Sunday, January 12, 2014

Obituary : Rachel (Gary) Haley (1816-1897)

Evangelical Messenger, December 8, 1897, page 179
 


Located the obituary of my paternal 3rd-great grandmother, Rachel (Gary) Haley (1816-1897) in the Evangelical Messenger, a publication of the Evangelical Association.


SISTER RACHEL HALEY

Rachel Haley, nee Gary, widow of Rev. G. Haley, was born in Liberty, Fairfield Co., O., March 22, 1816.

She was united in holy matrimony with George J. Haley, January 1, 1835.  This union was blessed with 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters.  Her husband and 1 son preceded her.  She leaves 9 children, 50 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Mother Haley was converted in early life and joined the Evangelical Association, of which she remained a true and devoted member until death.

About the year 1841 her husband yielded to his call to the ministry, and for 23 years she experienced the trials and hardships of pioneer missionary life.  For 8 years her husband was away from home much of the time, so the care of the large family was left to her supervision almost exclusively.

For 40 years she was deprived of hearing the precious Word of God and the sweet songs of Zion which she loved so much, nevertheless she was always a regular attendant at church services.

In her last illness, caused by old age, she stated that she had always found great comfort in reading the Word of God.

Through the kindness of Brother and Sister Haley, the Erie Conference had a pleasant camp-ground on their farm for many years.

The deceased fell asleep in Jesus at the home of her son, Frank Haley, near Huron, Ohio, November 25, 1897, aged 81 years, 8 months and 3 days.

The German services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. A.H. Wendt, and the English by the undersigned.    - J.G. Ziegler

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Interesting to note that she was deaf for the last 40 years of her life.  Services were performed both in English and German.

Comparing the numbers given for the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I have the names of all 10 children at the time of her death as well as the 50 grandchildren, but only 9 of the great-grandchildren.

Would like to find her origins, the biography in the Jay County History states her origins were Irish, but I'm wondering if they weren't German.

Marriage of John Metzner and Catherine Young, Licking County, Ohio, 1839

"Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XZHL-F6J : accessed 12 Jan 2014), John Metzner and Catherine Young, 16 Nov 1839; citing Licking, Ohio, United States, reference v.1,p.331,L.271; FHL microfilm 384300.

 

 
The State of Ohio, Licking County, ss

I do hereby certify that the marriage of John Metzner and Catherine Young of said County was solemnized by me in due form of law on the 16" Nov. 1839

Augustus Grosskards
Pastor

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Located the image of the marriage record for my paternal 3rd-great grandparents, John Metzner and Catherine Young in Licking County, Ohio.  Previously, I had the date of their marriage as November 4, 1839 from county history and November 3, 1839 from John's obituary.  This record, however, clearly notes that the wedding occurred on November 16, 1839.

Tried to Google the pastor's name to see if I could find out more about him, but was unsuccessful.  It looks like Grosskards to me, but perhaps I'm reading it incorrectly.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Obituary : John Metzner (1805-1888)

Evangelical Messenger, January 24, 1888, page 59
Located the obituary of my paternal 3rd-great grandfather, John Metzner (1805-1888), in the Evangelical Messenger, a publication of the Evangelical Association.

METZNER - John Metzner was born in Germany, October 21, 1805, came to America in 1837, located in Licking Co., O., where he continued to live until 1850, when he with his family came to Jay Co.  He was married to Catherine Young, Nov. 3, 1839, and to them were born six sons and five daughters, of whom 2 sons and one daughter have gone before him over the river of death.  He embraced the Christian religion in 1840, in which he continued to live until his death, and died in the triumphs of a living Redeemer, Jan. 10, 1888.  Father Metzner was a member of the Ev. Association, and in his death we lose a brother and a father, but that which is our loss is his gain.  Funeral services by the write, assisted by Bro. H.E. Moser.  - J.B. Fisher.

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There are just a few anomalies in this obituary from data I already have about John.  I had his birthdate as October 2, 1805, as calculated from his tombstone, and his marriage date as November 4, 1839, but my sources were family group sheets, so are suspect.  Should be able to confirm the marriage date from Ohio marriage records.  While this obituary doesn't give a cause of death, it does state his migration pattern.