Jewell High School - Boys Basketball Team, 1921

 Russel Brubaker and Burdette Heilman played forward, while James Lewis worked as center.  The guards were Edmund Friend, Francis Mekus and Parke Lewis.

The boys played fourteen games in the 1920-21 season, winning against Sherwood, Holgate (twice), Defiance Reserves (twice), Liberty Center (3 times).
They lost to Ney (in a one point game), the Jewell High School Alumni, Pandora, and Paulding.

William Hall - G.A.R., Bishop Post

William Hall was a Tiffin Township man through and through.  As early as the 1850 census, he was there at 7 years old with his parents, Jacob and Susannah, and brothers, George, Jacob, Jesse, Oliver, Adam and Franklin.  William was the second youngest.

By 1860, his mother, Susannah, was a widow, dependent on four of her younger boys to help farm.  But the call to war rang out and two of her sons, William and Adam, answered the call eventually.

According to the 1890 veterans census, William entered Company E, 14th Ohio Infantry on February 23, 1864 and remained until May 29, 1865, serving 1 year, 3 months and 5 days.  Just before he enlisted, the 14th had a 30 day furlough, and when they joined up again, the unit headed to Chattanooga where they were put to work building corduroy roads, pickets and other construction projects, preparing for the march south through Atlanta.  They participated in the march through Atlanta, and then went on to Savannah.  When they heard of Lee's surrender, they were in Raleigh in April, 1865.  Their last duty was to appear in the Grand Review for the President in Washington D.C.

On the 1890 census, he listed many disabilities as a result of the war, including varicose veins, a weakened condition of the heart, chronic rheumatism, indigestion and constipation.

 After returning from the war, William married Laura Ury in 1866.  They would have seven children: Flora, Edwin E., Alice B., George F., Grace, Frank T. and Ray U.  William farmed his whole life until his older years in Tiffin Township near Evansport.  

The Crescent- News reported the 50th anniversary of William and Laura Hall on April 27, 1916.

Again, on December 29, 1920, the Crescent-News acknowledged the 54th anniversary of William and Laura Hall, this time adding quite a bit of detail about their family and life story.

   

William Hall died less than a year later on August 9, 1921 and he was buried at the Evansport Cemetery.  The Crescent-News reported on August 13, 1921:

"William Hall, Co. E, 14th Regiment O.V.I., died at his home in Evansport August 9, 1921, aged 78 years.  His remains were laid to rest in the Evansport Cemetery.  The funeral services were held at his residence.  Six young men of the vicinity served as pall bearers while Bishop Post G.A.R. officiated and furnished the honorary pall bearers as follows: M. A. Bell, A. W. King, P. E. Helpman, A. J. Kiser, George J. Solly, and Jno. Myers."

Laura Ury Hall eventually traveled around to the homes of her children and, by the 1930 census, moved in with her daughter, Alice Rodgers and family.  She died in September, 1933.

William Hall, Evansport Cemetery at www.findagrave.com

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

A Hanging Across the Border in Henry County

Read more here.

Here's your ticket to view the hanging.  Two hundred of them were issued - far too many, the local press felt. The people were packed in "like sardines." I wonder if my ancestor had a ticket or if he just went up to view the body in the casket after the deed was done.  It was a hanging in front of the jail in Napoleon and this is what led to the demise of Wesley Johnson.


 

In late October, 1883, a horrible murder took place in Henry County.  Adison Crow, a neighbor, went to visit George W. Williams to conduct some business, but didn't find him at home.  The next day, Crow came back and discovered Williams' body in the barn, horribly mangled by an ax.  He summoned some help and while deciding what to do next, they heard the cry of a baby coming from the house.  Breaking open the door, they were once again stunned to find the body of Mrs. Belle (nee Atkinson) Williams, again chopped by an ax.  Luckily, the tiny baby was spared, although hungry.

The Defiance County Express reported: 
"The house where the Williams family lived is an old frame dwelling, it being one of the first built in Freedom Township, Henry County, and stands back from the road some fifteen rods."

It was an horrific murder as described in the Express on November 1, 1883.  Who could have done such a thing?  The suspicions gathered on Wesley Johnson, a farm hand of the deceased man's uncle.  Johnson was acting suspiciously the day after the murder and then abruptly quit his job, saying he was going to Toledo.  He was also arrested for setting fire to his employer's barn, but released on that charge.  Authorities caught up with him at the train in Kendallville, Indiana where he was arrested again, this time for murder.

