Mapping it Out

I do better with visuals. I tried to map out the immigrant path - still a lot of incomplete information even after all these years of work. Here is how it went down with my four sets of great-great grandparents on my dad's side.

Includes Cappoens, Meserol, Fontaine, Leroy, Miller, Linsey lines
antecedents of my paternal grandfather, Leo Linsey
(Click to enlarge)

Abraham Owens and Zachariah Holler. This family joined with the Miller family with the marriage
of David Owens and Sarah Holler. This is the paternal side of my grandfather Leo Linsey's family.

UNK Smull immigrant who was father to Brush Valley, PA's Brothers Smull. The Quaker Cooper's of Pennsylvania and the Quaker Beams family of Whitley County, Kentucky joined  with the marriage of William Lloyd
Cooper and Elizabeth Beams. This family  joined the Smull family with  the marriage
of Johnathan Smull and Mary Jane Cooper, maternal 2GG of my grandmother Verlie Smith Michaelsen Linsey.

James Smith is the earliest located Smith originally believed to be from Monmouth, NJ
The Munson family goes back to Munson immigrant who arrive in Connecticut in 1637. Grant County, Wisconsin
was the site of the joining of the Munson and Smith families when William Custer Smith
married Mary Ann Munson. This is my maternal grandmother Verlie Smith Michaelsen Linsey's paternal grandparents.

Clan William: The Colorful Eddy's of New Orleans

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson > Henrietta Munson > Amos Joel Vaughn > Adele Virginia Vaughn m Robert Stevenson Eddy III 

You can take a trip back in time by reviewing the journey of the Vaughn Family of Randalia, Iowa, here. Henrietta and John had a mess of kids, 13 all told, some of whom I know nothing about. But, son Amos Joel, the baby of the family had six of his own, including Adele Virginia Vaughn, who went by "Virginia." I don't know how she met her husband Robert Stevenson Eddy III, of the well-to-do New Orleans Eddy's, but she did. They married before 1918 and lived in New Orleans. Virginia's younger sister, Mary Isabel, 15 years old, moved to New Orleans to live with them in 1917 and got a job in a bank, but died unexpectedly of illness at just under 17 years old on 14 Aug 1918. She was buried in New Orleans.

The Eddy's had been in New Orleans for decades by the time our family connected with theirs. The original Robert Stevenson Eddy had been born in Ohio in about 1827 and married Clara Drake. They had three children, the eldest of which was Robert Stevenson Eddy Sr. He had been born in St Louis, Missouri. His parents came to New Orleans in the 1860s. Senior worked his way up to the top spot in in Adams, Beck, and Co., Ltd., a commission merchant of great distinction. Poor old dude died of complications of a gall bladder operation on 16 Aug 1929 in New Orleans, just before the start of the Great Depression.

Eddy Bros. Furniture Co. 1932

Junior's oldest brother, James Harvey Eddy, took over Adams, Beck at his father's death after having been superintendent of the Swift & Co. fertilizer plants in New Orleans and Shreveport. Robert Stevenson Eddy Jr., having benefit of his father's hard work and acumen, also went into business. In 1904, he ran for city council in the Sixteenth Ward and won, but not before a protest was filed claiming he had not met residency requirements. Despite the fact his son RS III was born while he lived in Alvin, Texas, he claimed that the move had always been temporary. The challenge was overruled and he took his seat. Being a councilman didn't help him when he spoke out about police corruption and was beaten severely by blokes in a saloon as a nearby police officer watched. That police officer was later suspended.

Junior married Leila Janet Hathorn on 16 Aug 1897 in St Bernard Parish. They had three boys, R.S.

III, Fergus, and Thomas Godwin. When Martin Behrman was mayor of New Orleans (1904-1920, 1925-26), Eddy served as a member of the Commission Council. He first became associated with racing in the early 1920s. He served as GM of the Jefferson Park Race Track, president of the Business Men's Racing Association (which he was forced to resign from after accusations were slung at him regarding illegal gambling activities), and later as GM of the Fair Grounds Race Track. The Times-Picayune was full of articles during the 1920s about the two factions fighting for control of racing in New Orleans. I've posted a couple of those, but there are many more.

The acquisition of the Fair Grounds and Jefferson Park by Eddy's business syndicate was completed in 1934. Hit with financial problems, the tracks were to be sold in the early 1940s. The land was set to be sold for development, which would have ended racing in the area. A last minute purchase saved racing in New Orleans. Eddy then acquired an interest in Fairmont Race Track in Collinsville, Ill and owned one of the largest thoroughbred, harness, and saddle horse auction exchanges. After his first wife died, he remarried two years prior to his death. He died in Fort Lauderdale, 26 Jul 1965.

Junior also opened a furniture store on North Rampart in New Orleans. His sons would join him in this venture.

