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

In this series, some of the general surveys of Defiance County cemeteries will be shared, transcribed as written on the original W.P.A. reports, 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)

Myres Cemetery

(Myers Cemetery)

1. Name of Cemetery:  The Myres Cemetery in Highland Township

2. Location, how reached:

Myres Cemetery is five and one half miles south of Defiance, Ohio on State Route #15 at the bridge over Powels Creek, in section #19 of Highland Township.

3. Name and address of caretaker:

L. E. Myres, R.R. #8, Defiance, Ohio

Myres Cemetery at www.findagrave.com

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

This cemetery sets on a hill on the bank of Powels Creek about thirty rods back off the road in a well wooded grove of oak and cedar trees.  Over the driveway at the road entrance is an ornamental iron gateway with the name of the cemetery over the iron arch over the drive.  This drive then runs back to the grave plots and is of stone.

This is a regular rural cemetery kept up by Highland Township and is laid out in lots (like our) city graveyards.  It contains around seventy five stones, most of them very elaborate.  One erected on the Hoyt lot is a red granite marker on a gray stone base.  It is of the pointed obelisk type and is eighteen feet high, is surrounded on all sides by an iron, New York style ornamental fence painted green, and is kept locked up.  In this enclosure is planted shrubbery and a wreath hangs on the monument at all times.  This is the finest marker I have so far found in any rural cemetery.

Hoyt monument at www.findagrave.com

 Ten other stones are of the massive, granite type belonging to Halls, Myres (3), Skiver, Boyd (2), Knopp, Sloppy and Wiler.  The grounds of this fine cemetery are as well kept up as any city cemetery.  It is surrounded by a heavy wire fence.  It is undenominational and contains five acres.

5. Name and date of first burial recorded:

Athelbert Hall is the first marked grave in the cemetery, died 1855.

6. Names of important people buried there:

The Myres are the most important people, were rich farmers, soldiers, county officials, and church members.  Next in importance are the Boyds.  One of the uncles of Thomas A. Boyd, the author of "Through the Wheat," Samuel Drummond and other stories whose fiction and historical novels I have referred to several tmies in the material on American Guide, and whose name was listed in Who's Who in America until his death last fall, is one of the graves.

7. Markers of unusual appearance:

See description of the Hoyt marker in topic number four above as this marker is really unique for a rural graveyard.

8. Unusual epitaphs:

Epitaph on the stone of Daniel Myres, 1847 - 1908, reads, "Meet Me In Heaven."

Daniel Myers at www.findagrave.com

Epitaph on a marker of Lary A. Boyd reads:

"Affections sore, for years I bore,

Physicians were in vain;

At length, God pleased to give me ease

And freed me from all pain."

Lany Boyd at www.findagrave.com

 (The name is actually Lany Boyd.)

9. Is cemetery used for new burials? 

This cemetery is now well used, well kept up and a lot can be purchased here by anyone wishing a burial plot.

C. Cadwallader and C. Gish, Reporters

Consultant:

L. E. Myres, R.F.D. #8, Defiance, Ohio 

(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.)

The Women's Relief Corp - Farmer, Ohio

An auxillary unit to the G.A.R., the Women's Relief Corp ladies had a purpose - to keep alive the memory of their soldiers.  Chartered in 1883, their motto, "Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty," was sometimes engraved on the bar of their pins.
(This was also the motto of the G.A.R.)

  In this photo, the motto is represented by the three women in the center of the Maltese Cross which hung below the connecting red, white and blue.

The Maltese Cross also served as a grave marker, placed at the tombstone of the WRC members.




















Farmer had a very active Women's Relief Corp.  In the photo below, note that each woman wore the WRC pin.  They were seated on a rug (probably to keep their dresses clean), with two flags behind them.  One was the U.S. flag and the other could not be determined. The photo below was undated, but some women were identified.

This unit was attached to the Lew Bowker G.A.R. post in Farmer. Ohio.

Back Row, L to R: Mary Ann Wasnich Fickle, Mrs. John Donley, ?  , Sister to Mr. Fritz, Elizabeth Sweet, ? , ? , Alice Wilder, Mrs. Hastings

Front Row, L to R:  ?  ,  Mrs. Yeagley, Mrs. Calvin Rogers,  ?  , ?  , Mrs. Kittredge, Mrs. Rice, Mina Allen

If you recognize an ancestor and could help with identification, please comment!

