THE WILLIAM PHILLIP AND
PHILIPPINE ELIZABETH (SCHNATZ) MILLER FAMILY
William Phillip Miller LB3T-NCT
(23 October 1839-3 October 1911)
and
Philippine Elizabeth Schnatz LB73-D49
(10 November 1847-14 January 1887)
PHILIPPINE ELIZABETH (SCHNATZ) MILLER FAMILY
William Phillip Miller LB3T-NCT
(23 October 1839-3 October 1911)
and
Philippine Elizabeth Schnatz LB73-D49
(10 November 1847-14 January 1887)
William Phillip Miller was born in the Province of Nassau, Germany on 23 October 1839. According to the U.S. Census of 1900 in Benton Township, Paulding County, Ohio, William indicated he immigrated to America in 1866, when he would have been around the age of 26 or 27, and that he was a naturalized citizen. I have not yet found his actual immigration record, though there are records for William Millers that entered the United States in 1866, but they lack enough conclusive information to make a positive ID for William P. Miller. We can assume that William came to Ohio quite soon after his immigration. There was a large population of German emigrates throughout Ohio by this time. Generally, newcomers migrated to where other known relatives or friends had already settled and this may have been the case for William. His parents are unknown.
Philippine was born on 13 December 1847 in the Province of Nassau, Germany. The date is based on information from her gravestone and her death record in Paulding County, Ohio. She came to America at age 5, many years before William. Her family left the port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands aboard the ship Batavier and arrived in London, England on 17 April 1850. They remained in England until they were able to make the final leg of their journey arriving in New York, New York aboard the ship Prinz Albert on 17 November 1852. The passenger list indicated the following. Phil Schnatz (37), Helena (42), Catherine (15), Wm. (10), Dora (7) and Phil (7), most likely twins, and Pilape (5).
It is unclear when the family made their way to Ohio, but Phillip Sr. died on 12 April 1858 and was buried at Green Springs Cemetery in Green Springs, Sandusky, Ohio. (FAG ID#77559620) He is buried as Phillip Olndr (sic) Schnatz. So the family must have been living in the area for some time. On the 1860 U. S. Census the family was living in Green Springs, Ohio, very possibly in town. Helena (49) William (19) and Philopena (12).
When William and Philippine met is unclear and some accounts have them marrying around 1867 based on the age of one of their surviving daughters, Helena, who was born in 1868, possibly February. No marriage record can be found in Sandusky County, Ohio, or elsewhere, though there is no reason to assume they were married in Sandusky County beyond the fact that is where Philippine had been living in 1860. (Green Springs, Ohio) Son George’s obituary, born in 1871, states he was born in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio and a record does exist that confirms this. A vexing issue is that there must have been four additional children, one girl and three boys, that were born and died with no record of names, dates, etc. The reason I say this is because in the obituary for one of William and Philippine’s daughters, Louisa Emelia Miller who died in 1904, she indicates she was proceeded in death by her mother, one sister (unknown) and four brothers, (three are unknown). One brother, Charles, is accounted for in the 1880 census. And in the obituary for another of their children, George C. Miller who died in 1909, he indicates he was proceeded in death by his mother, two sisters (one being Louisa and the other unknown), and four brothers (three unknown), again Charles is accounted for.
So, if we believe these obituaries, William and Philippine had four more children than I cannot find records for. A search for an obituary for Philippine and William has been fruitless. So, if we look at birth dates for the six children who we know about, 1868, 1871, 1874, 1874/1875, 1879 and 1883, it is possible others could have been born prior to 1868 (Philippine would have been 21), or in between the six known children, or after the last child Dora in 1883, although there would have been more than likely records for a birth and death in that time frame. Philippine died in 1887 and no children younger than Dora appear in any record. It is possible that William and Philippine could have had children prior to a speculated marriage in 1867. Remember, William did not immigrate until 1866, so a tight timeline indeed. A document from the Allen County Public Library has two of these children as possible twins, so maybe only three additional birth years for the four missing children.
A search for an 1870 Census has found nothing that exactly matches William and Philippine, or for Helena Schnatz. There is one census for Sherman, Huron, Ohio taken on 3 July 1870. We know they were living there in 1880. However, there are many discrepancies. It lists an Iller Miller (33), Philepena (26), Katrina (3) and Elizabeth (2). It also lists them coming from Bavaria. William was actually 31 and Philippine 23. Their daughter, Helena C. Miller born in 1868, is not listed. Could all of these errors been made and this is, in fact, William and Philippine? Possible I suppose, but more research is needed. There is no Iller and Philepena in Sherman Township, Huron, Ohio in 1880. Also, son George was born in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio in 1871, which would indicate they were not in Huron County.
We can patch together this family’s movement based upon the death records and obituaries of their children that indicate where each was born. Helena 1868 (most likely Sandusky County, Ohio or the city of Sandusky), George 1971 (Sandusky, Erie, Ohio), William 1874 (Bellevue, Sherman, Huron, Ohio), Charles 1874/1875 (Sherman, Huron, Ohio), Louisa 1879 (Monroeville, Huron, Ohio) and Dora 1883 (Sherman, Huron, Ohio). I believe the family was most likely in Sandusky County at first. Sometime in 1872 or 1873 they probably moved to Huron County as son William was born in Bellevue, Huron, Ohio in January 1874. Green Springs, Ohio and Bellevue, Ohio are about 13 miles apart. Their next three children were born in Sherman Township in Huron County, Ohio in 1874/75, 1879 and 1883. Unfortunately, no birth records exist for any of these children.
The 1880 U. S. Census on 16 June for Sherman, Huron, Ohio shows Philippine’s widowed mother is living in the household. William (40), Philipena (32), Helena (12), George (9), William (7), Charles (5), Louise (9/12) and mother-in-law Ellany (70). William lists his occupation as a farmer and both he and Philippine indicate they were born in Nassau, Germany, as well as their parents.
*It is interesting to note that in the census record on page 14, that none of the family names enumerated before and after William P. Miller (#116), ranging #113-#120, can be found as land owners on the Atlas Survey of 1873 for Huron County, Ohio. There looms the possibility that these entries are from homes being rented in a place then known as Weavers Corners, Sherman, Huron, Ohio. More research is needed.
There were other Miller Families in Huron County at this time. Philippine’s mother, Helena, died sometime after the 1880 census as she does not appear in any future record. Whether she moved with the family to Paulding County around 1885 when she would have been 75 years old, died prior to that, or stayed in the Huron or Sandusky County area where she had other family has not been determined. There is no death record for her in Huron County. Death and burial unknown. I researched where her husband, Phillip Schnatz, was buried in 1858 at Green Springs Cemetery in Green Springs, Sandusky, Ohio, but according to cemetery authorities there are no records of her burial there. There is the possibility that she may have been buried there with no record surviving. Additionally, there is no record of her being buried in Paulding County, Ohio.
As previously mentioned, William indicated on the U. S. Census for 1900 that he was naturalized. Knowing that immigrants usually sought citizenship soon after coming to America I focused my search on Huron County knowing he was living there between 1873 and 1885. Research revealed two (2) William Millers from Nassau, Germany were naturalized in Huron County. One dated 1873 and the other 1883. The age given on the 1873 application did not match William’s age, so I ruled it out. I believe the William Miller who was naturalized on 30 March 1883 is, in fact, William P. Miller. Court reference PR2/158 and NR2/534. On the application a man by the name of Anton Erf, of Monroeville, Ohio vouches for William’s integrity and signs the document. There is no other identifying information on either of the two application records that gives reference to residence or other relatives, so there may be some doubt about this record. Part of Sherman Township was in the Monroeville, Ohio postal area and Louisa, William and Philippine’s 5th surviving child, was born in Monroeville in 1879. In researching Anton Erf it turns out he immigrated with his entire family in 1853. They were from the Province of Nassau, Germany like William. Anton was 3 years older than William. It is possible they were acquainted in Germany, or, at the very least, connected in Huron County with common backgrounds. There was no record of a William Miller becoming naturalized in Paulding County, Ohio between 1884 and William’s death there in 1911.
