Bratton - Swisher Photo (ca1905)

A few years ago another Boomershine descendant contacted me stating that she had been to an estate sale and had found a box of photo's.  They were Boomershine photo's and the person holding the sale wanted to make sure that the photo's did NOT go to any relatives.  Seems there had been a family spat many years ago.  To make a long story short, she got the photo's, contacted me and sent them to me.   Alot of the images in the box are like the one above with the details about the photo on the back of the photo, written by some unknown person.  The photo's have been scanned by me and have now made their way back to the family. 

The couple above, Thomas Bratton & Ada Swisher are the parents of Agnes Naomi Bratton who married Elmer Carl Boomershine on 21 MAY 1924 in Campbell County, Kentucky.  They were the parents of four boys, Donald, Ronald, Charles and James.  If you are a descendant of this line and would like a copy of this image please contact me and I'll be happy to email you what I have. 

Agnes dies 5 JUL 1948 in Butler County,Ohio and Elmer dies 7 OCT 1971 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.  They are buried together in Fairvew Cemetery, Gratis, Preble County, Ohio.

Barn Sale to Goldmine

A few years ago a lady contacted me.  She knew I was a Boomershine researcher.  She had been to a barn sale in Preble County, Ohio and found this box of old photo's.  The lady running the sale had wanted the photo's gone and she didn't want the family of her dec'd husband to have them.  Seems the photo's were of his Boomershine ancestors. 

She asked if I wanted the pictures so I said sure.  The photo's came in a rather good size box (larger than a bread box!), and to my surprise almost everyone was dated and named as you can see below.  I scanned them all, figured out the family that they belonged to and then returned them to the family.

They had no issues with my scanning the images and for that I do thank them AGAIN!  A true goldmine of information.

Image below is of the Thomas Bratton & Ada Swisher family, taken according to the date on the photo, 29 AUG 1909.  The daughter, Agnes Bratton marries Elmer Carl Boomershine - hence my interest.  Very nice photo, and even more nice the identifying information found on the back of the photo! 

Thomas & Ada Swisher Bratton Family (1909)

Thomas Bratton (1886- ?) married to Ada Swisher (1888-1968) on 6 SEP 1905 in Preble County, Ohio.  Their daughter, Agnes Naomi (1906-1948) married 21 MAY 1924 Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky to Elmer C. Boomershine (1904-1971).   Elmer was the son of Alonidious Boomershine (1878-1958) and Temmie Hager (1879-1943). 

For more information be sure to contact me or leave comment and I'll get back to you!

Thanks for stopping in...

George Gates - Whose Son Are You?

 

George Gates, died October 22, near Lewisburg, age 67 years 9 months, 5 days. Born in Adams Co., Pennsylvania in 1810, emigrated to Ohio in 1827.  Married Feb. 13, 1840. Had 9 children. Totally blind for 4 years.  Buried at Lewisburg.

   [This "obit" was found in my obits in an email letter.  Email address is no longer working.  So I typed as given to me.  Actual obit needs to be found. I suspect a Preble County, Ohio paper?]
          ************************
  From the Dayton Daily Journal, Nov. 2, 1877, Pg. 1, Col. 6:
  "GATES, Near Lewisburg, Preble County, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1877. Mr. George Gates, Aged 67 years 9 months 5 days."


 George Gates is my fourth great grandfather, and I'd love to know who his parents were. Maybe you can help me?  The obits above give a very general view of what  I know about George.  So let me give you some more facts. 

