MARY born September 16, 1806, was but three years old when the father brought the family in a covered wagon over the forest trails to their Ohio log cabin home. More than her younger brothers and sisters, Mary was taught the elementary branches in the home, and later trained in the many varied domestic duties of pioneer life. While still a child she was very helpful to her mother and developed into an energetic, capable young woman, though physically the smallest when grown, of all the children.
On August 14, 1823, she married Samuel Statler, son of John Statler, who was the oldest of three brothers emigrating from near the Austrian boundary in Germany to the colony of Virginia prior to the Revolution. All three served in the patriot army of Virginia Volunteers. After the war closed John married Priscilla Vincil; the couple spent their married life in Virginia. Their three children, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Samuel, all sought homes in Ohio, and located in Clinton county. Elizabeth married William Cook, and Catherine, Dr. Ashael Tribbey, one of the early physicians of Clarksville.
Mary first met Samuel Statler at church one Sunday. On going home she told her parents that she had met the “handsomest man she had ever seen,” Samuel Statler. Forty years later, as he lay in the restful quiet of death, she told her grandchildren as they all looked at the peaceful form, that “he is still the handsomest man I have ever seen.” Samuel Statler and his wife went to housekeeping on a farm up East Fork, some four miles from Clarksville, near where a local church and school called Pansy later developed. They were an ideal pioneer couple, active, energetic, and thrifty, and as time passed accumulated large land holdings in their community. The husband was a man of few words and noted for keeping his own counsel. He held his father in great esteem and every year visited him at the old homestead in Virginia, making the long tiresome journeys on horseback. The couple maintained an ideal home and raised all their nine children to maturity. About a year before his death, April 13, 1863, the husband was ___1 paralyzed and an invalid the remainder of his life.2 His daughter, Catherine took largely the care of him during this period, and to her he broke some what his lifelong reticence, telling her much of his early years and the old homestead in Virginia.
1 There seems to be a line of text missing in the book at this point, between the words "was" and "paralyzed". I think the author must have originally said something like "the husband was stricken with a stroke of the palsy, and as a result was paralyzed".
2 Samuel Statler's obituary, published in The Clinton Republican, May 21, 1868, says: "Died on April 16, 1868 Samuel Statler at his residence in Vernon Twp. Age 69 years. A native of Loudoun County, Va., came west in 1820. Married on August 14, 1821 to Mary Harris, who survives. In 1824 joined Meth. Epis. Church. On May 2, 1865 had stroke of palsey." Note the difference in dates.
By hard work, constant industry, and strict economy, the family prospered and the parents were able to bestow on each of their children a good farm or its equivalent. After her husband’s death the widow managed the farm successfully till her children were all married and then made her home with them, always a welcome visitor anywhere, but staying mostly with her youngest son, George. She passed away September 2, 1891. The children both by inclination and training, developed into successful farmers and all but two located and reared their families on farms adjoining or near the Statler Homestead. Following are their names and descendants:
I Priscilla, born November 15, 1825. She married James Hall and they began housekeeping on a farm near the wife’s former home. Here they lived till they “retired” and went to live in Midland City, where they spent the remainder of their days. They had two children:
1 Mary, who married Lewis Whitaker and had two children: a A girl that died in infancy, and b Emmett, who married first Alice Heinz. Children, 1’ Lucille, unmarried, holds a secretarial position and lives with her sister, Clara. 2’ Naomi, married Harry Hohn; they have two children: a’ Alice, and b’ James. 3’ Clara married Unverzagt. Emmitt Whitaker married a second time, Mary Fornoff. They had two sons: 4’ Lewis F. and 5’ Charles B.
2 James Samuel, married Dora Deck. They made their home in Midland City, where James died in 1908. They had one son, a Harry, who married Florence Moon. To them were born: 1’ Elinor, 2’ James Bryon, 3’ Ruth Alice, 4’ Priscilla C., 5’ Harry Oliver.
