Spanish American Soldiers - Private Frank A. Gilmore, Musician

 

#1 Frank A. Gilmore, Musician

# 1  Frank A. Gilmore, Musician

Frank Gilmore enlisted at 37 to join the 6th Regiment as a musician for the company. At enrollment, he gave Defiance as his residence. Born in Edgerton, Ohio, to William R. (called Robert) and Margaret Ellen (Myser) Gilmore on March 5, 1861, he was already married by the time he joined the Army in 1898.

On April 14, 1881, he wed Mary McCool, the daughter of Robert and Hannah (Dolly) McCool. Frank was 27 and Mary just 19. After his term in the war, they moved to Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, where he owned a grain elevator. They had one daughter, Florence. In the Federal Census of 1900, they were enumerated with Frank working in the manufacturing of lumber. Mary's sister, Rosamond, single and unemployed, lived with them.

Rosamond died three years later, in 1903.

In 1911, Frank's mother, Margaret, died. She and her husband were early settlers of Williams County. Her obituary appeared in the Angola Herald on September 27, 1911: 

"Death of Mrs. Gilmore

Mrs. Margaret Ellen Myser Gilmore, widow of the late Robert Gilmore, and mother of Frank and Otis Gilmore, died Saturday morning, Sept. 23, at the home of the latter, 500 south Superior Street, after an illness of about two weeks. Her age was 71 years, 1 month, 12 days.

Mrs. Gilmore and husband were among the early settlers of Williams county, Ohio and Steuben county, having settled in Richland Township (IN) in the woods, when the nearest neighbor was two miles away. She was born in Stark county, Ohio August 11, 1840. The funeral took place at 9:00 a.m. Monday from the home, after which the remains were taken to the Farmer cemetery, near Edgerton, Ohio, for burial beside her deceased husband and other family relatives."

In 1906, the Gilmore brothers had a narrow escape in a car accident near Pleasant Lake, Indiana. The Steuben Republican reported on Feb. 10, 1926:

"AUTO CRASHED INTO LOAD LOGS.

Otis Gilmore Narrowly Escaped Terrible Death

Now Recovering From Severe Injury in Which Blood Loss Weakened Him Greatly.

Frank and Otis Gilmore had a very narrow escape from death in an automobile accident Saturday evening. They were driving towards Angola, just south of Pleasant Lake, shortly after 5 o'clock when the Dodge coupe driven by Frank Gilmore crashed into a load of logs standing on the east side of the road. Otis Gilmore who was on the east side of the car, saw the crash coming the leaned over toward his brother, and engaged the full impact of the blow of the log which crashed through the windshield and struck him on the side of the neck. He was badly bruised up, and the machine was put out of commission.

Mrs. Evangeline Fischer, county treasurer, was returning to Pleasant Lake and loaned her automobile to the Gilmores, and Frank rushed home with his brother, and a physician was summoned. After they reached home, an artery in the neck gave way, and the injured man bled profusely, and was considerably weakened by the loss of blood. He is recovering now, and it is thought he will have no permanent result from the injury.

The evening was dark and misty, and they were traveling at a low rate of speed to avoid collision, and the accident came as a sudden blow."

Frank's wife, Mary, died suddenly in November 1934. Her obituary in the Angola Herald, November 9, 1934, described the situation:

"Mary McCool Died Suddenly at Home of a Heart Ailment

Mrs. Frank Gilmore, 65, died at her home on West Maumee street Friday evening after an illness of less than two hours. Heart ailment was stated as the cause of death by Dr. Swatusie, who was called as soon as her illness became serious. With Mrs. Gilmore was her husband and her near neighbors, Professor and Mrs. W.A. Fox.

Mrs. Gilmore had been in good health, never having complained of sickness or discomfort. During the day she went with her husband to their Lake James cottage to attend to some work, and then returned about 4:30 o'clock. She said she felt tired and laid down, and then complained of some distress in the chest. Mr. Gilmore soon thereafter called the physician who recognized the gravity of the condition, and administered stimulants without response. She gradually sank away without much apparent suffering.

