Hocking County Ohio

Obituaries

Hocking Sentinel Logan, Ohio August 18, 1887 AWFUL CALAMITY A Young Man and His Wife Drown in Scott's Creek  Bensenhaver     One of the saddest duties we have been called upon to discharge for some time is to record the drowning of J.F. Bensenhaver and wife at Scott's creek Falls, Tuesday morning.  It was about 12 when the Sentinel reporter arrived at the falls and the drowning was fully one hour and half before that time.  Bensenhaver's watch showing, when his remains were taken from the water, that it had stopped at 10:25 and it was very likely about that time when he gave up the struggle of life.      Among all the crowd of excited people who had gathered at the scene of the tragedy, it was a hard matter to find one who could tell anything about how the terrible disaster happened.  One reporter, however, at last found William Knipe, who had this to say:      "I was coming down the Scott's creek road behind Bensenhaver and his wife.  When they came to the ford, they pulled off to the left and I followed the road on down past the falls.  It was after I had passed the falls that I heard the noise up the creek and, quickly returning, found the team struggling in the water.  There was no sign of the people.       If I had been able to swim, I could have easily saved the horses and have no doubt but that the Bensenhavers could have also been saved as the air bubbles were still arising from the water where they went down.  There was a basket and a hat floating on the water.  I found Bensenhaver's coat near the south shore and it was from the letters in the pocket that I learned who the parties were."      Where the Bensenhavers drowned above the Scott's creek Falls, some 50 yards, is a long stretch of water - this is above the ford.  It was in this pool that young Bensenhaver, and his bride of but a few months, were lost.      It was first reported and afterwards argued by some that the team had run away and plunged into deep water.  The testimony of Knipe shows that this was not true.  The tracks of the wagon wheels show also that in turning out of the road a good turn had been made, and the tracks further show that the wagon was headed straight for the deep water.      About the only conclusion then that can be arrived at is that young Bensenhaver, being unacquainted with the fact that the apparently shallow pool dropped, after going a certain distance, down into 20 feet of water, drove in to water his horses.      Now, in his wagon was some 20 bushels of wheat and the theory is that when the horses came to the point where the terrible offset in the rocks is, that they took a header, and dragging the wagons after them, Bensenhaver, his wife, and the wheat, were pitched headlong from the wagon.      This, however, is but one theory and just how this awful disaster actually occurred will never be know.  Some seem the think that the wagon went over sideways.  It does not matter how the team went over, but it is very evident that it must have turned in the water, for it was headed downstream and they drowned with their heads at the very point where the tracks of the wagon wheels passed into the pool.      Of course at the first alarm, this city turned out an awful crowd and when our reporter started to the falls, he not only passed hundreds of people on the road, but found the banks of the creek fairly teaming with a wildly excited crowd at the scene of disaster.      The work of recovering the bodies was at once commenced, the following persons stripping and going into the water:  Tide Houston, Bub Voris, Frank McBride, Will and Jeff Davis, Frank Kanode, Charles Balger and Bill Morris.      Bub Voris had been in the water but a short time when he found the body of the woman.  Coroner Gage, who was one among the first on the grounds, ordered the body to be carried to the creek bank, where it was taken charge of by Mrs. Levi Kittsmiller, Mrs. Gompf, and Mrs. R. Belt.  A very few minutes later, Will Davis made a dive and brought up the body of Bensenhaver and he was laid by the side of his wife on the green.      The woman was dressed in black and the expression on her face was peaceful as if death had come without a struggle.  Bensenhaver's face was discolored and he had evidently died first.  He was in his shirt sleeves. This young couple sleeping so quietly on the green bank of the creek made an awful picture.  The touch of death had barely driven the maiden flush from the cheeks of the young wife of only a few months.      Hundreds of weeping women and children crowded around the dead.  Finally coroner Gage procured a spring wagon and the remains were removed to the undertaking department of the Logan Manufacturing Co.      The pool in which the Bensenhavers were drowned is about 25 yards above the ford.  It is some 75 yards long and about 30 yards wide.  At the lower end, the old dam that was in use for years was constructed.  There is a peculiar formation in the rock at the foot of the pool that is rarely noted in any stream.  The rock drops straight down from 12 to 15 feet and faces upstream.  Why this pool has never filled up is a question that no one can answer.  There is an old legend that there is a subterranean passage under the falls, and that this waterway keeps the pool clear of trash.      Mike Whalen, in speaking of this pool, says that he has frequently seen cattle approach to the very point where Bensenhaver went over and suddenly disappear, coming to the surface some 15 or 20 feet away.      It was like walking over a precipice.  Strange as it may seem, there were hundreds of people living close to the creek that did not know that such deep water existed above the falls.  It is a most dangerous place, and the only wonder is that this is the first disaster that has happened.  The pool is shaded and just such a place as a stranger would drive into on a hot summer day.  It seems strange to many that Bensenhaver did not know of the danger, but there were many older men that were equally as ignorant as himself.  Something should be done to shut out the public from this place.      When the remains of the drowned were brought to this city, the rush of people were terrible.  It seemed that there was not a man, woman or child in town that was not on the street.  And after the dead were left at the undertaker's, the coroner found that he would have to open the doors and the crowd pass through.  For an hour, an almost constant stream of people poured through the room and it took a half a dozen men to keep the column moving.      At last the doors were closed and the work of dressing the remains commenced.  Undertaker Frank Lemon called to his assistance Dr. Campbell, who in turn was assisted by Dr. Stedem, and the body of Bensenhaver was embalmed.  The body of the woman was dressed by a number of the good ladies of the town and was placed in an ice casket.      When everything was in readiness, the doors were again opened and again the great crowd surged through the rooms, many persons passing through two or three times.      At three o'clock, Mrs. Nixon, the mother of Mrs. Bensenhaver, arrived attended by some of her family.  Nothing could have been more heart-rendering than this meeting with the dead.  It was the cry of a breaking heart:    "Oh get them ready, I must take my dead home with me.  Make haste.  The way is long and the roads are rough, and the darkness is coming on.  Make haste."   An hour later, the remains of young Bensenhaver and his wife were on the way to the home of Mrs. Nixon, near Ewing. It was a sorrowful home-going and the closing chapter of one of the saddest and most lamentable accidents that ever occurred in the county.      Coroner Gage examined but two witnesses, Jacob Ellinger and Jerry Hansek.  In this case, the testimony showing nothing new from what we have already stated.  The following is in substance the verdict rendered by the coroner:      "After having examined said bodies and heard the evidence, I do find that the deceased came to their death by accidental drowning in Scott's creek at the place where the bodies were found;  that they were on their way from their home in Washington Twp, in this county, to Logan with a wagon and two horses, having a load of wheat in the wagon;  that not knowing the nature of the bed of the stream, or the depth of the water, they drove into the creek at said place to water the horses, and in doing so they go suddenly and unexpectedly into a deep abrupt hole in the creek and all were drowned."    The funeral services of the Bensenhavers were held at Ewing yesterday, at 2 o'clock PM, Rev. Mittler officiating.  It was probably one of the largest funerals ever in the county, people coming from far and near to attend it.      The married life of this young couple was brief.  There was every prospect of a long and happy life.  They were well fixed in this world's goods, but in an instant their plans were swept away, and they were summoned before the judgement bar. We cannot avert such accidents, but we can prepare ourselves to meet them when they come.   (reprinted in the Logan Daily news, Oct 29, 1992)