Based upon the baptism record of youngest daughter Dora Miller, 2 March 1885 in Bellevue, Ohio, the family did not come to Paulding County until after then. (See postscript that follows) One possible land record has been found that may be that of William Phillip Miller. From the Recorder’s Office in Paulding County, Ohio, Grantee Records Vol. 39, page 564 shows a William Miller signed a rental agreement with Joseph Eargood in McGill, Ohio to rent a 40 acre tract being the SE quarter of the NW quarter of Section 18 in Benton Township, Paulding County, Ohio on 21 March 1885. This may have been where the family was living when Philippine died at age 39 of consumption on 14 January 1887. She was buried in the oldest section of Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#57017999)
On the 1892 Atlas Survey of Paulding County, Ohio this tract is owned by Hannah Eargood, most likely Joseph’s surviving spouse. My mother, Helen Eilene (Miller) Major thought her great grandfather on her father’s side, John L. Miller, and his family lived on the same road where her parents, Sherman and Edith Miller, later had their farm, just to the west in the next mile. I think there is the possibility that she may have had him mistaken for where William was renting this land, which is exactly in Section 18 in the next mile west of where her parent’s would later purchase their farm. She never knew her grandfather William P. Miller as he died long before she was born, and probably recalled this location from things she was told by her parents and others. The family may still have been renting here when William remarried Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Miller in Paulding County on 27 July 1892. He was 27 years her elder. Nettie had come to Paulding County sometime after 1887, but prior to January 1890, with her parents and two young children from Huron County, Ohio as well. Her first marriage was to a Wilhelm Mueller in Huron County in 1886. It has not been established whether or not these two families were acquainted in Huron County prior to their arrival in Paulding County.
With no surviving 1890 census we do not know the exact makeup of the family beyond records of marriages of William’s children from his first marriage as they moved into their own households. The five surviving children from this first marriage all married in Paulding County; Helena 1886, William 1894, George 1895, Louisa 1898 and Dora 1902. William and Nettie had two children of their own, Rosa born in 1893 and Edith born in 1895. And Nettie had her two children from her first marriage, Oscar born in Huron County in 1886 and Minnie, born in Paulding County in 1890. Over nearly 20 years this blended family grew and thrived in the Paulding County and the surrounding area into Northeast Indiana. William, a farmer all of his life, died at the age of 71 from carcinoma of the esophagus on 3 October 1911 and was buried next to Philippine in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. He experienced the deaths of his first wife and seven of his 12 children. (FAG ID#57018057) Please see my complete narratives on The Wilhelm and Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Mueller Family and The William Phillip and Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Miller Family.
Philippine was born on 13 December 1847 in the Province of Nassau, Germany. The date is based on information from her gravestone and her death record in Paulding County, Ohio. She came to America at age 5, many years before William. Her family left the port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands aboard the ship Batavier and arrived in London, England on 17 April 1850. They remained in England until they were able to make the final leg of their journey arriving in New York, New York aboard the ship Prinz Albert on 17 November 1852. The passenger list indicated the following. Phil Schnatz (37), Helena (42), Catherine (15), Wm. (10), Dora (7) and Phil (7), most likely twins, and Pilape (5).
It is unclear when the family made their way to Ohio, but Phillip Sr. died on 12 April 1858 and was buried at Green Springs Cemetery in Green Springs, Sandusky, Ohio. (FAG ID#77559620) He is buried as Phillip Olndr (sic) Schnatz. So the family must have been living in the area for some time. On the 1860 U. S. Census the family was living in Green Springs, Ohio, very possibly in town. Helena (49) William (19) and Philopena (12).
When William and Philippine met is unclear and some accounts have them marrying around 1867 based on the age of one of their surviving daughters, Helena, who was born in 1868, possibly February. No marriage record can be found in Sandusky County, Ohio, or elsewhere, though there is no reason to assume they were married in Sandusky County beyond the fact that is where Philippine had been living in 1860. (Green Springs, Ohio) Son George’s obituary, born in 1871, states he was born in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio and a record does exist that confirms this. A vexing issue is that there must have been four additional children, one girl and three boys, that were born and died with no record of names, dates, etc. The reason I say this is because in the obituary for one of William and Philippine’s daughters, Louisa Emelia Miller who died in 1904, she indicates she was proceeded in death by her mother, one sister (unknown) and four brothers, (three are unknown). One brother, Charles, is accounted for in the 1880 census. And in the obituary for another of their children, George C. Miller who died in 1909, he indicates he was proceeded in death by his mother, two sisters (one being Louisa and the other unknown), and four brothers (three unknown), again Charles is accounted for.
So, if we believe these obituaries, William and Philippine had four more children than I cannot find records for. A search for an obituary for Philippine and William has been fruitless. So, if we look at birth dates for the six children who we know about, 1868, 1871, 1874, 1874/1875, 1879 and 1883, it is possible others could have been born prior to 1868 (Philippine would have been 21), or in between the six known children, or after the last child Dora in 1883, although there would have been more than likely records for a birth and death in that time frame. Philippine died in 1887 and no children younger than Dora appear in any record. It is possible that William and Philippine could have had children prior to a speculated marriage in 1867. Remember, William did not immigrate until 1866, so a tight timeline indeed. A document from the Allen County Public Library has two of these children as possible twins, so maybe only three additional birth years for the four missing children.
A search for an 1870 Census has found nothing that exactly matches William and Philippine, or for Helena Schnatz. There is one census for Sherman, Huron, Ohio taken on 3 July 1870. We know they were living there in 1880. However, there are many discrepancies. It lists an Iller Miller (33), Philepena (26), Katrina (3) and Elizabeth (2). It also lists them coming from Bavaria. William was actually 31 and Philippine 23. Their daughter, Helena C. Miller born in 1868, is not listed. Could all of these errors been made and this is, in fact, William and Philippine? Possible I suppose, but more research is needed. There is no Iller and Philepena in Sherman Township, Huron, Ohio in 1880. Also, son George was born in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio in 1871, which would indicate they were not in Huron County.
We can patch together this family’s movement based upon the death records and obituaries of their children that indicate where each was born. Helena 1868 (most likely Sandusky County, Ohio or the city of Sandusky), George 1971 (Sandusky, Erie, Ohio), William 1874 (Bellevue, Sherman, Huron, Ohio), Charles 1874/1875 (Sherman, Huron, Ohio), Louisa 1879 (Monroeville, Huron, Ohio) and Dora 1883 (Sherman, Huron, Ohio). I believe the family was most likely in Sandusky County at first. Sometime in 1872 or 1873 they probably moved to Huron County as son William was born in Bellevue, Huron, Ohio in January 1874. Green Springs, Ohio and Bellevue, Ohio are about 13 miles apart. Their next three children were born in Sherman Township in Huron County, Ohio in 1874/75, 1879 and 1883. Unfortunately, no birth records exist for any of these children.
The 1880 U. S. Census on 16 June for Sherman, Huron, Ohio shows Philippine’s widowed mother is living in the household. William (40), Philipena (32), Helena (12), George (9), William (7), Charles (5), Louise (9/12) and mother-in-law Ellany (70). William lists his occupation as a farmer and both he and Philippine indicate they were born in Nassau, Germany, as well as their parents.
*It is interesting to note that in the census record on page 14, that none of the family names enumerated before and after William P. Miller (#116), ranging #113-#120, can be found as land owners on the Atlas Survey of 1873 for Huron County, Ohio. There looms the possibility that these entries are from homes being rented in a place then known as Weavers Corners, Sherman, Huron, Ohio. More research is needed.