The day previous, Mrs. Gilmore had spent with her daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McKenzie at Middlebury, Indiana, and all enjoyed the occasion without any suspicious of impending sorrow. Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie came at once after the news reached them of her serious illness and later of her death. There are no other members of the immediate family.

Mrs. Gilmore was the daughter of Robert McCool and was born in Otsego Township. There are surviving brothers, John and Jay, and her sister, Mrs. Sarah Dirrim. She was married to Frank Gilmore on April 14, 1888 and to them was born one child, now Mrs. Gordon McKenzie. Mr.and Mrs. Gilmore have lived in Angola for the past thirty years.

The funeral was held from the late home on Monday afternoon...with the burial in Circle Hill Cemetery.

The deceased was held in high esteem by the neighborhood and by all who know her for her many kindly deeds."

Sometime around 1936 Frank moved in with his daughter and family in Middlebury, Indiana, where he was enumerated in the Federal Census of 1940. His son-in-law was a merchant who had his own general store, where Frank had worked earlier, daughter Florence was a homemaker, and one grandson, Gordon, age 9, was still home. Grandfather Frank died that same year on August 10, 1940,. at the age of 79.

The Angola Herald reported his death on Friday, August 16, 1940 on page 1:

"Frank Gilmore Died Saturday

Frank Gilmore passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McKenzie in Middlebury last Saturday, following a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Gilmore had been in failing health since June 1939 when he had a very critical attack of illness. His body was brought to the Klink Funeral Home where funeral services were held Monday forenoon...and burial was in Circle Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Gilmore was born in Edgerton, Ohio, March 5, 1881, and was seventy-nine years old last March... Mr. Gilmore grew to manhood on a farm near Hamilton (IN) near Richland township. He was a charter member of the K. of P. lodge of Hamilton, and since moving to Angola, was active in the different Masonic bodies and kept his Master Mason degrees active until his death.

Upon his coming to Angola, he engaged in the timber and piling business, continuing for many years, and for a time, was associated with F. E. Jackson in the Angola Nursery Company.  He was a member of the board of directors of the Angola State Bank since it was chartered in 1929.

Mr. Gilmore was held in high esteem by all of his acquaintances with a very good reputation built on integrity and friendliness, and his departure is mourned by a great many friends.

Strangely, his participation in music was never again mentioned.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

 

Storms, Floods, Swift Currents, and Tragedy in the Spring of 1905 - Cornelius Schriner

 

The last few weeks have given us all a crash course in remembering what spring weather can be. Impetuous, strong, and surprising. Of course, that's nothing new in history.

In the spring of 1905, Cornelius and Mary Hart Schriner lived in Tiffin Township. One day in mid-May, they travelled to Defiance for some reason and decided to take a different way home than usual because of high water The path would lead them to the Keller Bridge over Mud Creek, crossing the bridge on the Bellefontaine road. They left the city about 4:00 p.m.,and when they reached the bridge near the Children's Home, they found the road underwater. Afraid to cross with their horses and buggy, they turned around and went to another bridge 3/4 mile west.

"SWEPT AWAY IN SWOLLEN STREAM

Cornelius Schriner Drowned in Mud Creek.

Mrs. Schriner Narrowly Escaped.

...the water flowed swiftly over the road here also, but being acquainted with the formation of the embankment, they decided to risk it. Several of the neighbors, when they saw that Mr. and Mrs. Schriner intended to go over the stream swept road, followed them to the water's edge, fearing that they might have difficulty in getting safely across.

As they neared the bridge, the swift current swept the buggy from the embankment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schriner quickly jumped out of the buggy and attempted to get on the back of the horses, but in so doing, Mr. Schriner was kicked by one of the frightened and struggling animals, and he fell into the water and was carried into the stream, never once appearing above the water.

The horse broke away from the buggy and it was seized  by the current and whirled away.

Theresa Mary Hart Schriner

Mrs. Schriner, when in the grasp of the current, seized hold of a bush which was near. There was no way of reaching the woman and rescuing her from the perilous condition, except with a boat, and the nearest was at the infirmary, nearly a mile away.

