Aug 12

Tombstone Tuesday-Christian & Dorothea (Maurer) Kable

Christian & Dorothea (Maurer) Kable, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Christian and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable, located in row 5 of St. Paul Lutheran Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

DOROTHEA
KABLE
Geb. 7 April 1815
Gest. 23 Dez 1904
Alter
89 Jahr, 8 Mo
16 Tage

CHRISTIAN
KABLE
Geb. 15 Jun 1814
Gest. 6 Feb 1885
Alter
70 Jahr, 7 Mo
21 Tage

Dorothea Kable, born 7 April 1815, died 23 December 1904, age 89 years, 8 months, 16 days. Christian Kable, born 15 June 1814, died 6 Feb 1885, age 70 years, 7 months, 21 days.

Christian Kable was born in Fechingen, District Saarbruecken, Prussia, on 15 June 1814, the son of Christian and Elisabeth Kable. His wife, Dorothea Maurer, was also born in Fechingen, on 7 April 1815, the daughter of Jakob and Susana Maurer. Christian and Dorothea were both baptized and confirmed in Fechingen. [1]

Christian Kable and Dorothea Maurer married in Germany in 1840 and four of their children were born there, Jacob in 1840, twins Christian and Louise in 1841, and Johannes “John” in 1843. [1]

The couple and their four children immigrated to America in 1846 and settled in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. They attended church at St. Paul Lutheran, Liberty Township. [1]

Christian & Dorothea (Maurer) Kable, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

Their son Philp was born to the couple in Mercer County in February 1850. [1]

The Christian Kable family, as enumerated in the 1850 census: Christian, 38; “Theresia,” 63 [sic]; Jacob, 10; Christian, 8; Louisa, 8; John, 7; Philip, 7 months. All were reportedly born in Germany except for John and Philip, [2] although St. Paul Liberty’s records indicate that John was born in Germany. Christian was a farmer.

The Christian Kable family in 1860: Christian, 47; Dorothea, 46; Jacob, 20; Christian, 19; Louisa, 19; John, 16; Philip W, 12; and Katharine, 5. [3]

Daughter Katharine died later that year, on 26 June 1860, at age six. Christian and Dorothea lost two sons a few years later, Christian (Jr) on 6 May 1866, age 24, and Jacob on 12 October 1868, age 28. Jacob left a widow, Sophia (Diener).  

The Christian Kable family in 1870: Christian, 62; “Doldea,” 56; and Philip, 20. [4]

By 1880 Christian and Dorothea were the only members of their household and lived next door to thier son Philip and his family. Christian had retired from farming by this time. [5]

Son John Kable died 12 November 1881, at age 37, leaving behind wife Margaret Deitsch/Deutsch.  

Christian Kable (Sr) died 6 February 1885, aged 70 years.

Christian Kable, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County. (2025 photo by Karen)

In 1900 his widow Dorothea Kable, 85, lived with their son Philip and his family in Liberty Township. This enumeration indicates that Dorothea had given birth to six children, and one was living. [6]

Dorothea Kable died 23 December 1904, aged 89 years. She died from old age, according to St. Paul Liberty’s records. 

Dorothea (Maurer) Kable, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County. (2025 photo by Karen)

Christian and Dorothea are buried in the same row, near the graves of four of their children, Jacob, Christian, John, and Katharine.

Christian and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable had the following children:
Jacob (1840-1868), married Sophia Diener
Christian (1841-1866)
Louise (1841-1892), married John Alt (1843-1881)
John (1843-1881), married Margaret Deitsch/Deutsch
Philip W (Sr) (1850-1915), married Caroline Koch
Anna “Katharine” (1854-1860)

[1] Familienbuch, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, Christian Kable family, p. 24.

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.287A, dwelling 19, family 20, Christian Kablea [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.356, dwelling 971, family 976, Christ Kable; Ancestry.com.

[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.146A, dwelling 62 family 57, Christine [sic] Kable; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.179A, dwelling 135, family 143, Christian Kable; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 85, p.12, dwelling 230, family 236, Philip Kable; Ancestry.com.   