There were other Miller Families in Huron County at this time. Philippine’s mother, Helena, died sometime after the 1880 census as she does not appear in any future record. Whether she moved with the family to Paulding County around 1885 when she would have been 75 years old, died prior to that, or stayed in the Huron or Sandusky County area where she had other family has not been determined. There is no death record for her in Huron County. Death and burial unknown. I researched where her husband, Phillip Schnatz, was buried in 1858 at Green Springs Cemetery in Green Springs, Sandusky, Ohio, but according to cemetery authorities there are no records of her burial there. There is the possibility that she may have been buried there with no record surviving. Additionally, there is no record of her being buried in Paulding County, Ohio.
As previously mentioned, William indicated on the U. S. Census for 1900 that he was naturalized. Knowing that immigrants usually sought citizenship soon after coming to America I focused my search on Huron County knowing he was living there between 1873 and 1885. Research revealed two (2) William Millers from Nassau, Germany were naturalized in Huron County. One dated 1873 and the other 1883. The age given on the 1873 application did not match William’s age, so I ruled it out. I believe the William Miller who was naturalized on 30 March 1883 is, in fact, William P. Miller. Court reference PR2/158 and NR2/534. On the application a man by the name of Anton Erf, of Monroeville, Ohio vouches for William’s integrity and signs the document. There is no other identifying information on either of the two application records that gives reference to residence or other relatives, so there may be some doubt about this record. Part of Sherman Township was in the Monroeville, Ohio postal area and Louisa, William and Philippine’s 5th surviving child, was born in Monroeville in 1879. In researching Anton Erf it turns out he immigrated with his entire family in 1853. They were from the Province of Nassau, Germany like William. Anton was 3 years older than William. It is possible they were acquainted in Germany, or, at the very least, connected in Huron County with common backgrounds. There was no record of a William Miller becoming naturalized in Paulding County, Ohio between 1884 and William’s death there in 1911.
Based upon the baptism record of youngest daughter Dora Miller, 2 March 1885 in Bellevue, Ohio, the family did not come to Paulding County until after then. (See postscript that follows) One possible land record has been found that may be that of William Phillip Miller. From the Recorder’s Office in Paulding County, Ohio, Grantee Records Vol. 39, page 564 shows a William Miller signed a rental agreement with Joseph Eargood in McGill, Ohio to rent a 40 acre tract being the SE quarter of the NW quarter of Section 18 in Benton Township, Paulding County, Ohio on 21 March 1885. This may have been where the family was living when Philippine died at age 39 of consumption on 14 January 1887. She was buried in the oldest section of Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#57017999)
On the 1892 Atlas Survey of Paulding County, Ohio this tract is owned by Hannah Eargood, most likely Joseph’s surviving spouse. My mother, Helen Eilene (Miller) Major thought her great grandfather on her father’s side, John L. Miller, and his family lived on the same road where her parents, Sherman and Edith Miller, later had their farm, just to the west in the next mile. I think there is the possibility that she may have had him mistaken for where William was renting this land, which is exactly in Section 18 in the next mile west of where her parent’s would later purchase their farm. She never knew her grandfather William P. Miller as he died long before she was born, and probably recalled this location from things she was told by her parents and others. The family may still have been renting here when William remarried Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Miller in Paulding County on 27 July 1892. He was 27 years her elder. Nettie had come to Paulding County sometime after 1887, but prior to January 1890, with her parents and two young children from Huron County, Ohio as well. Her first marriage was to a Wilhelm Mueller in Huron County in 1886. It has not been established whether or not these two families were acquainted in Huron County prior to their arrival in Paulding County.
With no surviving 1890 census we do not know the exact makeup of the family beyond records of marriages of William’s children from his first marriage as they moved into their own households. The five surviving children from this first marriage all married in Paulding County; Helena 1886, William 1894, George 1895, Louisa 1898 and Dora 1902. William and Nettie had two children of their own, Rosa born in 1893 and Edith born in 1895. And Nettie had her two children from her first marriage, Oscar born in Huron County in 1886 and Minnie, born in Paulding County in 1890. Over nearly 20 years this blended family grew and thrived in the Paulding County and the surrounding area into Northeast Indiana. William, a farmer all of his life, died at the age of 71 from carcinoma of the esophagus on 3 October 1911 and was buried next to Philippine in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. He experienced the deaths of his first wife and seven of his 12 children. (FAG ID#57018057) Please see my complete narratives on The Wilhelm and Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Mueller Family and The William Phillip and Johannetta “Nettie” (Eberling) Miller Family.
William and Philippine’s Children
Helena C. Miller LB73-DHT
(1868-13 February 1954)
Helena C. Miller LB73-DHT
(1868-13 February 1954)
Helena “Lena” was born in 1868, possibly February, most likely in Sandusky County, Ohio or the city of Sandusky, Ohio. No birth record can be found. She moved with her family from Huron County, Ohio to Paulding County, Ohio around 1885. She married Issac M. Snyder on 20 October 1886 in Paulding, Ohio. Issac 96DJ-QDJ, the son of Simon Snyder and Hannah Unknown, was born on 29 September 1861 in Champaign County, Ohio. On the U. S. Census of 1900 they were living in the northern half of Benton, Paulding, Ohio on a mortgaged farm. Issac (38) a farmer, Helena (32) a dressmaker, Otto (13), Maude (10), Esta (5) and Eddie (3). By 1910 they had moved to Ward 6 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Issac (50) an awning hanger, Helena (42), Maude (20) department store clerk, Esta (15) and Edward (13). On the 1920 census they were living at 1223 Michigan Avenue in Fort Wayne. Issac (58) laborer at an electric manufacturing company, Helena (51), Maude (30) dry goods salesperson and Edward (23) foreman at an electric manufacturing company. In 1930 they were still at the same address. Issac (68) clerk at an electrical factory, Helena (62), Maude (39) dry goods salesperson, Edward (33) foreman at an electrical company and James Dunifon (15) a grandson. Helena and Issac continued living at this address until they passed away.
Issac died of cancer on 15 July 1948 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#107757260) Helena died on 13 February 1954 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was buried next to Issac. (FAG ID#107757407)
*In Helena’s obituary, that appeared in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette newspaper on 15 February 1954, it lists her place of birth as Champaign County, Ohio. I believe this to be in error. Issac was born there in 1861 and there is no record found that places Helena’s family in this county.
Issac died of cancer on 15 July 1948 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#107757260) Helena died on 13 February 1954 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was buried next to Issac. (FAG ID#107757407)
*In Helena’s obituary, that appeared in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette newspaper on 15 February 1954, it lists her place of birth as Champaign County, Ohio. I believe this to be in error. Issac was born there in 1861 and there is no record found that places Helena’s family in this county.
Issac and Helena’s Children
Otto Oliver Snyder LVJ9-T2V was born on 27 February 1887 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. He married Ora Etna Baker on 20 September 1908 in Paulding, Ohio. Ora 2WXP-9S4, the daughter of Johnson Leonard Baker (1859-1939) and Anna Caroline Simmers (1861-1939), was born on 4 March 1888 in Dixon, Paulding, Ohio. Both died in Pinellas, Florida, Ora in April 1965 and Otto in January 1967. No known burial records can be found at this point in time. Authorities verified they are not buried at Greenlawn Cemetery where Otto’s parents and his three siblings are.
