Workmen Excavate Giant Fish in East Side Lowland of Defiance

 

From the Crescent-News, April 1, 1918, p. 2 --

"WORKMEN EXCAVATE GIANT FISH IN EAST SIDE LOWLAND

Workmen excavating in the East Defiance flats came upon a remarkable find this morning in the skeleton of what must have been a giant prehistoric fish.  While the remains resemble a fish, yet they might be that of a giant bird of some kind.  The fish theory is thought to be the most plausible; however, as scientists have always maintained that this section of northwestern Ohio was once a part of Lake Erie.  Evidence of this fact is shown in the North Ridge and the South Ridge, which it is claimed, were the shores of the old lake.

The lake, however, was never thought to have reached Defiance.  There is a possibility that inlets might have reached as far south as the city, however, or the great fish might have been cast this far south by a great storm.  Nevertheless, the remains were there.

The skeleton is fifteen feet, seven inches in length The fish evidently had the form of a lizard with a horrible saw tooth back.  The jaws resembled those of an alligator but were much longer.  There are monster teeth showing that the big fish fed on other fish.

Only the head of the fish was found in the excavation for the house, but the workmen followed the line of the skeleton and dug back, uncovering the entire skeleton.  The Ohio Geological Research Society has been notified by telegraph and will send a representative here who will properly pack the bones and take them to Columbus.

Folks who have read this story must not forget that it is April 1st, commonly referred to as April Fool's Day..,"

OUR NEW WEBSITE

 

• 

We've moved!

Our new website address is:

https://sites.google.com/view/defiancecountygenealogysociety/home

For your convenience, you may want to save this in your favorites.  Check back often to see if there are new additions to the site.

Old Account Book of the Norway Store, Williams Center and Farmer, 1863

 

The Home of Clyde and Gertrude Norway in Farmer, probably the early 1920s.

From The Bryan Press,  Bryan, Ohio, 4 February 1932:

"Norway's 1863 Book Oldest Yet Reported

Clyde Norway, of Farmer Center, has brought to the Press office another old account book to be entered in the contest.

It is the cash book begun by his father, John Norway, when he opened a general store in Williams Center, Nov 2, 1863.  Some time between 1863 and 1869, John Norway moved his store, which he had started in partnership with a brother-in-law, Mills, to Farmer and the store has been located there in possession of the Norway family ever since

Clyde evidently has the winning entry in the contest with his 1863 book, but says his grandfather was in business at Farmer previous to 1863 and that if anyone shows up with an older book, he will dig into the attic and see what he can find.

Among the unusual entries in the 1863 book is one of five dressed wild turkeys, bought of Isiah Johnson for five cents a pound.  Clover seed sold to James Lane for 11 1/2 cents per pound.  Elias Tharp purchased sugar at 15 cents a pound and coffee at 40 cents a pound.  A muskrat skin brought 10 cents. Wood was $1 per cord. Muslin was 35 cents per yard.  Eggs were 10 cents per dozen.  Dressed ducks and chickens sold for 5 cents per pound.  The book bears a note of sale to James Wines for candle molds and two pairs of coffin hinges

Among the familiar names in the Norway book are O. E. Ensign, P. Castor, James Gardner, William Lane, J. Dillman, T. C. Biglow, William Griswold, Jacob Rager, Phillip Stohl, Ed Eager and others who have descendants living around Williams and Farmer Centers today."

Assuming this photo was taken in 1946, the year Farmer won the Ohio Class B Basketball state championship.  

The Aloha, 1923, advertisements

Any information on this record book from the Norway store?  Please share, if you do!

"

Is RALPH COBURN in Your Family Tree?

 Over the years, we collect photos that folks donate to us.  We would like to get these photos back to the family where each belongs.  

Please message us or email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo and we will send it to you? Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person in the photo.

RALPH COBURN'S commencement announcement from

Hicksville High School, 1904

Is FRIEDA V. SPANGLER in Your Family Tree?

