Wedding Wednesday ~ Mary Moreland Saylor

For this Wedding Wednesday, I am sharing this delightful photograph of Mary Moreland Saylor, wife of Roscoe Saylor. Mary was the daughter of William and Ida Moreland of Indianapolis and Roscoe was the son of Perry and Ida Belle Swadner Saylor, grandson of Samuel and Caroline Routsong Swadner, and my 2nd cousin, 2 times removed.

Roscoe was born in Montgomery County, Ohio on 17 December, 1892 and worked as a salesman in Indiana, where he married Mary on 28 June, 1924. 

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Jacob and Anna Margaret Swadener

For today's Tombstone Tuesday, I am sharing the final resting place of Jacob and Anna Margaret Swadener, the grandparents of Charles E. Swadener, the attorney whose story I shared in an earlier post.  Jacob and Anna are my 3rd great grand uncle and aunt.

Jacob Swadener was born on 27 November, 1786 in Libertytown, Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Henrich (Henry) and Elizabeth Sentsor Schwedner.  By 1840, he was living in Van Buren Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, with his wife, Anna Margaret, and sons William and Michael (M.J.).  His oldest sons, Valentine and Abraham had not come with them.  They may have died in Maryland, but I have found no official records.
Jacob owned his farm in Van Buren Township, where he appeared on the US Census records until 1860.  Anna Margaret died in 1861 and Jacob followed her two years later.

They are buried in David's Cemetery, Kettering, Ohio.

Black Sheep Sunday ~ From Golden Goose to Black Sheep in One Afternoon

The gentleman pictured above is my 2nd cousin, 3 times removed, Charles Edward Swadener. I "discovered" Charles about a month ago, while I was spending a couple of hours searching for information on random last names in my family tree.  On that particular afternoon, I had decided to research the maiden name of my maternal great great grandmother, Clarinda Swadner, using the various ways it has been spelled throughout the years.  Using the "SWADENER" spelling, I began to search a newspaper resource.  I first discovered an article about Charles' father, Michael Swadener, whom I learned had once been the sheriff of Montgomery County, Ohio.  Feeling a sense of pride in the fact that one of my ancestors had been an early "lawman" in my hometime, I began to search for more information about Michael and his family.  Almost immediately,  in the 1882 Beers History of Montgomery County, Ohio, I found a biographical paragraph about Charles Swadener, attorney at law.  What a shining story it was!  Charles has been born in Dayton in 1853 and had attended the St. Mary's Institute and had been determined to study law.  He was accepted into the bar in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1874 and had formed several law partnerships in the city of Dayton.  He had married Leila Duel, a holder of Bachelors and Masters Degrees herself.  The final line of the biography states  "In his profession he is noted for his devotion to his clients' interests and this combined with his comprehensive knowledge of the law and correct application of its principles has carried him into important professional relations."  After reading this, I was feeling quite smug about my family member; especially since I had been writing recently about so many family scandals.  I saw my next blog post in my mind, "Charles Swadener, Attorney in the Family".  If my research had ended with that biography, that post would have probably been written.

 But, then I found the small article printed on page two, column 1 of the 18 December, 1895 edition of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.  It began  "RUIN AND DISGRACE".

You've got to be kidding. I couldn't believe what I was reading. The article began with the facts that Charles had been disbarred, was "shorn of all his former fortune, disgraced socially, his wife and children in want" and that he was a "physical and almost mental wreck".   Charles Swadener, my 2nd cousin, 3 times removed, just two years before the date of this article, was worth over $200,000, was a prominent and well respected citizen of Dayton.  Now, I was discovering that because of poor real estate investments, he had gone deeply into debt and to try to hide this debt he had begun embezzling the funds of his clients, to the tune of $90,000.  According to the article, he had to sell everything he had and even his family gave up some of their own belongings to try to pay his debt, but he still owed thousands.  His plea of guilty led to a sentence of one year in the penitentiary.   Oh shoot. There went my bragging blog post.

I was curious what happened to Charles afterwards.

Interestingly enough, on the United States Census form of both 1900 and 1910, Charles is listed as living in Dayton, with his occupation listed as "lawyer" and "attorney".  He is living with his wife, daughter, and servant, Sadie.  Obviously, Leila must have truly loved Charles since she stood by him and waited for him to come back home to her and it seems that he was able to come home and pick up the pieces of his life and become an attorney again.  I hope the victims of his crime were able to do the same.

According to his Ohio death certificate, Charles died on 9 September, 1910 from interstial nephritis with contributory arterio sclerosis. He was buried in Dayton's historic Woodland Cemetery.  Lela lived until 9 January, 1927, when she died in Chicago, Illinois.

