Lewis Neill - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Lewis Neill was born in Jefferson, Fairfax County, Virginia, on March 16, 1821.  According to one of his obituaries, he married young, and he and his wife had two children die in infancy, and then she died several years into the marriage.

He eventually wandered to Illinois where he took up farming, and he was enumerated there in the 1860 census:

Irving Halsey, 23, farmer, real estate worth $7,000 and Jane E. Halsey, 23, and Louis Neill, 34, born Virginia.

In 1861, Illinois began rounding up troops for the War of the Rebellion, and Lewis responded. He enlisted, at the age of 40, into the 32nd Illinois Infantry, Company K, as a First Sergeant.  The enlistment information for that state included a physical description of Lewis, noting that he was 6' 4 3/4, with brown hair and blue eyes, a fair complexion, and he was a single farmer.  He mustered in at Camp Butler, Illinois, on December 31, 1861.

The Battle of Shiloh began the morning of April 6, 1862, when the Confederates held a surprise attack out of the woods near Shiloh church against U.S. Grant's Union forces.  It was one of the largest, bloodiest battles of the war, neither party willing to retreat or surrender. Twenty thousand men were killed or wounded, and Lewis Neill was one of them.

General William T. Sherman, who was wounded in the hand and had three horses shot from under him at Shiloh, wrote a letter to his wife, describing the scene:

"The scenes on this field would have cured anybody of war.  Mangled bodies, dead, dying,in every conceivable shape, without heads, legs, and horses.  I think we have buried 2,000 since the fight, our own and the enemy and the wounded fill horses, tents, steamboats, and every conceivable place..."

Wounded on April 6, 1862, it was finally decided that Lewis could not go back to the war, and he was discharged on August 1, 1862.  

He came to Defiance about 1864, and married Miss Ellen M. Greer on February 25, 1865.  They had one son, Lewis Greer Neill, born on March 18, 1866, and sadly, the child's mother died the next month in April 1866.  Her brief obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on April 28, 1866, on page 2:

"Died - On Tuesday night last, Mrs. Ellen E., wife of Lewis Neill, Esq. and daughter of the late Judge Greer, aged 22 years."

Left with a one month old infant to raise, Lewis turned to Ellen's mother, Louisa, then a widow.  The 1870 census named Louisa Greer, 60, keeping house, and living with her were Lewis Neill, 49, Recorder, born Virginia, and little Lewis G., 4, as well as Mary Porter, 58, boarding, and Eunice Robinson, 40.  A later census will tell us that Mary and Eunice were sisters to Louisa.  So the child was well cared for by a grandmother and two aunts.

Lewis Neill was a Recorder in Defiance, as well as a Justice of the Peace in Defiance Township.  He completed the enumeration of schools in the county for many years. In 1876, he posted this note in the Defiance Democrat on January 27:

"TO THE PUBLIC- My second term of office (as County Recorder) having expied, I find myself without employment, except the little surplus office work granted me by the new Recorder; and as I can only get a living by pen, I have decided to see what I can do in the writing of Deeds, Mortgages, Leases, Mechanic's Liens, Contracts, Wills, &c.  For all patronage extended to me, I shall be thankful; ;and strive to give satisfaction.  I shall be happy to see my friends at all time in the County Recorder's office where I will serve them.  LEWIS NEILL"

Hence, in the 1880 census, Lewis (Louis) gave his occupation as a copyist, someone employed to make copies of legal documents.  He still lived with his mother-in-law, Louisa Greer, 75, at 459 Wayne Street and the two aunts, Mary Porter, now 73, and N. Robinson, 71. Lewis G., 14, was also with them.  

Mrs. Louisa Greer died in September, 1894, and through her obituary, we find more history of the family.  In the Defiance Daily Crescent, September 10, 1894, page 3:

"MRS. LOUISA GREER.

Born October 17, 1804.  Died September 9, 1894, aged 89 years, 10 months, and 22 days.

Louisa Robinson was born near Brattleboro, Vt., in 1804 where she spent her early youth.  In 1836, she came to Defiance with her uncle, Curtis Holgate, father of the late Wm. C. Holgate with whose family she resided until 1843 when she was married to James Greer, Associate Judge, the wedding occuring on the 29th day of May, 1843.

To Mr. and Mrs. Greer was born but one daughter, Ellen M. Greer, who was one of the most beautiful of women, and who became the wife of our townsman, Lewis Neil in 1865.  Lewis G. Neil was born to them in 1866 and in the same year Mrs. Neil died, since that time Mrs. Greer has made a home for Mr. Neil and his son, Lewis.

Gentle and retiring in manner, she has spent her life within her home, ministering to the happiness and comfort of others.  As a neighbor and friend, she was ever kind and considerate, helpful in sickness and ready to do all she could for those who needed assistance.  She has been active and energetic until within the last few weeks when she was compelled to give up the active performance of the duties of her household and be ministered unto instead of ministering.  

She died very peacefully at her home on Wayne Street yesterday afternoon at half past one o'clock.  The funeral service will occur from her late home tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, Rev. B. W. Slagle officiating."

(Her mother was Eunice Holgate. When William C. Holgate died, he left Louisa $500, as noted in his will.)

In April, 1895, Lewis Neill wrote his will, naming his son, Lewis G., as lone executor and inheritor of all property.  He asked that appraisals and all other usual methods of probate be waived, trusting his son to pay any debts.

