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Eliza Jane (Miner) Mathany was born on June 10, 1849 in Unity Twp. near East Palestine, Columbiana County, OH, one of 15 children of Jacob and Julianna (Forney) Miner. She was born with the name "Minerd," but it was shortened in her lifetime to "Miner" or "Minor." Her husband was a veteran of the Civil War.

As a young woman, Eliza "came to reside in Trumbull county" in about 1870, said the Warren (OH) Daily Tribune. She "spent forty-five years on a farm owned by them at Hardscrabble. She was a devoted Christian woman, an exemplary wife and mother…"

On July 3, 1867, Eliza married Civil War veteran James A. Mathany (1842-1929), a native of Liberty, OH. The ceremony was performed by Russell M. Warren, a minister of the gospel. Their name also has been spelled "Mahany."

They were the parents of three daughters: Ida Spitler, Gertrude Drennan and Nellie Clark Williamson.

During the Civil War, said the Warren Tribune Chronicle, James served for "three years and 11 months ... with the Trumbull Guard." Little is known of the Guard, other than it was organized at Gallipolis, OH in November 1862 for the purpose of "River Guard." The unit lost six enlisted men by disease during the war, and mustered out July 1, 1865, without having seen any service. Its brief history is chronicled in the book The Military History of Ohio by Hiram H. Hardesty.

Later in life, James was a member of the Bell-Harmon Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a lobbying organization for veterans. However, unlike most Civil War veterans who lived to old age, he apparently never was able to receive a government pension for his service. A search in 2003 at the National Archives in Washington, DC failed to find his name among comprehensive lists of veterans receiving pension benefits. This will be researched further.

The Mathanys resided for many years in Leavittsburg and then Champion, Trumbull County. When the federal census was taken in 1870, James and Eliza had not yet had any children, and his brother Thomas H. resided in their home. 

The 1880 census shows the family living in Champion as next-door neighbors to Eliza's uncle and aunt, Joseph and Elizabeth (Forney) Miner, and cousins Cornelius Miner and Ellen Miner [Eliza Ella Guessman]. They all were farmers.

In 1897, at the time her late mother’s estate was being divided among heirs, Eliza was listed in the official papers, and received $6.56 in cash as her share of the estate.

The 1910 federal census shows the family living in Champion, with their married daughter and family under their roof, and married cousin Ella Guessman living next door.

At some point, in about 1917, the Mathanys retired from farming and moved to Warren, residing at 32 Austin Avenue. They were members of the Second Christian Church in Warren.

Eliza accidentally fell down stairs in May 1920, at the age of 71, and broke her femur. She never recovered, and passed away in Warren at age 71 on Aug. 12, 1920. The "announcement of her death brings sorrow to a large circle of friends in Warren and vicinity," said the Daily Tribune.  Her remains were "placed in a crypt in the Western Reserve Mausoleum in Oaklawn." At her death, she had six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

James outlived Eliza by nine years. In the period between her and his deaths, five great-grandchildren were born.

In 1924, he apparently served as a pallbearer at the funeral in Warren of Eliza’s cousin-in-law, Mary Elizabeth (Ward) Miner, widow of Cornelius Miner. This is further evidence of a connection between these two major branches of the family.

James was "in failing health for ... for years," said the Tribune Chronicle, prior to his death at age 87 on Aug. 13, 1929. "During most of that time he was bedfast." Death resulted from hardening of the arteries and a stomach ulcer. He was buried with Eliza at Oaklawn in Warren. "The pallbearers were Sherman Drennen, Ernest Williamson, Hallie Drenne,, Ira Spitler, Mark Henderson, and Delbert McFarland."

~ Daughter Ida Mae (Mathany) Spitler ~

Daughter Ida Mae Mathany (1870-1935) was born in June 1870. 

Circa 1892, she married Willard Leroy Spitler (Feb. 14, 1862-1917), a native of Ashtabula, OH, and the son of Noah and Esther Ann (Sherman) Spitler.