• Born according to calculations etc on 17 JAN 1810, in Adams County, Pennsylvania if you believe what is in that newspaper blurb.  
• Married 13 FEB 1840, in Preble County, Ohio to Luezer Fowler, daughter of Joseph Fowler.  And yes, that's really her name and its even on her headstone spelled exactly like that! 
• They were the parents of nine children all living to adulthood - 

1. Hannah Angeline Gates - married Levi Kesler (my ancestors)
2. Mary Jane (Minerva) - married John Parks
3. Oliver Clinton - married three times, Rebecca J. Bantz, Sarah Wilkinson and Amanda House
4. Elzina Mariah - married Stephen Minton Parks
5. Francis Marion - married Samantha Swihart
6. George Ferdinand - married Elmire Isabell Richards
7. Mary Isabella - never married
8. Martin Inman - married Malinda J. Beam
9. Elmira Melissa - married Mr.Horn

• George died, according to all accounts,  22 OCT 1877, Harrison Township, Preble County, Ohio.  He was followed on 09 JUL 1889 by his wife, Luezer.  They are buried together in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg, Preble County, Ohio.  Luezer died of Dropsy.  George's cause of death is currently unknown. 

I know about all there is to know about George Gates except who his parents were...  Maybe you can help?  

Tragedy Tuesday - The Death Of Henry Boomershine (1957)

BOOMERSHINE RITES SUNDAY   Henry C. Boomershine, 67, of West Manchester, died Thursday afternoon in Reid Memorial hospital, Richmond, from injuries sustained in a truck collision June 8.   The accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. Route 40 and the Lewisburg Western road, west of Lewisburg, when Boomershine, going south on Lewisburg Western road, pulled in front of a truck traveling east on Route 40.  The east-bound truck hit Boomershine's vehicle on the right side.  Boomershine had been employed at the H. A. Geeting Auto company in West Manchester for 31 years and at the time of the accident was driving a company gasoline truck making deliveries to farm patrons.   Mr. Boomershine was a native of the West Manchester community, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Boomershine.  He was a member of the Masonic lodge of Eaton, and American Legion as a veteran of World War I.   Final rites were conducted from a West Manchester funeral home Sunday afternoon, with burial following in Mound Hill cemetery at Eaton.  The Rev. Keith Akard, a former pastor of the West Manchester Congregational Christnian church officiated at the funeral services.   Masonic and military services were conducted at the funeral home Saturday evening.   Survivors include his widow, Chloe; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Tanner of Richmond; a son, Daniel of West Manchester; a brother, Ralph of Indianapolis; three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Bias, Berea, Mrs. Mabel Handley of Eaton and Mrs. Willodene Hebbler of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and three grandchildren. **unknnown newspaper clipping, 16 JUN 1957, Preble County, Ohio

Levi Kesler Obituary (1905)

WEST MANCHESTER    Levi Kesler, who lived two miles south east of this place, died suddenly last Sunday evening.  He had not been well for several years and was here to see a doctor last Friday.  On Saturday he suddenly became worse and lived but a short time.  Mr. Kesler was 70 years of age and had lived all his life in Washington, Jefferson and Monroe Townships.  Since last October three brothers of the Kesler family, Daniel, Samuel and Levi have passed away. **New Paris Mirror,(Preble County, Ohio), Thursday, 2 MAR 1905, Pg.8, Col. 5 Levi Kesler was mmy GGG grandfather. Born in Washington Township, Preble County, Ohio on 3 NOV 1834, he spent nearly his entire life in Preble County. He married there, 30 OCT 1862 to Hannah Angeline Gates (1841-1919), and they were the parents of six children. Hannah & Levi are both buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg, Preble County, Ohio.

