Notes:

After the death of Edward's mother, no one was able to care for him, his brother Robert and his sister Dorothy. Dorothy was taken in by her mother's parent and Edward, along with his brother Robert, was placed in the Richland County Childreo e in Mansfield, Ohio. Room and board, plus clothes was paid by his father. Later, they moved to the Crawford County Children's Home that was recently opened and was much better for it had far less children and was more like a big family. It wa s a very unhappy part of their life. The superintendents were a retired couple with 3 children of their own. Edward was in the 7th or 8th grade at the time. In 1920, when his father remarried, he came to live in Mansfield with his brother, Rob ert. In 1923, Edward was forced to drop out of school in his junior year when his father burned his hands in order to help out with the family. Edward went to work for the Ohio Brass Company in Mansfield. He was able to finish hiseducation b y taking extension courses at Lincoln University in Cleveland, Ohio. Edward stayed with the Ohio Brass up to the time he retired.

Edward married Naomi G. Etzwiler in 1928. Naomi died on 6 Apr 1966 in Richland County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Zelma Reed on 25 Nov 1933. Zelma was born on 30 Jan 1911; died in Jul 1980 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio; was buried in Mansfield Memorial Park. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Nelson Edward Bolen

Notes:

Notes for JOHN H. BOLEN:
1880 Census, Ohio, Vol. 40, E.D. 125, Sheet 32, Line 23, Rushcreek twsp., Logan County, has John living with parents, age 2 months.

1900 Census, Ohio, Logan County, Jefferson twsp., Vol. 92, E.D. 108, Sheet 10, Line 4, has John living in the household of James Fuk, age 20

1910 Census, Ohio, S.D. 12, E.D. 5, Page 3B, dwelling 623, Bucyrus, Crawford County, has John living with wife Mae, sons, Edward and Raymond.

1920 Census, Ohio, Vol. 170, E.D. 195, Sheet 3, Line 14, 37 Arch St., Mansfield, Richland County, has John living alone.

1930-1931 City Directory of the United States, 043904, Mansfield Richland County, Ohio, Page 160, has Bolen, John H. (Sadie B.) Insurance, Home: 153 Poplar.

1932-1933 City Directory of the United States, 043904, Mansfield Richland County, Ohio, Page 130, has
Bolen, John H. (Sadie B.) Insurance, Home: 153 Poplar.


When John was born, he had no middle name and later in years he decided to use the letter "H", which he liked so much that he kept the letter which was common in those days. John taught school at a early age of 19 or 20 and was thoue at. Later he obtained a engineers license from the State of Ohio and was employed at the Municipal Light Plants in Bucyrus, Mansfield, Shelby and Ashland, Ohio. He was also employed at Wooster College in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio . In 1923, John was involved in an accident in which he was severely burned on his hands from steam in a boiler explosion. Afterwards, he sold insurance for a local firm.




- OBITUARY - Mansfield News Journal, dtg August 1932 - Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio DEATHS - BOLEN, John H. Bolen, 51 died suddenly Wednesday evening at his home, 153 Poplar street. He had been a Mansfield resident the past 16 year s and was associated with the Lincoln Insurance Company. He was born at Bellefontaine, April 19, 1881.
Besides his wife, Mrs. Sadie Bolen, he is survived by two sons, Edward and Raymond Bolen, both of Mansfield, a daughter, Mrs. Clarence Stevens, of Lima, and his father, William Bolen, of Byhalia, Ohio. One grandson also survives. Mr.s ach.
The body was removed to the Wappner funeral home where private funeral services will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. with Rev. B. F. Hagelbarger officiating. Burial will be in Mansfield Cemetery. -


-OBITUARY- Mansfield News Journal, dtg August 1932 - Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.

