An Old Settler in Defiance County - Samuel Kepler

 

An Old Settler in Defiance County -

Samuel Kepler

Born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on March 3, 1793, to Benjamin and Marian Kepler, Samuel Kepler was one of the earliest settlers, along with his parents, in the Northwest Territory, and eventually, Ohio. 

He was in Ohio by the time of the War of 1812. We know because he had on record four different recruitments out of Delaware County, Ohio. The militia (all men between 16 and 45) were mostly defending against Indian raids and assisting with support and supplies. His last terms were with Captain Ichabod Plum from May 4 - May 27, 1813, and July 26 - August 18, 1813.  According to records, the company served along both the Ohio and Auglaize Rivers. 

Samuel married Rachel McGinnis of Hancock County, Ohio in Findlay Township, Wood County.  They had come to the Maumee Valley in 1824.

After he died, this was published in The Findlay Jeffersonian on Dec. 27, 1872, reprinted from the Napoleon Northwest.  His death brought up 

"early times in Hancock county."

"Mr. Kepler was one of the oldest pioneers of the Maumee Valley, having settled at the same point he died in about 1822. On Dec. 2, 1824, he married Rachel, daughter of Robert McGinnis, who then resided on the Blanchard, six miles below Findlay.

The following account of the marriage is given in his own words: 'At that time the territory now comprising Hancock, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Lucas, Henry and Wood were all included in Wood County, with the county seat at Maumee City. I sent for my license by mail, to Robert Forsythe, Clerk of the Court. Not knowing me, he refused to grant it, so that my future father-in-law had to go 45 miles to procure it. We were married by Wilson Vance, Esq., being the first couple married in Hancock County.

After making a canoe, which took five or six days, my wife packed her little outfit of household goods into it, and we literally paddled our own canoe to where I now live."

They paddled their canoe to the confluence of the Blanchard and Auglaize and then downstream to the Maumee. From there they went to their new home on the south bank of the Maumee, four miles below Fort Defiance, where they arrived after three days journey. They built a house there and reared a family of eight children, two sons and eight daughters. They lived there for fifty years, until Samuel's death.

The census of 1850, Richland Township, Defiance County, named Samuel, 57, farmer, real estate value $8225 (a great amount for 1850) and Rachel, 46, his wife. Their first child, Nancy Poe Kepler (Case) was gone by that time. In the household were Mary Ann and Betsy (Elizabeth) Ann, 24; Robert, 18, and Josiah, 16, both farming; Rachel, 11; Sarah, 9; Lucy,6, and hired help, James Carpenter.

By the census in 1860, his real estate value had gone up to $10,000 and his personal estate to $6,000. Only Sarah, Lucy and Josiah were at home. But her father, Robert McGinnis, 83, had moved in with them, along with two laborers, Benjamin F. Winery and Henry Bakin. They also had a servant, Amanda Ward.  Josiah had $100 worth of real estate and an $1100 personal estate.**

Unbelievably, by 1870, Samuel, at 77, had $23,000 worth of land and a personal estate of $5,000. Rachel, at 66, still had Sarah, 29, helping her, along with Minerva McCauley, a domestic servant.  Sadly, on December 10, 1872, Samuel Kepler passed away.  

His obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on December 21, 1872:

Samuel Kepler was born in Bedford county, in the town of Bedford, Penn. on the 3d day of March, 1793, and died December 10, 1872, aged 79y 9months and 7 days. 

At an early day, his father sold out and moved West, settling in Ohio, on the Sobota River in Franklin county where he bought quite a large tract of land in and around where Columbus now stands.

In a short time after his arrival, he took sick and died; their goods swept away, where they were stowed, by a flood; their stock sickened and died and one calamity befell them after another until they became poor. Then they removed to Delaware county, Ohio. Notwithstanding all their afflictions, the widow and her helpless children struggled on and enduring all the hardships of an early pioneer's life.

The deceased staid and cared for his mother and family until he seen them comfortably situated. At the age of 28, he left the parental roof to do for himself. Penniless, he startedout to battle with the world.