They lived for many years at 948 Buckeye Street in Warren. Willard was employed as a house painter in 1900, a painter in a car works in 1910 and in the mid-1910s by a railroad.

Two children born to the couple were Bessie Gladys Watters Moler Brown and Ira Spitler. 

Willard contracted "empyema," an infection of the cavity surrounding the lungs. After then developing pneumonia, he died at the age of 55 on Aug. 9, 1917. 

Sadly, Ida suffered from cancer of the stomach, and passed away at age 65 on Nov. 13, 1935. She was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Warren.

Daughter Bessie Gladys Spitler (1894- ? ) was born on March 13, 1895 or July 13, 1894/1895. (Records differ.) She appears to have been married thrice. At the age of 18, on May 1, 1913, she entered into marriage with her first spouse, 26-year-old Howard James Watters (April 27, 1888-1918), son of James and Ida Rosella (Hall) Watters of Fowler, OH. The nuptials were led by Rev. Frank W. Brown, pastor of the Second Christian Church of Warren. Howard earned a living as a laborer in a furniture works and then secured a position as a distribution clerk at Trumbull Steel. The couple's address was 511 Parkman in Warren. Sadly, after just five years of marriage, Howard contracted influenza and pneumonia and at the age of 30 died on Nov. 29, 1918. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery. Now widowed, Bessie roomed in 1920 in the home of Ray and Anne Garrad in Warren and earned a living as a lamp worker at Mazda Lamp Company. Then on Oct. 24, 1922, at the age of 27, she wed a second time to John R. Moler (Jan. 19, 1883- ? ), a native of Florida, IN, and the son of Berry and Emily (Barnes) Moler. Rev. W.O. Hawkins officiated. At the time, Bessie was a clerk living in Mahoning County, OH, and John a divorced tin worker residing in Warren. In time she wed her third husband, (?) Brown. Circa 1935, the Browns were in Anderson, IN. 

Son Ira Leroy Spitler (1907- ? ) was born on Aug. 31, 1907 in Warren, OH. He was joined in wedlock with Mary Virginia ( ? - ? ), a West Virginia native. The pair's one known son was Kent Spitler. Circa 1940, their address was 948 Buckeye Street Northwest in Warren, with Ira working at Republic Steel Corporation. Then after the outbreak of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army and held the rank of sergeant in an infantry regiment. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the Spitlers continued to dwell in Warren, with Ira employed as a mill recorder in a steel factory. Evidence suggests that he died in Warren on Oct. 17, 1968. Burial of the remains was in Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna, OH.

• Grandson Kent Spitler (1947- ? ) was born in about 1947. 

~ Daughter Gertrude (Mathany) Drennen ~

Daughter Gertrude Mathany (1877-1959) was born in about 1877.

She dwelled in young womanhood in Champion, Trumbull County.

On the Fourth of July 1895, when she was age 18, she married Sherman Drennen (or Drennan) (Oct. 13, 1868/1874-1962), son of Maxwwell and Mary (Calhoun) Drennen. They remained together for an extraordinary 64 years.

Together, the pair bore two known offspring, Hallie Lynn Drennen and Alta Jane MacFarland. 

United States Census records for 1910-1950 show the family at 429 Hunter Street in Warren, with Sherman earning a living in 1910 as a foundry moulder, in 1920 as a laborer in a gas works and in 1930 as a stroker for a gas company. In 1920, they also made a home for five-year-old Geraldine Watters and kept lodgers in 1930 and 1940. Sherman had no occupation in 1940 and working as a janitor in a wire steel factory in 1950 and retired from Packard Electric Division of General Motors in 1952.

The family belonged to the 2nd Christian Church. 

Sadly, Gertrude passed away at home on Christmas Eve 1959. An obituary in the Warren Tribune Chronicle called her a "member of one of the pioneer families in Warren" and said she was "active in the community."

Sherman survived his wife by three years. During that time he endured the death of their son.

Death carried Sherman away at the age of 91 on April 27, 1962. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery.

