The Defiance Girls Band circa WW I

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."

An undated clipping discussed the part of the Defiance Girls' Band in supporting the local soldiers in World War I.

Tuttle wrote: "DEFIANCE has had numerous bands, the 16th Regiment whose members dressed like Zouaves, Gessner's Concert, the Elks, the Toledo Edison, the East Defiance, and perhaps others, but the Defiance Girls' Band was one of the best when it came to marching and to making music.  It was organized with W F. Kimberly as director.  'Kim' was a natural born band leader.

The band will be remembered by Defiance country boys who were called to the First World War because it escorted all departing groups to the railroad station.  Napoleon groups went to Chillicothe by way of the Wabash and Cincinnati Northern via Cecil, and the band always met the trains transporting the Napoleon groups and gave them a short concert...

In the group picture, using their names at the time, are: 
From left, first row, Clara Hemlein, Hazel ....baugh, Ella Yeager, Elsie Kimberly, Ruby Doster, Isabelle Taylor.
Second row, Laura Wahl, Esther Ruess, Eleanor Robrock, Helen Pocock, Dessie Yackels;
Third row, Naomi Lovejoy, Helene Bock, Hazel Yackels, Helen Hunter, Bessie Leever, Marie Umstead, June Speiser; 
Back row, Nellie Winterholder, Mildred Arning, Wanda Root, W. F. Kimberly - director, Edith Weisenburger, Margaret Hemlein and Letho Stoner."

George J. Hickey - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

New York State was the birthplace of George James Hickey, son of James and Eliza Hickey.  Their first born son, George, was born on March 14, 1842, and was enumerated in his first census on August 9, 1850.  They lived in the town of Avon, Livingston County, New York, where James Sr. was a laborer supporting his wife and four children: George J. - 8; Mary F. - 6; Hellen M. - 3 and Albert O. - 8 months.  Living with them was Alexander Eggwood, 33, also a laborer.

By 1860, George J. was off on his own in the same county and state, living at the boarding house of Amos and May Fowler.  At 18, he was working as a machinist.



On August 7, 1862, he decided to enlist in the 115th New York Volunteer Infantry, Company B.  According to his obituary, he was wounded at one of the Battles of Cold Harbor, just north of Richmond, Virginia.  In that battle, General Grant tried to prevent the Confederates, led by General Lee, from reaching Richmond.  The list of casualties and wounded were especially high for the Union Army when Grant finally decided to retreat to the James River after nine days of fighting in early June, 1864.  George stayed with his unit until his discharge on June 17, 1865, at the end of the war.

On June 5, 1865, George's family was enumerated on the New York Census, enumeration district - Canajoharie.  His mother, Eliza, was head of the household at 46, only her surname was now Alpaugh.  Apparently, George's father had died and so had her second husband, Mr. Alpaugh, as Eliza was listed as a widow.  With her, lived George, 23, a machinist; a stepson, William Alpaugh, a soldier; James Hickey, 15, a clerk, and two young children, Amanda and Harvey Alpaugh.  They lived in a wood framed house worth $1000.

Elizabeth Jane (Lizzie) Flint became George's wife in 1867 and soon after, they started their life with a move to Buchanan County, Iowa.  George found work as a machinist there.  In June, 1880, they were settled in at 6 Water Street, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa.  George had advanced himself to superintendent of the gas works.  The birthplaces of the children indicated a brief move back to New York around 1877 - 1880), as Frank G. (the oldest at 6) was born in Iowa, while younger sisters, Cora B., 3, and Maud, 4 months, were born in New York.  However, that information changed in a later census! 

George joined the local G.A.R. in Iowa and their records gave insight into his life as a soldier.

 The record showed that George was captured in action soon after his enlistment in 1862 and paroled soon afterward.  Later he was wounded in the left thigh on June 4, 1864 during the Battle of Cold Harbor.

Dates vary as to when the Hickey family may have moved to Defiance, but George was here for the 1890 Veterans' Census.  In 1900, his family lived at 622 Jefferson Street, and George worked as a machinist; they were renting that home.  In this census, it would seem that they moved to Ohio sometime between 1880 and 1886 based on the birthplaces of the children.  Frank was already gone from home, so Cora, at 22, was the oldest at home and she worked as a dressmaker.  Her birthplace on this census was Iowa, born on February, 1877.  Maud, born February, 1880, a waitress, also was born in Iowa, while little sister Myrtie, 14, was born in Ohio in May, 1886. So for real proof, birth records should be located for everyone.

Another rental home was occupied for the 1910 census at 414 Washington Street.  George was 68 by that time and Lizzie, 62.  George continued to work as a lathe operator at the Defiance Machine Works. 

