W. P. A. Cemetery Survey - Hill Cemetery, Highland Township

The Works Progress Administration was formed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in reaction to the Great Depression as a means of employing Americans and stimulating the economy.  Established in 1935, one of the projects of the W.P.A. was to conduct Historical Records Surveys, one of which included finding information on cemeteries and the graves of veterans.  The W.P.A. was disbanded in 1943, but the historical information provided on these surveys continue to be of interest and are, thankfully, preserved.

In this series, some of the general surveys of Defiance County cemeteries will be shared, transcribed as written with a few punctuation and/or spelling changes for readability.  The surveys were probably done around 1936.

For more up to date information on the cemeteries, check out this chart on our website:
 http://defiancecountygenealogy.org/cemeteries.html

Hill Cemetery

Highland Township

1. Name of cemetery:

The Hill Graveyard, so named for two reasons: first, it sets on top of a sand mound with valleys on every side and second, it is on the Hill farm and the first man buried in it was named Hill.  Also, in the beginning, it was the private burial grounds of the Hills.

2. Location, how reached:

The Hill Cemetery is in section 10, Highland Township, Defiance County, one mile south and one half mile east of Ayresville Village on a sand road and in a very picturesque spot.

3. Name and address of caretaker:

George Berringer, R. R. #6, Defiance, Ohio

Photo from www.findagrave.com

4. General description, size, appearance, etc.:

The Hill Cemetery sets of top of a sand knoll, overlooking a fertile farming region.  At one time, by the site of the graveyard was a church which was torn down a few years ago.  The graveyard is not kept up as well as it might be, weeds and grass being high.  The caretaker only gets paid for one day a month or when a grave has to be dug.  It is shaded with numerous large trees of cedar and sycamore.  It is fenced along the road.  It is undenominational at the present time, formerly was the Methoist Cemetery, but now kept up by the trustees of Highland Township.  There is two acres in the ground. 

5.Name and date of first burial recorded:

Jane Hill, wife of Harvey Hill, is the first person buried here.  She died in 1852 and a large pedestal marker of gray granite is erected to her memory.

Jane Hill - www.findagrave.com

6. Names of important persons buried there:

 Early pioneer settlers of Highland Township are the most important people.  This graveyard was started sometime after the Ayresville graveyard, north of Ayresville. People, however, of the same families seem to be buried here as at Ayresville. 

Harvey Hill, the greatest man and the great ancestor of the Hills now living in Highland Township, is the most foremost citizen buried here.  

Harvey J Hill - www.findagrave.com

Also John K. Myers, Justice of the Peace of Highland Township for 40 years and well known throughout Defiance County, is buried here.

Also John M. Myers, a cousin of the last named Myers and Master of Ceremonies of the G.A.R. Bishop Post of Defiance County for 20 years.  He died in 1919, is buried here.

This is the first graveyard found so far in which colored persons are buried.

Charles Mumford, a southern slave who migrated to Highland Township during the Civil War and owned a farm and raised a family.  The only living relative of his now in Defiance County is Bell Hitower (Hightower), who lives near here.

William Mumford (born 1818) - www.findagrave.com

Other important personages are the Fulmers, Blanchards and Dunlaps.

7. Markers of unusual appearance:

The highest marker is that of Harvey and Jane Hill which stands at the entrance gate.  It is of gray granite and of the pillar type, with a Doric capital on top of it.  The finest and most modern marker is a heavy, red granite one about five feet high, three feet wide and a foot and one half thick, with three carved logs on top of it.  This belongs to the Dunlaps.

Dunlap stone - www.findagrave.com

 

8. Unusual epitaphs:  None

9. Is cemetery used for new burials?
This cemetery is now used; however, no new lots are being sold or laid out in it.  It is only for the people who have relatives buried there.

C. Cadwallader and Charles Gish, Reporters

Brothers Quarrel in Tiffin Township

From the Defiance Democrat - August 23, 1894

"BROTHERS QUARREL.

Results in the Death of Albert Allen.

LAFAYETTE ALLEN IN JAIL.

Sad Occurence in Tiffin Township at a Brick Yard 

Owned by the Allens and Millers.

Albert Allen lay cold in death at the residence of his brother, Lafayette, in Tiffin township Thursday.

Lafayette, his brother, is in the county jail to await the finding of an inquest being held by Coroner Westrick.  Lafayette Allen is perhaps directly or indirectly the cause of Albert's death, although there are circumstances connected with the affair tending to show that Lafayette acted in self-defense, being threatened by his brother.