Lewis lived on until January 27, 1899, when he died at age 78, leaving his son, Lewis G., who never married. 

 From the Defiance Daily Crescent, January 27, 1899, page 6:

"A TRUE GENTLEMAN

THE DEATH OF LEWIS NEILL CLOSES A WELL SPENT LIFE

Lewis Neill Sr. passed to his reward last night at his home on Wayne street, his death occurring about 12 o'clock.  In the demise of Mr. Neill there passes from our midst one of the best known citizens and a long and well spent life of 78 years is closed.

Mr. Neill was a typical southern gentleman, tall, of commanding appearance and able address.  He was highly cultured and a deep reader of current events and took much pleasure in social chat concerning the occurrences of the day.  Those who have known him longest are his truest friends as it was by constant acquaintances with him that his noble traits were brought out.

The subject of this obituary was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, near Harpers

Ferry, March 16, 1821.  While quite young, he was married to Miss Taylor of near his home, and of this union was born two children, both of whom died in infancy and his wife's demise occurred a few years after the marriage.

Mr. Neill's first business venture was to open a dry goods store in Virginia, which he conducted but a few years, when on account of having given credit too freely, he failed in 1854 and shortly afterwards went to Springfield, O. where he engaged in office work for lawyers until 1858 when he went to southern Illinois and followed the occupation of a country school teacher until 1861, when he enlisted n the Union army in an Illinois regiment and served faithfully until he was wounded at the first attack on Shiloh, by being shot in the left arm.  This necessitated his being mustered out of service and he received an honorable discharge.

While at Springfield, he became acquainted with Hon. W. D. Hill who was practicing law at that place, and it was perhaps on Mr. Hill's suggestion that Mr. Neill came to Defiance.  After leaving the army, he returned to Springfield and in conversations with Mr. Hill, who stated he was going to Defiance, Mr. Neill said he believed he would go there also.

Mr. Neill started on foot and walked to Troy, O., from there he worked his way on a canal boat to Defiance.  For a few years after his arrival here, Mr. Neill done various odd jobs at clerical work until 1867, when he was elected justice of the peace, and served two terms, at the conclusion of which he was elected county recorder and filled the office for two years.  While serving as justice of the peace, he married to Miss Nellie Greer, daughter of Judge Greer, of this city.  The union brought one son, Lewis G. Neill, who survived his father, his mother having died while he was a small child.

Mr. Neill, for a number of years, was school enumerator and in this capacity, made a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the city.

Mr. Neill was a member of Bishop Post. No.22 G. A. R. which organization will attend the funeral in a body.

The funeral services will be conducted at the late home of the deceased Sunday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock.  Rev. B. W. Slagle will officiate.  The remains will be interred in Riverside Cemetery."  

A second obituary, published in the Defiance Democrat in February, 1899, added this information:

"He was a lineal descendant on the mother's side of Gavin Hamilton, of Scotland, the patron of Burns, the Scottish poet, and on the father's side of Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyron, the unyielding Irish patriot, who battled so long against the armies of the British crown and his father's name was Lewis Neill.  
His father was a large land owner and slave holder, and lived in an old fashioned brick country home. The family was widely and favorably known...

Mr. Neill was a thorough gentleman in every respect, who never indulged in profanity and declined to listen to a vulgar story should one be suggested in his presence..."

James and Louisa Greer, Lewis E. Neill and Lewis G. Neill were all buried in Lot 20, Section A of Old Riverside Cemetery.  Ellen Greer Neill is not listed among those in that lot, and her grave could not be found.  But only Lewis G. has a marker still standing.

                               Lewis Greer Neill

Adminstrator Note - All comments are moderated, so it make take a day or two for your comment to appear on the post.  We welcome comments and additional information on all posts.

(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!)

Joseph Partee - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Joseph Partee was one of a host of Partees in Williams and Defiance County.  Born on May 17, 1844, in Williams County to Lawrence and Rachel (Webb) Partee, Joseph was one of the youngest children in the family.  

He and his older brother, Obadiah, both enlisted in the Civil War.  At just 17, Joseph signed up on April 17, 1861, as a private into Company F, 48th Ohio Infantry, where he served until he transferred into Company E. 83rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He advanced himself to Corporal, spent 7 months as a prisoner of war from April 1861 - November 1861, and was injured in battle.  Joseph served patriotically until his discharge on May 9, 1866.

When Joseph returned home from the war, he married Rachel L. Cook in Defiance, Ohio, on September 16, 1866.  In 1870, the census enumerator found them in Defiance Township.  Joseph, 26, was farming, and Rachel, 23, was keeping house and caring for two small children - Mary, 3 and Jessie, 1.  With them were James Dellett, 22, an engineman, and Daniel Smith, 8.  The relationships, if any, are unknown.

The family moved into Defiance City on Perry Street by the 1880 census.  Joseph and Rachel had daughters, Mary L., 13; Jessie I., 11 and Milo, son, 8.  Joseph and his next door neighbor, brother George, both worked in the spoke factory.  

Rachel Cook Partee died in July 1899, at about age 52,  Her obituary appeared in the Defiance Daily Crescent on July 29, 1899, page 2.

