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Ivona Jane 'Iva' (Van Horn)
Brantner Nixon Jones

(1866-1949)

Iva Jones
Ivona Jane "Iva" (Van Horn) Brantner Nixon Jones
was born on Nov. 12, 1866 near Monroeville, Allen County, IN, the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Dealy) Van Horn.

On Oct. 10, 1885 in or near Lima, Allen County, OH, Iva first was united in the bonds of marriage George Lewis Brandtner (1866-1921), also spelled "Brantner." He was the son of Samuel and Margaret (Caldwell) Brantner, and is believed to have been raised by an uncle and aunt, Joseph and Nancy Brantner, in Lockbourne near Columbus, Franklin County, OH. 

Iva and George settled in Columbus upon their marriage. 

There, they raised their four children, born between 1887 and 1905 -- Frederick Martin Brantner, Roy Charles Brantner, Margaret Jane "Madge" Maish, Robert Richard Brantner and Bertha Brantner.

They resided at 602 River Street in Columbus, and are listed in various city directories over the years. Later, they lived at 179 Schultz Avenue. George worked as a blacksmith, and later in life as a carpenter.

Sprawling Columbus, Ohio, 1909, looking west

George passed away of heart disease in Lockbourne, Franklin County, on July 18, 1921. He was laid to rest at Fernwood Cemetery in Lockbourne.

Widowed, Iva resided at 23 East Fourth Avenue in Columbus. She held a membership in the Chicago Avenue Church of Christ, and belonged to the Iola Council of the Order of Pocahontas.

After nearly three years of being alone, on Jan. 12, 1924, she married Alonzo Nixon (Dec. 10, 1858-1934), son of William and Rachel (Lenox) Nixon and a native of Vinton County, OH. Rev. J.A. Persinger officiated their nuptials. She was age 57 at the time, and he was 65, and it was his fourth marriage.

Alonzo brought these stepchildren into his union with Iva -- Cordia Clorinda Hutt, Clara G. Bethel, Elva Mae Hutt, William E. Nixon, Verna Lovina Gates and Joseph M. Nixon. 

The federal census enumeration of 1930 shows the couple sharing a dwelling-place on Schultz Avenue in Columbus.

After a decade of marriage, Alonzo died in Columbus at the age of 75 on Aug. 14, 1934. His remains were transported to his native Vinton County for burial beside his wife Luvina (Woltz) Nixon in Mount Zion Church Cemetery in Hamden.

Iva spent the next seven years as a widow in Columbus. The 1940 U.S. Census lists her living alone. At age 70, in 1941, she dwelled at her old home at 179 Schultz Avenue in Columbus. Then on Oct. 20, 1941, she tied the marital knot with her 69-year-old neighbor Dayton Lorenzo "Ren" Jones (Feb. 3, 1873-1951), a painter. He was the son of Austin Bernard and Angeline (Dunlap) Jones of Chillicothe, Ross County, OH. Justice of the peace Charles Myers led the marriage vows.

As she aged, Iva suffered from hardening of the arteries. She went to live with son Roy in rural Creola, near McArthur, Vinton County. 

Sadly, she passed away of a stroke on Feb. 9, 1949, at the age of 83. She was buried beside her first husband in Fernwood Cemetery in Lockbourne. At the time of her death, she had 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. No marker is known to stand at their graves.

Lorenzo outlived her by two years and made his final home in Columbus at 82 Sandusky Street. After suffering a heart attack, he surrendered to the angel of death on July 17, 1951. He is buried in Iva's plot in Fernwood. 

~ Son Frederick Martin Brantner Sr. ~

Son Frederick Martin "Fred" Brantner Sr. (1886- 1953) was born on March 9, 1884, 1886, 1887 or 1888 in Lima, Allen County, OH. (Records differ.)

Frederick stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighed 145 lbs. His right leg was shorter than the left, and he wore a special shoe to account for the difference.

In his early career he was employed as an electrical contractor in Columbus. 

On June 29, 1907, at the age of 23, Frederick was joined in wedlock with 22-year-old Blanche McFarland (Aug. 14, 1885- 1910), originally from Newark, OH and the daughter of J. William and Mary (Harter) McFarland of Union County, OH. Their marriage ceremony was held in Franklin County, by the hand of Rev. S.K. King.

They produced one known son, William George Brantner, born in 1909. 

In 1910, the Brantners made their residence in Columbus at 92 Stevens Avenue. At that time, Frederick was employed by a contractor as an electrician.

Grief overwhelmed the family when Blanche was expecting their second child in 1910. An abortion was attempted, and a deadly infection of peritonitis set in. She was admitted to Protestant Hospital in Columbus where she succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 24 on Nov. 18, 1910. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus.

The widowed Frederick moved to Akron by 1912, at the address of 1113 Fourth Avenue, continuing to work in contracting with his own firm, Brantner Electrical Company. He became embroiled in controversy in 1912 when admitted to the City of Akron's Contagious Disease Hospital after contracting smallpox. He claimed that he was taken there against his will, in a dog catcher's wagon, that his clothes were withheld from him for three weeks and that he was forced to subsist on a diet of boiled potatoes, bread, coffee and cereal. The Akron Evening Times reported that he "was arrested and fined for breaking quarantine and then is said to have been arrested and fined again because he fought with an acquaintance who joked about his hospital experience... Records of the board of health show that from Dec. 5 to Dec. 25, when Brantner was confined in the hospital, beef, pork, pork chops, steak, ham, bacon, eggs, fruit, canned goods, tobacco daily, bottled olives and cheese were on the regular bill of fare." When he refused to pay his bill, the local health department sued him for $35, and a judge ruled in its favor. He appealed the ruling on a technicality of whether his residence was a "public building" because it had a grocery store on the first floor with residential rooms on the second. The appeals court ruled that he had to pay a reduced amount of $30.

