Confusing Cousins

It seems like a struggle to me to classify cousins into first, second, third, once removed, etc.  

It was always obvious to me that my first cousins were the children of my aunts and uncles.  You know who you are! We share grandparents.

But who is a second cousin?  They are the children of my parents' first cousins. So if my dad had a first cousin, Eldor, his children would be my second cousins.

Or, in another view, we share great-grandparents.

My third cousin would share a great-great grandparent with me, and so on, adding greats.

Now for the "once removed" which refers to generations between us.

So, my first cousin once removed is my first cousin's child 

My first cousin's grandchild would be my first cousin twice removed.

How many generations are between me and our common ancestor?

I don't know if I will ever be clear on it all, especially as it progresses further and further back in time.  Maybe it's just easier to call everyone related in any way "cousin"!

Perhaps this chart from Family Search would help -

 

A Christmas Souvenir From Your Sunday School Teacher, Henrietta Delph

 During the Christmas and New Year Season of 1902-1903, Henrietta "Sue" Delph presented a little gift to her Sunday School students at the Lutheran Church in Malinta, Class No. 11.

Her photo was featured on the front with the class roll and a few Christmas verses inside.

The class roll:

Blanch Graffice        Otto Hemsoth        Maud Dauber        Roy Haffey        Leah Parrett

Earl Stevens        Gladys Burr        Floyd Long        Emma Detrick        Josie Heckler

Kata Detrick        Nettie Austermiller

Henry Giest, Superintendent and Rev. N. Barnett, Pastor

Another Philip and Elizabeth Witzgall Delph Family Photo

 This family photo, presumably taken on the Delph farm, included spouses and grandchildren.  Jim Delph and I put our heads together to label as accurately as possible.  Even then, we could not identify the grandchildren who seem to make up the first row, sitting on the ground, except for the oldest girl which I am fairly sure is Marie Ordway (Baker).

The photo was estimated to have been taken between 1913-1917

From Left to right, naming the men and the women behind them:

Morris Babcock, Jacob Babcock with Cora Delph Babcock behind him

Clarence "Cooney" Delph with wife, Margaret behind him.

Cecil Delph, unknown woman

Elizabeth Witzgall Delph and behind her Henrietta "Sue" Delph and unknown man

Philip Delph

Ottis "Pat" Delph with wife, Elsie standing behind him

Lemuel "Lem" Ordway with wife, Elizabeth "Bess" Delph Ordway behind him

Mandus "Jerry" Spangler with wife, Julia Delph Spangler behind him.

George Delph with wife, Emma Delph behind him

***If you can help with identification, please chime in in the comments.  Your comments are monitored and probably won't show up for a day or two when approved.

A Fragile Treasure - The Ordway Family Bible Record

 This family treasure was passed down to me from Marie Ordway Baker's son, Robert.  It is one very fragile page of the family record of the Richard and Sarah Hill Ordway Bible, my great-great grandparents, listing their children and birthdates.  

I didn't scan the back side of the page, but their marriage record alone rests there: 

Richard Ordway and Sarah Jane Hill was married the 8 day of September 1858.

Also with that record was a slim piece of yellowed paper, marked State of Ohio, Wood County, declaring the marriage of Mr. Henry L. Ordway with Miss Lizzie Delp, on January 2d, 1898, signed by Rev. L. O. Thompson, Church of Christ.  My great-grandparent's marriage certificate.  It doesn't get any better for a genealogist.

High School Graduation in Malinta - Frederick Ordway

Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty

Malinta High School

Commencement Exercises

Saturday Evening

May Twenty-second

At eight o'clock

K of P Hall

Class Motto: Striving

Class Colors: Rose and Silver Gray

Class Flower: Sweet Pea

Class Roll:

Ada K. Smith

Miriam L. Russell

Nola Mildred Latta

Frederick Ordway

Dallas G. Greenler, Principal

Margaret McKee, Asst. Principal

A Ladies' Group in Malinta, Ohio

I'm back to working on my great-grandmother's family, the Delphs of Malinta, Ohio, and Crawford County, Ohio.  Search for the many other posts on this blog related to this family. 

Thanks to Jim Delph for the "red box" of Delph goodies that I am working my way through right now.  In the box was this picture of a group of lovely ladies, including my great-grandmother's sister, Henrietta "Sue" Delph.  It was probably taken in Malinta as she was young in the photo, but what group was it?  A choir?  A literary group? A church group? 

On the back of the photo were the ladies' names written in what now is a very, light pencil.  I have attempted to transcribe the names, but some were just too light.  Maybe you can help.

