Born in Bremen, Germany to his father, Adam Whitman and an unidentified mother, Adam emigrated to the United States in 1855, according to his report on a census. Born December 7, 1845, his ocean voyage to America ended when he was about ten. His earliest years remain a mystery as all efforts to find immigration records and 1860 and 1870 census records for the Whitmans have failed. Adam's death certificate named his father as Adam, and because of his enlistment in the war in Kendallville, Indiana, it is possible the family first settled there.
On the third of November,1864, Adam enlisted in Kendallville as a substitute for John Regenberg into Company B, 22nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Adam was 19 and ready to fulfill his patriotic duty. He was transferred into Company E, 82nd Regiment on November 21, 1864, at Evansville, Indiana. His service ended when he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky on July 24, 1865. According to his pension record below he as also unassigned to the 37th - a confusing number of transfers for the months he served.
When Adam joined the Union Army, battles remained to be fought. It was the end of the Siege of Atlanta and Sherman was marching to the sea. Northern troops were moved into Savannah and then the Carolinas to finish off the war before the surrender in April. The official Civil War roster noted that Adam was from Edgarton (Edgerton), Ohio, when he enlisted. Another confusion.
On September 13, 1869, Adam married Catherine Steinhilber in Defiance, Ohio. Their first child, John Frederick was born in Milford Twp. on June 17, 1872. A second son, Adrian Adam, followed in 1874. By the Federal Census of 1880, Elizabeth (1875), Mary C. (1878), and George Washington Whitman (Feb. 1880) would join the family. Adam worked as a farmer.
The 1890 Veterans' Census of Milford Township named "Addam Whitman", Pvt. Co. B. Indiana Infantry, serving from November 3, 1864 - July 24, 1865, a period of eight months. His residence was recorded as Hicksville and his disability as "chronic direah" (diarrhea).
The Defiance Democrat of March 10, 1898, reported on page 2:
"A house belonging to widow Rimmesnyder burned last Saturday night. Some of the nearest neighbors saw the fire and barely saved her life. She was very old and fragile and alone at the time. It was a total loss, the insurance having expired a short time ago. She will make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Adam Whitman."
By the Federal Census of 1900, the Adam Whitman family lived in Hicksville Township when the enumerator came around on June 8th or 9th. Adam, 53, farmed and owned his home (mortgaged). In this census, he reported his immigration date as 1855 and noted he was a naturalized citizen. His wife, Catherine, 46, had had eight children, and seven survived. (One died in infancy.) She gave her immigration date as 1856. Only three children were left at home: George, 20, farm laborer; Mabel, 15, and Earl, 8.
One newspaper stated that in 1905, Adam's daughter, Mary, and her husband, William McClellan moved onto Adam's farm. So it was probably about that point that Adam and Catherine moved into the village of Hicksville and settled on Smith Street. In the 1910 census, Adam, 64, and Kathrine,56, were there with son, Earl, 18, who was a printer working in a printing/painting? office. Adam's income was on his own account which meant he was not working outside the home anymore and taking a wage.
Adam became widowed in June, 1911 when Catherine died after being ill for a long period. Her obituary appeared in the Hicksville News-Tribune on June 22, 1911:
"WHITMAN.
Catherine Steinhilber was born in Bremen, Germany, July 13, 1853. When but two years of age, she came with her parent to the U.S., who settled in Crawford County, Ohio.
In 1863, they moved to Defiance County and located to Milford Twp. where she resided until about five years of age, when they moved to Hicksville on East Smith Street.
She was united in marriage with Adam Whitman September 13, 1869. To them were born 8 children, five sons and three daughters. One son died in infancy.
She was converted about 30 years ago and joined the Church of the United Brethren of Christ at Milford Twp. After moving, she had her membership transferred to the U.B. Church of Hicksville of which she was a faithful member at the time of her decease. She was a devoted Christian, enjoyed and loved the services of the sanctuary and attended the means of grace when health permitted.
Unassuming in disposition, yet always ready to do her part in the home, or in the church. The cares were not few in raising a large family, but cheerfully and bravely, she shared the toils and responsibilities with her companion. She suffered greatly through a lingering illness, but was patient and resigned to the will of the Lord and expressed her readiness to go when the Lord should call.
She departed this life June 14, 1911, aged 57 years, 11 months and 1 day. She leaves behind seven children: John H. (F.) , Adrian A. of Chesterton, Ind.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Steele of Clarksville; Geo. W., Mary, now Mrs. William McClellan; Mabel, now Mrs. Hanford Monroe of Willes, Mich., and Earl of Butler, Ind., with other relatives and friends who mourn her loss. Funeral services occurred from the U.B. Church on Saturday, conducted by Rev. J. W. Lilly, assisted by Rev.J. F. Miller. Interment in Forest Home Cemetery.
Adam B. Whitman died on January 8, 1912, in Hicksville. The cause of death was apoplexy or stroke. He was a member of the G.A.R., Donafin post in Hicksville, attending the funeral of another veteran when he met his own demise soon after.
"OBITUARY - WHITMAN
Adam Whitman was born in Germany, December 7, 1845, and early in life came to America. He inherited the true spirit of patriotism and as evidence of this allegiance, he tendered his services to his country when it was in the throes of deadly strife. Enlisting in Co. B., 22nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1864 when but nineteen years of age, he served faithfully until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge.
A few years later, he married Catherine Steinhilber, September 13, 1869, who preceded him in death, June 14, 1911. To this union were born four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. These, with a number of grandchildren and many friends, mourn his departure.
Some years ago, he enlisted under the cross and identified himself with God's people by joining the United Brethren Church at West Milford near his farm home. Six years ago, having removed to Hicksville, he transferred his membership to town and remained faithful until death.
He was a member of the I. Donafin Post, G.A.R., and with them attended the funeral of his comrade, Appleton Hopkins, Monday, January 8 (1912). He was returning from the cemetery where he had assisted in laying his comrade to rest, when the last tatoo was heard and he, too, lay down to the long sleep, and entered into that rest prepared for the people of God."
(Obituaries - Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, #348, Johnson Memorial Library.)
The death certificate for Adam Whitman indicated he died on January 8, 1912, found dead of a stroke around 5 p.m. He was buried January 12 in the Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville.
Thanks to Whitman family researcher, (Caroll) Lynn Monroe, for all his contributions.
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