Samuel Singles - G.A.R., Bishop Post

Samuel Singles was a man who would work hard to acquire his farm and make it his, and who would devote over four years of his life to fight with the Union Army.
Born in Knox County, Ohio, in about 1837/1838, the names of his parents could not be located. No birth record was found, and his death certificate only says "don't know" for parents' names.

Already in 1850, he was living with the Onwillen family in Chesterfield Township, Fulton County, Ohio.  James, 31, and Maria,30.  The Onwillens had three children with them and Samuel Singles, 12, who attended school.  Since this census does not give relationships, Samuel might or might not be related to the family. He could even just be taken in as an orphan.



In 1860, Samuel lived with a different man, James Onneller, 24, and wife, Mary, 25 - obviously by their ages not the same group, .  The children's names also differed.  Samuel, 21, was listed as a laborer on the farm.  

On July 1, 1861, Samuel enlisted into the 44th Regiment, Company D, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  He mustered in at Chicago, Illinois, although he enlisted in Wauseon, Ohio.  The Illinois Veterans' Database has his description as:  5'6", black hair, hazel eyes, dark complexion.  At the end of his term, he reenlisted on January 2, 1864, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and served a total of four years, two months and twenty days, being discharged on October 20, 1865.  He fought in many of the large battles of the war and ended his career at Fort Irwin, Texas, with the rank of Sergeant.  He appeared in the 1890 Soldiers' Census of Damascus Township, Henry County, but his residence was listed as Fulton County.  He claimed a disability of a disease of the lungs, caused by measles.

 Either on a furlough, on sick leave, or between enlistments, Samuel married in March, 1865, to Mary Magdalena Murray.  She was about ten years younger than Samuel, and also a resident of Fulton County.  The two settled on farmland acquired by Samuel in Chesterfield Township.  On the Agricultural census of that year 1870, Samuel was doing well as a farmer with 80 acres of improved land and 10 acres of woodland, valued at $2400.  He had some livestock and crops, as well.  By 1870, he also was the father to Lewis Elwood, 2, and Ida Adel, 6 months.  Elmer L. came along in 1872, followed by the last child, Ethel M., in 1878.

The census enumerator found the Samuel Singles family in Napoleon, Henry County, in 1880.  Samuel had given up farming for a job as laborer.  He was 42, and Mary was 32, and all four children were at home with them. By the year 1900, they had finally moved to Defiance, Ohio.  Samuel, 63, worked as a day laborer, and Mary, 53, were alone now. They owned a house in Ward 4, perhaps at 37 Main Street.  Samuel, at 72, still did light labor.  In 1902, he was granted an increase in his pension from $8 to $10.

In 1908, while helping out at his farm, he was up in the haymow when boards gave way and he fell about fourteen feet to the ground.  Amazingly, he broke only his collarbone and shoulder blade; he was 68 years old at the time.  The next year, Samuel and Mary's daughter, Ethel (Singles) Smith died in Toledo, and her body was brought back to their home for services and then a burial in Riverside.

Samuel and Mary stayed in Defiance, but moved to 410 Franklyn Street by 1910.  On October 4 of that year, Mary Singles died, and her obituary appeared in all the Defiance papers.  The Defiance Democrat, November 2, 1910, p. 3:

"MRS. SAMUEL SINGLES

The funeral of Mrs. Samuel Singles was held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the late residence on Franklin Street, with burial at Riverside.  Rev. W. F. Barber, pastor of the United Brethren Church, of which the deceased was a member, officiated.

Mary M. Murray was born in Liberty Township, Henry County, Ohio, March 22, 1847. December 10, 1865, she was married to Samuel Singles.  To this union were born four children, two girls and two boys. With her family, Mrs. Singles lived for some years in Fulton County.  In 1892, she removed to Defiance County where she resided until her death.  

For a number of years, she has been afflicted and much of the time was unable to attend to her usual household duties. Four weeks ago, she came much worse, and since that time, she has been confined to her bed, her death occurring Friday morning. 

She is survived by a husband, two sons and one daughter, Elmer of Lancaster and Louis of East Jordan, Mich., and Mrs. Martin Yackles of Defiance, also one sister and one brother.  One daughter and one sister preceded her to the spirit world.

