NEW BOOK Commemorates the 225th Anniversary of Fort Defiance

To recognize the 225th anniversary of Fort Defiance, the Defiance County Genealogical Society has published a book sharing little known or under reported historical facts about Anthony Wayne's 1794 fort.

Richard Rozevink and David Bennett collected material for a series of short stories based on their findings in old journals, period diaries, and other early historical writings.

The book will be available at the Defiance Development & Tourism Bureau at 325 Clinton Street.  The price is $8.00 if purchased there. 


 To have a book sent to you, the price is $10.00.  Please send a check with your order to the Defiance County Genealogical Society (DCGS) at P.O. Box 7006, Defiance, OH 43512.

For Defiance County Genealogical Society members, the price is $6.00, and the books will be available at meetings or, if ordered through the mail, the cost would be $8.00

Proceeds from the book will help to fund an historical marker in Defiance, marking the location of General James Wilkinson's 1794 Redoubt (a fort outside of a larger fort) and, on the other side of the plaque, the Miami-Erie Canal Mule Bridge. 

Fort Defiance, now the Defiance Public Library grounds

The Central School Building...As It Was

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."

This clipping, dated May 2, 1963, was in interesting view of the Central School Building which was demolished in 1918, and replaced with the current Defiance Junior High School.  

Mr. Tuttle wrote, "This picture will recall fond memories to many old-timers.  It is the old Central School Building, often referred to as the Union School.

The building stood on the site of the present Defiance High School building at the head of Clinton St.  In addition to housing the high school, it also had some elementary grades.

The room at the left corner was the administration offices of the city's public school system. It was in this old building that the change from the 'spare the rod, spoil the child' educational philosophy, experienced its termination locally.

Its foe was a Dr. J. J. Burns, who came from Dayton to take over the local superintendent's position.  He destroyed all the whips and paddles and put the children on their honor.

In front of the building was a fountain.  It was a thing of much controversy.  Around the fountain were little boys and girls which blew water into the air.  These little statues were in their natural state, and some of the good women of the city felt they should at least be in bathing suits.

The old school had a tower with a large bell, and it was the duty of Ben Lind, superintendent of buildings, to ring the bell, signalling the beginning of school.
Many a time when Mr. Lind observed a boy or girl running in order not be be late for school, he just rang the bell a little longer, preventing a tardy mark.  He was beloved by all the children.

The fountain controversy was solved when the building was torn down around 1918 to make way for the first unit of the present high school structure."

W. P. A. Cemetery Survey - Kemp Cemetery, Farmer Township

The Works Progress Administration was formed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in reaction to the Great Depression as a means of employing Americans and stimulating the economy.  Established in 1935, one of the projects of the W.P.A. was to conduct Historical Records Surveys, one of which included finding information on cemeteries and the graves of veterans.  The W.P.A. was disbanded in 1943, but the historical information provided on these surveys continue to be of interest and are, thankfully, preserved.

In this series, some of the general surveys of Defiance County cemeteries will be shared, transcribed as written with a few punctuation and/or spelling changes for readability.  The surveys were probably done around 1936.
 
For more up to date information on the cemeteries, check out this chart on our website:
 http://defiancecountygenealogy.org/cemeteries.html

*This cemetery is also known as Kent Cemetery.

Kemp Cemetery

1. Name of cemetery:  Kemp Graveyard, origin of name unknown.

2. Location, how reached:

This small graveyard is located on the old W. S. Tomlinson farm in section 19, Farmer township, not far from the bank of Lost Creek.  It is on a back gravel road, one mile south and two miles and a quarter west of Farmer Center, from which village it can be reached by the above directions.

3. Name and address of caretaker:

Perry Hand, Farmer Center, Ohio, and under the supervision of the township trustees of Farmer Township.

Photo from www.findagrave.com

4. Name and date of first burial recorded:

Ezra Crary, 1846, and then is about the time of the graveyard's start.

Ezra Crary at www.findagrave.com

 6. Names of important persons buried there, for what noted:

Adam Farmer, one of the founders of Farmer Center and for whom the township was named.

The Farmer family in Kemp Cemetery at www.findagrave.com

 7. Markers of unusual appearance:

All of the markers are old slabs with two of the pedestal type.  There are no modern markers in the plot.  Most of the markers are so defaced that the reading is indecernible.  Up to a few years ago, this graveyard was not taken care of, and just recently they started to fix it up and reset most of the old markers.  It was recently fenced also.

