From the Marckel Scrapbook - Francis M. Smith and Catharine (Martin) Carpenter

 From the Marckel Scrapbook...

“FRANCIS M. SMITH

Francis M. Smith was born Nov. 5^th, 1844, and departed this life Sept. 4, 1911.  Aged 66 years, - months and 29 days.  He was born in Kerkersville, Licking Co., O. and moved with his parents to Defiance county, O. when he was 12 years old.

Mr. Smith always lived on the farm purchased by his father, buying a portion of the old homestead after his father’s death.  He enlisted in the 48^th Ohio in October 1861 under Captain Moats and was honorably mustered out of service May 1866.  In the service he had many narrow escapes, at the battle of Shiloah six pieces of shell hitting one of his ears.

He was married to Miss Mary E. English Nov. 26, 1868.  To this union were born four children, two sons and two daughters, the daughters and one son having preceded their father to the world beyond.  Leeland J. of Moats, O. being the only living child.  Besides this son, he leaves a wife, one brother, Wm. Smith of Ney, and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Johnson of Sherwood, and many relatives and friends to mourn their loss. 

He was a member of the M. E. church at Moats and tried to live a devoted Christian life and through a protracted illness of many years, he was an example of patience and quiet endurance worthy of example of his many friends.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. A. D. Miller of…”

CATHARINE ELIZABETH (MARTIN) CARPENTER

“Catharine Elizabeth Martin was born in Pennsylvania August 5^th, 1824.  At the age of one year, she, with her parents, moved to Cumberland, Maryland, and from there to Coschocton Co., O.   March 5^th, 1842, she was united in marriage to Charles Carpenter, they then moved to Defiance County.  Coming as pioneers, they then moved to Williams county near Evansport, purchasing a farm, clearing the land, and building a house which they enjoyed the greater part of their life.   Three sons and one daughter came to bless their home.  Husband, two sons and daughter having preceded to the better land.  Her husband departed this life November 7^th, 1888.

She united with the Evangelical church between thirty and forty years ago and has lived a Christian life since, on account of ill health, she has not attended church for a number of years.  She enjoyed reading her bible daily until a very short time before she died.  She was a great sufferer but bore her suffering with patience, anxiously awaiting the summons calling her home.

She was highly respected by everyone and in her younger days was always found where there was sickness or death.  She departed this life at the home of her son, J. F., in Tiffin township, April 25^th, 1912, aged 87 years, 8 months and 20 days, leaving to mourn her loss one son and wife, eight grand children, four great grandchildren and a host of friends and neighbors.

The funeral was held Sunday from the U. B. church at Evansport conducted by Rev. William Jark.  Interment taking place in the Evansport cemetery.”

(J. F. – John F. Carpenter)

Wesley W. Smith - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Wesley William Smith was born in Crawford County on May 13, 1847.  He was 17 when he enlisted in Company B, 184th Regiment, Ohio on January 31, 1865.  

The unit was organized at Camp Chase for a one year term of service and was immediately ordered to Nashville for garrison duty.  By March 21, 1865, they were on the move to Bridgeport, Alabama, where part of the group protected a railroad bridge across the Tennessee River and the others guarded the railroad track between Bridgeport and Chattanoga.  By July, they were back on garrison duty until mustered out on September 20, 1865 in Nashville.
Wesley served 8 months duty. 

Wesley was the son of Alexander Smith and Barbara Schillings, according to his death record.  In 1872, he married Elizabeth Relue and together they would have six children.  The couple settled in Richland Township where they were enumerated on the census from 1880 on until their deaths.  

Wesley was a house carpenter and his eldest son, George, also followed the trade.  In 1909, Elizabeth Relue Smith died of dropsy (edema, congestive heart failure,) so in the 1910 census, Wesley was noted to be widowed and 62 years old.  With him were son, George - 32, and daughter, Icie - 18, and a servant, Dillie Sorgenfrei, 22.

By 1920, George was listed as the head of household and he had married Tillie.  Still in the house were Wesley, 72, still working as a carpenter, and Icie, 25.  Just two years later, Wesley died.

 He was buried near his wife and several children who preceded him in death.

Independence Cemetery        www.findagrave.com

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)