Defiance County Pioneers - Jonathan Hart

According to his obituary, Jonathan Hart was in Defiance County as early as 1856.  Sure enough, he and his wife, Diana, appeared in the census of Milford Township in 1860.
J. Hart, 46 and his wife, Diana, 36, lived with children: Wilson, 19; Washington, 17; 
Geo. W., 11; William, 14, Cordelia, 12; Frank, 9; Elizabeth, 7; Newton, 5; Jasper, 2.  Because of the way the census taker wrote his enumeration, it was not clear if all children after Geo. W. had a last name of Gregg or Hart.  

By 1870, the Hart family had added Viola, Albert and Lewis.  In his obituary, it was stated that Jonathan Hart had 12 children, but 10 surviving - 7 boys and 3 girls. So according to the censuses, found were:
Boys - Wilson, Washington, William, Franklin, Newton, Jasper, Albert and Lewis Hart.  8
Girls - Cordelia, Elizabeth, Viola, 3
So, it would seem that two sons preceded their father in death,one of which may have died in his youth. However, did he count Geo. W. Gregg as a son?  Was he relation?  Some questions remain for a Hart family researcher.

Jonathan's obituary:

"DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER

Jonathan Hart, son of John Hart, was one of a family of 14 children.  He was born in Pennsylvania March 30, 1814. At the age of 21, he came with his father's family to Ashland County, O. where January 2nd, 1840, he was married to Dianna L. Hootman, to which union was born 12 children, 9 sons and 3 daughters.

In 1856 he came with his family to Defiance county and cleared up the farm on which he resided at his death, which occurred January 22, at 9:30 o'clock p.m. at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 22 days.  

In 1843 he was baptised into Christ by William Moody and was faithful until death, having been deacon in the church a number of years.  His hospitality was known to all.  No one came to his house hungry and he gave him not meat.  His genial disposition and Christian courtesy made him many friends and this he retained while he lived.  He was one of the most industrious of men as well as generous and benevolent.

His wife with whom he happily lived for over 61 years, still survives, also 10 children, 7 boys and 3 girls; 33 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  The memory of Uncle Jonathan, as he was called, will always be enshrined in the hearts of those that knew him as one of the bright spots on the shores of time.

Funeral services were held Friday at Newville, Rev. Dunkleberger officiating.  Interment in the Newville cemetery."

 Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume 1.  Carma Rowe Estate (Johnson Memorial Library).  No date.  p. 207.

Copies available at Defiance Public Library and Hicksville and Sherwood branch libraries.

The obituary gave a burial site not in Defiance County, but instead was just across the state line at Newville, Indiana, probably less than ten miles from his home.  He perhaps attended church there, too, as that was the place of the funeral.  His age differed between obituary and tombstone - 86 is more likely, considering his year of birth.

www.findagrave.com   Newville, Indiana, cemetery