Aug 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Henry Jacob Grapner

Henry Jacob Grapner, St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Henry Jacob Grapner, located in row 9 of St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Henry Jacob Grapner
1870-1950

Henry Jacob Grapner was born 11 December 1870, the son of John (1822-1900) and Magdalene “Lena” (Maurer) (c1834-1906) Grabner, according to the church records of St. Paul Lutheran, Liberty Township. Henry was confirmed at St. Paul in 1885. Their surname was spelled Graebner and Grabner in the old church records. Although Henry changed the spelling of his surname, his parents retained the Grabner spelling.

Henry’s parents, both born in Germany, married at St. Paul Liberty, on 17 January 1852, married by Rev. J.G. Gackenheimer. [1] Henry’s father John immigrated to America in 1847. 

The John Grabner family lived in Section 11 of Liberty Township, about 1½ miles east of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where John owned property and farmed. The family attended church at St. Paul Liberty and three of their children are buried in St. Paul’s cemetery. Henry’s two infant brothers, John Anton Grabner and Fredrick Wilhelm Grabner, are buried next to each other in row 4 of St. Paul Liberty’s cemetery. 

Henry Grapner/Grabner was enumerated with his family in the 1870 census, as Henry J Grabner, age 5 months. The John Grabner household in 1870: John, 47, and Magdaline, 38, George 17, Paulina, 15, Louisa, 13, Mary, 9, and Margaret, 6. The parents were born in Prussia and all the children were born in Ohio, per the census. [2]

By 1880 most of Henry’s siblings had left home and Henry, 10, and his brother George, 27, were the only children living with their parents at their Liberty Township home. [3] 

At some point between 1880 and 1900, Henry changed the spelling of his name from Grabner to Grapner.

Henry Grepner [sic], 29, single, was enumerated in 1900 as a boarder, occupation farm laborer, in the William C. Allmandinger household in Black Creek Township. The Allmandinger household in 1900: Willliam C, 32; Barbara S, 22; Richard E, 1; Walter, L, 3 months; and Henry Grapner, 29. [4]

In 1910 Henry Grapner, 39, single, lived by himself on what was called Weinman Pike, Liberty Township, where he worked doing odd jobs. [5]

In 1920 Henry, 49, single, was a boarder in the household of Henry, 26, and Larena, 20, Alt and their son Ralph, 1. Henry worked as a farm laborer. [6]  

In 1930 Henry, 62, single, lived alone again, very close to the Henry Alt family. Henry’s occupation was farm laborer and he owned his home but did not own a radio set. [7]

In 1940 Henry, 67, single, was a lodger in the home of Charles and Catherine Sealscott. No occupation was given for Henry. [8]

By 1950, Henry Grapner, 79, never married, was a patient and unable to work, residing at the Mercer County Home. That census was enumerated on 17 April 1950 and Henry died 2 days later, on 19 April 1950. [9]

Henry Grapner
Rockford, Apr. 20—Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Ketcham funeral home for Henry Grapner, 79, retired Liberty-tp farmer who died Wednesday in the Mercer-co home. He had lived at the home for three years.

Nephews and nieces survive. The Rev. Grant Shealy will officiate. Burial will be in Deitsch cemetery. [10]

Henry Jacob Grabner was the last surviving child of John and Magdalene/Lena (Maurer) Grabner.

Henry Jacob Grapner’s siblings:
George (1853-1941), married Alberdenia Andres
Paulina (1854-1929), married John Bausser; married William Andress; married Jacob Bollenbacher
Luisa/Louisa (1856-1930), married Lawrence Schlegel
Maria/Mary (c1858-1901) [11]  
Fredrick William (1861-1864)
John Anton (1866-1868)
Carolina Margaret ”Maggie” (c1866-1907), married Theodore A McCabe [12]

[1] Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Mercer County Marriage Book C, p.161, John Grabner & Magdalena Moner [sic], 17 Jan 1852; Ancestry.com. And marriage records of St. Paul Liberty Lutheran Church, Mercer County, Ohio.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.145B, dwelling 52, family 47, John Grabner; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.480D, dwelling 162, family 170, John Grabner; Ancestry.com.