His son RS III grew up, married our Munson/Vaughn relative Virginia, and had two children: Robert Stevenson IV and Jolie Ann. III died on Oct 20, 1962 in New Orleans. Virginia survived until 03 May 1966. The children are both still living, so we'll save their stories for another day!

Clan William: Calvin Munson and Family

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson

Trumbull County 1856 - These townships are where
most of our ancestors settled

You can read a little about Samuel Munson here on my cousin's blog. He was referred to as Samuel Munson 2nd because there are so darned many Samuels. His grandfather and great grandfather were leaders in their community and quite accomplished. Samuel 2nd was the first of the clan to head west to Ohio to settle in the Trumbull County area in September 1804. Many of the earliest settlers fit into our family tree. His wife, Susanna Tyler and he were married about 1764 in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut. They had at least 8 children, among them, my 4th great grandfather, Freeman Munson.

They were some of the very earliest settlers in the area. The couple purchased land in Vienna Township on 12 May 1804 "Samuel Munson buys 154 acres from the east end of Lot #5 for $438.90," (this included Brookfield Township until 1811),(Another report has 146 acres having been purchased).

Freeman's brother Calvin was, according to family records, born on 04 May 1770 (one report has 1769) in Wallingford. He married Sarah "Sally" Hungerford on 27 Nov 1794 in Waterbury. She was the daughter of Rosannah Williams and Revolutionary War soldier David Wallingford. David died while a POW in NYC in 1777. Calvin and Sally had at least five children: Randal, Rilman, Lucy, Deidamia, and Susanna.

In 1793, a year before he married, Isaac Benham sold him 13 acres of land in Waterbury, CT, "to be taken off from the north end of my land near Samuel Munson's House." He paid 27 Pounds for the land. He took the freeman's oath at Waterbury 20 Sep 1802. He sold the land on his departure to Ohio.

John Bull represented England as Uncle Sam later
represented the US. Columbia takes that role here.

 Calvin always farmed once he arrived in Ohio. He also served as a tanner and shoemaker. The War of 1812 interrupted his peaceful, hard-working life, and he was called to serve as a private in Captain Jedediah Burnham's Company from August to mid-November of 1812 and Jan-Feb of 1813.

He returned to farm and remained doing so until the end of his life, when he moved "into town." Along the way, he was involved in creating the first rural school in Vienna township, which was originally called "The Munson School," but later was dubbed "The Carey School," after the Carey family who lived nearby. The school burned to the ground in the 1920s.

Once he had retired to town, his sons Randal and Rilman took over the family farm, splitting it with Randal getting the west side of the farm and Rilman the east. All of his children married and had children. I will take us down their paths at a later time. Sally died 06 Feb 1844 and Calvin 02 Sep 1846, both in Vienna Township.

Clan William: The Music Man Charles Edward Gaither

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > 

Charles Edward Gaither

William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson > Marietta Munson > Clara Gentholtz > Charles Edward Gaither 

Charles Edward Gaither was born 14 Jan 1892 in Warren, Ohio to James E Gaither and Clara Gentholtz. You can read about her and one of her other children here.

When Charles was a young boy, his father gave him a copy of the book, "Life in the Ozarks," which stuck with him and would help guide his future and lead him to the place he always wanted to see.

At age 21, he had a brief marriage to Grace Miller. Then, he spent a lot of time in orchestras throughout the country. His instrument of choice was the violin. He led orchestras from the age of 15 and was also a member of the Penn Albert Trio in Greenburg, Pennsylvania.

While living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1924, he read in the Billboard that the Miller Theater in Jefferson City wanted an orchestra leader. Charles telegraphed and was accepted, leaving immediately by train. Once in St Louis, he hopped the Missouri Pacific and arrived in Jefferson City. He fell in love with the area immediately and made it his permanent home. His hobbies were fishing and motorboating - and he'd ended up in the perfect place, near the "Big Muddy" to enjoy both to their fullest.

Jefferson City, 1920s

While working later at a theatre in Springfield, he married Martha Roedder. Martha, of Jefferson City, was his fiance when Charles was taken ill and spent several days in the Springfield hospital. Martha went to visit him and they decided to marry immediately, the ceremony held at hospital bedside. Martha was born 16 Apr 1902 to Charles Roedder and Emma Wolff.

When the need for music at the silent movies became unneeded, he made his living from providing music instruction in town and also became the director of the "Little Symphony" - the Jefferson City Symphony, where he stayed until his death. They lived in a new apartment in Jefferson City.

Gaither was interested in both classical and modern music. According to news reports, his orchestra was fairly drama-free and the symphony appearances under his direction were widely praised. He was active in musician's union affairs and was at one time vice president of the union.

After playing a gig at a Boy Scout event, Gaither became ill and it quickly turned into pneumonia. He was put in the hospital and under an oxygen tent, but failed quickly and died on 01 Feb 1938 at the age of 58.

