SPANISH - AMERICAN SOLDIERS - Private Merle Richardson

 

#53 William Conners, #54 Martin Young, # 72 Merle Richardson

#72 Private Merle Richardson

A native of Defiance City, Merle was found in the 1880 census with his parents, John E. and Rosetta (Bowdle), 48 and 38 respectively. His father worked as a carpenter and his mother as a seamstress, and the house was full of children. Frank Merle, born on January 7, 1879, was enumerated as one year old, along with Ophelia -18, James -12, George -10, and Leroy - 4.

The young 19 year old Merle enlisted in Company M in 1898, and in July, he sent a letter home to his parents describing his experiences. It was published on July 7, 1898, in the Defiance Daily Crescent:

"Dear Mother and All the Rest:

I am on the sick list today, so I can write you a few lines, although I don't feel like sitting up very long. I received your letter the other day, yesterday and last night received one from Jennie. I was very glad to hear from you both.

Well, last Tuesday our company was on guard duty. I was on four times in twenty-four hours. That means two hours at a time. Oh, oh, but my shoulders did ache and the next day every joint in my body ached. You know on picket duty we dare not sit down or stop walking. Just ask dad about it. He can tell you. Of course, it was my first experience and perhaps I felt it a great deal more than I will the next time.

There was a negro in the guard house that day. He got away and caused us all kinds of trouble. We were ordered to tie him up. He then drew a knife and swore at us worse than I ever heard before. If it had not been for Harry Lewis, our lieutenant, we would have hung him to a tree, as we had the rope with the noose, also had him in hands. Since it is all over, I am glad we did not hang him, but mother, at that time, we were too much enraged to stop and think. He was drummed out of camp soon after and disfranchised, that means that he is no longer an American citizen. Two others went the same way the next day.

I am so hsppy that I passed the examination without a criticism or having to undress. I will tell you what they said.

'What is your name?'

How old are you?

Was you examined in Defiance?

Have you the consent of your parents?'

I answered them to their satisfaction and that was all.

I run right out to my comrades and turned on a handspring in the air.

I tell you, mother, I, like a great many others in the company, almost love dear old Captain Crandall. You should not fear for me while I am with such a man as he is.

My heart thrills with rapture at the sound of our sunrises and sunsets, and I am so anxious to get to Chickamauga, where army life is more like the real thing. Two of the flunkers were my mess mates, which I could not help. They were very lazy and would not clean up anything, not even their own dishes, and in that way, we could not keep things in shape and like we wished to, but now that they have gone, we have commenced to brighten up. We took Howard McCauley in our mens place. You know he is so fat that he takes the room of two, but he is full of fun that we just have a circus every night after taps.

Last night for supper we had boiled ham, chicken, scrambled egg, bread, butter, and coffee, and this morning, I had one half cup of coffee, as I was sick and did not care for anything else.

No mama, you need not send me a __ as I prefer to get used to sleeping any old way, because we may sometime have to do so. Now as soon as you can, I want you to take that trip to Ories and stay as long as possible. Now do this for my sake, and please do not worry about me, because your health is poor enough without worrying and you must live to welcome me home again, as I shall surely come home if God permits.

Well, I am unable to write more this time, so I will close. Give my love to all the relatives and regards ...to our friends. Write soon and have Alice write some too. Anybody write just so you can write a long letter. Good-bye and a kiss.

From your loving son,

Merle Richardson"

His mother lived till April 1902 when she died at the home of her daughter.

After Merle came home in 1899, he began work at the Ross Hotel in Deshler as a day clerk. On October 19, 1904, he married Edna Ethel Conley. They were married at Fostoria, Ohio, as reported in the Defiance Daily Crescent on October 24:

"The following from a Fostoria paper tells of the marriage of Merle Richardson and Edna Conley, formerly of this city. At the home of Mr. & Mrs. A.E. Torrence on West Fremont Street, yesterday afternoon at three o'clock occurred the wedding of Miss Edna Conley, a sister of Mrs. Torrence, to Mr. Merle Richardson, of Toledo, the Rev. E. D. Smith officiating. 

