Pension Record of Harrison W. Zentz
Company H, 98th Regiment, O.V.I.

Excerpts from the civil war pension file of Harrison W. Zentz and
his widow Margaret Capper Zentz:

August 1890
State of Ohio, Van Wert County
Personally appeared, Harrison W. Zentz, aged 51 years, a resident of the Village of Convoy, County of Van Wert, State of Ohio, who being duly sworn, declares:

That he was enslited on the 11th day of August 1862 in Company H 98th Ohio Volunteers Infantry, int he War of the Rebellion, and that he was honorably discharged at Washington, D.C. on the 1st day of June 1865; that he is largely unable to earn a support by reason of a gun shot wound of left leg, total deafness of right ear, weak ankles. That his post office address is Convoy, Van Wert County, Ohio
Signed, Harrison W. Zentz

December 1894
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert
General Affidavit of Physician, C.A. Files, M.D. of Van Wert County, Ohio

In the matter of Harrison W. Zentz, pensioner I have this day examined Harrison W. Zentz and find him suffering from a gunshot wound of the left leg involvng the middle third of the tibia and as a result of which the nerves of the left leg and foot are greatly impaired; also vascular disturbance along whole course of tibial nerves; also found nearly complete hemiplegia of same side and which is continually growing worse as a result of concussions...All of which incapacitate Mr. Zentz from performing manual labor.
Signed, C.A. Files, M.D.

Dec 1894
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert
General Affadavit of Physician, C.B. Reid, M.D. of Van Wert County, Ohio

I have examined Harrison W. Zentz and find he has had a gunshot wound of the left leg and as a result of this he frequently has unhealing ulcers on the leg, ankle and foot which interfere with walking and give him much pain. He has had a concussion of the brain the result of a shell exploding near his head, resulting in continual "roaring" in the head and deafness of the right ear. He is troubled with vertigo, which is aggravated by working and at times affects him to much as to render him helpless. This trouble gradually grows worse year after year.
Signed, C.B. Reid, M.D.

June 1898
From Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions, to:
Harrison W. Zentz

Sir, please favor me by returning the circular with replies to the questions enumerated below: Are you married; if so, state your wife's full name and her maiden name: Yes. Marrgaret Zentz; Margaret Capper
When, where and by whom were you married:

April 17, 1889 at Convoy, Ohio by Rev. Lindsey

Were you previously married; if so, state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death: Yes.  Angeline Bushong died 1879
Have you any children living, and if so, state their names and dates of their birth: Yes.  Leonard T. Zentz born Oct 15, 1869
Clara Zents born Feb 27, 1877
Frankie Zentz born Feb 19, 1891
Signed Harrison W. Zentz

Certified Copy of Marriage Record
Probate Court, Van Wert County, Ohio

April 17, 1889 a marriage lecense was granted to Harrison Zentz and Mrs. Margaret Marshall. Signed: B.J. Botherton, Probate Judge Filed and Recorded May 10. 1889.
I hereby certify that on the 17th day of April 1889, I soleminzed the marriage of Mr. Harrison Zents and Mrs. Margaret Marshall.
Signed Rev. L.H. Lindsey

February 1902
General Affadavit
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Harrizon W. Zentz, who being duly sworn, says: the the right hemeplegia was contracted on or about the 27th day of June 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain by timber falling on me while placing it on our bridge works; and by the following circumstances; by being knocked down by a vicious horse while shoeing him sometime in 1894 ?, and have not been able to work at my trade as blacksmihing since that time to earn a living.
Signed, Harrison W. Zentz

Dec 1908

Declaration loss of power of right foot, unable to walk, ankle injured in line of duty, etc.tion for Increase of an Invalid Pension, by Harrison W. Zentz based on loss of power of right foot, unable to walk, ankle injured in line of duty, etc.