Lizzie Hickey died on May 2, 1927.  By that time, she and George had moved to Norwalk in Huron County, Ohio, to live with or near their oldest son, Frank.  They could not be located in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census.  Her death certificate noted that she was senile, perhaps the reason for the needed move and more help from family.  She was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Norwalk, Ohio.

www.findagrave.com

 About a year and a half later, George passed away in Norwalk and was buried beside his beloved wife.  

As a side note, George and Lizzie's daughter, Cora, married Willis Stever in December, 1900, and they had one son.  Unfortunately, she died in 1909, so apparently the family remained close to Willis and the grandson and a new wife.

(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!)

Ransom Stone

Ransom and Emily (Hasting) Stone's tombstone rests in Farmer Cemetery, along with many others of their neighbors and friends.  The stone is marked with a flag and a GAR star, indicating service to his country, probably in the Civil War; however, an exhaustive search has not uncovered where or when Ransom served.  The official rosters do not name him, nor is he listed as a veteran on the 1890 Veterans Census or on the Civil War Draft Registrations. 

www.findagrave.com   - Farmer Cemetery  (Ransom 1830-1903 and Emily 1835-1914)

Ransom Stone was born in New York in January 1830, to parents, Alpha Stone and Rhoda Orton.  The family moved sometime between 1840, where they appear on the census in New York, and 1850, when they were enumerated in Milford Township, Defiance County, Ohio.  In 1850, Ransom was 20 and his siblings at home were Almeda, 25; Chancy, 16; and Olive, 12.

Marriage records indicated that Ransom Stone married Emily Marie Hastings, the daughter of Henry Hastings and Sarah Conkey, on November 17, 1853. They settled in Farmer Township where they were enumerated on the 1860 census.  R. Stone's wife was named as "Nancy," perhaps a nickname for Emily.  He was farming and, at the time, they had three children: Leslie, 5; Charles, 3; and Florence, 1.

Ransom Stone remained the rest of his life in Farmer, serving in different positions in the township and working various jobs.  In 1870, he identified himself as a stock drover (one who drives cattle or sheep to market); in 1880, he was a jobber (one who does small jobs or acts as an agent in a transaction).  Finally in 1900, he was a grocery huckster at the age of 70.  Perhaps he had a wagon he drove around, selling small necessities. 

The Hicksville News stated on April 14, 1887:

"Ransom Stone, of Farmer township, was in town Monday and spent the day with relatives here, taking the train Tuesday morning for Defiance, to get assessor's blanks.  Mr. Stone has been assessor of Farmer township for 11 years in succession, being in addition to assessor, land appraiser in 1880."

Ransom and Emily were blessed with four children: Leslie, Eva Mae, Frank L. and Charles. He died on January 17, 1903, in Farmer Township, having just turned 73 years old.

Only a short obituary from the book, Obituaries of Northwest Pioneers, could be found:

"Ransom Stone departed this life January 17, 1903, aged 73 years and 3 days.  He was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., on January 14, 1830, and came to Ohio in 1846.  He was married to Emily Hastings on November 17, 1853, and they lived together (many) years.  He leaves a wife, three sons, one daughter, two brothers, Nelson and Norman Stone, and two sisters, ( ?) Wilder and Almedia Martin.  He was an honored citizen and a tried and (well liked) man.
A host of relatives and friends mourn his loss.  The funeral took place at the (?) church at 11 a.m. on Monday.  Grant Speer officiating.  Interment in Farmer Cemetery."

Benjamin F. Houk - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Sherwood High School - 1923-1924

Front Row, Left to Right:

Wayne Crosser, Leland Yaney, Bernard Worthington, Paul Peterson, Leo Byron Keegan, Virgil McMillan, Francis Rigel, Lowell DeVoss

Second Row:

Beulah Snyder, Parent, Beulah Musselman, Effie Rahmer Knox, Pauline McCarthy, Margaret Rahmer Bergman, Mabel Rice Easley, Elizabeth Moats Feeney, Elinor Miller Johnson, Janice Newman Colcotte, Gladys Doud Culler, Dorthy Mohley Avey, Grace Rhoades Crain, Erma Rothar Tooley, Velma Ream Miller, Fannie Beechy

Third Row:

Lavonna Sprow, Ruth Renz Bayliss, Enid Lehman Fitzenrider, Orpha Ansley, Lavern Doeden Quackenbush, Marjorie Hosler Thibeault, Valma Durfey Coombs, Mary Rhoades Keegan, Mary Hosler Jarvis, Blanche Leithauser Rowley, Thelma Wheaton Kernes, Dorothy Bayliss Minck, Florence Strine, Emma Rothar and Irene Rice, Teachers

Top Row:

Fred Baldwin, Ray Miller, Paul McCarthy, Barton Miller, Ravonne Noffsinger, J. Jack Langdon, Nelson Beattie, Orlo Ansley, Walter Ream, Alva Bergman, Milo Rice - Principal and Teacher