The house was beautifully decorated with autumn leaves, ferns, fitting in keeping with the quiet beautiful wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson accompanied by her father, I. C. Conley, her brothers, A.B. and Will left via the B.& O. for Chicago Junction, where they were entertained at a wedding feast by Mrs. Clyde Hurst, a sister of the bride.

Mrs. Richardson is the youngest daughter of the family, a resident of this city and will be greatly missed in her home as well as among her associates, all of whom wish for her the unbounded happiness of which she is worthy,and extend congratulations to the groom in his good fortune in capturing one of the most worthy young ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson will be at home in Toledo."

Defiance, 1915

Merle Richardson was only 36 when he died unexpectedly at his home in Fremont, Ohio. His wife died in 1907, and there were no children. His sisters, Orphelia Strumm and Alice Lantow attended to the burial.

He was buried in Fountain Cemetery, Fostoria, Hancock County where his wife rested.

The Marckle Scrapbook - Catherine Markle Wimer and Hannah W. Carpenter Shock

 

From the scrapbook of Doris E. Marckel Bates,

Defiance County, Ohio

A collection of newspaper articles regarding the folks of Defiance County, all undated and with no source names.

Catherine Markle Wimer, Courtesy of Ancestry

"CATHERINE MARKLE WIMER

WIMER. At Post, Crook Co., Oregon, March 29, 1899, Catherine Wimer, nee Markle, aged 82 years, 3 months and 12 days. She was born at Hollidaysville, Huntington County, Pa., Dec. 16, 1816, in her youth her parents moved to Ohio, where, on July 15, 1836, she was married to Jacob Wimer, who died at Arago, Oregon, May 12, 1889.

They were pioneers of Keokuk County, Iowa, having settled in that county in 1837. 

They, in company with their family of five sons and two daughters, came to Oregon in 1863 and settled in Tillamook County, thence in 1867, to Southern Oregon.

Since the death of her husband, she made her home with her youngest son, J. W. Wimer.

She was the mother of eleven children, four of whom survive her. In all her husband's very busy life, she was a steadfast and true helper, a model wife and loving, peace-making mother. She died as she had lived - a devout and consistent member of the German Baptist Church."   J.N. North

*She may have been some relation to the Markle/Wimer line; they were never enumerated on the Defiance census. Their children were Mary Ann b. 1837, died at age 29; Adam Aaron, 1839; Isaac and Jacob, twins, born and died 1841; George Washington, 1843; Catherine Jane, 1845;  Elizabeth , 1845 died 1846; William Jordan 1848; John Henry 1850, died at 22; Jacob F. 1850 (possible error in ancestry tree); Hannah, died at age 1; James W. 1856; Mary A. 1857, Levi L, 1859...more than eleven, if correct.

_______________________________________

"HANNAH CARPENTER SHOCK

Mrs. Jacob Shock, Hannah W. (Warner), eldest daughter of John and Sarah Carpenter, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Sept. 15th, 1844.  In childhood came with her parents to Defiance county, settling in Adams township, where she grew to womanhood. On Sept. 15th, 1863, was united in marriage to Albert P. Conkle. Two boys were born to this union. After a few years of a happy life, Mr. Conkle was burned to death in a sawmill. A few years afterward, both children were stricken with membranous croup, and their deaths were only twelve days apart.

 

On March 19th, 1871, she was married to Jacob Shock, who, with three children, Mrs. Will Weaver, living east of town; Art, living in the city; and Glenn, living south of town, survive her. One daughter, Mrs. Ed. Grossenbacher, having died three years ago. She also leaves two brothers, J.T. and J. J Carpenter of Pleasant Lake, Indiana, and two sisters, Mrs. L. Conkle of Defiance, and Mrs. T.C. Elliott of North Richland township.

Funeral services were held at the Oakland M.E. Church, conducted by Rev. Zellers, of the Baptist Brethren church of which she was a faithful member for more than thirty years.

Died of consumption (tuberculosis), March 29th, 1906, aged 61 years, 6 months and 14 days. The remains were placed in the vault for present."

*Later she was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

SPANISH - AMERICAN SOLDIERS - Private Martin O. Young

 

#53 William Conners, #54 Martin O. Young

# 54 Private Martin Oscar Young

Martin Oscar Young, the son of John Reuben and Nancy (Willeman) Young, was born in Richland Township, Defiance County, on November 5, 1876. He enlisted in M Company when he was 21 years old.

