I'm taking the usual AUGUST BLOG BREAK!
See you in SEPTEMBER!
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Five Generation Keepsake Photo from Sherwood
Taken in 1948, this photo depicted five generations of the family of little Anna Boroff:
Hattie Breininger, great-great grandmother
Mrs. Jacob Sprow, great-grandmother
Mrs Russell Hallard, grandmother
Mrs. Janet Boroff, mother
Anna Boroff, daughter
Sherwood Chronicle April 22, 1948
Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Clarinda Bailey Williamson French, Proprietress on Danforth Street, Defiance
The couple was divorced by 1870, and the 1870 census showed her living in Putnam County with the Albert and Nancy Russell family and their three children. Clarinda had three children, as well, George - 8, Jessie - 4, and Charley, 2. She married Darius French on May 12, 1873. They had at least one daughter, Ella, in the next year, but this marriage did not last either and the couple divorced. A Sheriff's Sale of Property was held to settle the suit of Clarinda against Darius on August 28, 1880.
The Defiance Democrat of May 15, 1879, reported:
"Clarinda French against Darius H. French. Defendant ordered to pay $4.00 a month for benefit of infant child and child given to plaintiff. Defendant to have access at 6:00 each Sabbath night."
In the census of 1880, now divorced twice, Clarinda (sometimes called "Clara") settled into a home with three children: George Williamson, 19, who worked on a farm; Charley Williamson, 7; and Ella French, 6. Clarinda was 38 and reported that she worked as a seamstress.
In the 1890 Veterans Census, George Williamson was listed at a veteran of Company B, 76th Ohio Infantry. He served from March 15, 1864, until June 15, 1865. Above his name was the notation, "Clarinda French, former wife of "
Does that mean she would benefit from his pension someday? George Williamson was lost after this census, with no clear record of his death, a remarriage, or anything else.
It was about this time that Clarinda's choice of the use of her home began to bring her trouble. Divorced twice, it was likely that she was quite poor and decided she needed some easy extra income. It was in 1891 that her name became regularly written about in the newspapers of Defiance. Early morning raids were held and she was fined quite consistently for running a house of ill fame.
By March 3, 1892, the Defiance Democrat reported that "The only occupant of the city's free institution (the stone yard) at present is Clarinda French, who has been serving time since the 12th day of last December." That's 2 1/2 months in the winter in the stoneyard. Would she learn her lesson?
In March, 1892, a murder occurred in the county infirmary...and the guilty party was named as Charles Brown, illegitimate child of Clarinda French and son of Jonas Brown.
Defiance Democrat, March 17, 1892
"BROWN THE IMBECILE
HE IS EXAMINED BY PHYSICIANS IN REGARD TO HIS MENTAL CONDITION."
Tuesday Charles Brown, the imbecile and murderer of young Rich (Joseph E. Rich) was brought into Probate Court.
The idiot is a repulsive creature and there is no doubt as to his mental condition. He has a low forehead and his hair grows nearly down to his eyes. If he had not such an idiotic expression, he would be considered vicious looking. Mrs. Clarinda French, his mother, appeared in court. She says he is the son of Jonas Brown and is twenty four years old. He is a bastard child. Mrs. French is a resident of this city.
Brown does not stay at the Infirmary regularly. Doctors Chapman and Berchtold took the young man into a private room and made an examination of him in regard to his medical condition. Brown says he is going back to the Infirmary and 'do up' John Bordner.
The certificate of the physicians pronounces him insane, but Judge Baker says it is doubtful whether the keepers of the asylum will receive him as our quota of inmates is now exceeded by five more than the county is entitled to."
As the doctors proclaimed, "A man who will deliberately butcher up a person, as was the case with Rich, is not safe to be at large..." Charles" fate is unknown.