His wife, many years younger than Charles, married Charles Arthur Maxeiner in 1941. He died in 1963. She then married a gent name Welsch. Martha died 21 Jan 1989 in Lee County, Florida.

The Munson Clans and a Post About Aeneas Munson

Munson Clan Tree

My 2nd great grandmother on my paternal grandmother's side of the family was Mary Ann Munson. She certainly didn't make any big splashes and was quite like most pioneer Americans, working hard for a better life, being a reliable and steadfast helpmeet to her husband, William Custer Smith, and raising her family. Her ultimate destination was Fremont Township, Butler County, Iowa, but the Smith family's lives revolved around the neighboring Bremer County community of  Plainfield.

The Munsons can trace their roots back to the immigrant Munson, Captain Thomas Munson. According to the Munson Family Foundation website:

"The first appearance of Thomas Munson (1612-1685) in America is recorded in Hartford, Connecticut in 1637 as a member of the militia unit engaged in the Pequot Indian War. He signed the Fundamental Agreement at New Haven Colony (dated 1639) prior to April 1640 and established his permanent home. His life and actions are well documented in The Munson Record, Volume I and the Connecticut colony records.The evidence is persuasive that the Thomas Munson who was recorded as being baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Rattlesden, County Suffolk, England on September 13, 1612, was the same man who later distinguished himself in the public affairs of colonial New Haven."

ThomasMunson.org

To trace this now huge lineage, some wise person broke it all down into clans. So, each of us from the Munson lineage was attached to the great grandson of the original immigrant. In my case, I'm a descendant of Thomas' great grandson William, and belong to Clan William. There were originally 17 clans, but this did not include all the descendants of Thomas (excluding the female lines), so in 2008, the Foundation agreed to consider activating a total of 43 additional lines to ensure full inclusion. Only a handful of these have been researched and activated. This involves literally millions of descendants.

My new cousin, whom I've not met, but religiously read her always informative blog, today talks about another distant cousin from Clan Theophilus, Dr. Aeneas Munson, Revolutionary War Surgeon. 

Dr. Aeneas Munson, Jr.

Munson Family Stories

THE ORIGINAL MUNSON IN AMERICA, CAPTAIN THOMAS MUNSON

Munson of New Haven, CT

From When We Come: Thomas Munson and the Pequot War

From Whence We Come: Thomas Munson Signs the Fundamental Agreement

SAMUEL MUNSON II
Samuel is the son of William. William is the first member of Clan William. The clans are made up of the great grandchildren of the immigrant Captain Thomas Munson. 

Samuel Munson 2nd Family: Calvin Munson and Family

CALVIN MUNSON
Calvin Munson Family: McAdams Murder of 1913

Calvin Munson Family: William Calvin Munson
Clan William: Calvin/Randil Descendants: A Legacy of Tragedy
Clan William: Calvin/Randil Descendants: The Mines of Platteville
Clan William: Calvin/Randil Descendants: Charles Munson's Civil War Death
Clan William: Calvin/Susannah Descendants: Clifford Benjamin Paul, Chauffeur to Katherine Butterworth
Clan William: Calvin/Susannah Descendants: Harry K. Newburn, University President

FREEMAN MUNSON
Freeman is the son of Samuel II.

From Whence We Come: Freeman Munson

AMOS MUNSON
Amos is the son of Freeman

Munson Family: Amos Munson

Mystery Muddle: The Amos Munson Family 1870 Census

MARGARET JANE MUNSON
Those Munson Girls: Margaret Jane Munson
LAMIRA MUNSON
Those Munson Girls: Lamira Munson
MARY ANN MUNSON
Clan William: Mary Ann Munson & William Custer Smith, Pt 1

Clan William: Mary Ann Munson & William Custer Smith, Pt 2

Clan William: Mary Ann Munson & William Custer Smith, Pt 3

The Family Farm of William Custer Smith and Mary Ann Munson
Connecting the Story: More on the William Custer Smith Farm
Smith/Munson Family: Minor Discoveries
The Gossip Mill  
CAROLINE AMANDA MUNSON
Those Munson Girls: Caroline Amanda Munson
The Newcomb Family of Montrose, Pennsylvania  
Munsons: The Newcombs and Mayflower Immigrants
HENRIETTA MUNSON
Poor Walter Woodington, Jailed Again
Woodington/Munson Line: When Things Go Really, Really Wrong
Scandal Sheet: My Father, My Husband; My Sister, My Daughter
Munson Descendants: Simmons Family in Society in Early Oklahoma City
JULIA A MUNSON
Those Munson Girls: Julia A Munson
The Newcomb Family of Montrose, Pennsylvania  
Munsons: The Newcombs and Mayflower Immigrants
FRANKLIN DAVID MUNSON
Amos Munson Family: Franklin David Munson
CHARLES FREMONT MUNSON
Those Munsons: Charles Fremont Munson  
Those Munsons: Clyde Amos Munson  
Those Munsons: Wayne Clyde Munson

