Blackford County Obituary
Ezekiel Gillham Jr.
Hartford City News Tuesday, 24 July 1917 page 1, c 7
E. GILHAM, 89, DIES TUESDAY ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED MEN IN CITY AND WAS A VETERAN OF THE CIVIL WAR "Ezekiel Gilham, 89, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Hartford City, died at 1 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Anson Kline, 533 West Kickapoo Street. The infirmities of age, covering an illness of three months duration, during all of which time he had been in a critical condition, caused the aged man's death. Mr. Gilham's life was a most interesting and eventful one. His father, Ezekiel Gilham, was a slave owner of old Virginia. The Hartford City man was born October 12, 1828,of a family of eight children, all of whom have now passed beyond with the exception of one brother, David Gilham, who left home when fifteen years of age, nearly eighty years ago. Until recently, the Hartford City man had never of his brother since. A year or so ago, William Kemp, local man, found trace of David Gilham in the southern part of the state. He had been engaged for years in the circus business. Efforts of Ezekiel Gilham and son, Scott Gilham, of this city, to obtain trace of the missing brother, however, failed. Ezekiel Gilham was a veteran of the Civil War, fighting on the side of the Union. His wife, whom he had claimed as his mate before the opening of the war, died December 24, 1913. Mr. Gilham had been a resident of the county for twenty-seven years. Surviving Mr. Gilham are nine children. They are: Mrs. Alice Kern, of Hanna, Ind.; G.H. Gilham of St. Francisville, Ill.; Mrs. M.C. McMahon of Sepupla, Okla.;Mrs. J. Anson Kline of this city; John F. Gilham of Pemberville, Ohio; Gerald Gilham of Okmulgee, Okla.; W. Scott Gilham of this city; Mrs. C.W. Spangler of Wawa, Okla.; and Chester A. Gilham, of Sepulpa. Okla. Two children are deceased. Mr. Gilham was a member of the G.A.R. At one time he was postmaster in LaPorte County, Ind. Last winter he spent considerable time with Mrs. H.C. McMahan and son, C.A. McMahan, and daughter, Mrs. Spangler, of Wawa. Scott Gilham, of this city, a son, is deputy postmaster. The funeral will be held from the late home, in charge of Rev. Yocom, probably Thursday." Hartford City News Wednesday, July 25, 1917 page 2, c4 GILHAM FUNERAL ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON "The funeral for Ezekiel Gilham will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from his home, 533 West Kickapoo Street, in charge of Rev. Yocom. The pallbearers will be Robert Voss, B.L. DeWees, D.A. Jones, Winslow Miles, Alonzo Showalter, and James McColly."
April 1929 EZRA MURPHY
OBITUARY: HARTFORD CITY NEWS TIMES - April 1929 EZRA MURPHY DIED MONDAY Found dead in bed by workers a sawmill Monday morning. Heart disease cause. Ezra Murphy, 67, residing near the McCowell Lumber company mill, in east Franklin Street, was found dead in bed Monday morning at 7;30 am, by Marvin Rigsby, an employee of the lumber company. Rigsby investigated when he noticed that Murphy's horse had not been fed and that the aged man had not been seen about his premises, Coroner James Dodds was summoned and stated that in his opinion, Murphy had been dead three or forur hours. Death due to natural causes. Mr. Murphy had been a resident of this county for the past 61 years, residing in Montpelier for a greater part of the time. He had lived in Hartford city for the past four years. During the past winter, he had been in ill heath, suffering from rheumatism but recently had apparently recovered. He was employed as a caretaker at the sawmill and during the summer, sold fish through the county. He was born in Preble Co., Ohio October 15, 1862, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Murphy. At the age of six years, he moved to this county. He was married February 5, 1892. Surviving besides the widow are three daughters and three sons, Mrs. Fred Williams, this city, Mrs. Mary Morris, South Bend and Mrs. Jennie Markin of Fort Wayne. Delbert, Clarence and Edgar Murphy, all of this city. two sisters, Mrs. Ella Speece of Montpelier and Mrs. Catherine Chrismer of Indianapolis and 22 grandchildren and 3 great grand children also survive.