 

Over the years, we collect photos or memorabilia that folks donate to us.  We would like to return these things back to the family where each belongs.  

Please message us or email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo or item and we will send it to you.  

Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person represented.

Invitation to the Commencement Exercises at Farmer Township High School, 1928

May 18th at the Church of Christ, Farmer, Ohio

Is ANNA REBESEL HECKENBERRY in Your Family Tree?

 Over the years, we collect photos or items that folks donate to us.  We would like to return these back to the family where each belongs.  

Please email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo and we will send it to you? 

Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person in the photo.

The back of the photo states:

Anna (Rebesel) Heckenberry, lived in Akron, Ohio

No date.

World War I Series - Charles Butler

 

Charles Butler

Charles Butler, the last of the soldiers in this series, was an enigma for quite a while.  He was born in Michigan, was on the 1900 and 1910 censuses with his parents in Minnesota, lived in Defiance for a short time, and enlisted in Ohio and then joined the National Army in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Charles was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, on November 15, 1889, the son of Charles Carroll Butler, Sr. and his wife, Alice M. Parmalee.  Charles, the soldier, was actually a junior to his father, but he never used his middle initial or the junior on the documents for the military.  His parents were born in Wisconsin, adding to their travel journey.  From at least 1900 until their son's death, the family lived in Virginia, St. Louis County, Minnesota.  

Why Charles was in Defiance, Ohio in 1917 when he enlisted is a mystery, but the book, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, placed him there, living at 814 Clinton Street. He seemed to claim Defiance as is residence in all things military. Nothing could be found on his life in Defiance.  

After enlisting on November 23, 1917, into the National Army at 28 years old, he was placed in Company A, 304th Engineers where he stayed until January 7, 1918.  By occupation, Charles had trained as a civil engineer at the University of Wisconsin, and on the 1910 census was employed by the city of Virginia, Minnesota as such. He was last assigned in the Army to Company A, 301st Battalion TC (Tank Corps). 

On March 28, 1918, Charles departed New York City on the ship Olympic, headed for France. His contact person was his mother, Alice P (Parmalee) Butler.  He was with the 65th Engineers, Company A, Heavy Tank Section. (It is unknown if his father was alive at this time.)

He moved up the ranks quickly from his first assignment as a Private until he was promoted to Captain on February 25, 1918, and finally, Sergeant on March 3, 1918.  He was part of the Somme Second Offensive, often called one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

At first, Charles was reported as Missing in Action during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, but later that was changed to Killed in Action.  He was declared dead on September 28, 1918.  His name rests on the "Tablets of the Missing" at the Somme American Cemetery, Bony, Aisne, France.

His body, if found later, was memorialized in the Somme American Cemetery. For his bravery, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a World War I Victory Medal with one bronze service star, posthumously.  No obituary or photograph of him could be found.

Defiance Crescent-News, May 17, 1921

"Butler Street 

Sgt. Charles Butler

 Co. A 301st Tank Battalion 

Killed in Action 

Somme Offensive, France 

September 28th, 1918"

In Memoriam

Charles Carroll Butler, Jr.

World War I Series - Edward Wilson

 

Edward R. Wilson

The following announcement appeared in several local papers:

"EDWARD WILSON, FIRST DEFIANCE BOY KILLED IN FRANCE

In the announcement of the American casualty list from France appears the name of Edward Wilson, Defiance, Ohio.  This is the first Defiance County man to meet death in France in the battle for worldwide liberty and democracy.

The Crescent News today received the following telegram: Meredith, N.H. - April 12, Edward Wilson, Defiance, O., killed in France.

It was impossible to find any information concerning the young man.  His name is not contained on the county registration list, nor is it on the list of men to go through the local recruiting station."

But now the mystery is solved as to why his name appears on the Defiance County World War I memorial...he was BORN in Defiance, and he was killed in action.