Maude May Snyder 96DJ-QDF was born on 21 November 1889 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. She worked in the dry goods business and lived all of her life with her parents until they past away, most of those years at 1223 Michigan Avenue in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. She never married. She died on 22 October 1973 in Centerville, Wayne, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#127489543)
Esta G. Snyder LV9J-BWV was born on 28 June 1894 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Willard Delmar Dunifon on 20 September 1913 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Willard LRG6-KFG, the son of George W. Dunifon (1860-1951) and Jane D. Long (1867-1938), was born on 17 June 1892 in Van Wert, Ohio. Willard died on 8 May 1951 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (FAG ID#106269957) Esta died on 16 November 1962 in Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried next to Willard. (FAG ID#106269963)
Edward Snyder L1BQ-NRW was born on 29 April 1896 in Paulding, Ohio. He lived with his parents at 1223 Michigan Avenue in Fort Wayne, Indiana until he married Katherine Marie Genth on 31 December 1936 in Allen, Indiana. Marie L1BQ-GKD, the daughter of Frank Adam Genth (1874-1948) and Mary B. Flaig (1872-1953), was born on 26 April 1905 in Marion, Indiana. Edward died on 14 June 1945 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (FAG ID#127476025) Marie died in 1999 and was buried in Greenlawn as well. (FAG ID#134704306)
Maude May Snyder 96DJ-QDF was born on 21 November 1889 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. She worked in the dry goods business and lived all of her life with her parents until they past away, most of those years at 1223 Michigan Avenue in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. She never married. She died on 22 October 1973 in Centerville, Wayne, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#127489543)
Esta G. Snyder LV9J-BWV was born on 28 June 1894 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Willard Delmar Dunifon on 20 September 1913 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Willard LRG6-KFG, the son of George W. Dunifon (1860-1951) and Jane D. Long (1867-1938), was born on 17 June 1892 in Van Wert, Ohio. Willard died on 8 May 1951 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (FAG ID#106269957) Esta died on 16 November 1962 in Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried next to Willard. (FAG ID#106269963)
Edward Snyder L1BQ-NRW was born on 29 April 1896 in Paulding, Ohio. He lived with his parents at 1223 Michigan Avenue in Fort Wayne, Indiana until he married Katherine Marie Genth on 31 December 1936 in Allen, Indiana. Marie L1BQ-GKD, the daughter of Frank Adam Genth (1874-1948) and Mary B. Flaig (1872-1953), was born on 26 April 1905 in Marion, Indiana. Edward died on 14 June 1945 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (FAG ID#127476025) Marie died in 1999 and was buried in Greenlawn as well. (FAG ID#134704306)
William and Philippine’s Children
George C. Miller L5B1-SSG
(10 April 1871-1 January 1909)
George C. Miller L5B1-SSG
(10 April 1871-1 January 1909)
George was born on 10 April 1871 in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio. This is listed in his obituary and in a record in Erie County, Ohio. He married Jennie Arvilla Stabler on 1 January 1895 in Paulding, Ohio. Jennie KJ2H-KHP, the daughter of John Martin Stabler Jr. (1849-1909) and Martha Amelia Coomer (1858-1939), was born on 14 April 1875 in Paulding, Ohio. She had lived in Payne, Ohio since 1911. George, like his sister Louisa five years earlier, died of consumption when he was 37 years old on 1 January 1909, on his 14th wedding anniversary. He was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#53956365)
After George’s death Jennie went to live with her mother Martha for a time in Elkhart, Indiana. Martha Amelia (Coomer) Stabler was a sister to Daniel Webster Coomer, George’s sister Dora’s father-in-law. The 1910 U. S. Census for Elkhart County, Indiana shows Jennie (35), Rollo (14) and Rollen (6) On the 1920 U. S. census she is living on Broadway Street in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. She remained in Fort Wayne the rest of her life and died on 11 June 1945 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Her obituary lists her address as 1412 Eckart Street in Fort Wayne and states she had been ill for four weeks prior to her death. She was buried next to George in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#53956391) They both were members of the Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church of Payne, Ohio.
*In George’s obituary, that appeared in the Payne Reflector newspaper on
3 June 1909, page 1, it states that George was consecrated in the Lord in holy baptism in the Reformed Church. As a young man he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. (This was most likely St. James Lutheran Church in Payne, Ohio.) He later confessed through the rite of Reprofession his faith in the Reformed Church. He was preceded in death by his mother, two sisters and four four brothers.
After George’s death Jennie went to live with her mother Martha for a time in Elkhart, Indiana. Martha Amelia (Coomer) Stabler was a sister to Daniel Webster Coomer, George’s sister Dora’s father-in-law. The 1910 U. S. Census for Elkhart County, Indiana shows Jennie (35), Rollo (14) and Rollen (6) On the 1920 U. S. census she is living on Broadway Street in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. She remained in Fort Wayne the rest of her life and died on 11 June 1945 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Her obituary lists her address as 1412 Eckart Street in Fort Wayne and states she had been ill for four weeks prior to her death. She was buried next to George in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#53956391) They both were members of the Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church of Payne, Ohio.
*In George’s obituary, that appeared in the Payne Reflector newspaper on
3 June 1909, page 1, it states that George was consecrated in the Lord in holy baptism in the Reformed Church. As a young man he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. (This was most likely St. James Lutheran Church in Payne, Ohio.) He later confessed through the rite of Reprofession his faith in the Reformed Church. He was preceded in death by his mother, two sisters and four four brothers.
George and Jennie’s Children
Rollo John William Miller LLHK-4P6 was born on 5 February 1896 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. After the death of his father when he was 13 years old he lived with his mother as she moved from place to place in Indiana. He married Marian Beehler on 11 November 1916 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Marian LLHK-4B6, the daughter of D. Christian Beehler (1868-1930) and Clemena Irene Trout (1874-1947), was born on 3 September 1898 in Indiana. They were living in Fort Wayne in 1930 but would eventually move to Michigan where they would live the rest of their lives. Rollo died on 11 January 1990 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan. (FAG ID#132784877) Marian died later the same year on 19 July 1990 and was buried next to Rollo. (FAG ID#132784866)
Rollen Willard Miller KJ2H-KH2 was born on 8 September 1899 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. He was 9 years old when his father died and he lived with his mother over the next decade until he married Edna Marie Lemler on 3 July 1920 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Edna LJL7-R89, the daughter of William Elliot Lemler (1876-1959) and Jennie Monesmith
(1877-1917), was born on 22 April 1903 in Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana. They lived at 4209 Buell Drive in Fort Wayne Indiana on the 1930 U. S. census. By 1940 they had moved to Warsaw, Kusciusko, Indiana where Rollen owned a restaurant. Rollen, who resided in Warsaw at the time, died on 30 May 1971 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was buried at Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#188509705) Edna died on 21 December 1991 in Warsaw, Kusciusko, Indiana and was buried next to Rollen. (FAG ID#188509822)
Rollen Willard Miller KJ2H-KH2 was born on 8 September 1899 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. He was 9 years old when his father died and he lived with his mother over the next decade until he married Edna Marie Lemler on 3 July 1920 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Edna LJL7-R89, the daughter of William Elliot Lemler (1876-1959) and Jennie Monesmith
(1877-1917), was born on 22 April 1903 in Bourbon, Marshall, Indiana. They lived at 4209 Buell Drive in Fort Wayne Indiana on the 1930 U. S. census. By 1940 they had moved to Warsaw, Kusciusko, Indiana where Rollen owned a restaurant. Rollen, who resided in Warsaw at the time, died on 30 May 1971 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was buried at Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#188509705) Edna died on 21 December 1991 in Warsaw, Kusciusko, Indiana and was buried next to Rollen. (FAG ID#188509822)
William and Philippine’s Children
William “Bill” Miller LB73-6PX
(28 January 1874-8 May 1950)
William “Bill” Miller LB73-6PX
(28 January 1874-8 May 1950)
William was born on 28 January 1874 in Bellevue, Huron, Ohio. He moved with his family to Paulding County around 1885. He married Lucinda “Ninnie” Ann Shilts on 29 November 1894 in Paulding, Ohio. Lucinda 2WXG-N5X, the daughter of Edward Shilts and Hannah Anderson, was born on 6 February 1876 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio.
Lucinda’s family originally came from near the German/Swiss border and spelled their name Schild at that time. The family dates back to 1540 in Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Lucinda’s great great grandfather Matthais Bertaam Schild came to America in 1775 with other Hessian soldiers to fight with the British in the Revolutionary War. He deserted his post while stationed at a fort somewhere in New York state and ended up in Frederick, Maryland where he met a girl and was married. (Contributed by Cheryl MacDougal, great granddaughter of William “Bill” Miller)
Bill and Ninnie lost their first born child Lavina in 1896. They were living in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio on the 1900 U. S. Census, William (25), Lucinda (24) and Mildred B. (2). By 1910 they had moved to Jefferson, Allen, Indiana where they were renting a farm. William (38), Lucinda (34), Mildred (12), Cletus (7) and Vivian (4). The census indicates that Cletus and Vivian were born in Indiana and that Lucinda was the mother of four children with three surviving.