ATTEND FUNERAL - Bolen Rites Bring Relatives From Out-of-Town, Funeral services for John H. Bolen were held at the Wappner funeral home Saturday afternoon. Out-of-town people who attended included: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thatcher of Bellefontostoria; Jack Bolen and daughter, of West Liberty; Mr. Armstrong and son, also of West Liberty; Mrs. Wright and daughter and Mrs. Barger, of Marion; Mr. and Mrs. William Auker, Mrs. Nellie Burns of Chesterville; Mr. and Mrs. Metle r of Mt. Gilead; Mr. and Mrs. William Shoop, Kent; Mrs. J.A. Mounts, Salem, and Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, of Lima.




More About JOHN H. BOLEN:
Burial: Buried in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio

John married Alda Mae Strayer on 15 Mar 1906 in Logan County, Ohio. Alda (daughter of John Edward Strayer and Laura Sower) was born on 28 Sep 1884; died on 8 Sep 1916 in Logan County, Ohio; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

OBITUARY - West Liberty Banner, dtg September 14, 1916, Log
an County, Ohio.

Alda Mae, daughter of Edward and Laura Strayer, was born in Champaign county, near West Liberty, September 28, 1883, and departed this life at the home of her parents in West Liberty, Ohio September 8, 1916, aged 32 years, 11 months and 1

She was united in marriage to John H. Bolen, March 15, 1906. To this union three children were born - two sons and one daughter.
In early life she united with the Christian Church at West Liberty, and was a faithful worker in the church, Sunday School, and Endeavor Society of which she was a member.
After moving from this vicinity to Bucyrus she became affiliated with the United Brethren Church and was a member of the same at the time of her death.
She had been ill for a period of about three years, but about six weeks ago was brought to the home of her parents. She was very patient in her sickness and the end came as a sweet relief from her suffering, but was a painful separation
r loved ones. During her illness she was tenderly cared for by her mother and loved ones who did all they could to make her comfortable. The home she once made happy with friendly welcome and a kindly smile is broken, but God knows best.
She is survived by her husband, two sons, Edward Hartley and Raymond Robert, and one daughter, Dorothy Isabell; also her parents, two sisters, and four brothers, and many other relatives and friends.

Be near to bless me when I wake,
Ere thro' the world my way I take;
Abide with me till in Thy love
I lose myself in Heaven above.

The funeral services were held at the home on Newell street, Sunday afternoon, at one o'clock, in charge of Rev. E.C. Hamilton. There were many beautiful flowers, and a large assemblage of relatives and friends present to pay a last tr.air View cemetery.
The following relatives and friends from a distance were present at the funeral: Wm. Bolen, Byhalia; C. A. Bolen, Fostoria; Mrs. Thomas Patterson, Mrs. Robert Reeder, Mrs. Cora Rock, Mrs. John Lippincott, James Funk and daughter, Gertr,wcett, wife and daughter, and Mrs. Shick, Bellefontaine; J.J. Prater, Mrs. Foreman Prater, Mrs. Elmer Prater, Northfield; Irwin Prater and wife, Rushsylvania; H.U. King and wife Urbana; Mrs. Ben Phenegar and Walter Phenegar, DeGra ff; Ray Sidesinger and wife, Continental; Mrs. Cora Stinchcomb, Springfield.




More About ALDA MAE STRAYER:
Burial: Buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lot 41, West Liberty Cemetery, LoganCounty, Ohio.
Death Certificate: Vol. 2047, Cert. Nr. 56824, Logan County, Ohio.

Notes:

1870 Census, Ohio, Adams twsp., Champaign County, Page 196B, Dwelling 64, has has John (Edward) living with parents, age 8.

1880 Census, Ohio, Vol. 7, E.D. 17, Sheet 10, Line 10, Adams twsp., Champaign County, has John E. living with his father, age 18.

1900 Census, Ohio, Vol. 92, E.D. 114, Sheet 3, Line 28, Liberty twsp., Logan County, has John living with wife Laura; three daughters, May (Alda Mae), Cecil F. and Adda B. (Addie); three sons, Floyd P., Willis R. and Percy R.

