From the Defiance Democrat 1865

January 7, 1865 – Mrs. John WESTETH collected, in November last, about $200 towards procuring a substitute for her husband, and having failed to realize sufficient for that purpose, she will return to donors the amount of their several subscriptions. Persons subscribing are requested to call on Michael GORMAN and get their money.

January 14, 1865 – Divorce notice: Magdalena BIKER v. John BIKER, willful absence of more than 3 years.
Died on the 10th of January, Hattie Bell, daughter of B. B. and Mary E. WOODCOX, aged 2 years.

January 28, 1865 – Andrew SCHLAGEL, a veteran of the 38th, a stepson of Mr. Peter BREMER of Richland township, died in Hospital at Cleveland. His remains were brought to Defiance and interred on Monday with appropriate services, under charge of Rev. Mr. DETZER of the Lutheran Church.

The 48th Ohio Regiment has beenmerged with the 83d. 17 of the members of the 48th, of Capt. MOATS’ former company, are now home on furlough. They were prisoners since last February and have been but recently exchanged.
William MORRIS of the vicinity died on Saturday last He was twice in the Army, but discharged for ill health, the last time disease having too firm a hold for recovery.

February 11, 1865 – Died – In McLean county, Illinois, of Typhoid Fever, January 15th, Moses TROXEL, son of John TROXEL, formerly of this county, aged 27 years and 6 days.

The Oil Fever has broken out at Defiance – borings to be commenced shortly at Sulpher Hollow – signs only – fortunes in prospect and the reign of Petroleum to be inaugurated on the Maumee. Oil signs are plenty at the River, near Antwerp, in the seams, cracks and stratas of the rock Petroleum is trickling, oozing, flowing - boring there also shortly. Success attend these bores, and may oil run down our streets like rivers – but doubtful very.
Joseph RATH of the 48th Regiment, at home on a furlough, died on Monday morning last, at the residence of his father in Noble township, aged 29 years and 23 days. His disease was chronic diarrhea, he returned only five days before his death.
William BISHOP, of this county, has just received intelligence of the death of the fourth son in the army, R-- BISHOP. He was a member of an Illinois regiment, had been long time a prisoner, and died shortly after being exchanged. His Colonel commends his exemplary conduct – his age was 23 years.

February 25, 1865 – Mr. John SHAFFER, one of the first settlers in Mark township, and an estimable citizen, died after a long illness on Friday of last week, in the 42d year of his age.

March 4, 1865 – Divorce notice: Joseph RANDALL Jr. V. Sophronia RANDALL, married on about 3d of July, 1851 at Norfolk, St. Laurence county, New York, willful absence of more than three years.

March 18, 1865 – Divorce notice: George VOLGER v. Christiana VOLGER

March 25, 1865 – Mr. John BEALL, of Defiance township, being about to remove to Minnesota, will sell at public vendue, at his residence on Powell’s Creek, all his stock, Furniture, Farming tools, &c., on Friday next, 31st inst. A credit of nine months given on all sums over $5.

April 1, 1865 – Christopher LUCE, son of the late Hays G. LUCE of this county, died at Annapolis, March 7th, aged 19 years. He was a member of the 124th Regiment, was taken prisoner while on picket duty in July 1864, and so kept until the capture of Wilmington by the union army when he with other prisoners was sent north.
Jacob HIRE, many years an esteemed resident of Richland township, Defiance county, died on Friday last, March 25th.

April 8, 1865 – Recent deaths – Sylvester BLACKMAN, on 5th inst., for many years a resident of this vicinity, aged 60 years. Suddenly on Thursday last, the wife of John LEHMAN. In Brunersburg on Wednesday of last week, Miss Esther HAZ and William EGGERT, a German, in Gnadensburg, aged 55 years.

On the 26th ult., Daniel RENTON, a young man from this place was drowned by falling from the out-side guard of the Steamer Beulah, then lying at the wharf at Louisville. The following is an extract from a letter written by the Clerk of the Steamer to the friends of the deceased: “Just after dinner today he went down on deck and was seen to go out of the door to the out-side guard. One of the crew heard a splash in the water and felt something strike the wheel, and on looking out saw the head of a person rise to the surface and sank immediately. He had complained of dizziness, and we presume that, while out, he became faint and leaned against one of the fenders which slipped off with him, throwing him into the river. In falling his head must have struck the wheel, tendering him insensible, so that his death was without pain. He came on this boat on the 2d of this month, _?_ by his quiet and unobstrusive manners, and the faithful discharge of his duties, he had won the friendship and esteem of all the crew…Early efforts were made to obtain the body, but all to no purpose.”