When the 1900 Federal Census was taken, Clarinda French ,55, was at her home at 336 Danforth Street, Defiance, where she gave her occupation as washerwoman. With her lived her oldest son, George, 38; John Williamson, her nephew; Ottenger Wells, a boarder; Laura Bennett, 22, dressmaker and boarder, and Nettie Bennett, 24, a widow. Newspapers indicated that the business was going strong.
"TRAPPED DOVES.
Sunday morning officers Shea, Rath, McDonnel and Stock made a raid on Clarinda French's castle for soiled doves down by 'Sulphur Hollow.' It was not a water haul, and Mrs. French, the proprietress, Ella French and Della Bird were the females bagged. Two men, giving their names as George Green and George Smith, probably fictitious, were also 'caught in the shuffle' The feminine portion of those nipped were put in the cooler, but Green and Smith put up ten dollars each for their appearance this morning and forfeited that amount by not showing up.
This morning the females were brought into court. Mrs. French was charged with keeping a house of prostitution and Ella French and Della Bird had a charge of being inmates of a house of ill fame placed opposite their names. The French's pled not guilty and their trial is set for Wednesday.
Della Bird, who has figured quite prominently in this section of the state was found guilty and fined ten dollars and costs. She is now in city prison and will stay until someone puts up for her. The police are elated over this arrest and it will probably break up a place of bad repute."
Notice that Clarinda now had her daughter, Ella, as one of the workers in her business!
Della Bird (aka Della Ocobock) was notorious in the state as the girlfriend of convicted murderer, Martin Kuhns. Her testimony sent him back to a second term in the Ohio Penitentiary. "She was a bad lot," stated one newspaper.
A page by page search of the newspapers of the time did not lead to a conclusion for the case against Clarinda.
In the Federal Census of 1910, Danforth Street, Defiance - Clarinda French, 65, widow and washerwoman at other homes, lived with her oldest son, George Williamson, single, and 49, a laborer at odd jobs. It seemed Clarinda's former business was done.
Clarinda/ Clara died on October 10, 1915, in Defiance at her home at 339 Danforth Street, 3rd Ward. She was found dead in her bed after complaining of stomach trouble. The physician concluded that she had a valve disease of the heart. She was 71 years and 7 days old. No obituary could be found.
George Williamson continued to live in the house until he died quickly on May 23, 1930, of a pulmonary hemorrhage.
"EX-CITY WORKER IS FOUND DEAD. GEORGE WILLIAMSON TAKEN IN NIGHT BY HEMORRHAGE AT THIS HOME.
George Williamson, 69, an employee of the city until recently, was found dead shortly afternoon today in his house at 239 Danforth Street where he lived alone. Coroner Fred W. Watkins pronounced death as due to a hemorrhage after viewing the body.
Fred Hoge, 620 Adams Street, found the body and called Coroner Watkins. Mr. Hoge was attracted by a light shining through the bedroom window as he passed the place. He found Williamson's body in bed.
Ben Bailey, Timothy Street, an uncle, was called. Mr. Williamson was a bachelor and had no near relatives.
Mr. Bailey said Williamson had been suffering from hemorrhages during the last week and that he had tried to get him to go to his home. Williamson had taken dinner Friday at the Bailey home.
Mr. Hoge said he had been at the house with Williamson about 7 p.m. Friday and that he was all right when he left him.
His mother, Mrs. Clara French, was found dead in the same house nine years ago. Mrs. S. E. Huffman, 301 Gray Street, who assisted in arrangements for Mr. Williamson this afternoon said she had found Mrs. French's body. No funeral arrangements had been made this afternoon. The body was removed to E. W. Hoffman's funeral establishment."
Both Clarinda French and her son, George Williamson, were buried at the Brunersburg Cemetery. A look in the Tombstone Inscriptions (DCGS book) for that cemetery did not show a tombstone for either.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Houses of Ill Fame in Defiance
In January, 1889, Defiance passed an Ordinance to "Suppress Houses of Ill Fame." It stated that those who kept a house of prostitution in the city would be fined $10 - $50 and court costs. But, whoever visited such a place of ill fame should be fined $50 and costs. Later on a punishment of work in the stone yard was added as a deterrent. Newspapers stated that the men often gave fictitious names and paid their fines quickly.