HENRIETTA MUNSON
The daughter of Freeman

Munson Family: The Vaughns of Trumbull County
FREEMAN VAUGHN
Freeman and Orion Vaughn, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A
ORION SQUIRE VAUGHN
Freeman and Orion Vaughn, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A
SARAH VAUGHN
Mystery Muddle: Who is Alice Simmons?
Sarah Jane Vaughn Simmons Family
AMOS VAUGHN
Those Munsons: The Colorful Eddy's of New Orleans  
CHARLOTTE VAUGHN
Amos Munson Family: Robert Lee Fox, Ph.D.

MILES MUNSON
The son of Freeman.

The Munson's of Ohio: Miles Munson & the Humason Family
Those Munsons: The Much Married Olive Clawson  

MARIETTA "MARY" E MUNSON
The daughter of Freeman

JOHN R GENTHOLTZ
The Gentholtz Clan: John R. Gentholts & Clara Gentholts Gaither
The Gentholtz Clan: Arthur John Gentholts
Music Man: Charles Edward Gaither  
FRED GENTHOLTZ
Scandal Sheet: Fred Gentholtz Rape Trial

CLARISSA MUNSON
The daughter of Freeman

OTHER CLAN WILLIAM STORIES

MARTHA MUNSON

The daughter of William

Clan William: The Brilliant Scientist William Webster Hansen
Clan William: Seaman Asahel Knapp, PhD

Clan William: Gladys Pease and Archibald Ellsworth Minard

Clan William: Capt David Minard, MC, USN, MD
Clan William: Senator Jamse Rood Doolittle

Clan William: James Ralph Doolittle, WWI Flyer

Clan William: Marrying Up - William Edgar Mattison, Jr.

PETER MUNSON
The son of William

Clan William: Judge Warren Bristol and Billy the Kid

Clan William: Physicist DeWitt Bristol Brace, PhD

Clan William: Edith Minerva Brace, Teacher

WILLIAM II MUNSON
The son of William

Clan William: Munson Connection to the Tragedy of 9/11

Clan William: Charles Monson Jr. and the Wild Ride, Pt 1

Clan William: Charles Monson Jr. and the Wild Ride, Pt 2
Clan William: The Southern Contingent: The Stricklands

Clan William: The Southern Contingent: 1st Corporal Buren Strickland

Clan William: Chester Case Lord and Julia Elizabeth Munson
Clan William: Miles Standish Munson & Genevieve Mather

Clan William: Super Nerd Television Pioneer George Harvey Seward

WOODINGTON FAMILY STORIES

GEORGE WOODINGTON
George Woodington Heads to California
Side Road: Harry H Woodington, Longtime Empoyee of the Celery King
JOHNATHAN ALTON WOODINGTON
Trailblazing Women: Marjorie J Bennett, Army Nurse Corps
2Lt Clark Alonzo Teasdale Dies in Battle
HARRY S WOODINGTON
Sideroad: Harry S Woodington, Deserter

Clan William: The Gentholtz Clan: Arthur John Gentholts

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Marietta Munson > John Gentholts > Arthur John Gentholts 

The children of Jacob Gentholtz, German immigrant, and Marietta "Mary" Munson were a fairly interesting bunch. High achievers to criminals, they  did anything from following their family's farming roots to being captains of industry.

Today, I'll be talking about the only child of  John R. Gentholtz (later Gentholts) and his wife, Jennie Day.

Arthur J. Gentholts was born  08 Mar 1894 in Alliance, Mahoning County, Ohio. He achieved a high level of success and status in his life. He attended East High School in Alliance, Ohio and then

Baldwin-Wallace College and then the old Cleveland Law School before entering the Army as a Sergeant Major and later as a Lieutenant in the early Air Corps during World War I.

He married Ora Murdoch, daughter of Mr & Mrs D. C. Murdoch on 08 Jun 1918 in Alliance. After his service, he joined Bourne-Fuller Co. as counsel in 1919. The firm merged with Republic Steel in 1930 and Arthur became its assistant counsel. A good part of the work he did there was handling legislative matters important to Republic Steel across the country. Republic Steel had a subsidiary company, Truscon Steel, at which Gentholts became vice president. He also was the former president of Republic's River Terminal Railway Co.

During World War II, Arthur served as a member of the Ohio Defense Council, which coordinated defense activities in Ohio with federal agencies. He later left Republic and became the president for three years of the Ohio Manufacturers Association and as director for 10 years.

The trappings of success allowed them to live in an exclusive neighborhood in Shaker Heights, outside of Cleveland at 17403 Fernway Rd. As their children, Norris and Jane grew up, they were afforded the opportunity to move in the upper circles of society, belonging to the country club and participating in activities there.