April 22, 1865 – John BEERUP, a well-known resident of Defiance, died on Friday of last week. He had been in failing health for some months. His aged was about 60.

April 29, 1865 – Lewis ENOS, a member of a Michigan regiment, son of Captain W. E. ENOS of this place, died recently at Washington City from wounds received at a battle near Richmond. He was at home in the winter in good health and excellent spirits. His body was brought home for interment here.

May 13, 1865 – Rinaldo KIMMELL, of this county, Company E, 21st Regiment, who was on the ill-fated Sultana, writes home announcing his safety. His account of the disaster corresponds with that on the outside of this paper. He gives the names of those lost from this company: V. LAMBERT and Jas. FLEMMING, 100th Ohio; _? DUNAFIN, 21st Ohio and Joseph DEAN, 5th Indiana Cavalry from Washington township.

May 20, 1865 – On Wednesday the trial of John COWELL for the murder of Wm. W. TREADWELL in July last was concluded at Napoleon. The jury, after an absence of one hour, returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. A motion for a new trial being over ruled, Judge LATTY sentenced the prisoner to be hung on Friday the 7th day of July. The evidence was principally circumstantial and,we are informed of several of our attorneys who gave close attention to the trial, hardly warranted the finding. The main interest lay not so much in the matter of the murder, as to work out in the trial the whereabouts of $80,000, which the victim, who was a defaulting Broker at Hudson, Michigan, was supposed to have had in his possession – in which there appears to have been no success.
(Concerning the above story, the August 19, 1865 Defiance Democrat reports – John COWELL was hung at Napoleon, on the 11th inst., for the murder of W. W. TREADWELL, in July 1864. Just before his execution, he acknowledged the justness of his punishment and that he was guilty. The scaffold was erected in an enclosure adjoining the jail. The arrangements were perfect and the job well done, so our Sheriff informs us – he being an invited guest.
J. GIFFE, in Adams township, last week in boring a well, at the depth of one hundred feet, struck a vein of gas, which fact is the excitement of the neighborhood, inducing the Expectation of finding Petroleum thereabouts. Such wells are somewhat common in Northwestern Ohio, but as yet we have not heard that oil has been obtained by sinking them deeper, though at Stryker and Findlay, very expensive experiments have been made.

May 27, 1865 – The Army is shortly to be disbanded. The men from this section may be expected home during the early part of summer. Cleveland will probably be the point for mustering out and paying off the regiments of Northern Ohio.

June 10, 1865 – The purchase of a Fire Engine for the village has been determined upon, and an appropriation of $1500 made for that purpose – the tax to be levied this year.
The Revenue officers of this district have seized 500 barrels of whiskey, distilled at Delphos, for evasion on the part of the owners of the excise laws. The whiskey was found stored along the canal between Delphos and Toledo, 160 barrels here at Defiance. If the effort had succeeded, 25 cent whiskey would have sold for $2 and over, yielding enormous profit; as it is, the owners lose all, and will suffer, perhaps, confiscation, fine and imprisonment instead.
We have heard of the deaths of quite a number of men drafted last fall from the vicinity, among them – Christian HASE, of Junction; John SPIDER of Emerald; John LEE of Richland; A. VANVLERAH of Highland – all from sickness. Noah CONN of Adams was killed in battle near Petersburg, Virginia.

June 17, 1865 – Died on Tuesday morning last, Mary, wife of William C. HOLGATE, Esq., aged 36 years.
Our drafted men are returning – DeWitt BLACKMAN, John WESTERH and Simon ELLIOTT returned on Wednesday.