Edith Hoffrey, Polly Dauber, Myrtle Heckler, Lora La... , Ella Hemsoth

Julia Herge, Harriet B... , Kate Purs..., Rose Hurst, Annie Klingler, 

Gertrude Honeck, Henrietta "Sue" Delph, Mar... Hoffrey, Lucille Dauber,

Bertha Cl... , Lulu Dunbar

I don't know if the names were in order of appearance or random, but if you recognize someone, please comment.

*All comments are reviewed before posting, so they will not appear for a few days until approved.

What Happened to the Headdress? A Spoering Family Mystery

 About five years ago, I wrote this post about German Wedding Traditions, brought about by a photo I found of myself, dancing in the hog trough at my younger brother's wedding.

http://attheriverbend.blogspot.com/2017/02/hochtied.html

Then, last month, I was asked to give a program at our genealogical society, and I chose that same topic.  I took some time to really delve further into the subject, especially as it applied to my family.

I looked at three wedding photos I had of three of the younger Spoering sisters - 

Lydia, Kate, and Ida, my grandmother.  My first revelation was that all three wore a dark dress, just as they would have in Germany at the turn of the century.  It was all about practicality, and I'm sure those dresses served them many years.  

Of the three sisters, Kate was the first to marry Wilhelm "Dutch Bill" Tietje in 1911.  The groom had his best suit on with a large flower stem in his lapel. 

The flower is myrtle, representative of love and fidelity.  A close look at the bride's headdress shows the same flower on top and a strand hanging down on the side.

Notice the wide hem at the bottom of the sheer veil.

Ida Anna Katherine Spoering married Albert Louis Elling in 1913.  A very close inspection of her wedding headdress revealed that it was the same as in the previous photo, only a little reworked with the myrtle hanging down as before.  The wide hem at the bottom confirmed that it was the same veil.  The dress pattern is the same used by Kate, and it would be a valid guess that the dresses were handmade.

Lydia Spoering married Harry Louden in 1915, and the headdress is the same, although we can not see the whole veil.  Myrtle appeared in both the headdress and the groom's corsage.

As for the other Spoering sisters, I do not have their wedding photos to know if they also wore this item.  I only know of its use from 1911 - 1915. Mary married in 1900; Freida in 1917, Anna in 1903, and Sophia in 1904 and Amelia later. If anyone would be able to share those wedding photos, it would be very appreciated.

Once, long ago, I was told (source not remembered) that the wedding headdress had been preserved and placed into a large frame covered with glass to protect it.  I've envisioned this for many years as a family heirloom that lived on somewhere. I thought one aunt had it, but her son assured me that she did not.  

So...does anyone know if this wedding headdress was preserved and where it is?

That is the question to answer.  Any clues or knowledge would be appreciated.

Please comment!  Know that all comments are moderated and so will not appear immediately.  It takes a day or two.

Barnhart Kline Jr.'s Sons - Barnhart III, Henry, and Peter Comstock Kline

 

Barnhart Kline III -

Barnhart Kline III was born to Barnhart Kline Jr. and Rosetta Chapelles on May 22, 1843, in Sandusky County, Ohio.  He was their first son.

Barnhart, known as "Barney," enlisted on August 4, 1862, into Company K of the 100th Ohio Infantry, at 19 years old. On September 8, 1863, his company, inexperienced in battle, led by General Ambrose Burnside, met a Confederate unit, led by Alfred E. Jackson, on the bridge at Limestone Station.  Prior to this the 100th had done a lot of marching, but no fighting.  There the 100th ran out of ammunition and was consequently surrounded by the enemy.  Two hundred and fifty men were captured and placed on a train bound for Richmond, where there were numerous prisons for Union soldiers.  

Eighty five of those 100 died in prison in Richmond.  Barney was eventually in a prisoner exchange and, upon his release, made his way to Atlanta and caught up with his regiment there.

On August 4, 1864, Sherman decided it was time to move forward and seize the railroad to East Point.  He ordered Schofield to advance his Twenty-Third Corps, plus Major General John M. Palmer's Fourteenth Corp and "not stop until he has absolute control of that railroad.  The next day only one Union brigade, Brig. General Absalom Baird's, moved forward and seized an entrenched skirmish line with 140 prisoners at the cost of 83 killed and wounded.  

The next morning, Schofield ordered part of his corps to attack at Utoy Creek.  By the time the Union advanced, the Confederates had taken a position on a ridge and they were ready.  They had strengthened their works with logs and branches of trees.  Union soldiers had heard the felling of the trees.  Into this entanglement and up the slope came the Union charge, including Barney, and the Confederates opened with heavy musketry and cannon, driving them back.  The Union tried again and was repulsed.  Seventy six men were killed, 199 wounded and 31 captured. against 15-20 Confederate men.  Barney Kline was killed in this battle at Utoy Creek.  After the battle at Utoy Creek, the bodies were left on the field of battle, as there was no time for other than perhaps a quick burial.  Later the Marietta National Cemetery was created and Barney III's body was moved there.  However, the family also erected a cenotaph in the McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio for him.

