Adam Metzner on Dead-Letter List, 1889

Portland, Indiana Commercial
November 21, 1889, page 4

Unclaimed Letters.

List of unclaimed letters remaining in the post office at Portland, Ind., Nov. 16th, 1889:

M N Allison

Lewis Beard

Mr. William Barrans

D H Chalfant

A F Clapp

Mr J McCrandals

Julia Engle

A R Finch

G T Grimnell

Clarence Hilton

C M McGregory

C D Moore

M M Luse

Frank Shafer

Silas A Smith

Mr J C Willer

J A Bickel

Mr Levi Bennet

G R Bassett

Hale Clapp

Miss Minnie Cline

Levid Elexandery

Miss Jennie Fowel
Albert Fancher (2)

M Huntwork

John Moore

Adam Metzner

M John Porter

Wm H Shafer

Mrs Nancy Smith

Miss Flora Teagle (2)

Mr S H Williams

Andrew Barnett

E.J. Marsh, P.M.

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My paternal 2nd-great grandfather, John Adam Metzner (1840-1895) was on the dead-letter list of the Portland, Indiana post office back in 1889.  I don't recognize any other family members on this list.

A Brother is Found : Selah Moulton of Fulton County, Ohio

Portland, Indiana Daily Commercial
July 3, 1899, page 3

Sela Multon of Fulton county, Ohio was in the city today, being called here by the death of her [sic] sister, Mrs. Clara Metzner, notice of which appears in another column of this edition.

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This notice regarding the brother of my paternal 2nd-great grandmother, Clara (Moulton) METZNER, is exciting news to me.  I was not aware that she had any brothers, only a sister, Lydia.  Clara's grandfather was Selah Moulton (1790-1848) of Licking County, Ohio, and her father was Albert.  With this newspaper tidbit, and an uncommon name, I decided to see what I could find out about Selah.

Selah W. Moulton is listed in the 1900 census of Fulton County, Ohio living in Royalton Township, occupation listed as farmer.  He was born June 1842 in Ohio, and both of his parents were born in Vermont.  His wife, Margaret, was born 1848 in Ohio and both of her parents were born in New York.

In the 1880 census, Selah is living in the village of Lyons, Fulton County, Ohio and his occupation is listed as dentist.  His age is listed at 38, born in Ohio with both parents born in Vermont.  His wife, Margaret H., is listed at age 31, born in Ohio with both parents born in New York.  A son, L. Bud, age 7, was born in Ohio.

In the 1870 census, Selah was a boarder in the Jane B Smith household in Lyons, his occupation listed as dentist and age as 28.

At Familysearch, I located the Michigan marriage record of Selah to Margaret H. Onweller on October 10, 1870 at Medina, Lenawee County, Michigan.

In the 1860 census, Selah was living in the Edward Moulton household in St. Albans Township, Licking County, Ohio, age 17, born in Ohio.  Edward was his uncle.  I had apparently not researched his uncle through the census years, or I would have found Selah.

Familysearch also indicates that Selah was a Civil War Veteran, serving as a private in Company I, 12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

I have all kinds of new leads to track down, including finding out what happened to his son, Bud, and if he had any other children.

Alleged Embezzler Arrested : James Orcutt (1893)

Jeffersonville News, April 29, 1893 page 1

Alleged Embezzler Arrested

Portland, April 29 – James Orcutt, of whom it is alleged that he embezzled $ 4,000, has been arrested at Dunkirk.

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This is James ORCUTT (1856-1925) who was married to Samantha E. METZNER (1857-1890) on May 12, 1878 in Jay County, Indiana.  Samantha was the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, making her my paternal 2nd-great grandaunt.

James and Samantha had 4 children : George, Lena, Mamie and Melvin.  James later remarried in December 1893 to Nancy MAYO in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.  I wonder if this court case was still hanging over him when they married.

Looks like I have some more research to do when I head to the Jay County courthouse.

Rev. George Lambertson, Hamilton Ohio : A Reminiscence of 1858

Hamilton Daily Democrat, Hamilton, Ohio
November 1, 1889, page 3

A Reminiscence of 1858.

During the years 1857 and 1858, a Methodist minister by the name of Rev. George P. Lambertson was located in this county, sometimes living at Port Union, sometimes at Springdale and occasionally in this city.  he was an eloquent lecturer and his favorite theme was "A Wheel within a Whell." [sic] In the latter part of the year 1858, Lambertson started for California with a panorama of the Bible, which he exhibited in connection with his lecture, en-route.  He was never heard from until a few days ago when the infirmary directors received notice that a woman living at Woods' station, was in destitute circumstance and needed assistance.

Investigation found her at the home of Joseph Simpson where she was suffering from paralysis of the lower limbs and unable to help herself.  This woman claimed to be the wife of the wandering preacher and lecturer.  She told a woeful tale of privation, long suffering and anguish.  She had been in the company of her husband many years in California and for some reason left him and came home to Ohio.  She now thinks that he is dead.  Many of our older citizens will recollect George Lambertson.

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Located this article online through a newspaper archive and believe this is referring to the family of my maternal great-granduncle, George G. Lambertson, the son of John and Sarah (Willson) Lambertson.  Though the newspaper article refers to him as "George P.", I believe the other facts related make a case for this being my relative.

My "George G." Lambertson was born July 5, 1831 in Warren County, New Jersey.  As a young boy, he came with his parents to Ohio, due to the Panic of 1837, and settled in Butler County.  In the 1850 census, he is listed with his father, John, in Ross Township.  George married September 4, 1851 in Butler County, Ohio to Harriet Jones.  

By the 1860 census, George was listed in Maysville, Kentucky as a 28 year old Methodist minister with two children, Isolina and George. 

Where George was during the Civil War period never has been cleared up as it is believed that he may have served with a Michigan unit.  There was also a clairvoyant with the same name living in New York City who died in 1870 that at one time I believed might be the same person.

What intrigues me about this article is the fact that it references Rev. Lambertson, with the same name, and then the fact that the "Mrs. Lambertson" ended up at the home of Joseph Simpson.

My "George G." Lambertson's daughter, Isolina Lambertson was married to Edward Simpson on July 25, 1877 in Butler County, Ohio.  Did the newspaper simply get the first name wrong?  Or could it be a different person?  More to research.