Son Hallie Lynn Drennen (1900-1960) was born on Sept. 27/29, 1900 in Champion, Trumbull County. On May 2, 1933, in Niagara County, NY, he married his first wife, 22-year-old Corene M. Brown ( ? - ? ), a resident of LaSalle, Niagara County, NY.  The nuptials were led by Rev. George Frederick Hoyer. The two eventually divorced. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1920, Hallie lived at home and earned a living as a timekeeper in a Warren steel mill. He went on to a 35-year  career with Republic Steel. At the age of 24, he lived at 429 Hunter Street in Warren and worked as a recorder, likely at the mill. That year, on June 27, 1925, he wed 21-year-old Nettie Ellen Martin (Dec. 2, 1903- ? ), daughter of Emery Taylor and Emma (McClelland) Martin of Warren and a native of Morgantown, WV. Officiating was Rev. L.B. Broderick. Their only child was Gloria Jackson. The couple made ahome at 944 Hunter Street Northwest in Warren. Hallie was required to register for the military draft during World War II. When Hallie and his wife were in Pittsburgh's Etna neighborhood in October 1949, visiting Mr. and Mrs. David Snyder, they were injured when their vehicle struck a pole at Butler and Isabella Streets. The pair was treated in St. Francis Hospital, and the accident was reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hallie eventually retired as blooming mill foreman at Republic Steel. They belonged to the First Baptist Church. The pair's final address together was 368 Marwood Drive Southeast. At the age of 59, Hallie passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital on June 27, 1960, after a seven-week stay. Interment of the remains was in Pineview Memorial Park, Warren, with Rev. Charles French leading the services.

• Granddaughter Gloria Gertrude Drennen (1926-2015) was born on Oct. 28, 1926 in Warren. She was a majorette at Warren G. Harding High School and a member of the Class of 1945. On Oct. 11, 1947, when she was 20 years of age, she was united in matrimony with Darl Jackson ( ? -2012). Their marital union endured for an extraordinary 64 years. Two offspring born to the pair were Darlyn Gardiner and Channing Jackson. The Jacksons dwelled in Warren. Gloria worked for three years in the mail room of Copperweld Steel. The family held a membership in the Central Christian Church. Said the Warren Tribune Chronicle, Gloria "enjoyed dancing and attended Bess Newton Brown Dancing and ran her own dancing studio. She was a member of Dance Masters of America, Mothers of Today and Children’s Conservation League. Gloria was a dance instructor, enjoyed bowling, card club, traveling and shopping." Sadly, Darl died on Sept. 7, 2012. The widowed Gloria outlived him by three years and two days. She passed away in Trumbull Memorial Hospital at age 88 on Sept. 9, 2015.

  Great-granddaughter Darlyn Jackson married Jeff Gardiner and has lived in Warren. 

  Great-grandson Channing Jackson wed Cynthia. Their home in 2015 was in Warren. 

Daughter Alta Jane Drennen (1902-1999) was born on April 11, 1902. She worked as a stenographer in an electric works in 1920 at the age of 17. When she was 23 years of age, on July 6, 1926, she entered into marriage with 22-year-old Delbert Edgar MacFarland (July 13, 1903- ? ), of 419 Bank Street in Warren and the son of John J. and Mabel Mary (Logie) MacFarland. The ceremony was held in Warren, led by Christ Episcopal Church pastor Rev. Rudolph Shultz. The MacFarlands did not reproduce. Circa 1930, when the United States Census was made, the pair lived in Warren, with Delbert working as an engineer in a steel mill. The MacFarlands are known to have remained in Warren for good. His occupation in 1940 was as a steel mill foreman and in 1950 in mechanical drafting for an automotive cable manufacturing company. Delbert died on April 23, 1987. Sadly, the angel of death carried away Alta on Jan. 2, 1999. They sleep for all time in Oakwood Cemetery, Warren.

~ Daughter Nellie Alice (Mathany) Clark Williamson ~

Daughter Nellie AliceMathany (1881- ? ) was born in Nov. 1881 in Champion, Trumbull County.

