Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 4, Number 4, July-August 1990

MEETINGS

July 16, 1990, Monday, 7:00 pm

Our meeting for July will be a workshop held at the Edwin Wood Library, Deshler.

August 20, 1990, Monday, 6:30 pm

This meeting will be a work night at Hockman Cemetery on Rd. O-4 just north of McClure. Bring plenty of bug spray!

NEW AT THE LIBRARY

    The Master Index of the Lillie Porter Collection, Harrison County
    The Family of Michael Curren and Sarah Crawford of Columbiana County, Ohio

QUERIES

FROST, HACKETT
    Does anyone know of an organization in Henry Co. during the 1930's or 1940's for the family of Joseph and Sally (Frost) Hackett. I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who knows anything about it.
Mrs. Harvey L. (Janis) Pahnke, Chicago, IL 60630

DID YOU KNOW?

    During the regular academic year, Bowling Green State University provides a shuttle bus service originating at the Visitor Information Center at the main entrance on the east end of the campus. Visitors may obtain a free parking permit at the Information Center and ride the shuttle bus directly to the Jerome Library. The service operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 15 minute intervals. An on-call van is available for visitors returning to their cars after 6:00 p.m..
--from the Archival Chronicle, Center for Archival Collections, BGSU

    The German-Polish area known as Pomerania has an American organization:
        Pomeranian Society
        7037 Cedar Creek Rd.
        Cedarburg, WI 53012
--from the Williams Co. OGS newsletter

    The Colorado Chapter, OGS published their first newsletter with the April/May 1990 edition. Entitled "Rocky Mountain Buckeye" it is available by joining the Colorado Chapter. Their address is: Colorado Chapter, OGS, P.O. Box 6081, Longmont, CO 80501.

HISTORY OF HARRISON TOWNSHIP, 1888
(abstracted from History of Henry and Fulton Counties, Ohio, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich)

    This township, named in honor of the hero of Tippecanoe and Fort Meigs, and the ninth president of the United States, when first organized, early in the forties, embraced townships three, four and five of range seven. Number three is now the township of Marion; four was, in 1850, organized into Monroe. On the north of the Maumee River, which is now the northern boundary of the township, sections one, two, three, four, five, six, most of seven and parts of eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve were, previous to 1850, attached to Liberty township as a convenience for voting purposes. The township lies immediately west of Damascus, and all that has been said of the latter township. of the general character of the soil, drainage, roads, early settlement, present degree of improvement, and population may be applied to Harrison.
    Among the earliest settlers of the county may be named Hazael Strong. He came to the county as early as 1833, and lived in what is now Harrison township for several years before coming to Napoleon to take charge of the auditor's office. The Sheats family came in 1834; Alonzo Packard in 1843; Americus M. Spafford, 1845; Harper Centre, 1847; Isaac Ingle, 1849; Noah Jackson, 1852; John C. Lighthiser, 1853; Michael Kryder, 1853; the Ritter family, as also that of the Reiter, the Spangler and the Palmer families were among the early settlers, as were also Campbell Wilford and Gideon G. Creger.
    In 1847, according to the oldest preserved duplicate we have, there were, on the seventy-two sections of land which then constituted the township, only forty-nine persons who paid personal tax, and the value of all this land, 69,120 acres, was $22,168. The duplicate for 1887 shows that at present this township, with less than twenty-eight sections remaining to it has a real estate value, for taxable purposes, of $323,905.
    This township was tardy in settlement and slow to improve. There were good reasons for this. The construction of the canal and especially the Wabash Railroad, on the south of the river, affording convenient shipments to market. The construction of the dam at Providence had made the river unfordable between that point and the rapids at Florida; on the south side were not only no railroads, but no roads of any kind, and, in order to reach a market of any sort, it became necessary to ferry the river, which in seasons was difficult. Lands being equally cheap on the north the early settlers naturally secured homes there.
    True, there were men hardy and courageous enough to enter these dense forests, and, braving all the difficulties and encountering all the inconveniences, made homes in the wilderness. Along the river bank, in section ten, was Samuel Bowers; in nine Hazael Strong had settled; in section eight the Rugg farm farther up the river and nearly opposite Napoleon, in section eighteen, Charles and Reuben Reiter had made large clearings; on section fifteen road were the Palmers, John D. Thorn and a few others; John Sheats was in section twenty-two; and on Turkey Foot road were John C. Lighthiser, Levi Spangler and others. There were also a few settlers along the banks of Turkey Foot Creek. G. G. Creager was on section twenty-four, and Campbell Wilford on section twenty-five. It was not, however, until after the construction of the bridge across the Maumee at Napoleon, in 1860, that settlement can be said to have really begun in earnest in Harrison township. After that roads were cut out and improved and a system of drainage commenced. This led to heavy taxation and assessments, compelling non-resident land owners to dispose of the lands they had purchased for speculative purposes, and these passed into the hands of persons who became actual settlers and made farms from the forest. To assist in this, and in many cases to pay for the land itself, the giant oaks, walnut and poplar were sold to the ship-timber and other timber merchants, who brought great gangs of men from Canada, and soon made room for the sunshine to dry the swamps. Then came the saw-mill and the stave factory, so that to-day Harrison township has no more timber than is necessary for her fences and family fuel; fully four-fifths of her soil being under cultivation and all highly productive.
    The township is well drained naturally, by Turkey Foot Creek which runs through the south and southeastern part; Randall Creek through northeast and Bowers' Creek with its branches runs through the center, all emptying into the Maumee; and by artificial surface and underground ditches. Good roads are established and kept in repair in almost every section line. The township is divided into eight school districts, with a good building on each, most of them brick. There are six churches, all Protestant, in the township. The dwellings and farm buildings are new, large, convenient and well appointed.
    The township is without railroads and without villages. The Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad bed was graded through the township and the "Clover Leaf" route passes close to the southeast corner where Damascus, Richfield and Monroe come together, and here is laid out the hamlet of Grelleton.
    The growth of this township, in common with all in the county, has been rapid. In 1860 it contained a population of 781; in 1870 it was 1295 and in 1880 it had grown to 1382, and by the next census it may be safely predicted will amount to 2,000.