A Memory of Olan Smith

**An addition has been made at the end of the post.

Today one look at an old newspaper article brought back so many memories of times at Ney Junior High when Olan Smith served as principal.  As a new teacher there in 1973, it took awhile to catch on to his dry wit and solemn face, followed quickly by the smallest of smiles...a "gotcha" smile.  Very well liked by faculty and students, he had the respect of all, and most of the time, his big hand on a shoulder could quiet the most boisterous of students.

At the time, maybe because I was not from the area, I didn't realize what a full and multi-faceted life he had led up until the time he came to Ney Junior High in 1958.  Olan graduated from Sherwood High School in 1940 where he was an outstanding baseball and basketball player.  


He was a also a star basketball player at Defiance College.  His career was interrupted, however, when DC suspended athletics in 1943, while many of their male students were drafted or volunteered for the military.  Olan was one of them, serving in Europe two years with the 45th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, earning a bronze star.

After the military, he came back to Defiance and gave Defiance College an outstanding basketball season during 1945-1946.  For two years running, they were the highest scoring college in the state and Olan one of the highest scorers.

He loved sports and played baseball for many years at all levels of the game.
On July 6, 1946, the Defiance Crescent News reported this:

"OLAN SMITH SIGNS WITH THE BROWNIES

Olan Smith of Sherwood today had signed a contract with the St. Louis Browns and is expecting to join the Browns farm club, Springfield, Illinois, in the Three Eye League soon.

Smith graduated from Defiance College this spring after starring in basketball on resuming a war-interrupted cage career.

He has been playing first base with the Fort Wayne City Lights this summer and had the impossible batting average of .498 when the Browns got his name on the dotted line."

 

This article from the Bryan Democrat, 1948, was recently sent to me, and it's a wonderful outline of his career prior to Ney Junior High and after the Browns.

 What a life he had before settling down and earning his Masters Degree at Indiana University and taking the job as principal!  He was gone all too soon - in October, 1974 - and he was sorely missed.

**AN UPDATE - September 4, 2018
Thanks to Deb C. who contributed this article written by School Superintendent at the time, D. E. Jones.  It appeared in the Fairview High School school newspaper, The War Whoop a few weeks after Mr. Smith's death in 1974. 

"MR OLAN SMITH

'Smitty was a great person.'  Those were the words that John Broden, former Fort Wayne baseball manager and coach, used to describe Olan Smith.  Olan had played baseball in Fort Wayneunder the watchful eye of Mr. Broden in the late 40s and 50s.

Mr. Broden's five word summary of Olan's life has been repeated many, many times in the past two weeks.  Olan was more than a teacher, coach, or school principal; he was a special type of person.

Olan was special in that he enjoyed making other people laugh.  His dry humor was always evident, whether it was in the classroom, on the athletic field, at the toastmaster's table or in conversation with friends.

Olan was special in that he had ore than just a flickering interest in young people.  He had a strong sense of dedication to the students who went through the  Ney Junior High School.  He knew the students, took an interest in their lives, and was always more than willing to give of his time, energy, and knowledge to bring about successful solutions to their problems.

Each student was something special to Olan.  He had a memory for specific events that took place in the lives of those students and teachers who were under his direction.  Without hesitation, he could relate humorous events that had taken place in the lives of students back to 1947 when he launched his teaching and coaching career at the Edon High School.

Olan was special in that he maintained a positive approach to life.  He was an optimist in every sense of the word.  The tendency for most of us in the day and age in which we are living is to be pessimistic, cynical, and critical of everyone and everything.  Olan could always see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.  He seemed to have the unusual ability of giving reassurance and security to those whose lives were in disarray.

We hear considerable comment that no longer do people take pride in their work and their accomplishments.  Here again, Olan was a special type of person.  He was enthusiastic toward his job and he took great pride in the accomplishment of the teachers who taught under his supervision and the students who learned under his direction.  'Smitty' was a proud person, but humility was the cornerstone of this life.

Olan will no longer drive his green truck into the FV drive, enter the office and say, 'I want all of you to know I have my specialist's degree.  Mr. Superintendent, do you have yours?'  No longer will he give the orders on the parking lot at the football games; no longer will he stand at the end of the gymnasium during the basketball games and give his weekly reminder to the superintendent that he was the first to be elected to the Defiance College Hall of Fame.

Yes, Smitty was a great person.  His life will long be an inspiration to the people who had the blessing of knowing him and working with him.  The greatest tribute we can pay to Olan Smith is to permit his humor, optimism, and humility to penetrate each of our lives.