The 1920 U. S. Census has the family owing a mortgaged home/farm in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. William (46), Lucinda (43), Cletus (17) and Vivian (14). In 1930 the census lists their address as Barrick Road in Jackson, Allen, Indiana, mostly likely the same farm they lived on in 1920. William lists his occupation as a farmer. William (56) and Lucinda (54). The 1940 Census has them in the same location, William (66) and Lucinda (63). It lists William as having completed third grade and Lucinda as finishing the eighth grade.
“Bill”, as he called to differentiate himself from his father William, died at his home in Woodburn, Indiana after a three month illness on 8 May 1950. He was buried next to his daughter Lavina, who died at age one in 1896, in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#55532667) Lucinda died at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana on 22 February 1954 and was buried next to Bill. (FAG ID#55532868)
Lucinda’s family originally came from near the German/Swiss border and spelled their name Schild at that time. The family dates back to 1540 in Kassel, Hessen, Germany. Lucinda’s great great grandfather Matthais Bertaam Schild came to America in 1775 with other Hessian soldiers to fight with the British in the Revolutionary War. He deserted his post while stationed at a fort somewhere in New York state and ended up in Frederick, Maryland where he met a girl and was married. (Contributed by Cheryl MacDougal, great granddaughter of William “Bill” Miller)
Bill and Ninnie lost their first born child Lavina in 1896. They were living in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio on the 1900 U. S. Census, William (25), Lucinda (24) and Mildred B. (2). By 1910 they had moved to Jefferson, Allen, Indiana where they were renting a farm. William (38), Lucinda (34), Mildred (12), Cletus (7) and Vivian (4). The census indicates that Cletus and Vivian were born in Indiana and that Lucinda was the mother of four children with three surviving.
The 1920 U. S. Census has the family owing a mortgaged home/farm in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. William (46), Lucinda (43), Cletus (17) and Vivian (14). In 1930 the census lists their address as Barrick Road in Jackson, Allen, Indiana, mostly likely the same farm they lived on in 1920. William lists his occupation as a farmer. William (56) and Lucinda (54). The 1940 Census has them in the same location, William (66) and Lucinda (63). It lists William as having completed third grade and Lucinda as finishing the eighth grade.
“Bill”, as he called to differentiate himself from his father William, died at his home in Woodburn, Indiana after a three month illness on 8 May 1950. He was buried next to his daughter Lavina, who died at age one in 1896, in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#55532667) Lucinda died at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana on 22 February 1954 and was buried next to Bill. (FAG ID#55532868)
William and Lucinda’s Children
Lavina May Miller GMYV-5X8 was born on 1 June 1895 and died on 1 November 1896 in Paulding County, Ohio. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#55532930)
Mildred Blanche Miller L1FC-87S was born on 12 December 1897 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Ora Franklin Moore on 28 September 1916 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Ora KJ26-FRK, the son of George Moore (1868-1933) and Mary Ann Woods (1873-1946), was born on 27 January 1897 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. Mildred’s DC indicates she was divorced as they are both buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio, but in different areas. Ora can be found in a grave with the head stone engraved with a Mabel O. Moore, but this may, in fact, be his sister, though this would be unusual to have siblings with a common marker. Quite possible he married another Mabel with almost exact birth and death dates. Ora died on 24 August 1975 in Allen, Indiana and was buried in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#57518118) Mildred died on 23 April 1986 in New Haven, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Lehman. (FAG ID#55532992)
Cletus Leo Miller LVSL-NFQ was born on 24 November 1902 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. He married Agnes Cecelia Huguenard on 12 November 1924 in Allen, Indiana. Agnes LVSL-NP3, the daughter of Charles Edward Huguenard (1858-1936) and Henrietta Jane Pepe (1877-1965), was born on 12 July 1906 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. Henrietta Pepe’s brother Julian Pepe, was Cletus’ sister Vivian’s father-in-law. Cletus and Agnes died 8 days apart. Anges died on 12 January 1993 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#54511129) Cletus died on 20 January 1993 in New Haven, Allen, Indiana but he was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#57529782) They were divorced in 1979 after 55 years of marriage and this may explain the different burial locations.
Vivian Leota Miller L56J-3ZV was born on 7 July 1905 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. She married Bernard Augustine Pepe in Payne, Ohio on 24 June 1924. Bernard GM9B-HWS, the son of Julian A. Pepe (1864-1951) and Mary Melissa Bowers (1863-1935), was born on 2 July 1901 in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. Julian Pepe’s sister Henrietta Pepe, was Vivian’s brother Cletus’ mother-in-law. Bernard, a day farmer, died of a heart attack in his barn while birthing a calf on 14 December 1964 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. He was buried in Saint John’s Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#51843652) Vivian died of a heart attack at her home on 3 November 1985 in Payne, Ohio and was buried next to Bernard. (FAG ID#51843900)
Mildred Blanche Miller L1FC-87S was born on 12 December 1897 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Ora Franklin Moore on 28 September 1916 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Ora KJ26-FRK, the son of George Moore (1868-1933) and Mary Ann Woods (1873-1946), was born on 27 January 1897 in Benton, Paulding, Ohio. Mildred’s DC indicates she was divorced as they are both buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio, but in different areas. Ora can be found in a grave with the head stone engraved with a Mabel O. Moore, but this may, in fact, be his sister, though this would be unusual to have siblings with a common marker. Quite possible he married another Mabel with almost exact birth and death dates. Ora died on 24 August 1975 in Allen, Indiana and was buried in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#57518118) Mildred died on 23 April 1986 in New Haven, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Lehman. (FAG ID#55532992)
Cletus Leo Miller LVSL-NFQ was born on 24 November 1902 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. He married Agnes Cecelia Huguenard on 12 November 1924 in Allen, Indiana. Agnes LVSL-NP3, the daughter of Charles Edward Huguenard (1858-1936) and Henrietta Jane Pepe (1877-1965), was born on 12 July 1906 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. Henrietta Pepe’s brother Julian Pepe, was Cletus’ sister Vivian’s father-in-law. Cletus and Agnes died 8 days apart. Anges died on 12 January 1993 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#54511129) Cletus died on 20 January 1993 in New Haven, Allen, Indiana but he was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#57529782) They were divorced in 1979 after 55 years of marriage and this may explain the different burial locations.
Vivian Leota Miller L56J-3ZV was born on 7 July 1905 in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana. She married Bernard Augustine Pepe in Payne, Ohio on 24 June 1924. Bernard GM9B-HWS, the son of Julian A. Pepe (1864-1951) and Mary Melissa Bowers (1863-1935), was born on 2 July 1901 in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. Julian Pepe’s sister Henrietta Pepe, was Vivian’s brother Cletus’ mother-in-law. Bernard, a day farmer, died of a heart attack in his barn while birthing a calf on 14 December 1964 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. He was buried in Saint John’s Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#51843652) Vivian died of a heart attack at her home on 3 November 1985 in Payne, Ohio and was buried next to Bernard. (FAG ID#51843900)
William and Philippine’s Children
Charles Miller LB73-NCX
(1874/75-unknown)
Charles Miller LB73-NCX
(1874/75-unknown)
Charles was born sometime late in 1874 (brother William was born in January 1874) or early 1875 in Sherman, Huron, Ohio. He is listed as age five on the 16 June 1880 U. S. Census for Sherman, Huron, Ohio. There is no evidence that he was alive when his family moved to Paulding County, Ohio around 1885, when he would have been 10 or 11 years old and certainly still living with his family. No death certificate can be found and a search for burials in Huron County shows nothing. Likewise there is no burial record in Paulding County for a Charles Miller with a birthdate of 1874 or 1875. In both his sister Louisa’s obituary in 1904 and brother George’s obituary in 1909 they indicate that they were proceeded in death by four brothers, three of which are unknown. The most likely scenario is he died before the family came to Paulding County or shortly thereafter. Death and burial unknown as of this date.