"DEATH OF MRS. JOS. PARTEE

A Good, True and Kind Woman Passes to Her Reward

Death last evening come to the relief of Mrs. Joseph Partee, who has been a sufferer for the past four years, a part of which time she was perfectly helpless from the effects of paralysis.  Mrs. Partee was a lady of a very generous disposition and was ever ready to assist her neighbors and friends and was greatly beloved by all who knew her and highly esteemed in the community.  She was a kind and affectionate mother and loving wife and her presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  The death occurred last evening at 6:30 o'clock at her home in South Defiance.

Deceased was born in Columbiana county, O., near Salem, in 1847 and was therefore 52 years old.  She was two years old when her parents moved to Defiance county where she has since resided.  Her maiden name was Jessie Cook and her parents settled in Washington township.

The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at St. Paul's M.E. church and will be conducted by Rev. A. Edwin A. Smith.  The remains will be interred in Riverside Cemetery."

Joseph remarried to Ella Phillipps Hudson, daughter of George and Ella (Howel) Phillips.  At the time of the marriage, Ella, a widow, was 38 and Joseph was 56.  The bride's residence was Bryan, but the couple married in Defiance on May 16, 1900.  

They settled in at 1143 Emery Street, Defiance, where they were enumerated in the 1900 census.  Joseph and Ella were there with Nellie Knudson (Hudson), 5, step-daughter and Hary W. Knudson, 3, stepson.

Ella was born in Indiana and by 1910, the family had moved back to Anderson, Madison County, Indiana. In the 1910 census, they were found at 2629 Jackson Street.  Joseph, 66, worked in a factory there, while Ella kept house and cared for Floyd Hudson, 18; Neiley (Nellie) Hudson, 16, and Harry W. Hudson, 19 (13).  Ella reported she had had seven children and all seven were living.  

The family could not be found in the 1920 census, but Joseph's second wife, Ella, died in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, on February 18, 1927.  Hence, it seemed likely that the family remained at their same home as in 1910.

Ella was 68, born on March 8, 1858.  She was buried in Maplewood Cemetery there.

"RECEIVES WORD OF DEATH OF MOTHER

Word has been received by John Hudson, 420 Hoyt Ave. of the death of his mother, Mrs. Ella Partee, of Summitville.  Mrs. Partee is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Roy Dunlap and Mrs. Joe Wisenfraund of Chicago; and Mrs. Sam Barke of Oklahoma; six sons, George and Arzie Hudson of Indianapolis, Harry, Floyd, and Ernest Hudson of Anderson, and John Hudson of Muncie.  Funeral services were held at Sells Brothers chapel in Anderson at 2:30 today.  Burial took place in the East Maplewood Cemetery."     Muncie Evening Press, Muncie, Indiana, February 21, 1927, p. 2

At some point after Ella's death, Joseph moved to Wyandotte, Michigan, to live with his daughter, Jessie Partee McTaggart.  He was enumerated there in the 1930 census with his son-in-law, George McTaggert, head, 61, who owned a home worth $7000, and worked as a superintendent at the Alkali No. 2 factory.  Jessie, 60, his wife; Ethel Miller, 38, single, step-daughter, a teacher and Joseph Partee, 85, father-in-law, makes hoops, Civil War veteran, joined the McTaggerts.

Joseph died in Wyandotte, Michigan on March 18, 1931, and he was brought home to Defiance for burial with Rachel.

His obituary appeared in the Defiance Crescent-News on March 19, 1931, on page 1:

"JOSEPH PARTEE TAKEN BY DEATH

The body of Joseph Partee, 86 year old Civil War veteran who died Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. D. McTaggart, Wyandotte, Mich., will be brought to Riverside Cemetery Saturday for burial.   The body is expected to arrive at the cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday when members of the Grand Army of the Republic will conduct services.

Mr. Partee served in the 48th O.V.I. during the Civil War.

He was a native of Defiance and had lived in the vicinity until about 20 years ago.

Besides the daughter, Mrs. McTaggart, he leaves seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Dr. F. M. Swinehart, pastor of the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church here, will be in charge of the services at the grave.

Joseph's son, Milo William Partee, born April 23, 1872, in Defiance County, served in the Spanish American War.  He enlisted on May 16, 1898 and was discharged in May, 1899.  He preceded his father in death on January 25, 1917.

Joseph's daughter, Jessie, married four times - to John Sontchi, Persey Bessey, John Miller and finally, George McTaggert.  Born in 1869, she passed away on January 23, 1962, at the age of 92.  Her sister, Mary, born in 1867, has yet been found in the death records.

(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!)

Harvey Webster Wood and Columbus Edward Kindig - Spanish -American War Veterans From Defiance

 

Both the son of Harvey Wood, "Webb Wood," and his son-in-law for a brief time, Columbus Edward Kindig, "Edward," served in the Spanish American War in Company M, 6th Ohio Regiment, in different capacities and with different endings.  

Webster "Webb" Wood was a Corporal in Company M who enlisted at the age of 20 on July 2, 1898.  He was mustered in at Columbus, Ohio by Captain Charles M. Rockefeller.  

Edward Kindig, on the other hand, once Cora Wood's husband, was a private in the same unit.  Company M was sent by train to Columbus and then to Camp Thomas, Georgia, where the conditions were horrible.  This camp was at the site of the Civil War battle, Chickamauga, and it was overcrowded with poor sanitation and little clean water.  Later the unit was moved to Camp Poland, Tennessee, in August, 1898.

