pencil to sign it when he made the attempt to do so.

The eldest of the men had his arm in a sling, and his head tied up. Constable Carpenter of Banning, who came in with the men, said that when the Nicholsons got into Banning Friday evening the wounded arm was in a bad condition and the cut on the head was a frightful one.

The Nicholsons are to taken back to Banning this afternoon for the preliminary examination. District Attorney Gill will go to Banning to represent the State. It is thought that after hearing the testimony the justice may, if he holds the prisoners for trial in the Superior Court, allow them to give bail for their appearance. Geo. Beam was in Riverside yesterday ready to go on the bond for the men.

Thomas Nicholson, the one who did the shooting, is a young man of only 26 years of age, and J. J. Nicholson is 44 years old. Neither one of the men looks like a dangerous character.

Newspaper Obit in Williams County, OH - Allomong

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Those old newspapers are loaded with tidbits of life and death in Williams Co, OH.  It is always amazing to me how blunt some comments were back then.  I must admit when I read this example of “insensitivity” I felt sorry for the parents to have this published about their child. 

Bryan Democrat, 6 Mar 1884

John Allamong’s son Frank, known as the “fat boy” died Thursday.  He was 13 years old and weighed 280 pounds.

Here's a little bit of info on Frank's lineage:

Franklin C. Allomong (1872 Williams Co, OH – 28 Feb 1884 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH @12Y 6M; burial in Leggetts Cem) Note the Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH Cemetery Records, WCGS, 1995 shows the death date as 28 Feb 1881; it’s very easy to mistake a 1 for a 4 or 7, especially on old tombstones.

Frank’s parents were:

John Allomong (Sept 1821 pos Armstrong Co, PA – 21 May 1905, Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH @83Y 6M 28D; burial in Leggetts Cem); son of John and Julianna Rarick Allomong.

Note an online source states that John was “a large man, over 6 feet tall and weighing well over 200 pounds.”

Bryan Democrat, 25 May 1905

John Alloway died at the home of his son Charles, Sunday.  He had been in poor health for several months and was one of the oldest farmers living near Edon.


Note the newspaper article misspelled his last name.

(second wife) Rachel King (1835 OH – 4 May 1898 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH @63Y 10M 8D, burial in Leggetts Cem); dau of William and Catherine Kugler King, residents of Franklin Twp, DeKalb Co, IN c1850

John and Rachel were married on 29 May 1856 in DeKalb Co, IN.

1880 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 561B; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 0757.

h/h 151/160 Allomong, John 59 PA-PA-PA farmer

Caroline dau 19 OH-PA-OH

Rachael wife 47 OH-PA-PA

William son 16 OH-PA-OH

Charlies 14 OH-PA-OH

Frank 8 OH-PA-OH

Jacob 4 OH-PA-OH

Gleanings for Wms Co, OH Ties in the "Butler Record", DeKalb Co, IN

Gleanings for Wms Co, OH Ties in the "Butler Record", DeKalb Co, IN

By Pamela Pattison Lash

(This material was extracted from a series of newspaper obituaries; the first date for each person is the date in which the obit appeared; other pertinent data was copied as printed; if you find someone who fills a connection for you, it would be a good idea to consult the full obituary.)

15 Jan 1897 - James Burkhart

b. 29 June 1831, Greenburg, PA

d. 2 Jan 1897 @65Y 6M 3D, Butler, IN

came to Wms Co 1847

m. 1853, Eliza Bevers

8 children/7 survive (6 sons; 1 daughter) plus a brother

burial -  Slater Cemetery

Note: found in 1850 St. Joseph Twp federal census - 10 Sept 1850

2 Oct 1896 - Mrs. A. E. (Venoah) Grindle

b. 17 May 1848, NY

d. 18 Sept 1898 @48Y 4M 1D

family kept handles and nameplate from coffin

m. Enoch Grindle, 16 July 1871

7 children/ 5 survive (4 sons; 3 daughters)