8. Unusual Epitaphs:

Nothing outstanding, all the regular verses and inscriptions, so common fifty years ago, as 'Rest in Peace,' 'Gone, but Not Forgotten,' and so forth.  Many of the older stones are so dim that the writing cannot be read.

9. Is cemetery used for new burials?

This graveyard has been used once since it was fixed up, however, from around 1900 to recently, it was abandoned. It is now being revived since it a much cheaper place to bury than the costly Farmer Center Graveyard.  It is open to those who wish to use it.

C. Cadwallader and C. Gish, Reporters

Consultant: Most of this information was gained from Harry Metz, caretaker of the Six Corners Cemetery, whose address is Route #2, Hicksville, Ohio.

Perry Hand of Farmer is the caretaker, but he is so busy with the large Farmer Center Cemetery and the famous Lost Creek Cemetery, that he has not much time for this one. 

(The Works Progress Administration was formed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in reaction to the Great Depression as a means of employing Americans and stimulating the economy.  Established in 1935, one of the projects of the W.P.A. was to conduct Historical Records Surveys, one of which included finding information on cemeteries and the graves of veterans.  The W.P.A. was disbanded in 1943, but the historical information provided on these surveys continue to be of interest and are, thankfully, preserved.)

   

Defiance County Pioneers - Francis and Sarah Ann Persin

This obituary of Sarah Ann Persin could lead to some interesting research on her husband, Francis and sons, who had military careers.  Strangely, I have not been able to find Sarah or Francis in census records, but their son's information is very attainable.  

"PIONEER WOMAN GONE.

A Resident of Defiance for Fifty-three Years.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Persin died Sunday at the home of her son, Conrad Persin, on Gibson street, North Defiance.

Mrs. Persin was one of the pioneer residents of this section, coming to Defiance county over 53 years ago.

She was married to Francis Persin in 1829 and was the mother of twelve children, three of whom, Conrad, Frederick and Christopher, survive her.

Francis Persin, her husband, was one of the body-guards of Napoleon Bonaparte and all of the surviving sons were soldiers in the civil war.

She was a kind, Christian lady, whose virtues endeared her to a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Persin suffered a stroke of paralysis about a year ago since which her health has been failing, but her mind was unimpaired until her death.  Her age was 90 years, 9 months and 22 days.

The funeral services were held Tuesday, at 10 a.m. from the home, and services were held at St. John's M. E. church in Tiffin township, Rev. Buehler officiating."

Defiance Democrat, October 6, 1898

The story of Francis Persin as bodyguard to Napoleon has proved illusive.  If anyone has that documented, it would be interesting to know!  

The sons mentioned above all served in the 38th Ohio O.V.I. and made it back home again.  The diary of Private Frederick Persin (Person) was reprinted, thanks to the generosity of his granddaughter, Denelda Luderman,  who gave it to Louis Simonis who had it printed and made available to the Defiance, Sherwood and Northwest State College libraries.  The diaries cover Frederick's account of the siege of Atlanta and Sherman's march to the sea. 

Conrad settled in Defiance, Frederick in Mark Township and Christopher in Tiffin Twp upon their return home.  Pension records exist for all and would be interesting to obtain and read.

 

 

Washington Township High School, Ney, Ohio - Class of 1942

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL - 1942 SENIORS AND FACULTY

Top Row, L to R: Dorothy Sims, Ruby Lee Strusaker, Yvonne Chase - President, Valmer L. Browns, Gracyse Bartz

Middle Row: Bruce Yarlott, Betty Lou Albright, Richard M. Shamp - Vice-President, Jane Brenner - Secretary-Treasurer,

Richard B. Smith, Russell Hansen

Bottom Row: Ross Cox - English

Carol Edwards - Music, Home Economics

Dale O. Sander - Principal, History, Chemistry

Dudley Ebersole - Coach, Biology, Social Science

Margaret Goller - Mathematics, Latin, English

Richard Gisler - Vocational Agriculture

The Ney Library

Who knew that Ney once had their very own library, a fifth branch of the Defiance Public Library?  Farmer also had a library, along with Sherwood, Hicksville and Jewell.  