When he was 30 years of age, on Dec. 2, 1913, he again entered into marriage with 33-year-old widow Lillie Anna (Weaver) Henderson (Sept. 3, 1880-1954), daughter of Millard G. and Margaret (McConkey) Weaver. Their nuptials were conducted in Cambridge, Guernsey County, OH, by the hand of Rev. Jay C. Goodrich. 

Frederick registered for the military draft during World War I. He disclosed that their residence was at 349 South Arlington in Akron and that his employer was Adamson Machine Company.

The federal census enumeration of 1920 shows Frederick, Lillie and William in Tallmadge Township, Summit County, OH, with Frederick working in a local factory as an electrical engineer. Their marriage ended in divorce. Lillie went on to marry again on June 15, 1927 to Charles H. Keefer in Summit County. She died on July 17, 1954 in Tuscarawas County, OH.

By 1927, Frederick had relocated to eastern Pennsylvania. In Yonkers, NY on May 2, 1927, he tied the knot with his third bride, 24-year-old Violet Mae Wharton (April 23, 1900-1963), a native of the Keystone State and the daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth (Baher) Wharton of Chester County. 

Two more children in this family were Frederick Martin Brantner Jr. and Nancy J. Brantner.  

The 1930 census lists the family in Upper Darby, Delaware County, PA, and Frederick's occupation shown as "civil engineer - construction." By 1939, the pair made a home in a three-story frame dwelling along the Elwyn Road about a mile from Media, Delaware County. Near tragedy was avoided when their home was utterly destroyed in a fire on April 12, 1933. The Philadelphia Inquirer said that "Lack of water prevented Media firemen from checking the blaze. [The family] were roused from their sleep by heavy smoke and safely made their way to a neighbor's home. Flames were roaring through the roof as the Media fire-fighters arrived [and the] house was virtually razed to the ground." 

Frederick became employed in the 1930s and early 1940s as superintendent of state highways in Harrisburg with the Works Progress Administration, covering Delaware County. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.  

During World War II, in 1942, the 55-year-old Frederick was required to register for the military draft. At the time, they made their dwelling at the intersection of Elam Road and Condord Road in Concord Township near Glen Mills, Delaware County. At some point he joined Sun Oil Company as a division engineer. He also belonged to the Masons, Shrine and Knights of Pythias.

The couple's residence in the early 1950s was near Cochranville/Homeville in rural West Fallowfield Township, Chester County.

At the age of 66, Fred suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly on Dec. 17, 1953 in West Fallowfield Township. Violet signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Interment of the remains was in nearby Oxford Cemetery. A notice of his death was published in the Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal.

Violet outlasted her spouse by about nine-and-a-half years and lived in Oxford. At some point she suffered a brain bleed with resulting paralysis. Suffering from hypertension and bronchial pneumonia, she was admitted to Embereeville State Hospital where she passed away on March, 4, 1963. Her interment was in Oxford Cemetery.  

Son William George Brantner (1909-1966) was born on April 12, 1909 in Columbus, OH. He was only a year old at his mother's senseless death. William relocated to eastern Pennsylvania with his father. Circa 1939, living in Media, PA, he married Rhea Gertrude Gelsinger (Oct. 12, 1911-1999), daughter of John and Maggie (Rhoads) Gelsinger of Reading, Berks County, PA. News of their marriage license was printed in the Everett (PA) Press. The two sons they bore together were William G. Brantner and Robert Lewis Brantner. William served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was posted on the USS Terror, which provided domestic naval duty in and around Coronado and Shoemaker, CA. Later, he earned a living with Ford & Kendig Company, manufacturer of pipe fittings in Glen Riddle, PA. Rhea was a private piano teacher and is known to have held recitals for her students in the mid-19560s at the Media Women's Club. The Brantner residence in 1950 was at 16 West Jeffeerson Street in Media, PA and in the mid-1960s at 4910 Shepherd Street, Brookhaven, PA. For the last eight years of his life, William endured coronary artery disease and it grew progressively worse. Sadly, at the age of 56 on Feb. 17, 1966, he suffered a heart attack and within a half hour was pronounced dead on arrival at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. His obituary was carried in the Delaware County (PA) Daily Times. Interment was in Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Broomall, Delaware County. Rhea outlived her spouse by more than three decades, remaining in their Shepherd Street home Brookhaven. Death spirited her away on Feb. 21, 1999. The Wilmington (DE) News Journal published an obituary, in which the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall of Media, PA

  • Grandson William George Brantner Jr. (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 and grew up in Media, PA. He was agraduate of Media High School and earned a living as a young man at the Acme Markets in Aston, PA. Evidence suggests that he may have tied the knot with Shirley Ellen Elliott (? - ? ), daughter of John R. Elliott of 2630 West Sixth Street, Chester.
  • Grandson Robert Lewis Brantner (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948. He was an alumnus of Sun Valley High School. In young manhood he worked at the Acme Market in Village Green, PA. Circa 1971, he may have been joined in wedlock with Carole Jean Bramble ( ? - ? ), daughter of Frank C. Bramble of 2510-B Wetherill Street, Chester. Carole Jean was a graduate of Chichester High School and earned a living at the time of marriage with W.T. Grant at the Tri-State Mall.