I learned many things during that afternoon of work; not the least of which was to make sure I have researched everything I can about a subject BEFORE I start to write.  But, I guess I could still brag about the "lawman" in my family!

Not So Wordless Wednesday ~ The Calling Card

I discovered this calling card while going through some of my grandparents old photographs. I wasn't familiar with the name "Hezekiah Cashour" so I decided to do some "detective work" to see if I could find out just how my grandparents (or great grandparents) may have known this gentleman.

Here is what I have found:

In a memorial posted on Findagrave.com, it states that Hezekiah was born on 20 January, 1820 and he died on 29 April, 1908.  He is buried in the Sam's Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery in New Windsor, Carroll County, Maryland.

According to the United States Census records of 1850, 1860, and 1870, Mr. Hezekiah Cashour was living in New Windsor, Carroll County, Maryland.  His listed occupation is "wagon maker".  On 20 April, 1844, Hezekiah married Harriett Miller or Millards in Carroll County.  They had a son named David, who moved here to Montgomery County, Ohio sometime after 1860.  He had a farm in Madison Township.  He died on 10 January, 1914, after suffering a diabetic coma.  David was buried at the Hillgrove Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio. 

From this information,  I can only guess that somehow one of my ancestors knew David and could have received this calling card from him, perhaps when they were interested in obtaining a new wagon of some sort. 

I will probably never know the exact relationship between my family and the Cashour's, and I'm sure they never imagined that a century after this card was produced, it and Hezekiah's story would be shared with the world! 

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Frank P. Kesling

 

For today's Tombstone Tuesday, I am sharing the final resting place of Frank P. Kesling, my husband's 1st cousin, 4 times removed.

Frank Kesling, was born to John and Elizabeth Garrett Kesling on 25 December, 1852 in Clearcreek Township, Warren County, Ohio.  His great grandfather was Diderich "Teter" Kesling, German immigrant and veteran of the Revolutionary War.  I have shared information about Teter Kesling in previous blog posts.

According to census records, Frank became a farmer and remained a single man his entire life. He died of pneumonia at the age of 70 years, 11 months, and 2 days. Although his death certificate states that his date of death was 6 March, 1923, his headstone is inscribed "1922". He was laid to rest on 9 March, 1923 at the Springboro Cemetery in Springboro, Warren County, Ohio.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Grandma and Grandpa's Wedding Announcement

 I could hardly wait for Treasure Chest Thursday this week to share the newest addition to my collection of treasured family heirlooms.  The difference between this and other items I have shared in the past is that this one is brand new; at least it is to me!

Today, I have posted the wedding announcement of my maternal grandparents, Leland and Gladys Marling Norris. Up until this week, I never knew this article existed. Not only that, until my mother read this newspaper clipping, she wasn't aware that her parents had had a church wedding.  She had always just assumed they had recited their vows in front of a justice of the peace. So, it was quite a surprise to read that they were married at the Presbyterian church in Elkhart, Indiana and then had a wedding supper at the home of my great grandparents. 

I have to thank Genealogy Bank for giving me the chance to own this treasured bit of my family history.  I hadn't looked at their website for a couple of years and this week when I discovered they now had the Elkhart, Indiana newspapers available, I knew I had to get a membership.  Within the first 10 minutes of researching, I found this wedding announcement. I also found an article pertaining to their marriage license and my grandmother's bridal shower.

I discovered another fact while searching within the pages of the Ekhart newspapers.   My great grandfather, Ralph  Marling, who was a moulder by profession, also happened to be the financial officer of the moulder's union.  Pretty exciting news for someone who makes her living at being a bookkeeper!  His name is mentioned numerous times during the newspaper's coverage of the union's strike in Elkhart.  My great uncle, Chet, is not left out.  His marriage announcement and several articles detailing his World War I army service are included.

This is just further proof that family history research cannot be done with just one website, at one time, and even when you think you are "finished" with a branch of your family tree, you can always discover something new, wonderful, totally unexpected! You never know when you might find a new "treasure"!

Military Monday ~ Grandpa's Official Army Papers

In the past I have shared several stories about the military service of my grandfather, Leland Norris. Today, I am sharing the Honorable Discharge papers he received on the day he was released from the Army, following World War I.

   

  To Whom it May Concern

This is to certify that Leland V. Norris 1532896 Corporal, 5th Battery F.A.R.R.