Mrs. Singles was converted when she was but sixteen years of age.  She was much interested in church work, and was a liberal supporter of the institution.  She was a woman of beautiful character and was much loved by all who knew her."

In January, 1913, Samuel fell on the ice and had an operation for a strangulated hernia when he lived on Franklyn Street.The widowed Samuel moved in at some point then with his daughter, Ida, her husband Martin, and three children: Karel, Dessie and Ruth.  He was there for the census enumerator of 1920.  Samuel was over 87 years old when he died on June 27, 1925.  

His obituary from the Defiance Crescent-News, June 29, 1925, page 1:

 "SAMUEL SINGLES, G.A.R. VET, DIES

Was Wounded and Promoted to Sergeant During Service in Union Army 

Samuel Singles, 87, veteran of the Civil War, succumbed to an attack of heart disease at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martin Yeckels, 105 North Clinton street at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Mr. Singles was born at Danville, O., and moved to a farm near Morenci, Mich. where he was living when the call for volunteers came in 1861.  He enlisted in the 44th Illinois infantry, and served in that regiment for three years.  He was promoted to the rank of sergeant before he was discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn.  He reenlisted for another three year period immediately, and was wounded in the left shoulder during the fighting in the latter part of the war.  He was mustered out of service at Camp Irvin, Texas, in September, 1865.

Sergeant Shingles came to Defiance about 32 years ago.  His daughter, Mrs. Ethel Smith died about 15 years ago.  Two sons, Lewis E., of Flint, Mich. and Elmer L. of Wyandotte, Mich. and his daughter, Mrs. Yeckels, survive. 

Funeral services will be held at the home at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Baptist church at 2 p.m. with Rev. E. F. Randall officiating.  Interment wll be made at 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!)

Peter Leithauser Visits the Old Country, 1900

When looking for a family's ancestral village, some of the best sources are immigration, naturalization and travel records (passports).  Peter Leithauser, according to his passport, came with his father to America in 1859 when Peter was eleven years old.  Peter was born in Stemwenden, Bavaria on October 31, 1847.  The passport below also includes a description of Peter, as he described himself.  

On the passport, Peter indicated his intention to visit Germany with Gust Gartner.  Peter took on the role of "special correspondent" for the Defiance Weekly Express, writing a summary of his trip for the newspaper.  The article appeared on July 19, 1900.

"FATHERLAND

ADAMS TOWNSHIP MAN WRITES OF HIS TRAVELS.

MUHLENRENTE, JULY 4, 1900

While leaving Defiance, you expressed your wishes that I might write you a few lines about my journey.  We left New York May 9 at 12 o'clock, noon.  Passed Sandy Hook at 2 o'clock.  We sailed on with good weather, but very cold.  The sea was rough, but no storm of note.

On June 18, 9:45 a.m., we passed the Bishop light house, the southwest point of England.  We landed on the 19th at 6 p.m. at Antwerpen.  There I stopped overnight.

Cathedral dome at Cologne

Next morning I boarded the train for Cologne.  Remained there over night and took in the sights of the city and the cathedral, the dome of which is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen.  Also saw the River Rhine for the first time and a German torpedo boat. 

From there I went on to Binger Bridge where we could see the German National monument.  From there I went to Kaiserlautern.  Visited the city and went on to Lansthuhl, from there on to Steinwenden.  Arrived May 23 where I was born. 

 A half brother of mine is living there yet.  He is the father of Peter Doneyer, barber in East Defiance.  My coming was a surprise to my brother.  He knew I was coming that week,but he did not know me.  I was very warmly received.  There I visited the relatives and old friends. Left there June 2.

Munster clock

Went to Bexbach and called on my cousin, Jacob Denhard, and had a good old time with him and family.  Left there June 5, took the train to Saargemund from there to Strassburg, where staid one day and two nights.  There I met an old friend who was partner with me in my stateroom on the Friesland.  He showed me all over the city, which is very nice, but above all is that clock in the Munster church.