Where were these houses of ill repute? Throughout Defiance, it seemed.
The town's newspapers kept the citizens up to date:
"A midnight raid was made last evening by Officers Ross, Seibert and Hummer on the house of ill fame conducted by Pearl Gardiner known as the 'bad lands,' located near the street tracks in East Defiance, resulted in the arresting of three fallen women, Pearl Gardiner, Louisa Bennett and Nettie Bennett."
A house on Perry Street, "a few doors below Second Street" was often mentioned with the proprietresses, Emma Hartman and Ida Dennies. A house on Perry Street, commonly called the "shot tower," was run by Mary Taylor with her employees, Ola Kelley and Hazel Dean. It was rare that a particular address was given, except for the colored house of ill fame located at 539 Holgate Avenue. After all, that might seem like advertising their locations.
In North Defiance, a mention of a house at the foot of Clinton Street was well-known. On May 25, 1891, the Defiance Daily Crescent reported this:
" SOILED DOVES
AN ALLEGED HOUSE OF ILL FAME IN NORTH DEFIANCE PULLED BY THE OFFICERS
TWO VISITORS PLEAD GUILTY
For some time the officers have had their weather optics on a house in North Defiance which is inhabited by Clarinda French. The officials became pretty well satisfied that the conduct of the house was such as to warrant their making a raid upon it, accordingly Sunday morning about 2 o'clock, nearly the entire police force descended on the place, capturing the females, Clarinda French, Fannie Fraser and Laura Williams.
It appears the ladies had some visitors at this unreasonable hour, for a search unearthed Andrew and Joseph Williamson, who were ostensibiy spending the night there. The men were taken in tow by the officers and placed in the city cooler to stay until this morning when they appeared before the mayor and pled guilty to visiting a house of ill fame. They were fined five dollars and the costs for which they secured.
The females were not taken into custody as they gave bail for their appearance at court. Mrs. French is charged with keeping a house of ill fame and the other two with being inmates of a house of ill fame. Their trial has been postponed until Thursday at 1 p.m. It is understood they will employ a lawyer and fight the case."
In the subsequent case, Clarinda was found guilty "of conducting a disreputable house," and she was fined $20 and the costs, the whole amounting to $47.65. Since there was no ordinance at the time relating to those who were inmates in the house, the other two women were released. It was thought that the city would remedy that oversight. In a later case, the inmates were fined $5 and sent to the stone yard to work off that amount.
Connections with these houses could often become the reason given for divorce. On December 9, 1904, Philip Stork filed for divorce based on his wife's involvement in a house of ill fame. As reported in the Defiance Weekly Express:
"A petition has been filed in the probate court by Philip Stork praying for a divorce from Elizabeth Stork. Plaintiff says that they were married in December 1885 and that a result of this union, three children were born, now aged 18, 16 and 14 years.
He alleges that since 1896, defendant has continuously kept a house of ill fame in the city of Defiance and has kept company and consorted with lewd and immoral men and women. That prior to that time, she was guilty of gross neglect of duty and refused and neglected to take care of their house and home and refused to properly perform her household duties..."
Many were outraged by the existence of these places in their cities. Marriages were broken, women were cast aside from their families or disowned by husbands, men were shamed. Writers to the papers protested the "protection" these houses seemed to have. When would it end?
Next - a look at the life of Clarinda French, notorious proprietress of one of the houses in Defiance.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
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.
"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.
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...
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.
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!)
Monday, June 27, 2022
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.
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."
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 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!)
Friday, June 17, 2022
Harvey Webster Wood and Columbus Edward Kindig - Spanish -American War Veterans From Defiance
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.
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.
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