She was married twice. On Oct. 1, 1901, she entered into marriage with her first spouse, 23-year-old farmer William Clark (May 15, 1878-1933), son of John and Martha Clark of Warren. Rev. Howard H. Scott officiated.

The first marriage resulted in a daughter, Hazel May Henderson. 

When the 1910 federal census enumeration was made, the Clarks dwelled with Nellie's parents in Champion. At that time, William helped his father-in-law with farm chores. The pair eventually divorced.

Then on Sept. 5, 1916, at the age of 36, she married 37-year-old teamster Ernest Burr Williamson (March 27, 1874/1879-1939), the son of Peter and Thankful (Burr) Williamson of Painesville, OH. The marriage was performed by the hand of Rev. Frank W. Brown of Warren's Second Christian Church. Ernest also was divorced from his first wife, Mabel Callam ( ? - ? ).

Two children born to Nellie and Ernest were Irene Jane Flask and Robert Leroy Williamson. 

The Williamsons resided in Warren in 1920-1930, with Ernest earning income in 1920 as a wagon driver for a coal company and in 1930 as a general teamster. They later relocated to near Lordstown, Trumbull County circa 1935, where they were farmers. 

At age 64, Ernest died of heart disease on March 17, 1939. He was buried at Western Reserve Mausoleum.

Daughter Hazel May Clark (1902-1967) was born on May 12, 1902. She married Mark Henderson (March 9, 1900-1967). Together, the pair bore seven children -- Marjorie Grace Crawford, Peggy A. Welch, Marian Louise Scheich, William Roger Henderson, Richard Henderson, Robert Henderson and Janet Henderson. The family relocated to the Detroit suburb of Monroe, MI in 1932. Census records for 1940 show Mark employed in a steel mill. Sadly, the couple died just three-and-a-half months apart. Mark passed first, on Aug. 2, 1967. Hazel died at the age of 65 on Nov. 16, 1967. Burial of the remains was in Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, MI.

• Granddaughter Marjorie Grace Henderson (1921-2006) was born on May 6, 1921 in Warren. At the age of 26, in Sept. 1947, she entered into marriage with Raymond Crawford ( ? - ? ). He was widowed from his first marriage. The Crawfords did not reproduce. They put down roots in Monroe, MI. Marjorie worked for two decades for Tiedkes Department Store in Toledo and also for Saveway Grocery, also in Toledo. She retired in 1988 at the age of 67. Sadly, stricken with cancer, Marjorie died at the age of 85 on July 12, 2006. Her remains were interred in Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, with an obituary appearing in the Toledo (OH) Blade.

• Granddaughter Peggy A. Henderson (1925-2019) was born on May 28, 1925 in Warren. She was age seven when the family relocated to Monroe, MI. On July 21, 1943, when she was age 18, Peggy wed Carl Welch Jr. ( ? -1977). They remained together for 33 years until cleaved apart by death. Their only son was Carl Welch III. Sadly, Carl Jr. died in March 1977. Peggy outlived him by more than four decades and remained in Monroe. For a dlecade, she earned a living as a clerk for Independent Dairy. She also generated income as a custodian at First Presbyterian Church, Monroe. Her final employment, for a baker's dozen years, was with Ford Motor Company. She retired in 1990. Peggy belonged to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church and liked to raise flowers. Peggy passed away at the age of 92, as a resident of Fountainview of Monroe, on March 3, 2019. Rev. Ray Southerland, of the family church, preached the funeral sermon. Burial followed in Roselawn Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Carl Welch III ( ? - ? ) was married and the father of five -- Kevin Welch, Craig Welch, Chris Welch, Courtney Welch and Kasey Welch. Sadly, he was deceased by 2019.

