Brunersburg School, Noble Township, 1897 & 1899

Students Attending the Brunersburg School #5, Noble Township

for the term commencing April 6 and ending June 26, 1897

John F. Dowe, Director

S. I. Gruner, Teacher

Girls -

Alice Leaders           Georgia Lower          Flo Dowe           Beatrice Dowe

Stella Goddard         Hazel Hilton             Nellie Goddard   Carrie Dowe

Minnie Smith            Deetta Goddard       Emma Smith      Loda Myers

Ella Felley                Ida Pfeifle                Anna Ashbaugh  Pearl Dowe

Grace Chaney          Carrie Haller             Mary Mack         Hattie Worthington

Alice Lero                Fern Mack                Cora Beck          Rena Hayward

Boys -

Charley Smith          David Lower            Johnny Beck       Alvie Beck

Joe Lero                  Will Lero                 Clarence Felley    Earl Goddard

Charley Lehman       Roy Lower              Dick Hilton          Harry Lower

Johnny Ashbaugh     Charley Dowe         Frank Smith        Joe Brown

Joe Brown

Typical clothing of the late 1890's

Brunersburg School #5, Noble Township

For the term commencing October 2, 1899 to February 23, 1900

 John F. Dowe, Director and Member of School Board

James Haller, Sub-Director

F. W. Smith, Sub-Director

Frank L. Wisda, Teacher

Girls -                                                Boys -

Vidia N. Gyer                                      Joseph Lero

Mary M. Hiler                                      Marritt E. Schoonover

Bea Dowe                                           Dick H. Hilton

Grace Cheney                                     Maynard H. Jordan

Anna L. Mack                                      Joseph A. Brown

Carrie Dowe                                        Sylas Williamson

Stella Goddard                                    Grover Castner

Mable L. Myers                                    Karl T. Schoonover

Cora Shaffer                                       Walter Arnholt

Emma Speaker                                    John Lero

Ida May Mock                                      Charlie Dowe

Emma C. Smith                                   Earl F. Goddard

Myrtie Gyer                                         Frank A. Smith

Hazel Hilton                                        Charles Smith

Georgia Williamson                              Fred Mack

E. Louisia Jordan                                  William Lero

Carra Haller                                         Walter Smith

Pearl Dowe                                          Frank W. Gyer

Josephine Hiler

Katie Lero

Mary G. Mack

Alice Lero

L. Deette Goddard

Fern A. Mack

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Defiance County Pioneers - Mary Ann Washburn Braucher

Independence Cemetery -
Isaac E Braucher, died Feb. 8, 1878,
Aged 75 ys 5ms 22 d

 From the Defiance Democrat, October 25, 1894 -

"Death of Mrs. Braucher.

Mrs. Isaac Braucher died Sunday evening at the residence of her son Isaac Braucher, Jr., who lives just east of the city.  Mrs. Braucher was 87 years old and her death is due to her advanced age.

The funeral occurred Tuesday at the Independence M. E. church at 2 p.m., Rev. Wilson preaching the funeral sermon.

Mrs. Braucher was one of the early settlers, who came to this country in 1825.  There were only three houses in Defiance when she came here, and she resided for many years in a house which stood almost under the old apple tree famed in history.

Mrs. Braucher was the mother of eight children, only two of whom are living, Isaac and Mrs. Richoxls, of Napoleon.  The deceased had many friends in this section and was familiarly called Grandma Braucher by all who knew her."

- Her husband, Isaac Earl Braucher (1892 - 1878)

www.findagrave.com 

A Father and Daughter Reunite in Defiance After 37 Years

From the Defiance Democrat - November 15, 1894

It is remarkable that this meeting ever took place - just pure coincidence.  It's not like they had any social media to help them!

"AFTER MANY YEARS

A Father and Daughter Reunited in this City.

TALE OF AMERICA AND GERMANY

Rev. William Wilsdorf Visits His Daughter, Mrs. E. E. Root, Whom He Had Not Seen for Over a Quarter of a Century.

Mrs. E. E. Root, who resides on Jefferson street, has for her guest her father, whom she has not seen for 37 years.  The father, Rev. William Wilsdorf, is now a resident of Fairfield, Jefferson county, Ia. and is 77 years old.  The story is one of the most strange ones in history and would furnish material for an interesting book or a realistic drama.