           Fremont Journal, August 26, 1864, page 7

                                        Monument at Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta, Cobb Co., GA

                                         

                                         Centotaph for Barney Kline III, McPherson Cemetery, Clyde. Ohio   

                                           Note G.A.R star on the left side.

Peter Comstock Kline was named after his maternal grandfather, Comstock Chapelles (Rosetta Chapelles Kline), and was born on February 25, 1845.  His obituary gave a very complete summary of his life, except that he was married twice.  First, he married Helen Tichenor in 1872.  They divorced in December, 1885, at the request of Helen, on the grounds of willful absence for three years.  She was granted custody of their child - probably Russell.

                             The Sandusky Register, February 25, 1940, page 12

Another obituary added yet more facts to his life story: 

"PETER C. KLINE, VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR, CLAIMED BY DEATH

Death claimed the life of Pete Comstock Kline, 95 year old Civil War veteran and sole survivor of the C. B. Gambee Post No. 33, G.A.R. at his home at 205 North West street at 11:50 p.m. Monday.  His passing was attributed to the infirmities of old age.  In failing health since June 12, 1939, when he suffered a hard fall on Main Street, Mr. Kline has been confined to hishome for over a year.  Despite the delicate condition of his health, his mind was active and he took a keen interest in world affairs which he followed nightly by listening to Lowell Thomas radio broadcasts.

PARADE PAID TRIBUTE

His last public appearance was on Memorial Day when the parade stopped in front of his home to pay tribute to the city's last Civil War veteran as he stood on the porch supported on the arms of war veterans.  A recent illness brought on by the intense heat prevented him from attending the Ohio convention of Civil War veterans held at Sandusky last weekend.

He received his host of friends at intervals during the past year and enjoyed their company  in spite of the fact he was unable to make his daily trips 'uptown.'  His death last night thwarted his ambition to reach 100 years of age.

Believed to have been the oldest resident of the city, Mr. Kline was born February 15, 1845 in York township on the homestead which is now the Gypsum Cherry Farm.  He was the son of Barnhart and Rosetta Kline.  He spent his early boyhood in this vicinity and remembered well much of the early history of the city and surrounding county.

ENLISTED AT 19

As a lad of 19, he enlisted February 27, 1864, in the A company of the 10 regiment of the U.S. Army at Cleveland and served three years in the Union Army before being discharged at Ft. Ripley, Minnesota, February 27, 1867.  He fought in five different engagements including the Battle of the Wilderness - May 6, 1864, Battle of Petersburg - June, 1864, and the Battles at Weldon railroad, August 18, 19 and 21, 1864. He was wounded in the left arm at the Bottle of the Wilderness and while in the hospital, he had the pleasure of shaking the hand of Lincoln who visited the wounded men.  From November, 1865 until his discharge, he was among the Indians in Minnesota at Ft. Ripley, Leach Lake and Crow Wing.

MARRIED 54 YEARS

During his active life, he was a farmer and a railroader, having been an engineer for over 18 years. On June 1, 1886, he was married to Jennie Stone, they recently having celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.  Besides the local widow, two sons, Dr. Walter Kline, local dentist, and Russell, at home, survive.  A daughter died in infancy.

He has been an active Mason and served a four year term as Master of the Blue Lodge.  He also served several terms on the city council and held the office of Post Commander of the C. B. Gambee Post No. 33 for a good part of the last 50 years.  The organization originally numbered 163 members.  He was also an honorary member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. from the Young funeral home with the Rev. D. J. Black officiating.  Burial will be in the Bellevue Cemetery. Mr. Kline will be accorded full military honors at the grave which will be in charge of the American Legion.  Members of the Masonic Lodge will be pall-bearers..."

Henry Edward Kline

Little could be found on this youngest son, Henry, born in 1847 and died in 1902.  His obituary was helpful in that it established that he never married and had no children.

In the Bellevue Gazette, August 21, 1902: 

DEATH OF HENRY KLINE

Henry Kline died Wednesday, at eleven o'clock a.m. at Dr. Orwig's sanitarium on East Main Street, aged 56 years.  Mr. Kline had been in impaired health for several years and death was due to messenteric consumption.

Deceased was born and raised in York township and was a son of the late Barnhart Kline.

He was unmarried and leaves a sister in Michigan and one brother, P. C. Kline, the well known York township farmer.