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.10, dwelling & family 200, William Almandinger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, dwelling 307, family 265, p.14A, Henry Grapner; Acestry.com.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 140, p.1A, dwelling & family1, Henry Alt; Ancestry.com.  

[7] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 20, p.6A, dwelling & family 136, Henry Grapner; Ancestry.com.

[8] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 54-22, p. 1B, household 14, Charles Srolscott [sic]; Ancestry.com.  

[9] 1950 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Jefferson, ED 54-31, p. 6. dwelling 42, Henry Grapner; Ancestry.com.

[10] Henry Jacob Grapner, Find a Grave memorial no. 29071160, St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio; Find a Grave.com.

[11] I am not sure of Mary’s birth date. Maria Grabner was born 9 Nov 1858 per St. Paul Liberty’s Familienbuch; Mary was 9 years old in the 1870 census; Mary was born May 1860 per 1900 census; Find a Grave.com indicates she was born about 1866.

[12] I am not sure if Maggie’s birth date is correct. According to her tombstone she was born in 1866, the same year as her brother John Anton.

Aug 01

Beating the Heat

This has been a rather uncomfortable summer, weather-wise, although the past couple days have been more bearable and we received some much-needed rain. The heat is bad enough, but is worse when combined with high humidity.

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.

Heat and humidity seem to go together here in Ohio in the summertime, making it very uncomfortable to be outdoors.  

I’m glad it’s finally hot enough to complain about how hot it is.

Air-conditioning is a wonderful way to stay comfortable in the summer, but I remember the time before air-conditioning was widely used.

When I grew up we did not have air-conditioning. Not at home, not at school, not at church, not in our vehicles. We still don’t have air-conditioning at church, but a ceiling fan moves the air pretty well.

How did we tolerate the heat and humidity in those days before air-conditioning?

How did our ancestors tolerate the heat?

They had many clever tricks.

Trees were strategically placed around their homes to block the sunshine. Homes were equipped with awnings and external shutters to block the sun. My Schumm grandparents had external shutters on their home.

Homes were built with airflow in mind, windows and doors situated to allow breezes to flow through the house. Homes had high ceilings and there were often transoms above the doors for even more airflow.

Grandma Schumm kept their house cool by keeping it closed up and keeping the window shades pulled down. That worked very well, but as a result her house was also rather dark inside. The pulled shades gave the house an eerie amber tint.

Many homes back then had a summer kitchen, a separate building where they cooked meals and canned their produce, keeping the heat away from the main house. Grandma Schumm had a summer kitchen, Grandma Miller did not.

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

People worked smart, if they could. They did most of their outdoor work in the a.m., when it was cooler. This principle usually did not pertain to baling hay and farming in general. It seems they pick the hottest day to bale hay. 

If people were able to get their work done before noon, they would sit on the porch in the afternoon, probably with a glass of cold water or lemonade. Some families even ate their evening meal on the porch.

It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.

Grandpa Miller spent hot summer afternoons sitting under a shade tree or reclining in his hammock which was strung between two weeping willow trees.

People used hand fans to move the air close to them. Fans were made of silk or paper and some paper fans later had advertising on them. We still have a few paper stick hand fans at church, complements of local funeral homes.

Fan from Wendel Motor Sales, Chatt, Ohio

Fan from Wendel Motor Sales, Chatt, Ohio

Eventually floor and ceiling fans were run by electricity. One of the first ceiling fans, in the late 1880s, had fan blades connected to a sewing machine motor. The Millers had a fan shaped like a round metal ottoman that you could sit on or put your feet on. I was always careful to keep my fingers away from the blades of that fan. 

Vintage ottoman fan

Placing a block of ice in front of a fan was another cooling technique.

