Defiance County Pioneers - Lewis Neill

According to the records of Defiance County, Lewis Neill married Ellen M. Greer on February 25, 1865.  By about 1866, they had a son, named Lewis G., and by 1870, Ellen had died.  Lewis Neill moved in with his mother-in-law, Louisa Greer, and her two sisters, Mary Porter and Eunice Robinson, and that's where they remained at least through 1870 and 1880.
It's not common that a person's ancestors are mentioned in an obituary, but - if correct - what a good clue for future researchers!

"DEATH OF LEWIS NEILL

Well Known Gentleman Long a Resident of Defiance

Was County Recorder Two Years - Also Justice of the Peace - 

Soldier in the Rebellion - Life Sketch

Lewis Neill, a gentleman well known in this city and county, having resided here for thirty-five years, died Thursday night between 11 and 12 o'clock, his demise coming quite suddenly, though he has been ill for some time past of lung trouble.

Lewis Neill was born March 15, 1821, in Jefferson County, West Virginia, at a place now known as Duffield's Depot on the B & O Railroad.

He was a lineal descendant on the mother's side of Gavin Hamilton, of Scotland, the patron of Burns, the Scottish poet, and on the father's side of Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyron (the unyielding Irish patriot, who battled so long against the armies of the British crown) and his father's name was Lewis Neill.  His father was a large landowner and slave holder, and lived in an old fashioned brick country home.  The family was widely and favorably known.

The subject of this sketch married a young woman named Taylor in West Virginia, by whom two children were born, but the mother and both children died young.  He was engaged in a dry goods business there for a time on a large scale, but failed on account of his own credit system.

In 1855, he moved to Springfield, O., where he remained until 1858, and then went to southern Illinois where he taught country school until the war broke out,when he enlisted in the army in 1861.  He was wounded in his left arm in the battle of Shiloh and as he was thereby permanently disabled, he was discharged from the service when his wound was healed. 

He returned to Springfield, where he remained until May 1863.  About that time, Hon. W. D. Hill, of this city, then of Springfield, told Mr. Neill of his intention to move to Defiance, which resulted in Neill deciding to come here, too.  Mr. Neill walked to Troy, O., and worked his passage from there to Defiance on a canal boat.

Arrived in Defiance, he worked for some time in the various county offices as copyist, etc., and was in a short time elected to the office of Justice of the Peace which he held two terms.  He was afterward elected County Recorder for two terms, filling both positions to honor to himself and his constituents.

Here he married Ellen M. Greer, only daughter of Judge Greer, to whom one child, Lewis G., now living, was born.  The wife, however, has been deceased several years.

Mr. Neill was a thorough gentleman in every respect, who never indulged in profanity and declined to listen to a vulgar story should one be suggested in his presence.  He leaves a wide circle of acquaintances to sincerely mourn his demise." 

Lewis was 77 when he died and he is buried in Riverside Cemetery.  

His son, Lewis G., died in 1910 at about the age of 44 and is also buried at Riverside.

 

Edmond R. Mallett - G.A.R., Bishop Post

Edmond R. Mallett was born in England in 1839.  His immigration record of 1856 could not be located. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in May, 1864, when he was about 25.  He was a Corporal in Company E, 130th Regiment Ohio Infantry which was organized at Johnson's Island, Ohio, to serve 100 days.  

The first task of the group was to guard the Rebel prisoners detained on Johnson's Island.  After about a month of that, the group moved on to near Washington, D.C. where it was charged with protecting the railroads and supply depots from the Confederate forces.  The regiment mustered out on September 22, 1864 at Toledo.

 

Edmond married Eliza Spangler and together they had two daughters, Alta (Altie) and Sarah Ann (Sadie).  Edmond's family is recorded in the census in both 1870 and 1880; he was listed as a marble cutter and marble dealer.  He dealt in tombstones and his business was well known in the area.  In 1870, the family lived on Jefferson Street; however, in 1883, he built a home at 609 Wayne Street where he would live until his death.

The Defiance Democrat of August 29, 1901, reported this accident for Mrs. Mallett:

Edmond Mallett worked until into his seventies.  He died on February 1, 1915, in Defiance.  His lengthy obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on February 11, 1915, page 4:

Eliza Mallett lived on until 1921.  The couple is buried together at Riverside Cemetery.

Edmond R. Mallett at www.findagrave.com

(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!)

From the Marckel Scrapbook - Electa Hammil Alshouse

From the scrapbook of Doris E. Marckel Bates, Defiance, Ohio

Date on the cover – March the 11, 1906

A collection of newspaper articles about the folks of Defiance County, Ohio, all undated and with no source named.