Thirty-seven years ago William Wilsdorf resided with his wife and two children in Mahoning county, this state.  Mr. Wilsdorf came from Germany and previous to the time mentioned, he had made two trips to the land of his birth.  At the time the opening chapters of this story were (? ) , Mr. Wilsdorf was afflicted with a swelling on one of his legs.  He was a tanner and had steady employment.

His ways were German of a pronounced order, and as he could get no relief from the physicians in this country, he was impressed with a belief that the doctors of his native land could effect a cure.  He accordingly disposed of his business and informed his wife he was going to Germany.  The partner of his joys did not wish to accompany him and he told her he would go alone.

One bright, spring moring in 1857, he sailed for Liverpool to revisit his fatherland, leaving his wife and two children, girls, in America.  That parting was the last.  The wife never saw him again.  One of the girls soon sickened and died, leaving Mrs. Wilsdorf and the oldest child, Hattie, alone in the world.

We will first follow the tortures of the father.  When he arrived in Germany, he was taken violently ill and was an inmate of a hospital where he remained for three years, hovering between life and death.  He did not write to his family, for he was unable to write and among strangers.  After he recovered somewhat, he addressed a letter to his old home in Mahoning county, and told his wife he would sail for home. He told her the steamer he would sail on and what time he expected to reach New York.  This was the turning point in his life for his health, which had balked his designs for many years, failed him and he was again obliged to go to a hospital where he remained for a long time.

When he was better, he again wrote to America, but could get no trace of his wife or children.  The matter was put into the hands of the German consul, but the search was of no avail.  He mourned his wife and children as dead.  He remained in Germany and subsequently married, as the law in Germany frees a man after a stipulated number of years.  A few years after his marriage, he realized that he could do better in this country, so he again started for America and settled in Iowa.

He prospered, became converted, and, as he was an educated man, he soon became a minister in the church of God. He accumulated property and now owns a large farm and tannery at Fairfield.  

A few days ago, he received a letter from Mrs. Root, in which she announced herself as his daughter and expressed a desire to meet him.  He was overjoyed to learn his daughter was among the living, and upon the receipt of her message, he immediately wrote back he would see her just as soon as the railroad connections would bring him here.

Last Saturday evening he arrived in the city and was met by his daughter and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Kidney, who were at the depot to meet him.  He met the ladies and immediately embraced Mrs. Root, exclaiming, 'This is my daughter, my little Hattie.'  There was a reunion that moved the bystanders to tears.

Mr. Wilsdorf is a kindly old gentleman and Mrs. Root is the only child he has.  To return to the wife and children, Mrs. Wilsdorf when she could hear no further tidings of her husband, came to the conclusion he was dead.  The tidings that he would come to America raised her hopes, but when he did not put in an appearance, she thought him dead.  In those days, ocean travel was slow and tedious, and information regarding the arrival and departure of vessels was not as easily obtained as it is now.

She made inquiries in Germany by letters, but could get no trace of her husband.  Her letters were unopened.  He was dead to her and after many years of anxious waiting, she was finely impressed with the idea that he was dead.  Soon after his departure, she moved from Mahoning county to Cleveland and being a frugal and industrious woman, providing for herself and little girl.

The daughter grew to womanhood and married Eugene E. Root, who at that time lived at North Ridgeville, Lorain county.  He learned Mrs. Wilsdorf's story and prosecuted a search for the father, even going so far as to enlist the services of the U. S. Consul in Germany, but the search was a fruitless one for the father was then in America.

Several years ago, Mrs. Wilsdorf, who had, to make assurance doubly sure, secured a divorce from her husband and married a gentleman in Cleveland by the name of Judkins and had children by him.  She died about two years ago.  Mrs. Root has been a resident of this city for several years.

The reuniting of the father and daughter was the result of a visit of a resident of Fairfield, Iowa to Mahoning county.  This man in visiting friends near Wilsdorf's old home, became acquainted with a brother of his Iowa neighbor.  A conversation explained the matter satisfactorily to the Ohio man that he had found his long lost brother and a letter confirmed his belief.  This brother, who lives in Harlin Center, Mahoning county, has two sons in the jewelry business in Cleveland.