THE UNITED STATES ARMY, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service,

is hereby Honorably Discharged from from the military service of the United States by reason of

E.T.S. under fro. frobair / 16 M.D. 1918

Said Leland V. Norris was born

in Dayton, in the state of Ohio

When enlisted he was 18 3/12 years of age and by occupation a student

He had Blue eyes, Light hair, Medium complexion and

Was 5 feet 5 inches in height.

Given under my hand at Camp Sheridan this

19th day of May, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen

Fred H. Zinn,

Major Infantry U.S.A.

Commanding

My grandfather, Leland V. Norris, during his service in the Army, 1918-1919.

Sentimental Sunday - Unknown Routsong Gentleman

The distinguished looking gentleman in the above photograph is a member of the Routsong family.  I know this because I found his picture in a cluster of old Routsong photographs that had belonged to my great aunt, Grace Norris Bailey.  He definitely has the features of my great great grandfather, Henry Mathias Routsong, so I think he may be a brother of my great grandmother, Elizabeth Routsong Norris.   I have sent the picture to several people in the family, hoping to put a name to his face, but so far nobody seems to know.  Even so, it is one of my favorite pictures. I love the intensity of his expression and his attitude.  Maybe someday, someone will see this pictures and identify him for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Shopping Saturday - HATS!

While browing through old editions of The Portsmouth Daily Times Newspaper, I discovered this advertisement from 1927 from Flora Dellert for hats.  Through my family history research, I discovered there are several ladies in my ancestry with milliner listed as their occupation. My 2nd great Aunt Dessie loved to wear hats and luckily for her, her step-mother was a milliner!

Here she is pictured with what must have been one of her favorites.

I certainly don't think I would ever have wanted to wear a bustle, but I think I would have enjoyed wearing hats like these very much!  Let's go shopping!

Thriller Thursday - The Murders at Rocky Fork ~ Part Three

With the Nichols family behind bars for the Piatt murders, the law officers of Scioto county assumed they had solved the crime.  Prosecuting the crime was going to prove more difficult.  They couldn't seem to put together a case against the Nichols family members.  Both 13 year old Hammond, who was already physically crippled, and the Nichols' cousin, David Brown,  became ill.  Months went by without any case going to court.

Then, a series of events happened that sent fear throughout Scioto County and created some doubt that the Nichols men were guilty of the crime.

In September, 1911, Sheridan Piatt, son of the murdered Oliver, was viciously attacked by James Evans, his son, Otto, and James' wife, Nora.  After almost killing Sheridan, they went on a crime spree. For three days at the end of September, they sent shivers throughout the community of Buena Vista.  The Portsmouth Daily Times on 27 September, 1911 stated that the Evans' "Went on the Warpath".  Several people were shot and wounded.   Officials from both Adams and Scioto counties began a manhunt for James and Otto Evans, and Nora was found and arrested.  Citizens were concerned that the Evans boys were out to settle "old scores" and many were afraid to confront the outlaws. At one point, the posse found the men and Deputy George River was shot and wounded. Because the Evans had such detailed knowlege of their surroundings, they were able to escape.  After several days, the law officers decided it was too dangerous to continue to go after the boys so they gave up the  hunt.  Speculation began that the Evans were probably involved in the Piatt murders, but they were never pursued.

Nora Evans was sentenced to 6 months in prison for her part in the assault and attempted murder of Sheridan Piatt. She was sent to the Cincinnati Workhouse, but due to illness and for "good behavior" she was released after only 4 months.

Then, on December 30, 1911, one year after the Piatt brothers murder and after spending almost a year in jail, the Nichols family was released on their own recognizance.  No material witnesses could be found to testify against them and it was deemed impossible to convict any of the Nichols men.  Because of the violence of the Evans family two months before, it could have been that too many questions about their possible involvement existed as well.  The Nichols did have to keep the courts informed of their whereabouts, but no further action was taken against them.  In May, 1912, the Nichols family considered legal action against the county for their imprisonment.  As of the writing of this post, I haven't determined the outcome of that lawsuit.

After the escape of the Evans' and the release of the Nichols family, no further arrests were made in the murders of Oliver and Minor Piatt.  It seems that someone did literally get away with murder.
To add to this tragedy,  on 8 March, 1921, 10 years after surviving the brutal attack by the Evans family, Sheridan Piatt was killed when he was hit in the head by a large branch while he was at work trimming trees. 

At this time, I do not know what became of James and Otto Evans, the "Wild and Wooly" father and son team who terrorized the county.  Scioto County in the early part of the 20th century was still a very rugged area.  Moonshiners were plentiful and the newspaper was often filled with stories of lawlessness.  It is sad that no one ever paid for the ghastly crime that occured on that cold December night, now one hundred years ago. Was it a robbery or something more personal?  We will never know.