He seemed to serve without incident in Cuba and was mustered out with his company in the spring of 1899.

When he was a youngster of about 19, his name made the Defiance County Republic Express on August 31, 1895, p. 5:

"POWDER FLASK EXPLODED

'WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE,' SAID THE POET HISTORIAN

The advancement of civilization does not curtail the duties of the fool killer and there is always plenty of work if advantage is taken of the situation.

Last Sunday Martin Young, of North Richland Township, was out hunting.

The bright thought struck him of pouring some powder on the ground and touching it off with a match. He did so, and the flame reached the quarter pound flask which he held in his hand. An explosion followed which kept young Mr. Young busy locating his head for some moments.

He finally got home and Dr. Cameron of Evansport was called to attend him. The boy's face wqs fearfully burned. Dr. Cameron says that if the power flask had been a little nearer Young's head, it would have blown it off."

Martin married Ellen Lenora in 1905, and they had three children: Helen, Luella, and Martin O. Young Jr.  The family was found in the 1910 Federal Census for Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. At that time, he was a laborer at a starch company. Two little girls graced their home, Helen, 2, and Louella, 2 months. Martin Jr. came along in about 1916.

The family moved to Decatur, Marion County, Indiana, at some point. Martin turned to the carpentry trade, and in 1930, worked with the B. & O. Railroad. He owned his own home worth $3000 and his oldest daughter, Helen, 22, brought in extra money working in a printing company office.

In 1930, the Crescent-News mentioned that they were back in Defiance for a visit.

"Mr and Mrs. Martin Young, daughters Helen and Luella and son, Martin Jr. of Indianapolis spent the weekend at the A. E. Trubey home."

Eventually, all the children moved on, and his wife, Ellen, died in 1941. By 1935, they had moved to a place called Mars Hill, Marion County, Indiana.

Martin lived alone at age 63 and was not working, nor had he any income, according to the 1940 census.

Martin O. Young died on February 15, 1950, in Brownsburg, Hendricks County, Indiana. He was buried on February 21 in Holy Cross & St. Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis. He was 72. Four months before his death, he had moved in with his daughter, Louella, in Brownsburg.

His obituary appeared in The Indianapolis News on Thursday, February 16, 1950 on page 13:

"MARTIN YOUNG DIES AT BROWNSBURG

Martin O. Young, 73, retired carpenter and former Indianapolis resident, died yesterday in his home at Brownsburg.

Born at Defiance, O., Mr. Young had lived in Indianapolis 45 years, moving to Brownsburg four months ago. In Indianapolis, he was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church and at Brownsburg of St. Malachy's Catholic Church.

A veteran of the Spanish-American War, he was a member of Maj. Harold C. Megrew Camp, Spanish-American War Veterans in Indianapolis.

Services will be held at 8:45 a.m. Saturday in the Jones & Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, and at 9 a.m. in St. Malachy's Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Indianapolis.

Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Louella David, Brownsburg, and Mrs. Helen Wissel, Indianapolis; a son, Martin O. Young, Jr. , Indianapolis;  two brothers, Alfred L. and J. Arthur Young, Linwood, Cal; two sisters, Mrs. Orvilla Harper, Linwood, Cal. and Mrs. Mary McAfee, Venita, Okla., and five grandchildren.

His death certificate indicated cause of death as a coronary thrombosis (heart attack) with which he lingered ten days.

THE TRIALS OF GEORGE HOUCK, NOBLE TOWNSHIP

 George Clarence Houck and his bride of 5 or 6 years were firmly settled in Noble Township when they decided in March 1905 to throw a little party for their friends. George was about 33 years old, and he and his wife, Christina (Wolf) had no children yet.  But the party turned into a disaster when a few locals, sons of William Ward, decided to take over the fun.

From the Defiance Weekly Express, March 3, 1905, p. 10;

"COUNTRY DANCE RUDELY BROKEN UP -

BRICKS AND IRONS WERE USED TO DEMOLISH FURNITURE AT GEO. HOUCK'S.