Note: found these names in various materials for this county

2 July 1897 - John Shaffer

b. 28 Aug 1809, Urweiler, Germany

d. 16 June 1897, home of E. Blum

m. Elizabeth Zabst, 1830

came to US 1835 to Crawford Co, OH; to 1865 Montpelier, OH; 1875 wife died and lived with children in Ashland, Crawford Co, OH

funeral in Montpelier

burial - Cogswell Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

23 July 1897 - Henry Kissinger

d. 23 July 1897, CW vet

burial - West Buffalo Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

4 Mar 1898 - Edward Wilson Eakright

b. 13 Aug 1857, Wilmington Twp, DeKalb Co, IN

d. 26 Feb 1898 @40Y 6M 13D

brother JJ Eakright; parents - Abraham and Susannah Arkwright

m. Susan Barnhart, daughter of John and Eliza Barnhart, 4 May 1884

children - Nora Effie, Earl Edwin

survived by wife, son, aged mother, 2 brothers, 2 sisters

burial - Mt. Pleasant Cemetery

Note: found Arkwright in NW Twp and Hillsdale Co, MI

18 Mar 1898 - James Steller (may be Stuller)

b. 11 Jan 1836, Carroll Co, OH

came to Edon with father in 1854

m. Phoebe Foster, 11 Apr 1857

5 children

moved to Edgerton on 3 Mar 1877; then spring of 1886 to Butler

survived by wife, 4 children, 4 brothers, 2 sisters

burial - Edgerton, OH, Wms Co, OH

6 May 1898 - Calcina Decker

wife of Isaiah Decker

b. 20 Jan 1828, Niles, Cayuga Co, NY

d. 25 Apr 1898 @70Y 8M 5D

age 18 in Huron Co, OH married Isaiah when he was 20

5 children/ 2 boys survive

burial  - Greenwood Cemetery, Auburn, IN

relative - George Webber and wife of Bryan, OH

30 Sept 1898 - Sarah Simpkins Warner

b. 10 Oct 1820, Fayette Co, PA

d. 21 Sept 1898

came to OH with parents in 1834

m. John Warner in 1841; he died 1873

7 children/ 4 survive (only mentioned three): Lucinda Olive, w/o Rev Alonzo Gaff of Lagrange, George F of Edon, OH, Anna M w/o William A. Watson of Troy

11 Nov 1898 - Mrs. Josephine Lybold

b. 18 May 1828, Wittenburg, Germany

d. 2 Nov 1898 @70Y 5M 14D

came to US in 1850 and went to Carlisle, Holmes Co, OH

m1 Fred Ringenberg (had son Ed and daughter Mrs. M. Bowman)

m2 Fred Lybold (had sons Fred and Henry plus deceased infant)

1865 went to Edgerton area where Lybold died

burial in Edgerton, OH

9 Dec 1898 - Clinton Rising

Spanish-American War vet Pvt Co I 157^th IN USV

Committed suicide by taking wood alcohol, invalid, res. Montpelier, OH

8 Dec 1899 - Francis Edgar Stoner

oldest son of AB Stoner of West Unity, OH

b. 24 Feb 1857

d. 29 Nov 1899, Butler, IN

m. Anna Tressler, 19 May 1876 of Jefferson, OH

survived by 2 children, wife, parents, 1 sister, 2 brothers

15 Dec 1899 - Helen M. Blaker Firestone

b. 4 Oct 1865, Edgerton, OH

d. 7 Dec 1899 @34Y 2M 3D

m. Elmer Firestone, Dec 1888

burial - Butler Cemetery

26 Jan 1900 - Eliza A. Boise Scott

b. 14 Oct 1815, NY

d. 13 Jan 1900

m. Cornelius Scott, 1832; W1812 vet

8 children/6 survive (4sons, 2daughters)