Sarah Murphy Tuesday February 18, 1941
OBITUARY: HARTFORD CITY NEWS TIMES - Tuesday February 18, 1941 Sarah Murphy succumbs to Brief Illness.....Aged resident dies at home of son here Tuesday morning. Rites on Wednesday. Rites will be held from funeral home with burial at Montpelier. Sarah J. Murphy, 68, widow of Ezra Murphy, life long resident of Blackford Co., died Tuesday morning at 613 West Conger Street. Mrs. Murphy had been critically ill for some time and had been bedfast for the past six weeks. Born in Wells Co., March 13, 1872, a daughter of Benjamin Richards, she came to Blackford Co. soon afterwards and had made her home here since, living for some time in Montpelier, where she had a wide acquaintance. Her husband died in 1929. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:00 pm from the Burk & Fenning Chapel., followed with interment in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Montpelier. Mrs. Murphy is survived by two sons, Delbert Murphy at whose home she died, and Edgar Murphy, well know Hartford City Barber, three daughters, Jennie Markin, Fort Wayne, Mary Morris, Huntington, and Rose Williams, Hartford City. Two brothers, also survive. They are Levi Richards of Washington CHO, and Emanuel Richards of Bluffton. The death of Mrs. Murphy Tuesday morning recalls the tragic deaths of another son and his wife in a railroad crossing tragedy at Muncie a few years ago.
Winfield Scott Gilham
Hartford City News
Thursday, December 26, 1918
page 1, c 2
WAS ASSISTANT POSTMASTER HERE FOR PAST SIX YEARS – IN POOR HEALTH MANY MONTHS
“Winfield Scott Gilham, assistant postmaster since June, 1912, passed away about noon today at the Dr. Caylor hospital at Bluffton where he was taken Monday afternoon for an examination. Mr. Gilham had been in ill health for three or four months, but until recently had been able to be at the office almost each day to supervise his work. During the past summer he is believe to overexert himself in work about his new home on east VanCleve street, and the result was valvular heart trouble, complicated later with kidney infection. When he took his vacation in the summer he came home from Ohio in a weakened condition, and his decline has been gradual since then. While physicians gave no hope, his death came sooner than expected. Some days ago he sold all of household furniture and was preparing to go to Oklahoma to visit a sister during the winter months, believing he might regain his health. Dr. Caylor when he made his examination confirmed the first diagnosis of Dr. Dodds of this city, and said that death was only a question of hours or weeks.
Mr. Gilham was one of the most efficient employees who ever held a position in the local office. He went into service as a general delivery clerk sixteen years ago and proved so capable that Postmaster A.F. Kinsley selected him as the deputy postmaster, when Edwin Ford resigned. Mr. Gilham was always careful as to detail, always accurate, well posted on postal affairs, and always obliging and considerate in his dealing with the public. He was a graduate of the Hartford City High School and was noted at school for his ability to acquire knowledge.
“Scott” Gilham,
“Scott” Gilham, as he was generally known, was born in Wanatah, thirty-seven years ago. He moved with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Gilham to this city when a boy of eight years and had lived here ever since that time. His mother was buried five years ago today and his father died about a year ago. He lived on West Kickapoo Street. Surviving are Mrs. Gilham, formerly Miss Nellie Thompson, to whom he was united in marriage November 10, 1909, a sister, Mrs. A.J. Kline, of 515 West Franklin Street, and a brother Gerald, who recently has been making his home with him and other brothers and sisters. Funeral arrangements will be announced Friday. ”
Charles Gerald Gilham
Hartford City News
Thursday, May 31, 1923
page 1, c 3
Charles Gerald (Jerry) Gilham,
DEATH CLAIMED CHARLES GERALD GILHAM WEDNESDAY EVENING AT BLACKFORD COUNTY HOSPITAL
Charles Gerald (Jerry) Gilham, well known resident of this city and brother of Mrs. Anson Kline, died Wednesday evening about 6:25 o’clock, at the Blackford County Hospital following an illness with complication of diseases. Mr. Gilham had been in poor health for some time but his condition was not regarded as critical until last Saturday. He was taken to the hospital Sunday morning, but due to his weakened condition no hopes were entertained for his recovery.
The deceased was a member of the Christian church of this city and the Moose lodge. Charles Gerald Gilham was born June 7, 1878, at Wanatah, Ind., in LaPorte County. He was the son of Ezekiel and Cicily Gilham and was one of a family of eleven children, the following surviving: Mrs. Alice Kern, of Hanna, Ind., Howard Gilham, of Elias, Tex.; Mrs. Mary McMahan, of Wichita, Kan.; Mrs. Anson Kline, of this city; John F. Gilham, of Pemberville, Ohio; Mrs. Gertrude Spangler, of Wana, Okla.; and Chester Gilham, of Sapulpa, Okla.
