Civil War Pensioners in Defiance County - 1884 - Outlying Towns and Villages

                Pensioners - Farmer, Mark Center, Ney, Sherwood, The Bend, 

Wilseyville, Jewell, Evansport, Cicero

            "PENSIONERS

A List of Wounded and Disabled Soldiers in Defiance County

Below is a list of persons in Defiance County who were on the pension list of the United States, January 1, 1884, together with their injuries and the amounts they received."

The Defiance County Express, January 17, 1884, pg. 16

FARMER

Brown, Mary, widow, $8.00

Martin, Reuben, survivor, 1812, $8.00

Hosack, Uriah W., wounded in right shoulder, $4.00

Sweet, Harry, wounded in left shoulder, $8.00

Cory, Edwin, wounded in left humerus, $18.00

Houck, Benjamin F., wound in left arm, $18.00

Mavis, Abraham J., wounded in left side, $3.00

Rice, Hiram F., wounded in buttocks, $4.00

McConkey, Andrew P., varicose veins, $8.00

Kimmel, Rinaldo, hypertrophy, $6.00  (enlargement of organ, such as the heart)

MARK CENTER

Rohn Charlotte O., widow, $8.00

Wolf, Mary, widow 1812, $8.00

Horn, James W., loss part of finger, $2.00

Hagen, Paul, wound in left arm, ?

Horn, Thomas A., wound in right forearm, $4.00

Critchfield, Lyman, R., varicose veins, $8.00

Wineland, David, varicose veins, $6.00

Fitzgerald, Eleanor, widow, $8.00

NEY

Stinger, John, widow, $10.00

Bostater, Abram, amputed left leg, $6.00

Lichty, Joseph, disease of the eyes, $6.00

SHERWOOD

Reyff, Eusebuis, wound in left shoulder, $6.00

Rock, Henry Sr., wound in left arm, $6.00

Bloom, Samuel L. , chronic rheumatism, $6.00

THE BEND

Wagner, John, wound in face, loss of eye, $8.00

Anderson, James, disease of the liver, $6.30

WILSEYVILLE

Hatter, William M., wound in right arm, $18.00

JEWELL

Palmer, William H., wound in head and chronic diarrhea, $8.00

EVANSPORT

Allen, Louisa, widow, $8.00

Sullinger, Sarah, widow 1812, $8.00

Holopeter, Gideon W., wound in right shoulder, $5.00

Nagel, Christopher, wound in left shoulder, $6.00

Cameron, John S, wound in right thigh, $1.00

CICERO

Cornell, Charles, injury to abdomen, $2.00

The Village of Mark Center in 1889 or 1890

 

"This picture dips back into the history of Mark Center for a good many years, for it was taken in either 1889 or 1890.  Mrs. Ollie Fraze, who loaned it to The Chronicle through her brother, Clyde Elder, isn't positive of the year, but this much is certain: It is one of the oldest views of the town's main street in existance.

You are 'looking south' in this picture, and the first building on the right is Hire's Store.  Next to it is the Agricultural Building where for many years, people of the community staged their various meetings and get-togethers.

Across the street from Hire's Store is the Elder Hotel operated by the Curt Elders.

Next to the Hotel is the depot, while across the railroad tracks in the distance is the saloon operated for many years by Jake Hoblantz.

Reproduction of a picture of this age, dimmed by time, is very difficult, and it is therefore impossible for the reader to distinguish the individuals who posed for the photographer.  However, some names still familiar to Mark folk are involved -

Marion Hartshorn, Al McBride, George Rice (owner of the spring wagon and mules), Clyde Elder (a little boy in a plaid waist), Ollie Elder Fraze, Glen Elder, Ida Rice, Maggie Williams Gecowets, Flo Hire, the wife and John, and Charley."

The Chronicle, Sherwood, Ohio, 2 December 1948

The History of Defiance County, 1883, noted that the village of Mark Center exists because the the railroad that moved through the area.  The town itself was platted in 1875, just about 15 years before the photo above was taken.

However, the township, itself was formed much earlier, in 1850, by the County Commissioners.  The township was to be named Kenton in honor of one of the first settlers there, Mark Kenton.  But because Ohio already had a Kenton, Mark was chosen as the name.  The town was Mark Center because it stood at approximately the center of the township.