Decease was an active member of the Blue Lodge Council , Chapter, and was also a Knight Templar, being a member of Norwalk Commandery. The funeral services were held from the home of his brother, P. C. Kline, at 9:30 o'clock Friday morning and at the Free Chapel at 10:00 under the auspices of Norwalk Commandery, Knights Templar.  Interment will be in Free Chapel Cemetery."

More on Barnhart Kline, Jr., Resident of Sandusky County, Ohio

 To reveal a bit of Barnhart Jr.'s character, on October, 18, 1864, he placed this notice in the Norwalk Reflector: 

"Barney Kline of Bellevue offers to bet $3500 on Lincoln's reelection and adds the following, which we give for the benefit of the peace, ladies, if there are such in these parts.  He says, 'I offer further to marry any Union woman who will bring me a person who will accept the above bet, or who will herself put up the sum on the same terms.' "

Note that his son, Barney III, was killed in the war in August, 1864.

Another election bet occurred in the Bellevue Local News on July 17, 1880: "Barney Kline is a queer genius, as everybody knows, well upon 75 years of age, yet his confidence in the future is unshaken.  He offers to lay a wager of $1000 that Garfield will be our next President, and also $1000 for each of the next for succeeding presidents that they will be Republican in politics and also $1000 that he will live to win the bets and rake in a pile."

Whether the bets were won or not has not been determined.

After Barnhart Kline, Jr.'s death in 1885, the estate was brought into a lawsuit for a phaeton buggy that was repaired and given new harnesses and then the bill was outstanding. The estate lost that suit. 

Many land transfers took place among the children of Barnhart in 1886 in York Township as was directed by the will.

In 1993, the columnist, Bill Oddo, of the Bellevue Gazette, Bellevue, Ohio, wrote about Barney Jr. in such an interesting way.  The first article, entitled "Bellevue Has Had 'Town Characters'" appeared on September 7, 1993, on page 4 of that newspaper:

"Every small town has its 'characters,' those people so well known, that you need only to mention their first name to identify them to others.  Bellevue has had its share of 'town characters,' Barnhart 'Barney' Kline, who lived in York Township, certainly filled the bill.  Barney was born in Lehigh County, Pa., June 28, 1805, the son of Barnhart and Margaret Kline.  The elder Barnhart was a soldier during the Revolutionary War, serving as a lieutenant.

     Barney moved to Bellevue in the spring of 1832, with his wife and two children.  There is little information of those early years, only that he owned a brickyard in Bellevue and Return Burlington, one of the early settlers here, he was a partner in the business.  Margaret NIcely provided an abundance of information on Barney's earlier years in Bellevue and York Township.

    Deed records show that he purchased two parcels of land from Phiny and Elizabeth Snow in September 1839.  One parcel was 62 acres and the other was 130 acres.  The purchase price was $5,000.  Snow had purchased the land for $1.25 an acres in 1824.  The farmland was extremely valuable because of its location, fronting on the Maumee River, now Route 20.  The larger of the two parcels eventually became the Highland Cherry Farm.  The smaller parcel was laid out to lots with several streets and a public square which Barney called Mt. Pleasant.  The plot included a mill lot (on Co. Rd. 308) just south of the Pike.  Barney then planted maple trees a short interval from what is now the Moose Club to the present York School.

   Barney became somewhat of a character for a number of reasons.  Several incidents no doubt contributed to his image, such as: Barney was twice married - his first wife died in the 1830s, leaving him with two children.  He married Rosetta Chaples in 1838. In April, 1858, Rosetta was awarded a divorce degree from Barney.  This article was taken from the Fremont Journal of April 9, 1858: 

'This was a petition for divorce and alimony, prosecuted by Mrs. Kline, charging that her husband had become a convert to spiritualism, in consequence of which he became cross and morose to his family; had driven petitioner (Rosetta) from her bedroom, and, finally, when sick on a cold and stormy day, and after she had lived with him for 20 years, had expelled her from his home, thinly clad and almost destitute and compelled her to seek refuge with her neighbors.  About 24 witnesses were subpoenaed from Mrs. Kline and about 45 for the defendant (Barney).  The charges contained in the petition were fully established by the evidence and the defendant attempted in different ways to mitigate the force of the charge, but without success.  The character of the petitioner, Rosetta, was admitted to be above reproach and the defendant's counsel disclaimed their intention to assail it.  Judge Taylor awarded Rosetta the divorce.'
The Fremont Journal scribe noted that 'the trial was the great, exciting trial one of the year and occupied two days."

