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Family Histories
The following are Family Histories previously submitted by Henry County researchers.
If you would like to submit a Biography of your ancestor, please see the
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BLYTHE, HALL
When visiting family in Ohio last winter, we found a document in my great-grandmother's personal effects,
in my great-grandmother's handwriting detailing some of her family history. I'll go ahead and quote it here,
in the event you can use any of it. This was written by Nellie (BLYTHE) HALL and starts with
her father, Jay BLYTHE:
"Jay O. Blythe was born near Napoleon, Ohio on April 22, 1857. His father, Henry Blythe, was born in
Amsterdam, Ohio on December 26, 1828. His father, Samuel Blythe, was born on the Atlantic Ocean on October 17, 1799.
He died in Wood County, Ohio in 1874. Samuel Blythe's father, Henry Blythe, was born in Ireland on February 3, 1773.
He was a son of one of three brothers who came to the United States and Pennsylvania. He died in Jefferson County, Ohio.
The three brothers were Samuel, Ben and William. William owned the land on which the fortifications of Dublin were built.
William died single."
Submitted by Anne Hall Vasquez, February 17, 1998
FAST, NAYLOR
My greatgrandfather, William Nicholas FAST, was born in Troy Township, Richland County,
April 23, 1832. Nick, as he was called, married Amanda E. NAYLOR (CLOSE) on July 13, 1855.
Amanda had been married to Nathaniel CLOSE who died in 1854. In 1862 William Nicholas FAST
enlisted in Company K, 102nd. Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served his country faithfully until 1864
when he was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville prison. Prepatory to parole he and 2300 other prisoners
were aboard the ill fated "Sultana" when the boilers exploded on the Mississippi. 1700 men were killed that night.
William Nicholas FAST survived and mustered out May 20, 1865 at Columbus, Ohio. In 1868 he moved his
family to a farm in Harrisin Township, Henry County, where he resided until his death. The farm in Henry County
was chiseled out of virgin forest. Like many forebears he was undaunted by the hardships of the pioneer, but with
fortitude and courage he made a home that compared favorably with any in the surrounding county. On January 15, 1899
his wife died. He never fully recovered from this loss. He seemed only to be loitering by the way to join her.
His passing came January 28, 1905. Both William and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and were loved and respected by all who knew them. Side by side they peacefully sleep in the quiet church
yard at Shunk in the township where they lived and loved so many years.
William Nicholas and Amanda NAYLOR FAST were the parents of five children:
Julian Eugene, born April 6, 1856 in Troy Township.
Clarence Leslie, born September 16, 1858 died December 11, 190?.
Jennie Maude, born April 21, 1866.
Christian Emmer, born September 24, 1868 died February 1, 1880.
Harry Chester, born April 11, 1872.
The above history of William N. and Amanda FAST was taken from a sketch by Julian FAST,
their son, and submitted by Jenny FAST-BRANSCOM whose grandfather, Clarence Leslie Fast and his
wife Hannah CRAWFORD FAST lived and died in Henry County. Her father, Paul Ralph FAST, was
born in Henry County on January 9, 1894.
Submitted by: Jenny Fast-Branscom, December 11, 1997
BRIDENBAUGH, MORRIS
Frank BRIDENBAUGH b. unknown, married Mary MORRIS b. Ireland. They lived on 40 acres of heavy
forest "midway" between Hamler and Deshler, OH. He had several children including my greatgranddad Fred G.
BRIDENBAUGH, born about 1875 in a log cabin on the property. His siblings were Will, Frank Jr., Kate,
and Fanny. Frank worked on the Erie Barge Canal and handled the mules on the trip between Toledo and Cincinnati.
He also worked as a Wagonmaster taking pioneers between Independence, MO and Deadwood, SD.
I would like to find more about Frank and Mary. Fred G. lived in Ohio most of his life and died in Toledo
in 1950 at about 75 years of age.