Son Frederick Martin Brantner Jr. (1928-1998) was born in about 1928 in Pennsylvania. He wed Alice Marie Jackson ( ? - ? ), daughter of Samuel L. and Josephine (Cochran) Jackson of Cochranville, PA. Alice was a 1952 graduate of Oxford High School. For 23 years, her career entailed work as a nursing technician at the Ware Presbyterian Village of Oxford. Their home in 1958 was in Kennett Square, PA and in the early 1960s near Oxford, PA. The couple were the parents of a family of five -- Frederick Martin Brantner III, John T. Brantner, Edward Raymond Brantner, William M. Brantner and Michele Lea Brantner. Alice passed away at the age of 67, on March 16, 2002, in the Jennersville Regional Hospital at West Grove. She was pictured in her obituary in the Lancaster New Era. The headcount of her survivors included 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial was in Oxford Cemetery.

  • Grandson Frederick Martin Brantner (1953-1975) was born in 1953 in Lancaster, PA. He was a 1971 graduate of Oxford Area High School. He made his home in early manhood in Oxford and earned a living through his work for Henkel and McCoy Company of Rising Sun, MD. He was well known in fox hunting and for his play on the Andrews Bridge baseball squad. He held memberships in the Pennsylvania State Foxhunters Association, Chester County Foxhunters Association, Eastern Shore Foxhunters Association, Solanco Beagle Club and Ocklokonee Tribe of the Improved Order of Redmen of Oxford. On the tragic day of July 21,, 1975, reported the Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal, Frederick was killed at Rising Sun "when his car was swept off a bridge... by flash flood waters... It was learned Brantner was returning from a baseball game Sunday evening, As he drove his car across Stoney Run stream, the rapidly rising waters swept the car off the bridge and carried it several hundred yards downstream into a field... The vehicle had turned over with the body pinned inside." The body was brought back to Oxford for funeral services, led by Rev. Ellsworth A. Lindenmuth, and interment in Oxford Cemetery.
  • Grandson John T. Brantner ( ? - ? ) was in (?). He was joined in matrimony with Betsy Brewer (1950- ? ), daughter of Thomas C. and Emma (Hess) Brewer. Four offspring were born to their union -- Matthew Brantner, Casey Brantner, Jessica Brantner and Betsy Anne Brantner. Betsy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome and lost use of one leg but persevered in a career devoted to public affairs. Betsy worked as a typesetter, reporter and photographer for 10 years with the Chester County Press and then took a writing job with a trade journal. In 1986, Betsy founded the Oxford Tribune newspaper, a 24-page publication with a distribution of 10,000 copies. They dwelled in Nottingham, PA in 1975-1979 but the marriage ended in divorce. Betsy was profiled and pictured in a July 6, 1990 edition of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal. By 2013 Betsy had become employed as Oxford's borough manager. She also supported the 1994 campaign of state House candidate James D. McLeod on the Republican ticket. John lived in Oxford, PA in 2002.

    Great-grandson Matthew Brantner (1975- ? )

    Great-grandson Casey Brantner (1979- ? ) was born in 1979 in St. Joseph Hospital. News of his birth was published in the Lancaster Sunday News.

    Great-granddaughter Jessica Brantner (1981-? )

    Great-granddaughter Betsy Anne Brantner (1983- ? )

  • Grandson Edward Raymond Brantner ( ? - ? ) lived in Oxford in 2002.
  • Grandson William M. Brantner ( ? - ? ) made his home in 2002 in Oxford.
  • Granddaughter Michele Lea Brantner ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Bennett ( ? - ? ). Her residence in 2002 was in Oxford.

Daughter Nancy "Jane" Brantner (1929-1981) was born on Aug. 1, 1929 in Philadelphia. She entered into marriage with William "Beattie" Cooper (1907-1958), son of Samuel and Anna (Beattie) Cooper of East Nottingham, Chester County. The bride was 22 years younger than the groom. Two known daughters of the couple were Sandra Cooper and Carol Beattie Cooper. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the young family resided on a farm with his parents. As of 1953, the Coopers' dwelling-place was in Oxford, PA. The pair divorced in the mid-1950s. As of 1958, Beattie and the girls lived with his sister Anna Mae Dunlap in the Pine Grove section of Oxford, and he was being treated for heart problems by Dr. Guy T. Holcombe Sr. At that time, he owned Cooper's Restaurant in Oxford at 334 Market Street. Sadly, on the fateful day of May 18, 1958, Beattie suffered a heart attack and tried to go for help before dying inside the front door of his restaurant. Said the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, "He had unbarred two sliding locks before he collapsed." Nancy Jane outlived her ex by 23 years and appears to have wed twice more, first circa 1956 to (?) Whitemore and by 1967 to (?) Neyrey ( ? - ? ). Her home in 1970 was in Covington, St. Tammany Parish, LA. She succumbed to the spectre of death in Covington on Feb. (?) 1981.

  • Granddaughter Sandra Arlen Cooper (1949- ? ) was born on Aug. 9, 1949. She was about 11 years old at her father's sudden death. She then moved to Louisiana where her mother was living and received a public education through the 11th grade. Circa 1970, Sandra made her home in rural Twelve Oaks near Covington, St. Tammany Parish, LA. On Nov. 21, 1970, in Charlotte County, VA, she tied the marital knot with 27-year-old Homer Milton "Skip" Crews (May 23, 1943-1995), a native of North Carolina and the son of Leon Willis and Nannie M. (Trammell) Crews. He was divorced from his first wife. Homer is known to have joined the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. He dwelled in Richmond, VA in 1988 at the death of his mother, and died on Dec. 18, 1995. His remains sleep for all time in Staunton River Baptist Church Cemetery in Aspenwall, VA.
  • Granddaughter Carol Beattie Cooper ( ? - ? ) 

~ Son Roy Brantner ~

Roy with his mother, circa 1947

Son Roy Brantner (1889-1977) was born on Dec. 23, 1889 in Columbus.

Roy lived in Columbus circa 1908 and made a living as a cabinet-maker. 