    The following was sumbitted by Mrs. Betty Teague (dec'd), Machiasport, ME 04655:

Buried in Richfield Township Cemetery (no stones) :

Section B Row 3
KINDER, John Wesley	8 Apr. 1904 18 May 1917
(Killed by train)
KINDER, Homer Edward	8 Apr. 1906 15 Aug 1917
(Drowned)
Sons of John Wesley and Ida Belle Kinder

1890 Census of U.S. Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War
(continued from the last newsletter)

RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP

ITEMS FROM THE DESHLER FLAG

March 24, 1899

    Work has begun on the Woodlawn Church.

August 3, 1900

    A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Frankfather at their home in West Hope last Friday night. Grandpa and Grandma Terris are still living, but William was unable to do any work on the farm Saturday.

February 21, 1902

The Wood Lawn cemetery has a new sexton now -- moved in Thursday of last week. Mr. Tate Bland was recently married -- just starting out in life. All wish them success.

February 28, 1902

    TOMBSTONE FOR SOLDIERS. The G. A. R. Post of This City Will See that They are Provided.
    It is no doubt well understood that the government has enacted a law to furnish all deceased soldiers with a tombstone when so desired by their frends, and as there are quite a number of soldiers buried in our cemetery whose graves are unmarked, Holmes Post, at their meeting last Saturday, took the matter up and will see to it that their fallen comrades are furnished with suitable markers.
    Any person having a soldier friend buried in Woodlawn, for whom no stone has yet been provided, are requested to report the fact to Mr. S. N. Parsons, and the same will be attended to at once. We understand that the Post has a number of very important projects before them, and have already taken steps toward observing their third decoration ceremonies.

May 16, 1902

Rev. Whitney will preach at the Woodlawn church Sunday. Everybody invited.

October 3, 1902

    Mother Resists the Embrace of a Son She Failed to Recognize.
    The Napoleon correspondent to the Enquirer, Monday, springs the following, which we believe should be "believed lightly," as it sounds rather fishy:
    An unusual scene was enacted at a small farm house near Deshler, this county, today, when Louis Durbin, a bronzed man of 40, knocked at the door and clasped in his arms the gray haired lady who unswered.
    The lady resisted his embrace in indignation. not recognizing the man before her, her only son, who had left his home 26 years ago. During that time Durbin had prospected in the west, and for years his family did not know of his whereabouts. He has returned fairly well off.

June 9, 1905

    New Grave Yard. Belmore is Getting in Shape to Care for Their Dead.
    When it comes to caring for their dead there is probably not another town in the state that looks after the home of the dead any better than do the people of our neighboring town of Belmore. Every lot in their beautiful cemetery at the east edge of town being sold, and no adjoining grounds being available, the trustees very wisely decided to improve and enlarge the west end cemetery, and a large force of men have been busy the past two weeks putting the ground in shape.
    The ground has been platted into sixty-eight blocks with four lots to the block, with wide gravel walks and driveways. They also have five acres adjoining the improved part which will be held for future use.
    A good substantial fence and hitching racks, all painted white, have been erected, and taking all in all Belmore will have two of the finest cemeteries in this part of the state. The work of grading and fixing up has been done by the trustees, but under the supervision of Mr. George Davenport, who was found to be the right man for that kind of work. This undertaking certainly develops no little enterprise on the part of the people of Belmore and vicinity.