                                           Camp Thomas, Georgia

But it was too late for Private Edward Kindig of Defiance; he had already contracted typhoid fever at the camp in Georgia.  Dead at the age of 28, he was sent home to Defiance on the B & O Railroad. (Coincidentally, his mother was returning home to Defiance from a trip on the very same train and had no idea her son's lifeless body was in another car.) His return was much noted in the newspapers, as shown in this article found in the Defiance Express of August 25, 1898:

"SORROWFUL HOMECOMING

Remains of Corporal Edward C. Kindig Came Home This Afternoon.  

They Were in Charge of Corporal Lem Sapp Who Came Home Sick.

The remains of Corporal Edward C. Kindig, who died at Camp Thomas, Sunday at 5:30 p.m. arrived Tuesday afternoon, B & O train, NW bound in charge of Corporal Lem Sapp.  An immense crowd had already begun to make its way to the depot when the following telegram was made public and added to the general interest taken in the affair:

Special to Daily Express:  Deshler, August 23 - The train bearing Kindig's remains and myself will arrive at depot at %:30.  Inform parents, firemen, meet me, sick.

Corporal Lem Sapp.

At 3 p.m. the Sons of Veterans, G.A.R. men headed by a platoon of police and the Defiance Military Band marched to the depot, while Private Bert Wisda of Company M, home on furlough, carried the beautiful flag presented to Company M before it left for the war.  At the depot, the remains were taken charge of by undertakers, Blanchard & Son, and were met by the Sons of Veterans and members of G.A.R.  The body was conveyed to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Kindig, 720 Harrison Street, the procession moving in the order given above.

As soon as the remains were taken from the train, the company flag was placed on the rough box and the procession then moved to the Kindig residence.  The following persons were pall bearers: C. J. Thompson, Ed  Krabach, Carl Schultz, John King, I. C. Osborne and Peter Hendrick.  A beautiful floral cross arms in red, white and blue, presented by the citizens, was carried in the cortege.

Corporal Sapp was very weak and had to be led from the train by friends.  The crowd present was immense.  The friends and citizens have procured many beautiful floral offerings to place on the casket.

The Funeral

The remains of Corporal Edward Kindig were taken to Evansport for interment Wednesday at 10 a.m.  At 9 a.m. a short funeral service was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kindig, the parents, 720 Harrison street, Rev. Ova C. Wright of the Baptist church officiating.  The remains were then escorted to the high bridge in North Defiance by a large number of Sons of Veterans and members of the GAR, headed by the Defiance Military Band.  An escort of Sons of Veterans accompanied the remains to Evansport, and after a short service at that place, the body was lowered to the grave.

There were many beautiful floral offerings, one piece being presented by the Second Ward people and one by citizens generally, both designed by Winterich.  The Daughters of Veterans sent a beautiful spray of roses.  

Mrs. Kindig, who returned from Piqua, rode from the place to Deshler on the same train that bore the remains of her son, but she did not know it until she left the train at Deshler and met Corporal Sapp who was in charge of the body.

Edward C. Kindig was one of the heroes of the war and while it is distressing that the sturdy young man should have been called in the morning of manhood, there were rumors attending his homecoming that only added to the distress of his friends.  It was reported that Kindig had been hurt in a rough and tumble fight and that was the cause of his death.  W. E. King had used the sword on Kindig on the parade ground, and that he had died of blood poison.  Not withstanding these outrageous stories, had been disproved by Lieutenant H. B. Lewis and other members of the company. 

Dr. M. B. Stevens was called on Tuesday evening and made an examination of the remains.  He did not find a mark upon them, and the parents were permitted to see for themselves what Dr. Stevens had told them.  This puts to rest for all time the cruel stories that would have left a cloud upon the hero dead and put a lasting blight upon the living...The sworn statement of the physician at Camp Thomas shows that Corporal Kindig died of enetric fever.

Corporal Webb Wood continued with Company M to Charleston where they departed on the ship, Minnewaska, headed for Cuba, where the unit remained until the next April, 1899.  The war had officially ended on December 10, but the troops stayed to keep the peace and stability of the country.  The Spanish- American War was a short war, 1898-1899, and one where more men were lost to disease than battle.  In his company, Webb lost one officer and 24 enlisted men to disease.

Webb lived in Defiance his entire life, and he worked as a foreman in the tool room of the American Steel Packaging Company.  He married Julia Houck on December 14, 1904, daughter of Gottlieb and Henrietta (Smith) Houck. 

Webb had to register for both the WW I and WWII drafts.  In the first draft, he indicated he was tall and stout, but in the second "old man's " draft of World War II, when he was 64 years old, he elaborated that he was 6'10" tall and 225 pounds!

Webb and Julia lived for quite awhile at the 901 Wilhelm Street address, but by 1940, they had a new home at 906 West Jefferson.  Grace lived with them until her death in 1937. Webb took on a new job as defense instructor in Defiance during the war.

Julia Houck Wood died in December, 1954, of a sudden hemorrhage.  Her obituary appeared in the Christmas Eve edition of the Crescent-News. On February 17, 1956, Webb married again to Ada Elizabeth Galloway who was the director of nurses at Defiance Hospital.  Elizabeth, as she was called, was nineteen years younger than Webb, and after his retirement that same year, they moved to her hometown of St. Mary's, Ohio.