He was married four times during his long life. On June 20, 1908, at the age of 18, he was joined in wedlock with Florence O. Forner (Jan. 23, 1889- ? ), daughter of William and (?) (Schneider) Forner of Columbus. Rev. James Haig officiated the wedding ceremony, held in Franklin County. The federal census of 1910 shows the pair in Columbus, with no children, and him employed as a box maker in a box factory.

Roy at the age of 27 was united in matrimony with 19-year-old Bertha Janet Bennett ( ? - ? ). She was the daughter of Charles and Minerva (Frazzell) Bennett and a native of Galloway, OH. There seems to have been some confusion, as they married in Newark, Licking County, OH on Nov. 13, 1915, by the hand of Rev. Calvin G. Hazlett, and again a month later on Dec. 13, 1915 led by Rev. Harry C. Robinson.

The Brantners together bore one known son, Harold Edward Brantner, born in about 1918. 

At the age of 28, circa 1917, he was required to register for the military draft during World War I. He disclosed that their address was 577 Broderick in Columbus, that he had a wife and child to support, was a wood worker with Doddington Lumber Company, and had an injured finger. Roy later served in the U.S. Army during the war, posted to the Jefferson Barracks in Missouri with the 16th Company, General Services Industry. He was discharged on Dec. 6, 1918 and the Army rated him as 2 percent disabled. Upon his return home, their address was 189 Schultz Avenue, Columbus.

His third bride, whom he wed on June 2, 1927, was Mary Mable (Hampp) Toole (March 6, 1898-1929), originally from Stoutsville, OH and the daughter of Nelson and Jennie (Wright) Hampp. Presiding was Rev. John Mayer. Mary's birth year also has been given as 1902. She was divorced from her first husband, William Toole.

Two sons in this family -- perhaps stepsons from her previous marriage -- were Robert and Richard. 

The Brantners made their home in Ashville, Pickaway County, OH in the late 1920s. Worry turned to grief when Mary was diagnosed with cancer. She died at home at the age of 27 on Dec. 2, 1929. An obituary in the Circleville Herald said she had waged "a hard fight against the dreaded disease..." Rev. Alexander of Ashville led the funeral, with the remains lowered under the sod of South Bloomfield Cemetery.

Roy remained a widower for about 11 months. Then on Nov. 20, 1930, he entered into marriage with his fourth spouse, Catharine Hutchison (1910-1998).  

Annual pumpkin show in Circleville, Ohio 

Roy and Catherine produced one daughter, Alice Leola Barnhart. 

They lived in Creola, Vinton County in 1949 and in Circleville, OH in 1953.  

Their final home together was in Creola. Roy and Catherine marked their 40th wedding anniversary in November 1970. The Logan Daily News reported that an open house was held at the home of Langley Fout in McArthur. 

Roy died in McArthur on Sept. 18, 1977. Following funeral rites presided by Rev. Jerry Griffith, burial was in nearby Elk Cemetery. An obituary in the Daily News said he was survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Catherine outlived him by 21 years. She passed away in 1998 and was laid to rest beside her husband in Elk Cemetery. 

Son Harold Edward Brantner (1918- ? ) was born on Nov. 26, 1918. He dwelled in Columbus in young manhood and was a clerk. When he was 20 years of age, on April 15, 1939, he married Annabelle Fearn Starkey (July 30, 1917- ? ), daughter of William and Mary (Evans) Starkey and a native of Columbus. Their wedding was held in or near Circleville, Pickaway County. The Brantners lived in Columbus, in 1977.

Daughter Alice Leola Brantner (1933-2018) was born on Nov. 28, 1933. She attended Allensville High School and in 1953 earned a living as a waitress at Smart's Restaurant. On Oct. 18, 1953, at the age of 19, she wed 19-year-old Richard L. Barnhart ( ? - ? ), son of Clarence and Margaret E. (Dye) Barnhart of West Logan, OH. Rev. Carroll Chesser officiated the nuptials, held in the Locust Grove Church near Creola, OH. News of their upcoming, open-church ceremony was published in the Logan Daily News. The pair stayed together through the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 62 years. They were the parents of five daughters, among them Mary Beavers, Edith L. Wilson, Patricia Barnett, April Elick and Anita L. Herron.  Richard had studied at Logan High School and at the time of marriage worked at Flood's Service Station in Logan as a gasoline filling station attendant. The family is known to have dwelled in Logan, OH in 1977. Alice died on New Year's Day 2018 at the age of 84. Her obituary was printed in the Logan Daily News, which said that she was survived by 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

  • Granddaughter Mary Barnhart ( ? - ? ) married Donald "Donnie" Beavers (Sept. 11, 1947-2020), a native of New Plymouth, OH and the son of William Jennings and Dorothy Agnes (Helber) Beavers. They dwelled in Logan, OH for many years and were the parents of Richard Brian Beavers and Evelyn Mallory. Donald served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. As a GI, he was a radio technician. Later, he earned a living as a truck driver and mechanic and held a membership in Vietnam Vetreans of America. Sadly, just two days after his 73rd birthday, Donald died on Sept. 13, 2020 as a patient in OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens. Services at the gravesite were held in Helber Cemetery in Hocking County, with the rites led by the Hocking Couinty Honor Guard.

    Great-grandson Richard Brian Beavers wed Heather. They were in New Straitsville, OH in 2020. 

    Great-granddaughter Evelyn Beavers entered into marriage with Jeffrey Mallory. They planted themselves in Logan, OH. 