1844 from OH to Michigan

lived with daughter Mrs. Bavin of Alvarado, Steuben Co, IN

1880 received widow's pension

burial - Bethel Cemetery 3 miles west of Edon

26 Jan 1900 - Ruth Kisbeth, daughter of Frank Kisbeth

d. 19 Jan 1900 @2M 1D

burial - Edgerton, OH

23 Feb 1900 - Joseph D. Bell, postmaster of Arctic, IN

b. 5 May 1850, Stark Co, OH

1860 came with parents to DeKalb Co, IN

survived by wife, 1 daughter, 4 brothers, 1 sister

m. Lulu Casebeer, 10 Mar 1892

burial - Edgerton, OH

30 Mar 1900 - Abner Stoner of Garrett, IN

b. 21 Feb 1835, Mansfield, OH

d. 14 Mar 1900, Garrett

lived for a time at Battle Creek Sanitarium for pneumonia

came to Lagrange with parents where father died

mother lives in West Unity, OH

m. Jane A. Cox, 1854, West Unity

5 children (4 sons, 1 daughter)

survived by wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 brothers)  One son named SG Stoner

ran a drug store

28 Dec 1900 - Robert Worthington

b. 31 May 1833, Medina Co, OH

d. 17 Dec 1900

at 4 years of age went with parents to IN; then age 15 to Wms Co

m. Alice Wilson, 6 Mar 1851; she died 12 Nov 1898

lived with only daughter

burial - Edgerton, OH

25 Jan 1901 - Mary Jane Houlton Bratton

b. 9 Dec 1837, Highland Co, OH, oldest child of Francis and Eveline Houlton

d. 20 Jan 1901 @68Y 1M 11D, DeKalb Co

came to DeKalb in Mar 1838; her father murdered by Abbott

m. William Bratton, 30 Oct 1861; he died on 1 Oct 1865

two sons: John B and Francis O

sister: Mrs. Isaac Loutzenheiser of Edgerton, OH

foster daughter: Sarah Sewell

Mr GA Young helped family for 28 years

Burial - Hamilton, IN

1 Feb 1901 - Almira King Cummins

b. 24 Dec 1857, Hancock Co, OH

d. 22 Jan 1901 @43Y 29D, Butler

daughter of George and Nancy King

came to Steuben Co, IN as child

m. George Cummins, 20 Aug 1879; moved to Edgerton, OH

moved 10 years ago to Butler

4 children/3 survive: Maude, Jimmie, Georgia

mother, 4 sisters, father died before her

survived by step-mother, sister (Mrs. Otis Monday), husband, 3 children

burial - Edgerton, OH

7 June 1901 - John Shafer

b. 19 Feb 1830, Baltimore, MD, son of Jacob and Lydia Shafer

early age went to Doylestown, Wayne Co, OH; one of 10 children, had 4 brothers, 5 sisters

m1. Frances Bordner, Doylestown, 22 July 1849

came to Wms Co 1860; 1884 to Edgerton where Mrs. Shafer died Sept 1887

4 children/ 3 survived (Mary d. 1887, Howard, Caroline, Anson)

one daughter , Mrs. AJ Ackerman lives in Butler

m2. Mrs. Amelia Engel, 1892

funeral through Edgerton Lodge

5 July 1901 - Lee Hine

Mr. And Mrs. Charles Hine of Edon went to Auburn, IN for funeral of his brother Lee Hine; another brother SM Hine, ex-treasurer of DeKalb

13 Sept 1901 - Abram Plowe

b. 19 Dec 1821, Little York, PA, son of David and Catherine Plowe

d. 3 Sept 1901 @79Y 8M 15D at daughter's home in Kendalville, Noble Co, IN

came with parents to Wayne Co, OH

m. Jane Glime, 31 Jul 1851

7 children

in 1853 to Bryan, OH; 4 years later to Wolcottville, Lagrange, IN

in 1880 to Jamestown, ND where wife died

survived by 5 children, 1 sister, 1 brother

8 Nov 1901 - Augustus Porter

b. 4 Oct 1815, Cuyahoga Co, OH

d. 25 Oct 1901 @ 86Y, S. Haven, MI

burial - Butler, IN

2 granddaughters, son Clark's children, and son-in-law Rev Charles Ticknor of Clarksville, IA

came to Steuben Co, IN 1838 and later lived in Wms Co

in 1892 moved to S. Haven

m1 Rachel McLaughlin, 1845; she died bef 1892

m2 through advertisement in newspaper, a lady from Massachusetts who traveled to Kalamazoo, MI; they married in home of Lewis Burget; she survived him