II John, born April 12, 1828, died January 14, 1892. He married Mary J. Shank and they located on the farm which was the first home of his parents. The couple spent their married life there. To them were born:
1 Juliann, June 21, 1851, died December, 1852.
2 Martha Jane, November 22, 1852. She married John Baker, a teacher; later the couple turned to farming, in which they have ever since engaged. The husband retained his interest in schools, serving many years on the local board and was for a long time an active and valued member of the County Board of Education. They had two sons: a Ralph, b Walter. Neither has ever married. Martha passed away November 30, 1933; the husband in 1935.
3 James Harvey, August 8, 1855, died October 2, 1862.
4 Samuel Henry, August 22, 1857, died August 28, 1921. He married Alice Urton and to them was born one son, a Fred, who married Dovie Clark, and after the death of his father lived on the home farm. Their children are: 1’ Lewis Henry, died in infancy, 2’ Mary Louise, 3’ Charles William.
5 Charles, September 15, 1863, died June 10, 1910. Charles never married.
III James, born August 27, 1830, died January 19, 1914. Soon after his majority he went to Good Hope, Illinois, and there acquired a fine farm. Later he established grain elevators and then a large general store; he also handled farm implements and became quite well-to-do. James married first, Hulda Murphy and they had five children. After her death in 1887 he married Sadie Robinson; to them one child was born, Herschel. Following are his posterity:
1 Samuel, July 6, 1853. Married first Elizabeth Clark. No children, After her death he married Harriet Ann Emmett, in 1896. She died in January 1932, Samuel three months later. To them were born: a John E., who married Ruth Hulick. b George D., married Louise Cramer. Two children: 1’ Twila and 2’ Stanley. c Frank A., married Eleanor Ross; one son, 1’ Wendell. d Samuel, married Roberts. Two children. e Mary, died at 16. f Katherine, unmarried. g Lucile, married Ellsworth, a World War veteran, who died. One child, a son.
2 Maria, February 6, 1856, married Adolphus B Preston, February, 1882. They lived several years in New Mexico, then located at Arnold, Kansas. The husband died December 29, 1928. Children: a James Adolphus, February 21, 1883. Soon expired. b Hilda, January 5, 1885, married Leslie Frye, October 12, 1921. Lives at Arnold, Kansas. He is a banker. c John Statler, June 12, 1888. Married Ida Pollard, June 5, 1909. They live at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Out of their nine children four died infants. The living are: 1’ Vivian, July 25, 1912, married Claude Batman, September, 1932, and lives in Tulsa, Okla. 2’ Donald, January 4, 1919. 3’ Raymond, February 10, 1922. 4’ Dean Statler, September 5, 1925. 5’ Walter Leslie, January 15, 1927. 6’ Hilda, a twin to Walter L., lived but three months.
3 Charles, July 26, 1857. Never married.
4 Emma, December 19, 1865, married Eugene E. Sapp, February 28, 1884. They lived first at Sciota, Ill., where the husband operated a general store and grain elevator. Then they located at Macomb, Ill., where the husband died October 10, 1919. They had the following family: a Lena, April 27, 1886, married Edward Newman, October, 1907. She died in the flu epidemic, December 23, 1918. Children: 1’ Max, 1909, married Polly Hodges, August, 1934. 2’ Roscoe, May 24, 1912. 3’ Eugene John, April 13, 1914, died December 28, 1918. 4’ Raymond, August 5, 1916.
b Eugenie (Una) September 14, 1890, married Hilbert Wislead, November, 1913. They have one child, 1’ Elgin, November 16, 1916. c Esther February 2, 1899, married
Carl Hannon, October 12, 1921. They have one son, 1’ Eugene, March 1, 1926. d Keith, June 3, 1902, married Carrie Olson, September, 1922. No children.5 William Thomas, September 9, 1873, married first Gladys Cruser, 1899, and had a son, George Cruser, that soon died, as well as the mother. He married next, Ora Robertson, April, 1903. No children. William became a railroad man and lived in Indiana. He was injured in a wreck and died January 1, 1930.