Kansas City Star May 27, 1910 TWO KILLED IN MOTOR WRECK A Car Ran Over an Embankment Last Night at Logan, O. LOGAN, O.,  May 27 -- While returning from a party at midnight a motor car driven by William Snyder, president of a lumber company, ran over an embankment near Young's Bridge and Miss Lillian Wright and Miss Flossie Herman were almost instantly killed.  Mrs. Don Goss received a fractured rib and Mr. Snyder a broken leg.  Miss Wright was to have been married next Wednesday. (Contributed by Sheryl McClure)

Circleville Democrat April 14, 1865 David Dresbach, Esq ., died at his residence in Laurel township, Hocking county, on the 4th inst.  He was a prominent man in his county, having served several years in the Legislature, and as associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was born in Saltcreek township, this county, and was in the neighborhood of sixty years of age.  His son, W.S. Dresbach, is the present Representative from Hocking county.  His remains were interred at Tarlton on the 6th.  Circleville Democrat

The Peoples Advocate October 2, 1914 FRANK JAYNES MET A SAD DEATH Frank Jaynes , youngest son of Mr. Joseph Jaynes, lost his life in the fire that occurred at the home about 12 o'clock Saturday night. The residence, almost totally consumed, was situated on East Elm Street, between the P.M. church and the residence of Mrs. Rubamah Johnson, and was formerly known as the Samuel Butt's property. Mr. Jaynes and sons William and Frank were living together. The father and William had retired for the night. Frank, who had been in Zanesville, returned on the late Z.& W. train and it is presumed went immediately home. The father, who had not yet gone to sleep, heard the son enter and proceed to prepare himself a lunch. The father, it seems, fell asleep within a few moments afterwards, awakening about an hour later to find the house in flames. The origin is not known, but it is supposed that the fire in some manner originated from the lamp the son used while preparing his lunch. The father and son William made their escape uninjured, but when they sought to rescue the other member of the family they were forced back by the terrible flames. Every possible effort was made by the fireman and ___ to rescue him, but to no avail. As soon as the flames were sufficiently extinguished in that part of the building, entrance was made through a window, but it was found that the unfortunate man had been suffocated. Frank Jaynes, the seventh son of Joseph and Mattie Jaynes, was born in Shawnee, Ohio, on May 23, 1886, being at the time of his death aged 28 year, four months and three days. He lived all his life in Shawnee, and having never married, made his home with his father. He spent his life working in the mines and at the brick factory and was skilled in the art of temporing clay. He was of a quiet disposition and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of his fellow townsmen. Two brothers have proceeded him to the spirit world. Samuel, who died in infancy and Charley who died July 24, 1891, at the age of 8 years. His mother died August 22, 1912. He leaves in their sad mourning his father, four brothers, John,  James, William and George and one sister, May Jaynes Robinette, together with a host of other relatives and friends. (contributed by Marcia Hurtt)