 

The peace of Noble township was rudely disturbed Saturday night in a manner that was crude and barbaric. A country dance was in progress at the home of George Houck, two- and one-half-mile northwest of Brunersburg. About twelve or fifteen couples were tripping to the merry music of the fiddler, when two of the sons of William Ward, also of Noble township, made their appearance, and gave indications to participate in the festivities.

They were, however, invited to leave the premises, as on a former occasion, they had been instrumental in breaking up a dance at the same place, and the dancers did not care for an interruption to their enjoyment. The Ward boys did not take their refusal in a graceful manner, and they left vowing that they would get even.

They returned to their home getting their father, two other brothers and five of their friends in the neighborhood, (and) they started to the scene of the dance with the intention of giving those present substantial evidence that there would be no dance without their presence. The people on whom they were going to wreak vengeance were given no warning, and when they reached the Houck home, they proceeded rapidly and with very little attention to rule of etiquette governing such occasions, to break up the dance.

One or two were stationed at the doors to prevent anyone from escaping and in the kitchen where the dance was going on, the lights were extinguished, and a free for all fight and rough house commenced. Several were armed with bricks, and these were hurled through the windows at people within. Several took effect, for one now in the possession of the sheriff is covered with hair and blood, showing that it came in forcible contact with someone's head.

Joe Kahl, of this city, who was one of the guests, was struck in the stomach with a brick, and temporarily disabled.

Ed Royer, also of this city was hit in the head. George Houck was struck on the head with a clock weight that was attached to a rope. The sheriff has that instrument also in his possession. Frank Beiswenger had a gash over his eye where he was struck with a chair. Only one of the ladies attending was hurt, and she but slightly."

Every window in the Houck kitchen was broken, chairs broken, stove overturned, cupboard doors torn off, and a hole was punched in the wall.

The sheriff was called at about 10 p.m., and he came with Chief of Police Hubbard and several others. They could clearly see the aftermath. That night was a long one for them, but by 3 a.m. warrants were sworn and these men were taken into custody:

William Ward and sons, Henry, Alva, Charles and Arthur, George Stitsel, Charles Steffel, Ed Olson, Henry Stuckey, Frank Warner (Weaner) - all confined to the county jail except Warner, Sr. who was 47 and Ed Olson who was 34.

The courthouse was jammed full all day the next Saturday for the hearing where the charge was assault and battery with intent to kill and willful destruction of property in excess of $100. Judge Costello fined Henry Wilson Ward Sr. $40 and all costs. His two boys, Alva and Henry, were determined to be the brick throwers; Alva was fined $10 and 50 days in Toledo workhouse, while Henry Ward had a $10 fine and 30 days in the workhouse. Charles Ward was fined $5 and the rest of the defendants were discharged.

In 1912, George and Christina Houck were blessed with a baby daughter, Freida, and in 1914, a son, Clarence. But in January 1915, tragedy struck the little Houck family. George worked as a teamster at the Defiance Truck & Transfer Company and was assigned to pick up something at the B & O depot on January 2.

"GEORGE HOUCK IS BADLY INJURED

IN A RUNAWAY OF NEW BUS TEAM OF 

TRANSFER COMPANY SATURDAY NIGHT.

George Houck was seriously injured and in a serious condition as a result of having his leg broken in a couple places in a runaway Saturday night.

Mr. Houck and another man were removing the blankets from the new team of grays which was attached to the new bus of the Defiance Truck & Transfer Company at the B & O Depot, when the horses started to run east on Deatrick street

Mr. Houck caught hold of the bits of one of the horses and hung on till the Gunderman grocery was reached when he lost his hold and fell. He was picked up and later cared for by doctors Rigrish and Zellers. The break on one leg is a bad one, a couple bones between the hip and knee protruding from the flesh becoming infected from cloth which was driven into the flesh.

The team continued to run north on Perry, and when at the corner of Fifth and Perry streets, a wheel hit a fire plug and was broken off from the bus. The horses turned east on Fifth street turning at the corner of Fifth and Clinton and running north on Clinton to the front of the City Garage where they were stopped, the team dragging the bus with them.

Robert Packer, of the Defiance Truck & Transfer Company, states that a bob hit the bus which alarmed the horses and caused them to run away."

The "bus" may have looked similar to this.