(also 6 June 1902 - Mrs. Grace Porter Ticknor)

d. 25 May 1902 @37Y

daughter of Augustus; buried next to him

she died of consumption

graduate of Butler High School

m. Rev Charles Ticknor, 26 Feb 1889

funeral in home of Mrs. Jacob Showalter

21 Feb 1902 - Mary Thayer Olds Fry

b. 19 Sept 1819, Massachusetts

d. 8 Feb 1902 @82Y 4M 19D in Edgerton, OH

m1 Mr. Olds, had 4 children

m2 Mr. Fry

survived by 6 children, one daughter died (Mrs. Swager)

burial - Clarksville Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

28 Feb 1902 - Louis Planson

d. in Boulder, Montana, County Hospital @70Y

he left west at 25 years old and wanted to make his fortune and live as he once had

his wife and son went to Montana 2 years ago

survived by wife, daughter Mrs. GE Crider, son GL Planson of Montpelier, OH

19 Sept 1901 - Mary Emmeline Bowersox Casebeer Weitz

b. 10 Mar 1839, St. Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH

first child born in that school district and township

d. Arctic, IN, 9 Sept 1902

m1. Jarius Casebeer, 1855; he died May 1860

she was widow with 2 children - 1 survived her

m2 DW Weitz, 11 Oct 1868

5 children - 3 survive her

burial - Farnham Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

survived by husband, 4 children, 2 brothers, 1 sister

12 Dec 1902 - Sarah Oxenrider

b. 16 Aug 1860, Wms Co, OH

d. 5 Dec 1902 @42Y 3M 19D, Butler, IN

family moved to IN when she was 17; married at age 18; had 7 children

survived by mother, 3 brothers, 1 sister who lives in ND, 1 sister in MI

burial - Butler Cemetery

16 Nov 1903 - Joseph Skelton

b. 24 Jan 1823, Stark Co, OH one of 7 sons and 5 daughters

d. 23 Oct 1903, Edgerton, OH @80Y 8M 29 D

m. Margaret Holm, 26 Mar 1846; she died 10 Sept 1891

in June 1851 moved to St. Joseph Twp, Wms Co; 1871 to Edgerton

9 children/7 survive

one daughter, Mrs. Cummins of Edgerton

12 Feb 1904 - Russel Hammel

b. 22 Nov 1817, Wayne Co, NY

d. 1 Feb 1904, Fremont, IN

in 1844 came to Defiance, OH with parents, Robert and Catherine Hammel

lived in Wms Co

m. Henrietta Van Wermer, 28 Aug 1853

children: Mrs. Thomas Baum of Montpelier, Otis of Fremont, IN

moved to Fremont in 1902

survived by aged wife, 1 daughter, 1 son

burial - West Buffalo Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

19 Feb 1904 - Mrs. Hively

died in Edgerton, OH in a house fire

6 May 1904 - Ida Jane Emig

b. 6 Jan 1861, Primrose, Wms Co, OH

d. 26 Apr 1904, Pioneer, OH and the home of her mother

m. John H. Topper, June 1897

survived by mother, father, 2 brothers, 5 sisters, 1 child (2 died in infancy)

burial - Primrose Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

27 May 1904 - Mrs. Edward Hinkle

d. North Troy, IN

burial - West Buffalo Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

5 Aug 1904 - Jesse M. Mountz

b. 20 Mar 1828, North Georgetown, Columbiana Co, OH

d. 27 July 1904, Troy Twp

m. Celesta C. Fugate, 16 Apr 1853

2 sons and 1 daughter

moved to Edgerton in 1860; to Troy Twp in 1865

survived by wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 1 sister

burial - Farnham Cemetery, Wms Co, OH

7 Oct 1904 - Mary Hable Boos

b. 1821, Gemesfebt, Germany

d. 1 Oct 1904, Edgerton, OH @83Y 5M 20D

went to Wooster, OH 1852; 1854 to Cleveland, OH where she married John Boos

moved to Edgerton 1860

7 children/4 survive

survived by husband, 2 sons, 2 daughters, (John G. Boos, Charles Boos, Mary Hawn, Mrs. JM Spier),1 sister, 1 brother

burial - Edgerton Cemetery, Wms Co, OH