Louisa Emelia Miller LB73-D7F
(18 August 1879-21 January 1904)
(18 August 1879-21 January 1904)
Louisa was born on 18 August 1879 in Monroeville, Huron, Ohio. On the 1880 U. S. Census she was living with her family in Sherman, Huron, Ohio. Her family came to Paulding County around 1885. She married George Jackson Eagleson on 22 May 1898 in Paulding, Ohio. George LJK6-L36, the son of Jonathan Baker Eagleson (1847-1936) and Julia Etta Baldwin (1860-1933), was born on 2 May 1879 in Blanchard, Hancock, Ohio. The Eagleson Family moved from Hancock County to Paulding County in 1884. On the Census for 1900 the family was living in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio. George (21), Louisa (21) and Eldo (1). A second son Lester was born in December of 1900. George is listed as renting a farm. Louisa had been ill for over two years when she died of consumption, the same disease that would claim her brother George five years later, on 21 January 1904 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. She was only 24 years old. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#188087765)
*In Louisa’s obituary, that appeared in Payne Reflector newspaper on 28 January 1904, page 1, it states she was consecrated in holy baptism. She became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by rite of Conference on 5 April 1896. (Most likely St. James Lutheran Church in Payne, Ohio.) She was preceded in death by her mother, one sister and four brothers.
George, with his two young sons, moved along with his parents to Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan in April 1904 and would live there the rest of his life. He never remarried. George was living with his parents on the 1930 U. S. Census for Gladwin, Michigan. Jonathan (74), Julia (69) and George (51). By this time all of George’s four other siblings had made their home in Gladwin. George died in Gladwin on 2 September 1953 and was buried in the same cemetery where his parents had been buried in the 1930’s, Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Michigan. (FAG ID#88337562)
*In Louisa’s obituary, that appeared in Payne Reflector newspaper on 28 January 1904, page 1, it states she was consecrated in holy baptism. She became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by rite of Conference on 5 April 1896. (Most likely St. James Lutheran Church in Payne, Ohio.) She was preceded in death by her mother, one sister and four brothers.
George, with his two young sons, moved along with his parents to Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan in April 1904 and would live there the rest of his life. He never remarried. George was living with his parents on the 1930 U. S. Census for Gladwin, Michigan. Jonathan (74), Julia (69) and George (51). By this time all of George’s four other siblings had made their home in Gladwin. George died in Gladwin on 2 September 1953 and was buried in the same cemetery where his parents had been buried in the 1930’s, Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Michigan. (FAG ID#88337562)
George and Louisa’s Children
Eldo Ernest Eagleson LQTK-Q4Z was born on 6 February 1899 in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio. Not quite four years old when his mother died he moved with his father and grandparents to Gladwin County, Michigan in April of 1904. He married Gladys Marie Koontz on 29 June 1924 in Sage, Gladwin, Michigan. Gladys LTG2-8ZF, the daughter of Cyrus C. Koontz (1863-1939) and Marie Susan Greer (1870-1931), was born on 28 February 1905 in Gladwin, Michigan. They would live their entire lives in Gladwin County. Gladys died on 23 October 1994 in Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan and was buried in Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Michigan. (FAG ID#65853802) Eldo died four months later on 23 February 1995 and was buried next to Gladys. (FAG ID#65853747)
Lester Leroy Eagleson GMY1-XMD was born on 25 December 1900 in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio. Only three years old when his mother died he moved with his father and grandparents to Gladwin County, Michigan in April of 1904. He died on 17 October 1920 in Sage, Gladwin, Michigan age 19. He never married. He was buried in Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan. (FAG ID#88338050)
Lester Leroy Eagleson GMY1-XMD was born on 25 December 1900 in Blue Creek, Paulding, Ohio. Only three years old when his mother died he moved with his father and grandparents to Gladwin County, Michigan in April of 1904. He died on 17 October 1920 in Sage, Gladwin, Michigan age 19. He never married. He was buried in Highland Cemetery in Gladwin, Gladwin, Michigan. (FAG ID#88338050)
William and Philippine’s Children
Dora Margaretha Miller LB74-B8F
(21 August 1883-14 July 1943)
Dora Margaretha Miller LB74-B8F
(21 August 1883-14 July 1943)
Dora was born on 21 August 1883 in Sherman, Huron, Ohio. Around age two she moved with her family from Huron County to Paulding County, Ohio. Her mother died when she was only three years old and her father remarried when she was eight. She was 16 and living with her family in Benton, Paulding, Ohio on the census for 1900. She married Albert Benjamin Coomer on 15 May 1902 in Paulding, Paulding, Ohio. Albert 9VCL-DG1, the son of Daniel Webster Coomer (1854-1936) and Annie Elmira Sowers (1861-1940), was born on 31 March 1880 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. Daniel Webster Coomer was a brother to Martha Amelia (Coomer) Stabler, Dora’s brother George’s mother-in-law.
The family was living on a rented farm in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana on the 1910 U. S. Census. Albert (30), Dora (26), Glenolia M. (5) and Leona (2). Dora indicates she is the mother of 3 children with 2 living, so a third child had been born and died most likely between their marriage in 1902 and the 1910 census.
The U. S. Census for 1920 has the family living in Crane, Paulding, Ohio where Albert is renting a farm. Dora indicates on the census that she can speak German. Albert (40), Dora (36), Glenolia M. (14), Leona L. (12), Esther J. (8), Helen M. (5) and Harold B. (2 1/12). By 1930 the family has moved back to Benton, Paulding, Ohio. Albert is now driving a school bus for an occupation, as he would do for many years. Albert (50), Dora (46), Esther L. (12), Helen M. (15) and Harold B. (12).
In 1940 they were still living in Benton Township and their children had all made their own lives. Albert (60) lists his main occupation as a laborer for Bradly Brothers and Dora (56) lists no occupation. Dora had been in failing health when she died on 14 July 1943 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#55566494) Albert died on 26 May 1950 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried next to Dora. (FAG ID#55566463)
*In Dora’s obituary, which appeared in Payne Reflector newspaper on 22 July 1943, page 1, Dora indicates she was given the middle name Margaretha at her christening/baptism by Reverend N. H. Loose in Bellevue, Ohio on 2 March 1885. This aided me in the search to find when William and Philippine came with their family from Huron County to Paulding County, Ohio.
The family was living on a rented farm in Jefferson, Allen, Indiana on the 1910 U. S. Census. Albert (30), Dora (26), Glenolia M. (5) and Leona (2). Dora indicates she is the mother of 3 children with 2 living, so a third child had been born and died most likely between their marriage in 1902 and the 1910 census.
The U. S. Census for 1920 has the family living in Crane, Paulding, Ohio where Albert is renting a farm. Dora indicates on the census that she can speak German. Albert (40), Dora (36), Glenolia M. (14), Leona L. (12), Esther J. (8), Helen M. (5) and Harold B. (2 1/12). By 1930 the family has moved back to Benton, Paulding, Ohio. Albert is now driving a school bus for an occupation, as he would do for many years. Albert (50), Dora (46), Esther L. (12), Helen M. (15) and Harold B. (12).
In 1940 they were still living in Benton Township and their children had all made their own lives. Albert (60) lists his main occupation as a laborer for Bradly Brothers and Dora (56) lists no occupation. Dora had been in failing health when she died on 14 July 1943 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#55566494) Albert died on 26 May 1950 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried next to Dora. (FAG ID#55566463)
*In Dora’s obituary, which appeared in Payne Reflector newspaper on 22 July 1943, page 1, Dora indicates she was given the middle name Margaretha at her christening/baptism by Reverend N. H. Loose in Bellevue, Ohio on 2 March 1885. This aided me in the search to find when William and Philippine came with their family from Huron County to Paulding County, Ohio.