ELECTA HAMMIL ALSHOUSE

“Electa Hammil Alshouse was born at Van Buren, Onondaga county, N. Y., January 21, 1821, and died April 11^th, 1898, aged 77 years, 2 months and 20 days.  She, with her parents, emigrated to Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio in 1837.  She was joined in marriage to Henry Alshouse, at Parkman, September 19^th, 1840.  The result of this union has been two sons and three daughters, all of whom survive her except an infant daughter, who, with her husband, preceded her to the spirit land.

She and her husband moved to Defiance county in June 1844, residing in the vicinity of Defiance until November, 1860, at which time they permanently located on the farm now known as the Alshouse home, where they lived until death, with the exception of a short period, when they lived in Stryker, Ohio.  

 At the age of 17 she became a Christian and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, remaining a member of that church until 1876, when she joined the church of United Brethren in Christ and was a faithful and consistent Christian until death.   

The deceased leaves two sons, two daughters, sixteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one brother and many friends to mourn their loss, but their loss is her eternal gain.  By her death, the community has lost a good and kind neighbor, the church a good worker, and the family a pious and affectionate mother.  ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.’

The funeral was held from the Tiffin river U. B. church, on Thursday, April 14, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Metzler, assisted by Rev. Riegel, of the M. E. church, from the text, ‘First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.’ St. Mark, 4 – 28.

She was laid to rest in the cemetery at the St. John’s M. E. church, by the side of her husband, who preceded her to the grave nearly four years ago and with whom she had lived for nearly fifty years mutually sharing with him the burdens and trials of life. 

We wish to publicly express our sincere thanks to the neighbors and friends for kindness, assistance, and sympathy tendered us during the sickness and burial of our mother.”

Washington Local School - 1946 - 1947

Front Row, L to R: Ruth Shininger, Joan Jesse, Norma Durham, Coleva Shad, Marjorie Romes, Rita Shininger, Rose Timmerman, Joyce Booth, Mildred Lutz

Row 2, behind chairs: Francis Schindler, Georgia Barber, Lois Booth, Beverly Stauffer, Thelma Timmerman, Mary Romes, Mary Rose Singer, Glenn Geren

Row 3: Leonard Ewers, David Jesse, Delano Straka, Richard Dietrich, Paul Umbs, Richard Schwarzek, Terry Taylor, Ronald Byers

Row 4/ Top Row: Jerry Taylor, Bill Stephans, Billy Fahy, Laurence Stantz, Gaylord Lakhuf

Teacher - Clifford Koeppe

Front Row, on floor, L to R: Robert Edwards, James Romes, Paul Umbs, Richard Schwarzbek, Delano Straka, David Jesse

Row 2: Rita Snyder, Georgia Barker, Mary Rose Singer, Mary Belle Kiesling, LaDonna Cromwell, Vera Barker, Rita Shininger, Marjorie Romes

Row 3: Jerry Taylor, Alford Billows, Billy Stauffer, Thelma Timmerman, Colleen Shadd, Mary Jane Brunner, Mary Romes, Annabelle Relyea, Kathleen Koeppe, Bill Stephan

Row 4/Top: Tommy Notestine, Buddy Stantz, Gerald Hanna, Eugene Hartman, Billy Fahy, Donald Rath, William Rowe, Donald Jesse, Leo Roose, Lawrence Rensberger, Jimmy Lutz

Teacher - Hillard Koeppe

John F. Hess - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Born in Stark County, Ohio, to Christian and Barbara Hess, John F. Hess was the second oldest son, born in 1841.  
By the census of 1850, the Hess family was already living in Defiance, where they remained.  

In the Federal Census of 1860, John, at 19, was enumerated with his parents and five of his siblings.  His father worked as a shoemaker, brother George as a grocer and brother  Charles as a clerk, but John, himself, was not employed.  In 1861, his father died, leaving Barbara Hess with three young children.

On September 5, 1862, John enlisted in Company G, 38th Ohio Infantry.  He served almost three years in the same regiment, discharged on July 12, 1865.

After the war, he married Hannah Kittery of Henry County, Ohio, in either 1866 or 1867 (sources vary).  The couple settled in Defiance and in 1870, they lived next door to John's brother, George Hess and wife, Frances.  John worked as a laborer in the stave factory.

By 1880, they resided on Jefferson Street where they remained until their deaths.  John and Hannah (Johanna) never had children.  In February 1908, Johanna died at the age of 59.

In the 1910 census, John, 68, head of the household, had with him John H. Moran, 53, and his wife, Rosalie B., 49.  John Hess was retired, but John Moran worked on the railroad.  Moran had been married before, but he and Rosalie had only been married six months, her first marriage.

John F. Hess died on January 2, 1916, in Defiance at the age of 74.  He was buried with his wife in Riverside Cemetery.

(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!)