In The Fight For Independance

Jacob Kesler 14 JUL 1757 - 12 AUG 1843 Buried - Cosby Cemetery, Lauramie Twp., Tippecanoe County, Indiana Jacob's military record is well documented, primarily through his own affidavit in applying for a pension.  As a result he received an amount equivilant to $33.33 per year from 4 MAR 1831 for service in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina.   *****       State of Ohio Preble County:  On this 21st day of September AD 1832 Personally appeared in open Court Before the Honorable Judges of this Court of Common Pleas now sitting in and for the county of Preble State of Ohio  Jacob Kesler a resident of Harrison Township Preble County State of Ohio, aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benfit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.     That he entered the service at the county of York in the state of Pennsylvania where he then resided under Captain George Deal in Col. Michael Swoops Batalion of Pennsylvania Militia some time in the year of 1775 or 1776.  This was a draft for a two month tour of duty. Marched to Elizabethtown in the state of New York aforesaid for a three month tour under Captain John McArnold in said Col. M. Swoops Regt or Batalion  of Pennsylvania Militia.  Remained in the neighborhood of Elizabethtown  most part of this tour, during this time commenced building Fort Lee nearsaid Elizabethtown where he was discharged at the expiration of his tour of duty.  Served three months this tour and got no written discharge.  And that he shortly afterward entered the Service as a volunteer in Captain Nicholas Galwicks Co. Pennsylvania Militia.  Marched under Col. Albright in an expedition against the Indians to Fort Roberts in what was called Sinking Valley. Served a Tour of duty of two months.  This tour thinks was performed in 1778.     And that he afterwards entered the Service as a substitute for one Jacob Finger in Lincoln County, North Carolina in the N. Carolina Militia for a three months tour.  Does not recollect the name of his company officer.  Marched to Charlestown South Carolina Was under Col Henright and served a tour of duty of three months most part of the time in Charlestown S. Carolina  Does not recollect the time he entered the Service but knows he was discharged the 7th day of May and on the 12th day of the same month, five days after he was discharged the British took the town of Charleston. And desponent does further declare that he did serve the several tours of duty aforesaid during the Revolutionary War making aggragately ten months service.  And that he has no documentary evidence, he had written discharge which he had lost and that he knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure who cantestify to all his said service.  He herwith transmits the affidavit of Henry Horn who served a tour of duty with him.  He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  he further states that he has a Record of his age which he believes was taken from _______ made by his father by which it appears he born in July AD 1757 in the County of Burks in the State of Pennsylvania and that at the time he was called in to service he lived in York County, Pennsylvania.  nd that he served in the Militia of that state except the last tour he served in North Carolina. And that since the Revolutionary war he resided in Rockingham and Greenbrier Countys of the state of Virginia and from that place he came to Preble County in the state of Ohio where he now resides and has resided for the space of 19 years last part past.  And that he is known to William Leas and Daniel Leas and others who resides in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for Varacity and their belief to his service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.    Sworn and Subscribed this day and eyar aforesssaid.  J.C. Hawkins, Clerk   /s/ Jacob Kesler   We Jacob F. Miller and Frederick Miller of the County of Preble and State of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Kesler who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is believed anbd reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in the opinion and we believe no doubts have arisen on this subject sworn to and subscribed the day and years aforesaid. /s/ J.C. Hawkins, Clerk /s/J.F. Miller /s/Frederick Miller

Obituary Stell Sophia Heck (1952)

Kreitzer, Stella Sophia, daughter of Howard and Lottie Heck, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1910, and died at her home near Lewisburg, Ohio, March 26, 1952. On Dec. 24, 1928 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Edward Kreitzer, and to this union were born five children. She is survived by her husband, five children, two granddaughters, her father, five sisters, and four brothers. She united iwth the Prices Creek church on Sept. 2, 1945. Funeral services were held in the Prices Creek church by her pastor, the undersigned. Interment was in the Sugar Grove cemetery near New Lexington. Henry T. Barnhart, Dayton, Ohio.


--The Gospel Messenger
 
ALthough Stella is not a member of the EARLY family, she was married to Lawrence Kreitzer.  I did not know until this research trip to the Brethren Center that some of the Kretizers were also Brethren.  You do learn something new everyday.
 
Happy Researching!
Karen

Tombstone Tuesday - Abraham Hapner

Abraham Hapner, Son of John & Louisa Hapner was born 14 Mar 1836 and died 20 Sep 1892. He is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Washington Twp., Preble County, Ohio. 

It is not known to the compiler if Abraham married or had issue. 

Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth & Henry Kisling

Elizabeth Kisling, born Elizabeth Null, was born 6 Apr 1790 and died 19 Jul 1866. 

She & Henry rest side by side in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Washington Twp., Preble County, Ohio

Henry Kisling, born 3 Apr 1791, died 8 Aug 1870, Preble County, Ohio.

He married Elizabeth Null on 11 OCT 1810 in Warren County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday - Delilah Kesler Petry & Samantha Petry

Delilah was born 4 May 1849 and died 15 May 1871.

Born Delilah Kesler, daughter of David Kesler & Rebecca Ott. Delilah married 9 MAR 1870 to Levi Petry. Together she & Levi had one child, Samantha.

Samantha (below) was born 13 Feb 1871 and died on 24 Jul 1871

Mother & daughter are buried side by side in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Washington Twp., Preble County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday - Infant Son Gates

Infant Son of Oliver Clinton Gates & wife, Amanda Catherine House Gates

Born 20 Jan 1895 Preble County, Ohio

Died 21 Jan 1895 Preble County, Ohio

Buried Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Washington Twp., Preble County, Ohio

Tombstone Tuesday - Capt. John Lock

==================================
Individual Report for John Lock
==================================
Name: John Lock
Sex: M
---------------------------------------------
Individual Information
---------------------------------------------
Birth: 4 Jul 1755 - Frederick County, Maryland
Death: 4 Oct 1818 - Harrison Township, Preble County, Ohio
Burial: in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg, Harrison Township, Preble
             County, Ohio*
 Cause of Death:
----------------------------------------------
Events
----------------------------------------------
   1. He was an accepted patriot for DAR 
   2. Military: Revolutionary War, Jul 1776, Maryland. John Lock was a private
   in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in Capt. Peter Wantz Co. 13.
   3. Land Deed: 7 Sep 1816, Preble County, Ohio. 9-7-1816 John LockSr. and
   Salome Wife, of Preble County Ohio to JohnLock Jr. of Preble County Ohio;
   $640.; S1/2, S22, T7, R3. Wit: John Vance, George Lees. Recorded (not given
   1816)
   4. He signed a will on 1 Sep 1818 in Preble County, Ohio. Lock, John
   Senior - Harrison Twp. Book B, page 18. Dated 9-1-1818


Wife Salome (surname has not been proven so not included here)

Sons - Henry, John, George, Phillip and Abraham
Daughters - Mary Magdalene wife of John Utt [Ott]
Susanna Catherine wife of John Etzler
Mentions John Peter Dear, son of Mary Magdalene wife of John Utt - John, Peter was not of age.
Mentions land that the mills are on.
Executors - wife, Salome, and son John Lock.
Signed John Lock, Senior
Witnesses - Jesse Swisher, William Leas and Jacob Baker

 5. Inv. & Appr.: 17 Nov 1818, Preble County, Ohio.  Lock, John - deceased
   - Harrison Twp.  - 11-17-1818 - Inventory of goods and chattels. Appraised
   by Jesse Swisher, John Vance and Henry Nealy - Public auction 12-2-1818 -
   persons purchasing items at auction:- John Acre, Philip Albright, Harvey
   Armstrong, Henry Baker, John Baker, Enoch Banfill, John Bantz/ Bents, Jacob
   Bricker, Adam Brown, Isaac Burk, Isaac Byers, William Byers, William
   Campbell, Peter Crouse, Joseph Davis, Daniel W. Denese, John Eaker, John
   Etsler/ Etzler, Levi Forkener, Peter Fultzone, John Hagin/ Hegen/ Hegon/
   Hogans, Samuel Hankins, Henry Hapner, John Harris, George W. Hart, George W.
   Hiatt, James Hobern(?), David Hoover, Harvey Kempe, Henry Knope, Charles
   Kude(?), William Leas, David Lmey(?), Abraham Lock, Henry Lock, John Lock,
   Philip Lock, Solomen Lock, George Long, James McGrew, Peter Merret, Isaac
   Nation, Joel Nation, Henry Nealy, John Neely, Samuel Hustin, David Nisonger,
   James Oldham, Jacob Parker(?), Jacob Peiffer, Thomas Phillips, Valentine
   Phillips, James Quinn, Charles Reed/ Read, martin Rice, James Richards,
   Willis Richards, Thomas Robison, Richard Shourd, John Simington, Jesse
   Swisher, George Temple, Ludwick Thomas, John Tillman, John Utt, Daniel
   Washem, Jacob Werts, Peter Werts, Washington White, William B. Willson. Will
   Book A, Page 132

