When I started reviewing all the "deeds" that I collected at the Whitley County Recorder's office a few weeks ago, I realized that one of these was actually a will. Daniel Kemery was born about 1811 in Pennsylvania (per 1850 census records) and died before September 12, 1877 in Whitley County, Indiana. After his first wife, Susannah Essig died, Daniel married Barbara Long Buchtel, who was the mother in law to his son Adam. They were married on June 13, 1872, in Whitley County, Indiana. The will was filed April 12, 1878, with acknowledgements by Isaiah B McDonald that he had witnessed the will, signed December 14th, 1876. The acknowledgement was made on September 12, 1877, so Daniel would likely have died during the preceding 30 days or so. G. W. Hollinger was the other witness to the will. Here is the will:
In The name of God I Daniel Kemery of Whitley County - State of Indiana being of sound mind and memory and knowing the certainty of Death I do make and declare the following to be my last Will and Testament hereby and herein revoking any and all former wills by me heretofore made. Item first-I give my soul to God who made it. Item second It is my will that after my death all my proper funeral expense shall be promptly paid and all my just and legal debts be paid. Item Third After the payment of my funeral expenses and debts It my will that all my property both personal and Real shall go to my beloved wife Barbary Kemery to be her own absolute property in fee simple. I therefore will and bequeath to her the undivided third (1/3) Part of the following Real Estate in Whitley County and State of Indiana to wit The West half of the South west quuarter of section No sixteen (16) Township No Thirty one (31) north Range No nine (9) East the whole tract being and containing sixty three (63) acres the same more or less The same the said one third 1/3 of the above described tract to [not sure of word] in fee simple to the said Barbary Kemery for her own use thereof and control the same as though it were conveyed by Deed That the balance of said land belongs to my children and heirs at law of my late deceased wife Susannah Kemery to wit a minor child of my daughter Harriet Cox Mary Ann Mosher Lydia Kemery Amanda Jones Alexander Kemery Daniel Kemery Alfred Kemery Solomon Kemery. Alexander Kemery Adam Kemery and John Kemery and at my death my said wife Barbary Kemery shall pay or cause to be paid all my funeral expenses and debts as in Item second specified and in case she shall pay the same in a reasonable time no letters of Administration shall issue to any one in my estate. Witness my hand and seal this the 14th day of December AD 1876.
Daniel (his mark) Kemery (Seal)
Signed, sealed and declared by Daniel Kemery to be his last will and testament in our presence and that we have signed the same as witnesses at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other this Dec 14 1876.
Isaiah B McDaniel
G W Hollinger
There is following this the statement by Isaiah B McDaniel that he saw the signing of the will of Daniel Kemery on December 14, 1876, etc, so signed by James Krider, Clerk, and then certified by James Krider, Clerk, Whitley Circuit Court, dated 12th day of September, 1877.
I have tried to type this as it is written, with very little punctuation. The will seems to be contradictory to me in that Daniel appears to have given Barbary everything, and then seems to be giving her just 1/3 of the land he had, dividing the rest up among his grand children. Perhaps I should look for a court case about this. The land was in Columbia Township, on the northwest side of the Beaver Reserve, and adjoining railroad tracks that may be the old Nickel Plate RR. It is believed that first wife Susannah and several of the children are buried on land there, and it may be that Daniel is buried there also. It seems that this may be part of the area known as "Hell's Half Acre", an area alleged to be unsafe for travelers for many years. Daniel was in Whitley County by 1850 and may be the Daniel Kemery in the 1840 census in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pa.
Here is the line of descent:
Daniel Kemery-Susannah Essig
Adam Kemery-Fannie Buchtel
Della Kemery-William Withers
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
children, grandchildren, great grandchildren
Showing posts with label Whitley County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whitley County. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friday, October 4, 2013
Harshbarger line: William A Withers, Civil War veteran
As usual, I wish I knew more about this man, but I think it's important to share what I know at this point, always hoping that I will learn more about him "tomorrow". Most of what I know about William comes from his obituary, which was published in an unnoted Whitley County newspaper. We know that he died on Saturday, October 5, 1912, and the obituary was published shortly after that, possibly Monday. This is what it says.