Some men rushed down, and they had to fight against the mile of current until they could reach Mrs. Schriner, who was almost exhausted from clinging to her frail support.

The horses managed to keep above the water until their harness was cut and they swam to shore.

Search for the body of Mr. Schriner was commenced immediately, but it was not until Saturday afternoon that it was discovered. The condition of Mrs. Schriner is as well as could be expected, considering the terrible ordeal through which she passed.

Cornelius Schriner

Mr. Schriner was a man of about 40 years of age, and his widow is left with eight children, the eldest of whom is but fifteen.... Mr. Schriner was a well known farmer, but the sudden and unwarned manner of his death, and the large family of children left to the care of the mother, makes it even more regrettable."

His body was found within sight of his own home, near the residence of Frank Stamm the next afternoon. The Martin Undertaking Wagon was called and the body taken back to his late residence. Apparently, his horse had stepped in some barbed wire, struggled and pulled him down and pinned him. As he fell down into the water, the horse had also kicked him. Searchers used grappling hooks at the scene all night, dragging the bottom of the creek.

Mrs. Schriner had held on to the bush for almost an hour before she had the strength to pull herself completely out of the water, according to a different source.

Mr. Schriner was a staunch Democrat, and the day before had announced himself as a candidate for infirmary director at the upcoming vote. The bridge had not been covered with water, but their buggy went off on some fill that had been added to the embankment.

His obituary appeared in the Defiance Weekly Express on May 19, 1905: 

"The funeral of Cornelius Schriner who was drowned while trying to cross the submerged road leading to the bridge over Mud Creek Friday afternoon, was held at the Mud Creek Catholic Church, Rev Espen officiating. The services were largely attended. The interment took place in the cemetery adjoining the church.

Marysdale Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Ney, Ohio

What happened to Mary Schriner? In the 1910 Federal Census, she is listed in Tiffin Township as a widow and the head of the household, now 42 years old and a farmer. Her oldest son, Victor, 20, also was listed as a farmer. Her other children were Mollie, 19, and Antoinette, 17, both listed as servants.

Following were Karl, 15; Catharine, 13; Loisie, 12; Alphonso, 10, and Marie, 5 (born the year of her father's death).

In her later years as her health declined, Mary moved to Flint, Michigan, to live with her one of her daughters. She never remarried. Her obituary in 1936:

"MRS. SCHRINER TAKEN IN FLINT

Former Defiance Resident Dies at 70; Rites Tuesday at Marysdale

Mrs. Mary T. Schriner, 70, former Defiance resident, died Friday at 9:30 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Albert Babinger, Flint, Mic., where she had been bedfast for the past two years with diabetes and complications.

The body is to be brought Sunday to the home of another daughter, Mrs. William Ball, one mile southwest of the Marysdale Catholic Church in Washington Township. Services will be held at the Marysdale Church at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday with Rev. Robert Knoepfle of Delaware Bend officiating. Burial will be in Marysdale Cemetery.

Mrs. Schriner, only child of Anthony and Magdolin Heart, was born in Tiffin township, Aug. 20, 1866. She was married to Cornelius Schriner on May 14, 1887, and continued to live on the farm where she was born after the death of her husband in 1904. (1905) She came to Defiance about 15 years ago and made her home at 613 Ravine Avenue until eight years ago when failing health caused her to make her home with her children.

She is survived by eight children: Mrs. Babinger, Mrs. Ball, Victor Schriner, Tiffin Township, Mrs. Charles H. Reynolds, Toledo, Mrs. George Motter, Washington Township, Alva Schriner, Flint, Mich., Carl Schriner, 417 1/2 Clinton Street, and Mrs. Ray Kunesh, Richland Township; and 11 grandchildren, William, John, Cornelius, Tommas, Mary Catharine, and James D. Schriner, Charles J. Reynolds, Donald and Mary Lou Babinger, and Reynold and Eileen Kunesh. 

Marysdale Altar Society, of which Mrs. Schriner was a lifelong member, will meet Monday at the Ball home to say the Rosary."