They were married but five years until Webb's death in 1961.

"H. WEBSTER WOOD

Remains of Harvey Webster "Webb" Wood, 83, a Defiance native and former city councilman were brought here for burial in the Riverside Cemetery Tuesday afternoon.

Burial followed services in St. Mary's, where he died Saturday after a lingering illness dating to May 22, 1959.  The services were held in the Sittler and Stein funeral home Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Kenneth Burris, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, St. Mary's, officiating.

A son of Harvey and Sarah White Wood, he was born in Defiance on November 17, 1877, and died Saturday in his home, 111 Nagel Steet.

He was a Spanish-American War veteran and former foreman and supervisor in the Defiance Tool and Die Co. plant.  He served several years on city council, resigning Friday, Jan. 2, 1942.  He had been reelected to council from the first ward the preceding November and his resignation at a special meeting came as a surprise.

He gave his duties as instructor in defense classes as the Defiance High School as the reason for his resignation...

Wood and his wife, the former Ada Elizabeth Galloway moved to her home in St. Marys in 1956, following his retirement.  She is his only survivor.

He was a member of the Defiance Presbyterian Church, Omega Lodge, No. 564, Free and Accepted Masons; Ensawocsa chapter No. 89, Royal Arch Masons, Oc-co-nox-ee 55 R and S.M., Defiance Commandery Knights Templar andValley of Toledo Consistory."

Webb was buried in Riverside with his first wife, Julia.  Elizabeth is buried in Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Mary's, Ohio, when she died in May, 1980.

Adminstrator Note - All comments are moderated, so it make take a day or two for your comment to appear on the post.  We welcome comments and additional information on all posts.

Harvey Wood - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Harvey Wood, actually William Harvey Wood, was born in 1840, which meant he was at a prime age to fight when the Civil War came along.  He enlisted into the 25th Ohio Infantry, Company A, on October 6, 1864, and he served a one year term, mustering out on October 6, 1865.  He did suffer some kind of infirmity, but the handwriting could not be read on the 1890 Veterans' Census to determine its nature.  

Harvey joined his company and regiment in Fort Pulaski, Georgia in October, 1864.  From there, the company attached to the 3rd Separate Brigade and headed to South Carolina where they led an expedition against the Charleston and Savannah railroads, hoping to keep supplies out of the hands of the Confederates. One of their most important battles was the Battle of Honey Hill where the regiment had 150 men wounded or killed.  Harvey would have taken part in the occupation of Charleston toward the end of the war.

After he returned from the war, he married the 15 or 16 year old Sarah E. White on July 4, 1869.  In the 1870 Federal Census, they lived in Pleasant Township, Henry County, near New Bavaria.  Harvey, 28, worked as a farmer with a personal estate of $300.  Sarah was then 17, and they had Cora, 5 months old.  

By 1880, they had moved to 435 Court Street in Defiance where Harvey had a job as a laborer.  He, Sarah, 27, and Cora, 11, had welcomed a new brother, Harvey Webster, called "Webb," 2.

The daughter, Cora Wood, age 20, married Columbus Edward Kindig, age 19, on June 7, 1890.  The marriage did not go well, as in October, 1895, Edward (as he was known) filed for divorce.  The Defiance Evening News reported on October 29, 1895, on page 5:

"WANTS A DIVORCE

Edward Kindig Becomes Weary of the Tie that Binds.

Edward C. Kindig has become tired of the tie that binds, and has begun suit in probate court against his wife, Cora, for divorce.

He alleges that they were married in this city, June 7, 1889, and have no children.  He has always conducted himself towards her as a dutiful husband, but notwithstanding this fact, she has for a long time been an inmate of a house of ill fame, and is now known as a public prostitute on the streets.  He prays for an absolute divorce.  Enos & Johnson are his attorneys."

No other information could be found on Cora, searched with her maiden name or married name.  It is known that she died in February, 1898, only because her family put a thank you in the newspaper for those who gave condolences upon their daughter, Cora's, death.  No obituary could be located in any state for her.

In 1900, the family was enumerated without Cora at 816 Perry Street.  Harvey, 60, was a day laborer and owned his home free and clear.  Sarah was 45, and she reported she had two children and two living. However, the children listed were Webb H., 22, day laborer, and Grace, 15, at school.  Was Cora completely disowned and not reported as a child born to Sarah? 

Son, Webb, and the Sherriff accompanied Sarah Wood to the Toledo State Hospital where she remained until her death in 1937.

Webster married Julia Houck, daughter of Gottlieb and Henrietta (Smith) Houck, on December 14, 1904.  He was a toolmaker, 27, and Julia was 26.  So, just Grace, 19, and Harvey were left in their home.  Neither Webb nor Harvey nor Grace could be found in the 1910 census.  However, it is known they were in Defiance as Harvey was injured at work that year, as the Defiance Crescent-News reported on May 19, 1910:

"Harvey Wood, an employee of the American Steel Packaging Company, sustained severe burns to his left hand.  Wood was working with his hand immersed in naptha, and got too close to an open light causing the fluid to explode."

Grace Gladys Wood remained single and cared for her father until his death on October 17, 1917, at the age of 77.

Grace then went to live with her brother, Webb, and his wife, Julia.  She was enumerated with them on the census of 1930.  She was employed as a saleslady in the Uhlman store which was once in Defiance, until her death on February 27, 1937, at the age of 47..