People dressed for the weather and wore clothing made from natural fibers in light colors. Men wore straw hats, while women wore bonnets and used parasols to shade them from the sun. Grandma Miller always wore a bonnet with a wide brim, but I don’t ever remember seeing Grandma Schumm wear a bonnet.

As a last resort, some people went away to the mountains or to the beach to beat the heat. Swimming is always cooling.

I guess the bottom line is that years ago people accepted the heat and did their best to deal with it, using means that were available to them during their time period.

Fan from Fisher Hardware, Chatt, Ohio

Fan from Fisher Hardware, Chatt, Ohio

Thirty years ago, in July 1995, Chicago had a deadly heat wave. There were 739 heat-related deaths in the city. And we were there on vacation, to visit the museums and parts of the city. It was very hot when we toured the German U-505 submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry. At that time the submarine was outside the museum and it was not air-conditioned. The guide told us that the 100 degree plus temperature inside the submarine was about the same temperature the vessel would have been when it was under the water. That would have been very uncomfortable.

I am just glad someone created air-conditioning.

Jul 25

Captain James Riley Chapter, NSDAR, Celina, Ohio

Mercer County once had a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter, the Captain James Riley Chapter, in Celina. The Chapter’s charter was issued on 13 April 1935 with 13 Charter members: Florence (Hardman) Christian, Mary Bess (Christian) Kreimendahl, Helen (Kennedy) Riley, Edith (Heighton) Clark, Mary (Swen) Heighton, Flora (Andrews) Hoel, Gladys (Hoel) Kreimendahl, Florence (Priest) Shadaker, Catharine (Blackburn) Sharp, Grace (Riley) Snyder, Zenaide (Allen) Sterline, Ida (Zeller) Stubbs, and Ollene (Green) Straley.

This was the Captain James Riley Chapter DAR yearbook for the 1950-51 term.

Captain James Riley Chapter DAR, Celina, Ohio, 1950-1951

The yearbook includes the members’ names, their maiden names, the names or initials of their husbands, the names of the Revolutionary War soldiers from whom they descended and proved for the DAR, their National DAR number and their ancestor’s number, and some other Chapter details.

Captain James Riley Chapter DAR, Celina, Ohio, 1950-1951

By 1950 the Captain James Riley Chapter had grown to include 35 members. Their officers were Gladys Kreimendahl/Regent, Belva Stubbs/Vice-regent, Alice Hartzell/Recording Secretary, Doris Barber/Corresponding Secretary, Golde Shiverdecker/Treasurer, Nellie Dick/Registrar, Frances Rafferty/Historian, and Vida Dye/Chaplain.

Captain James Riley Chapter DAR, Celina, Ohio, 1950-1951

Below is a list of the 1950-51 Chapter members. I added the birth and death years and included the husbands’ full name if only initials were given. The ancestor’s name is the last name. I did not include the National Numbers.