Civil War Vet and Rural Mail Carrier in Mark Township - Curtis Sylvander Elder

 The Hicksville Tribune, January 2, 1908, p. 8:

"This post card was received by the R.F.D. News in Chicago, Illinois -

Mark Center: - We are in receipt of a souvenir post card, showing the portrait of C. S. Elder, the only carrier of Mark Center.  Mr. Elder is standing by his mail wagon and intelligent looking horse, and in the wagon stands his little daughter, Ruth, a charming child of five years of age.

Mr. Elder is a veteran of the civil war, enlisted in 1863 at 17 years of age and rode with Sherman to the sea in Kilpatrick's famous cavalry division.  Mr. Elder has been carrying mail since February 15, 1905."

This photo is a part of the Mary G. Smith Photo Collection and was provided by Dianne Grimm.

Curtis Elder's little girl, Ruth, was 5 at the time of photo, dating it to about 1913, and her father was 68.  She was the youngest of eleven children through two different wives.

Born in Pennsylvania on November 19, 1845, Curtis came to Ohio with his family and settled in Seneca County, Ohio.  In the Federal Census of 1860, he lived with his widowed mother, Eliza, and five siblings.  His mother, widow of Achor Elder, was only 39, and she was left with real estate worth $2150; Curtis was 15 at the time.  Just two years later he would enlist for the Union side.

Curtis enlisted on November 5, 1863 into the 9th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Company K at the age of 17. He was all over the south with the Cavalry and often in some large battles, including the Battle for Atlanta.  He rode with Hugh Jackson Kirkpatrick who advanced to a brevet general by the end of the war.  However, Kirkpatrick was not always respected by his soldiers.  Kirkpatrick was a man who took risks with his soldiers, using battle tactics that put them in danger.  Discharged on July 25, 1865, Curtis made his way back to Seneca County, Ohio.

He married Tena (Dinah) Stahl on 23 September 1869 there and the couple had five children: Estella E., Ollie E., Charley, Earl and Lillian.  Tena died on the Elder homestead in Seneca County on March 10, 1881. (Another source gave the death date as 8 March 1882). She was buried in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Jackson Twp., Seneca County. In 1881 - 1882, some of the Elder family, including the widower, Curtis, and his children made their way to Mark Township, Defiance County, Ohio. 

A second marriage to Emma Jane Crawford occurred on January 21, 1883.  Emma was significantly younger than Curtis by about 15 - 16 years.  They added to their family: Carrie, Clyde, Glenn, Rodney, Levon, Thelma, and Ruth (born 1903). In 1888, Curtis purchased his own farm - 80 acres in Sections 14 and 15, Mark Township.  The Federal Census enumerator found him and his family there in 1900 - 1920. 

He was a farmer, but at some point he became the rural mail carrier, the one and only in Mark Township.  His brother, Clyde, known for his store in Mark Center, was his substitute, both having passed the civil service exam necessary. One newspaper described him as Mark Center's genial and obliging mail carrier,  a "jolly" man.

Photo is from the Mary G. Smith Photo Collection and was provided by Dianne Grimm.

Curtis Sylvander Elder died at his home in Mark Township on October 31, 1923. The Defiance Crescent-News reported on November 6, 1923 on page 5:

"Curtis S. Elder.  The funeral of Curtis S. Elder of Mark Center, who died suddenly Wednesday, was held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at the house, and at 2 p.m. at the M.E. church in Mark Center with Dr. J. F. Olive officiating, assisted by Rev. Arthur, Rev. Colgan and Rev. Hurtig.

Pall bearers were the four sons: Clyde, Glen, Dale and Levon Elder and grandsons, Harry Brubaker and Noah Hull. 

Flower bearers were Class No. 8 of the Mark Center Sunday School which Mr. Elder taught for several years.  Interment was in Sherwood Cemetery."

Curtis' wife, Emma, lived twenty more years, passing away on October 11, 1943. 

"EMMA ELDER, 80, TAKEN BY DEATH.  

MARK CENTER WOMAN DIES AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS ILLLNESS.

Mark Center, Oct. 11 - Mrs. Emma Elder, 80, widow of Curtis Elder, who died in 1923, passed away this morning at her home here, following an illness of several months due to infirmities of age.

The body was removed to the Perkins and Reeb funeral home in Hicksville, and will be returned to the residence at noon on Tuesday.  Burial will be made in Sherwood cemetery following services which will be arranged later.

Mrs. Elder was born and reared in Mark township and was a member of the Methodist Church.