6 Herschel, July 27, 1892, married Smith. They have three daughters.
IV Martha Jane, born June 26, 1836, died November 24, 1913. Married William Reeder, a teacher. After living in Clarksville a while they moved to a farm near the Statler homestead. The husband combined school work with farming and for over 20 years had charge of schools in that vicinity. They had two children:
1 Joseph Edgar, married Emma Irvin. There were no children.
2 Elmer Ellsworth, married first Elizabeth Lee, after her death, Mrs. Emma Wysong. Children of first marriage: a Roy, married Ethel Thompson. Children: 1’ Clarence, 2’ Emmett, 3’ Herbert, 4’ Warren, 5’ Alma, 6’ Lester, 7’ Charles, 8’ Raymond. b Carl, married first, Maybelle Chapman, second, Bessie Brown. He has the following children: 1’ Ellen, married Vance Allen. Family: a’ Helen Joan, b’ Valora Nadine, c’ Virginia, d’ Vance Jr. 2’ Lavone, married Alva Boyle; one child a’ Martha Jean. 3’ Ford, 4’ Robert, 5’ Ralph, 6’ Thelma, 7’ Burdette, 8’ Caral Everetta, 9’ Floyd. Ford and Robert are both in the U. S. Navy.
c Edgar, married Lily Cassell. Children: 1’ Elmer, married Olive Becker. 2’ Grace, 3’ Walter, 4’ Wendell, 5’ Raymond. d Blanche, married John Brown. Children: 1’ Dorothy, 2’ Rowena, married Clarence Clark; one son, Jerold C., July 8, 1934, 3’ Alice Pauline, 4’ Erma, 5’ Ernest, 6’ Mary, 7’ Margaret, 8’ Vera Faye. e Ethel, married Rolla Humphreys. Children: 1’ Robert, 2’ Guy, 3’ Elizabeth, 4’ Mary Eileen.
f Charles, married Rebecca Holland. Children: 1’ Elizabeth, 2’ Charles, 3’ Phyllis J. g William, married Ethel Goodwin. One son, 1’ Eldon. h Earl, married Helen Wolfe.
V Mary Elizabeth, born February 14, 1839, died December 3, 1917. She married Thomas F Zillefrow. The couple lived on a farm two miles north of Clarksville, and adjoined the James Harris Homestead. After the death of the husband the widow successfully managed the farm and kept her home there as long as she lived. Their children were:
1 May, died an infant.
2 Mary Katherine, who never married. After graduating from Wilmington College she took a year of post graduate study at Bryn Mawr College. The following year she was employed at National Park Seminary, Forest Glenn, Maryland. This position she held till her mother’s failing health required her presence at home. Later she served several years as a valued employee of the Farmers Bank at Clarksville and now resides at the Zillefrow Homestead near that town.
VI Isaiah M., born July 26, 1841, died March 12, 1916. He married Alice Cassedy. There were no children. For many years the couple lived very happily on a farm near the Statler homestead. Isaiah was of a very social turn, as was his wife; they took an active and influential part in community affairs, the husband serving several terms as Justice of the Peace. He finally moved to Blanchester and became an active business man there; he was largely instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of Blanchester, and was chosen its first president. He held this office until failing health compelled him to retire from active business.
VII Susan Catherine, born February 14, 1844, died July 19, 1920. She married Aaron Biggs, and they spent their married lives on a farm not far from the wife’s former home, taking an active and efficient part in community affairs. They had the following posterity:
1 Samuel W. He became an expert accountant. After working some years. in Cincinnati, he went to New Mexico where he acquired mining interests. Later he went to California, then to Seattle, Washington, where he now resides. He married Anna Vehr, a Cincinnati teacher, and has the following posterity: a Mary Catherine, married Howbert B. Bonnett. Two children: 1’ Howbert, 2’ Roger. b Richard.