Maybe after reading the following article, someone will be able to pinpoint the Ney Library's location in 1946.  The Defiance Crescent-News reported on the success of Ney's public library on February 14, 1946. 

 "LIBRARY AT NEY ISSUES 46 CARDS IN FIRST WEEK

Forty-six readers' cards were issued by the new Ney public library during its first week of operation, it was announced today by Miss Nellie Gary, county librarian.

The Ney library, sponsored by the Get-Together club of Washington township, is located in the former business room at the Ralph E. Rose residence property.  Mrs. Bentley Smithis in charge.

Hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and also 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.  The book collection is supplied and the work supervised by the Defiance Public Library.

Gifts of equipment from interested persons included librarian's desk Mrs George McCavit; drapes, Mrs. Floyd Krantz; two chairs and library table, Mr and Mrs. T.W. Unsicker; coat rack, Mrs R. V. Speiser...

Anyone who lives, is employed or attends school in Defiance county may borrow books free.  Non-residents pay $1 a year.  Temporary residents deposit the price of the book, refunded when book is returned.

Books circulate two weeks and may be renewed for another two weeks, if there are no reserves waiting  Number of books borrowed on one reader's card is regulated by the assistant with current demand in mind.

The charge for reserving a book is two cents; borrower is notified when book is available and the book is held for two days  Magazines, except current issue, may circulate for one week and may be renewed for one week.

Notices are sent when book or magazine is three days overdue.  Fine is two cents a day for each overdue book and one cent a day for each overdue magazine  Each patron is to use his own card."

 

 

Defiance County Pioneers - Jonathan Hart

According to his obituary, Jonathan Hart was in Defiance County as early as 1856.  Sure enough, he and his wife, Diana, appeared in the census of Milford Township in 1860.
J. Hart, 46 and his wife, Diana, 36, lived with children: Wilson, 19; Washington, 17; 
Geo. W., 11; William, 14, Cordelia, 12; Frank, 9; Elizabeth, 7; Newton, 5; Jasper, 2.  Because of the way the census taker wrote his enumeration, it was not clear if all children after Geo. W. had a last name of Gregg or Hart.  

By 1870, the Hart family had added Viola, Albert and Lewis.  In his obituary, it was stated that Jonathan Hart had 12 children, but 10 surviving - 7 boys and 3 girls. So according to the censuses, found were:
Boys - Wilson, Washington, William, Franklin, Newton, Jasper, Albert and Lewis Hart.  8
Girls - Cordelia, Elizabeth, Viola, 3
So, it would seem that two sons preceded their father in death,one of which may have died in his youth. However, did he count Geo. W. Gregg as a son?  Was he relation?  Some questions remain for a Hart family researcher.

Jonathan's obituary:

"DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER

Jonathan Hart, son of John Hart, was one of a family of 14 children.  He was born in Pennsylvania March 30, 1814. At the age of 21, he came with his father's family to Ashland County, O. where January 2nd, 1840, he was married to Dianna L. Hootman, to which union was born 12 children, 9 sons and 3 daughters.

In 1856 he came with his family to Defiance county and cleared up the farm on which he resided at his death, which occurred January 22, at 9:30 o'clock p.m. at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 22 days.  

In 1843 he was baptised into Christ by William Moody and was faithful until death, having been deacon in the church a number of years.  His hospitality was known to all.  No one came to his house hungry and he gave him not meat.  His genial disposition and Christian courtesy made him many friends and this he retained while he lived.  He was one of the most industrious of men as well as generous and benevolent.

His wife with whom he happily lived for over 61 years, still survives, also 10 children, 7 boys and 3 girls; 33 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  The memory of Uncle Jonathan, as he was called, will always be enshrined in the hearts of those that knew him as one of the bright spots on the shores of time.

Funeral services were held Friday at Newville, Rev. Dunkleberger officiating.  Interment in the Newville cemetery."

 Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume 1.  Carma Rowe Estate (Johnson Memorial Library).  No date.  p. 207.

Copies available at Defiance Public Library and Hicksville and Sherwood branch libraries.

The obituary gave a burial site not in Defiance County, but instead was just across the state line at Newville, Indiana, probably less than ten miles from his home.  He perhaps attended church there, too, as that was the place of the funeral.  His age differed between obituary and tombstone - 86 is more likely, considering his year of birth.

www.findagrave.com   Newville, Indiana, cemetery