In conversation one day with a traveling man, Mr. Root learned of the brothers, and as their names were the same as his wife's maiden name, he resolved to ascertain if they could tell him anything about the father of his wife.  He went to Cleveland and saw them.  They had recently returned from a visit to their father, and he had told them of finding his long lost brother who had a girl named Hattie.  They said he lived in Jefferson county, Ia., but they had forgotten the address.

Mr. Root has a brother, Alanson Root, living near Fairfield, and he wrote him to ascertain if he knew a man by the name of Wilsdorf.  The Iowa brother lives within two miles of the gentleman sought, and thus a means of communication was brought about.

The Iowa brother had resided in the same neighborhood with Rev. Wilsdorf for about twenty years and was intimately acquainted with him, but neither of the gentlemen knew he could impart information that would cause two hearts to beat with rapture.

Mr. Wilsdorf will return to his home next Wednesday and says his trip here had made him the happiest man in America, while Mrs. Root is overjoyed to see her father she has mourned as dead for 37 years."

Rev. Wilsdorf lived only four more years, passing away on April 13, 1898.  I wonder if he was able to see his daughter again after this meeting in 1894.  William Wilsdorf is buried with his second wife, Emilia Ellener Wilsdorf, in the Bethesda Cemetery, Fairfield County, Iowa in an unmarked grave.

Daniel Marckel - At the Mouth of Mud Creek

From the Marckel scrapbook...

Today the Tiffin River has overrun its banks due to our recent, heavy rains.  The tragedy of the following described accident was heightened as I imagined the situation of Daniel Marckel and Martin Schneider as they tried to cross that river that probably looked much like it does today.  

--“AT THE MOUTH OF MUD CREEK.  

 Daniel Markle, of Adams Township, is Thrown From a Buggy and Goes Down in the Waters of Tiffin River.

A deplorable accident occurred at the mouth of Mud Creek, Sunday evening at five o’clock, that resulted in the death of Daniel Markle, of Adams township.  Mr. Markle and a man by the name of Martin Schneider had been visiting friends in Washington township and were on their way home.  The waters in Mud creek and Tiffin river were very high and as they approached the Chapel bridge, the horse got off the road and went into deep water.  Schneider jumped as the buggy started to go over and called upon Markle to do the same, but that he failed to do, and was swept out into the current and drowned.

Several times Schneider thought he would be able to save his friend but his efforts were abortive.  One of the boys at the children’s home made a heroic effort to reach the drowning man, but it was not to be and he went down beneath the dark waters of the Tiffin river.  Mr. Markle was aged about 50 or 55 years and was a prosperous farmer of Adams township.

The road way at the point where the accident occurred is very narrow and was covered with water.  The suggestion comes at a late day, but it would be a good thing if the authorities would put a row of stakes on the road.  That would preclude the possibility of another accident of the same kind at that point.  The horse which was attached to the buggy belonged to Schneider and was also drowned. Markle’s body had not been recovered at the time this was written.”

*******

--“Our family was somewhat enlarged last week in trying to accommodate the gentlemen who were so faithfully searching for the lost body of Mr. D. Marckel, who had so unfortunately been drowned near the Home.  Albert Risk, one of our largest boys, showed his bravery by plunging into the deep water after the drowning man, while he was struggling for life.  Owing to the depth of the water, Albert had a narrow escape from being drowned himself. Yet he seemed so eager to rescue the drowning man.  Mr. Marckel’s family and relatives have the deepest sympathy of all connected with the Home in their sorrow…”

 *******

--“FOUND FLOATING.   

The Body of Daniel Markel Secured.  

The Vigilance of His Friends Rewarded and His Body Found Floating Several Miles From the Place Where He Met His Death.

The body of Daniel Marckel is found.  The vigilance of his friends and their untiring zeal were rewarded Monday at 11 a.m.  His relatives have had an idea for the past few days that his body would rise to the surface and float down stream.  In view of this, they had two parties of watchers stationed on the stream below where he met his death and they watched day and night, never relaxing their vigil for an instant.

This party was stationed down the creek some distance, near the residence of Lyman Langdon.  By the road, this is about two miles from the place where Marckel met his death.  Opinions differ as to the distance by the creek, as the stream is so crooked only an accurate measurement would determine.  Men who reside in that section say it is five or six miles from the mouth of Mud creek,  where the drowning occurred.