May 1909
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Harrison W. Zentz, who being duly sworn declares: that he is age 70 years and a resident of Convoy, county of Van Wert, State of Ohio; that his personal description at enlistment was as follows:
Height 6 feet 1 inch;
complexion light;
color of eyes light;
color of hair light;
that his occupation was Blacksmith;
that he was born May 14, 1839 at Waynesburg, Ohio.
That his places of residence since leaving the service have been: Salem, Ohio 1865 to 1886; Van Wert County to present time.  That his post office address is Convoy, county of Van Wert, State of Ohio.
Signed, Harrison W. Zentz

October 21, 1909
Letter from Margaret Zentz (wife of Harrison W. Zentz) to the Pension Board:

Sir, in regard to a pension claim that was presented last Jan, by Mr. H.W. Zentz, and have not heard from it whether there can be anything done for him, as I am interested.  I am the wife and a mother and have to care for him.  He fell last Dec and has been an invalid ever since; his fall was caused by a limb that was disabled in the war and which he never received anything for.  He is deaf in one ear, practically in the other caused by the bursting of a shell.   I have seen him suffer untold agonies from that, how he goes on crutches what little he gets about.  His Dr. says he doesn't see how he ever walked with his disabled limb for 40 years in the condition it is in.  He drew $12. per month up to last May now he gets $15. per month as he is past 70 now.  He was in the war from 62 to 65, fought in all the battles, was in that long march to the sea, took his shirt off to wrap his feet in, left his tracks in blood on the way and now he is not worthy of little more than $15. per month; that is a small amount for one person besides his wife and invalid daughter.  It is now winter, we have to have food and fuel; how can I provide it with the amount he gets, he might go to the Home and be comfortable but where will the mother and invalid daughter go, to the alms house, no other place now I pray that some way there may be some thing can be done to help us.  No soldier can be paid too well for what they did; will you or who ever reads this if not sent to the right person, will look after it and oblige a true hard working mother who is trying to do all she can for those she loves.
Mrs. H.W. Zentz, Convoy, Ohio

April 14, 1910
Bureau of Pensions

Regarding Harrizon W. Zentz, pensioner Harrison W. Zents, late of Company H., Nineth-Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer, Infantry, is authorized a pension at the rate of $30. per month in lieu of that he is now receiving. C.C. Stouffer, Chief Clerk

August 12, 1915
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions
To: Harrison W. Zentz, Convoy Ohio

Sir, Please favor us by answering the questions enumerated below: Date and place of birth: May 14, 1839, Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio
What was your post office address at enlistment: Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio
State your wife's name and her maiden name: Margaret Capper
Were you previously married. If so state your former's wife's name, the date of the marriage and the date and place of the former wife's death or divorce:  Yes.  Angeline Bushong.   Married Oct 24, 1867.   Died June 27, 1879 in Waynesburg, Ohio.
If your present wife was previously married, state her former husband's name and date of death.  Yes.  C.C. Marshall, married Dec 1875,  died Dec 17, 1881.
State the names and dates of birth of your children:  Frankie M. Zentz born Feb 19, 1891
Signed, Harrison W. Zentz

September 14, 1915
Declaration for Widow's Pension
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Margaret Zentz, aged 62 years, a resident of Convoy, County of Van Wert, State of Ohio, who being duly sworn, declare that she is the widow of Harrison W. Zentz, a pensioner, who died on Sept 8, 1915.
That she was married to him under the name of Margaret Marshall on the 17th day of April 1889 by Rev. L.H. Lindsey at Convoy, Ohio.
That she was previously married to C.C. Marshall at Convoy, Ohio on Dec 2, 1875 and who died on Dec 17, 1881.
That Harrison W. Zentz was previously married to Angeline Bushong on Oct 24, 1867 and who died on June 27, 1879.
That there are no children under the age of sixteen years.
That her post office address is: Village of Convoy, County of Van Wert, State of Ohio.
Signed, Margaret Zentz