 When it strikes 12, the 12 apostles appear one after the other and salute Jesus in going by.  The rooster will crow three times.  There is a ball with map of the world which turns once in a year.  There is a model of the moon which appears at certain times, turns as noted in the almanac; it turns the same as the moon does.  The men who strikes the quarters and half hours appear one after the other.  On strikes the 1/4, the other 1/2, the other 3/4, the other four quarters.  That clock is the most wonderful thing I ever saw, and I don't think there is another man on earth now who could build a clock like that.  Every day at 12 o'clock the church is crowded with strangers.

From Strassburg I went to Basel where my niece, Stephania Cordelier is living.  She will be in mind of a number of persons in Defiance and about there.  She worked for Dr. Berchtold before his death.  Was well received at her house and felt myself at home.  She has been married for over a year and has a baby boy 6 weeks old.  She has a very good husband.  Left there after an 8 day stay and went to Constanz.  There I took a ship to Friedrichshafen; from there the train to Ravensburg.

And then I went in search of the relatives of my wife.  I found one sister and one brother and a number of cousins.  With one of these cousins I made my home.  His name was Joseph Muller.  He is a wealthy farmer with 150 acres of good land; has four horses and lots of nice cattle.  Am writing at his home.  I have still better times, have a horse and buggy when needed and my cousin went with me all over the country.  Here I have two nice rooms, a good bed with blanket covers.  I say this because all over Europe, they have their feather beds to cover, which I don't like.

Castle Waldburg

I have seen a good deal since I left home, and I think I have got the worth of my money.  I saw the falls of the Rhine, where the Rhine goes through a narrow space of rocks about twenty feet wide.  All along from Cologne, as far as I went, I saw nice country.  The finest sight in the country I had was the Castle Waldburg.

My cousin and I went there June 24th.  There they have a big field glass on the top of a building.  The view was grand.  We could see as far as Bavaria; almost all the snow capped mountains in Switzerland, the Bodensee and a lot of towns.

My eye is getting better now.  I went to the eye doctor yesterday again and he said there was no more danger and that I could leave, but my cousin would not take me to the city; he said I had to stay with him at least another day, and so I will leave tomorrow and go to Switzerland.  I will visit Mrs. Berchtold if I can find her.  

Peter Leithauser

On July 17 I expect to arrive at Basel again, and on the 23rd, I think I will start for Paris enroute home. I expect to go from Paris to Havre, from there to Southampton and London and after that I will board the St. Paul, August 4, at noon for New York.  From New York, I expect to visit cities in the United States enroute home.  I expect to be in Defiance, August 15th, if possible.

Please ask Dr. Westrick how he is coming on with the ten pills I sent him.

Yours truly,

PETER LEITHAUSER"

 

Overheating Causes Insanity in Zimmerman

Dramatic overheating can also lead to heatstroke, symptoms of which progress from confusion and irritability to hallucinations, violent behavior, and delirium. 

 



From the Defiance Weekly Express,
October 11, 1900, p. 13

OVERHEATED IN THE HARVEST

FIELD IN AUGUST

"Ed Zimmerman, the 19 year old son of John Zimmerman, of Milford township, became violently insane and was brought to this city Wednesday evening and incarcerated in the county jail.  He was overcome by the heat while working in the field last August and it is thought this is what caused his insanity.  He has seemed crazed ever since that time, but has not been violent until now.

His condition Wednesday became such that it was impossible to keep him at home without danger to the family.  He was handcuffed and bound with ropes and his father, John Zimmerman and Harley Fee, of Milford, and Dr. S. F. Welty, of Hicksville, started to drive to this city with him.  He seemed endowed with super-human strength and the three men found it impossible to hold him.  Two other men were called to their assistance and the five men found it all they could do to keep the lunatic in the carriage.

The trying trip was finally completed and young Zimmerman placed in the county jail."

Center - Defiance jail on Clinton Street

 He was kept in handcuffs all night notwithstanding which he succeeded in doing about $500 worth of damage to the building.  He amused himself by knocking out all the window lights in the room and then walking over the broken glass in his bare feet.  All the bed clothing, curtains, etc., in the room were torn to shreds, plastering was knocked off the walls and all sorts of damage done.  This together with singing and shouting was enough to keep all the people in the neighborhood awake.