 

In Part 2 of Bill Oddo's series, published in the Bellevue Gazette, September 13, 1993, p. 4, he continues his story of Barney:

"Preserving Barney's Image

Two of Barney's sons served in the Union Army during the Civil War.  Barney Jr. was taken prisoner in 1863 and was exchanged in early 1864.  He rejoined his regiment at Reseca.  He was killed near Atlanta on August 6, 1864.

His youngest son, Peter, fought in five of the major engagements including the Battle of the Wilderness in which engagement he was wounded.  During his recuperation, President Abraham Lincoln visited the tent hospital where Peter shook hands with him.  At the time of Peter's death, he was the last Civil War veteran in Sandusky County.  He was 95 years old.

On May 1, 1880, Dr. Baker reported that Barney had been struck by a freight train and nearly killed.  He wrote, 'Anxious to know how much of a bunt the old gentleman could stand, we sent a reporter out there the next morning, only to find that Barney had gone to Clyde earlier.'

The facts of the accident were that he was in the act of crossing the track at the Carver crossing with a horse and top buggy, when the local freight going wet was approaching.  The old gentleman is a little hard of hearing and the track hands were at work near there who gave him no signal, he drove square on the track.  He saw his danger and struck the horse which cleared the track, but the engine struck the hind wheels of the buggy and threw it with great force off to one side. Barney fell upon the ground beside the track, striking upon his head and shoulders.

The section hands were on the opposite side of the train and were compelled to wait until it passed before offering any assistance.  When they approached him, he was making efforts to arise, in a sort of dazed, semiconscious condition; they carried him home where he received all necessary care, complaining more of his shoulder than any other injury.  Dr. Baker concluded his story with, 'From this, it is evident that unless cars get a fairer whack at him, Barney will not shuffle this mortal coil at the bunt of a railroad car.'

Dr. Baker, in his June 18, 1881 issue of the Local News, warned the farmers that a gang of swindle paint slingers were in the area.  He illustrated to his readers that gang's mode of operation and how Barney dealt with them.

'A gentlemanly appearing fellow came along in a buggy and solicited the job of painting Barney's barn - a monstrous structure - offering to do it for $25.  Barney denounced him as a swindler because he could not afford to do the job.  The chap came down to $15. Barney berated him more soundly than ever.  The fellow offered to sign a contract with him to do it for $10.  Barney thought 'Well, she-she, if he's a-mind to do the work for less than it was worth to carry the material up for, he might.'

So the blank contract was produced for Barney to sign.  He was unable to read, so he handed the paper to a school teacher present who said it was a contract to do the work for $10, all right.  By some sleight of hand, the paint agent slipped another contract in place of the other one.  Barney signed it, agreeing to pay 50 cents a square foot for the work, which would have cost him $500 for the job. 

Later, the gang of painters with their wagons, paint and ladders, arrived ready for the job and found Barney ready for them. 'Now, she-she, I agreed to pay you $10 for painting that barn.  Do it and the money is ready, and not another cent will you git.'

'Why,' they said, you signed a contract to pay 50 cents per square foot.'

'Maybe I did and maybe I didn't.  You are nothing but a pack of swindlers anyway, and $10 is all you'll get from me when the work is done.'

They threatened to sue him.

'Now, see here, young fellow,' said Barney, 'you've struck just the right man.  I haven't had a lawsuit for some time, and I'm spoiling for the amusement.  You can't sue me too quick.  You'll find a God in Israel yet.'  Concluding that, they aught a Tartar and they left in a hurry.'"

Barnhart and Margaret Ritter Kline Sr. - Their Sons

 Barnhart Sr. and Margaret Kline had three sons.  Our direct ancestor was the oldest son, Solomon, born on December 26, 1787. More can be read about his family HERE and ALSO HERE.  Solomon removed to Hocking County, Ohio.

His eighth child was also a son, Henry Kline, born August 26, 1800, in Union County, Pennsylvania, and he stayed there and in Union County for his lifetime, farming and acquiring land, and even by 1850, he had real estate worth $6,000. In Union County, he married Mary "Polly" Kratzer around 1820.  They had together twelve or thirteen children: Samuel, Barnhart Maurice, Catherine, Mary Anna "Polly", Henry Jr., Jacob Joseph, Rebecca, Solomon, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Eva.  

Little could be found on Henry, beyond the censuses. His wife died on March 31, 1875, and he followed on September 16, 1883.  In the 1880 census, he lived with his daughter Polly Derk and her husband, John, farmers in Snyder County.

 

He was buried with his wife in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Kratzerville, Pennsylvania.

The last child (#10) and son of Lt. Barnhart Sr. and Margaret Kline, was the colorful Barnhart Kline Jr., born June 17, 1805, in Union County, Pennsylvania. He removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, in his youth and there married Rosetta Cook Chapples on September 23, 1838, the daughter of Comstock and Hannah Chapples. 