Dianne Kline, Researcher

Mr. Schriner was a man of about 40 years of age, and his widow is left with eight children, the eldest of whom is but fifteen. The accident is a parallel of the one which happened at the English bridge a year ago when two young men lost their lives in a similar manner.

Mr. Schriner was a well-known and respected farmer, but the sudden and unwarned manner of his death, and the large family of children left to the care of the mother, makes it even more regrettable.

An Old Settler in Farmer - Ethan R. Weldon

 

An Old Settler

Ethan R. Weldon

Died at Farmer Center, April 11th, 1883, Ethan R. Weldon, father of H.O. Weldon, of Hicksville, aged sixty-nine years, ten months, and two days.  Mr. Weldon was entitled to be considered an old settler of Defiance county, having been a resident for thirty years.

He was born at Plattsburg, N.Y. June 9th, 1813, where he spent his early life, and where he was married Feb. 14th, 1839, to Harriet E. Spaulding, who survives him.

In 1844, he removed to Herman, N.Y., and in 1853, came to Farmer, in this county where he has since resided. Mr. Weldon was a man whom to know was to respect and esteem. He was a consistently good citizen and exerted a good influence on all about him.

He was never connected with any Christian church, but as a Bible reader, and Bible student, he had very few equals in the common walks of life. He had read the Bible through forty-four times and was as well acquainted with its contents that he was an interesting, and a very successful Bible class teacher.

The estimation in which he was held was well expressed by a neighbor, who knew him well, 'He was an awful good man,' and when, after many years of disability, on account of paralysis, death came and called for him, he was ready to respond, and to trust his future in the hands of Him who doeth all things well."

The Hicksville News, Hicksville, OH, Thursday, April 19, 1883

Farmer Cemetery

Ethan Roberts Weldon
June 9, 1813 - April 11, 1883
Harriet Elizabeth Spaulding Weldon
November 27, 1822 - October 15, 1902

Spanish-American Soldiers - Corporal Frederick G. Root

 

  

Private John E. Rowan #66

Corporal Frederick G. Root #67

Corporal Frederick G. Root

Harriet A. (Wilsdorf) and Eugene E. Root, of Ridgeville Township, Lorain County, Ohio, were the parents of Fred.  He was born there on September 17, 1871, but at the time of his military enrollment, he was listed as a resident of Defiance. 

He mustered into Company M, 6th Regiment O.V.I. at the age of 27, but he was discharged early on February 24, 1899.

In March of 1892, he had married Minnie Fauver, and before he left for duty, they had a daughter, Frances M. in 1895. After he returned home, a son was added to the family in 1900, Eugene Frankfort Root. By 1900, the family had returned to their original stomping grounds in Ridgeville Township.

In the Federal Census of 1900, they were in Lorain County (Ridgeville Twp) living with his parents, Harriet, 48, and Eugene, 53.  His father was a boots and shoes merchant and Frederick, 28, had a job as a salesman there. Minnie, who was 24, was busy with her five-year-old daughter and her 1-month-old baby son.

By 1910, the Root family had moved into their own home in Ridgeville Township; they had been married eighteen years. Minnie had had four children, but only two survived - Frances M., now 14 and Eugene, 9. Fred worked at a telephone factory using a milling machine. They owned their home free and clear.

In 1915, Fred may have been hoping for a little extra cash, as he ventured into gambling.  The Chronicle-Telegram of Elyria reported on January 15th on page 6:

"FRIENDLY GAME OF POKER WAS PLAYED AT RIDGEVILLE

Fred Root Indicted by the Grand Jury for Keeping Gambling House.

Fred Root, of Ridgeville, was indicted by the grand jury, Wednesday, on a charge of maintaining a gambling room in that village.

It is claimed that there are quite a few Elyrians who have been 'sitting in' the game at different times and a number of the players are praying that the case will not come to trial.

A large number of young men from Ridgeville were summoned to appear before the grand jury when the case was investigated."