1920 Census, Ohio, Vol. 123, E.D. 191, Sheet 11, Line 75, 220 Oak Land Square, Bellefontaine, Logan County, has John living with wife Laura; four sons, Floyd P., Willis, Ray P., and Hershal R.; one granddaughter, Dorothy I. Bolen.

John lived in West Liberty, Ohio for thirty years. He was associated with the Niagara Steam Company of West Liberty; Volunteer Fire Department from March 9, 1892 to and after 1917. He worked as a Lamplighter for West Liberty before they haci. he also helped take care of the jail and worked at the West liberty Condensery as a stationary engineer. They moved to Bellefontaine (220 Oakland Square) in the spring of 1923. John died of a combination of intestinal flu and blood po isoning. He received the blood poisoning from a metal splinter in his finger. He was a member of the Christian Church in West Liberty and the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge#6.



OBITUARY - West Liberty Banner, dtg August 23, 1923 - Logan County, Ohio.

J.E. Strayer (John Edward) - 62, son of Joseph and Emily Strayer, DeGraff, wife Laura Sowers, daughter Mrs. May Bolen died 8 years ago, her daughter Dorothy lived with him. Sons, Floyd P. of Urbana, Ray of Springfield, Herschel and Wils and Mrs. Ernest Yoder of West Liberty.



More About JOHN EDWARD STRAYER:
Burial: Buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lot 41, West Liberty Cemetery, Logan County, Ohio.

John married Laura Sower. Laura (daughter of Samuel Sower and Mary Ellen King) was born on 5 Sep 1859 in Marion County, Indiana; died on 4 Jul 1935 in West Liberty, Ohio; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lot 411, West Liberty, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1900 Census, Ohio, Vol. 92 E.D. Sheet 3, Line 28, Liberty twsp., Logan County has John living with wife Laura; three daughters, May (Alda Mae, Cecil F., and Adda B. (Addie); three sons, Floyd P., Willis R., and Percy R.

1920 Census, Ohio, Vol. 123, E.D. 191, Sheet 11, Line 75, 220 Oakland Square, Bellefontaine, Logan County has John living with wife Laura, four sons, Floyd P., Willis, Ray P., and Hershal R.; one granddaughter Dorothy I. Bolen

1890 Census, Indiana, Richland twsp., Grant County, page 359, dwelling #826, has Laura living with her parents, age 9 month.

OBITUARY - Bellefontaine Examiner, dtg Friday, July 8, 1935, Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio.

PARALYSIS CAUSES DEATH - Funeral of Mrs. Laura Ellen Strayer To Be Held Saturday - Mrs. Laura Ellen Strayer died Thursday at 2:15 p.m. of paralysis after an illness of but a few days. She was stricken Tuesday at her family home, 220 Oaklanor some time. Living in the home with her were her son, Herschel Strayer, and wife and baby son and another son, Ray Strayer.
Laura Ellen Sower-Strayer was born Sept. 5, 1859, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sower. When she was quite young they moved to a farm near Tremont City, later moving to the vicinity of West Liberty. She was the only daughter in a fafhhers having preceded her in death.
She was united in marriage with John E. Strayer, July 11, 18885, his death occurring in August of 1923. They moved to a farm in the vicinity of West Liberty, later moving to West Liberty, then to Bellefontaine.
The deceased was the mother of seven children. Those who remain are Mrs. Ernest Yoder, of West Liberty; Floyd P. Strayer, of Urbana; Willis W. Strayer, Ray Strayer and Herschel Strayer, of Bellefontaine. There are 12 grandchildren and threng. One granddaughter, Mrs. Dorothy Bolen Stevens, who now resides in Lima, was reared by Mrs. Strayer from infancy.
The following brothers remain, John Sower, of West Liberty; Rev. Grant Sower, of Ferry, Mich., and Edward E. Strayer of Campbell, Calif.
Mrs. Strayer was long a member of the Congregational church in West Liberty. She was a loving mother and always helpful and considerate.
Services will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Leonard & Eichholtz Funeral Home with Dr. C.E. Rice pastor of the Lutheran church, in charge. Burial will be made in the West Liberty cemetery.