Juliann Jaynes September 3, 1904 Source: Unknown paper Juliann Jaynes, (nee Shuff) was born in Fayette Co., PA, May 22, 1822. She was united in marriage to Joseph Jaynes, April 15, 1838, and to this union were born 13 children, 9 sons and 4 daughters, eight of this number, 5 sons and 3 daughters, having preceded her to the spirit world. Joseph Jaynes, her husband, also having preceded her in death 45 years ago, having passed away in 1859. In 1852, with her husband and six children, she removed to Star Furnace, Carter Co., Ky., where she lived, until coming to Shawnee in 1879, the remainder of her life being spent in Shawnee. She departed this life Sept. 3, 1904, being 82 years, 3 months anbd 12 days old. She leaves 4 sons and 1 daughter to mourn their loss, of this number 2 sons, Joseph and Canada, and 1 daughter, Mrs. W. H. Shuff, reside in Shawnee, M. F. Jaynes resides at Dealton and Rev. G. N. Jaynes at Cambridge, Ohio. She also leaves 70 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren besides a large number of relatives and friends. At the age of 16 she identified herself with the Presbyterian church, having lived and died in the faith she embraced in her youth. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Stubbins, took place on Monday afternoon. (Submitted by Marcia Hurtt)

Elsie Lanning-Donley Last Member of 24 Children in Pioneer Family Succumbs "LOGAN - The death of Mrs. Elsie Lanning Donley at New Straitsville last week marked the passing of the last member of a family of 24 children, who were born to James Lanning, Hocking County pioneer, who was married twice. "Mrs. Donley was a child of the second marriage with ten being born to that union, while by a former marriage there were 14 children.  Lanning settled at Oreville in 1825 and was one of the first white settlers within the territory now embraced by Hocking County. "His descendants are scattered over Hocking and Perry Counties in large numbers.  Logan, New Straitsville, Gore, Oreville, New Pittsburg, Spencer Hollow, and union Furnace contain many people who trace their ancestry to this hardy pioneer, who traveled to this district by horseback from Pennsylvania. "Lanning lived to be 92 years old.  Four of his sons reached 90 years and most of the 24 children who grow to manhood and womanhood were 75 years or more.  All of the territory now included in the village of Oreville was part of his land. "When he had any grain to be ground into meal, he had to make a trip to Chillicothe as that was where the nearest mill was located.  the rifle on which he relied to protect himself and family to aid in bringing meat to the family larder is now possessed by Lew Laughlin, Maxville, who married one of his descendants." (contributed by Shirley A.)

Circleville Democrat May 25, 1865 Hon. Manning Stiers , who emigrated from Hocking county to Missouri a few weeks ago, met with a tragical death on the 8th inst.  He was staying with some friends at Warrensburg,  John county, until he could locate, and while walking along the public road, two and a half miles from that place, in broad day light, two of those murderous outlaws, which infest that war-ravaged country, approached him on horseback, one of whom shot him through the breast with a rovolver killing him instantly and then robbed him of a watch and a small sum of money and rode away.  Two negroes who were working in a field near by saw the deed committed took the body out of the road and conveyed it to Warrensburg, where it was identified. Mr. Stiers was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, April 13th, 1827, emigrated to Hocking county in 1837.  He was elected Representative from Hocking county in the Ohio Legislature in 1859 and re-elected in 1861, and was a useful and influential member.  He was a strong Democrat, and possessed more than an ordinary share of intelligence.  He was much respected for his high moral character, regular habits, and strict integrity.  He was by occupation a farmer. In the spring of 1863, Mr. Stiers was married to Miss Minerva Fleming, an excellent lady, of this county, who died in about a year thereafter.  His remains were brought here, and on Tuesday last, interred by the side of his wife in Forest Cemetery.   Circleville Democrat

National Intelligencer Jan. 18, 1830   Fulk, Richard , of Hocking Co., Ohio, died 25 Dec 1829 (Contributed by Kim Torp)

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