Benjamin F. Houck - Civil War Soldiers Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Member of Farmer G.A.R.

When Benjamin Houck joined the Union Army on November 7, 1862, he was placed into an elite group known as the 5th Independent Company, Ohio Sharpshooters.  He had just turned 23, and he probably traveled to Cleveland to muster in, as that was where the group organized.  The Sharpshooters were a hand-picked group, chosen because of their physical abilities and their results on tests of markmanship.



He left his parents and a houseful of siblings  in Williams County to join in the cause.  His unit spent several months drilling and practicing near Cleveland.  They were one of the first groups to obtain the new Spencer rifles which could shoot seven shots without reloading, a big change from the guns then in use.  
 
Once they left Cleveland, in March, 1863, they were attached to the Army of the Cumberland and General Rosecrans for special service.  They had some engagements, but mostly they were near headquarters and sent out when needed in tight situations.  Part of the time, they were positioned on gunboats in the Tennessee River, watching for raiders and Rebels.

Unidentified 5th Ohio Sharpshooter

At some point in 1864, Benjamin must have had a military leave because he married Synthia (Syntha, Cynthia, Sindy) Jane Donley on November 5 in Defiance.  But he did return to battle where he stayed until the very end of the war, mustering out on May 26, 1865, in Cleveland, Tennessee. 

Benjamin and his wife could not be found in the censuses of 1870-1900, but the birth records of their children indicated they were in Washington Township when Nellie was born in September, 1872, and still when Edith was born in October, 1886.

By the 1890 Veterans Census, Benjamin was enumerated in Farmer.  He indicated he suffered from rheumatism and a general disability as a result of the war.

In 1900, Benjamin, 70, and Synthia, 65, lived in Farmer with their grandson, Burnell F. Smith, 7.  The census revealed that the couple had four children, three living.  One of those was a son, W. F. Houck, who married Mable Ilett.  

At some point, they moved to Bryan and settled into 416 South Walnut Street where they were found in the 1920 census.  Burnell, then 17, still lived with his grandparents.  On March 12, 1922, Benjamin died in Lucas County.  Perhaps he was in the hospital there or a home of some kind.  

His obituary appeared in the Bryan Democrat on March 24, 1922:

BENJAMIN F HOUCK

The funeral of Benjamin Houck was held from the residence Wednesday, March 15.  He was born October 21, 1839, and died March 12, 1922.  He was married to Syntha Jane Donley on November 3, 1864.  To this union were born four children: John, who departed this life at the age of 21 years, William F., Mae, and Pearl.  Besides these, he is survived by his wife, one sister, Mrs. G. Goller of Ney and three grandchildren, Dale F. Everitt, Burnell F. and Carl Smith.  Also one great grandson, Charles Franklin Everitt.

He was a Civil war veteran, being a member of the G.A.R. for many years.  His church relations were with the Church of God at Ney.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. C. F. Pearce of the Christian church, assisted by the G.A.R. who rendered their beautiful service.  Interment was made at Farmer cemetery."

     

The Harley Shoe Store

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."  This undated clipping of Harley's shoe store, operated by Perry Harley, was located on Second Street, Defiance.

"THIS OLD TIME picture is of Harley's Shoe Store, which was located on Second St. in what was known as the National Union Building.  The structure, once three stories, has been cut to two.  Note the wooded hitching rack.

Second St. was paved with what was known as macadam (crushed stone)  Farmers who would come to town in the farm wagon, always brought along the family dog to protect the wagon, and also a quantity of feed for the horses.  They would unhitch the horses and tie them to the back of the wagon so they could feed while the family spent the day in town.  This was alongside the court house on Second St. that was seldom cleaned.

...Note the display of boots.  Many folks wore boots those days as Defiance was just a trifle muddy."

James Bable - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Born in 1839, James Bable spent most of his life in Paulding County, first with his parents, Joseph and Jane Bable, and later with his wives, Caroline Matty and Diana (Diadama) Forsyth.  

He first enlisted as a private in Company G, 14th Ohio Infantry on April 22, 1861, for a three month term.  After being discharged from that in August, 1861, he reenlisted in Company C, 68th Ohio Infantry in November of that year and he served until the end of the war. Company C was made up of mostly Paulding County men. In the 1890 veterans census, James noted that he had suffered from sunstroke on July 5, 1863; his unit would have been at the battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi.