Arthur died in Cleveland on 02 Aug 1965 and his wife Ora lived on until 18 Dec 1984, dying in Aurora, Portage, Ohio.

Norris J. Gentholts was born 09 Aug 1919 in Cuyahoga County. He married Elizabeth "Becky" Bechtol in Jun 1942 in Cuyahoga County. They had three children. Norris attended Amherst College in New York and his wife Becky attended at nearby Wells College. He served in the Navy beginning in 1942 and attained the rank of Lieutenant (JG). After service, he worked as an industrial rep for Glidden Co. He later began a new career as business manager for Western Reserve Academy. The couple retired to Florida and later moved to Montana prior to their deaths. Becky preceded Norris in death on 02 Nov 2009 in Bozeman, Montana. Norris died 18 Aug 2010 at the age of 91.

Daughter Jane married first William E Davis III who served in World War II and then attended law school. They divorced after having three children. Jane then married James Dolph McCarter., a divorced father of three. Jane lived a long life and died in Silverdale, Kitsap County, Washington on 03 Jul 2010. Her second husband died on 31 Dec 1984 in Cleveland. William Davis died 22 Aug 1984 after a long career as an attorney specializing in estate and trust planning.

Clan William: The Gentholtz Clan: John R Gentholts & Clara Gentholtz Gaither

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Marietta Munson > John R Gentholts and Clara Gentholtz Gaither

The eight children of Jacob Gentholtz, German immigrant, and Marietta "Mary" Munson were a fairly interesting bunch. High achievers to criminals, they did anything from following their family's farming roots to being captains of industry.

Today, I'll be talking about John R. Gentholtz (later Gentholts) and his sister, Clara Gentholtz Gaither, just two of the clan.

John R. Gentholts was born about 1849 in Lordstown, Trumbull County, Ohio. He married Jennie Day Saxon in 1890 in Lawrence, Pennsylvania. Jennie had a child from her first marriage, Percy Saxon, born about 1878. John and Jennie then had a son, Arthur John Gentholts, who I will cover in another post. He came along in 1893 while they lived in Alliance, Mahoning County, Ohio. John worked for the railroad in several capacities, including baggage master and passenger conductor.

Clara Gentholtz was born 22 Mar 1861 in Champion, Trumbull County. She married James E Gaither, a native of Virginia in about 1876. They lived in the Youngstown area and had five children before James died 09 Jan 1891 in Youngstown. Clara remarried James Moffit, with whom she had no children. Clara died in 1940 in Warren, Trumbull County. Her second husband preceded her in death in 1916.

John's wife, Jennie Day's son Percy resided with them in both the 1900 and 1910 census, but I suspect there was a break there for the time he was married.. Somewhere in there, he married Clara's daughter Marietta Gaither, with whom he had a child, Mildred Helen Saxon born about 1904. Sadly, both Marietta and Percy died very young. She at 28 in 1909 and he at age 33 in 1911. His will is available which allowed me to make this connection and I can't help but think he died of illness since his will (28 Mar 1911) was made so close to the date of his death (17 May 1911).

His mother, despite being named guardian of Mildred, did not have Mildred living in her home in either the 1910 or 1920 Census. Mildred resided with her other grandmother, Clara Munson Gaither.

By the 1930 Census, Mildred was married to William R. Holmes of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and they had five children; one of whom died in infancy. Unfortunately, I'm struggling to find her death, but her husband William died in 1985.

Text of the Percy Saxon will reads:

I, Percy D Saxon, of the City of Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, and state of Ohio, being about 33 years of age and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling any and all will or wills by me made heretofore:
First: My will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as shall be found convenient.
Second: I give and bequeath to my beloved brother, Arthur J Gentholts my watch and chain.
Thirdly: I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest of my property, both real and personal to my beloved daughter Mildred Helen Saxon to be hers absolutely.
Fourthly: I hereby appoint  KS Johns executor of this my last will and testament and herby request that no bond be required and that no appraisal be made of my estate.
Fifthly: I hereby appoint my beloved mother, Jennie K Gentholts, guardian of this person and estate of my beloved daughter Mildred Helen Saxon and hereby request that no bond be required and that my beloved mother as guardian have full power to do as she desires in th matter and affairs of the person and estate of my beloved daughter until she becomes of age.
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand to this my last will and testament, at Cleveland, Ohio, this 28th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eleven.
Percy D Saxon

John R Gentholts died 10 May 1931 in Cuyahoga County and his wife Jennie Day Saxon Gentholts died 24 Feb 1942. They both were residing in Shaker Heights with son Arthur and family at the end of their lives.