 
Johnson sat in jail from October until February 22, 1889, when his trial was held in Napoleon in front of Judge Moore.  The courtroom was packed.  Johnson had filed a confession, noting that his motive was money.  His girlfriend, Lou Myers, had pressured him for money and, knowing that the victim, Mr. Williams, had just come home with money from selling clover seed and a fine horse, Johnson thought it was a good place to strike.  In truth, Johnson came away with $26 and a watch...and a death sentence.  


Tensions were high in the county and the rumor was that some citizens planned a lynching for Johnson, but that didn't happen.

The Defiance County Express reported on the preparations for the hanging on May 29, 1884, the actual date of the event as set by the judge.

"Preparations now being made for Johnson's execution give warning that his days are numbered.  Amos Mattice of Cleveland, Ohio has been employed to erect the scaffold for which he will receive $75, and probably is here and at his dreadful work now, which will take him about a week.  He will use the 'drop' which has several times seen service, but the rest of the scaffold will be put up here.  Mattice, however, will have nothing to do with the hanging; Sheriff Aller will have the nerve to do his duty.

There is ample room in the jail for the scaffold, which is the place designated by law when there is ample space...  The tickets of admission for those who will assist the Sheriff are printed and partially distributed...   The Sheriff had made a requisition for Col. Norton for militia for guard duty.  Company F is ordered out.  The Council have ordered Mayor Tressler to appoint ten special policemen, with power to increase to any extent necessary.

The jail was built in 1882 and sat right beside the courthouse.  Wikipedia photo.

One hundred and three days passed from sentencing to execution - plenty of time to think about things.  Johnson appeared, according to one reporter, to be "healthy, hearty, and happy."  The sentenced had given his confession to Rev. Brake of South Toledo, and now read nothing but the Bible, and kept count on the days left of his life on an almanac.  Rev. Edward Johnson, Wesley's brother, would take care of the body which was to be interred in Fulton County, and Johnson's sister, Mrs. Maria Knight came to say farewell to him.

The prisoner arose early on May 29th, ate a hearty breakfast, and said goodbye to every prisoner then in the jail.  The previous Saturday, he had made another full confession to his brother, Rev. Edward Johnson, of Delta, Ohio.  That confession was published after the execution.  Johnson stated that he was ready to meet his fate like a man and wanted the execution done at precisely 10 a.m., the earliest hour prescribed.

Johnson's death was also horrific in that it took twelve minutes for him to die once the rope was dropped.  Then his body was placed in a pine coffin and placed in the yard in front of the jail so all who wanted could walk past.  A guard of soldiers was placed there, as well, to prevent any misdeeds. 
 (Logansport Journal, May 30, 1884)

So, now I wonder if either of my great-grandparents or other ancestors were there.  I'm sure they talked about it.  How many of your ancestors were curiosity seekers and might have attended that day?

 

And That's Why a Graduate Wears a Cap and Gown

It would seem that in this area, at least, the move to caps and gowns at graduation ceremonies was a way to equalize students and save on parents' expenses.  This notice appeared in the Defiance Democrat on February 23, 1899:

 

 "GRADUATING COSTUMES

Proposition to Have Boards of Education Furnish Them.

One of the most sensible ideas introduced and passed upon by a school board was that of Mr. Barges, at Lima, at a recent meeting.  He brought up the subject of the expenses of graduation dresses for young ladies and fine suits for the young men, which is claimed to be growing more expensive every year, and which is a barrier to a great many scholars finishing their course of study.

His idea was that the board should furnish caps and gowns suitable for such occasions and dispensing with the show of fine clothes which many are unable to purchase, and that all be dressed alike.  It certainly is a bright idea, and the example should be set forth by every school board throughout the land, as the extravagance in clothes on such occasions has kept many a pupil from graduating."

AND SO IT CONTINUES TODAY...

Peter Sonnet - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Peter Sonnet lived in Indiana when the War Between the States broke out.  In the 1860 census, he lived in Wayne Township, Allen County, Indiana.  Peter Sonnet, it was reported, was born in Bavaria, Germany, was 25 years old and worked on the canal boats.  He lived in the boarding house of George and Mary Baker.

In the Fort Wayne City Directory of 1861, Peter was listed as a hostler working at the Main Street Exchange (the former Goodman Hotel) on Main Street. "Good Accommodations at a Reasonable Rate," stated their advertisement.  Peter's job was to care for the horses of the hotel's guests.





On June 29, 1862, he married Bridget E. Cantline (Cantlon) in Allen County, Indiana.  He enlisted in Company H, 152 Indiana Infantry on February 11 (17), 1865 and served a six month term until his discharge on August 30, 1865 at Clarksburg, West Virginia.  

 The 152nd Indiana mustered in on March 16, 1865 and two days later, headed for Harpers Ferry.  From there, they were stationed in various towns in West Virginia.  The company, which consisted of 988 men, lost 48 men to death by disease or accident and 22 from desertion.  No one was killed or wounded in action.