Monday, at 11 o’clock this party of watchers consisted of Aaron Marckel and Eli Marckel, brothers of the dead man, John Marckel, a nephew, Amiel Grim, a relative, Chas. Jennings, James McCombs, and Walter Domier, neighbors.  Chas. Jennings and Amiel Grim were watching the stream and the rest were hunting in the driftwood and down the river. 

The young men saw an object floating and as it approached, they discovered it was the body they were in search of. Hastily manning the boat, they pulled out into the stream and were rewarded by finding the object they had looked for so faithfully for many days and nights.  They hurriedly called their companions and then the grief-stricken relatives gazed on the one they so long had sought.

The body was brought to this city by John Metz, a resident of Adams township and taken in charge by Undertaker Williams, who prepared it for burial.  The body is in an advanced state of decomposition and was a sorry object to look upon.  Over the left temple was an ugly looking bruise and by many, it is supposed he was kicked by the horse in his mad struggle in the stream.  The clothing is muddy and shows that he must have rolled along on the bottom of the river.  Thus the body, which has been in the water for the past eight days, has been found and the excitement over the sad affair will abate somewhat.”

 *******

--“ACCIDENTAL DROWNING.  

 Such is the Coroner’s Verdict in the Death of Dan Marckel.

Monday evening Coroner Westrick held an inquest on the body of Dan Marckel.  On the person of the deceased was found one five dollar bill and some small change, amounting in all to $7.03.

The testimony of Martin Snyder and Joshua Domer was taken.  Mr. Snyder gave an account of the drowning, substantially the same as had been published in the Democrat.  He added that he had did all in his power to save Mr. Marckel from drowning, but as he could not swim, he could not plunge in and rescue his friend.

Mr. Domer related the circumstances of the finding of the body.  Mr. Westrick returned a verdict ascribing the death to accidental drowning.  The coroner said an inquest was not absolutely necessary in this case, but he felt it his duty to hold one, as there had been some conflicting reports in regard to the death of Mr. Marckel.  He said he was satisfied that Mr. Snyder did all in his power to save Mr. Marckel and regretted the circumstances very deeply.  The remains were taken to the Marckel residence Monda and the funeral occurred Tuesday.”

Poplar Ridge Cemetery, Defiance County, Ohio        http://www.findagrave.com

Jacob Funk - A Terrifying Experience at Sea, Part 2

Read Part 1 here.

When the sailors announced the rope ready, nearly a hundred hands grasped it and fifty human beings made their way towards that haven of safely.  In the meantime, the sea had become angrier and the waves were rolling higher.  When the rope was freighted to its utmost capacity, Captain Williams gave orders that no more should attempt to go ashore until those on the rope had been rescued.

Close up of a section of the Currier and Ives lithograph depicting the rescue in 1873

 Before the first one gained the rock, a wave approached nearly fifty feet high.  It struck the rope and its precious freight.  All these on the improvised bridge of safety perished.  Many of them were washed hundreds of yards out into the ocean, and their cries were heart rending in the extreme.  Their cries sounded the death knell to a large portion of those left and they became desperate.  
They had witnessed the sailor's successful battle with the waves, and those who could swim, divested themselves of what few clothes they had on and plunged into the sea.  Only a few of them reached shore and those who did were so exhausted when they reached the beach, they were washed back into the sea and drowned.

On the afternoon of April 1st, Mr. Funk reached the rock by means of the rope, the waters having grown calmer.  His clothing was frozen to him. When he reached the rock, he fell in a faint, but soon recovered.  There was six inches of snow on the ground and he had to keep continually in motion to prevent freezing.  Soon after, some fishing boats were hailed and they took the unfortunates off the rock and landed them on terra firma.

 When the shipwrecked people were safe on land, they were a sorry looking crowd, indeed.  Many of them had on nothing but a shirt, others were clothed in drawers and shirt, some had only a pair of pants to protect them from the cold, and many of them were nude, having thrown off their garments to enable them to swim should they be forced to.

Of the 900 passengers that boarded the ship at Liverpool, only 326 were put on the bleak, bare fishing coast.  573 perished.  The only habitation in sight was a small shanty in which a few fishermen managed to exist.

Funk could not speak a word of English, and there were many of his countrymen to keep him company.  The Germans held a consultation and resolved to stay together.  One man in the party whose name Mr. Funk did not learn, could speak English.  They immediately set out for the fishing shanty, but when the German party arrived, they found it full to overflowing by others of the survivors more fortunate than themselves.  Their interpreter was informed that there was another shanty some distance down the coast and thither they repaired walking in six inches of snow barefooted about two miles.  On the way three died and many were frozen badly.