She leaves six children: Mrs. Carrie Heater, South Ridge, Mass.; Clyde and Lavon Elder, both of Mark Center; Glen Elder, Hicksville; Mrs. Thelma Conley, Inglewood, Calif.; and Mrs Ruth Decker, Sherwood; three step daughters, Mrs. Lillian Hull, of Kendallville, Ind.; Mrs. Stella Brubaker, West Mill Grove, Ohio, and Mrs. Ollie Frazer, Paulding; a sister, Mrs. Ella Deardorf, Hicksville; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A son, Dale Elder of Defiance preceded her in death last January."

Note - For those researching the Elder family more in death, here are two sources:

1. In the archives of Bowling Green State University, a file on Sarah V. Elder, born 1840, sister to Curtis, letters, photocopies, transcripts from the Civil War and later, 1854 - 1896 archived.  Sarah married Joshua Dicken who served in the Civil War.

2. The Historical Record of the Elder Famiy by Lillian Elder Hull, daughter of Curtis. It can be found in its entirety online.

Who Remembers the Funnel Inn in Mark Center? Part 1

 The rumors relate that there were some wild times in The Funnel Inn (later called Paradise Palms) on the main drag in Mark Center, Ohio.  The tavern, opened from sometime in the 1950s until 1970, when it burnt down completely, had people visiting from all over the area, including Indiana. Numerous reports hit the papers of bartenders or waitresses serving minors 3.2 beer or mixed drinks.  Several times the building itself was crashed into by inebriated drivers just trying to get out of the parking lot.  And occasionally, fists flew and weapons were drawn.

In February and March of 1961, when the bar was owned by Kelly Hayes, burglars thought they could take advantage and relieve the business of some cash. Hayes, who lived across the street, had different ideas.  On February 20, 1961, Hayes closed down the bar around 1 a.m. and then went to the Vagabond on Rt. 24 to grab a bite to eat.  Upon returning home around 3 a.m., he spotted a car with two men driving by, and soon one of those men was busy breaking into the tavern.

"He (Hayes) grabbed his 12 gauge shotgun and the Luger pistol and ran into the street.  When he saw a man pass a front window and approach a cigarette machine on the northeast side of the inn, Hayes fired three shotgun loads through a window.  As the man ran toward the south side of the building, Hayes fired again through a door window and a fifth shotgun blast as the man broke a window on the south side and ran.  Hayes then fired at him with the Luger.  When the suspect's car sped away, Hayes pursued in his own auto."

Deputy Sheriff Doug Zeigler and his men found the burglers' abandoned car along route 24 with its blood stained handles.  As it turned out, Sites' wife took him to St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne where Sites had to have his right eye removed via surgery.  He also had two shotgun pellets imbedded in his forehead and a third in the right shoulder.  Risley was the getaway car driver. They both spent some time in Mansfield Prison.

In July, 1961, the Funnel Inn was hit again, after Larry Wayne Fett tried to get into the inn around 3 a.m. in the morning.  A neighbor, Mr. Miller, nabbed him.

Fett pleaded his innocence, but a sack containing $45 in change was found in his pocket, probably from the cigarette and shuffle board machines which he had taken earlier and dumped in the bushes.

And then there was the time that someone took a pretty terrifying ride on the hood of a car at 110 mph.  In September, 1965, Deputy Norval L. Stairhime, Noel "Butch" Melia and Jerry Finn, posse members, were about to leave the Funnel Inn after checking on it when Clarence Powell, 23, ran up to them to report that a man had stolen a girl's purse.

"The man (Powell) then ran outside and jumped into the path of a car driven by James A. Harter, 23, Fort Wayne, attempting to flag it down, the deputy said.  The car struck Powell, hurling him onto the hood to which he clung as the vehicle pulled out of the lot at a high rate of speed, turning north onto Farmer-Mark Road.  The vehicle ran the State Route 18 stop sign at about 80 miles an hour and Powell was thrown onto the roof by the wind pressure, the officer said.

As the sheriff pursued the car north at speeds up to 110 miles an hour, Powell clung to the rain gutters, the force of the wind cutting both hands.  The car was stopped and Harter and a passenger, Mike Conroy, 23, also of Fort Wayne, were taken into custody."

The car was stopped a half mile south of Farmer by a deputy sheriff and two posse members. The purse which had been stolen from Connie Mason, 22, Garrett, Ind. was found along the highway, thrown from the car. Some of its contents were also discovered in the car. The driver was under the influence of alcohol and charged, of course, and Powell, had a bump on the forehead and injury and cuts to both hands.  

To be continued...

