George S. Fickle - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

George was a member of the Farmer Post, G.A.R.

George Silas Fickle's parents, Isaac and Mary, were early settlers of Jefferson Township, Williams County, Ohio.  They were there by the 1850 census with their children; George was 14.  Born on March 13, 1836, in Williams County, he proved even further the early arrival of his parents to the region.



Mary A. Wasnich became his wife on October 28, 1858, in Williams County and the couple settled into housekeeping there.  In 1860, as war loomed, George and Mary were farming in Jefferson Township with their baby daughter, Nancy, 8 months old.  When George left to fight in the war, the family had already grown by two, adding Joseph and Eliza.

George was 28 when he enlisted on April 27, 1864, into Company F of the 180th Ohio Infantry for a one year term.  Later his unit was transferred and helped form Company G.  The 180th was sent to Nashville where their duty was to guard the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, the pipeline of supplies to the Union army in the South.  On January 6th, they were ordered to accompany a wagon train to Mississippi, but before they could make it there, they were called back and transferred to North Carolina to help the Union take Fort Fisher.  But, the fort surrendered before they made it there!

Their final duty was to join forces with Cox's army to open the railway lines for Sherman's army.  The unit fought in the Battle of Kingston, preparing the way for Sherman.  They repaired the railroad as Sherman advanced.  Eventually, at the end of the war, they moved to Charlotte where they mustered out on July 12, 1865.   On the 1890 Veterans Census, George reported his disability as chronic diarrhea. 

George S. Fickle's mustering out papers.

 Sometime between 1870 and 1880, George and Mary Fickle moved to Farmer Township, Defiance County.  They were enumerated there in the 1880 census with a large family: Delia, 20; Joseph, 18; Ida, 16; Isaac W., 14; Mary, 11; Samuel, 9; Sarah E., 6; George B., 4; Sylvester L (Leroy), 10 months.
Mary reported in 1900 that she had had eleven children, and ten survived.  George continued farming in Farmer Township, but in 1900, it appeared that he had given it up. In that census, he was listed only as a landlord.

George S. and Mary Wasnich on the occasion of their 50th anniversary in 1908, surrounded by their children. Back row (l to r) - Roy, Clyde, Claud, Joe   Front row (l to r) - Cassie (Mary Catherine), Ida, Delia (Janey), Ella

George Silas Fickle died on October 8, 1913 in Quincy, Michigan where he had gone to live with one of his children.  Mary Fickle lived on until 1926. 

The obituary of George S. Fickle appeared in the Bryan Democrat on October 21, 1913:

"FICKLE.

George S. Fickle was born in Williams county, Ohio, March 13, 1836, and departed this life in Quincy, Mich. October 8, 1913, aged 77 years, 8 months and 25 days. 

He was united in marriage with Mary A. Wasinick, October 28, 1857.  To them were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters.  One son preceded him to the spirit world.  The children who survive him are: Joseph of Sturgis, Mich.; Ida, now Mrs. Lord of Farmer; Isaac of Quincy, Mich.; Cassie, now Mrs. Culler of Farmer; Ella, now Mrs. Bays of Farmer; George of Portland, N.Y.; Roy and Clyde of Quincy, Mich.; Oland of Farmer; Adelia, now Mrs. Hutchins of Bryan.

After marriage, they settled in Williams county, Ohio, where they resided until about three years since.  He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, a member of Company F, 180th O.V.I., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

In 1861, he united with the German Reformed at Pulaski, Ohio.  Soon after the erection of the Dry Creek church about 1890, he joined the United Brethern in Christ, and on moving to Farmer, by letter, joined the M.E. church at Farmer Center.

Brother Fickle was one of our most noble citizens, industrious and upright, he commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.  The wife has lost a devoted husband, the children an indulgent father and the community an obliging neighbor.  He leaves to mourn their loss, a devoted wife, ten children, one brother, three sisters, twenty eight grand children, five great grand children, with other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services occurred form the church at Farmer Center on Friday, conducted by Rev. J. W. Lilly.  Interment at Farmer."

Another short, but informative, obituary appeared in an unnamed paper:

"FATHER BRYAN WOMAN DEAD.

George Fickle, a former citizen of South Jefferson township, then of near Farmer Center, died of paralysis at the home of relatives in Michigan, where he was visiting.  He was one of the earlier settlers of this county, his father settling the farm on Leatherwood now owned by T. F. Oberlin, and his grandfather, an old Revolutionary soldier, died there.  George Fickle served in the Civil war and he was the father of Mrs. Adelia Hutchins of Bryan.  His remains were brought to Farmer for burial."