June 16, 1905

    Will Marry.
    The following marriage licenses were issued at Napoleon this week. Edward Hommon, 23, Florida, Elsie Dunham, 24, Florida; Walter Hoy, 23, Ada Leininger, 24, both of Archbold, O. [entire article badly smudged, all information suspect]

June 16, 1905

    For Presidents' Widows. Pension Checks Ready for Mrs. McKinley and Mrs. Garfield.
    A Columbus dispatch dated the 3d inst. says: The pension agency has mailed to Mrs. Lucretia Garfield, widow of President Garfield, and Mrs. Ida McKinley, widow of President McKinley, checks in payment of their pension. The cheeks were for $1,250 each, three months' allowance.
    The Columbus office is the only office now having widows of presidents on the list.

August 11, 1905

    West Hope.
    Prof. Easton Driscoll and Miss Anna Rodgers returned home from Defiance, Saturday, where they have been attending a term of school.
    Mr. Geo. Kehran visited his son-in-law, Henry Myers, who is reported sick.
    Lewis McGee and wife took in the excursion to Walbridge park, Tuesday.
    Miss Grace Johnson, of Napoleon, is visiting Dr. and Mrs. Brubaker this week.
    Ed Rodgers returned home from north of Malinta Tuesday with his ditching machine.
    Eugene Hudson is spending a few days at this place with old schoolmates and friends.
    Tom Lee traded his road horse to John Crocket for a draft horse. Tom must intend to get married and go to farming.
    West Hope and McClure will cross bats once more on the new diamonds on John bonner's vacant lot south of town. This will be the third game between the two nines and promises to be quite interesting.

August 11, 1905

    Marriage Bells. Two Popular Young Couples Married Since the Last Issue of the Flag.
    Married, at Napoleon, Saturday, July 29th, by Rev. F. W. Stanton, of the M. E. church in that city, Mr. John A. Fogt and Miss Violet Rutter, both of this city, the bride being the daughter of Crawford and Mrs. Rutter, living south of town. The young couple are spending their honeymoon with friends at Sidney, and will be at home to their Deshler friends in this place after September 30th.
    BOYER-VANSCOYOC
    At the residence of the officiating minister, Rev. W. J. Easterbrook, on Thursday evening, July 29th, 1905, Mr. James Boyer and Miss Cora E. VanScoyoc, both of this place. The young couple have our very best wishes for their future life, and may the choicest blessings be their portion.

September 22, 1905

Marriage Licenses.
    Wm. Agler, 20, Napoleon, to Helen Elling, 18, Defiance.
    Isaac Smith, 20, Holgate, to Gertie G. Scott, 18, Holgate.
    William H. Plassman, 24, Napoleon township, to Emma Holers, 19, Napoleon township.
    William B. Clady, 19, Flatrock township, to Adella May Turney, 19. Flatrock township.
    Clinton D. List, 22, Liberty township, to Bertha Silvers, 19, Liberty township.
    Peter Thayer, 27, Flatrock township, to Anna Meyers,18, Flatrock township.
    John Creps, 23, Richfield township, to Mary Gingrich, 22, Deshler.
    Albert Mengerink, 20, Napoleon, to Bessie Gertrude Musser, 18, Napoleon.
    Frank A. Damm, 31, Napoleon, to Bessie Whiteman, 26, Liberty Center.
    Harley Mitchell, 27, Napoleon. to Laura Graves, 30, Napoleon.

September 29, 1905

Marriage Licenses.
    Richard Ordway, 25, North Creek; Bertha DeWitt, 19, Holgate.
    Frank Weaver, 21, Florida; Bessie Mattocks, 19, Holgate.
    William M. Heft, 26, Liberty township; Harriett Ellenwood, 22, Liberty township.
    P. M. Keeran, 28, Belmore; Bertha V. Edie, 18, Deshler.
    Geo. A. Fruth, 21, Napoleon; Clara May Honeck, 16, Napoleon.
    Ezra Ellis, 26, Weston; Anna B. Pates, 19, McClure.