September 16, 1915
General Affadavit of Robert E. Baxter
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Robert E. Baxter , aged 75 years and a resident of the Village of Convoy, Van Wert County, Ohio.  Affiant says that he has resided in the village of Convoy and vicinity in county of Van Wert, state of Ohio for the past 67 years, and has been personally acquainted with the claimant Margaret Zentz from the time she was a small child.
That the claimant's maiden name was Margaret Capper and she was born about four miles south of the village of Convoy about the year 1853, and has resided in the village of Convoy, Ohio and vicinity all of her life excepting about one year when she and her first husband resided in the state of Nebraska.
The claimant was first married to C.C. Marshall about the year 1875 and they lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage to the death of the husband at Convoy, Ohio on December 17, 1881 and they were never divorced;
that the claimant remained the widow of the said C.C. Marshall until about the month of April 1889 when she married to the soldier Harrison W. Zentz at Convoy, Ohio.
The claimant and the soldier lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage until the death of the said Harrison W. Zentz at Convoy, Ohio on Sept 8, 1915 and were never divorced.
Affiant says that he has been personally acquainted with the said Harrison W. Zentz since about the year 1886 when the soldier came from Salem, Ohio and engaged in the Blacksmith business.
That he was a widower when he was married to the claimant.
That the soldier died in Convoy, Ohio on Sept 8, 1915 and affiant saw his remains after his death and also attended his funeral.
Affiant further says that claimant has not remarried since the death of Harrison W. Zentz.
Signed, Robert E. Baxter

November 11, 1915
State of Ohio, County of Stark

In the matter of the widow's pension of Margaret Zentz, widow of Harrison W. Zentz. Personally appeared, John R. Zentz, whose Post Office address is Alliance, Stark County, Ohio. Affiant states that he is 69 years of age and has resided in Stark County, and Carroll County all of his life; that he and the deceased soldier Harrizon W. Zentz were brothers and that said soldier was born at Waynesburg, Stark County,Ohio about the year 1839.
That the soldier resided in Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio and in Carroll County, Ohio, about eight miles from Waynesburg, from date of his brith until about the year 1874 excepting the three years he served in the Army.
That about the year 1874 he left Carroll County and located in Columbia County and resided in the city of Salem in that said County until about the year 1886 when he left Salem and located at Convoy, Van Wert County, Ohio where he continued to reside until his death at onvoy on Sept 8, 1915.
That the said soldier was first married to Angeline Bushong in Carroll County, Ohio about the year 1867 and that his wife Angeline died on or about the month of June 1879;
that the soldier remained a widower until about the year 1889 when he was married to Margaret Marshall at Convoy, Ohio and they lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage to the date of the soldiers death and were not divorced.
Signed, John R. Zentz

September 27, 1915
General Affadavit
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Paul R. Long of Convoy, Ohio, who after being duly sworn says:
that he is the local registrar of births and deaths in the village of Convoy and Tully Townships in Van Wert County, Ohio, being registration district no. 1294;
and that the records in his office show that the said Harrison W. Zentz died in the village of Convoy, Ohio on Sept 8, 1915, the cause of death being Uremia and paralysis of respiration;
and that his body was buried in I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Convoy, Ohio on Sept 10, 1915.
Signed, Paul R. Long

November 12, 1915
State of Ohio, County of Van Wert

Personally appeared, Margaret Zentz, the widow of Harrison W. Zentz, and claimant in the pension claim above mentioned, who being duly sworn, says:
That her first husband C.C. Marshall was born in Hancock County, Ohio about the year 1851 and died in Convoy, Ohio in Dec 1881 and that she has positive knowledge that he did not ever serve in the military or naval service of the United States.  Affiant further states that she is unable to find any public record which shows the death of Angeline Zentz, the former wife of the said Harrison W. Zentz.

July 1928
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions
In the matter of Margaret Zentz of Convoy, Ohio

The above described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $30. per month, has been dropped from the rolls because of death which occurred on July 4, 1928.

Submitted by Candace Gravelle
PO Box 3
Albany, Oregon 97321