July 1, 1865 – The 100th Regiment at Cleveland! Good news for the friends of the brave 100th! These gallant men are at Cleveland, 370 strong, having arrived there about 12 o’clock on Sunday night. The regiment, says the Cleveland Herald, came direct from Greensboro, North Carolina, which place they left on Tuesday night of last week. The history of the 100th will be forever linked and woven with the deeds of Ohio’s bravest men! All honor to the returned heroes! Nearly three years since, on the 8th of September 1862, they left Toledo 1014 strong – they return 370, all told! Need more be added in its behalf. A better, braver regiment, Ohio never sent to the field.
The 100th was raised in the counties of Paulding, Williams, Henry, Wood, Lucas, Defiance and Sandusky, rendezvousing at Toledo. Its first service was at Cincinnati at the time of the Kirby SMITH “siege.” Afterwards it was with BURNSIDE in his Eastern Tennessee campaign, including the siege of Knoxville. After that the 100th was incorporated in SHERMAN’s army, where it remained until after the capture of Atlanta, when it was transferred to THOMAS, and was present at Franklin and the conflict in front of Nashville. From Tennessee, it went with the 23d Corps to North Carolina, where it has since been. Its last battle was at Wilmington, after which it went to Raleigh, and thence to Greensboro where it was mustered and where it remained until starting for home. Col. SLEVIN started for Cleveland yesterday morning to see his brave companions in arms once more before the mustering out and disbanding of the regiment. (Perrysburg Journal)

July 8, 1865 – Divorce Notice: James B. KRAZER v. Sarah Ann KRAZER, adultery

July 15, 1865 – Pierce WILLIAMS was on Monday last, at a special term of the Defiance Common Pleas, found guilty of Grand Larceny, and sentenced by Judge Latty to confinement in the Penitentiary for Three years.

The 68th Ohio Regiment, 478 strong, left Louisville on Tuesday for Cleveland to be mustered out.

July 22, 1865 – Divorce Notice: Experience KILE v. Robert KILE, residence unknown, adultery
George DUDLEY, a native of New Jersey, and for fifteen years a resident of Defiance, died very suddenly on Friday night, July 14th.

August 12, 1865 – A boy named McCANN was arrested and bound over to Court by Esq. NEILL last week for picking the pockets of some sleeping soldiers of the 107th Regiment. The money, over $100, watch and clothing was mostly recovered.

August 19, 1865 – Elijah LLOYD, for thirty years a resident of Farmer township, died on Saturday last, at an advanced age.

Messrs. J. G. HOLDEN and E. A. LEONARD, two of our best citizens, are about leaving Defiance to go into the Lumber business at Danville, Illinois.

Divorce Notice: Sarah L. COMPARET v. Theodore S. COMPARET, supposedly of Nashville, Tennesee, adultery.

September 9, 1865 – The Union Schools of this place will reopen for the reception of pupils on Monday next,
 September 11, 1865… Teachers – Miss Mary BRIDENBAUGH, Grammar; Miss Leah MYERS, Secondary; and Miss Elizabeth O’CONNOR, Primary.

September 16, 1865 – Abner SEWELL, father of our late Sheriff, died last week at his residence in Farmer township, an honest man, a kind neighbor, and excellent citizen.
Defiance county needs a new jail. The insecurity of the old log building now used is manifest, besides it is unhealthy from decaying timbers and bad construction. The Commissioners not feeling warranted in contracting for an expensive building without consulting the tax payers have directed a vote to be taken at ensuing October election upon the question of which the County Auditor has given the necessary legal notice. The cost, plan or location have not yet been determined.

Rev. Thomas CHENEY, an early settler of Farmer township, died suddenly on Monday last at an advanced age. He was for many years a Universalist preacher, and generally esteemed as an earnest, honest, faithful man and minister.
Divorce Notice: John POORMAN v. Abigail POORMAN, Indiana, adultery.

September 30, 1865 – Died, on Friday last in this place, Samuel A. STRONG, aged 35 years. Major STRONG was a native of Massachusetts and had resided at Defiance about 14 years, and possessed the confidence and esteem of the citizens generally. Maj. Strong was a Capt. In the 21st Regiment O.V.I. in the three months’ service, and on the re-organization of the regiment for three years, was appointed its Major, which he was forced to resign after something over a year’s service on account of ill health. He leaves a widow and four children.

Dr. E. C. GORGAS died September 2 at Hicksville, of Typhoid Fever, aged 34 years. He was held in high esteem in the west end of the county as a man, a neighbor and a physician. His loss will be severely felt. He leaves a widow and six children.

Died at the residence of William T. ALLEN, Esq., in this city, September 19th, Mrs. Chloe ALLEN (mother of Mrs. L. E. MYERS of Defiance, aged 76 years. (Akron Beacon)

Died in Adams township, September 24th, Christian LINDOW, aged 74 years.

Died in Delaware township, September 21st, James H. BLUE, aged 54 years. His funeral which took place the next day, was conducted by the Masonic Fraternity.

Died in Farmer township, Sylvester SISCHO, in the 46th year of his age.

Died in Corlandt, New York, Charles Addison, son of the late Addison GOODYEAR, aged 18 years.