Several children were born with a first wife before his marriage to Rosetta and Barnhart remembered those in his will and they had the Kline surname: Phoebe Kline (1830-1849), died at age 19; Wealthy Kline (1832 -1899); and Elizabeth Kline (1837 - 1859), died at age 22.  The rest of their children were: Sarah Annette "Nettie" Kline (Cuyler Smith Price); Frances Amelia Kline (Frank Abraham Avery); Barnhart "Barney" Kline III; Peter Comstock Kline (Jennie Stone, Helen Tichenor); Henry Edward Kline; and an infant daughter born and died in 1851.

In 1857, Barnhart Jr and Rosetta went through a very publicized divorce.  The divorce petition was filed in Sandusky County, Ohio in the Chancery Records, Vol. 9, page 100 and read as follows:

" Rosetta vs Barnhart Kline, December 1857

Couple married 23 September 1838

The couple married in Sandusky County and had resided there until 22 November 1857. Rosetta stated her age was 52 years. The couple had six children: Sarah, 18; Frances A., 16; Barnhart, 14; Peter, 12; and Henry E. 11.  One child died in infancy.

Barnhart had been attending spiritual and 'Free Love' meetins after which he became abusive and locked her out of their bedroom.  One Saturday in 1857, he began choking Rosetta and when her daughter tried to help, Barnhart hit Rosetta, threw her in a buggy, and had her driven to Weaver's Tavern. She then stayed with the Amos R. Carver family.

Barnhart accused Rosetta of selling their personal property.  He further stated that Rosetta had been abusive, had left his bed, and was meeting a man named Queen.  On 20 December 1857, she threatened to poison him.  He believed she owned $354 worth of land in York Township which she could use for her support.

Divorce decree and $3,000 alimony were granted to Rosetta.  Barnhart was ordered to pay $75 every 6 months.  Failure to pay would result in double payments.  Barnhart appealed to the district court."

The report of this divorce also appeared in a book, Sex Radicals and the Quest for Women's Equality by Joanne Ellen Passet, 2003 on page 84: "Locally, Rosetta Kline, a fifty two year old mother of six children, cited her husband, Barnart's, conversion to free love as the cause she sued him for divorce in December 1857.  After attending Free Love meetings during the summer months, she alleged he had become physically abusive and 'sour.' A sympathetic judge granted Rosetta the divorce and three thousand dollars in alimony."

As would be expected, Barnhart and Rosetta lived apart for the 1860 census.  Barnhart, 55, and Master Farmer, lived on his farm in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, with the three sons - Barnhart III, Peter and Henry - along with four farm hands and two domestic girls, aged 16.  He had real estate valued at $35,000 and a personal estate of $2500.  Rosetta, on the other hand, moved in with Jeremiah and Delora Smith. Nettie Kline,19, worked there as a domestic, and one 15 year old boy was a farmhand.  Another older lady, Louisa Knapp, and Rosetta, 54, were not listed with occupations. 

Rosetta was buried in McPherson Cemetery, Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio.

On May 7, 1879, The Bellevue Gazette reported: 

"Horse Thieve About - Attempt to Steal a Rig From Barney Kline

Friday night thieves visited the premises of Barney Kline, just out of town on the pike, and made a futile attempt to get away with a horse, buggy, and harness belonging to that gentleman.  Two of Mr. Kline's men were sleeping upstairs in his house and were awakened during the small hours of the night, either because they happened to wake up, or because of the curse occasioned by the operations of the would-be horse thieves.  Further listening developed the fact that some parties were moving about the premises, and accordingly, Mr. Kline was aroused and accompanied his men out to the barn werhe they found a horse had been turned out of the stable and left in the south end of the barn.  Undoubtedly, the approach of Mr. Kline and his men gave the thieves timely warning in which to make themselves scarce."

On July 25, 1885, the newspaper above reported that Barney Kline Jr. was in a very critical condition due to congestive fever, and on August 3, 1885, he died.  Before he died, he called a lawyer to him so he could speak his will, which was probated then on August 10.

Witnesses who signed testified that Barnhart was in a very weakened state and questioned if he had a sound mind.  One witness said he hadn't been of sound mind for three years.  "He showed this by selling the property the way he did - he didn't have people pay him then."  One witness was there at the time lawyer, Mr. Schyler, was helping him with his will.  He thought Barnhart was easily influenced by Mr. S.  Barnhart tried to speak, but couldn't, so Mr. S. answered for him.