A small article in the Defiance Crescent-News, April 15, 1918, cleared up the mystery:

"GRANDMOTHER OF EDWARD R. WILSON LIVES IN DEFIANCE

Edward R. Wilson, the Defiance boy who was killed in France, as stated on the casualty list in the Crescent-News Friday was born in Defiance and is the son of Mrs. O.A. Wilson of Summerville, Mass, who will be remembered in Defiance as Nellie Rieker.

The young man enlisted in the service at Summerville. He was born here at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Esther Rieker, 623 Sessions street, North Defiance.

His grandmother is grieved over the loss of her grandson, who has given his life that the cause of worldwide liberty might be successful."

Edward Rieker Wilson was the only child of Ellen Elizabeth Rieker and Otis A. Wilson. Edward was born in Defiance on July 21, 1894, but by 1900 the family had settled in at 26 Laurel Street, Somerville, Massachusetts. In the Federal Census of 1900 in that place, Otis, age 42, was a railroad clerk, and he and Ellen, 32, had been married seven years.  Litle Edward had already started school at age 5.

So, it makes sense that Edward registered for the draft there on June 5, 1917. He was 22 years old, and he was in the Engineering Department of the Boston and Maine Railroad. He had recent military experience in the 1st Massachusetts Engineers of the National Guard for a four-week stint in May, 1917.  He was tall and of medium build with gray eyes and light brown hair.

He waa put into the military, Company E, 101st Engineers, 26th Division and traveled overseas on September 26, 1917. The 26th Division was known as the "Yankee Division" because it was mostly young men from the New England states. Edward was killed near Bouconville, France and buried in France for a while before his remains were sent home in June, 1921.

The Defiance Crescent-News reported back home on April 23, 1918, what the events were in Somerville, reporting back from the Massachusetts newspaper:

"GIVES ACCOUNT OF SACRIFICE OF EDWARD R. WILSON

The Sommerset, Mass. Journal contains the following account of the death of Private Edward R. Wilson, who met death in France, and who was born in Defiance and has relatives here:

'The parents of Private Edward R. Wilson of Company E, 101st Engineers were notified that he had been killed in action in France.  He was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Otis A. Wilson of 11 Willoughby Street.

The young man was born in Defiance, Ohio and was 24 years of age.  He came to Sommerville in 1898 and attended the Sommerville schools, and afterwards attended Sommerville High School, and later Mt. Hermon school.  He then entered the engineering department of the Boston & Maine Railroad.  He enlisted in Company E.  He was a member of the Winter Hill Baptist church and had many friends.

His relatives at Sommerville wrote the following to his grandmother, Mrs. Esther Rieker of this city: 

'A letter has come from the War Department confirming the telegram and giving assurance that Edward would be buried with all proper religious ceremonies and military honors. The letter also said that the grave would be marked and that the bodies of the soldiers are to be returned to this country after the war.'

Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts

The Boston Evening Globe of June 20, 1921, reported the burial of Edward in the United States:

"SOMERVILLE

The funeral of Edward R. Wilson, the first Somerville soldier killed in action in France, will be held at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis A. Wilson, 11 Willoughby Street.  He was born in Defiance, O., July 21, 1894, and was educated in the public schools of this city.  

He served with Co. C, 101st United States Engineers and was killed in action on April 8, 1918.  What was formerly Oak Square, this city, was renamed Edward Wilson Sq. in his honor by the City Government."

The 26th Division was fighting near Belleau church during the part of the war when Edward was killed; in fact, the American artillery destroyed the church even prior to the final assault by their division.

"General Edwards told villagers that he would ensure the church was rebuilt. Money was raised by the Division's veterans and on Oct. 10, 1926, the (new) church was dedicated...  Within are commemorations, plaques and stained class windows honoring those, including Edward R. Wilson, who died in France.  It is the only memorial to this division."

A very nice online pilgrimage through the church, including the honorary plaques, is available by clicking here.

In Memoriam

Edward R. Wilson