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Finding the good stuff
Finding "good stuff" is fun, and the "good stuff" is probably not on line. There is some "good stuff" to be found in libraries, of course, but mostly library (and internet) finds are what point us to the "good stuff". I am very much a novice at looking in courthouses and historical societies, but the few times I have tried this I have been fortunate enough to find what are to me priceless insights into the lives of our ancestors.
For instance, when I finally went to the Whitley County, Indiana Historical Society, I was thrilled. The research area is very small, but there was a good selection of books and materials, and the volunteer on duty that day was very helpful. She found a newspaper clipping about a small accident that William Withers, my husband's great grandfather, had in 1933, which told us much about the way he lived. I also was able to find and prove a generation back to what would be his third great grandfather and grand mother, on another line, Henry Cook and Catherine Whetstone. There are more treasures there to be found, I'm sure, and I plan to go back for more work one day.
The leads I found there were enough to send me to "The Vault", which was another wonderful experience. This is a Whitley County office, where wills and marriage licenses and court proceedings are kept. There were wonderful treasures there from my husband's family. We found wills and marriage licenses galore, but the real surprise was a divorce filing for my husband's great grandfather, Emmanuel Harshbarger. It was fascinating, and I'll be writing more about that another time. (As far as we know now, the divorce was never finalized, but there is more searching to do to get to the bottom of this story, which was never mentioned in the family.)
Another find was at the Indiana Archives, where we learned that my husband's ancestor, Jackson Wise, who was in the state penitentiary in 1850, was pardoned in 1854. According to the archivist, there are no records to show why the governor pardoned him, so we hope there are some answers at the county level, and will be looking for court records there to help explain the rest of the story.
I've had similar experiences in other facilities, particularly Harrodsburg, Kentucky, although I only knew about my ancestors (Allen, Dunn, Campbell) when we visited there. As it turns out, there were several lines on my husband's side to be explored there, too, so we may someday go back.
We hope to take a short road trip to another research site sometime in the early fall, and I can't wait to find out what we learn. Internet finds are great, and we can learn much sitting in our chairs at home, but sometimes we lose sight of where the real goodies are to be found.
For instance, when I finally went to the Whitley County, Indiana Historical Society, I was thrilled. The research area is very small, but there was a good selection of books and materials, and the volunteer on duty that day was very helpful. She found a newspaper clipping about a small accident that William Withers, my husband's great grandfather, had in 1933, which told us much about the way he lived. I also was able to find and prove a generation back to what would be his third great grandfather and grand mother, on another line, Henry Cook and Catherine Whetstone. There are more treasures there to be found, I'm sure, and I plan to go back for more work one day.
The leads I found there were enough to send me to "The Vault", which was another wonderful experience. This is a Whitley County office, where wills and marriage licenses and court proceedings are kept. There were wonderful treasures there from my husband's family. We found wills and marriage licenses galore, but the real surprise was a divorce filing for my husband's great grandfather, Emmanuel Harshbarger. It was fascinating, and I'll be writing more about that another time. (As far as we know now, the divorce was never finalized, but there is more searching to do to get to the bottom of this story, which was never mentioned in the family.)
Another find was at the Indiana Archives, where we learned that my husband's ancestor, Jackson Wise, who was in the state penitentiary in 1850, was pardoned in 1854. According to the archivist, there are no records to show why the governor pardoned him, so we hope there are some answers at the county level, and will be looking for court records there to help explain the rest of the story.
I've had similar experiences in other facilities, particularly Harrodsburg, Kentucky, although I only knew about my ancestors (Allen, Dunn, Campbell) when we visited there. As it turns out, there were several lines on my husband's side to be explored there, too, so we may someday go back.
We hope to take a short road trip to another research site sometime in the early fall, and I can't wait to find out what we learn. Internet finds are great, and we can learn much sitting in our chairs at home, but sometimes we lose sight of where the real goodies are to be found.
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