Helen Elizabeth (Hainline) Andrews (1912-2003) (Mrs. Elmer G); ancestor Henry Cowen/Cowing
Doris Barber (1919-2012) (unmarried) David Hamilton
Ruth Joan (Hoel) Brandts (1912-2003) (Mrs. Theodore); William Murlin/Moreland
Edith Frances (Heighton) Clark (1892-1981) (Mrs. Cyril Leon); Christopher Brown
Nellie (Lutz) Dick (1888-1955) (Mrs. Walter Hubert Sr); Jacob Blosser
Vida (Constable) Dye (1886-1976) (Mrs. Wilbur Wilson); Elias Dugan
Mildred Caroline (Hamilton) Fischer (1905-1996) (Mrs. Joseph “Joe” Nicholas); Asa Hall
Helen (King) Freeman (1907-2000) (Mrs. Russell W); Jesse Rose
Frieda Leslie (Alexander) Fricke (1900-1972) (Mrs. Alexander R); Aaron Evans
Iola Pearl (Cowen) Hainline (1887-1958) (Mrs. Charles William); Henry Cowen/Cowing
Thelma B (Parrott) Hale (1910-1982) (Mrs. J Homer); William Murlin/Moreland
Ada (Hall) Hamilton (1880-1959) (Mrs. Lee Ivan); Asa Hall
Alice (Fast) Hartzell (1901-1974) (Mrs. Alpha R); John Jacob Fast
Janice (Perrott) Heisser (1913-1979) (Mrs. Robert); William Murlin/Moreland
Flore Belle (Andrews) Hoel (1864-1952) (Mrs. Remington David); Samuel Andrews
Orpha Iona (Werts) Jenkins (1880-?) (Mrs. Grover Cleveland); William Murlin/Moreland
Gladys (Hoel) Kreimendahl (1901-1999) (Mrs. Ernest P); Samuel Andrews
Zua (Murlin) Maurer (1888-1957) (Mrs. Fred W); William Murlin/Moreland
Ida Dudley (Craw) Miller (1917-1998) (Mrs. Cletus); Nehemiah Davis
Mildred M (Hoel) Pulskamp (1907-1976) (Mrs. Andreas S); William Murlin/Moreland
Frances (Foster) Rafferty (1903-2002) (Mrs. Bruce Lee); William Cloyd
Jean (Murlin) Rawers (1912-2002) (Mrs. Arlington Joseph); David Hamilton
Winifred (Johnson) Reiser (1899-1994) (Mrs. Carlton); William McCutcheon
Helen M (Kennedy) Riley (1907-1967) (Mrs. Roscoe D); William Neeley
Catharine (Blackburn) Sharp (1907-1996) (Mrs. Richard C); Isaac Manning Jr
Golde “Golda” Cathrine Shiverdecker (1889-1981) (unmarried); George Ward
Helen Margaret (Dick) Stallter, (1913-1967) (Mrs. Carl Eugene); Jacob Blosser
Ollene Doris (Green) Straley (1904-1983) (Mrs. Simon S); William Roebuck
Belva (Dine) Stubbs (1896-1983) (Mrs. Carroll Andrew); William Roebuck
Ida Zena (Zeller) Stubbs (1863-1952) (Mrs. Dr. William Cooper); John Kumler
Glee R Swigart (1930-2012) (m. Dr. John Keith Paul in 1951); George Ward
Mary Alice (Thomas) [Miller] (?) surname was Miller per DAR; John Jacob Fast
Virginia (Honnold) Wiley (1913-1981) (Mrs. Leson A “Al”); George Seeger
Mary Leah (Clanin) Wolfe (1923-2003) (Mrs. Harry T); Phillip Dotterer
Charlotte (Putman) Wright (1899-1984) (Mrs. Perry Sylvester); William Roebuck

A couple of these women were born during the Civil War!

By 1950 five members of the Chapter had passed away: Mary (Swan) Heighton, Emma (Hitchens) Green, Grace (Riley) Snyder, Alice (hill), Mowery, and Daisy (Brookhart) Hoel.

Below are the names of the Revolutionary War ancestors proved by the members of the Captain James Riley Chapter DAR in Celina and the names of the members who proved them. They had to prove that they descended from the colonial individual and prove their ancestor’s service or aid in the American Revolution.  

All of these Revolutionary War soldiers are still listed in the DAR and could be proved by a descendant. However, William Roebuck and Jacob Kumler are currently red-flagged by the DAR. Roebuck has a problem with his war service, “DAR Future applicants must prove correct service” and Kumler has a lineage problem on at least one proven application. I included patriot information from the DAR website.   

Samuel Andrews (1741-1808), b. & d. Hartford Co Connecticut; Pvt/CT
>>Flora (Andrews) Hoel
>>Gladys (Hoel) Kreimendahl

Jacob Blosser (1758-1842), b. York PA, d. Columbiana Co OH; Pvt/PA
>>Nallie (Lutz) Dick
>>Helen (Dick) Stallter

Christopher Brown (1736-1820), b. & d. Stonington Connecticut; Capt/CT
>>Edith (Heighton) Clark