George was under doctor's care for two days, having also suffered fatal internal hemorrhaging, according to his death certificate. He died on January 4, 1915, at the age of 42. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

His wife, Christina Wolf Houck, was left with two very young children, so as his widow and administratix for his estate, she filed a wrongful death suit for $10,000 against the city of Defiance.

The Crescent-News, December 31, 1915, page 1:

"The adverment is made that the team ran about 150 feet with the deceased thus hanging on to the bit, when they ran close to a pile of dirt, ashes and cinders, which the city had carelessly and negligently allowed to remain in the street. The assertion is made that the deceased stumbled on the pile and was thrown under the team and hack and received injures which caused his death. These consisted of a broken leg, broken ribs, serious bruises and internal injuries.

...it was dark at the time, that there was no light on the pile of debris or other warning set out to apprise him of its presence. The deceased left in addition to a widow, two children: one a daughter Freda Viola Houck, aged 3, and one a son, Clarence Michael Houck, aged one."

The trial finally got under way in mid-March 1917, when a jury was chosen and the plaintiff herself, testified. 

So, the city won, and her lawyers did not file in time for a new motion.

SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR SOLDIERS - #53 Private William Conners

 

#53 William Conners

#53 Private William Conners

Born on Christmas Day, 1864, in Cummery, Connell, Rouls, Cork, Ireland, William was the son of John Conners and Catherine Linehan. From the 1880 U.S. census, we can deduce that they probably immigrated to America sometime between 1872 and 1875. Father John was 60 in 1880 and worked as a day laborer, while his wife, Catherine, was only 45. Their children - John-16, William -14, Peter - 12, Ella - 11, and Patrick - 8, were all born in Ireland, while the youngest, Mary, was born in VanWert, Ohio in 1875.

William seemed to first find trouble in Defiance as a youth. When 21, he was indicted along with Frank Miller and August Holzer.

The Defiance Democrat of June 13, 1895, reported:

"Frank Miller, August Holzer and William Conners are indicted for conspiring to intimidate a witness in cases against Holzer and Ed. Miller, who are also indicted for retailing liquor without payment of the government tax.

Pomeroy Helmick is indicted on a similar charge. These are the youths who sold whisky from a bottle at a dance at Sherwood. The liquor was obtained from Frank Miller's saloon.

After the young fellows were arrested, Holzer, Frank Miller, and Wm Conners tried to bully a witness in the case and were arrested for that."

Conners joined the 6th Regiment, Company M for the 1898 mission. One of the local newpapers recorded on February 9, 1899, that he was home and very sick. He was formally discharged on January 23, 1899.

Various local newspapers contained articles about his mischief in Defiance. 

On September 27, 1900, the Defiance Democrat reported his first major crime.

He escaped for a while but was caught far away.

The Defiance Weekly Express had as a headline on November 11, 1900:

"Conners Arrested. William Conners, who is wanted in this county, for criminal assault, has been arrested in Baltimore, Md.  Sheriff Elser has gone to that city after Conners."

"William Conners who plead guilty to the charge of criminal assault was sentenced to eight years in the penitentiary by Judge Hubbard today."

Defiance Daily Express, Nov. 26, 1900, p. 2

On December 6, 1900, he was escorted to the Ohio Penitentiary by Sheriff Elser.

Then, on July 3, 1903, the Crescent-News ran this notice:

So, had our William Conners been in prison for the previous three years?

He was first admitted to the National Home for Disabled Soldiers in Dayton on December 14, 1908. His record there showed his service in Company M, 6th O.V.I. His vital statistics included that he was born in Ireland, currently 5 feet tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. William could read and write, was Catholic, and worked on the railroads. He claimed he was married, but named his mother, Catharine Conners, as his nearest relative, living at 1630 Schultz Street in Defiance. He was receiving $30 a month in pension.

His disabilities were listed as a loss of the tips of his middle and ring finger on the right hand, and rheumatism, especially in his left hip and leg. William stated that he had chronic constipation and a history of malaria and typhoid. He dropped off the rolls on September 10, 1909; his mother died in that year which may or may not have contributed to the discharge.