Mark Center Elementary Class, 1932-1933

Seated, L to R: Royal Walker, Alvin Haver, Edward Schliesser, John Nagy

Second Row, Seated: Neva Apple, Elenore Cordray, Hellen Burd, Estella Businger,  Doris Lautz, Marie Reeb, Margaret Mary Rassi

Third Row: Thomas Haver, Alvin Yoder, Barbara Briskey, Doris Poth, Irene Arend, Daniel Briskey, John Henry Yoder

Top Row: Ivan Arend, Ralph Long, Harry Beltz, Lowell Bussinger, Gale Worrick, Carl Wort, Robert Dunmire, Henry Gecowets - Teacher

Haller Post, G.A.R., Mark Center, Ohio

When the Haller Post met in Mark Center on January 13, 1904, to make plans for their next year, they elected the following officers, according to one Defiance newspaper of the time:

Post Commander: A. N. Dunmier
S. V. - G. W. Spealman
J. V. - W. L. Brown
Q. M. (Quarter Master) - Paul Hagan
O. D. - C. S. Elder
O. G. - A. J. Byers
Adjutant - H. L. Wallace
Surgeon - O. W. Hnoch (Enoch?)
Chaplain - A. L. Hughes

One other member known was William H. Grow. 

Who were the other members of this group?  Do the post records still exist?  Although the newspaper reported this as Post #436, that number is given to a different post in the official list of GAR posts and the Mark Center Post is not recognized at all.  Was it not chartered?

So many questions - can anyone answer?
 

"Justice Orcutt Disposes of Much Business"

"JUSTICE ORCUTT DISPOSES OF MUCH BUSINESS

Joshua West and His Wife Have a Little

Domestic Difficulty

Justice Orcutt was as busy as a post master or land office agent late Thursday afternoon and he broke all previous records into smithereens.

Rosa Woodcox brought a paternity charge against Carl Shultz.  The young man was produced in court and after the usual preliminaries, he was held to common pleas court in the sum of $500.  The bail was forthcoming and he was released.

Dan Rohn, the man who did the cowboy act at Mark Center, became sufficiently sober in the afternoon to admit of a hearing.  He was charged with using obscene language and was held to common pleas court in the sum of $100.  He could not furnish the bond and he will be a guest of Sheriff Tuttle until his case is disposed of.

The star hearing was that of Joshua West.  Josh must be a bad man, according to the statements made by his wife.  This is another case where Mark Center had another inning in court, as both parties live up there.

West was arrested on a peace warrant at the instance of his wife.  She says he slapped and kicked her Thursday and exhibits the bruises in evidence.  Josh says his wife is guilty of bigamy as she married him 21 years ago and had a husband living at the time, but she assured him she had secured a divorce.  He was held to probate court in the sum of $100 to keep the peace."

From the Defiance Democrat, May, 1895

Mark Township Schools Graduation - July 7, 1910

In 1910, the nine district schools in Mark Township had a combined commencement ceremony, held at the Methodist Church in Mark Center.  At that time, eighth grade students were required to pass the Boxwell-Patterson exam to graduate and go on to high school.  The exam was given in April or May, but here graduation doesn't occur until July.  Maybe time was needed for the exams to be graded? 

Question 1 from each section of the Boxwell-Patterson Examination of May, 1910:

Geography -
1. Draw an outline map of Ohio showing your own county and a few others, five cities, five rivers, and such other localities as you think will help to make a good map.

Arithmetic -
1. Write the table by which we buy cloth.  The table by which we buy land.  The table by which we buy vinegar.  The table by which we measure time.

Physiology -
1. Describe a bone.  Give the uses of the skeleton

U.S. History/ Civil Government
1. Why should we remember July 4th?  February 22?  February 12?  September 10, 1813?  The year 1803?  Describe an event in connection with one of these dates.

Grammar -
1. Name at least five kinds of sentences.  Write an example of each you have named.

Reading - The teacher will conduct an oral exam.

Writing - 
1. Write four lines of poetry.  The regularity of the letters and the legibility of the writing will be graded.

Orthography -
1. Mark these words showing the proper pronunciation:  Hallo, iceberg, surface, leisure, precinct, portico, exile, Gibralter, corral, busy.

So...how did you do? Comment on your success!

Some Early Postmasters in the Small Towns of Defiance County

In the early days before rural free delivery, mail could be picked up at a designated local store or a home in a particular village.  The postmasters were appointed, and in this list below, surprisingly, one will find quite a few women listed. 
Many of the small villages no longer exist, but may be found on the old plat maps.