  • Granddaughter Edith L. "Edie" Barnhart ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Wilson ( ? - ? ). She resided in Logan in 2018-2023.
  • Granddaughter Patricia Barnhart ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with William Barnett ( ? - ? ). The pair put down roots in Logan, OH.
  • Granddaughter April Barnhart (1960-2020) was born on April 9, 1960 in Logan, OH. She tied the marital cord with Terry L. Elick ( ? - ? ). The family spent their years together in Logan. Together, they were the parents of a combined family of five -- William J. Barnett II, Billie Collins, Wendy Breedlove, Rhonda Chamberlain and Carla Russell. As April's health failed, she was admitted to Hocking Valley Community Hospital in Logan where she surrendered to the heavenly host of angels at the age of 60 on June 30, 2020. A celebration of her life was held at Kachelmacher Park in town.

    Great-grandson William J. Barnett II was united in wedlock with Janet. They made a home in Rockbridge, OH.

    Great-granddaughter Billie was joined in matrimony with Nathan Collins. Circa 2020, they were in Groveport, OH.

    Great-granddaughter Wendy married Jeremy Breedlove. The pair settled in Columbus, OH.

    Great-granddaughter Rhonda wed Ronald Chamberlain. They have stayed in Logan.

    Great-granddaughter Carla tied the knot with Dan Russell. Their residence was in Plain City, OH in 2020. 

  • Granddaughter Anita L. Barnhart (1963-2016) was born on Sept. 18, 1963 in Logan, OH. She was joined in wedlock with Steven R. Herron ( ? - ? ). The six children borne of this marriage were Alice Leola Grubb, Candy Jernagan, Misty Kelley, Steven Herron, Kacy Herron and Luther Herron. All three of the sons died young. Sadly, on Christmas Eve 2016, she was gathered away by the angel of death as a patient in Heath (OH) Nursing Care Center. The widowed Steven remained in Logan.

    Great-granddaughter Alice Leola Herron (1982-2023) was born on July 15, 1982 in Lancaster, OH. She was united in matrimony with Gregg Grubb II. The family made a residence in Logan, OH. Their two offspring are Greg Grubb II and Tempest Grubb. Grief cascaded over the family when Alice died at the age of 41, in Marion General Hospital of Marion, OH on Aug. 10, 2023.

    Great-granddaughter Candy Herron married Billy Jernagan. They dwell in Logan, OH. 

    Great-granddaughter Misty Herron wed Andy Kelley. The pair put down roots in Laurelville, OH and later in Adelphi, OH. 

~ Daughter Margaret Jane "Madge" (Brantner) Maish ~

Daughter Margaret Jane "Madge" Brantner (1892-1964) was born in 1892 in Columbus.

As a young woman, she made a home in Hamilton County, OH at the address of 2610 Eastern Avenue.

On Aug. 5, 1908, when she was 16 years old, Madge entered into marriage with 22-year-old Roy Fred Maish (1885-1962). A native of Cincinnati, he was the son of Fred R. and Lunetta (Robinson) Maish. Justice of the peace Fred A. Lamping officiated. At the time, Roy lived in Westerville and supported himself as a painter. 

Their two children were Louis Brantner Maish and Margaret E. Way.

The Maishes lived in Columbus for years. The United States of 1910 shows the newlyweds in the state capitol, with Roy working as a railroad fireman. Then during the decade of the 1910s, Roy obtained a position as a machinist with an automobile company, and they relocated to Cleveland and were there as of 1920. At some point, by 1930, they returned to Columbus where he became employed as a truck driver with Columbus Railway, Power & Light.

Evidence suggests that circa 1950, Roy at age 65 was unable to work and was an "inmate" in the Franklin County Sanitarium.

In the 1950s, Madge was employed as a practical nurse at Ohio State University Hospital. 

Roy died on Oct. 2, 1962, and was laid to rest in Columbus' famed Green Lawn Cemetery. 

Madge survived for another two years. She passed away on Aug. 31, 1964. Burial was under the sod of Glen Rest Memorial Estate in Reynoldsburg.

Son Louis Brantner Maish (1912-1966) was born on Sept. 14, 1922 in Westerville near Columbus, OH. He stood 5 feet, 8½ inches tall and weighed 154 lbs. At the age of 23, he lived at 475 Vermont Place in the Columbus area and was employed as a "county man." On Feb. 13, 1936, he married 19-year-old Frances Louise Seeger (Nov. 27, 1915-1967), a native of Kirkersville, Licking County and the daughter of Carl and Myrtle (Neumeister) Seeger. Rev. B.C. Peters presided. Two known sons in this family were Tom O. Maish and Larry Maish. In 1940, the federal census enumeration shows the family in Columbus, with Louis employed as a salesman of industrial insurance. That year, he was required to register for the military draft on the eve of World War II, and at that time their address was 848 South Wayne Avenue, Columbus. He disclosed that his employer was Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. A decade later, in 1950, he was self-employed in the insurance business, stating to that year's census-taker that he was working 60-hour weeks. He went on in 1960 to found and serve as president of Contract Sweepers and Equipment Company in Columbus, working with son Tom. The business focused on providing sweeping services and renting equipment for cleaning parking lots, industrial properties and municipal facilities. Sadly, at the age of 43, Louis died on April 6, 1966. His remains were laid to rest in Columbus' Union Cemetery. Frances only outlived him by a year. She succumbed to the spectre of death at age 51 on Oct. 15, 1967. Today Contract Sweepers is a division of Sweeping Corporation of America. 