William Cloyd (1751-1837), b. Ireland, d. TN; Pvt/PA
>>Frances (Foster) Rafferty

Henry Cowan/COWING per DAR (1734-1830), b. Europe, d. Rockingham VA; Pvt/VA
>>Helen (Hainline) Andrews
>>Iola Pearl (Cowan) Hainline

Nehemiah Davis (1755-1793), b. & d. MA; Pvt/MA
>>Ida Dudley (Craw) Miller

Phillip Dotterer (1729-1790), b. & d. PA, Capt & Patriotic service/NJ
>>Mary (Brower) Wolfe

Elias Dugan/DUNGAN (c1742-1804), b. & d. PA; Pvt/PA
>>Vida (Constable) Dye

Aaron Evans A037398 (1739-1786), b. & d. NC; Patriotic service/NC
>>Frieda (Alexander) Fricke 

John “Jacob” Fast (1752-1827), b. MD, d. Fairfield Co OH; bur. Fast Cemetery, Fairfield Co OH; Patriotic service/VA
>>Alice (Fast) Hartzell
>>Mary Alice Thomas

Asa Hall (c1760-1814), b. CT, d. Portage Co OH; Pvt/CT
>>Mildred C (Hamilton) Fischer
>>Ada (Hall) Hamilton 

David Hamilton (1742-1817), b. & d. Hampden Co MA; Lieut/MA
>>Doris Barber
>>Jean (Murlin) Rawers

John Kumler “Jacob” (1742-1815), b. Switzerland, d. Berks Co PA; Patriotic service/PA; Per DAR, “lineage problem on at least one proven application.”
>>Ida (Zeller) Stubbs

William McCutcheon (1750-1842), b. & d. VA; Pvt/VA
>>Winifred (Johnson) Reiser 

Isaac Manning Jr (1742-1827) b. & d. NJ; 2nd Lieut/NJ
>>Catharine (Blackburn) Sharp

 William Murlin/MORELAND per DAR (1735-1810) b. Cornwall England d. Northumberland Co PA; Patriotic service, soldier/PA; his son went name of Murlin [1]
>>Ruth (Hoel) Brandts
>>Thelma (Parrott) Hale
>>Janice (Perrott) Heisser
>>Zua (Murlin) Maurer
>>Mildred (Hoel) Pulskamp

William Neeley (1735-1819), b. & d. PA; Pvt, Patriotic service/PA
>>Helen (Kennedy) Riley

William Roebuck (1755-1809), b. Northumberland Co PA, d. Fayette Co OH; per DAR: “Future applicants must prove correct service.”
>>Ollene (Green) Straley
>>Belva (Dine) Stubbs
>>Charlotte (Putman) Wright

Jesse Rose (1760-1852), b. VA, d. Mahoning Co OH; Soldier/VA
>>Helen K Freeman 

George Seeger (1744-1824), b. Lancaster Co PA, d. Union Co OH; Pvt/PA
>>Virginia (Honnold) Wiley

George Ward (1757-1791), b. & d. VA; Pvt/VA
>>Golda Shiverdecker
>>Glee Swigart

Unfortunately, none of these Revolutionary War patriots are buried in Mercer County, but it is still interesting to take a look at patriotic service group that was once in Mercer County.

[1] William Moreland’s son went by name of John Murlin (1770-1822), b. NY, d. Hardin Co KY; John’s wife Sarah Dodderer (1776-1842) died in Mercer County, Ohio.

Jul 18

More Revolutionary War Soldiers Who Lived in Mercer County

Continuing with Revolutionary War Soldiers who may be buried in Mercer County, Ohio, I came across a couple sources that give information about Revolutionary War pensioners who lived in Mercer County.

The Pension Roll of 1835 lists everyone who had a pension from their Revolutionary War service. Several Revolutionary War pension acts came into play over several years and there were restrictions concerning who could receive pensions.