Albert and Dora’s Children
Glenolia May Coomer L2GG-19N was born on 28 January 1905 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. She married Emmett K. Lawson on 27 November in Paulding, Ohio. Emmett K6MF-BQF, the son of Manford Orland Lawson (1866-1929) and Caroline Amanda Gant (1869-1951), was born on 21 June 1898 in Harrison, Paulding, Ohio. They lived most of their life in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Emmett died on 14 October 1978 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#57516624) Glenolia died on 15 September 1996 in Fort Wayne and was buried next to Emmett. (FAG ID#57516655)
Leona Jeanette Coomer L2GG-B1G was born on 29 April 1907 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Leo John Farra on 22 November 1924 in Paulding, Ohio. Leo L2PG-KBB, the son of Peter C. Farra (1860-1946) and Louisa M. Roussey (1863-1962), was born on 26 November 1902 in Allen, Indiana. They would live most of their life in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Leona died on 3 July 1955 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#57516738) Leo remarried Ruby May (Nesbitt) Warner on 18 October 1962 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. Her first husband, Harry Loren Warner, had died on 20 November 1955. Leo died on 3 August 2000 in Ruskin, Hillsborough, Florida and was buried next to Leona in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#57516714)
Esther Loretta Coomer L2GG-TL6 was born on 12 May 1912 in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. She married Zelotis Louraine on 14 December 1935 in Jay, Indiana. Zelotis L2GG-RZ5, the son of Louis Jacob Louraine (1882-1962) and Annetta V. Bowers (1890-1958), was born on 21 November 1910 in Allen, Indiana. They lived most of their lives in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Esther died on 8 November 1993 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Saint Louis Besancon Roman Catholic Cemetery in New Haven, Allen, Indiana. (FAG ID#70521296) Zelotis died on 8 June 2001 in Fort Wayne and was buried next to Esther. (FAG ID#70521263)
Helen Marie Coomer L2GG-BK6 was born on 17 September 1914 in Edgerton, Allen, Indiana. She first married Jack Clair “Bud” Hudson, no marriage license located. However, they had a son named Edward D. Hudson born on 9 November 1932 and he died on 7 February 2005. On Edward’s death certificate he lists his parents as Jack Hudson and Helen Coomer. Jack LR59-86K, the son of John T. Hudson (1885-1966) and Ada A. Sipe (1888-1978), was born on 6 September 1908 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. On Jack’s second marriage license to Lois E. Crawford (1924-unknown) on 14 October 1944, he lists he was once married and divorced in 1940. Jack died on 28 March 1985 in Allen, Indiana and was buried in Maumee Cemetery in Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#68849910) Lois’ name is on the marker but death unknown. (FAG ID#68849984)
Helen’s second marriage was to Joseph Lawrence Kelble on 24 February 1944 in Paulding, Paulding, Ohio. Joseph GMB3-DQ3, the son of Nicholas Paul Kelble (1868-1940) and Katherine T. Wobler (1874-1946), was born on 11 November 1912 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. Helen lived the rest of her life in Paulding County dying on 5 April 1977 in Paulding, Paulding, Ohio. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#196453547) Joe died on 29 July 1991 in Paulding, Ohio and was buried in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#196376710)
Harold Benjamin Coomer LYXS-NZ4 was born on 4 December 1917 in Harrison, Paulding, Ohio. His first marriage was to Fern Marie Boesch on 2 October 1939 in Jay, Indiana. Fern LYZ7-STV, the daughter of William W. Boesch (1891-1964) and Alice Margaret Mounce (1901-1945), was born on 1 September 1921 in Allen, Indiana. At some point, date unknown, they separated/divorced. Fern remarried Donald Herman Witte, (1923-1988) on 19 January 1952 in Indiana. Donald, the son of Herman Witte (1880-1958) and Doris Gebers (1885-1964), died on 18 December 1988 in Alva, Lee, Florida and was buried in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Woodburn, Allen, Indiana. (FAG ID#66799563). Fern died on 26 April 1998 and was buried next to Donald. (FAG ID#66799580)
Harold later remarried Maude O. Oswalt, date unknown. Maude LYVC-CNl, the daughter of Jay Jacob Oswalt (1879-1972) and Bertha May Warner (1881-1959), was born on 29 November 1910 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. It was her fourth marriage. Her first was to Burl. F. Cox on 12 October 1927 in Allen, Indiana. Burl LYCV-FMY, who had been once married, was the son of George Frank Cox (1857-1936) and Caroline Longbrake (1869-1944). He married his first wife, Evelyn M. Barge, on 19 May 1934 in Allen, Indiana. Evelyn was the daughter of Sebastian Peter Barge (1869-1951) and Rose Elizabeth Wissman (1850-1935). They divorced in 1932.
Maude’s second marriage is undocumented but on her third ML to Elijah Adam Callow on 9 July 1946 in Lagrange, Indiana she indicates she was twice married and both times divorced, in 1932 and in 1945. Elijah GMB3-DWJ, the son of John W. Callow (1860-1945) and Lois A. King (1863-1934), was born on 19 April 1904 in Van Wert, Ohio. It was his third marriage as well and he indicated he had been twice divorced, 1941 and 1945. Elijah died on 10 April 1952 in Van Wert, Ohio and was buried in Woodland Union Cemetery in Van Wert, Ohio. (FAG ID#34147650)
So it would appear that Harold and Maude were married sometime after 1952, date unknown. They made their home in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Harold died on 8 May 1981 in Fort Wayne and was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#153229389) Maude died in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 13 June 1997 and was buried next to Harold. (FAG ID#153229421)
Leona Jeanette Coomer L2GG-B1G was born on 29 April 1907 in Paulding, Ohio. She married Leo John Farra on 22 November 1924 in Paulding, Ohio. Leo L2PG-KBB, the son of Peter C. Farra (1860-1946) and Louisa M. Roussey (1863-1962), was born on 26 November 1902 in Allen, Indiana. They would live most of their life in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Leona died on 3 July 1955 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#57516738) Leo remarried Ruby May (Nesbitt) Warner on 18 October 1962 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. Her first husband, Harry Loren Warner, had died on 20 November 1955. Leo died on 3 August 2000 in Ruskin, Hillsborough, Florida and was buried next to Leona in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#57516714)
Esther Loretta Coomer L2GG-TL6 was born on 12 May 1912 in Jackson, Allen, Indiana. She married Zelotis Louraine on 14 December 1935 in Jay, Indiana. Zelotis L2GG-RZ5, the son of Louis Jacob Louraine (1882-1962) and Annetta V. Bowers (1890-1958), was born on 21 November 1910 in Allen, Indiana. They lived most of their lives in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Esther died on 8 November 1993 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana and was buried in Saint Louis Besancon Roman Catholic Cemetery in New Haven, Allen, Indiana. (FAG ID#70521296) Zelotis died on 8 June 2001 in Fort Wayne and was buried next to Esther. (FAG ID#70521263)
Helen Marie Coomer L2GG-BK6 was born on 17 September 1914 in Edgerton, Allen, Indiana. She first married Jack Clair “Bud” Hudson, no marriage license located. However, they had a son named Edward D. Hudson born on 9 November 1932 and he died on 7 February 2005. On Edward’s death certificate he lists his parents as Jack Hudson and Helen Coomer. Jack LR59-86K, the son of John T. Hudson (1885-1966) and Ada A. Sipe (1888-1978), was born on 6 September 1908 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. On Jack’s second marriage license to Lois E. Crawford (1924-unknown) on 14 October 1944, he lists he was once married and divorced in 1940. Jack died on 28 March 1985 in Allen, Indiana and was buried in Maumee Cemetery in Antwerp, Paulding, Ohio. (FAG ID#68849910) Lois’ name is on the marker but death unknown. (FAG ID#68849984)
Helen’s second marriage was to Joseph Lawrence Kelble on 24 February 1944 in Paulding, Paulding, Ohio. Joseph GMB3-DQ3, the son of Nicholas Paul Kelble (1868-1940) and Katherine T. Wobler (1874-1946), was born on 11 November 1912 in Payne, Paulding, Ohio. Helen lived the rest of her life in Paulding County dying on 5 April 1977 in Paulding, Paulding, Ohio. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery in Payne, Ohio. (FAG ID#196453547) Joe died on 29 July 1991 in Paulding, Ohio and was buried in Lehman Cemetery. (FAG ID#196376710)
Harold Benjamin Coomer LYXS-NZ4 was born on 4 December 1917 in Harrison, Paulding, Ohio. His first marriage was to Fern Marie Boesch on 2 October 1939 in Jay, Indiana. Fern LYZ7-STV, the daughter of William W. Boesch (1891-1964) and Alice Margaret Mounce (1901-1945), was born on 1 September 1921 in Allen, Indiana. At some point, date unknown, they separated/divorced. Fern remarried Donald Herman Witte, (1923-1988) on 19 January 1952 in Indiana. Donald, the son of Herman Witte (1880-1958) and Doris Gebers (1885-1964), died on 18 December 1988 in Alva, Lee, Florida and was buried in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Woodburn, Allen, Indiana. (FAG ID#66799563). Fern died on 26 April 1998 and was buried next to Donald. (FAG ID#66799580)
Harold later remarried Maude O. Oswalt, date unknown. Maude LYVC-CNl, the daughter of Jay Jacob Oswalt (1879-1972) and Bertha May Warner (1881-1959), was born on 29 November 1910 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. It was her fourth marriage. Her first was to Burl. F. Cox on 12 October 1927 in Allen, Indiana. Burl LYCV-FMY, who had been once married, was the son of George Frank Cox (1857-1936) and Caroline Longbrake (1869-1944). He married his first wife, Evelyn M. Barge, on 19 May 1934 in Allen, Indiana. Evelyn was the daughter of Sebastian Peter Barge (1869-1951) and Rose Elizabeth Wissman (1850-1935). They divorced in 1932.