A representative of the DEM. visited the scene of the tragedy last Thursday, which is a tile yard in Tiffin township, about one mile west of the Banner school house.  The tile mill is not a very elaborate affair. It is owned by John and Lafayette Allen and George and Henry Miller.  The mill is located on the Miller farm.

John and Lafayette live a short distance from the mill, as both are married and have quite large families. Albert Allen, a brother aged 45, works for the firm.  He is at present, unmarried but has been married twice, and has a son sixteen years old. Albert has been boarding with Lafayette.  It is said he had an ungovernable temper and when in a rage, was almost insane.

An eyewitness to the occurence that led to the death of Albert, Louis Emmons, tells the following story:
About ten o'clock yesterday the force of the tile mill, the Allen boys, himself and Henry Miller, was engaged in putting tile in a kiln to prepare it for burning.  Lafayette was on top of the kiln, placing the brick and tile in position.  Albert Allen was wheeling tile from the shed, a short distance, and tossing them to Lafayette to place.  The latter called to Albert to bring him some six-inch tile and a dispute arose in regard to the work, which became quite animated.  The size of the tile to be placed seemed to be the question in dispute.

Finally Albert said to Lafayette, "Come down here and I'll give you a G_D_ licking!"
Lafayette declined to come down as Albert was on the ground.  Then Albert threw a brick at Lafayette which barely missed his head.  Lafayette dodged it.  John Allen, who was near, remonstrated with Albert, when he said to John, "I'll go up and give him a d_d good licking and knock the h_ out of him."  

Lafayette then told Albert he did not wish any trouble and warned him to keep down.  Albert, it appears, was in a passion he could not control, and he started to climb up the side of the kiln, which he found somewhat difficult.  When he drew near to Lafayette, the latter had what is known as a dry brick in his hand, one not burned.  He raised it in both hands and struck Albert on the back of the head; the latter fell backward and struck his right temple on the side of the kiln.  In falling, he jarred some of the bricks loose and seven or eight struck him.  They must have hit him on the back of the head.




Albert fell, but soon arose and placed his hand to his head, when he said, "G_d_you, as soon as I get on my feet again, I'll whip h_ out of you."  Then Albert went into the shed used for drying tile and brick and laid down.  The brothers did not think his injuries were serious.  The men continued to pass in and out of the shed, loading their trucks with dried tile and brick to put in the kiln.

At noon they went to dinner, but Albert did not accompany them.  When they returned from dinner, they found Albert in the shed unconscious.  They thought at first he was asleep.  About two o'clock John said to Lafayette, "I believe Al is hurt worse than we think."

Albert was then taken to Lafayette's house.  Mrs. Lafayette Allen details what happened then.  She says Albert laid in a stuper unconscious until he died.  Dr. Westrick was summoned and arrived some time in the afternoon.  She says his pulse ran high and a frothy substance came from his mouth, which afterward became bloody.  He died about 9:30.  

Mrs. Allen said herself and her husband gave him the best care possible.  She says Albert had a bad temper and was always trying to involve Lafayette in a quarrel. The dead man was much stronger and larger than his brother, and weighed 215 pounds.  Lafayette is almost crazy over the unfortunate affair.  When the DEM. man was there Thursday morning, John and Lafayette had come to town to purchase a casket.  

The eye-witnesses to the affair besides Lafayette were John Allen, Louis Emmons and Henry Miller, and they all tell the same story.  Mrs. Allen is a daughter of John Myers of Highland township and Lafayette has quite a family of children.  The formerly resided near Ayersville.  

It is the opinion of many that Albert's death resulted from internal injuries he received by the fall of the brick which fell on him.  Coroner Westrick is investigating the matter.  Himself and Dr. Stevens holding a post mortem examination on the body last Thursday.  The investigation is being held at Allen's house. Those who saw the affair as well as those who know of anything that will throw any light on the matter will be called upon to give evidence in the unfortunate occurence.

Lafayette came to town this forenoon and when he heard that an investigation was to be instituted, he gave himself up voluntarily and went to jail.  He was visited by a DEM. man in the afternoon.  He talked freely of the affair and expressed much regret.  He says he held the brick in his hand when he struck Albert's hand which he had placed on his head to avoid the blow and struck him purely in self defense as he could not get away from his brother, and he wished to avoid an encounter if possible, as he did not court trouble.  Mr. Allen says his brother has repeatedly threatened to do him bodily harm and tried to assault him one day last week.  His brother, John, tried to pacify Albert Wednesday, but could do nothing with him.

Mr. Allen says he is forty years old and has three children and ...and seems to think he should be held blameless in the matter.  
The funeral of the dead man was held at Ayersville last Friday at one o'clock at the Baptist church.  Rev. Doll having charge of the services."