2 Mary, married Frank Ridgeway. They reside in Cuba, Clinton county, Ohio. Children: a Edna, married Tod Lowry. They live in Dayton and have as children: 1’ Francis Eugene, 2’ Wayne Franklin, 3’ Keith, 4’ Mary Alice. b William, married Vivian Brown. One child, 1’ Beverly Lee.
3 Anna, married first Clyde Byard. After his death she went to California, where she married J. T. Deeter. She has no children.
4 Grace, married Harley Hunter. They live on the Hunter farm, and have no children.
5 Elizabeth, married Roy Leaf. They went to California, where the wife died, childless.
6 Ethelyn, married Orville Brown. They live in Cuba and have the following family: a Catherine, married Earl Ackles. b Mildred.
VIII Samuel L., born September 16, 1846, died January 8, 1920. He married Lydia M. Thatcher and after living many years on the farm near Pansy the couple spent the remainder of their lives in Wilmington, Ohio. Posterity as follows:
1 Frank, died while in college at Haverford.
2 Mary Gertrude, married Wilbur Oglesbee. They are engaged in farming.
3 Emma, who married Fred Crane has the following children: a Robert, served in the World War; was a First Lieutenant when it closed and given a Captain’s commission in the Reserves later. This he held till he resigned eight years after. He married first Helen Longacre, second Cecile Grosse. He has no children.
4 Daisy Dell, married Joseph Moon. Children: a Mary L., b Beatrice. Both these died when small. c Louella, married Harry McKee. Children: 1’ Son died an infant. 2’ Harry George, 3’ Donald Statler.
5 Oliver I., married Alice May Hadley. One son, a Oliver Hadley.
6 Bessie, married George A. Hiatt. Children a Anna Jean, b Howard Allen.
IX George Henry, born June 10, 1849, died September 20, 1912. Married Mary Melissa McCray (February, 1853, died November, 1921). They lived at the Statler Homestead until 1903, when they retired and spent the remainder of their lives in Wilmington. Posterity as follows:
1 Maude, married Samuel Smith, November 24, 1904. They live on a farm near Wilmington, Ohio. To them were born two children: a Dorothy Louise, June 1, 1906. After graduating from Ohio State University she studied at Columbia and then for five years taught Art in the Henry Schaaf Junior H. S., in Cleveland, Ohio. On January 7, 1934, she married Albert J. Wesiner, a professional musician. They live in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Mrs. Wesiner has the Cherry Hollenback wedding ring).
b Chester Corwin, April 17, 1908. After graduating from Wilmington, Ohio, H. S., he attended Ohio State University. He married Glendora Jones and they live on a farm near Blanchester, Ohio. They have three daughters: 1’ Patricia Dell, May 29, 1930. 2’ Jacquelyn Lee, May 27, 1932. 3’ Veah Joan, May 13, 1934.
2 Lula Cecilia, August 28, 1875, married J. Oscar Villars (July 3, 1873). B. S. Wilmington, A. M. Haverford. For 10 years he was connected with the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, near Philadelphia, and was then chosen principal of the High School at Wilmington, Ohio, which position he has held ever since. The couple have two children:
a Donald Statler, December 21, 1900. After graduating from Wilmington College, he obtained a Ph. D. degree from Ohio State University; he also studied at the University of Chicago, two years at Harvard, and a year in the University of Gettingen, Germany, on a National Research Fellowship. He has been connected with the University of Illinois and
of Minnesota, Eastman Kodak Company, General Electric Company, Chemical Research Department Standard Oil Co., and is now, 1935, with the United States Rubber Co., and stationed in Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. He married Clarine Booth, of Washington, Conn., and they have two children: 1’ Donald Statler, Jr., died soon after birth, February 3, 1929. 2’ Dorothy Elizabeth, May 26, 1930.b Roger Merrill, October 3, 1904, married Bessie LaVerne Lyons, Buford, Ohio. He graduated from Wilmington H. S., studied at Ohio State and Wilmington College, getting his degree in 1923. He taught school for some years and is now, 1935, engaged in a General Insurance Business in Wilmington.