The Gilham family came to this city when Jerry Gilham was about twelve years of age. He was an oil worker by trade and was employed in the California fields for four or five years until the death of his brother, Thomas, when he went to Oklahoma. At the illness of his brother, Scott, former assistant postmaster here, Jerry returned to this city and had since resided here at the Birum hotel.
The body was removed from the hospital Wednesday evening and taken to the Baxter funeral parlors. It will be taken to the home of Mrs. Kline, north Jefferson street, some time Friday. No funeral arrangements will be made pending the arrival of members of the family.”
J. ANSON KLINE
HEART ATTACK PROVES FATAL TO WIDELY KNOWN MAN HERE TUESDAY
HEART ATTACK
BODY WAS FOUND BY MIKE DONAHUE LYING ON FLOOR – NO FUNERAL PLANS ARE MADE
“J. Anson Kline, 69, caretaker and member of the Elks lodge, was found dead, Tuesday morning at 11:40 o’clock on the floor of the lodge room by Mike Donahue, janitor of the Elks building.
Death was due to a heart attack, according to a verdict rendered Tuesday afternoon by M. P. Weidy, county coroner. Mr. Kline had been dead about an hour when his body was found, Coroner Weidy asserted. The body was removed to the Burk and Fennig Funeral Home to be prepared for burial. Mr. Kline had suffered chronic attacks of angina pectoris, and had trouble for the past three years and had been under medical care. However, when he left his home Tuesday morning to go to the Elks lodge rooms; he appeared in much better health than usual, eating a hearty breakfast, and appearing in a very happy mood. He left his home, 213 south Jefferson Street about 10:15 o’clock.
Mr. Kline had apparently gone directly into the lodge rooms, going toward the southwest corner of the room. He was found face downward on the floor by Mr. Donahue. Mr. Donahue frequently visited with Mr. Kline in the lodge rooms. Upon finding Mr. Kline’s inert form on the floor, Mr. Donahue went to the office of Harry Miller, a lodge trustee on the second floor of the building. The two then summoned a physician. The death of Mr. Kline was a severe shock to his many friends in Hartford City
Surviving Mr. Kline are his widow, Elizabeth Gilham Kline; three children, Byron Anson Kline, of Alhambra, Calif; Mrs. Elizabeth Lea Kline-Hobbs, wife of Joe Hobbs of Battle Creek, Mich.; and Miss Mary Laura Kline, a teacher in the Claremore, Okla. Schools; three grandchildren, John Anson Kline of Tulsa, Okla., and Frances Lorraine and Joseph Kline Hobbs, of Battle Creek, Mich., Joseph Kline of Lafayette, is the only surviving brother. Two nieces, Mrs. Homer Shaffer and Anna Katherine Kline reside in Springfield, Ohio.
Jacob Anson Kline was born at Enon, Ohio, near Springfield, Ohio on February 6, 1869, the son of Jacob and Melissa Ann Baughman Kline. He spent his early life in Enon where he learned the paper finishing trade becoming an expert in this line of work.
Sisely Gilham
The Evening News
24 December 1913page 1, c 2
MRS. E. GILHAMWELL KNOWN WOMAN SUCCUMBS AFTER LONG ILLNESS
SCOTT GILHAM AND MRS. ANSON KLINE – CHILDREN
FUNERAL WILL BE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
“Mrs. Sisely Gilham, 69, 7766? Franklin Street, died ??? o’clock, Tuesday evening, after a long illness, with a complication of diseases. She had been seriously ill for a week. Scott Gilham and Mrs. Anson Kline, of this city, were children.
For many years she belonged to the Christian Church and was active in church work before she came ill. She was also a member of the W.K.I. Mrs. Gilham made several trips out West for her health …..
Surviving Mrs. Gilham was her husband, E. Gilham, and five sons and four daughters, who are Howard of Robinson, Ill., John of Pemberville, O, Chester of Wana, Okla., Jerry, of Marllupa(sp?), Calif., and Scott Gilham, of this city, Mrs. Jennie Sinra(sp?), of this city, as a sister, while George Simonton of Fernville(sp?), Mich., and Amon Simonton, of Argus, Ind., her brothers.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock from the Christian church, in charge of Rev. G, I. Wyatt, interment will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The remains may be viewed Thursday and Friday.”