From another article in the same newspaper:

RIDGEVILLE MAN SEVERELY FINED FOR GAMBLING

The arrest of Fred Root, hotel keeper, charged with keeping a gambling house, has caused a decided sensation in that staid little village.  For some time, Prosecuting Attorney Adams has received complaints that Root was learning young boys to play poker for money, and finally he got the evidence which was presented to the grand jury. An indictment and arrest followed.

This afternoon Root came into court and plead guilty. He had nothing to say except that he did not induce boys to play and generally rented the room to someone else. Judge Redington was exceptionally severe and gave Root a lecture, winding up sentencing him to 30 days in jail and to pay the fine of $100 and costs.

A number of men in this city and Ridgeville who have been in the habit of playing in the hotel, swe(a)t several kinds of blood since the news got out that an indictment had been found. They are thanking their lucky stars that they were not indicted also."

Frederick G. Root died at the age of 46 in 1918. HIs death certificate noted that he died of cardiac dilation and general vascular collapse as the result of **acetanilid poisoning which was taken for a headache. He must have taken too much.

**Introduced in 1886, acetanilid was used for pain relief and fever reduction. 

Now we have safer medications.

The Chronicle - Telegram reported on March 11, 1918, on page 1:

"MILITARY BURIAL WAS ACCORDED THE DECEDENT.

SONS OF VETERANS HONOR MEMORY OF THAT ASSOCIATION.

A military burial was accorded the remains of Fred G. Root, Ridgeville hotel proprietor, by the members of the Spanish-American war veterans' association of this city, Sunday, in that village.

The decedent was a member of that order and therefore, arrangements were made to conduct a military burial."

e

Fred's wife, Minnie, did not pass on until 1943 when she died in Cleveland of heart and circulation issues. Minnie was the daughter of William and Katherine (Killpatrick) Fauver.

Her obituary appeared in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer on May 23, 1943:

"MRS. MINNIE ROOT

Mrs. Minnie Root, 68, widow of Fred G. Root, member of an early North Ridgeville family for whom Root Road was named, died yesterday at St. John's Hospital. She lived at 7532 Detroit Avenue N.W.

Two children, Mrs. Frances Morgan and Eugene Root, survive her.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Heinrich Funeral home, 7311 Detroit Ave."

She was buried with Fred in the Ridgeville Cemetery, North Ridgeville.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

The Marckel Scrapbook - Edward M. Hubbard Obituary

 

From the scrapbook of Doris E. Marckel Bates, Defiance, Ohio

1906

A collection of newspaper articles about the folks of Defiance County, Ohio all undated and with no source named.

"EDWARD M. HUBBARD

After an illness of about four weeks duration, Edward M. Hubbard succumbed Saturday afternoon at about four o'clock to meningitis. All day Saturday his condition grew more critical and late in the afternoon he quietly answered his final summons,

Edward M. Hubbard was taken by death just after his entrance into active life. Married, but a little over a year and about to enter his chosen profession of law with new enthusiasm, the death seems all the sadder.

The deceased was born in Napoleon twenty-three years ago. He came to Defiance with his parents but a short time later and has spent practically his entire life in the city Although but a young man, Mr. Hubbard held the position of court reporter receiving his appointment four years ago. He was also a justice of the peace. It was his intention to go to Columbus in the near future where he was to take up the study of his chosen profession, law, along advanced lines. Mr. Hubbard was a graduate of the Defiance High School, graduating with the class of 1900. He had a bright future before him, had he lived.

A little over a year ago, he was united in marriage to Miss Maude Harley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Harley. The young couple had but settled down when death brought grief and sorrow.

The deceased is survived by widow, mother and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Case and Miss Nan Hubbard, residing in Cleveland at the present. The father, Judge Hubbard, died about two years ago.

The funeral will occur Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Harley home on Holgate Avenue, Reverends Cooper and Bigler officiating. The body will be placed in the Holgate vault at Riverside."

Spanish American Soldiers - John E. Rowan

 

#66 John E. Rowan

  #66 Private John Elbert Rowan 

John Elbert Rowan was born on October 12, 1867, in Napoleon, Ohio, Henry County. He served in the war as a private from Defiance County, Ohio, mustering in at the age of 30. He was discharged on February 9. 1899, with a Certificate of Disability from the Surgeon's Headquarters in Santa Clara, Cuba..