He was out in 1910, apparently, when the Crescent-News reported on May 7, 1910, that William Conners was arrested for intoxication and resisting arrest for which he was fined $200. On May 17, the same paper noted that Sheriff Buchholz had taken William Conners to the Toledo Workhouse. He was about 44 years old. 

Conners was readmitted to the Dayton facility on January 20, 1911. The next discharge was March 23, 1924. Then, again, he was readmitted on June 14, 1927 and discharged on June 12, 1930. 

At this point, William Conners seemed to disappear completely. No marriage record, tombstone, obituary, or death record could be found. Was he buried in a pauper's grave? Further research would be needed.

Diphtheria Hits Defiance At Least Twice

 

\

When diphtheria entered Defiance the first time, we were just entering the nineteenth century. (No doubt, it had also thrived among earlier settlers, too.) This was an unimmunized community, as was every community since no vaccine had been developed yet for this disease.

Deaths in Henry County were also included in our local papers.

For example:

Defiance Express, Jan. 25, 1901 - "Schools at Florida are closed. Only one case of diphtheria, but it was thought best to close the schools."

Sept. 18, 1902 - "Death - Hurd, Fanny, the 7-year-old-daughter of James of Florida, died Saturday at 3:30 of diphtheria...two more children have the disease.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease, so quarantines had to be enacted each time a case appeared. It spread through direct physical contact, breathing in air around an infected person or touching something they had touched.

One type of diphtheria attacked the mucous membranes of the throat, tonsils (seen in photo above) or nose; the other was a milder form, cutaneous diphtheria, that involved a rash on the skin and other possible skin deformities.  The victims were usually children and young adults, one to fourteen years old.  Symptoms could include a sore throat, fever, lethargy, hoarseness, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The thick, leathery coating could obstruct breathing causing suffocation.

It was sometimes called the "strangling disease."

From 1901-1911 roughly, more and more cases of diphtheria were mentioned in the local papers. The disease would diminish for a while and then reappear.

Defiance Express, March 4, 1905 - "New case of diphtheria in city. Miss Berissa Milligan of Summit street was employed by family of Virgil Squire who are now quarantine."

Defiance Democrat, September 27, 1907 - "First Victim of Diphtheria. Alfred Merrihugh, eleven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Merrihugh, died Sunday morning at 4 o'clock after an illness of eight days duration with diphtheria. The funeral service occurred Sunday morning at 10."

Defiance Democrat, Aug 13, 1909 - "HAROLD McGOVNEY

After suffering for several weeks with nasal diphtheria, Harold McGovney, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McGovney of Holgate Avenue, died this afternoon at about 2 o'clock. The little boy contracted the dreaded disease while on a visit in southern Ohio with his mother.

When the disease became apparent, every possible care was given and up until the last evening hopes for his recovery were bright. The boy made a very brave fight for life and for a while it seemed that he would conquer, but the battle became too severe, and he gave up last evening and passed away this afternoon. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made."

Defiance Daily Crescent, October 2, 1911 -"St. John's Parochial School voluntarily closed as the result of diphtheria in school and exposure. Eight cases in the school; eleven cases in Defiance"

Burials happened quickly to quell the spread of the disease. Without a vaccine, little could be done to save diphtheria victims. Bleeding, purgatives to cleanse the system, inhaling steam, sucking on ice, and small shots of brandy were some of the many ineffective treatments tried.

In the late 1890s, the diphtheria toxin was discovered, and by 1901 a serum to treat it was found.  It took until 1923 to research and prepare an effective vaccine to help eradicate the disease. In the late 1920s, the vaccine became more available.

In the meantime, the disease again invaded Defiance in the 1920s.

Sept 27, 1921 - "Four Families are Quarantine as diphtheria and scarlet fever make their appearance in Defiance again."

By 1922, an announcement was made that the city was again free of diphtheria. But it came back.

Crescent-News, October 22, 1927 - "Child, 4, Dies of Diphtheria. First Fatality in Three Years. Immunization Urged. Livia King, 4 1/2 at home of parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell King, 102 East Street.

Immunizations available at health department. 

Crescent-News, August 27, 1923

"DIPHTHERIA CAUSES MORE DEATHS HERE THAN OHIO AVERAGE

Continuing a study of disease death rates by counties, C. E. Lively, professor of sociology at the Ohio State University, finds that diphtheria has been on the average for the past 12 years, more fatal in Defiance County than over the state as a whole."

