George Washington Partee was born in Tiffin Township to Lawrence and Rebecca Partee in June, 1840.
These early settlers of Defiance County were enumerated in the Federal Census of 1850, just two years after George's mother, Rebecca, died, leaving her husband, Lawrence, with six children still at home. Rebecca died in 1848 at the age of 46. Lawrence, 45, a farmer, had the care of Hannah,19; Obadiah, 17, farm laborer; Louisa, 14; Lucretia, 13, George, 10; and Joseph, 7.
The children were home safely in 1860, but as the War Between the States began to brew, so did the patriotism in the three sons of Lawrence Partee. First the youngest son, Joseph enlisted on April 17, 1861, at barely 17 into Company F of the 48th Ohio Infantry. George enlisted on August 21, 1861, into Company E of the 14th Ohio Infantry, and Obadiah followed in November of that year into the same company as Joseph. Suddenly Father was left with no more help on the farm, but was hopefully proud of the commitment of his sons. The President had called for volunteers after the attack on Fort Sumter, and all his boys stepped forward.
When George enlisted, his regiment quickly made its way after training to Kentucky to Camp Dick Robinson. Soon after, news of a Confederate attack sent them into battle at Wildcat, KY. After wintering in Kentucky, the 14th was the first group to enter into Confederate territory in Louisville and then Nashville. They fought at Shiloh, Corinth and then headed to Georgia and Chickamauga. In October, 1863, records stated that George was discharged due to illness. It was unclear whether he went home, but it is likely if he was discharged. He had served 2 years, one month and 14 days.
Maybe he felt that he had not completed his contract, so on December 16, 1863, he reenlisted as a Corporal in the Third Regiment, Ohio Cavalry where he served another year, seven months and eighteen days. From all of his battle encounters, he reported no disabilities on the 1890 Veterans Census, even though his unit surely saw some of the worst battles in the war. Corporal George W. Partee was discharged on August 4, 1865.
Upon his arrival home on August 18, 1865, he wasted little time in finding a wife and settling down. On December 3, 1865, he married Margaret Swinehart. He was 26 at the time and she was 16. In the Federal Census of 1870, the couple lived in Noble Township, next to her parents and siblings.
By 1880, they had moved into a home on Perry Street, Defiance where George, 39, had a job at the spoke factory. Margaret, 31, was at home with their children, Elsworth, 9, and Lulu B. (Belle), 7. Next door was his brother, Joseph, who also worked at the spoke factory, and his family.
The family rented the home at 727 Perry Street where they still lived at the time of the 1900 census. Margaret reported on that census that she had had four children, but only three were living. Another child appeared on this census: Hattie, 16.
Lulu, at 27, was still at home in this census, while Elsworth had married Mary Alice Green and moved out of the home.
Great joy and grief found the George Partee family in 1901-1902. In April, 1901, Lulu would marry.
"NOFFSINGER-PARTEE WEDDING.
A marriage license was issued last evening to Chas. W. Noffsinger, 23, and Lulu B. Partee, 27, both of Defiance. Rev. P. O. Rhodes was named as the officiating minister. The young couple were married last night at the parsonage by Rev. Rhodes. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes will go to housekeeping on Perry street."
Defiance Crescent-News, April 4, 1901, p. 4
By March, 1902, she would pass away suddenly.
"Mrs. Lulu Noffsinger, wife of C. W. Noffsinger, bookkeeper for Henry Wilson, the plumber, died Monday about 10:30 o'clock at her residence, 727 Perry street of inflammation of the kidneys. She was aged 28 years, 11 months and seven days. She was formerly Miss Lulu Partee, and was married to Mr. Noffsinger some ten months ago.
Mrs. Hopkins was a member of the Hopkins street U. B. church and the funeral was held there Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Rhodes to conduct the services. Interment in Hires Cemetery. Her death caused a profound shock to her many friends who sympathize deeply with her husband and parents."
Defiance Democrat, March 20, 1902, p. 1
Photo posted on Ancestry by Alan Partee. The George Partee family -
L to R: Hattie, Lulu, Elsworth, Margaret and George
Hattie, 20, married Albert Goldenetz, 21, on December 18, 1903. Albert would become known as a successful businessman and grocer in Defiance. But, in the Federal Census of 1910, the couple and their two children, Thelma, 6, and Marjorie, 3, lived with their grandparents, George, 69, now retired, and Margaret, 60 on Seneca Street in Defiance.
On January 13, 1914, the veteran, George W. Partee, died. The Defiance Crescent-News reported his death in the January 17, 1914, edition on page 6:
"OBITUARY - GEORGE W. PARTEE
George W. Partee, son of Lawrence and Rebecca Partee, was born June 5, 1840 and died January 13, 1914, aged seventy-three years, seven months and eight days.
December 3, 1865, he as married to Margaret R. Swinehart, who survives to mourn the loss of one who has been a faithful devoted husband for forty-eight years.
This union was blessed with four children two sons and two daughters, Mr. Ellsworth Partee of Tiffin and Mrs. A. G. Goldenetz of this city, and a son and daughter have preceded the father in death. The deceased is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Philip Gastle of Jamestown, Missouri and a brother, Mr. Joseph Partee, of Anderson, Ind. an four grandchildren.
Mr. Partee has been a lifelong resident of this city. He was a faithful husband, a kind father, and a good citizen. He served his country well, was proud of her in times of peace, and was ready to give his life for her in time of war. August 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 14th Regiment Ohio Infantry, and was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability, October 5, 1863. On December 16, 1863, he enlisted again in Company G, 3rd Regiment of Ohio Cavalry Volunteers. He was appointed June 1, 1865 and was discharged August 4, 1865. He was a member of Bishop Post, G.A.R. and will be missed by his comrades who have gathered here this afternoon to pay this last respect to a comrade who has fallen from their ranks.
Mr. Partee has been a Christian for a number of years and has been a faithful member of the United Brethren Church of this city for about sixteen years.
The earthly life of the deceased came to an end Tuesday morning very suddenly and without warning, but he has fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith, and to such is promised the crown of life.
The funeral was held at the United Brethren Church Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. The funeral was in charge of the G.A.R. with Rev. W. C. DeMuth, pastor of the church officiating. Interment in the Riverside Cemetery."
Mrs. Margaret Partee lived until 1928. Her obituary appeared in the Defiance Crescent-News on October 18, 1928 on page 1.
"MRS PARTEE, 80, DIES IN FOSTORIA. Funeral Will be Held At U.B. Church Here Friday.
Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Partee, 80, widow of George Partee will be held at the United Brethren church here Friday at 3 p.m. with Rev. O. E. Knepp officiating and burial being in Riverside Cemetery.
Mrs. Partee, a former relative of Defiance, died of a paralytic stroke Wednesday after being sick for one hour at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Thelma Goldenetz-Milligan of Fostoria. The body will be brought directly to the church here.
Mrs. Partee's maiden name was Swinehart and she was born in Defiance May 24, 1849. She was married to George Partee at Defiance, December 3, 1865. Her husband died Jan. 13, 1914.
Those who survive are one son, Elsworth Partee, Tiffin; three grandchildren, Mrs. Thelma Milligan at whose home she died, Marjorie Huber, Canada, and Donald Partee (son of Elsworth), Tiffin; one brother, Freeman Swinehart, Fort Wayne, and two sisters, Mrs. Priscilla Clutter, of Detroit, and Mrs. Elizabeth Francisco, Ligonier, Ind."