In 1821, he came to the Maumee Valley and entered a small tract of land four miles east of Fort Defiance. December 1, 1827 (1824) he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel McKinnis of Hancock county, Ohio, being the first white couple ever married in that county. In two weeks after their marriage, they moved to their new home; there being a scattering of whites and the wild Indians of the forest their only neighbors. Through trials and hardships, they have shared each others joys and sorrows for forty-nine years.

Their family consisted of two sons and six daughters, all of whom they raised to woman and manhood. The youngest son poured out his life blood upon his country's altar in our late war.**  By the hand of Providence, the rest of children were permitted to follow his remains to their last resting place. He (Samuel) died of pneumonia. Though sick but a few days, he suffered much. A short time before he breathed his last, he became calm and peaceful. His last words were prayer, and I trust, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus."

An obituary from the Northwest Signal, December 19, 1872, added these details, revealing his character:

"When he came to the Maumee Valley, it was a howling wilderness; his strong arms and trenchant axe broke the dense forest and let in the sun, transforming it into fertile fields, fruitful orchards, and comfortable improvements.

He was a faithful and loving husband and a kind and exemplary father, leaving a number of affectionate children and a bereaved widow to mourn his loss. Noted for industry and frugality, tender of heart as a woman, easily moved to tears at the distresses of others, compassionate and charitable, he sent none hungry or empty away. 

He wrote his own epitaph in works, not words. and like a ripened sheaf, has been gathered home."

                        Rachel and Samuel are buried together.

His Graves Registration card from the military for his service in the War of 1812 provided for an upright stone in Hires Cemetery, Richland Township, Defiance County.

After Samuel's death, Rachel applied for a widow's pension. It has not been determined if she received it.

Rachel lived until 1880; her obituary appeared in the Defiance County Express on March 11, 1880:

"ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE VALLEY PASS AWAY

Rachel, wife of the late Samuel Kepler, was born Butler County, Pa. May 14th, 1804, and died of dropsy (edema) at her residence near Defiance, February 25th, 1880, aged 75 years, 9 months, and 11 days.

When the deceased was about five years old, her father, Robert McKinnis, with his family moved to Ross county, O. and after remaining there some ten years, in 1820 they moved on the Blanchard, four miles below Ft. Findlay, in what is now Hancock county, but at the time with a number of other counties, was called Wood county, with the county seat at Maumee City.

In the 22nd year of her age, she was married to Samuel Kepler, Dec. 2d, 1824...at the residence of her parents...

In the year 1845, she united with the Presbyterian Church, of which she was ever an exemplary member, always ready and willing to lend a hand in time of need.

It will be a source of comfort to her many friends, both in Defiance and Hancock counties, to know that through all her illness, which lasted seven months, she suffered but little. She was perfectly resigned to the will of the Lord, and on the evening of the 25th, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

Funeral services on the 27th, conducted by Rev. Slagle, of Defiance, assisted by Rev. Morrison of Ayersville...also a very fitting eulogy by Dr. Parry of Florida. The large funeral showed how highly she was respected by all who knew her near and far."

**Sidenote on Josiah Kepler, the youngest son

Josiah enlisted in the Civil War and was killed in Lovejoy, Clayton, Georgia, on September 6, 1864. He was a First Sergeant, Company E, 111th Infantry, and he was buried in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia. A funeral was held at home for him at Independence Church, as reported by the Defiance Democrat, October 29, 1864.

His Commander was Lt. Col. Isaac R. Sherwood, who wrote this report:

"- On September 1, moved out a daybreak, marching east, struck Macon railroad, after marching two and a half miles; destroyed track at Red Oak Station and moved south along railroad to within two and a half miles of Jonesborough where the One hundred and eleventh Ohio went out a mile in advance on reconnaissance; returned to brigade and went into position at dark.

On September 2, marched by a circuitous route about ten miles and reached point near Lovejoy's Station and went into position on left of Fourth Corps. At dark we were under fire somewhat, as Fourth Corps were engaged with enemy as we went into position.

On September 3, we changed position, retiring our left and building a line of works. Remained in this position (being considerably exposed to shell and musketry) until 9 p.m. of September 5, when we moved out, marching all night and going into camp two and a half miles from Jonesborough on the morning of the6th.

Left this camp 11 a.m. on 7th and marched to within seven miles of Decatur, where we camped for the night. 

My casualties are: Killed: Josiah M. Kepler, first sgt. Co. E, on Sept 6."