Grace's mother, Sarah White Wood, also died in 1937, in December at the Toledo State Hospital.  The Crescent-News ran her obituary on December 21, 1937, on the front page.

"MRS. SARAH WOOD, LONG ILL, EXPIRES IN TOLEDO, AGED 84

Mrs. Sarah E. Wood, 84, widow of Harvey W. Wood, died in Toledo Hospital at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, following an illness of many years.

The body was brought to Smith Brothers funeral home here where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday with Rev. H. W. Shepfer in charge.  Interment will be in Riverside cemetery.

Mrs. Wood was born in Defiance county, March 25, 1853, and spent the major portion of her life in Defiance and vicinity.  She was married to Mr. Wood in 1868.  Her husband died in 1917.

Surviving are a son, H. W. Wood, 706 Clinton street.  A daughter, Grace, preceded her in death."

Harvey Webster Wood was left - more on him next time.

Adminstrator Note - All comments are moderated, so it make take a day or two for your comment to appear on the post.  We welcome comments and additional information on all posts.

(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!)

Surnames Wi - Z: Birth Records Located in Defiance County, But Births Actually Occurred Elsewhere

These are as found in the Birth Records of Defiance County or other files, originals located at the Records Center in Defiance, or as indexed by the Defiance County Genealogical Society and published as a book, available for ordering on our website.  

The DCGS index book notes the actual location of the record.  Births were usually recorded in a log book, but sometimes appeared in other files.  Remember that these are transcriptions and errors in spelling/numbers could appear.  It is always best to check the original record.

WI

Wichner, Anna Augusta (F. W. Wichner & Alen Faylor) b. Henry Twp., Wood Co., O -

6 September 1899

Wiler, Mary Lucile (John B. Wiler & Rose A. Harrell) b. Hancock Co., O. - 8 May 1904

Wiler, Merril (George Wiler & Myrtle Dunlap) b. Findlay, Hancock Co., O. -

26 September 1893

Wiler, Ralph Hilton (R. H. & Mildred E. Carpenter) b. Pleasant Twp., Henry Co., O. -

19 April 1907

Willard, Blanche (G. D. Willard & Maggie Bates) b. Salem, Columbiana Co., O. -

29 July 1890

Williamson, Sarah ( Jerry Williamson & Sarah Sith) b. Emerald, Paulding Co., O. -

20 June 1893

Williamson, Ray (Geo. Williamson & Mary Karns) b. Auglaize Twp., Paulding Co., O. -

8 February 1893

Willock, Elizabeth (Curtis Willock & Mary Stevenson) b. Oakmont, Allegheny Co, Penn

-20 January 1904

Wilson, Robert Everette (Otto Everette Wilson & Blanche Gains Kibler) b. Pike Co., O.

- 25 December 1896

Wilson, Victoria (James Wilson & Sarah) b. St. Joseph, Williams Co., O. - 

26 Sept 1869

Wood, Marie (John M. Wood & Mabel Curtis) b. Portage, Wood Co., O. -12 Apr. 1901

Woodruff, Anna (E. S. Woodruff & Libbie Dixon) b. Wood Co., O. -12 August 1893

Woolford, Forest Edward (Charles E. Woolford & Ida M. Hootman) b. Elkhart, Indiana - 18 January 1893

Wycoff, Donald Raymond (George Wycoff & Flora Price) b. Richland Co., O. -

10 May 1903

Y

Yearling, Ralph Edward (C. C. Yearling & Idith Bartia) b. Emerald, Paulding Co., O. -

4 December 1907

Young, John (John Young & Eva ) b. Michigan - 12 May 1875

Z

Zeigler, Bertha Maud (Abraham Zeigler & Mary Ann Trout) b. Williams Co., O. -

11 September 1902

Zimmerman, Annie (Martin Zimmerman & Mary Pettmer) b. Perry, Putnam Co., O. -

29June 1907

The Gypsy Camps in Defiance

 

The first gypsy camps mentioned in the available Defiance newspapers were here in the 1890s.  At that time, the wanderers were camping on the fort grounds, and people from town visited the camp as entertainment.

The Daily Defiance Crescent reported on August 6, 1892:

"The gypsy camp at the fort ground last evening at the fort ground was an attractive one... The costumes of the gypsies were elaborate and were becoming to the wearers.  

Refreshments were daintily served by the young ladies of the Epworth League.  This evening another opportunity is presented to those who desire to visit the camp...You will do well to spend this evening with the gypsies."

In 1894, it was learned that the gypsies would walk through the town selling baskets, horse trading, and telling fortunes in their eye-catching garments.  BUT, in 1898, the overall reputation of the gypsies took a plunge in the city. If anything went missing, it seemed the suspicion fell on the gypsy camp, when they were here.

October 13, 1898, The Defiance Democrat:

"HARNESS STOLEN - NOBLE TOWNSHIP FARMER VICTIM OF PILFERERS WHO ARE UNKNOWN.

Sheldon E. Sanford, of Noble Township, had a set of double work harness stolen Monday evening.  The thieves did not wait for the conventional midnight hour, but got in their work while the family was at supper, entering the barn and getting away without attracting any attention.  Suspicion was directed toward some gypsies who are encamped above Brunersburg, and Mr. Sanford, along with Sheriff Eiser searched the camp yesterday but could find no traces of the missing harness."