The first pension law in 1776 granted half-pay for life to soldiers disabled in the service and unable to earn a living. The first pension law based on service was the Pension Act of March 1818, which offered a lifetime pension to soldiers who had served at least nine months in the Continental Army and who were in reduced circumstances. They amended the 1818 Act in May 1820, to more precisely define what reduced circumstances were. As a result, the 1820 Act required that new applicants submit certified financial schedules to prove their assets were less than $100. All soldiers who were granted pensions based on the 1818 Pension Act were struck from the pension rolls and were required to reapply in 1820. Only about two-thirds of the original applicants reapplied under the new act by December of 1821.

Pension Roll of 1835, Mercer County, Ohio.

The U.S. Pension Roll of 1835 is divided by states, then by county. Below are the soldiers who received a pension while living in Mercer County, according to that record: 

Ira L. Foster, Private, 19th Regular U.S. Infantry; commencement: 7 Jun 1815, placed on rolls 30 Jan 1816 & 24 Apr 1816; allowance: $30.00, received $26.41 and allowance: $48.00, received $857.31. [per 1816 Act]

James Shoonover, Private, New York Militia; pension enrollment date: 25 Aug 1820; residence: Mercer County, Ohio; allowance: $96.00; received $1298.83. [per 1816 & 1820 Acts]

William Berry, Pvt, Virginia Militia; commencement: 4 Mar 1831, age 81; placed on pension roll 25 Jun 1833; annual allowance: $24.66; received $73.98.

John Latimer, Pvt, New Jersey Militia; commencement: 4 Mar 1831, age 83; placed on pension roll 6 May 1833; allowance: $59.16; received $177.48.

Robert M’Lumsey [McCumsey?], Pvt, Pennsylvania Militia; commencement: 4 Mar 1831; placed on roll 6 May 1833; allowance: $40.00; received $120.00.

Amos Spencer, Pvt, Virginia Continental; commencement: 17 Jun 1823. age 75; placed on roll 10 Dec 1833; allotted: $96.00; received $1028.76. [1]

There are a few more names listed here than I mentioned last week.

Pension Roll of 1835, Mercer County, Ohio.

The 1835 list of pensioners includes the names all who received a pension, even though some of those listed may have died before 1835.

You can calculate some additional information from these records, such as estimated birth year, estimated the death date, and how many years they received a pension.

Using that reasoning, William Berry was born about 1750 and received a pension for about 3 years. John Latimer was born about 1748 and received a pension for about 3 years. Robert M’Lumsey [McCumsey?] received a pension for about 3 years. Amos Spencer was born about 1748 and received a pension a little over a year. It appears that James Shoonover received a pension for about 13 years, maybe more.

The following from another source, the 1838 Pension records:

Doc. No.1: [a pension certification]
…War Department, Invalid Pension, Mercer County, per Acts of 1816 and 1820, James Shoonover, No. 803, Private, Capt. Harding’s Company, NY Militia, commanded by Col. Dobbin…$8/per month, to commence 25 Aug 1820…resides in Mercer County, Ohio, and has resided there for five years… previously resided in Pike County, Ohio. Signed by James Shoonover, BF Schroeder, Oliver Ellis, and Caleb Major, JP. Dated 29 March 1838. [Note that James Shoonover’s name is crossed out on this document.]

James Shoonover, 1838 Pensions & Misc Records, Mercer Co, Ohio.

Doc. No.3: [authorizing Samuel P Worthington to receive James Shoonover’s pension]
…I, James Shoonover, of Mercer County, Ohio, an Invalid Pensioner of the US, do hereby appoint Samuel P Worthington my attorney…to receive from the Agent of the US for paying Pensions in Cincinnati…from 4 Mar 1837 to 4 Mar 1838. Signed James Shoonover, witnessed 29 Mar 1838, by BF Schroeder, Oliver Ellis, and appearing before Caleb Major, JP. [2]

James Shoonover, 1838 Pensions & Misc Records, Mercer Co, Ohio.

The 1840 Census: A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services gives pensioners’ names, ages, place of residence, and the name of the head of family with whom the pensioner resided on 1 June 1840. From Mercer County:

Dublin Twp: John Sutton, age 84, resided with Isaac H. Sutton
Wayne Twp: John Latimer, age 84, resided with William Latimer [Wayne Twp, Auglaize County, then part of Mercer County]
Washington Twp: James Shoonover, age 44, resided with James Shoonover [his age of 44 does not seem correct] [3]

That 1840 source gives another name, John Sutton. John Sutton was enumerated in Dublin Township, in 1840.