 

Dianne Kline, Researcher

A Spanish- American Soldier in the Sherwood Cemetery

 

Robert Smith Peterson, born in Decatur, Indiana, on November 11, 1873, grew up in Adams County with his parents, Sylvester Wesley and Elizabeth Jane (Blossom) Peterson. Robert and his brothers, Henry, Frank and Charles enlisted in the 16th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

Robert enlisted on September 16, 1898, in Indianapolis, and after being in several camps until January 1899, he then went to Matanzas, Cuba. It was a very short-lived event as the group was sent back to the U.S. on March 16, basically seeing no action.

When Robert returned home, he married Lillian L. Noll in 1899, and they had six children: Harry Noll, George John, Robert Paul, Gertrude Blossom, Ruby M. and Gladys.

Robert managed a baseball team, the Rosenthals, for a while. Two of his brothers played on the team.

Robert, manager, in the back; brother Charles in the third row, far left; and brother Frank in the third row, second from the left.  The baby in the front is Charles' son, Cal.

When Robert was hired by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, he moved to Sherwood, Ohio, where he raised his family. However, by the 1930 Federal Census, the family had moved to Fort Wayne. His wife, Lillian, passed away on March 21, 1956, and Robert on April 8, 1958. Both were buried in Sherwood Cemetery with their son, Sylvester Wesley, who died in 1916 of tuberculosis.

Lillian's obituary appeared in the Sherwood Chronicle in 1956:

"FUNERAL RITES HELD FOR MRS. PETERSON.

Mrs. Lillian Peterson, 77, wife of Robert Peterson of Fort Wayne, former resident of Sherwood, died Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She had been a patient five weeks and in failing health for some time.

The funeral was conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in Klaehn Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, with gravesite rites at the Sherwood Cemetery at 2:30 - 3:00 on Sunday.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Peterson leaves three sons: Harry, Cincinnati; John, Toledo; Paul, Rockport, N.Y. and three daughters; Mrs. Gertrude Jergens, Roanoke, Ind,; Mrs. Ruby Collins, Toledo; and Mrs. Gladys Schultz, Fort Wayne; two brothers: William Noll, Paradise Mills, Ind. and T.R. Noll, Decatur, Ind. and two sisters: Mrs. Clarice Garard, Fort Wayne and Mrs. Roy Miller, Sherwood, O.

Mrs. Peterson was a native of Pleasant Mills, Indiana.

Robert's obituary appeared on Wednesday, April 9, 1958, in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette:

"Robert Peterson, 83, a retired railroader, died at 8:30 a.m. yesterday in a local nursing home, where he had been a patient two years. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War.

Surviving are three sons, Harry, Cincinnati; George, Toledo; and Paul, Lockport, N.Y.; three daughters, Mrs. Erwin Juergens, Roanoake; Mrs. Gustav Schultz, Fort Wayne; and Mrs. Ruby Collins, Toledo; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, a brother, Frank, Decatur, and a sister, Mrs. Loretta Whitman, Monroe.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Klaehn Funeral Home where friends may call after 3 p.m. today. The Rev. George Brittenham will officiate and burial will be in Sherwood, Ohio. 

Dan Hasch, Researcher

Bigamy? George Korn's Trial in Defiance.

 

"WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO DEFIANCE

George C. Korn Must Fact the Charge of Bigamy"

Not George Korn

But before we look at the above story from 1904, let's look back almost ten years, to an early marriage that didn't go well either. From the Defiance Evening News, June 28, 1895:

"The Case of Sylvia Korn vs. George Korn was tried in probate today. Mrs. Korn was granted a divorce for willful absence and wants absolute custody of the children."

George had married Miss Sylvia Olinger, with the consent of her mother, Almeda. They received their license on April 7, 1887, and they married June 16, 1887.

Two children were born to the union, Mattie, 7, and Wosetta, 6. She charged him with gross neglect of duty, failure to provide and willful absence for more than five years, and she won.  But did she remarry him?  More later...:

The Daily Defiance Express, September 4, 1903, indicated that he had been arrested in Defiance:

"George Korn was arrested on Clinton street at 8 o'clock this morning by Constable Weismantle on a charge of non-support preferred in Squire Costello's court by his wife, Sadie Korn.