On arriving at the shanty, they found a fire, and those fortunate enough to have clothing dried it.  The larder of the habitation did not furnish much for supper, but by dividing it up, each received enough to keep away starvation.
The next day a steamer took them to Halifax, where they were provided with food and clothing.  Mr. Funk says all the inhabitants of the town were on the street to see them.

April 4th, the shipwrecked people got a steamer, and soon landed at Portland, Maine.  From Portland, they went to Boston.  There a collection was taken up for them, or rather, they were placed on exhibition, the price of admission being 50 cents.  The proceeds were turned over to the unfortunates.
From Boston, they went to Fall River and took a boat for New York, arriving there April 6.  As soon as Mr. Funk arrived in New York, he succumbed to his privations and exposure and lay for six weeks in a hospital on Ward's Island with inflammatory rheumatism.

Ward's Island - located between Queens and Manhattan

 When he recovered, he earned enough money to take him West and he subsequently became a resident of this county.  He is unmarried.  He attributes his miraculous escape from death to his strong constitution, as he was very rugged in his younger days.

Mr. Funk has never met but one of the survivors of the ill-fated Atlantic since he parted from his companions in New York.  This was the mate, Brady, who bravely carried the line to the rock.  Mr. Funk met him at the White Star Line exhibit at the World's Fair.  Strange to say, Mr. Funk was the only one of the passengers who survived the wreck whom the seaman had met.  The meeting was a pathetic one and Mr. Funk says the gallant seaman cried like a child.

As he related this last evening, a suspicion of a tear glistened in his eye.  Brady was at the Exposition in the interest of the White Star Line.  He is old, infirm, and the company has pensioned him for his gallant service April 1st, 1873."

Cornelius Brady, Hero of the Atlantic shipwreck, 1873

As for Jacob Funk, he appeared in the 1880 census, Richland Township, Defiance County, working as a farm laborer for Michael and Mary Hohenberger.  He was 27 and still single, and he named his birthplace as Baden.

By the 1900 census, he was still not married and by this time was boarding with the Henry and Elizabeth Ort family, working as a day laborer.

I could not locate him in the 1910 census, but he appeared again in 1920 in Defiance City, living at 742 Jackson Street with his wife, Margaret.  He was 66, and she was 72. 

Death records showed that he died on February 6, 1924, but I am not sure where he and his wife were buried. 

For some further reading on the wreck of the Atlantic and a look at the memorial site in Nova Scotia, go HERE.

 

Jacob Funk - A Terrifying Experience at Sea, Part 1

In recognition of Memorial Day, we present a two part story of the wreck of the ship, Atlantic, in 1873, where over five hundred people died.  One of our Defiance County residents was a witness to it all and shared his tale with the newspaper about twenty years after the ship went down. 

 

From the Defiance Democrat - December 6, 1894

"A THRILLING EXPERIENCE

Jacob Funk Tells a Horrible Story of a Ship Wreck.

Lashed to a Mast Fifteen Hours in Frozen Garments.

The Fatal Day in 1873, when the White Star Liner, 'Atlantic," was Dashed to Pieces on the Rocks.

Jacob Funk, who resides in South Richland township, this county, has had an experience in his life which for hardship and privation is hardly without a parallel in the annals of history.

Mr. Funk was a caller at this office last evening, and told the thrilling story of how 573 persons met death on the ill fated White Star Line steamer Atlantic the night of March 31st and April 1st, 1873.  

He is now nearly 40 years old, but distinctly remembers the incidents that time can never efface from his memory.

March 20, 1873, he took passage on the Atlantic at Liverpool for America.  At that time he was about 20 years old and left his birth place, Germany, to link his fate and fortune with the people of the United States.  His father's estate had recently been settled, and young Funk, when he had exchanged his German money for American gold, had $500 with which to begin life.

With this in his possession, the future looked bright and it was with a light heart indeed that he bade farewell to the old world to seek prosperity across the water.

The Atlantic was a new, staunch steamer, and had not made many trips across the ocean.  She was commanded by Captain Williams, a veteran in the service of the White Star Line Company, a seaman to be trusted with a new boat and the keeping of her hundreds of passengers.