July 12, 1899  Defiance Daily Crescent - 

"A DIRTY LOT.  GYPSIES ORDERED TO LEAVE THE CITY.  A camp of Russian gypsies pitched their tents in North Defiance yesterday and the greasy, filthy specimens of humanity scattered to all parts of the city telling fortunes and begging.  Health officer Chapman visited the camp last evening to inspect its sanitary condition, which he found very bad.  Marshall Hull served notice on the gypsies that they must leave the city, so this morning, they pulled stakes and left for other fields."

As you can see, the view of the gypsy encampments changed significantly.  What was once entertaining and acceptable, had now become repugnant to the city people.  Not only were the gypsies blamed for robberies, but it was also rumored that they stole children.

On September 21,1899, the Hicksville Enquirer (reprinted in the Defiance Democrat of Sept. 28)reported that the child of Mrs. H. Carr, "formerly Mrs. Ferguson, who parted from her husband about a year and a half ago, was stolen while at play.  The mother missed its presence, and on going to call the little one, no response came.  Then a search was commenced and nearly every house in town has been thoroughly examined.  The father was in town a week ago.   It is feared by some that gypsies who have been camping near the town, have the child, as part of the camp that left today, and every effort is being made to find them."  No conclusion to this story could be found.

A similar blame on the gypsies was made in September, 1906, when Bessie Speck, a 16 year old, living at 1124 Perry Street, was punished by her mother for her lying ways. The girl told her mother that she would just go kill herself, but instead Bessie ran away.

"Later she was seen following a gypsy wagon, and after that, there is no trace of her.  Fearing that she may have been carried out her threat, or that she had been taken away by the gypsies, the parents and friends instituted a very thorough inquiry."  Bessie was found later in Continental - not a victim of the gypsies.

It evolved until law enforcement actively tried to keep the gypsies moving on out of Defiance.  In September, 1907, a band of seven or eight families camped in the grove across from the Francis Street bridge in south Defiance.  They had been feeding themselves through garden filching, hen coop visiting and sometimes begging.  Chief of Police Hubbard and Sheriff Kopp paid a visit and moved them out while leaving a stern warning not to return.

May, 17,1911. The Defiance Democrat.

"GYPSIES HAD SCRAP, RIG FOR SECURITY.

But for the timely intervention of Constable J. P. Eiser, Joe Davis would probably have been carved up by a couple gypsies on Fifth Street early Thursday evening."

Joe Davis had a disagreement with a group of gypsy men and the result was that Joe was beaten soundly, and in the end was facing a knife and a razor just as Eiser arrived on the scene.

The aggressors were taken before Judge Lamb the next morning, having left their horse and rig after the fight as security to their return.

As they waited for the gypsies to arrive at court, a man from Kentucky came and said that they had "borrowed" the rig from him to haul away some junk and it was not returned.  The gypsies, who were "camping near the Ruehle place in East Defiance" never did show.

As late as 1941, the visits of the gypsies continued, only now they were driving cars. In the Crescent-News, May 22, 1941, page 1:

"SECOND ROBBERY BY GYPSIES BRING APPEAL TO PUBLIC BY BRIDENBAUGH

After gypsies staged a second robbery this spring in Defiance county and made a clean getaway, Sheriff John K. Bridenbaugh today issued an appeal to the public to cooperate with his department in apprehending offenders.

Latest victim was Leslie Mills, 83, Hicksville, who was robbed Monday noon of about $50, including his old age pension money.  Although Mr. Mills was unable to get the license number of the car driven by the gypsies, or its description, Sheriff Bridenbaugh, Marshall Robert Lower, Night Marshall D. M. Driver and Mayor M. H. Bevington, the last three of Hicksville, visited the gypsy camp near Angola, Ind., and also went into Michigan looking for the offenders.  Mr. Mills accompanied the officers but was unable to identify anyone at the camp.  He was cutting weeds when the women snatched his purse...

Another robbery attributed to gypsies occurred about a month ago near Delaware Bend, when an aged man lost about $67, Sheriff Bridenbaugh said.  The gypsy women, he said, asked the victim to put water in the radiator of their car.  While he was doing so, one of the women pushed him while another grabbed his pocket book, officers were told."

Eventually, the visits to Defiance stopped and all could rest easy again.

Adminstrator Note - All comments are moderated, so it make take a day or two for your comment to appear on the post.  We welcome comments and additional information on all posts.

More Children of Pierce and Mary Ann Evans - Mary Ann, Rinaldo, and Nancy

 

Mary Ann Evans was the youngest daughter in the Pierce Evans' family.  Born in Defiance in 1840, she married the son of Miller Arrowsmith - John Caraway Arrowsmith - in 1861, and the next year they were blessed with their one and only son, Miller Pierce Richard Evans Arrowsmith, called Dick or Dickie.

(*Caraway was his mother, Celenda Caraway's, maiden name.)

Unfortunately, John C. Arrowsmith died on May 29, 1864, and was buried in the Farmer Cemetery.  About five years later, Ann and her son rode the newly finished railroad out to California to join her brothers, and she followed them later to Reno where she stayed 25 years, living with John Newton and his family.

in 1905, after her brother, John Newton's, death,  she and Dick returned home to Hicksville where she lived the rest of her life until the age of 100 1/2. A large party was held for her one hundredth birthday and a special guest was her niece, John's daughter, Elizabeth Evans Robinson from Reno.