  • Grandson Tom O. Maish (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. He is a 1961 graduate of Ohio State University, receiving a bachelor of science in business administration. He tied the marital cord with Judy ( ? - ? ). Their union has endured for more than 60 years. Together they produced two known children, Gregory Maish and Bethany Maish-Ross. Tom helped his father found Contract Sweepers and Equipment Company in 1960. After running the business for many years after his father's death, Tom in 2004 sold his shares to employees through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). After this transition, their son Greg held the role of vice president of operations. In 2005, Tom and Judy created the Maish Scholarship through the Family Business Center of Central Ohio, hosted by Ohio Dominican University, to support family-owned businesses in Central Ohio. The organization's name later was changed to the Conway Center for Family Business. Jeremiah Guappone was chosen as the inaugural scholarship recipient. Also in 2005, the family invested $50,000 in creation of the Tom and Judy Maish Entrepreneurship Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, intended "for scholarship support for hard-working students at the Fisher College of Business who have a financial need, are interested in entrepreneurship and demonstrate a commitment to volunteer work," said a university announcement. In retirement, they have made their home in Bonita Springs, FL. There, they have been active with preservation and promotion of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and on the sustainability board of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, an Everglades habitat, where he helped create the Campus Host program and lead repairs to its 2.25-mile boardwalk through the "largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America."
  • Grandson Larry Maish (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944. 

Daughter Margaret Elizabeth Maish (1915-1991) was born on Dec. 4, 1915. On Aug. 29, 1941, in Indiana, she married Robert Charles Way (Oct. 15, 1914-1949), originally from Olean, NY, and the son of Howard Charles and Katherine (Harris) Way. The pair produced a son and a daughter, James A. Way and Nancy J. Way. Robert was an alumnus of Ohio State University. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Naval Reserves. They made their dwelling-place at 1704 Hess Boulevard in rural Clinton Township, considered part of Columbus. Robert was employed as a research mechanical engineer at the Battelle Memorial Institute, the Columbus-based applied science and technology development organization. Tragically, he contracted cancer of the rectum which spread to his liver. He underwent surgery in January 1948 and survived for another year. Then in early 1949, as a patient in White Cross Hospital in Columbus, he passed away on Jan. 6, 1949. The remains were laid to rest in Glen Rest Memorial Estate in Reynoldsburg, OH. Federal census records for 1950 show the widowed Margaret in Clinton Township, Franklin County, with her occupation shown as a library clerk for a research institute. Margaret outlived her spouse by more than four decades. The angel of death cleaved her away in Franklin County on July 18, 1991. She joined her husband in eternal repose in the sacred soil of Glen Rest.

  • Grandson James A. Way (1941-1994) was born on Oct. 22, 1941 in Columbus. Evidence suggests that he spent his career in newspaper publishing. He died in Reynoldsburg, OH at the age of 52 on April 29, 1994.
  • Granddaughter Nancy J. Way (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 in Pennsylvania.

~ Son Robert Richard Brantner ~

Son Robert Richard Brantner (1905-1945) was born on Jan. 23, 1905 in Columbus.

He was twice-wed to the same woman. The second time was on Sept. 3, 1929, in Franklin County, OH, when he remarried Bertha Marie Klein (Dec. 20, 1898-1986), a native of Fayette County, OH and the daughter of Charles E. and Mary A. (Lambert) Klein. Officiating was the Mayor of Harrisburg, OH, W.R. Pretsch.

They bore three children together -- Charles Lewis Brantner (later renamed Bernard Harold Brantner), Clara Jane Orris Maddy and Anna Louise Schumacher. 

The Brantner family made a home in Columbus at the address of 3632 South Champion Avenue in 1940. Robert made a living as a foreman in young manhood and later as a truck driver.

Sadly, Robert at age 41 was fatally injured in a vehicle accident in Circleville on Feb. 26, 1945. The Springfield News-Sun reported in an Associated Press story that "his southbound truck skidded off the road and struck two utility poles on Route 23 three miles north of South Bloomfield in Pickaway County... He died in Berger Hospital at Circleville. His remains were lowered under the sod of  Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.

Bertha lived for another 40-plus years. Circa 1950, she and daughter Anna lived together in Columbus.

She was plucked away by the spirit of death in May 1986. His remains sleep for all time at Green Lawn. 

Son Bernard Harold Brantner (1927-2004) -- born under the name "Charles Lewis Brantner" -- was born on Feb. 10, 1927 in Columbus. The name change occurred by the time he was 18 years of age. In young adulthood he stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 163 lbs. He was joined in wedlock with Ruby M. Snouffer (Dec. 26, 1928-1993), a native of Dallas, TX. Two children borne of this couple were Richard R. Brantner and Ruth M. Brantner. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, Bernard's occupation was lathing for construction of new houses. He remained in this occupation during the 1950s, with an address in 1957 of 5019 South Dimson Drive. The Brantners later relocated to Los Angeles County, CA. As of 1966, at their son's marriage, their address was 6678 Sueno Road, Goleta, CA. Their marriage dissolved in divorce on April 4, 1983. They both remained in Southern California, and in the mid-1990s his dwelling-place was in San Fernando, CA. Ruby passed away on Feb. 23, 1993. Death swept him away in 2004, in Los Angeles County, on May 24, 2004.

  • Grandson Richard Robert Brantner (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948. He relocated to Southern California with his parents. On Jan. 29, 1966, as a high school senior, he was united in matrimony with Susan Hope Muncaster ( ? - ? ), daughter of William L. Muncaster of 740 Via Reposa. The ceremony was held in the McLean Chapel of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. News of the marriage, along with a photo of the happy couple, was published in the Golet (CA) Gazette-Citizen, which said that the "bride wore an empire gown of ivory antique satin, with long sleeves and a lace collar. She carried a nosegay of stephanotis, roses and sweet violets." The newlyweds made their first home in Goleta. The following June, Richard graduated from San Marcos High School. Then in July, they became the parents of Jay Lucas Brantner.

    Great-grandson Jay Lucas Brantner (1966- ? ) was born in 1966 in Santa Barbara, CA. 