Mr. Schyler, Barnhart's lawyer for thirty years, was well acquainted with Kline for the last 15 years, having been his ally on several cases. About a month before this, Barnhart came to Ridole's Hotel in Bellevue and had a physician attend him.  He dropped in on Mr. Schyler several times before his death and wanted help in getting his papers together and wanted them looked over.  The papers were in a safe in his home, so he had the physician who was there

open the safe with a key and he unloaded the papers and checked them in Barnhart's presence.  Mr. Schyler said that most were of little or no value, so he  packaged them up to look at them further and he came to Barnhart several times more, but Barnhart was too weak to talk.

Then

 someone came to Mr. Schyler and said that Kline wanted him to see to his will.  Mr. Schyler said he did write it and then read it back to Barnhart in its entirety. The lawyer felt that Barnhart understood fully and he answered the questions softly so he doubted that the witness could hear.

At his death at Kline's Corners on the Pike (Rt. 20),his nephew, Amos Kline, was named executor and Mr. Scyler, assistant.  He wanted his debts and funeral expenses paid, and then $1,000 to go to each of his children - Sarah Annette, Henry E. and Peter C. - 1/2 in one year and 1/2 in the next year, and the same to his nephew, Amos. 

 

The remainder of his estate he gave to daughters, Wealthy (Dunton) and Frances A. (Avery), to be owned and used by them for the rest of their natural lives, and then on to their children.

Last he gave the homestead farm in York Township to be given to Wealthy and Frances and their children. All other real estate was to be sold on the discretion of the executors as to time and the profits to those daughters and their families. The final appraisal of his property was $34,944.57, and the will signed with Barnhart's mark.

Barnhart and Margaret Ritter Kline Sr. - Their Daughters

 The previous post for Barnhart Kline Sr. may be found HERE

Barnhart Kline appeared on the 1780 tax list as Bernet Kline in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.  It is thought that he married Anna Margaretha "Margaret" Ritter sometime before 1783 when their first child was born.  A marriage record could not be found. 

He is found in the tax records again for Upper Milford Township, Northampton County in 1785 and 1786. (Some records may not exist any more.)   On January 4, 1786, he was granted a warrant of survey for 25 acres in Northampton County.  In the 1830 Federal Census of Union Township appeared: Kline, Barnhart Sen - one man 70 - 80 and one woman 50 - 60.

Their Daughters:

Elizabeth Kline Fought

On August 1, 1783, Elizabeth Kline was born to Barnhart and Anna Margarethe.  Elizabeth would eventually marry Michael Fought (Fogt, Voght) Jr. on March 8, 1803, and they would remove to Hessville, Sandusky County, Ohio, and raise a family of thirteen children. (Ohio gained statehood in 1803.)                                                                    They had children: Margaret Fought Cunningham, Heberling; Sarah "Sally" Fought Carnicorn; Nancy Fought Roberts; Elizabeth "Betsy" Fought Snider; Solomon (Maria Dupler, Julia Ann Dupler) Fought; Michael Fought III            (Elizabeth Hockman); William Fought (Hannah Overmire); Paul Fought (Mary Hetrick); Mary Magdalene "Polly" Fought Garn; Samuel Fought (Susan Klotz); Sally Fought; Levi Fought(Rose Miller).

A digression...
Interestingly, one of Elizabeth's children, Mary Magdalene Fought (1820-1915), married on August 9, 1838,to Philip James Garn (1819 -1859), travelled by wagon train West to Utah and converted to the Mormon religion. They joined the independent Thurston wagon train, in Atchison, Kansas Territory, with many English passengers, but also some from Ohio.  The Fifth Company, as they were known, consisted of 134 people, 29 wagons, 234 oxen, 28 cows, 12 horses. "Because of Indian hostilities along the way, they traveled part of the way to Utah with the Richard Ballantyne company" (history.churchofjesuschrist.org)  The Ballantype company was significantly larger with 420 people and 2200 oxen.

From the above mentioned website: "Along the trail, one female traveler reportedly put some of her milk and cream in a tightly covered wooden churn and fastened it firmly inside the wagon; the butter was already churned when the company reached the evening camp....On August 24, the Thurston train was at the Upper Ford of the Platte, some 15 miles ahead of Ballantyne's company.  All was well with the emigrants.  They had lost no cattle or horses, and no one had died...The company (having left on July 4, 1855) arrived in Salt Lake City on September 28 with the emigrants generally in good health and excellent spirits.

The book, Pioneer Immigrants to Utah

Territory, noted that these children came with Phillip and Margaret:              Micah, 14; Phillip James, 10; Samuel, 8; Nathaniel, 6; Mahala, 16; Elizabeth, 4;  Mary Magdalena, 6 months, along with two hired hands and one young girl, 3 wagons, horses, cows and farm equipment.