MRS JOHN R GENTHOLTS
Services for Mrs Jennie Day Gentholts, 88, widow of John R Gentholts, a passenger conductor for the New York Central System for 42 years, will be at 2 pm today at Charles Melbourne & Sons funeral home, 12737 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland. She died Tuesday at Charity Hospital.
Born in Deerfield, Ohio, she came here as a child. Later she moved to Alliance, Ohio, and lived there for a few years before returning here 37 years ago. She lived at 17403 Fernway Road, Shaker Heights.
Surviving are a son, Arthur J., assistant counsel for the Republic Steel Corp; two sisters, Mrs Jessie McConnel and Mrs Florence Kingsbury of Alliance, and two grandchildren, Norris J. and Jane Ann Gentholts.
Date: Thursday, February 26, 1942   Paper: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)   Page: 6
===

Clan William: Scandal Sheet: Fred Gentholtz, Rape Trial

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Marietta Munson > Fred Gentholtz

My 4th great grandfather, Freeman Munson and his wife Margaret Gregory's second daughter, Marietta "Mary" Munson, was born 20 May 1821 in Trumbull County, Ohio. She married Jacob "Jack" Gentholtz in 1840 in Trumbull County. Jack was a German from Baden-Wurttemberg who emigrated in 1831. Together, they had at least eight children. Among those, was Fred. The children had frequently used the spelling of "Gentholts" and many of them formally adopted that spelling. Records may be in either spelling.

Jacob Friederich "Fred" was born in about 1860. In 1880, Fred, at 22, was working as a blacksmith in Youngstown in Mahoning County. On 02 Feb 1884, he married a young woman named Jennie Iley, who had been working as a servant in Youngstown. Fred became well-known in the community for his smithy skills and life looked very promising for the young couple. In 1892, this would change dramatically.

Younqstown, Aug. 1 Special. Fred Gentboltz, a well-known blacksmith, was arrested to-day charged with assaulting his niece. Miss .Nellie Clark, aged 15. On July 4 the girl came here from Cleveland, where she had lived for 12 years with Mr. and Mrs. Burson (ed note: her mother and stepfather), as she claimed she was not treated properly. Two weeks later Mrs. Gentholtz left to visit friends out .of the city, and on the Saturday evening after she departed Gentholtz came home intoxicated. The injured girl related the story of tbe assault to her cousin, and by advice kept quiet until to-day, when Mrs. Gentholtz returned and hearing or the affair had the uncle arrested. The victim relates a very straight story or the treatment she received. The case was this afternoon placed in the bands of the prosecuting attorney.
August 2, 1892
Pittsburgh Dispatch from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Page 8

It took until late October for the case to come to trial. The last report was the day before testimony wrapped up and this was the final report available in various online news archives:

In court this afternoon, the case of Ohio against Fred Gentholtz, indicted for raping a 15-year-old girl named Margaret Clark was begun before Judge Johnston and a jury. The girl lived with Mr & Mrs Gentholtz and while Mrs Gentholtz was away attending a sick relative, the girl alleges that Mr Gentholtz assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she told it. The girl is a remarkably bright girl, 15 years of age. She is pretty too. The court room was crowded all day. The testimony will be finished tomorrow.
Date: Friday, October 28, 1892   Paper: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)   Page: 2  

Then, it was announced that his attorney would ask for a retrial and call into question the morals of the girl. The retrial was granted and Fred ended up walking away with a fine.

Frederick Gentholts, convicted of criminal assault upon his niece, Margaret Clark, alias Nellie Burson, aged 15, of Cleveland, was granted a new trial today on the ground that she had not testified correctly regarding her conduct with a young man residing here. The State accepted a plea of guilty of assault and Gentholts was fined $50 and the costs, which will amount to $200.
Cleveland Leader, Thurs Dec 08, 1892 Cleveland, Ohio

The next thing that happened is his wife divorced him.

Mrs Jennie Gentholtz today began suit for divorce from her husband, Fred Gentholtz. Her petition stated that during her absence last summer, committed adultery and rape upon Nellie Clark, a 14-year-old girl who was staying with their family. She also asks for alimony.
Youngstown News Notes. Tanner, the Carbon Murderer, on the Way Back Home
Date: Sunday, December 25, 1892   Paper: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)   Page: 2
===

Young Nellie was returned to the home of her stepfather, William P. Burson in Cleveland immediately after the trial.

Jennie married Mr. Theodore Chevalier.  Jennie died in 1917, at age 44, in a tragic accident - her clothes were set on fire from the ash of the pipe she was smoking.

Zelma, the cousin who was told about the rape, and the daughter of the Gentholtz union, born in 1887, could be found in 1900 living in a Children's Home in Howland Township in Mahoning County. She married three times and died in 1958. Son James Jacob Gentholtz changed his name to Iley and was adopted by Jennie's relative William Iley and his wife Susana. He was born 28 Jul 1890 and died 11 Jan 1968 in Arlington, Virginia.