John married Lenora Evelyn "Nora" (Hall) who was born in Williams County on April 8, 1875. They were married in Williams County on August 5, 1896, the same day that they applied for their marriage license, and they requested that the marriage not be published in the newspapers.

Lenora Evelyn Rowan
"Nora"

By the Federal Census of 1900, Nora and John were settled in at 107 Main Street, Defiance, a rented home. With them were their daughter, Elberta C., 3 months, and his mother, Senson S. J. Rowan, a 68 year old widow. John had a bookkeeping job.

In 1910, the family was enumerated in New Haven, Huron County, Ohio. John worked as a clerk for the B & O Railroad, while Nora was at home with their four children: Elberta C. - 10, George Norris - 8, Theodore S. - 4, and Robert S. - 2.  It is in this record that it was noted that this was his second marriage. (We can not confidently report on the first marriage.)

They stayed in Huron County, moving to Greenfield by 1920. John maintained his job with the railroad, now as chief rider. Elberta was a teacher, while George worked as a laborer on the railroad. According to John's obituary, the family moved to Willard, Ohio in 1928. But, by 1935, they were back in Evansport in Tiffin Township, Defiance County. 

By that time, both John, 72, and Nora, 65, were no longer employed. Two sons lived with them: Theodore, 35, a mechanic on farm machinery, and Robert, 32, a laborer (hay baler) and his little son, Robert Jr., 7.

John Rowan died on October 6, 1941, at the age of 76 in Tiffin Township.

Nora lived on until February 1951 when she died at the age of 75 in Archbold.

Researcher - Mary Williams

SPANISH - AMERICAN SOLDIERS - Sergeant Harry H. Van Horn

 

#53-William Conners, #54-Martin O. Young, #72-Merle Richardson, #84 Harry H. Van Horn

#84 Sergeant Harry Hayes Van Horn

In 1897, Harry was a resident of Toledo, living with his parents, Nathaniel and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Pelton) Van Horn. When he enlisted into Company M, 6th O.V.I. in 1898, however, he was listed as a resident of Defiance at the age of 23. He mustered in as a sergeant and by October 26, 1898, he was detailed as acting Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion, 6th O.V.I.  Harry Van Horn was a leader in many ways throughout his life.

He was born in Clark County on February 21, 1877, where his father worked as a carpenter. When the soldiers came home in May 1899, Harry led a drill on Clinton Street for the entertainment of the people of Defiance, as reported by the Defiance Democrat on June 1, 1899.  His next step was to marry his sweetheart, Jessie Bell McCullough, the daughter of William and Emma (Booth) McCullough, on September 4, 1899, in Defiance. 

"MR. AND MRS. HARRY VAN HORN

The secret marriage of Miss Jessie McCullough and Harry Van Horn Discovered.

Popular Young People Enter Wedlock all on the Quiet Decoration Day and Guarded Their Secret Well.

How well Miss Jessie McCullough and Harry Van Horn kept the secret of their marriage is best shown by the fact that although they joined heart and hand May 30, the nearest friends and relatives will be surprised when they read this item. The altar was well managed and it has just leaked out that Miss McCullough and Mr Van Horn, instead of being friends, are and have been for nearly four months, husband and wife.

Mrs. Van Horn is a charming young lady of a kind and loving disposition and pleasant manners. She is held in the highest regard by all who know her, and all feel that Mr. VanHorn can be proud of his choice and congratulate himself on having won so delightful a companion. She is one of the pleasant salesladies at Hadey & Whitaker's bargain house.

Harry Van Horn is a stately, graceful young man, who is an enameler by trade. He is very popular with his associates and stands high among the boys of Company M, in which he served his country during the Spanish-American war.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn took place on the evening of May 30th, when they dropped into the office of Squire Phelps, who announced the words that united the futures of the happy couple. The license, permitting the marriage, was obtained in Henry County, and therefore the records of Defiance county did not disclose the secret.

