Henry Link - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Although he lived in Auglaize Township, Paulding County until his death, he was an active member of the Bishop Post, G.A.R. of Defiance County  An immigrant from Baden, Germany, Henry was born in 1837 there.  


When he was single and twenty-four, he enlisted in Company C, Ohio 57th Regiment.  He signed up on November 9, 1861 for a three year term which he fulfilled and then some.  The 57th took part in many important battles in the south from Shiloh to Vicksburg and finally to Atlanta in 1864.  Their regiment was decimated by half by the end of the war.



 
It was November 11, 1864 when Henry Link mustered out in Marietta, Georgia because his three year term had expired.  On the 1890 Veterans Census for Junction, Paulding County, Ohio, Henry reported that he suffered from rheumatism and heart disease because of his war service

Soon after Henry  returned from the war, he married Adaliza Iddings on November 14, 1865 in Paulding County.  He was 28 years old.  Ada, as she was called, and Henry settled down in Auglaize Township, Paulding County where they were found in the 1870 census.  With them, were their first children: William, 2, and John, 3 months.  Henry worked as a farm laborer.  It should be noted that in 1891, the paper noted that Henry's pension was $8.00 a month.
Another interesting note in the Defiance County Republican stated that "Mrs. Henry Link is a good Republican, and her husband is a good Democrat.  They are a jolly couple."  

In 1893, the Defiance Democrat printed some startling news about Henry's wife, Ida:

They farmed in that location in Auglaize Township all through the census years, with their family growing larger each year, adding Henry Clarence, Jefferson, Anna Della and Curtis Cleveland.  In 1900, Clarence (Henry) and his wife, Fanny lived with his parents, along with their child, Estella, 2.  Curtis, 18, was also still at home, helping with the farm.

In 1910, Henry was 72, and Ida was 62 with Curtis C., 24, left at home to help with the farming.  Henry's widowed brother, Richard, had also moved in.
When Henry turned 78, a big party was thrown for him on June 16, 1915 with 113 people present, "all bringing full baskets," according to one newspaper account.   Shortly following, in November, 1915, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with another big party. "Both highly respected in their neighborhood," over 100 people showed up.

Henry Link passed away on August 6, 1918, and his obituary was printed in the local papers.

Riverside Cemetery  (findagrave.com photo)

(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!)

Welty Haver - Drowned at Defiance

Across history, the Maumee River has claimed many lives by drowning.  However, it is the death of children that seems to tug at our hearts even more.
This article was from an undated newspaper - neither the name of the newspaper nor its date were given.  It was reprinted in Obituaries - Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, available in the Defiance Public Libraries.

"DROWNED AT DEFIANCE

Welty Haver, Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Haver the Victim - 

Was Playing with Dog

Wednesday evening Welty Haver, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Haver, former citizens of Hicksville, met death by drowning in the Maumee river at Defiance.  The child, three years and eleven months old, was playing with a dog back of his father's livery barn, throwing sticks into the river for the dog to go in after and bring back to shore, when the accident happened.

Spectators claim the boy had ventured into a boat tied along the bank of the river and in throwing a stick into the river, accidentally toppled into the water.  A woman on the bridge and a man on the opposite side of the river saw the boy fall in and disappear in the water, but not come to the surface.  An umbrella mender was the first to reach the scene and plunged into the water to try to save the child, but as it failed to come to the surface, could not find the body.  The child had only been in the water about ten minutes when the body was rescued by George Lawton.  A physician was promptly summoned but all efforts to resuscitate failed.

At the time of the accident, the boy's father was in the country and the mother did not miss the child until she heard the cries of those on the shore looking for her son.

The accident is truly a sad one and the family have the sympathy of many Hicksville friends.  The funeral was held from the home Friday afternoon."

--Welty's obituary appeared in the Defiance Daily Crescent on August 26, 1909, providing more information and a year and likely month of death.

As a side note, about a month later, September 24, 1909, Welty's father enhanced his livery business at the foot of the Clinton Street bridge, perhaps giving the location of the drowning. 

William Joseph Gatlin - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

In many sources, he was known as "Joe."  Born in November, 1834, in Jasper Township, Fayette County, Ohio, William Joseph Gatlin spent a large part of his life there before moving to Highland Township in Defiance County. 

In 1850, at the age of 16, he lived with the Simeon and Ann Creamer family and their eight children in Jasper Township.  Creamer had land worth $5000 at the time, so although Joe attended school while there, it was likely that he also was a farm hand.