The next time I can locate Fred it's 1910 and he's working as laborer in Warren, Ohio. He lived a long life, living with his daughter Zelma in 1930 and with his grandson James in 1940 in Washington DC, and died in 1949.

Jennie Iley Gentholtz Chevalier death certificate

Clan William: Amos Munson from Trumbull County

Glen Haven, Grant County, Wisconsin

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Amos Munson m Mary Ann Kearney 

Amos is my 3rd great grandfather.

Samuel Munson, son of William Munson and Rebecca Curtis, came to Brookfield, Trumbull County, Ohio from New Haven County, Connecticut with his family in about 1806. Son, Freeman, born near Waterbury, Connecticut in 1878  lived as an adult in Vienna Township and farmed. You can read a little about Freeman here and here.

Freeman's son Amos, born 31 Jan 1809 in Trumbull County, married Mary Ann Kearney on 20 Aug 1831, in Vienna. The 1850 Census shows that by 1850, the Munson's were living in the Eastern District of Grant County, Wisconsin, Since their final child of eight, Charles Fremont Munson, is shown to have been born in Ohio in 1849, I would surmise that their trip took place sometime between 1849-1850.

Their first child, Margaret was born on 05 Sep 1831 in Trumbull County, according to her Iowa Burial record (this is less than a month after their marriage, so this birth date might have been inaccurately reported - or not!). She would marry Giles Weaks on 05 Oct 1851 in Grant County, Wisconsin. Amos' fourth child, Caroline Amanda, was born in about 1838 in Trumbull County, and would marry Uri Clark Newcomb, Jr. on 01 Sep 1860 in Grant Count, Wisconsin. "U.C" or "Clark" was the son of Colonel Uri Clark Newcomb, Sr. and Emily Tyler, originally of Montrose, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.

Amos Munson & Mary Ann Kearney
20 Aug 1831, Trumbull County

Amos is shown in 1860 as living in Glen Haven in Grant County.

In 1880, Amos and Mary Ann were living in Perry in Tama County, Iowa with son Charles and his wife Stella and their son. Daughter Caroline, now Caroline Newcomb, and her family living nearby. Caroline died in 1893. In 1873 "U. C." Newcomb was the owner of the first harness shop in Traer which he sold to his nephew A. G. Newcomb in 1883.

Amos's burial record indicates that he died 05 Aug 1885 and was buried in Hawkeye. His daughter Margaret Weaks, lived in Bethel Township in 1880, which is right next door to the Hawkeye cemetery where Amos was buried. Margaret died in 1896. Margaret's husband Giles P. Weaks, died in 1900 in Hawkeye, which he stated in his will was his residence. I theorize that in Amos' waning years, they lived with Margaret and her family.

Hawkeye Cemetery

Mary Ann left Fayette County sometime after her daughter Margaret's death. She is found in Howard County living with whom with double-son-in-law U.C. Newcomb and his former sister-in-law/now wife (her daughter) Julia. Her daughter, U.C.'s wife had died in 1893.  Mary Ann died in Howard on 12 Oct 1901. She was buried in Hawkeye with her husband Amos. Her daughter Julia died in 1911.

Of interest is that Amos' sister, Henrietta Vaughn, lived very close by in Randalia, Fayette County, Iowa and clears up some of the mystery of what happened to the Freeman Munson children who left Trumbull County.

Clan William: Freeman and Orion Vaughn, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A

Battle of Vicksburg

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Freeman Munson >  Henrietta Munson > Freeman and Orion Vaughn

Freeman Munson, a one-time war deserter and farmer who resided most of his life in Trumbull County, Ohio, fathered at least five children that I've found. Among them was my 3rd great grandfather, Amos (the eldest) and Henrietta, the oldest girl, born in 1815. Henrietta married John Lorin Vaughn in 1833 and to them were born ten children.

The eldest was Freeman, born about 1834, who was named for his grandfather. The second boy was Orion, who was born in 1838. Both were born in Trumbull County, Ohio and eventually moved on to Grant County, Wisconsin.

When the Civil War rolled around, Orion was the first in the family to join up with the Wisconsin volunteers on 8/14/1862. His older brother, Freeman, joined  a week later on 8/21/1862. Pulled together in Racine, Wisconsin in October 1862, the two were assigned to the 33rd Wisconsin Infantry, Company A. A fascinating journal of the activities of this company is detailed in William S. Parr's diary here.

This excerpt from a chronicler of the 33rd

"The 33rd Wisconsin Infantry was organized in Racine during October,1862 the regiment served with distinction throughout the war. Originally, the Regiment received great attention from the letters sent home by the soldiers. As the active campaigning continued, the letters slowly dwindled and so did the press and fanfare The 33d Wisconsin served in the western theater, under General Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. William T. Sherman, General Nathaniel Banks and Gen. George Thomas — participating in major battles and numerous small but, deadly engagements that received little attention in history books about the war.