 6. He had an estate probated on 26 Dec 1818 in Preble County, Ohio. 84 -
   John Lock - ex. Saloma and John L. Lock Sr. Surity: Daniel Lyons and Abraham
   Hepner, signed 26 Dec 1818. Will Abstract: wife Salome to have property she
   wishes to keep; son John to pay Saloma for use of mills and 1/3 of produce;
   Salome to have land on south side of creek; John all land mills are on; sons
   Philip, George and Abraham to have land; when of age land to John Peter Derr
   son of Mary Magdalene, w/o John Utt; residue to be sold and divided equally
   to 7 children, Henry, John, George, Philip, Abraham, Mary Magdalene w/o John
   Utt, Susanna Catharine w/o John Etzler; Inventory by appraisers: Henry
   Neeley, John Wantz, Jesse Swisher; Those who purchased items at sale: (very
   difficult to read) Jesse Swisher, John Baker, Leavie Forkner, David
   Nisonger, Jacob and Peter Werts, Richard Shurde, Samuel Husting, John
   Tillman, John Wegans, Henry Armstrong, Ludwick Thomas, John Utt, Henry
   Conisse, Daniel Burcite, Philip Allbright, William Leise, John Simington,
   Martin Rise, David Hover, Gorge Long, James McGrew Adam --- , John Eacker,
   Frances Quin, John Ware, James Oldum, Henry Hapner, John Bantz, William
   Willson, John House, Jacob Parker, Thomas Philips, David Cinsyk, Abraham
   Isanagle, Eanick Bamfield, Willias Ritchards, Charles Reede, James Oldim,
   Isaac Naton, John and Henry Backer, William Rurs, Danell McDaniell, John
   Rikkards, ... [several more lines of names] ...
---------------------------------------------
Spouses and Children
--------------------------------------------
1. *Salome Bastian (8 Dec 1747 - 29 Dec 1840)
       Marriage: 22 Mar 1780 - Frederick County, Maryland
       Children:
          1. Susanna Catherine Lock (1776-1846)
          2.Henry B. Lock (Cir 1781-1839)
          3. Mary Magdalena Lock (1783-1848)
          4. John Lock (1786-1857) 
          5. George Lock (1789-1848)
          6. Phillip Lock (1791-1835)
          7. Abraham Lock (1794-1872)
--------------------------------------------------

Tombstone Tuesday - Catherine Beard Ott (1785-1838)

Catherine Beard Ott, daughter of Francis Beard (see Military Monday's Francis Beard), and wife of Frederick Ott. 

She was born 10 Nov 1785 in Virginia, died 5 Feb 1838 Preble County, Ohio. 

Married 26 Sep 1806 in Rockingham County, Virginia to Frederick (1781-1840) Ott who is also buried in the plot where she rests.

Catherine was the mother of 12 children: John, Sarah, Samuel, Rebecca, Michael, Francis, Catherine, Frederick, Susan, Daniel, Jacob and George.

Military Monday - Francis Beard (Rev. War)

Francis Beard was born 15 Apr 1753 in what was then York County, Pennsylvania and died in 1833 in Preble County, Ohio.  As of this writing is wife's name is unknown to the compiler.  His one known child was Catherine, who married Frederick Ott.   

Francis is my 6th Great grandfather. 