Maude’s second marriage is undocumented but on her third ML to Elijah Adam Callow on 9 July 1946 in Lagrange, Indiana she indicates she was twice married and both times divorced, in 1932 and in 1945. Elijah GMB3-DWJ, the son of John W. Callow (1860-1945) and Lois A. King (1863-1934), was born on 19 April 1904 in Van Wert, Ohio. It was his third marriage as well and he indicated he had been twice divorced, 1941 and 1945. Elijah died on 10 April 1952 in Van Wert, Ohio and was buried in Woodland Union Cemetery in Van Wert, Ohio. (FAG ID#34147650)
So it would appear that Harold and Maude were married sometime after 1952, date unknown. They made their home in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Harold died on 8 May 1981 in Fort Wayne and was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne. (FAG ID#153229389) Maude died in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 13 June 1997 and was buried next to Harold. (FAG ID#153229421)
Postscript: Church Records Research
There has been a wide range of speculation as to when William and Philippine relocated their family from Huron County, Ohio to Paulding County, Ohio. On obituaries for two of William and Philippine’s children, George and Louisa, it states they came to Paulding County in either 1884 or 1885. Found at family search.org, there is reference to the christening of youngest daughter Dora, who was given her middle name, Margaretha, at that time by Reverend N. H. Loose. This event is also mentioned in Dora’s obituary. Since she was born in Sherman, Huron, Ohio in 1883 and I knew the family was primarily Lutheran, I assumed this likely took place at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Ohio. I have done extensive research through their records over the last two years. I have other family members (Eberlings and Hasselbachs) with a connection to this church around this same time period. Well, no N. H. Loose was ever a practicing reverend there. So I researched him.
I found the obituary for Nathaniel Hawthorne Loose in the Bellevue Gazette newspaper dated 25 July 1912, page 7. N. H. Loose was born on 8 September 1834 in Perry, Pennsylvania and died on 16 January 1912 in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot, Ohio. He was buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery there. (FAG ID#64410154) On the 1880 census for Sandusky County, Ohio he was living in York Township, right outside of Bellevue, Ohio and was reverend of what was then called St. Paul’s German Reformed Congregation, later St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church and then (1957) St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Reverend Loose served this church from 1 August 1877 to 1 November 1887. The church has long since closed and all records are archived at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library in Fremont, Ohio. (ID-285, location LH-402, description ID 595746) I researched all the records there. The church, which was at the intersection of Kilborne and Gardener Streets in downtown Bellevue, Ohio was founded in 1863 and dedicated in 1865. Services were in High German. Much of the congregation was from the counties of Snyder and Union in Pennsylvania.
Upon investigation of LH-402, box D-1, records from 1865-1892, on page 130 is, in fact, the baptism/christening record of Dora Miller on 2 March 1885. Entry date for her birth was 21 August 1883 and parents were listed as William and Philepena Miller.
In reviewing this box of records, which also included all membership lists, communions, weddings and deaths from 1865-1892, there were no other entries for William, Philippine or other family members, so they did not attend this church on a regular bases. It is possible they were between churches but this family appears to be very religious when you read obituary entries for all of the children. It is hard to believe that they did not attend some church in the area. More research is needed. This establishes that this family was still living in Huron County in early March 1885 and therefore, came to Paulding County some time after this date.
*It had also been my hope that I may find records indicating that this was the church attended by another family line, the Eberlings, who were German Lutherans and lived in the Bellevue area between 1882 and sometime after 1887, before they relocated to Paulding County, Ohio. No luck here though there were Gemberling families.
Compiled March 2019 by Dan Bert Major.
Author's Notes:
William Phillip Miller is my great grandfather
Nettie (Eberling) Miller is my great grandmother
Edith Minnie Miller is my grandmother
I found the obituary for Nathaniel Hawthorne Loose in the Bellevue Gazette newspaper dated 25 July 1912, page 7. N. H. Loose was born on 8 September 1834 in Perry, Pennsylvania and died on 16 January 1912 in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot, Ohio. He was buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery there. (FAG ID#64410154) On the 1880 census for Sandusky County, Ohio he was living in York Township, right outside of Bellevue, Ohio and was reverend of what was then called St. Paul’s German Reformed Congregation, later St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church and then (1957) St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Reverend Loose served this church from 1 August 1877 to 1 November 1887. The church has long since closed and all records are archived at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library in Fremont, Ohio. (ID-285, location LH-402, description ID 595746) I researched all the records there. The church, which was at the intersection of Kilborne and Gardener Streets in downtown Bellevue, Ohio was founded in 1863 and dedicated in 1865. Services were in High German. Much of the congregation was from the counties of Snyder and Union in Pennsylvania.
Upon investigation of LH-402, box D-1, records from 1865-1892, on page 130 is, in fact, the baptism/christening record of Dora Miller on 2 March 1885. Entry date for her birth was 21 August 1883 and parents were listed as William and Philepena Miller.
In reviewing this box of records, which also included all membership lists, communions, weddings and deaths from 1865-1892, there were no other entries for William, Philippine or other family members, so they did not attend this church on a regular bases. It is possible they were between churches but this family appears to be very religious when you read obituary entries for all of the children. It is hard to believe that they did not attend some church in the area. More research is needed. This establishes that this family was still living in Huron County in early March 1885 and therefore, came to Paulding County some time after this date.
*It had also been my hope that I may find records indicating that this was the church attended by another family line, the Eberlings, who were German Lutherans and lived in the Bellevue area between 1882 and sometime after 1887, before they relocated to Paulding County, Ohio. No luck here though there were Gemberling families.
Compiled March 2019 by Dan Bert Major.
Author's Notes:
William Phillip Miller is my great grandfather
Nettie (Eberling) Miller is my great grandmother
Edith Minnie Miller is my grandmother