Constantly called upon to act as a rear-guard or to rescue the predicaments caused by the poor decisions of others, this Wisconsin regiment is very representative of the bulk of Wisconsin regiments the state sent to the war: most such regiments served in the Western Theater; most were involved in gritty, sweaty, long-range summer campaigns; most were involved in a myriad of smaller actions, marches and skirmishes that have escaped the attention of both contemporary and modern chroniclers of Wisconsin's Civil War experience."

Civil War Wisconsin

A. J. Smith

Freeman and Orion both attained the rank of corporal during their service. Freeman and his brothers in arms fought in many skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Vicksburg, the list for which can be found here and here. The 33rd was placed under Andrew Jackson (A. J.) Smith's division of XIII Corps during Vicksburg and his division of XVI Corps for the Red River Campaign. Smith was an 1838 graduate of West Point and graduated 36th of 45, yet had a successful volunteer and regular Army career before retiring in 1869.

Freeman was injured in battle at Tupelo, Mississippi, on July 14, 1864. Later in August, the Madison Wisconsin State Journal made a report of the sick, injured, and dead. It indicated that Freeman had been transported aboard the hospital transport ship, D. A. January from Memphis, TN to the US General Hospital at Jefferson barracks, in St Louis. He was then reported to have died on August 26, 1864.

The U.S. Army Hospital Steamer D. A. January was a side-wheel steamer that served as a floating hospital. Outfitted to allow for the best in patient care, it contained a surgical suite, baths, a kitchen, nurses quarters, hot and cold running water, and an ice water cooler. Windows circulated air through the wards, which held nearly 450 beds. During its four years of service, the D. A. January transported and cared for more than 23,000 wounded men. (Source: U.S. Army Medical Department, Office of Medical History) 

Orion made it out alive and was mustered out on August 9, 1865. The regiment was decommissioned and all went on to live their lives. Orion would marry in 1870 and died in 1920, being buried in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.

Sideroad: Harry S Woodington, Deserter

Marine Barracks
League Island, Philadelphia 

Jonathan Woodington (abt 1800) and Sarah Ann Wayman (abt 1818) had a very large family and lived primarily in the Philadelphia area for much of their lives. One son, Moses, married Henrietta Munson - the younger sister of my 2nd great grandmother, Mary Ann Munson, who moved with her family to the Eastern District of Wisconsin in the 1840s from Trumbull County, Ohio.

The youngest Woodington from Johnathon's family, Harry S (Moses' youngest brother), shares a not-so-nice commonality with Mary Ann Munson's grandfather, Freeman Munson. They were both deserters. While Freeman went on to have a happy and productive life, I've yet to locate Harry after his desertion. This is not the Harry I intended to post on who is this Harry's nephew of brother George. I'll get to that next.

Harry was born in about 1866 in Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. At the age of 23, on 23 Mar 1889, he joined the US Marines and was stationed at League Island Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, which was located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuykill rivers. The shipyard was an additional shipyard which began being built up in 1871, meant to augment and eventually replace the shipyard on Front Street in Philadelphia which had been in use since 1776,

I was able to locate all the muster rolls during his brief military career:

29 Mar - 31 Mar 1889: Received instruction in drill

01 Apr - 30 Apr 1889: On drill (that had to be exciting-not!)

01 May - 31 May 1889: On drill

01 Jun - 30 Jul: Regular duties

01 Jul - 18 Jul: Regular duties

18 Jul - 31 Jul: Sick in hospital

01 Aug - 31 Aug: Sick in hospital

01 Sep - 15 Sep: Sick in hospital

15 Sep: Deserted from hospital

Now, we get to the why he was hospitalized and just how serious it was.  Harry had gonorrhea. The disease has been around for hundreds of years, but the bacteria was finally discovered in 1879 by Albert Neisser. Earlier in the 19th century, doctors used shots of mercury to the tip of the penis to help. Later, in the 19th century, gonorrhea was treated with the help of silver nitrate. However, this compound was discontinued and protargol was used which was a type of colloidal silver sold by Bayer from the year 1897. But, not all cases were helped by these treatments and further health problems could set in to the urethra, prostate, and even the liver in men over the short and long term.

In the case of Harry, he spent eight weeks in the hospital where the purge treatment (shooting various solutions, like mercury or saline directly through the tip of the penis through the urethra) and other remedies did not work in short order. By Sep 11, his case was still not beaten. On the 15th, he was granted liberty and never returned to base. On Sep 23, they closed his case and assumed he would not return. His complete treatment record is provided below. 

I've been unable to find any further evidence of Private Harry S Woodington. Now, I'll really get to the Harry Woodington I intended to get to as mentioned in the last post. Two Harry's, completely different lives on opposite coasts.