The human freight of the big ocean liner consisted of 900 souls.  There were 370 Germans in the steerage.  The voyage was an uneventful one.  The weather was all that could be desired, and the ship made rapid progress and the crew and passengers were happy.

The evening of March 31st, there was a dance on board and the hours were beguiled away in the mazes of the dance while shouts and merry laughter rang out over the water.  While the revelry was at its height, one of the mates looked at the compass and saw the ship was out of its course.  The ship was in command of the first mate, the captain being below.  The mate who made the discovery immediately informed his superior officer that the boat was not being held to the course and chart, being too far north.

The officer in command ordered his subordinate below and somewhat angrily informed him he knew his business and would not be dictated to.  Mr. Funk says he has since heard that the officer in command had been imbibing too much of the ship's grog and was not competent to have command of the ship.

About midnight, Mr. Funk was rudely awakened by being unceremoniously pitched out of his berth.  When he struck the floor of the ship, he immediately divined something unusual had happened, and it had.  Soon he heard the screams of the frightened and thoroughly terrorized passengers.  Jacob was clad only in his drawers and undershirt, but he hastily climbed on the deck.

The ship had been steered out of her course and had struck a rock and was being dashed to pieces. The crew immediately tried to man the pumps, but before they could get them to work, they discovered it was useless to attempt it, as the vessel was doomed.  In less than five minutes, the stern of the vessel began to sink.  The waves were running high and the sounds of the breakers beating against the rocks could be distinctly heard.

A lithograph by Currier and Ives showing passengers hanging  onto rigging to get to a rock 40 yards away.

 The crew made an effort to lower the lifeboats when the vessel careened on its side and one of the boats was submerged.  The other one was loosened from its davits and when a portion of the crew attempted to launch it, a wave swept the deck and the sailors and the boat, the only haven of safety remaining, was swept into the seething, hissing waves, and were lost to view.

Mr. Funk hastily grabbed a piece of rope and following the example of others, took to the rigging of the ship.  He secured a position on a cross head and firmly lashed himself to the spar.  Nearly all of the women and children stayed on deck a few moments and were then washed off by the waves. Funk says the scene at this time was horrible and haunted him for many years.  

On every conceivable portion of the ship above water were to be seen men clinging for safety.  All of them were in their night clothing.  It was bitter cold and rain and sleet was falling, which froze as soon as it touched their clothing.  The portion of the deck that was not under water was constantly being swept by the waves and the benumbed creatures were in momentary peril of being swept into the sea.  The mast he had sought refuge on, owing to the careening of the vessel, was but a few feet above the water and occasionally the salt spray would saturate his clothing.

The boat struck the rock about a half mile from shore, fifty miles from Halifax.  Halfway to the shore, a large rock reared its summit above the water.  Captain Williams tried to comfort his companions by cheering words, but all felt they must perish, soon.  One of the sailors suggested that if a line could be got to the rock, they might yet be rescued.  It would be necessary for someone to swim to that rock.  The captain called for volunteers.  No one responded.

Finally a mate named Brady, a hardy, robust fellow, announced his willingness to make the attempt, which meant almost certain death.  He fastened a light line around his body, bid his companions good-bye and plunged into the sea.  Those on the ship witnessed his battle with the waves with interest.  Their lives depended upon his success or failure.

After being in the water nearly a half hour, in the fast approaching daylight, they could dimly discern him scrambling to the summit of the rock.  A cheer arose from the ship.  They saw him no more for several minutes, and hope again died in their breasts.  Had he succeeded only to perish when his efforts were crowned with success?

Presently, there came a shout and a tug at the rope. Instantly a stronger line was fastened to the slender cords upon which hinged hundreds of lives.  This rope was hauled to the rock.  Then one sailor grasped the rope and hand over hand proceeded to the rock.  Two more then followed, and in the same manner, twelve sailors gained the rock.  

The captain sternly commanded all to remain quiet until he gave them permission.  He said it was not his purpose to save the remaining members of the crew first, but he wished experienced men to handle the rope at the shore end, as he doubted whether it could be safely fastened.

To be continued...

Defiance County Pioneers - Margaret Wilcox

"DEATH OF PIONEER LADY

Mrs. Margaret Wilcox Passes Away

Eloquent Words Uttered in Her Praise

Margaret Fee was born in Gallia county, Ohio, November 11, 1823.  She was one of 12 children.