In the weeks, months, and years that lie ahead, the name of Olan Smith will not fade into oblivion.  As time passes by, we will see that Olan Smith was a great teacher, an outstanding school administrator, and above all, a good Christian man.   D.E. Jones"

The German Methodist Episcopal and Baptists in Defiance, Ohio

From the Defiance Democrat, July 26, 1894...an article describing the beautiful churches and cemeteries of Defiance, Ohio

The Baptist Church

"The first Baptist services were held in Defiance in 1846 by Rev. James French, who was a missionary sent out by the Baptist convention of the state of Ohio.  The church was organized April 15th, 1846, and on April 16th, Rev. James Ward was ordained pastor.  Rev. A. L. Jordan is pastor at the present time.

During the intervening years, a number of different ministers had charge of the church.  The Baptists are now building a new church which will be quite elaborate and beautiful when completed and will be located on Wayne street. "

First Baptist Church on Wayne Street - Historic Homes calendar 2011

 GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

"The German Methodist Episcopal church of Defiance was founded in 1850. Services were held previous to this in the school room.  The church was built in 1857 under the administration of Rev. Ruff and cost $700.  

The bell was presented to the church by the Presbyterian congregation.  The interior is quite neat.  The walls and ceiling are prettily papered.  The pews and pulpit are of oak.  In 1860 the parsonage was built at a cost of $300, Rev. J. Braun being pastor at the time."

 

The Defiance City Zoo

A zoo in Defiance?  Why not?  In the 1930s, Mike Schultz, who was eventually named zookeeper, Police Chief Karl Weaner, and fireman, Raymond Schultz began a city zoo "on the old canal property at the rear of city hall," according to one source.  
It seemed to be the project of the local fire department, but animals were donated to the zoo from many folks, both local and from afar.

Silver pheasant

One of the first animals obtained by Weaner and Schultz in 1936 was a hoot owl.  Later in 1937, a pair of silver pheasants were added, along with a pair of lovebirds.  The lovebirds were first housed in a cage in the police station, and were obtained from a friend of Schultz in Connersville, Indiana.

A local newspaper reported on November 13, 1937, that an enlarged cage was ready for "Tom" and "Jerry," two bears at the city zoo that were donated by the Hi-Speed Oil Company.  Their cage was made from steel railings from the old Second Street bridge.  Also a pair of foxes were given a hollow log as part of their new home.  In December, a black raccoon was donated by the Defiance Fish and Game, and Wayne Traxler of Delaware Bend donated a goat.

Black raccoon

In 1938, the Toledo Zoo encouraged
the Defiance group to start a zoo membership drive for the local zoo.  Nice membership cards were given out and punched at each zoo visit.  The local newspaper reported that 
"Considerable expense is involved in feeding and caring for twenty animals and twenty-five birds.  The zoo now numbers two black bears, three monkeys, two raccoons, two badgers, two foxes, two coyotes, one gopher and six guinea pigs.  Several beautifully plumaged pheasants are included among the birds"

Eventually that year, four alligators, a pair of bluejays and another monkey came to live at the zoo.  Fred Seghist, game protector of Fulton County, presented the two badgers to Mike Schultz.  Forrest Bidlack of Continental sold the zoo a rhesus monkey, named "Maggie," eleven months old.  At that time the zoo had one ringtail monkey, "Philbert," and three females.  Paul Degler, Clarence, Elmer and Charles Retcher, of Holgate, donated another fox.

Badger

At one time, the zoo had a lion cub that eventually was sent to Toledo Zoo when it became too large.
Still, in 1938, new animals were added and a new cage was built for a squirrel colony. But news of the zoo tapered off after that.  How and when the zoo met its demise is unknown right now.  

Rhesus monkey

Maybe someone can provide more information on that.  Please comment or email if you can!

 

Charles Crane - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Charles Crane was an adventurer in many ways, including serving an extended term with the U.S. Cavalry, and settling in the Ohio Veterans' Colony in Georgia.  Born in Warren County, Ohio, to Elihu Crane and Malinda Snook on April 20, 1845, his father died sometime between 1850 and 1860.

In the 1860 census of Union Township, Warren Township, Ohio, Charles Crane, 14, lived with his widowed mother, Melinda, 43, and seven siblings, ranging from age 23 to age 1.  It must have been a very difficult life for the family.  Perhaps out of sense of duty or maybe to help his family, Charles Crane enlisted at the age of 15 or 16 into the Second U.S. Cavalry as a Private.  He was definitely underage.


Enlisting on December 19, 1862, he served in Company L of the U.S. Artillery until July, 1864, reenlisted into Company A of the Second Cavalry and served there until November, 1865.  He served throughout the East, attached to different units. In July, 1863, the cavalry would be found in Gettysburg. On July 3rd, they attacked the Confederate right and rear for four hours before a heavy rain stopped the action.  A monument stands in Gettysburg honoring their participation.