This is the second time that Korn has been arrested on this charge. The warrant for his arrest has been out for several days. Korn has a minor son, George D.,for whom support the father fails to provide.

In his preliminary hearing this afternoon, Korn pleaded 'not guilty' and was bound over to common pleas court in the sum of $300. Failing to give bond, he was locked up."

He must have been released because the next article indicated he went to Memphis, TN.

Now to the original article from February 1, 1904, which was a very, very busy year for George Korn. The Defiance Express reported with the headline at the top of this story:

"Sheriff John McCarty left for Memphis, Tenn. at 1:33 p.m. today and will bring back Geo. C. Korn, who was indicted by the last grand jury for bigamy. 

Korn was married to Sadie Kyle, in this city, March 13, 1898, Justice C. H. Hunter officiating. A child resulted from this union and once since Korn left his wife, his wife has been arrested for non-support. 

Some two years ago, Korn was married to his cousin, Florence Young,a daughter of Rube Young, a former resident of this city, at Cumberland, Md. He failed to get a divorce. One child resulted from this last marriage.

Korn has signified his willingness to return without a requisition and Sheriff McCarty will go straight through without stopping at Columbus.

We publish an interview with Korn that was sent out by wire from Memphis, Tenn., in which he says his marriage here was a hoax. That is not true. He was legally married here.

Squire Ed Costello has the license issued to Korn at Cumberland, Md. The young man is up against a tough proposition.

A dispatch from Memphis, Tenn., under date of Jan. 30, says:

'We were never really married. There was a sort of ceremony performed by a squire at my request. The squire was drunk, and in reality there was no marriage ceremony performed. If I am married to her, it is a best only a common law union."

Such were the statements made today by George C. Korn, under arrest on the charge of bigamy from behind the bars and exhibited little concern about the ultimate result of his arrest. The police department received a telegram from Sheriff McCarty, of Defiance, Ohio, this morning asking for the arrest of Korn, whose residence is 69 Jefferson Street. He was seated in a room in the company of his wife and baby when the detectives called.

Korn told a romantic story of his relations in Defiance. He said he was never married to the woman at Defiance, who is the cause of his arrest. He said:

'It was on a Sunday afternoon about five years ago that the alleged marriage ceremony was performed. There was a report of a railroad wreck near Defiance that afternoon and a number of people visited the scene. I had known the young lady, Miss Sadie Kyle, in a rather intimate way and I started out to visit with her to visit the wreck.

On the way to the scene was the residence of a magistrate. It was suggested between us that we stop at the Squire's house and be married. We went into the house and found the squire in an intoxicated condition. We asked him to marry us and he consented. We went into the parlor and he picked up some sort of a book, and, reading a form of which neither of us realized the significance, he pronounced us man and wife.

The next day, the Squire came to me and told me that the marriage was in no way legal. He said that I would have to procure a marriage license and come to his office and be married, This was never done.'

About two years ago, according to Korn, he married another lady from Ohio. This time the marriage ceremony was performed in Cumberland, Md.  His bride was Miss Florence Young, with whom he has since lived as husband and by whom he has one child, a young boy. Shortly after this marriage, Korn came to this city and took up residence.

Korn willingly signed the waiver of requisition formalities and will return with the Ohio officer without legal opposition. He will take his wife back with him, so confident is he that the charge of bigamy cannot be sustained against him."

So the answer to this complicated problem seemed to be that all former wives needed to confirm a legal divorce from Mr. Korn.

On March 4, 1904, Sadie Korn filed a petition for divorce from George Korn in probate court. Her attorney was E.W. Costello. By April 8, 1904, her divorce had been granted.

Sadie went on to marry Henry Buckman, of Toledo. (May 17, 1905, Defiance Weekly Express)

Even though one divorce had seemingly been granted, Sylvia 

Korn also filed for divorce again on April 8, 1904. T. T. Ansbery was her attorney. This was confusing, as she married William Beard, Jr. in Defiance in 1896, so a remarriage had already taken place.

"SYLVIA KORN TIRED OF THE TIE THAT BINDS.

She alleges the trouble began June 13, 1887, when they were married. They have two children. 

