Born on June 27, 1847, James Repp lived with his parents, Conrad and Susannah, in Montgomery Township, Ashland County, Ohio, according to the 1860 census. At that time, James had three siblings: Margaret and George, who were older, and Susannah, who was six years younger.
On February 24, 1864, at 17, he enlisted in Company G, 23rd Ohio Infantry. He probably began his service near Charleston, West Virginia until April, 1864, when the battle of Cloyd's Mountain was fought. In May, the regiment marched to Lynchburg, Virginia, and in July, they fought at the battle of Winchester, Virginia. This battle lasted from early morning until evening, and the Union soldiers were defeated. One hundred fifty three men were killed, along with ten officers. The unit had several other engagements before spending the winter in West Virginia, and finally mustering out at the end of the war on July 26, 1865. (www.civilwarindex.com)
At some point after returning home, James settled in Madison Township, Williams County. By the 1870 census, he lived with Israel and Julia Dilcum where he worked as a farm laborer at the age of 23. With them lived Elizabeth Lawson, 58. The maiden name of James' mother, Susannah, was Lawson, so this was possibly a relation of his.
A marriage record indicated that James married Rebecca Oldshoe (Oldshue) in Ransom, Hillsdale County, Michigan on October 8, 1871. Both were 24 years old and both resided in Williams County, and it was there they settled. In 1880, James and Rebecca lived in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio with their children: Jill J. (James?), 6; Mary Eta, 5; and Charles, 5 months. James rented a farm for shares. Sadly, Rebecca died the next year, on February 11, 1881, at the age of 35 years, 5 months and 13 days. She was buried in Primrose Cemetery in Williams County.
With three young children to raise, James probably turned to family to help him in this task. On January 5, 1888, he married Sarah C. Oldshoe, once again in Hillsdale, Michigan. He was 40 years old and she was about 22. It might be that Sarah Caroline was a younger sister or some other relation to his first wife, Rebecca.
In 1900, the family lived in Brady Township, Williams County, with children, Jessie W., 12 (James Warren), Rebecca, 8, Lewis G., 5, Charles R.B. 20. Charles was just a baby when his mother, Rebecca Oldshoe Repp, died. James was working as a teamster in 1900. Sarah had had three children and all were living.
The move to Defiance County, Noble Township, came between 1900 - 1910. In 1910, James and Sarah lived on a mortgaged farm with only Lewis G, 14, at home. James was farming again, and this was the year that his pension increased from $24 to $30 a month. In September, 1914, Sarah Repp died and was buried in Clinker Cemetery, Defiance County. (In 1913, James and Sarah lost their son, Jessie, and in 1916, Louis died. A very rough three years for James Repp.)
On August 28, 1919, James Repp married for the third time - Elizabeth Grupe/Grube Deckrosh, daughter of Thomas and Mary Grupe/ Grube - according to the marriage certificate. James was then 73, and the couple married in Winebago, Illinois, reason unknown. The marriage must have been a bit stormy, as divorce was at one time a possibility. This notice appeared in the newspaper in 1923.
His third wife, Elizabeth, lived until 1931.
She was buried in Brunersburg Cemetery with no sign of the Repp surname on her grave.
(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city. Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle. The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived. If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)
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