It is a sad case and the worst feature is that the young man will probably never recover.  Young Zimmerman was taken to the asylum for the insane at Toledo this afternoon." 

V. E. Day in Defiance - May 8, 1945

VICTORY IN EUROPE

Defiance Crescent-News

May 8, 1945

"SUSPEND TRADE AS CITY GREETS DAY OF VICTORY

Whistles and Bells Sound Peal of Joy;

Churches Join in Prayer 

 Defiance welcomed V-E Day today with whistles blowing, horns tooting, and bells ringing, touched off by the 9 o'clock broadcast by President Harry S. Truman declaring an official end to the war in Europe.

The schools closed, most of the factories were shut down, and all business houses in downtown Defiance with exception of eating places closed in order that employees might mark the surrender of Germany.

Scores of cars poured through the streets and workers started for home with the automobile horns adding to the general din touched off by the factory whistles.  Several trucks carrying bells wound through the downtown streets. The bell on the courthouse clock was hammered and fire sirens screamed in recognition of the end of the first half of the world struggle.

Most Factories Idle

The Defiance Screw Machine Products Co., the Defiance Automatic Screw Co., and the Defiance Alloyed Products Co. closed immediately after the president's proclamation until the regular morning shifts report Wednesday.

At the American Steel Package Co., where workers celebrated Monday and the Defiance Machine Works, a voluntary plan was in effect.  Within a half hour after the proclamation, the Machine Works was empty and the American Steel Package Co had about 30 per cent of its force left.  The latter plant was closed at noon.

Defiance Metal Products Co. also closed at noon.  So did the Lynch Manufacturng Corp. The Lectrolite Corp. was open today on instructions from the Navy department, Harold Schlosser, president of the company said. Most of the force at the Lectrolite plant was off the job Monday afternoon in a premature celebration, he said.

Services of Thanksgiving

Although President Truman has officially proclaimed next Sunday as a day of prayer in thanksgiving for the victory in Europe, many Defiance churches have planned special services for tonight. 

UFOs in Defiance - 1952

If you've ever watched "Project Bluebook" on television, you might be interested in life from other planets who may or may not come to visit us on Earth.  Just last April, the Pentagon released Navy plane photos of supposed UFOs.  It's been a subject of discussion and argument and believability for many years - do UFOs exist?  Is there life on other planets?  Have they visited us here?  Are you a believer?  So far, in Ohio, 23 sightings have been reported this year alone.

On January 18, 1952, the Defiance Crescent News reported on two men who were certain they spied a flying saucer in Richland Township.   

" TWO DEFIANCE COON HUNTERS SAY 'FLYING SAUCER' OBJECT LIGHTS SKYS.

Two coon hunters who were so unbelieving about what they saw Wednesday night in the sky near here that they kept quiet about it until late Thursday afternoon, were still wondering today if they had seen some type of 'flying saucer.'   They are Doug Hamilton of the Farm Bureau here, and Charles Ort of south of Defiance.

They were hunting about 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Leroy Kunesh farm in South Richland Tp. when the object appeared so bright that 'the tree branches were illuminated.'  The bright object seemed motionless above the low-hanging clouds for about five minutes, they reported to friends Thursday afternoon.

'Then it moved away to the east, slow at first and then picked up speed.' The object was reported to have seemed to rotate and somewhat resembled an immense one-bladed propeller.  The men said it seemed to have a radius of about 30 feet.

 The observers of this spectacle said they had no way to determine how high in the sky it may have been.  It was 'pretty high' though.  They were first attracted by the light shining against the wet tree tops.  This caused them to turn their gaze skyward and both say they saw the 'object.'"

 A member of my own family can remember a sighting he had in our back yard, and he was bolstered in his claim when it was discovered a neighbor had spotted it, too.  Around 1970, the Northwest Signal reported that a woman had spotted a UFO above her home in Liberty Center.

"A UFO sighting was the subject of a report filed Thursday by the Henry County Sheriff's Department.  According to the report, Mrs. Rose Jones, rural Liberty Center, reported seeing the unidentified object hovering over her home last Saturday night.