Thomas Gilham
TOM GILLHAM DIES IN SAN FRANCISCO
FORMER RESIDENT SUCCUMBS IN HOSPITAL IN GOLDEN GATE CITY
“Tom Gilham, 37 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Gilham of West Commercial Street and formerly a resident of this city, died Tuesday evening about 6 o’clock in a hospital in San Francisco, Cal. Death was due to intestinal trouble following an attack of typhoid fever. He had been ill some time, his wife and daughter having been called to his bedside several weeks ago from this city where they had come to make a visit.
The body will be brought back to his old home for burial. The funeral party, consisting of Jerry Gilham, a brother, who is in San Francisco, and his wife and child, is expected to arrive here on the Pennsylvania passenger at 3:28 Saturday afternoon. A committee from the local lodge of Elks will meet the party at the train. Definite funeral arrangements have not been made but the service probably will be conducted Sunday afternoon. Mr. Gilham was formerly a member o f the local lodge of Eagles and that organization also will send a committee to the railroad station to meet the body. He was a member of the Elks lodge at Maricopa, Calif., and it is expected that the local lodge will be in charge.
Tom Gilham was born in Hanna, LaPorte County, Ind. He came to this city with his parents when about seventeen years of age and continued to reside here until about five years ago, when, with his wife and child, he went to Maricopa, Cal., to work in the oil fields. During his fifteen years residence in Hartford City he became well known and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances to whom the news of his death will be a severe shock.
Beside his widow and child, a daughter, aged 18(sp?), and the parents the following brothers and sisters survive; Scott a clerk in the local post office, and Chester, both of this city; Jerry, of San Francisco; Howard, of Flatrock, Ill., John, of Kendallville; Mrs. Anson Kline, of this city; Mrs. H. C. McMahon, of Knox, Ind.’ Mrs. C.W. Spangler, of Dewey,The Evening News
Wednesday, August 16, 1911
page 1, c 6
Okla.”
"Manson Campbell, 72,
a well-known resident of 601 West Fulton ........ by a heart attack at 11 o'clock Thursday morning while mowing weeds across the street from his home. Mr. Campbell had been in ill health for the past two years, suffering with heart trouble and complications. He was able to do light chores, however, and Thursday morning, after working in his garden for a while, started mowing weeds across from his home. Apparently he was stricken suddeny while using a scythe to mow the weeds. John Helm, 825 West Fulton Street, who discovered the man's body lying at the roadside at 11 o'clock, said he had passed about an hour earlier and noticed Mr. Campbell working in his garden. Helm said he and Campbell exchanged greetings on that occasion. Upon making the discovery, Mr. Helm notified Mrs. Campbell and called a physician, who pronounce the man dead when he arrived a few minutes later. It is believed he died suddenly upon dropping to the ground. His scythe lay nearby his body. Born in Blackford County, August 30, 1867, he was a son of Archibald McClain and Samantha Campbell. He was united in Marriage on June 7, 1890, to Alice Yeider in this city. Most of their married life was spent on a farm, five miles south of Hartford City, until about five years ago when they moved to the residence at 601 West Fulton Street. Survivors include the widow; five sons, Manford Lee Campbell, east Water Street; Russell Harold Campbell, north Monroe Street; Luther Lester Campbell, six miles north of city on State Road 3; Truman Campbell, of Akron, Iowa; Joseph Campbell, at home; one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Fiddler, five miles south of this city; two brothers, Newton Campbell, of Dunkirk; and Henry Campbell, south of this city; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Lucinda Slater, died about two years ago. The body was removed to the Burk & Fennig mortuary in this city where it will be prepared for burial and remain until the funeral hour. Definite funeral arrangements were not completed yet Thursday afternoon." From Marilyn Meador
Manson Campbell was my great-grandfather
Obituary, Hartford City News-Times, Thursday, July 17, 1941, pg 1 col 3:
"Archibald M. Campbell,
Blackford County's Oldest Native Resident, is Called. Lived for 75 years on the same farm. Man of Sterling Worth and Undoubted Integrity. Archibald M. Campbell, 75, died Thursday at 8 PM at his home south of the city after an illness of almost a year of heart disease and dropsy. The funeral will be held at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at the late residence and will be conducted by Rev. (?) amd Rev. B. G. Shinn of Hartford City. Burial at Eaton Cemetery. Mr. Campbell was probably the oldest man in Blackford County, who was born within its present boundaries and was one of these brave men whose life was devoted to the infancy of Blackford County. His birth occurred on October 1, 1837, on the farm where he died. His parents were William W. and Phoebe (McLean) Campbell, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of Maryland..."(here the obituary repeats the biographical material from Rev. Benjamin Shinn's History of Blackford County.) From Marilyn Meador