Submitted by: Ed Bridenbaugh, Nov. 12, 1997
ROBSON, SOUTHARD
My great-grandfather, Albert ROBSON's brother, John McGary ROBSON married a Perry Twp., Logan Co., OH
girl named Elizabeth Ann SOUTHARD on Dec. 1, 1855. He farmed in Perry Twp. until he enlisted in the Civil
war in the "Independant Battery, 14th. Regiment, Ohio Volunteers Light Artillery" on Dec. 13, 1861. at this time
he had been married 6 years, leaving his wife and 3 children - William C., Almy and Douglas. He was soon promoted
to sargeant. He served as a cannoneer with Gen Sherman during Sherman's notorious "March to the Sea" and the burning
of Atlanta. He was cited for Extrene Valor during the campaign. After he came home from the war tin 1865 to Logan Co., OH,
two more children were born - Franklin and Sallie. When Sallie was 2 months old the family moved to West Hope,
Richfield Twp., Henry Co., OH. In the 1880 census John was listed as a farmer and 5 or more children were added to
the family. His death was due to "softening of the brain" as a result of all the haevy artillery firing during his
Civil War service. He died Aug. 28, 1889 and is buried in the Richfield Cemetery of Henry Co., OH (AKE Lamon/Laremore Cemetery).
His wife, Elizabeth Ann, died Oct 10, 1893 and is buried beside him.
Submitted by: William L. Robson, Oct. 1997
SHRENK
Martin SHRENK started the first paper in Napoleon, Ohio, named The Journal. Edited by Martin SHRENK, it was futile
attempt for Whig Party in 1845. There was only one edition, Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio.
Martin SHRENK continued in
the newspaper business in Lower Sandusky, Ohio with his brother, John SHRENK. Martin SHRENK was born 1823 in Harrisburg,
Dauphin Co., PA. He was in the Civil War, Co.F, 8th Regiment, Ohio. When he returned home from the Civil War, he married
Cecelia Sidney MCCORMICK born 22 MAR 1830. They owned a boarding house in the 1st ward, Fremont, Ohio in 1870. Martin was
the Asst. Marshall (1870 Census taker) for Sandusky Co. in 1870. In the 1880 census, Martin and Celia SHRENK are found
in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH. An 1880 Cleveland City Directory lists him as a Printer for the Herald newspaper. Martin
SHRENK died on 7/17/1880 at 58 years old. His address was 149 Hamilton. He died of pneumonia and is buried at Woodland
Cemetery in Sec. 24, Lot 10 and listed as Martin Schrenck. He is buried in a lot owned by the Cleveland Typographical Union.
On 9 FEB 1882, After Martin died, Celia married Heman B. SMITH who was a harness manufacturer and City Clerk and then the
Mayor of Fremont, Ohio in 1888. Cecelia died 24 OCT 1911 and buried in Fremont, Ohio.
submitted by: Bonnie Walsh
WEST, SPEIGLE, LEITNER
My g-g-grandfather was one of the founders of Liberty Center. John Thomas
WEST, his wife Patience (SPEIGLE) and very young children, John Thomas
Jr. and Mary Ann traveled from Pennsylvania by canal boat to Damascus, Ohio in 1858 and soon founded LC.
They had several more children in Ohio, and Mary Ann literally married the LEITNER boy next door.
Through a few censuses I watched the generations change over. John Thomas though lived to the ripe old age
of 93 and I have a few photos of him...He's also a Civil War vet. I believe he served at Johnson's Island
prison in Sandusky, Ohio.
Submitted by: Janet E. Blake, Sept. 1, 1997
McCLURE, WALTNER, WALTNER, BEVER, SHULL, MACKLIN, CRAMPTON
I am the direct descendant of John McCLURE (McClure, Ohio). He along with his mother Sarah
WALTNER and siblings moved from Liberty Twp., Putnam County to Damascus Twp. 1853-4.11 1854.
He married Mary Bever, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (MACKLIN) BEVER in 1855. BEVER's
came from Fairfield Co., Ohio. Catherine MACKLIN's mother and some of her siblings also lived in
Damascus Twp. before 1860. John and Mary's oldest son, Jacob BEVER McCLURE, married
Calista K. SHULL, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (MACKLIN) SHULL. SHULL's resided
in Richfield Twp. Samuel was in Damascus County in the 1850 census residing with his parents Benjamin
and Sarah FOOT(?) SHULL and younger siblings, they came from Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mary Ann
lived just over the border in Wood County, Ohio with her parents, Jacob and Catherine (ARNOLD) MACKLIN,
they also came from Fairfield County, Ohio. Jacob and Calista SHULL had a daughter named Cora who
married Henry Elmer CRAMPTON in 1898. He was the son of Joseph and Mary (COURSEY) CRAMPTON.
They arrived a few years sooner being from Miami County, Ohio.
Submitted by Linda Crampton, July 30, 1997