1840 Census, Rev. War Pensioners, Mercer Co. Ohio.

These pensioners had to prove they had reduced circumstances. If they did not have the means, they may not have left property to probate or sell. I found none of these men in Mercer County’s old Probate Records, except for the will of one John Sutton (1790-1852), who was born after the American Revolution.

Another thing to consider is that Mercer County was created on 1 April 1820 and organized on 2 January 1824. It was created from Non-County Area 6 attached to Darke County and Non-County Area 7 attached to Shelby County. The county was named after Revolutionary War officer Hugh Mercer. When Mercer County was fully organized in 1824, it detached from Darke County and was larger than it is today. Two counties were eventually formed from the original Mercer County: Van Wert County, in 1837, and part of Auglaize County, in 1848. In addition, Allen County was part of Mercer County from 1828-1831.

Revolutionary War Pensioners may have lived and received their pensions in what was Mercer County at the time but may have died in a county that was later formed from Mercer County. [4]

In conclusion, here is a summary of where these American Revolution soldiers resided in Mercer County, per the US Census and the 1827 and 1843 Mercer County Quadrennial Enumerations:

Ira L. Foster, Private, 19th Regular U.S. Infantry; 1840: Jefferson Twp; 1843: Quadrennial Enumeration, Jefferson Twp; 1850: not found.

James Shoonover, Private, New York Militia; c1833 moved to Mercer County from Pike County; 1843 Quad Enum, Washington; 1850: not found; reportedly buried in Macedon Cemetery, Mercer County. [One James “Icoonover” was enumerated in 1840, Washington Twp, but he was too young to have served in the American Revolution. Perhaps he was the son of patriot James Shoonover?]

William Berry, Pvt, Virginia Militia; born c1750; 1827 Quad Enum, St. Marys; 1830: St. Marys town; 1840 & 1850: not found.

John Latimer, Pvt, New Jersey Militia; born c1748 (maybe later); 1843 Quad Enum; 1830-1850: not found

Robert M’Lumsey/McCumsey, Pvt, Pennsylvania Militia; 1830: St. Marys Twp, listed as Sr; 1840-1850: not found.

Amos Spencer, Pvt, Virginia Continental; born c1748; not found in Mercer County in the censuses or Quadrennial Enumerations; reportedly buried in Macedon Cemetery, Mercer County.

John Sutton, born c1756; 1827 Quad Enum, Dublin Twp; 1830 & 1840: Dublin Twp; 1850: a John Sutton, age 59, in Dublin Twp, possibly a son?

One additional source indicates that Robert Kirkwood, Henry Leasor, William McMahon, and William McMeachen are buried in Mercer County. [5]

I found no additional information about Henry Leasor, Revolutionary War soldier, who is also reportedly buried in Murlin Cemetery, Mercer County.

This is still a work in progress, but we know the names of some Revolutionary War soldiers who lived in Mercer County late in their lives. The ones who had pensions.

These are the ones who once lived in Mercer County, but are they buried in Mercer County?

And there may have been even more living in the county because not every soldier took a pension.

[1] U.S., the Pension Roll of 1835, State 6, Ohio; Ancestry.com. [this source is also on FamilySearch.org]

[2] 1838 Pensions, Mercer, Ohio, Miscellaneous Records 1838-1911, James Shoonover; and
1838 Pensions, Mercer, Ohio, Miscellaneous Records 1838-1911, James Shoonover; FamilySearch.org.

[3] 1840 Census: A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, p.177; United States Census Bureau.

[4] Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, Ohio Individual County Chronologies, Newberry Library, 2007.

[5] The Official Roster of the Daughters of the American Revolution Buried in the Sate of Ohio, FJ Heer Printing, Columbus, Ohio, 1929.