She sets up that he has deserted her and has failed to provide her with the necessaries of life for three years last past and has in that time wholly disregarded his marital duties. She asks for a divorce 

and custody of the children." (Defiance Express, April 8, 1904)

Sylvia married twice more, not using Korn in her name. Her tombstone was carved with Sylvia Osa Olinger Beard Wilson. She was buried in Dekalb County, Indiana in the Waterloo Cemetery.

The one person who could not be definitely tracked into the future was the notorious George C. Korn.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

Spanish - American Soldier - Private Louis Corcellious

 

#1 Frank L. Gilmore, #2 George M. Rath, #3 Louis Corcellious

#3  Private Louis Oscar Theodore Corcellious

At the age of 19, on June 23, 1898, Louis Corcellious enlisted into Company M in Defiance where he served until he was mustered out with his company on May 24, 1899. Louis was Defiance born on January 23, 1879, and lived with his parents, (Johann) Peter and Magdalena Catharine Elizabeth (Arnst) Corcellous. 

He had six siblings at home: Mary Catharine, Dora C., John Peter, Magdalena Elizabeth, Josephine and Fred Tilden.

On December 10, 1921, he married Angeline "Anna" Marihugh in Seneca County. This was a first marriage for Louis but a second marriage for Anna, who was the daughter of Henry Marihugh and Julia A. Radle. Her first marriage was to Andrew Jeffers. Louis was about 41 at the time of their marriage, and Anna about the same age. At the time of the marriage, Louis was working as a foreman at the Gray and White Company in Defiance. Also in 1921, his military pension was announced in the paper as $18 a month. Anna had at least one daughter, Nora, who would have been 17 at the time of her 2nd marriage.

Louis suffered an early death at the age of 58 in Defiance, Ohio. His obituary appeared in several Defiance papers in early April 1938. His death date was April 4, 1938:

"WAR VETERAN DIES SUDDENLY

Louis Corcellious, 58, Heart Attack Victim; Rites Wednesday

Louis Corcellious,58, Spanish-American war veteran, died suddenly at 1:15 a.m. today of a heart attack at his home, 226 Jackson Ave. Mr. Corcellious awakened his wife about a half hour before his death complaining of distress near his heart. She helped him into a chair and called a physician. Mr. Corcellious died shortly after the doctor arrived.

He had been suffering with heart trouble for about seven years and had been forced to retire because of his health.

He was born June 24, 1879, in Defiance. He worked in Tiffin for about nine years and in Kansas City for four years. He was employed by the Gray and White Company here for about 17 years as a poultry man, serving about 12 years of that time as foreman.

He was a member of Co. M. during the Spanish-American War. He held membership in the Wayne Camp and in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The body is to be brought home from the Mansfield funeral home late today and taken back there at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Services will be held from the funeral home at 2 p.m. Wednesday with Rev. Rexford G. VanCourt officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery."

"Surviving are the widow, the former Miss Anna Marihugh, a step-daughter, Mrs. Nora Knepp, Toledo; a grandson, Billy Knepp, Toledo; two brothers, Fred and John, Edwardsburg, Michigan; two sisters, Mrs. Lena Lawrence, Kansas City, and Mrs. Josephine Killion, Defiance."

Other articles noted that the veterans conducted ritual military rites for Pvt. Corcellious, including a salute fired by the men of the VFW.  Brad Chaffin played taps and a duet was sung by Mrs. Claude Root and Mrs. Jesse Bates. Pallbearers were all from Company M: Joseph Hasselschwardt, Henry Lewis, Gale Hale, Claude Shuman, Lemuel Sapp, and Charles White.

Louis's wife, Anna, lived until January 1959 and was living in Defiance on Jackson Street when she passed away at 79. 