  • Granddaughter Ruth M. Brantner (1949- ? ) was born in about 1949. Evidence shows that she married Charles E. Jackson on Feb. 7, 1964 and then John E. Balas on June 26, 1965. The Balases lived in Richmond, CA in early 1966, when John served as best man in the wedding of Ruth's brother.

Daughter Clara Jean Brantner (1930-2011) was born on Aug. 6, 1930 in Columbus. On Dec. 18, 1948, when she was 18 years of age, she married 25-year-old welder Daniel Frederick Orris (Sept. 1, 1923-1974), son of Daniel and Mabel (Blair) Orris. Officiating was Rev. Curtis B. Morris. Five children produced by this union were Eileen L. Tilley, Thomas G. Orris, Judy A. Solomon, Barbara M. Martin and Clyde F. Orris. Sadly, Daniel died on Jan. 2, 1974, and was buried in Wesley Chapel in Hilliard, OH. (Note -- the chapel was built in 1847 in part by distant cousin Francis Miner, whose brother Daniel Minor Jr. was a chapel trustee.) On June 4, 1984, having been a widow for a decade, she wed 51-year-old Millard J. Maddy (1933- ? ). The second marriage lasted less than a year, with Clara suing for divorce on grounds of gross neglect of duty. Her petition was approved in Franklin County Court on March 5, 1985. Clara Jean earned a living for 20 years with Mt. Carmel Medical Center, with her retirement taking place in 1995. Said an obituary, she "enjoyed gardening, fishing, her grandchildren, and genealogy and could trace her family back to the American Revolution through Ancestor, Captain Henry Ambrose of the Virginia Militia." After living most of her life in Columbus, Clara Jean's final years were spent in Utica, OH. She died at home at the age of 80 on Jan. 27, 2011. Interment was next to her first husband at Wesley Chapel. Inscribed on the face of their grave marker is the phrase "Walk with me."

  • Granddaughter Eileen L. Orris wed (?) Tilley. She was in Utica, OH in 2011.
  • Grandson Thomas G. Orris Sr. married Veronica "Ronnie" VanFossen ( ? - ? ). They planted themselves in Utica, Licking County and bore nine known offspring in their combined family. Among them were Tracey Orris, Edward VanFossen, John Tanner Jr., Nichole Orris, Kelly Orris, Terry Orris, Theresa Orris, Teresa Crumbacker and Thomas G. "T.J." Orris Jr. The children are known to have attended Northridge High School. Sadness blanketed the family when son Thomas Jr. (July 16, 1987-2002) -- who "was an avid hunter, fisherman, chess player, artist, euchre player, basketball player and liked building model cars," said the Newark Advocate -- died at the age of 15 on Aug. 12, 2002. Burial was in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, with graveside rites furnished by Pastor Bruce Hissong.
  • Granddaughter Judith A. Orris (1952- ? ) was born on (?) 1952. On Aug. 28, 1971, she entered into marriage with Francis Paul "Frank" Solomon Jr. (Sept. 24, 1947-2020), a native of Johnstown, PA and the son of Francis Paul and Frances E. (Prostredny) Solomon Sr. and stepson of Marian (Neurohr Martin) Solomon. Their union endured the highs and lows of 48 years' duration. A trio of children produced by the pair were Dawn A. Rager, Brian P. Solomon and Craig P. Solomon. Frank was a graduate of Warren (PA) High School and the University of Cincinnati, where he received a bachelor of science degree in economics. He took additional courses at the University of Pittsburgh branch in Johnstown and Penn State University at Altoona. The Solomons made a home for many years in Hollidaysburg, PA. For 39 years, Frank was employed by the Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and later part of First Energy, joining the company as a janitor and rising to become facility manager. In connection with the Blair County Genealogical Society, Judy is believed to have helped publish the book First Families of Blair County, Pennsylvania: First Five Years, 2007-2011. She graciously has shared valuable content circa 2003-2007 for this biography. Said the Johnstown newspaper, "Frank enjoyed fishing, spending evenings with his wife at Canoe Creek lake,camping with family, family gatherings,bowling, target shooting, and he was a history buff. He will be remembered for his vivacious spirit and laughter. He was a member of Hollidaysburg senior bowling league, Hollidaysburg Sportsman Association and the Blair County Genealogical Society."  Sadly, at the age of 72, Frank died on April 5, 2020. His obituary was published in the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, which said he was survived by four grandchildren. His remains were laid to rest in Alto Reste Park Cemetery.

    Great-granddaughter Dawn A. Solomon wed Charles Rager. They moved to York, PA.

    Great-grandson Brian P. Solomon married Jill. The couple dwells in New Franklin, OH.

    Great-grandson Craig P. Solomon entered into marriage with Jill. They established a home in Erie, PA.

  • Granddaughter Barbara M. Orris tied the marital cord with Andy Martin. In 2011, they dwelled in Cocoa, FL. 
  • Grandson Clyde Frederick Orris (1949-1989) was born on July 28, 1949. He is known to have served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Dec. 31, 1969 to Jan. 11, 1971. His first wife appears to have been Janetta M. ( ? - ? ). One child was born in this family. The pair divorced after three years, on June 4, 1973, in Franklin County Court. At that time, his home address was 167 North Warren in Columbus. He tied the knot on Oct. 29, 1973 with 19-year-old Cathy Elaine Cook (1954- ? ). Their nuptials were conducted in Robertson, TN, presided by Rev. Luke E. Fuqua. They divorced on Feb. 2, 1976, in Franklin County, OH, on his charges of gross neglect and extreme cruelty. Then on Dec. 23, 1977, at the age of 30, he wed 19-year-old Brenda K. Tackett ( ? - ? ) and dwelled in Columbus. They bore two offspring together. This marriage also dissolved in divorce, granted in Franklin County on April 6, 1981, on grounds of gross neglect of duty. On Aug. 28, 1983, for a fourth time, the 36-year-old Clyde entered into marriage with 33-year-old Janice L. Desentz (1950- ? ). Their wedding was held in Licking County, OH. In time he moved to Michigan and made his home in Bridgehampton, Sanilac County, MI. Sadly, he died in Saginaw at the age of 39 on March 11, 1989. The remains were interred in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Hilliard.