At the end of the war, the U.S.4th Cavalry beckoned him to join on December 2, 1866 into Company I where he served until October 2, 1871.  The 4th Cavalry was sent to Texas where they protected the mail riders and helped settle the Indians.  In February, 1871, they fought against the Commanches and Kiowa in Indian Territory, hoping to place the Indians on their reservations.

On November 25, 1872, Charles enlisted into the 6th Cavalry, Company B and served until November 25, 1877, then reenlisting for the last time on January 2, 1878, and serving until September 8, 1878. Some of his enlistments were in the infantry; he was dedicated to being a soldier. He served sixteen years in the U.S. Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery through war and Western living, and he reported no disabilities on the 1890 Veterans Census.

Charles moved back home with his mother in Warren County, and that's where the census enumerator found him in 1880.  Charles was reported as 35, and he was not working at the time.  His brothers, Irwin, 31, and Walter D., 26, both worked as farmhands and also lived at home.

He married Rea Young on April 1, 1884, in Warren County, Ohio.

Charles signed his mark, not his signature.

This marriage was short-lived, as Rea apparently died sometime before 1886. On May 20, 1886, Charles married Margaret (nee Corrigan) Conway, a widow with children, in Warren County. 

Charles moved to Defiance before 1890, when he appeared in that veterans census.  Always the adventurer, he learned of a colony being formed in Georgia for Union veterans where they could clear land and probably obtain it cheaply.  Called the Ohio Colony, it appealed to the veteran who came home with little to build a life with, as it held promise for the ownership of a nice farm.  On October 15, 1895, the Defiance Daily Crescent reported:

"Charles Crane left this morning for Swan, Ga. where he joins the Ohio colony and will make his future home.  While enroute, he will stop at Atlanta and visit the Exposition.  Mr. Crane's many friends wish him success in his future home."  

His wife, Margaret joined him in early 1896.  The colony eventually failed because, despite all of the promises of the paradise of the south, the northern soldiers soon found out that the land was very poor, some swampy, the insects were a huge detriment to work, and it was expensive to clear the land and build. Mr. O. Dyerman and family of Defiance also went to this Ohio Colony, with Mr. Dyerman as the person in charge.

By 1900, Charles and Margaret were back in Defiance, living at 415 Summit Street.  She had six children and four living.   Charley Crane, 55, and Margaret, 53, were joined by Margaret's children - Mollie Conway, 30, a milliner; George Conway, 27; and Eddie Conway, 23.  Margaret died in 1905 and her obituary appeared in the Defiance Express on February 27, 1905.

"MARGARET CORRIGAN CONWAY CRANE. 

DEATH OF MRS. CRANE OCCURRED SUNDAY AFTERNOON. 

 Mrs. Margaret Crane, wife of Charles Crane, died Sunday afternoon at her home on Summit street in the city.  She was born Margaret Corrigan in King's County, Ireland, in 1845.  When five years of age, with her parents, she moved to the United States, going immediately to Lebanon, Warren County where she resided for many years.

In 1862, she was married to Mr. Conway by whom she had five children, all now living.  They are Mrs. Charles Riley and Edward Conway of Youngstown, George Conway of Ashland, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Margaret Conway of Chicago.*

A sister, Miss Mary Corrigan, of this city, also survives her.

She was married to Mr. Crane eighteen years ago at Lebanon, but for fifteen years, they resided in this city.

Her death occurred after four months of suffering from a complication of diseases.  The funeral will be held tomorrow at. St. John's Catholic church.  Rev. Gloden will conduct the service.  The interment will be in Riverside Cemetery."

In 1908, Charles married Orpha (nee Todd) Roberts, another widow with children.  They settled into 624 Ravine Avenue, Defiance.

Charles and Orpha lived, in 1910, with her children, Orea E. Roberts, 20, who worked in a steel factory; Delia N. Roberts, 15, who was a turner in a mattress factory; and Lawrence Roberts, 12.  Charles had no occupation listed.

Charles Crane died the next year on July 28, 1911. His obituary could not be located. A funeral notice related his service was held at his home and then at the U.B. Church, with interment at Riverside Cemetery.  Pall bearers were Adam Hall, W. H. Ashton, C. G. Robinson, N. Hardesty, P. Osborne, and J. Krontz.

His third wife, Orpha Todd Roberts Crane married again at fifty to William E. Garrett on May 2, 1914, in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. 

(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!)