Her obituary appeared in the Nevada State Journal on June 15, 1941, p. 5:

"AGED FORMER RENOITE DIES.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was 100 Years Old.

At the age of 100 years and six months, Mrs. Ann Evans Arrowsmith, a former well-known Reno resident, died yesterday at the home of her son in Hicksville, Ohio.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was born on December 15, 1840, at Fort Defiance, Ohio, 13th child of Pierce Evans and Mary Ann Braucher Evans.

In 1861, she married John Caraway Arrowsmith.  He died in 1863 (1864).  Accompanied by her son, Dick Evans Arrowsmith, she came west in the first year after the Central Pacific railroad was completed in 1869.  She went to Lassen county, California, and made her home in Long Valley.  Her four brothers, Orlando, Alvaro, Allen and John Evans were engaged in ranching there.

After living in Lassen county for 10 years, she moved to Reno in 1879, where John Newton Evans had moved.  She lived with her son and his family for more than 25 years in the home on Evans avenue where the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house is now located.

She was very active in the social life of Reno, then a rapidly-growing town.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps in Reno, and at the time of her death, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Ohio.

In 1905, Mrs. Arrowsmith returned to Ohio with her son, the late John N. Evans and his family, and resided there up to the present time.  (*She returned with her son, Dick.)

Among the surviving relatives are Mrs. J. LaRue Robinson, of Reno, a niece and her daughter-in-law, who was the former Gertrude Rhodes, an aunt of Dr. D. C. Rhodes, and Mrs. Jessie Rhodes Wilcox of Reno.

The 100th birthday of Mrs. Arrowsmith was observed last December with a large family reunion in Ohio.  At that time, numerous telegrams of congratulations were sent by many persons, including Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable."

Nancy Braucher Evans, born in February 1823, was Mary Ann's older sister.  She married James Cheney and they settled in Indiana.  (Braucher was her mother's maiden name.)

She died on June 27, 1895, and her obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on July 4, 1895, page 5:

"From Fort Wayne Gazette of Friday, June 28, we glean the following concerning the death and brief history of Mrs. Nancy Cheney, who was born near this city 72 years ago, and is remembered by some of the old residents still living in Defiance.

Yesterday morning at 9 o'clock occurred the death of Mrs. Nancy Cheney at the residence of her husband, Judge James Cheney on Spy Run Avenue.  The cause of death, as revealed by a post mortem exam held by Drs. Ross and Porter, was an ulceration of the bowels, probably of a cancerous nature.  Mrs. Cheney had been ill for some time, but few knew that her condition was critical and the news of her death was a fearful shock to her friends.

Mrs.Cheney was born 72 years ago near Defiance, Ohio, and in her childhood days was Miss Nancy Evans, the daughter of pioneers settled on the Maumee River.  Fifty three years ago last May, she became the wife of Mr. James Cheney, who is now one of the wealthiest and best known capitalists in Indiana.

In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney moved to Fort Wayne, where Mr. Cheney started a bank. In a few years, he moved to Logansport where he resided until 1874.  He then moved to Fort Wayne with his wife and they have resided here ever since.

There are four surviving children as follows: Mrs. Helen Kimberly of Neenah, Wisconsin; Mr. W. R. Cheney of St. Louis; Mrs. Mary Cornelia Nelson of Logansport and Mrs. C. S. Knight of Spy Run Avenue.  The aged husband and three daughters were at her bedside when death occurred yesterday morning, and Mr. Will Cheney, the only son, arrived from St. Louis last night.

Mrs. Cheney was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church.  The funeral will be held there tomorrow morning, Rev. Dr. Moffatt officiating, and the remains taken to Logansport for interment."

                                                        Logansport, Indiana

Her husband was the well-known James Cheney.  His obituary appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinel, December 14, 1903, front page: 

It was brother Rinaldo (Reynaldo) who stayed in Ohio to farm the lands obtained by his father, Pierce.  Born on December 17, 1819, Rinaldo married Mary A. Shaw in 1858.  He farmed his land in Richland Township and could be found in the censuses each year until 1880; he died on April 27, 1886.  His obituary was short, appearing in the Defiance Democrat on April 29, 1886:

"RINALDO EVANS, an old and highly respected citizen of this section, died at his farm residence in Richland township Tuesday afternoon.  The funeral will be held on Friday."

His will was probated in May, 1886, in which he revealed that he had no debts and that his executors should contest any that came forth, expect for his taxes and last sickness.  All was left to his wife, and upon her death, designations were named for each child.  At that time he had 200 acres along the river in Section 19 and 118 acres in Section 18.

He was buried in Old Riverside Cemetery in Defiance.

As mentioned in an earlier posts, several other brothers died young - the youngest child, Frederick Richard died at age 2.  An older brother, Horatio, born in 1830, died in 1851. His brief obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on October 25, 1851, p. 2:

"Died at the residence of his father, Judge Pierce Evans, on Tuesday evening, 21st inst, Horatio Evans, aged 21 years, 9 months and 21 days, of typhus fever.

What an adventurous, curious, and entrepreneurial family were the Evans!

Adminstrator Note - All comments are moderated, so it make take a day or two for your comment to appear on the post.  We welcome comments and additional information on all posts.