They settled in Centerville, Davis County, Utah, for the rest of their lives, raising their children there.  Phillip died on January 18, 1859, of typhoid fever.  Mary survived him to 1915.   

Her obituary:                                               

"FUNERAL OF MRS MARY GARN TAKES PLACE AT CENTERVILLE

Centerville, Aug. 26 - Funeral services for Mrs. Mary M. Garn were held at the ward meetinghouse at 1 o'clock today.  Interment took place in the city cemetery, Salt Lake City.

Mrs. Garn died Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Emma Ford, in this city.  She was born Sept. 12, 1820, in Ohio, and came to Utah with her husband in 1855 settling at Centerville, where she has resided since.  She was the mother of 12 children, six of whom survive her.  They are: Mrs. Mahala Smoot, of Sugar House ward; Michael Garn of Fielding, Utah; Samuel Garn of Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth Ford, Centerville; Mrs. Mary M. Smith, Bountiful; Mrs. Emma Ford, Centerville.  She also is survived by 52 grandchildren and 140 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great grandchildren.  She had been a widow for 57 years."

Mary Christina Kline Engle

Mary Christina was born on March 3, 1790,in Pennsylvania.  She married John George Engle, and eventually moved to Good Hope Township, Hocking County, Ohio.  They had at least nine children together, and both died and were buried in Ohio. Mary Christena died on December 12 1873, and John George preceded her in 1830; both were buried in Ridenour Cemetery, Good

Hope Twp., Hocking County. 

Catherine Kline Laudenslager 

Born on March 14, 1791, Catherine Kline was with her family in Northampton County until her marriage in 1809 to Johan Henry Laudenslager, son of Valentine Laudenslager and Magdalene Kochendoefer. Two of their sons, Samuel and William, were well-known gunsmiths in the area.  Henry was a farmer in Penn Township, Union County, Pennsylvania.  In the 1850 census, Henry, 68, had real estate worth $2000. On one side of them lived their oldest son, Valentine, and on the others side was another son, Wilhelm/William.  

They had twelve children: Valentine, Samuel, Simon, Amelia, Henry, William, Margaret, Susanna, John Franklin, Catharine, Caroline and Henry.  When Catherine and Henry Laudenslager died, they were buried in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery.  Henry died first on July 18, 1852, and Catherine followed on February 27, 1873.                                                

Anna Margaret Kline Hummell

Anna Margaret, born in Salisbury, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 1792, remained in Pennsylvania her whole life.  She married Jacob F. Hummel, date unknown.  They are found in the 1850 Census, Union County, PA - Jacob F. Hummel, 58, farmer, real estate value $5000 and wife, Margaret, 58, with several children still at home.  

Margaret died on January 26, 1871, and Jacob followed soon after in 1873.  They are buried at the United Church of Christ Cemetery in Kratzerville, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.

Mary Magdalene "Molly" Kline Ulrich

 Molly Kline was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania on August 12, 1795.  She married Samuel F. Ulrich and together they had nine sons and one daughter. At least four of the sons fought for the Union in the Civil War.  Their father, Samuel was a War of 1812 veteran. The family lived in Snyder County, Pennsylvania and that is where Molly and Samuel died - Samuel in 1873 and Molly in 1878.  They were buried in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery there.

Sophia Fanny "Fanny" Kline Sassaman Sr.

Born on January 22, 1798, Fanny Kline was lucky number 7 in the Barnhart Kline Sr. family.  She married Jonas Sassaman Sr. on September 19, 1819; she was 21 and he was 26.  The had five sons and five daughters: Lewis, Simon, Henry, Daniel, Matilda, Rebecca, Susan, Sarah, Jonas and Sophia who grew up in Monroe Township, Snyder County, PA. Some of the family identified with the Mennonite Church. Jonas was a well-to-do farmer in the area. He died on September 12, 1878, while Fanny lived until January 25, 1882.

Susanna Kline St. Clair

The youngest daughter of Barnhart Sr. was born on January 31, 1803 in Union County, Pennsylvania. Mother Margaret was 42 at her birth and would have yet another child, too.  Her father, Barnhart Sr. was 47.  Susanna married Samuel St. Clair sometime around 1823 and by 1830, they appeared on the census of Union County, PA, with two sons.  Their children were John C., Sarah, Margaret and Nancy Jane.  Samuel St. Clair died at a relatively young age on New Year's Day, 1849, leaving her with children ages 11 - 19.  She died on September 11, 1890, and was buried with her husband in the cemetery at Kratzerville, Union County.

Samuel St. Clair was also one of the prominent gunsmiths in the area.  One of his guns is shown above.