Defiance County Pioneers - Martha Rethmel Sullinger

"Obituary.

Mrs. Martha Sullinger, daughter of Ezra and Mary Rethmel, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., July 21, 1829, and died August 27, 1899, aged 70 years, 1 month and 6 days.

When the subject of our sketch was but a child, her father died, and when 13 years old, she came, with her widowed mother, Mrs. Mary Rethmell and family to Tiffin township, then Williams county, Ohio, to the farm where Mrs. Rethmell lived until her death in 1867.  They moved from Lycoming county, Penn. to this place in a covered wagon drawn by a team of three horses.  It was before the canal was completed or a railroad was ever thought of being built, and except along the rivers, there were but few clearings in the dense woods that covered the northwestern part of Ohio

The journey occupied about four weeks.  As was the custom then at the close of each day, stopping at some house where the tam could be fed and where they could have the privilege of cooking their own meals and buying provisions when the supply they had with them gave out, as occasion demanded.  Bringing in bedding from their wagon and spreading it upon the floor of those old fashioned hospitable homes for comfortable rest for the women and children, the boys sleeping in the wagon.  Sometimes these householders would ask small pay for their trouble; at other places accepting nothing, feeling rewarded with the conversation and the news and incidents of the journey related by the travelers.  Such hospitality was extended to other home seekers by Mrs. Rethmel at her home in Tiffin township,  and by her son, Thomas Rethmel on the same old homestead, especially had the travelers no money to pay at other places.  This was the case with all of the old pioneers along the Maumee and Tiffin Rivers, welcoming every newcomer as their kin, knowing the hardships each had to bear.  

Food must be procured by toil from the earth partially cleared,many stumps of trees standing in the few small fields, or in hunting game in the woods, taking the grain to the mill long distances, there being one grist mill at Brunersburg, another on the St. Joseph, and then having to wait their turn, perhaps requiring a second journey for a bushel or two.

Clothing must be provided by care of and watching the few sheep that escaped the depredation of the many wolves and by sowing flax.  After the shearing of the sheep, the wool must be picked free of dirt by hand, corded, spun, dyed and made into garments, of warmth and goodness all at each home.  The flax, cut and tendered, broke and hatched, spun for thread and woven into cloth of coarse and fine quality.  So the men and women of those days in this township and country were inured to toil.  

The country, being undrained, the water soaked the ground every summer and fall, there was much sickness.  Then those kind neighbors would again as one family aid in ministering to the sick and sorrowfully bury their dead.  The every day life of the hard working Pioneers was enlivened by a gathering at a log rolling or a house or barn raising when all were invited.  The women to help cook the dinner, and the men to work, which they did with good will.  The few schools of short duration, two or three months in the winter, perhaps six weeks or none in the summer.

Consoled by the word of God, read in every house, preached in dwellings or school houses at long intervals, and discussed and understood as doctrines of scripture by the Pioneers taught and obeyed.  Their religious life was shown in the performance of duty showing love to God and neighbor.

The youth of Mrs. Sullinger was passed amid such scenes, and since she was married, living in the village of Evansport, she has seen the wonderful change made in the advancement of over half a century of progress.

Her husband, Rolla D. Sullinger, to whom she was married, Aug. 5, 1847, and died Sept 19, 1874, was also one of the pioneer families and was noted for an attendance at funerals.  When there was a death in the neighborhood, he was generally called on to dig the grave; cheerfully leaving his work without any desire for or expectation of pay; he felt that it was an act of pity and therefore gave his service to aid the bereaved.

Through her long and wearisome illness at her home with her daughter, Mrs. R. S. Heatley, everything had been done that the kind attention of her children and grandchildren could do, aided by willing friends and physicians to alleviate her distress and soothe her pathway to the grave.  During her life while in youth and health, she gave her soul into the keeping of Christ and her name to the M. E. church in Evansport 55 years ago.  Her life has been that of a consistent Christian woman in all her relations.

Not much can be read on this old tombstone located in Evansport Cemetery.  www.findagrave.com

She departed this life leaving two children, Mrs. R. S. Heatley and Mrs. W. R. Replogle, a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a large circle of friends to mourn her departure."

Defiance Democrat -  September 7, 1899.