February 9, 1906

    Cemetery Trustees Organize.
    The cemetery trustees met Saturday evening and organized their association by electing Michael Stimmel, president; B. Z. House, secretary; and John Luderman, treasurer. There is now $127.00 in the treasury, with no debts. The coming year many improvements will be made in the grounds, a new fence being one of the projects.

March 9, 1906

Marriage Licenses
    Daniel Ellenwood, 32, Liberty Twp., and Mary Idola Fawley, 21, McClure.
    Parley B. Nieble, 23, Harrison Twp., and Bertha M Finneyy, Harrison Twp.
    James C. Meyers, 22, Napoleon, and Widdie Heckler, 22, Malinta.
    Noah Hess, 23, Malinta, and Maud Ermahiser, 19, Malinta.
    Charles J. P. Dethleff, 36, Chicago, and Minnie A Hartley, 31, Napoleon.
    Frederick F. Overy, 23, McClure, and Alta W. Kistner, 23, McClure.
    Fred Mann, 24, Harrison twp., and Clara Heistand, 22, Freedom twp.
    Albert Long, 36. Deshler, and Addie E. Woolley, 44, Deshler.
    Harmon L. Yackee, 25, Flatrock twp., and Clara E. Rettig, 21, Monroe twp.
    James Reinbolt, 19, Napoleon. and Zola Babcock, 16, Napoleon.

May 4, 1906

Marriage Licenses
    Louis P. Patten 32, Toledo, and Eva M. Durbin, 27, Napoleon.
    Harley Bouhs, 28, Damascus twp, and Nettie Wirick, 19, Napoleon twp.
    Ora L. Huffman, 22, Liberty twp, and Ethel M. Graffice, 22, Liberty twp.
    Henry Meyers, 24, Freedom twp, and Mary S. Schwiebert, 20. Marion twp.
    Wm. Winezamann, 29, Defiance, and Mary Badenhop, 22, Napoleon twp.
    Wm. Cannon, 35, Richfield twp, and Hulda J. Slee, 17, Richfield twp.
    Carl Hilderbrandt, 24, Freedom twp, and Helena Smith, 26, Napoleon twp.

December 21, 1906

    It's Never Too Late.
    Martha Hurt, of Salvina, Kan., aged 105 years has filed suit for divorce against her husband, fifteen years her junior, on the ground of extreme cruelty. She asserts that she drove her husband from home in 1898 because of his cruelty to her. She asked for the restitution of the name of Merill, her second husband's name.

August 10, 1906

    The Bartlow Township School Board met last Saturday with Clerk Kurtz. They now have all the teachers hired with the exception of Dist. No. 7. Following are the teachers:
    No. 1--Carrie Lutz.
    No  2--Myrtle Blue.
    No. 3--Rilla McFadden.
    No. 4--Ula Fairchild.
    No. 5--Maggie McQuistion
    No. 6--Charles Butler.
    No. 8--Howard Dindore
    The board has certainly made a fine selection in employing the above corps of instructors.
    Chas. Davis was allowed the contract to furnish coal for the schools of this township, he being the lowest bidder.

Reunion
    The Second Annual reunion of the Henderson-Lazenby families was held at the home of B. C. Bishop, August 5th. An elegant dinner was served to those present which numbered about sixty. In the afternoon the young people rendered a fine program, after which ice-cream and lemonade was enjoyed, Those present from a distance were: Mr. D. A. Lazenby and family, of McClure; J. H. and Mrs. Rey, of Sidney; Mr. A. A. Hendcrson, of McComb; and Miss Maud Niebel, of Findlay. All were loud in the praise of the pleasant afternoon spend at this home.

November 16, 1906

Marriage Licenses
    Chas. A. Seafoss, 26, Richfield twp, and Helen Garbers, 19, Henry county.
    Harmon Riebeschl, 23, Pleasant twp, and Anna Kistner, 19, Henry Co.
    James C. Slee, 23, Fulton Co, and Nora M. Hardy, 25, Henry Co.
    Levi Brubaker, 64, Florida; and Deborah F. Smith, 58, Napoleon, O.
    Charles A. Clifton, 24, Defiance, O, and Pearle M. Crawford, 23, Henry Co.
    Elmer C. Cox, 21, Putnam Co, and Gertrude K. Yetter, 18, Pleasant Twp.
    John E. Adams, 45, and Mary Blake, 45, both of Deshler.
    Dietrich Schoeler, 21, Napoleon twp., and and Caroline Elling, 20, Defiance Co.
    Charley A. Ward, 34, and Cora E. Wheeler, 21, both of McClure.