Happy Researching!
Karen

Tombstone Tuesday - Levi & Hannah Gates Kesler Family Plot

Levi Kesler & his wife, Hannah Angeline Kesler

The Kesler Plot
Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg, Preble County, Ohio

Photo taken by Mark & Karen Krugman



Military Monday - Francis J. Beard - Preble County, Ohio (Rev. War)

Revolutionary War Pension, Pg.3

Francis J. Beard (1753-1833)

York County, Pennsylvania to Preble County, Ohio

Treasure Chest Thursday - Bloss Miltenberger letter of 1849

I love surfing around on the internet, using my google search engine I find the neatest things.  One day it came to my attention that the letter shown below was up for grabs on ebay.  Went & took a look.  Checked against my data base, figured out who everyone was and decided to place a bid.  Obviously with the letter being on my blog, I won the bid and now this letter, from William R. Bloss, in Preble County, Ohio to his cousin, E. M. Miltenberger over in Warren County, Ohio is in my treasure chest. 

The letter, postmarked & addressed on the back of the letter itself, then neatly folded into an "envelope" type form still bears the remains of the wax used to seal the letter closed.  It is dated Preble Co., August 14, 1849.   E. M is Emaline Matilda Miltenberger (1826-1891), who marries that November to Joshua Button.  William R. Bloss, who was born in 1822 is yet to be researched, although I do know of his siblings & parents.  They are both first cousins six times removed to me.

I did not scan the entire back of the letter only the part that I felt was important. Also the front has two (2) signatures at the bottom of the page which I was unable to capture on my scanner.  Remember that if you wish to enlarge the image, clicking will open it in a new, larger window.  Use your browsers back button to return to Genealogy Frame of Mind.

Happy Researching!
  Karen

Tombstone Tuesday - Frederick & Catherine Ott

These are the headstones of my fifth great grandparens, Frederick Ott (1780-1840) and his wife, Catherine Beard Ott (1785-1838). They are buried side by side in Roselawn Cemetery, Preble County, Ohio. These photo's were taken in April 2009 by Mark & Karen Krugman.

Lists

Santa isn't the only that checks his lists twice... next week Mark & I are off to research in Darke County, Ohio. I do imagine we will be slipping over the border into Preble County as well.

So I've got my list ready for the Darke County research at the Garst Museum/Library in Darke County and a headstone search list for Preble County.

Also almost ready with my list for Ft Wayne on Friday.

So I've learned from Santa and I've made my list now I'm checking them once, twice maybe three times... wanna be ready to get the job done when the opportunity presents itself!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Happy Researching!
Karen

Resource!

When you see me post something that says Resource in the title you can be sure its a post on another great website with free records for you to use in your research. This one is from Preble County, Ohio. Give it a look see even if you don't have anyone who wandered over there YET!

The Preble County District Library has set up a collection entitled, "Genealogical & Historical Records of Preble County, Ohio". This collection is fabulous! It contains records such as marriages, obituaries, cemeteries, census, bible and more. A collection defintely worth checking out! The images are scanned images of the records in a fully searchable data base and date back into the early 1800's.

I've spent several days working on this site and here's a few examples of what I have found.

This marriage record between David Geeting & Christina Bickle dated August 1848. I've seen earlier records than this in the data base but you can see how nice the images are. Obituaries are very well done as well. Look at this one for Martin Gates who just happens to be a great uncle who dies in 1950.

This photo of Martin was taken from this page of obits which I saved from their site.
A key on the website gives you the sourcing for all entries - abbreviations telling you which newspapers etc., that things were found in.

A very nice nice site indeed - especially if you find great scans of material handled in a way that makes searching easy & fast! No complicated formula's, no messy material - just great material presented in a fabulous format! What more could a genealogist ask for???

Don't forget today is also Relatively Speaking over at Reflections From The Fence - Cousins Who Blog.. today is cousin Carol's day to blog.

Happy Researching!
Karen