Mr. Van Horn has a good position on the B & O railroad running from Pittsburgh to Wheeling and will be joined by his bride in a few days."

Defiance Daily Crescent, September 27, 1899

In 1900, Harry became very sick and spent some months at the Veterans Home in Dayton to recover; he was released on April 23, 1900.  When the enumerators came around in May 1900, they mistakenly counted Harry twice - once in Toledo with his parents and once in Defiance with his wife and brand new son, Russell, zero months old. Harry noted unemployment for four months that year (perhaps while in Dayton), but now they rented a home at 219 Summit Street and he had a job as a machinist.

**In some sources, the boy is called Robert.

In 1904, Van Horn and friends came together to invent a new version of a carpet sweeper. The Crescent-News reported on January 25, 1904:

An invention of a carpet cleaner, the work of several Defiance men, is now before the "patent office at Washington, and within a few days a patent right will be issued.

The new product is a sweeper manufactured almost entirely of steel and was first conceived by Harry VanHorn. Later S. A. Craven became interested and then several more business men. Recently they perfected the model and then applied for the patent. So far the papers for the latter have not yet arrived but are expected daily.

Nine-tenths interest in this sweeper is owned by S.A. Craven, W.H. Ruess, F.J. Papenhagen, J.A. Diendorfer, R.T. Whitaker and John C. Vandenbroek. The other tenth is held by Mr. VanHorn."

Manual sweeper made of metal

This is in a time when wooden sweepers were the norm, which were heavy and costly to make, and they had one roller. The new invention was made of steel which was more durable, lighter to use, less costly to make, and it had two rollers. The plan was to have it manufactured in Defiance by the American Steel Packaging Company. An offer had also been received from a Chicago firm for all patent rights which was being considered and would have been very prosperous for the owners. The patent could not be located under the name Van Horn, but they could have taken the Chicago offer.

 

Also in November 1904, Harry Van Horn and Herman A. Spangler took the lead in organizing a Veterans of the Spanish-American War organization which was to be known as Camp Wayne. Spangler was voted Commander and Van Horn as Senior Vice Commander.

On April 2, 1908, Harry lost his first love and mother of his young son, Jessie Bell. Her obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on April 4th:

"JESSIE VAN HORN PASSES AWAY AT TOLEDO HOSPITAL AFTER AN OPERATION

Jessie Bell Van Horn, eldest daughter of Mrs. Emma McCullough, died Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock at Toledo Hospital, the result of an operation for peritonitis. She had been in ill health for about six weeks.

The deceased was born in Defiance, October 8, 1879, and was therefore 29 years of age. All her life was spent in Defiance.

She was united in marriage in 1899 at the close of the, Spanish war to Harry Van Horn, to which union one son, Robert aged 8, was born. In addition to a husband and son, she is survived by mother, Mrs. Emma McCullough of the city, two brothers, Robert and George of the city and four sisters, Mrs. P.L. Schlosser of Toledo, Mrs. W. D. Beardsley and Helen and Mae McCullough of this city.

The deceased was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and leaves a large circle of friends to mourn her departure. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but the services will be private..."

Jessie was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

Now, with a young son to raise, Harry moved back with his parents for a while in Toledo.

On September 6, 1927, Harry married a second time to Katherine G. (Radcliffe) in Cook County, Illinois. Harry was fifty years old by this time, and his bride was 39. They settled in Chicago and were there in the 1930 and 1940 censuses. Harry worked as a salesman for an air-conditioning and refrigeration company, while Katherine worked as a rental agent for a real estate company. She reported her income as $1350 a year, but Harry had only worked 17 weeks at his job with an income of $400. 

Harry Van Horn died on March 4, 1950, and his obituary appeared in the Crescent-News on March 10th:

Katherine survived him until 1964 when she died in California. Her death notice appeared in the Los Angeles Times on March 23, 1964:

"VanHorn, Katherine. Remains forwarded to Toledo, Ohio for Requiem Mass and interment."

Both Harry and Katherine were buried in the mausoleum at Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio.

Dianne Kline, Researcher