Defiance, Ohio, dated March the 11, 1906
A collection of newspaper articles about the folks of Defiance County, Ohio, all undated and with no source named.
"Drowned in the Tiffin River.
From John A. Garber, we learn that on Tuesday, about ten o'clock, about one and a half miles south of Evansport, Walter Churchman, a resident of Adams township, went into the water beyond his depth, and being unable to swim, before help could reach him, he was drowned.
Search was made for the body, but it was not recovered until night. When found, the body was several rods below the place where it sank. The remains were conveyed tothe residence of his mother in Adams township. Deceased was about twenty-three years old."
A Note - William was the only son of Elizabeth Williams Churchman (1821-1895) . Mother and son were both buried in Poplar Ridge Cemetery. Walter was the son of Elizabeth and her second husband, Thomas Churchman. Elizabeth's obituary, not in the scrapbook, was an interesting look into this pioneer lady's life, a life not untouched by other tragedies.
Defiance Evening News, March 7, 1895 -
"Mrs. Elizabeth A. Churchman, born Nov. 8, 1821, died Feb. 22, 1895. Such are the dates marking the opening and closing of an eventful life. A life the history of which is always encircled with the halo of purity and usefulness. Her maiden name was Williams. She was born near Alexandria, Va. and came with her parents to this county when quite young and settled near Brunersburg.
For a number of years she was engaged in teaching school in the vicinity. She was united in marriage with Samuel C. Sullivan, June 12, 1845. They being the first couple married in Defiance county. Mr. Sullivan was killed by a falling tree on Feb. 11, 1848. Their three children, viz: Mrs. Joshua Domer, Mrs. Fred Chase and Mrs. Daniel Markel, all live in this township.
In 1850, she was married to Thos. Churchman. One son, Walter W., was born to them who met his death by drowning in the Tiffin River when about 24 years of age. Mr. Churchman died some years ago, leaving her a widow a second time. Thus has one of the pioneer ladies left her history.
She was very generally respected by all who knew her. During her lifetime, she has been a devoted member of the German Baptist church. The last obsequies were observed at the Dunkard church last Monday. Rev. Houston, of Van Wert, conducted the services. The remains were laid at rest in their cemetery on the Ridge."
Walter's stone, tilting against his mother's tomb in Poplar Ridge Cemetery
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William Howard Schram
"Died. William Howard, infant son of Nicholas J and Lola M. Schram, April 22nd, 1898, aged 4 months and seven days. Funeral services were held at the U.B. church at Jewell, O. April 24, conduced by Rev. S. L. Valentine. Interment was made in Independence cemetery.
Nicholas and Lula Maud Schram were my great-grandparents, and the child was named after his grandfather, William Henry Palmer, also of Jewell.
ReplyDeleteNicholas and Lula Maud Schram were my great-grandparents, and William Henry was their first child. He was named after her father, William Henry Palmer, also of Jewell, a Civil War veteran.
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