Defiance Crescent News, 19 January 1959, p.2,c.5

"Mrs. Anna M. Corcellious, 79, died Saturday at 8:15 pm. in Defiance City Hospital where she had been a patient since Jan. 5 when she fell in her home, 226 Jackson Ave. and fractured a wrist. Death was attributed to a stroke. She was born near Defiance on Nov. 21, 1879, a daughter of Henry and Julia Marihugh. She was reared here, lived in Toledo a number of years and then returned to Defiance where she had resided for a time. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Andrew B. Jeffers; her second husband, Louis Corcellious, and 11 brothers and sisters.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Fred (Nora) Knopp, and a grandson, William, both of Toledo. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxilliary, and a past president of the Spanish War Veterans Auxilliary. The funeral will be conducted Tuesday at 2 pm. at the Morris - Stick Mortuary by the Rev. Samuel Sedziol, First Baptist minister, burial will be in Riverside cemetery.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

Spanish - American Soldier - Private George M. Rath

#1 Frank L. Gilmore, #2 George M. Rath, #3, Louis Corcellious

#2 Private George M. Rath

Born on April 20, 1864, George Michael Rath joined his parents Michael P. and Christina (nee Schopmeier) Rath in Tiffin Township where he lived all this life. With him, he had his siblings: Samuel M., Albert C., Frederick, Charles E, Franklin and Mary. He attended the Tiffin Township School and worked at home on the farm as the eldest son.

In the 1900 Federal Census, he lived with his brother, Samuel, as a boarder and farm worker. He had served in the Spanish-American War by that time, enlisting as a private at the age of 33 in 1898. George was promoted to Corporal in April 1899. He never married.

George M. Rath did not enjoy good health and died around the age of 39.

From the Defiance Daily Crescent, August 14, 1903, on page 1:

"A MILITARY BURIAL GIVEN

COMRADES ATTEND FUNERAL OF GEORGE M. RATH AT EVANSPORT

The funeral of George M. Rath was held at Evansport yesterday and was largely attended. A short service was held at 9:30 a.m. at the house. At 10:30, Rev. Wilson conducted services at the M.E. church.

The Spanish-American soldiers with whom the deceased was a comrade in Company M had charge of the funeral. The pall bearers were soldiers from the organization and were: Carl Schmick, John Neaderhauser, Charles White, Fred Bartels, Christ Krabach, and Charles Mann.

A firing squad composed of J. M. Weismantel in charge, Max Hoover and Will Robinson, fired salutes at the grave, giving the departed comrade a military burial. The soldiers gave a beautiful floral design in the shape of the gates ajar. Robert McCullough had charge of this."

The Defiance Express of August 12, 1903, also noted that the funeral was held at the home of Rath's brother-in-law, Philip Huffman, in Williams County and then at the Evansport Methodist Episcopal Church. He was buried in Evansport Cemetery.

That newspaper also noted: "The deceased was a cousin of W.I. Rathe, J. H. Hockman, and H.F. Toberan and was well known in the city. He was an efficient and conscientious soldier and popular with the members of Company M., with whom he saw service in Cuba in the late war. He lived for many years in Tiffin Township, this county."

Dianne Kline, Researcher

 

An Old Settler in Defiance - Dr. John Evans

 

An Old Settler - Dr. John Evans

This account of the life of Dr. John Evans was found in an 1873 copy of Memories of the Maumee Valley by H. S. Knapp, beginning on page 402+.. These tales are detailed and interesting and written closer to the time of the actual happenings, as compared to some other sources.

 

Dr. John Evans

The family of this gentleman was widely known to the old citizens of the upper Maumee Valley. He had studied his profession under the instruction of the doctors Spencer, of Kentucky, and Rush, of Philadelphia; and commenced practice at Washington, Fayette County, Oho, about the year 1814, and also conducted in separate rooms of the same building, the mercantile and an apothecary store. On the 27th of May, 1818, he married Miss Elizabeth Taylor, of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio...

Dr. Evans and family (now consisting of a wife and two daughters) removed to Defiance in February 1823. They started in a large double sleigh, but the snow falling, they were compelled on the second day, to abandon their sleigh and resort to wagons

The family reached Judge Nathan Shirley's, on the Auglaize river, one mile above Defiance, on the last day of February. Their first location was at Camp No. 3, five miles below Defiance, on the north side of the Maumee in a double log cabin; and here, Samuel Carey Evans, their first son was born, April 10th, 1823.

A later double cabin, not John Evans'

During the summer, the doctor build a frame house at Defiance, into which he removed his family in the month of November of that year, He made the first brick and the first lime that was manufactured in Defiance, a part of which he used in the construction of his own house; and the proceeds of the sale of the surplus lime and brick netted an amount that paid the entire cost of his home.