• Granddaughter Marian Louise Henderson (1926-2015) was born on March 28, 1926 in Warren. She moved as a girl to Michigan and was an alumna of Monroe High School. She then attended a business school in nearby Toledo, OH, learning accounting skills. When she was 22 years of age, on Oct. 8, 1949, she married Gerald J. Scheich (1923-1986). Their nuptials were held in Monroe's First Presbyterian Church. They produced three children -- Linda Beeler, Laurie Scheich and Larry Scheich. The couple later divorced but stayed on good terms. Sadly, Gerald died in 1986. Marian survived him by nearly three decades and supported herself as an accountant. Among her employers were several automobile dealderships as well as Elliott's, Monroe Bridal Aisle, Mack's Body Shop, Independent Dairy and Arrow Concrete Cutting. She also gave of her time as treasurer for Damascus House. For seven decades, she was a member of the church in which she was married, serving as treasurer of the congregation as well as a deacon, elder and trustee  Marian was a longtime fan of the Green Bay Packers football team. In 2013, she relocated to Green Bay to reside near her son. She passed away in Green Bay just five days before her 89th birthday on March 23, 2015. Her pastor, Rev. Jessica Myers, led the funeral followed by interment of the remains in Roselawn Memorial Park.  

  Great-granddaughter Linda Scheich ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On Sept. 6, 1975, she entered into marriage with Gary J. Beeler (July 13, 1952-2007), son of James R. and Ruby Alene (Jefferson) Beeler of Monroe and Sweetwater, TN. Their two daughters were Jennifer L. Beeler and Jamie L. Beeler. Gary was a 1970 graduate of Jefferson High School then secured an associates degree in computer programming at Monroe County Community College. He was employed by Union Camp as a press operator, Monroe County Intermediate School District as a computer operator and for transportation companies as a driver. Sadness blanketed the family  when Gary died in Mercy Memorial Hospital at the age of 55 on Nov. 21, 2007. His remains were laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Park. Linda is known to have dwelled in Monroe in 2015.

  Great-granddaughter Laurie Scheich has resided in Roseville, MN.

  Great-grandson Larry Scheich married Julie and relocated to Green Bay, WI.

William and Richard Henderson's workplace, the Ford plant, Monroe, MI

• Grandson William Roger Henderson (1931-2020) was born on Jan. 20, 1931 in Warren. At the age of about two, he moved with his parents to Monroe, MI. He was a 1949 graduate of Monroe High School. William served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He loved to box and followed the sport his entire life. On April 7, 1956, William was joined in matrmony with Nancy Joan Gruber (July 9, 1926-2015), daughter of Clemens and Violet (Hoffman) Gruber. Their marital union endured for a remarkable 59 years. They became the parents of three -- Kay Little, Jan Essex and William "Bill" Henderson. William was employed for 46 years at the Monroe stamping plant of Ford Motor Company. His final position was as a foreman, with retirement in 1995. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Monroe, where he was active with the "Old Geezers" Bible study group and she a leader with the prayer chain. William also liked to bowl and golf and belonged to Green Meadows Golf Course. He took yearly vacations to Las Vegas and also to Detroit Tigers spring training. The family mourned when Nancy passed away on April 27, 2015. William lived for another five years. The spirit of death enveloped him in hospice in Monroe at the age of 89 on Sept. 19, 2020. His funeral was held in the family church, led by Pastor Daniel Potts. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park.

  Great-granddaughter Kay Henderson married Barry Little. They dwell in Monroe.

  Great-granddaughter Jan Henderson wed Chris Essex. They also reside in Monroe.

  Great-grandson William "Bill" Henderson relocated to Phoenix, AZ.  

• Grandson Richard Henderson (1934-2009) was born on Nov. 11, 1934 in Monroe. He was a 1952 alumnus of Monroe High School. At the age of 25, on Sept. 19, 1959, he was united in wedlock with Edna M. Borrusch ( ? - ? ). The nuptials were held in Trinity Lutheran Church, Monroe, by the hand of Rev. Fehner. They remained together for 49 years of time. The three children born into this family were Keith A. Henderson, Kurt L. Henderson and Keri L. Raymo. For 39 years, until retirement in 1998, Richard earned a living in Ford Motor Company's Monroe plant, providing maintenance services. They belonged to Faith Lutheran Church. Richard liked to watch sports and had the daily habit of washing his car. Richard died in Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe at age 74 on June 6, 2009. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Keith A. Henderson wed Lisa. They make a home in Monroe.