– Ed FIDDLER, who has barbered the people of Defiance, old and young, male and female, for near twenty years past, to their entire satisfaction, took his departure, with his family last week for Iowa, intending to locate near Burlington. He carried with him the best wishes of the citizens of Defiance for his future success. By close attention to his business and frugality, he had accumulated near $5000 with which to make a start in his new home.

October 28, 1865 – Two valuable horses were taken from the stable of John AUSADA, living three miles east of Defiance, on Sunday night last. After getting out bills, telegraphing, &c., they were returned to him the next day, having been found tied to a tree on the Tiffin road, twelve miles eastwardly. It is supposed that some runaways merely took them for a ride to help them along in their escape.

Horace GILSON, formerly of Defiance, is appointed Secretary of Idaho Territory.

November 4, 1865 – The Dwellings of Thomas WARREN, on his farm, adjoining Defiance, was destroyed by fire on Friday 27th inst. When discovered, the whole upper story was in flames, the loss in clothing, bedding and furniture was therefore considerable. It is supposed to have caught from some defect in the chimney.

November 11, 1865 – Benjamin HILTON, for many years the merchant at Brunersburg, in this county, died after a short illness, on Sunday evening last, aged 47 years.

Died on Tuesday evening last, Mr. Alonzo COY, of Consumption, formerly of Fredericktown, Knox county, aged 45 years. His remains were consigned to the grave by the brethren of the Tu-en-da-wie Lodge, on Thursday, with the usual Masonic ceremonies.

Divorce notice: Michael VANVLERAH v. Cornelia VANVLERAH, residence unknown, adultery.

November 25, 1865 – Gov. ANDERSON, of Ohio, has withdrawn the separate designation of Thanksgiving Day for Ohio and accepted that of the President on the first Thursday of December – so that Thursday, the 7th day of December 1865 is the State and National Thanksgiving Day for 1865.

Large Apple – Ira BROWN, of Farmer township, presented us with an apple of the Pippin or Gloria Mundi variety, which is the largest growth we have seen for years, weighing one pound and nine ounces. Farmer township is well adapted for apples and this year has an abundant crop.

A Mr. COLE, who has for many years been a resident of Evansport, in this county, rigged up a scow boat and started last month with his family, by way of the Wabash Canal, Wabash and Ohio Rivers, for Mound City , Illinois. We learn that he fell from his boat into the canal, near Lafayette and was drowned.

John DUNCAN, of Noble township, was so injured by falling from his wagon and the wheels passing over him a few days ago, that he died on Tuesday last, aged about 50 years.

Died – November 14th, Charles M., son of Jacob and Catharine KUSZMAUL, aged 2 years, 9 months and 5 days

Died – November 21st, Inez M., daughter of F. W. and Catharine UNDERHILL, aged 6 years and 4 months.

December 2, 1865 – Dr. Jno. PAUL, who has resided in this section for about twenty-five years, leaves in a day or two for Ottawa, Illinois, where he intends to make his future home. We shall miss the Doctor’s general countenance and pleasant intercourse. We wish him success and comfort in his new location.
Died on Sunday evening last, Sarah DAVIS, wife of Henry SPANGLER, aged 30 years.

December 9, 1865 - A Mr. A.C. BROWN was killed by the explosion of the boiler in a steam saw mill near Brandon, Mississippi a few days since – so says the telegraph. It is supposed that this is the A. C.BROWN who resided in Defiance and worked as a carpenter for several years and who went to Mississippi before the war.

A burglarious raid was made a couple weeks ago at night on the store of O. N. FOOT in Farmer, and several hundred dollars worth of dry goods carried off.

December 23, 1865 – Our former townsman, Levi RIDER, now residing at Delphos, has been visited with several family afflictions – losing two daughters from typhoid fever, within a few hours on the 13th inst.: Adaline, aged 15 years, 7 months and 17 days and Mary Ellen, aged 11 years, 2 months and 17 days.

December 30, 1865 – Dana COLUMBIA, well known twenty and thirty years ago as a master of a boat on our canals and rivers, and latterly as a hotel keeper at Junction, died at that place on Saturday last, 23d inst., aged 60 years. – Mrs. John WESTETH collected, in November last, about $200 towards procuring a substitute for her husband, and having failed to realize sufficient for that purpose, she will return to donors the amount of their several subscriptions. Persons subscribing are requested to call on Michael GORMAN and get their money.