In this same year, Foreman Evans, his brother, also moved to Defiance. The late Judge Pierce Evans (cousin of Dr. John) removed to the head of the rapids of the Maumee and resided there during the year 1822 and into 1823, and then removed to the farm below Defiance, now occupied by his son Rinaldo Evans.

When Dr. Evans reached Defiance, there were no physicians on the river nearer than Fort Wayne above and Maumee below, and his professional visits often extended to the first named place to St. Mary's on the St. Mary's, and to the head of the Maumee rapids.  There being no well-made roads, no bridges over the stream and facilities for ferriage at points remote from each other, it is difficult to convey to the mind of the medical practitioner this day an adequate view of the formidable and often dangerous obstacles that Dr. Evans was compelled to encounter in this distant charge of his professional duties. The first relief from this exhausting toil was afforded by the arrival, at Defiance, of Dr. Jonas Colby, in 1832.

In 1824, Dr. Evans purchased a stock of goods of Hunt & Forsyth, of Maumee City, which were brought up on pirogues. This was the first store of considerable importance that contained goods adapted to the wants of the white settlers, although staple Indian goods (except whiskey) were included in general stock.

When the family removed to Defiance, there were no regular church services; and until the Court House was erected, no suitable house for worship. The Methodists, however, held services at short intervals, sometimes in private homes and, when the weather was favorable, in the adjacent groves. The first Presbyterian clergyman was Rev. Mr. Stone (father of Mrs. Wm. A. Brown, now living at Defiance).

During his residence in Defiance, Dr. Evans possessed more fully the confidence of the Indians than the majority of those who had had dealing with them. He acquired their confidence by professional ministrations, by fairness in trade, and refusing their applications for intoxicating drinks. When the Indian men and women would visit town, and the former obtain liquour of mercenary traders, and become drunken and crazed and their brutal nature aroused, the latter would gather up the tomahawks and knives of their lords, and deposit them about the premises of their friend, Dr. Evan.

On one occasion, the chief, Oquanoza, of Oquanoza's town on the Auglaize, (now Charloe, Paulding County) brought one of his daughters to the doctor to be treated, for some malady which had baffled the skill of the Indian 'medicine man.' She was received into the doctor's household, and in due time, restored to health. As an equivalent for this service, the chief made the doctor a present of an Indian pony."

In 1838, Dr. Evans and family moved in search of better educational facilities for their children, and then resided in Fort Wayne. He kept his store in Defiance for a short while, and then he removed all his stock to his Fort Wayne store in 1840. In that same year, he was called to Defiance on business where he became extremely ill. He decided he needed to get back to Fort Wayne and his family, so he left on horseback and he made it one mile to the Thomas Warren house where his suffering demanded he stop. He stayed there two or three days and sent a message to his family in Fort Wayne. When received, his son, Samuel Carey Evans, came immediately and was astounded at his poor condition. 

The son who came to his father when ill, Samuel Carey Evans

Samuel sent for a Fort Wayne doctor to come and also informed his family of the situation. The doctor and his second daughter, Merica, set out on horseback on the terrible roads. In the meantime, they had moved Dr. Evans to Mrs. Hilton's house for a more comfortable stay. By this time, Dr. Evans faced his quickly ending life and asked to dictate the terms of his will to the doctor.

His will, in part...p.404

"And I hereby appoint my daughter, Merica, and my sons, Carey and Rush, together with Allen Hamilton, Hugh McCullough, and Pierce Evans as my Executors... "and he asks that "his sons carry on the mercantile business  

until all my just debts are paid; after which it is my desire that my beloved wife shall have one-third of all my personal and real estate during her life; and desire that my daughter, Eliza Hill, shall receive nothing more until my other children have received one thousand dollars each.

After which, I wish the balance of my property equally distributed among my children.

And I further desire that my children shall provide for Aley Cumberland (a faithful colored servant of the family) so long as she may live; and it is my special request that my friends, the three last named Executors, will not make any public sale of my property, but permit my sons to sell it at a private sale to the best advantage. Signed, sealed and delivered, this 10th day of August, A.D. 1842."

On the next day, he died - the 11th of August, 1842. He was forty-eight years old. 

"The physician whose skill had prolonged the lives of multitudes was unable to heal himself."

Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne, IN

 Dianne Kline, Researcher

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