  Great-grandson Kurt L. Henderson was joined in wedlock with Dawn. They have dwelled in Temperance, MI.

  Great-granddaughter Keri L. Henderson married Kevin Raymo. In 2009, they were in Monroe. 

• Grandson Charles "Robert" Henderson (1923- ? ) was born in about 1923. He was deceased by 2009.

• Granddaughter Janet Henderson (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. She lived in Monroe in 2009.

Daughter Irene Jane Williamson (1917-1990) was born in 1917. She married William A. Flask ( ? - ? ) and settled in Warren. Two known sons of the pair were Charles Leroy Flask and William Ernest Flask. William served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The couple eventually divorced, with Irene gaining custody of their sons. Her address in 1960-1967 was 436 Kenilworth Northeast. She is believed to have died in 1990 and to sleep for all time in Western Reserve Cemetery, Warren.

• Grandson Charles Leroy Flask (1937-1992) was born on July 10, 1937 in Youngstown, OH. In young manhood he earned a living at Warren Sanitary Dairy. When he was 24 years of age, on June 9, 1962, he was joined in wedlock with 20-year-old Shirley Jean Schoch (March 10, 1942- ? ), a native of Filbert, PA and the daughter of Michael S. and Margaret (Vislosky) Schoch. Leading the nuptials was Mark Zwick. At the time of marriage, Shirley worked as a secretary. Sadly, Charles died in 1992. His remains lie in eternal repose in All Souls Cemetery in Cortland, Trumbull County. Inscribed on his grave marker are these words: "Forever in our hearts."

• Grandson William Ernest Flask (1942- ? ) was born on Aug. 31, 1942. At the age of 18, on Sept. 14, 1960, he entered into marriage with 16-year-old Sandra May Binion (March 19, 1954- ? ), daughter of Nellie Binion of Warren and an unknown father.  Rev. M.T. Knappenberger officiated. The couple bore one daughter, Brenda Lee Flask. Their marriage fell apart within a few years, and they divorced in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas in Sept. 1964. During that period he labored for Republic Steel and continued for many years. On Sept. 9, 1967, William wed a second time to 18-year-old Nancy Ellen Nelman (Feb. 15, 1949- ? ), daughter of Warren H. and Mary A. (Horwath) Nelman of Ravenna, OH. Their wedding was led by Judge James A. Ravella of Trumbull County Court. A daughter was born to the second union, Tina Flask. The second marriage also collapsed, with the decree made on April 12, 1977. William's address in 1977 was 1361 Trumbull Southeast in Warren. At the age of 35, on March 10, 1978, he married a third time, to 34-year-old Heidi F. (McMahon) Stevens (1943- ? ), originally from Ashtabula, OH but living at the time in Warren. She was the daughter of Howard and Frances (DeGruchy) McMahon. Heidi also was divorced and brought three stepchildren into the marriage -- Carrie Stevens, Rodney Stevens and Clint Stevens.

Great-granddaughter Brenda Lee Flask (1962- ? ) was born in about 1962. She was five years of age when her parents divorced. 

Great-granddaughter Tina Flask (1973- ? ) was born in about 1973. She was about age four at the time of the divorce of her parents. 

Son Robert Leroy Williamson (1922-2004) was born on April 26, 1922 in Warren. He went to work in young manhood for Republic Steel. At the age of 20, on May 2, 1942, he wed his Trumbull Steel co-worker, 18-year-old Margaret Jane Lucas (May 30, 1923-2009), daughter of John and Susanna Lucas. Officiating was Rev. John A. Stim/Stine. He went on to join the U.S. Army and serve during World War II. He received a wound of some sort and was awarded the Purple Heart. The Williamsons made their home over the years in Warren. The spectre of death gathered away Robert on June 29, 2004. Margaret lived for another four-plus years. She died on Feb. 8, 2009. They are at rest eternally in All Souls Cemetery in Cortland, OH.

Copyright © 2003-2004, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2022 Mark A. Miner