Postmasters and Date of Appointment from the original book of the Appointments of U. S. Postmasters:

Adams Ridge
John Conn - Sept. 24, 1869
John Curtland - June 6, 1881
John Davison - Oct. 31, 1881
John L. Davison - Nov. 28, 1881
Albert Rowe - June 23, 1884
Philip Schwartzel - Aug. 4, 1885

Ayersville
Eneas F. Palmer - Nov. 20, 1871
Jonathan M. Viets - Aug. 2, 1876
Nathan A. Boutell - Oct. 7. 1879
Mrs. Rachel Boutell - (date unreadable)
Alfred C. Henry - Aug. 23, 1889

Brunersburgh
Charles F. Clemmons - Oct. 9, 1869 
Wm. W. Warren - Mar. 31, 1874
Chas. F. Clemmons - Mar 24, 1875
Daniel Bruner - Dec. 15, 1879

Cicero
John F. Culler - Sept. 22, 1870
George W. Dickerhoof - May 22, 1885
Rudolph J. Battershell - May 14, 1886
Miss Rosa Miller - Nov. 11, 1886
John F. Haller - Nov. 30, 1889
William Battershell - July 3, 1890

Evansport
John Cameron - Oct. 30, 1865
Robt. B. Cameron - Sept. 6, 1875
Alvara Cameron - June 1881
Henry F. Toberon - June 1885
Asa Toberon Jan. 7, 1886
Thomas E. Snider - Jan. 23, 1888
Frederick Speiser - Apr. 4, 1888
Enoch B. Mapes - Aug. 23, 1889 

Farmer 
John Norway - Apr. 10, 1866
Emory E. Martin - Aug. 21, 1885
Mrs. Belle Bowker - May 21, 1889

Hicksville
Mrs. Julia C. Donafin - Feb. 16, 1870, reappointed in 1883
Jacob Wesner - July 3, 1886
John Berger - Aug. 7, 1890

Milo
George W. Chapman - Feb. 23, 1866
John D. Pearson - Aug 23, 1880
Post office closed on Feb. 5, 1884.  Mail to Farmer.

Ney
David E. Welker - Mar 8, 1870

Philip Crago  - Dec. 11, 1877
Philip M. Crago - Dec. 31, 1877
Jacob Warner - Apr. 28, 1885
John Paxton - July 22, 1889

Wilseyville
William McCaller - Feb. 20, 1869
Bella B. Beebee - Aug 12, 1874
Mrs. Elizabeth Osmun - Sept. 30, 1875
Wm. M. Haller - June 6, 1876
Closed Apr. 16, 1883.  Mail to Cicero.

Sherwood
Johnson Miller - Oct. 24, 1874
Geo. Rock - Feb. 4, 1876
M. H. Robertson - Jan. 15, 1884
William W. Heuff - Dec. 8, 1885
John Rock - June 17, 1889
T. Maud Boor - May 15, 1891

White City
Saul D. Snyder - July 6, 1875
Jos. Howard - Feb. 24, 1876
Closed July 5, 1876.

Mark Center
Mrs. Marietta Kyle - July 6, 1875
Saul D. Snyder - Feb. 24, 1871
Josiah Kyle - Sept. 1876
Reinhart F. Hecht - Nov. 15, 1878
Miss Matilda Knight - Apr. 9, 1885
Mrs. Matilda Clapper - Apr. 14, 1886
Julia S. Long - Dec. 14, 1887
Ida Rice - June 3, 1890

Jewell
Simon P. Seiple - Jan. 26, 1876
Welcome G. Mason - Oct. 13, 1879
Joseph Otte - Apr 1, 1881
Edward H. Trowbridge - Nov. 20, 1882
Andrew M. Haight - Jan. 15, 1884
Conrad Moore - June 18, 1885
Charles G. Shasteen - Aug. 23, 1889

Delaware Bend
Daniel Haynes - May 21, 1877
Wallace D. Haynes - Aug. 28, 1877
Mail to The Bend - Oct. 8, 1878

The Bend
Wallace D. Haynes - Oct. 8, 1872
James Haynes - Jan 17, 1881
John Breno - Apr. 27, 1881
James Anderson - July 18, 1889
John Breno - Mar. 4, 1891

Ashwood
Frederick Harmening - Apr. 7, 1879

Moats
Wm. F. Moats - Oct. 11, 1889

Nebo
Geo. W. Speakman - Mar. 3, 1890