In 1830, the family moved to a farm bordering the St. Joe river, northeast of Edgerton, afterward known as Denmark.  

The father took sick and died while on the way to the new home and the widow was left with this large family to battle with the trials of pioneer life in the wilderness of a wild,new country.

On March 23, 1842, Margaret was united in marriage to Alfred W. Wilcox with whom she shared the joys and sorrows of life until the year 1893 when it pleased the Lord to remove her husband by death.

Their union was blessed with 10 children, three sons and seven daughters.  

On Tuesday evening, September 28, 1909, when this mother had reached the ripe age of 85 years, 10 months and 17 days, she peacefully fell asleep.  Of her 10 children, only 5 survive her: Mrs. Celeste Amaden, John Wilcox, Mrs. Lucina Lehman, Mrs. Ida Cleveland, and Mrs. Emma Crary.

The parents and all the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Wilcox had preceded her in death.  She, herself, lived, however, to see the fourth generation of descendants.  But her one great-great granchild died about two years ago.  The other descendants that survive are 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  

Mrs. Wilcox was a resident of Milford township for more than 67 years, and was respected and loved by all who knew her.  She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother, a true friend, and kind neighbor, and she will be greatly missed among her neighbors and friends. 

The funeral was held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Crary, Thursday forenoon, October 1, conducted by Rev. D. F. Helms, of Hicksville...  Four very appropriate selections were sung by a selected quartet.   Mrs. M. M. Farnsworth of Hicksville, and Dr. Hathaway of Edgerton, paid touching tributes to Mrs. Wilcox and Miss Hathaway read by request a very fitting poem.  The body was laid to rest in Forest Home cemetery."

www.findagrave.com

 In an unusual circumstance, the funeral sermons given by both Mrs. Farnsworth and Dr. Hathaway were included with the obituary, making it quite a lengthy piece.  Included here are parts of both sermons, just because they give more information about Margaret Wilcox, and give us a better understanding of her life.

From Mrs. Farnsworth, a friend and neighbor of 48 years:

"She took up the cares and responsibilities of life at a very tender age.  All along the way she was called to mourn for loved ones, a father, brother and sisters, children and husband, and as they went away, she could but think of the immortality of the future.

She came to northwestern Ohio before the Indians left it.  She knew and endured for the younger generations all the hardships of pioneer life.  With the conveniences and luxuries of the present (1909), we can hardly imagine her life in the forest.  She was familiar with the sight of bears, wolves and panthers.  The Indians with tomahawk and scalping knife often came to her mother's home.  She one night slept on a brush heap within a circle of burning brush heaps which kept the howling wolves at bay.

In her childhood, schools were unknown in this section.  Her young girlhood was spent in graduating herself in general housework, sewing, spinning, knitting.  In her teens she married Mr. William Wilcox who had bought a farm in Milford township and erected a cabin for his bride.  There she came to bless and beautify his home, and there as the days and years went by, with hard toil...

She was anxious for settlers to come in, knowing all these things enhanced the value of property and the interest of her children...  She once said to me, 'Mrs. Farnsworth, I don't think we are greedy money makers, but William and I want to save enough so our children can have a good start for comfortable homes.  We don't want them to work as hard as we have done.'"

And from Dr. Hathaway:

"...I became acquainted with the deceased in 1865, about forty-four years ago, and have been her physician ever since.  She has told me of her early pioneer life.

Emigrating to this country at seven years of age, about 1830, when this country was a dense forest...  When she would be out a little late traveling on horseback, from one settlement to another, keeping music and time while the broken reflection of the moon would glimmer between the tree tops, showing her the trail.

Her father died on his way back from entering land for their future home.  The family was thrown upon their own resources, and her life was a hard one until she married her husband, William Wilcox, in 1843.  He was a giant among giants, a physical force, mind and body.  He was one of the best friends I ever had.  Want and penury never looked her in the face after her marriage.  She did her part; he did his.  They earned and saved and became wealthy.  She has had, since I knew her, all the modern conveniences, and enjoyed them..."  

 Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume 1.  Carma Rowe Estate (Johnson Memorial Library).  No date.  p. 207.

 Copies available at Defiance Public Library and Hicksville and Sherwood branch libraries.