James Bable married his first wife in July, 1860, before his enlistment.  When she died in July, 1866, he married again rather quickly, perhaps because a young child was left motherless.  In September of that year, he married Diana Forsyth. (Diadama on the wedding record.)  The couple settled in Auglaize Township, Paulding County where they can be found on censuses through 1910.  Diana had 14 children, but in 1900, only 10 were living.  

James worked as a day laborer here and there.  For awhile, he was a road supervisor in Paulding County and a cemetery sexton.  His children included Martha Ellen, Eva Estella, Emma Celestial, William Edmund, Edith, John, Hubert, Hollie F., Ray V., who were all named on the censuses.  In 1912, James and Diana moved to 1124 Perry Street in Defiance when they were quite elderly.

James died on January 31, 1922 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

 

James Bable at www.findagrave.com

On June 2, 1966, this photo, brought in my Mrs. Ray Kochel, a granddaughter of James Bable, was placed in the Crescent-News by Lloyd Tuttle.  Her information is a little wrong in that her grandfather moved to Defiance in 1912 and died in 1922, living in Defiance but 10 years.  Since, James Bable is the only one identified, maybe a reader will be able to identify another Civil War veteran.

Obituaries - Margaret Jane Waltenberger and George Isaac Gruver (Grover) of Hicksville

From Northwest Ohio Pioneer Obituaries (clippings from unidentified papers with no other information).  The book is available in our Defiance County libraries.

" WALTENBERGER

Margaret Jane Moore was born near Dublin, Ireland, June 6, 1840.  When about 9 years old, she came to America, the family settling first in Medina county, Ohio, but not long after coming to Defiance county, and locating a couple miles south of Hicksville.

One June 1, 1862, she was married to J. J. Waltenberger, who died in May, 1902.  To them were born three sons, Frank, Cyrus and John, and one daughter, Mrs. Clara Gorrell.

About 14 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Waltenberger came to Hicksville to live.  They both united with the Presbyterian church shortly after.  When the husband died Mrs. Waltenberger went to reside with her daughter, Mrs. Gorrell, six miles southwest of Hicksville, where after several years of patient suffering, she fell asleep April 5, 1909, aged 68 years, 9 months and 29 days.  A few years before she had transferred her church membership to North Scipio M.E. church.

She lived a consistent Christian life, and longed for the time to come when she might go to be with her Lord.  She leaves her four children, eight grandchildren, five brothers and three sisters.  The brothers and sisters are Elliott, Henry, Thomas, John and Frank Moore, Mrs Mary Lybarger, Mrs Kate Hoffmeister and Miss Sarah Moore.  Mrs. Waltenberger was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed by her many loved ones.

The funeral was held at the M.E. church, Hicksville, Thursday, April 8, conducted by Rev. D. F. Helms.  Burial at Forest Home." 

 

 

 *****

"GRUVER   (GROVER)

George Isaac Gruver, son of John L., Sr. and Harriet L. Gruver, was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, Ohio, May 3, 1882, and the same year moved with his parents to Hicksville township, Defiance county, Ohio, where he has since made his home.

After attending the local school, he began work on the farm.  As a young man he was industrious and enterprising and early showed considerable business ability.  Up to the time of his sickness, he was a strong, ambitious boy and one of his great desires was to be a soldier.

When the militia was organized in Hicksville, he was one of the first to enlist and was always a steady and conscientious member until his health failed him and he was honorably discharge on December 3, 1908.  At this time a very severe trouble manifested itself in the form of a tubercular disease of the back and right thigh bone.  Since then he was a great sufferer and underwent a number of severe operations.  The disease is rarely curable but his condition had so far improved during the winter that there was some hope for a favorable result.

But these hopes were not to be realized.  He died at his home on March 16, 1911, after a long and lingering illness, at the age of 28 years, 10 months and 13 days.  He leaves to mourn their loss, a father, mother, two sisters, five brothers and a host of friends.  One sister preceded him to a better world.

He was always very patient in his four years of suffering, a kind and obedient son, a loving brother, and kind to his fellow men.  Only those who constantly attended him can appreciate how patient and hopeful George had been.  

Funeral services were conducted at his home Monday at one o'clock p.m. by Rev. Dunnigan of Cecil.  Interment at Forest Home."