By 1870, Peter and his wife, Bridget Ellen (called by both names) had settled in Defiance, Ohio.  Peter was employed as a day laborer and they had children: Peter, 3, and Ellen, 8 months.  Peter was born in Indiana and Ellen in Ohio, making their move between states probably between 1867 and 1869.  

By 1880, Peter, at 43, had a position as a policeman in Defiance.  His family had grown to include his wife, Ellen, 35 and children: Peter, 13; Ella, 11; Margaret, 9; Annie, 3; and little Joseph, 4 months.  The family lived in what was called the Clinton Street Extension.  Unfortunately, the police job did not last a long time.
The Defiance County Express reported the following on May 11, 1882:

Peter would go on to have other work as a street commissioner, as a janitor at the 2nd Ward School and in 1885, he even had a saloon.

In 1900, Peter, then 63, and Bridget lived at 915 Harrison Street.  Daughters Margrette (Margaret), 28, who worked as a carriage trimmer, and Anna, 22, who worked as a bookkeeper, were still single and lived at home.  In that year, Peter's occupation was listed as janitor on the census.  

Peter died on September 21, 1903 and his death was reported in the Defiance Express on that day.

Bridget outlived her husband by almost twenty years, passing away in March, 1923.

    
 (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!)

Jewel High School - Girls' Basketball Team, 1921

Cora and Bernice were the forwards, while Claribel and Ilah worked as guards.  The jumping center was Beulah, and Nora was the Sub Center.  Maud Chase (not pictured) was the other substitute.
The team's captain was Beulah Hall. 
"Even though the members of the team practiced regularly and faithfully, yet they attained no success."

From The Jewel, 1921

**In the early years of girls' basketball, the girls played half-court, as basketball was thought to be too strenuous  for women to run full court.  Two players played offense near their basket; two players played defense on the side of the opponent's basket and the center could roam the court.  Sometimes one player was designated the free throw shooter.  After every basket, the centers had a jump ball in the center again to determine possession.  Rules could vary quite a bit among leagues, but those were some common rules of the time. 

W. P. A. Cemetery Survey - Old Indian Burial Ground on the Maumee River

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)

Old Indian Burial Ground on the Maumee River

1. Name: The Old Indian Burial Ground on the Maumee River

2. Location:

Located in Noble Township, Section 19, four miles west of the City of Defiance on the high bank of the north side of the Maumee River.  Reached from the Court House at Defiance by taking route #66 north across the Maumee River bridge to the second street over the river, turning left or to the west on this street called West High Street and following this angling road called the Jericho Road for three and one half miles to a spot where the river comes close to the road.  On this high 60 foot bluff is the location of an old Indian lookout and ancient Indian burial ground.

3. Name of caretaker:

There is no caretaker.  The grounds are not kept up.  It is private property, but is quite frequently used as camping grounds.  There is nothing here to discern it as a Graveyard.  The location only, recorded by historians, tell us it was a burial ground.  There is no marker or is it kept up by the Defiance County Park Board.

4. General description:

A high, 60 foot bluff, overlooking a bend in the Maumee River.  The river on the south, a ravine on the west, the road on the north, and a deep gorge on the east, mark the spot.  This round covers about ten acres, and from this point, one can see up and down both bends of the river.  This land is not cultivated and on all sides are large trees, mostly hickory, and wild peach.  

The land here for and comprising these ten acres is flat and a loose yellow clay soil.  Many pieces of broken flint can still be found here.  I picked up several the day I visited this spot.  Campers have also been using the place recently.  It is not fenced in and runs directly along the road.  It is known only as a graveyard by what historians tell us, especially Dr. C. E. Slocum in his History of the Maumee River Basin in 1905.   

5. First Burial:

Unknown for certain, probably used by the old tribe of hostile Delaware Indians, before the time of Anthony Wayne, or more probably used by some tribe for its people who died in and around the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers during the Great Council of Indian Braves held at the now site of Fort Defiance in 1792.

Remains of Indian graves ahve been found here in the past.

6. Important Persons:

Unknown, names of even the tribe of Indians burying here is lost.

7. Markers:

This place is as yet unmarked and also unmapped, except by a short description by Dr. Charles E. Slocum in his History of the Maumee River Basis.

8. Epitaphs:  None

9. (Cemetery) is not used today, however there is an old graveyard called the Poole Graveyard located just across the ravine from this old Indian burial ground.

Cecil Cadwallader

Authority: A History of the Maumee River Basin by Dr. C. E. Slocum, 1905

Mr. Abram Smith, Defiance, Ohio, of the Defiance County Park Board

        
(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.)