Mrs. Jones, who reportedly suffered a heart attack after the sighting and is now a patient in Heller Memorial Hospital, described the object as reddish brown in color, with an elogated  bullet shape, and soundless.  Mrs. Jones reported that what seemed to be two large spotlights were on the base of the object and two rows of blue and green lights were also visible." 



What do you think?

Medcalf A. Bell - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

It is no wonder that Mr. Bell often went by his initials, as his first name seemed to be a challenge to 19th century spellers.  He was Metcalf, Medcalf, and Medkiff in various records.  Even the United States government seemed unsure of the correct spelling on his war documents.

M. A. Bell was a Defiance County boy from birth until death.  Highland Township was his birthplace, there born to parents M. P. and Margaret Bell on August 21, 1845. In 1850, he had siblings D. L. (Demetrius), Melissa, Caroline and V. S. (?).  Later a sister, Anna, was added.  His father worked as a sawyer.






By the 1860 census, his father had died and his widowed mother moved to Defiance where Demetrius, 21, worked as a laborer and Caroline, 17, worked as a servant.  These two jobs supported the family of five, as apparently V. S. had also passed away.  Metcalf was only 13 then, according to the census, but just one year later, he would be a soldier.

According to the 1890 census and his pension card, Medcalf A. Bell enlisted in Company F, 48th Ohio Infantry on November 8, 1861 and he served four years and seven months.  His discharge was dated January 19, 1865.  The 48th was heavily involved in the bloody Battle of Shiloh in 1862, where they lost 1/3 of their men. They fought on in many other battles, including the Battle of Vicksburg.  He was just a boy.

In 1866, Bell married Mary Ann Bluff and the couple would go on to have two children, neither of whom survived infancy.  In each census, Bell was listed as working in a livery stable.  The house at 412 Harrison Street was their home for many years.  In 1910, when M.A. was 64, he was retired, but Mary Ann, at 65, worked on as a dressmaker.  

M. A. Bell last appears in the 1920 census as Alonzo M. Bell and his wife was Anna M. Bell, both in their mid-seventies.  On February 1. 1927, Medcalf Alonzo Bell died and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

 

Riverside Cemetery       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!)

Prepared for the Second World War - Civil Defense

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."  This clipping, undated, appeared in one of his columns, featuring the role of Civil Defense in Defiance during WW II.

Tuttle said:  "AIRCRAFT PLAYED A BIG PART IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR and while the chances were remote that the town would ever be bombed, Defiance had one of the finest Civil Defense organizations in Ohio

More than 1250 persons participated in the activity.  Complete blackouts of the town were frequent.  When the wildcat whistles were blown, folks turned out their lights, pulled down their blinds and automobiles were driven without lights.  There was very little traffic moving during an imitation raid which lasted only a few minutes. 

Notification of the practice raid would come from Columbus.  To simulate reality, aerial bombs would be shot from the ground and small planes circled overhead.

The CONTROL center from which all activity was directed was in the basement of the Northwestern Telephone Co. building.  It was completely equipped.  There were mop-up squads, fire squads, rescue squads, and air raid wardens in each block.

All members of the organization wore the CD arm band.  Wardens wore white helmets.  The ambulance girls wore white outfits.  The organization worked with military precision.  Much of the credit for its success was due the commander, John P. Reed.  John loved military activity.

Members of the executive committee were: Director, Virgil F. Kent; Commander, John P. Reed; Mayor Robert W. Galliers, Lloyd V. Tuttle, Victor L. Mansfield, and Glenn B. Hiatt.

PERSONNEL OF the control center shown here are: from left, Reed, Norman Kreischer (rear), Walter Speiser, Fred W. Bechdolt, L. E. Smart, Fire Chief Harvey Hughes (in light cap), Howard Squire (seated in front, A. F. Schatz (rear), Ora D. Symonds (seated, George A. Bolley, Wade L. Stever, Police Chief Karl A. Weaner (seated front), Ralph Goldenetz (rear), S. S. Evans (seated extreme right)."