On 22 or 27 July, 1855 (sources differ), Sarah Jane Jacobs became the wife of Joe Gatlin.  Still in Fayette County, their first and only child, Soloman (called Sam) was born there in 1856. Joe was a farmer.


Joe was 29 years old when he entered the 1st Cavalry, Company A, on February 24, 1864, for a three year enlistment.  The company was stationed in Alabama at the time, so William probably joined them during their winter encampment.  But by May, the fighting began again in Alabama and that was soon followed by the Atlanta campaign in Georgia in August.  In late October, the 1st Cavalry was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, for new horses, reaching there on November 17. Another winter in Alabama, and then it was back to Georgia to finish up the war.  Gatlin mustered out on September 13, 1865.

He returned to his wife and son, now about nine years old, in Fayette County, near Washington Court House.  By 1870, William, at 35, had real estate worth $885.  Sarah, often called Sallie, 31, and Soloman (called Sam), 14, completed the household.

The Gatlin family could not be located in the 1880 census; however, an article in the Defiance Crescent News on February 16, 1888, describe the situation of the Gatlins.

On October 1, 1891, further news was heard of Solomon, in person!

Solomon (Sam), in fact, was known as one of the first pioneers in El Paso.  Active in the community, he owned race horses and was recognized as quite an equestrian.  Single in 1900, he was enumerated in a boardinghouse at the age of 45, working as an Express Company clerk.

One wonders if that was the last time that Solomon visited his parents.  In 1890, William J. and Sarah Gatlin had 40 acres designated on the county plat map in Section 16 of Highland Township. At some point, they moved here and settled in.  William joined the G.A.R. and they became part of the Defiance community. 

When William died on November 8, 1917, no mention was made of his son and his wife became executrix.
His obituary appeared in the Crescent News on November 9, 1917, on page 2:

"DEATH

William Gatlin

William Gatlin died Thursday at one o'clock at his home near Ayersville aged 83 years, 11 months and 9 days.  He was a member of the G.A.R., having served in Co. A, First Cavalry.

The members of the G.A.R. are asked to meet Saturday at 12 o'clock at memorial hall to attend the funeral. "

 

Sarah lived on until July 14, 1921 and her obituary appeared the next day.

"Sarah Jane Jacobs

Sarah Jane Jacobs was born in Morehead county, Virginia on the 21st day of December, 1838, and departed this life on July 14, 1921, aged 82 years, 6 months and 22 days. 

On July 20th, 1855, she was united in marriage to William J. Gatlin, to this union was born one son, Solomon Johnson, of El Paso, Texas. Her husband preceded her in death on November 8, 1917.  

The funeral services were held at the Center Baptist Church on Friday morning, July 15, 1921 with Rev. C. M. Baumgardner of Ayersville in charge.  Interment was made in the Hill Cemetery."

So she was buried the very next day with no time for the son to come.  A thank you note in the newspaper for condolences was placed by a Mrs. Kennedy.  How sad this estrangement between parents and only son!  

Ten years later, on August 10, 1931, Solomon/ Sam Gatlin passed away in El Paso, with his Elk brothers to mourn his passing.  From the El Paso Herald Post, August 10, 1931:

"LAST RITES FOR E. P. PIONEER

Elks Services Read at Funeral of Sam J. Gatlin

His last wish to attend dedicatory services of the new El Paso Elks' club, unfulfilled, funeral services for Sam J. Gatlin, 75, pioneer El Pasoan, were held at Kaster & Maxon chapel at 10 a.m. Monday.

The full Elks' service was held.

Active pall bearers were Judge James R. Harper, J. H. Pollard, Don A. Carpenter, V. B. Andreas, F. D. Colman and Tom Conner. 

Honorary pall bearers were R. E. Thomason, W. W. Turney, W. H. Burges, Dr. J. B. Brady, A. E. Sweet, M. Coblentz, Maurice Schwartz, C. A. Kinney J. C. Deane, C. E. Kelley, Dr. W. H. Allen, W. W. Bridgers, W. A. Goff, W. G. Roe, Jake Miller.

Gatlin was exalted ruler of local Elks' lodge in 1906, 1907, and 1908.  He was active in the early growth of El Paso and in civic affairs

Gatlin died Sunday at his home, 1301 E. Rio Grande, after several weeks' illness." 

(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!)