Obituary, The Daily Times Gazette, Hartford City IN, Friday, Oct 11, 1912:
Mrs. Catharine Alice Campbell, 78,
widow of the late Manson Campbell, and a resident of Blackford County for many years, died at 2:50 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, at the Blackford County hospital following an illness extending over the past two years. Mrs. Campbell, who resided with a son, Joseph Campbell, four and three-quarters south of Hartford City on State Road 3, was taken to the hospital Monday evening. She had been bedfast two weeks prior to that time. Death was pronounced due to general complications. The body was removed to the Fennig & Well Funeral Home for burial preparations and will be retained there for funeral services Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. Harper McCune, pastor of the Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be made in the IOOF cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel pending the funeral service. Born August 17, 1870, near Tippecanoe, Ohio, Mrs. Campbell was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Yeider. She came to Blackford County with her parents when she was but a small girl, and had resided here since that time. She was united in marriage to Archibald Manson Campbell sixty years ago, and to this union nine children were born, five of whom survive. They are: Truman Campble, of Akron, Iowa; Mrs. Gertrude Fidler, residing southwest of this city; Lester Campbell, of West Franklin Street; Joseph Campbell at whose home she had been residing, and Russell Campbell, of 1003 North Monroe Street. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, one brother, William Yeider, of Dayton, Ohio, and one sister, Mrs. Camile Pettit, of Van Wert, Ohio. Mr. Campbell, husband of the deceased, who was more intimately known by his host of friends as "Dutch," died July 17, 1941. The family at that time resided on west Fulton Street, moving to the city some time previous from their farm south of the city." From Marilyn Meador
Obituary, Hartford City News, Thursday, July 14, 1949, pg 1 col 4:
"Mrs. Minerva Michaels (sic), 74,
a life long resident of Blackford County died Thursday morning at the Blackford County hospital after a brief illness. Death was due to gangrene piosoning following a stroke of paralysis suffered two weeks ago Thursday. She failed to rally from her illness and gradually grew weaker until claimed by death Thursday morning. Mrs. Michaels was a native of Blackford County, being born three and one-half miles west of this city in 1856, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Osenbaugh. About 44 years ago she was united in marriage to Wesley Michaels, who died at his home in this city in 1912. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Michaels made her home with her children in this city. She was residing at the home of her son, Jess Michaels in west Franklin Street, at the time she was stricken with the fatal attack. The decedent was well and favorably known throughout this city and county. Her entire life-time was spent in this city and her numerous friends were saddened by her death Thursday morning. She was a member of the Christian church in this city. Surviving are two sons, Jess Michaels of west Franklin Street, and Thomas (Jeff) Michaels of Sherryville (probably Shelbyville) Indiana; and two daughters, Mrs. Lottie Walker, north of this city and Mrs. Earl Edwards of east Washington Street. Seven grandchildren also survive. Two brothers, Anderson Osenbaugh, west of this city, and Calvin Osenbaugh of West Virginia; and three sisters Mrs. Sadie Hunt, of Iowa, Mrs. Matt VanMoor of Pennsylvania and Eliza Smith, Chicago, also survive. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of Mrs. Earl Edwards, a daughter, in east Washington Street. The Rev. William Richards of Matthews will be in charge. Interment will be made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery." Obituary, The Hartford City News, May 22, 1930 (Thursday), pg 1:
"Wesley T. Michael
STACEY WOOLARDDEAD AT AGE OF 80
Funeral Held Monday at theLate Home-Mrs. Mary Alex-ander Passes Away Stacey Woolard, for 51 years a resi-dent of Blackford county, died Satur-day afternoon at his home east of the city. He was 80 years old andone of the most widely known farmersin this county.The funeral was held Monday morning at 10 o'clock at the houseand burial was made in the Woolardcemetery. Rev. Durfey was in charge. Three children survive thefather.
Mrs. Mary Alexander, a sister ofMrs. Charles. S. Leonard of this citydied Saturday afternoon at her homenorthwest of the city. The funeral was held Monday at Asbury Chapelby Rev. C. H. Brown of Montpelier.
She was 73 years of age.
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