Unfortunately, there are still unimmunized areas of the world. In 2025, Nigeria reported 8,585 cases, and of those, 884 people died - children and young adults.

Spanish - American Soldiers - Private Edward L. Conway

 

L to R -ALBERT B. VOLTRIE, JAMES J. HARPER, EDWARD L. CONWAY

#29  PRIVATE EDWARD LAWRENCE CONWAY

Private Edward L Conway, a resident of Defiance, mustered into the Army when he was 21 years old. A son of Margaret (Corrigan) Conway (2nd Crane) and Mr. Conway, he lived in Defiance during his early years, sometimes with his aunt, his mother's sister, Mary Corrigan.  Census records show that both of Pvt. Conway's parents were born in Ireland.

Born on March 12, 1877, Edward mustered into duty with the rest of Company M, 6th Regiment. By September 2, he was in the Division Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was given a sick furlough on October 6, and that was then extended until November 8, 1898. Again, it was expanded to December 6, 1898. Eventually, he must have joined his company as he was mustered out with the rest on May 24, 1899.

On December 24, 1900, a notice in the local newspaper announced that Edward Conley had left Defiance to open up a grocery store in Youngstown, Ohio, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles E. Riley. Charles was the husband of Edward's sister, Molly Conway, who ran a milliner shop in Defiance with her aunt, Mary Corrigan.

Edward's mother died in March 1905, and her obituary gave further details on her origin in Ireland and the rest of her children.

The Defiance Weekly Express, March 3, 1905:  

"Mrs. Margaret Crane, wife of Charles Crane, died Sunday afternoon at her home on Summit street, in this city. She was born Margaret Corrigan in King's county, Ireland, in 1845. When five years of age, with the parents, she moved to the United States, going immediately to Lebanon, Warren county, where she resided for many years.

In 1862, she was married to Mr. Conway by whom she had four children, all now living. They are Mrs. Charles Riley and Edward Conway, of Youngstown, George Conway, of Ashland, Wis., and Miss Margaret Conway of Chicago. A sister, Miss Mary Corrigan, of this city, also survives her.

She was married to Mr. Crane eighteen years ago at Lebanon, but for fifteen years they resided in this city. Her death occurred after four months of suffering from a complication of diseases."

On Thanksgiving Day in 1913, Edward married Loretta Ruth Ruht (Ruff) at St. Columbus Church in Youngstown, where they were both living. He was 34 and Loretta was 28. After the grocery store, Edward worked first as a produce salesman and by 1930, as a coffee salesman, employed by a coffee company. They owned a house in Youngstown worth $10,000. He and Loretta had no children.  

It was 1930 before Pvt Conway applied for a pension for his service. The requirement was 90 days of service or more. The Pension Act of May 1, 1926, finally gave reimbursement to those Spanish-American War soldiers.

Private Edward Conway died in Youngstown, Ohio, on November 14, 1948, and is buried in Section 5 of Calvary Cemetery there. A tombstone exists for his wife, who died later, but none was found for Edward, nor was an obituary located.

An extra note -

An obituary for his sister, Molly, was printed in the Crescent-News on October, 21, 1935, on the front page:

'FORMER MILLINER OF DEFIANCE DIES

Mrs. Charles E. Riley of Youngstown, a sister-in-law of Mrs. Martin Miller and Mrs. Frank Kusian of Defiance, died in St. Elizabeth hospital, Youngstown, at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Mrs. Riley, the former Molly Conway, who made her girlhood home here with her aunt, Mrs. Mary Corrigan, has been in the Youngstown hospital for observation about three weeks. Saturday evening, she underwent an operation for gall bladder trouble and had rallied from the operation when a relapse occurred.

During her life in Defiance, Mrs. Riley was affiliated with her aunt in the millinery business. She came to Defiance from Springfield while yet a small girl and left here about thirty years ago.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday from St. Patrick's church in Youngstown. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery there.

Mrs. Riley is survived by her husband; a daughter D'Nelle Riley, at home; and two brothers, Edward Conway of Youngstown and George Conway of South Bend, both of whom are known here."