Daughter Anna Louise Brantner (1933-2014) was born on May 6, 1933 in Columbus, or Washington Court House, OH. She grew up in Columbus. On June 11, 1952, when she was 19 years of age, she wed Carl Frederick Schumacher Jr. (July 11, 1934-1996). Their wedding ceremony was held in Indiana. Nine offspring were born to the pair, all daughters but two, among them Carl Frederick Schumacher III, Louise Moore, Annette Zipp, Emil Lee Schumacher, Brenda Brooks, Teresa "Michelle" Schumacher, Nancy Schumacher, Linda Vega and Debra Shackley. The Schumachers lived in Columbus in 1953 at the address of 211 Wilber Avenue. Carl made a living as a cabinet maker and gunsmith. Eventually she relocated to California and he to Reno, NV. Circa the early 1980s, she dwelled in Solano County, CA. The couple divorced in Solano County Court on Sept. 7, 1984. As of 1993, at the death of her grandson John Henry Brooks, she was in Reno, NV. Sadly, Anna Louise passed away in Preston, Franklin County, ID on June 12, 2014. Ex-husband Carl at the age of 44 married a second time on Sept. 11, 1978 to 37-year-old Kaylynn May Conklin ( ? - ? ) in nuptials held in Reno, NV, with the news announced in the Reno Gazette-Journal. Carl died in Pershing County Hospital in Lovelock, NV on June 16, 1996, with obituaries printed in the Gazette Journal and Elko Daily Free Press. His memorial service was conducted at First Baptist Church of Lovelock. He was survived by 23 grandchildren.

  • Grandson Carl Frederick Schumacher III (1953- ? ) was born in 1953. In young manhood he made his residence in Lovelock, NV. His first wife was Michelle ( ? - ? ). Their union ended in divorce in Reno in June 1985. On April 27, 2011, in Lovelock, he entered into the bond of marriage with Diane Estelle Wesner (1960- ? ). The wedding was officiated by justice of the peace James D. Evans. 
  • Granddaughter Louise Schumacher wed (?) Moore. She dwelled in Las Vegas in 1996.
  • Granddaughter Annette Schumacher married (?) Zipp. Her home in 1996 was in Las Vegas.
  • Grandson Emil Lee Schumacher (1956-1984) was born on Oct. 27, 1956 in Columbus. He migrated to California with his parents. Sadly, he died in Lassen County, CA at the age of 27 on Feb. 10, 1984. The remains were transported to Reno, NV for interment in Mountain View Cemetery. Inscribed on his bronze memorial tablet marking the grave is this poem -- "Mo, in memory you are with us, as you always were before."
  • Granddaughter Brenda Schumacher was joined in wedlock with Floyd Brooks ( ? - ? ), son of James and Nina Brooks of Greensboro, AL. Together they bore a brood of five -- John Henry Brooks, Michael Brooks, Nina Brooks, Kathleen Brooks and Mary Ann Brooks. The family lived in Doyle, CA for nine years in the 1980s and then in 1990-1996 some 40 miles away in Susanville, CA. After a 1997 divorce in Lassen County Court, Brenda married again to (?) Cassera ( ? - ? ) and relocated to Reno.

    Great-grandson John Henry Brooks (1980-1993) was born on July 8, 1980 in Reno. His first home was in Doyle, CA for nine years and then in Susanville, CA for three. Said the Lassen County Times of Susanville: "John was an athlete competing in the Special Olympics and was a member of Debbie Hicks' severely handicapped class at McKinley Elementary School." Sadly, at the age of 12, he was gathered in by the angel of death on May 1, 1993 as a patient in Washoe Medical Center in Reno. A memorial service was conducted at Grace Fellowship Church. Interment followed in Long Valley Cemetery in Doyle. 

    Great-grandson Michael Brooks

    Great-granddaughter Nina Brooks

    Great-granddaughter Kathleen Brooks ( ? - ? ) - Circa 1998, she was united in matrimony with Stanley Earl Castodio Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Stanley Earl and Ronda Castodio Jr. of Doyle, CA. They made their residence in 1998 in Doyle. Two known sons of this family were Stanley Earl Castodio III, born in 1998 and Kyler James Castodio (2002).

    Great-granddaughter Mary Ann Brooks ( ? - ? ). She was the mother or stepmother of Jacob. Then in 1999, she and Dale Takeshita of Susanville produced a daughter, Sidney Marie Takeshita, born at Lassen Community Hospital. Then in 2001, with Scott Warmoth of Susanville, she gave birth to a son, Allen James Warmoth, also at Lassen Hospital.

  • Granddaughter Teresa "Michelle" Schumacher (1966-2011) was born on Jan. 12, 1966 in San Diego. In the mid-1990s, her residence was in Susanville, CA. Sadly, she died in Reno, NV on June 8, 2011.
  • Granddaughter Nancy Schumacher resided in California in 1996.
  • Granddaughter Linda Schumacher entered into marriage with (?) Vega. She was in Elko, NV in 1996.
  •  
  • Granddaughter Debra Schumacher tied the knot with (?) Shackley. Circa 1996, her dwelling-place was in Young, AZ.

Copyright © 2004, 2010, 2012, 2022-2023 Mark A. Miner

  Judith (Orris) Solomon graciously has contributed content to this biography.