Funeral Services - Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, dtg. July 1935.

MRS. STRAYER IS BURIED - Services for Mrs. Laura Strayer were held in the Leonard & Eichholtz Funeral Home Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with Dr. C. E. Rice, pastor of the Lutheran church, in charge.
The following pallbearers served at the burial in West Liberty cemetery. Floyd, Willis, Ray and Herschel Strayer and Ernest Yoder and Glenn Willitts.




Death certificate: Vol: 7878, Cert. NR. 43968, Logan County, Ohio

Notes:

Notes for SAMUEL SOWERS:
1850 Census, Ohio, German twsp., Clark County, Page 46B, Dw
elling 633, has Samuel living with his mother, age 24.

1860 Census, Indiana, Richland twsp., Grant County, page 359, dwelling # 826, has Samuel listed with wife Mary, sons Granville and Edward; a daughter Laura. Also in the same household was a Martin Sowers, age 16, born in Ohio. Relationship to Sa muel unknown.

1870 Census, Ohio, Brown twsp., Miami County, Dwelling 306, Page 265B, has Samuel Sour living with wife Mary E.; one daughter, Laura E.; four sons, Edward, John, Elmer and Grant.

1880 Census, Ohio, Harrison Twp. Champaign County 2-2-21, 13-13
Samuel Sower 54 M OH VA VA
Mary E. 53 M OH MD OH
Edward E. 22M OH OH OH
Laura E. 20 F IN OH OH
John K. 18 M IN OH OH
Elmer E. 16 M IN OH OH
Ulysses G. 12 M IN OH OH


Death Notice, West Liberty Banner, dtg. October 1, 1891
DEATH OF SAMUEL SOWER
Mr. Samuel Sower, a well known farmer, who resided on the Forsyth farm north of town, died Tuesday, September 29, 1891, about noon, after an illness of over three weeks with typhoid fever. He was about 65 years of age.
The funeral services will be held at the M. E. church in this place, Thursday, at 2 p. m. conducted by Rev. John. I. Hillman.

Obituary, West Liberty Banner, dtg. October 8, 1891
Samuel Sower was born near Springfield,Clark county, Ohio, January 31, 1826, and died at his home near West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, September 29, 1891, after an illness of about three weeks. Typhoid fever was the immediate cause of is d
On January 2, 1851, he was married to Miss Mary E. King, of Tremont City, who still lives to mourn the loss of him who had been her companion for more than forty years. Nine children were born of this union; four sons and one daughter remaiheir mother.
Mr. Sower had been a farmer most of his life, and his integrity was unquestioned by all who knew him. In 18?? he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. That bright experience never faded from his memory and he loved to re of his conversion. For a number of years he held the important position of class leader and was a zealous worker in the cause of Christ. Of late years his infirmities prevented the activities of former years, but he never lost interest i n the church and the consciousness of Christ's presence and power. As his pastor I visited him a few hours before he died. His face would brighten as I tried to talk to him of his Savior and the promises of God. He assured me that all was wel l and just before I left, with considerable effort he exclaimed, "Precious Jesus." It seemed as if he wanted to give one more testimony to the saving power of Christ. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
J. I. H.


Death book 2 p. 324 for Logan County records the death of Samuel as October 29, 1891, but I believe that is wrong as I found two obituaries for September 29, 1891.

Samuel married Mary Ellen King on 2 Jan 1851 in Tremont, Ohio. Mary (daughter of John King and Susannah Rhodes) was born on 17 Aug 1826 in Tremont, Clark County, Ohio; died on 27 Dec 1893 in West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio; was buried in West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1850 Census, Ohio, German twsp., Clark County, Page 30B, Dwelling 405, has Mary living with her parents, age 22.
John King 52 MD, shoemaker, Susan 44 OH, Mary 22 OH, Elizabeth 20, James 19, William 17, Oliver 14, Matthew 12, Lutetia 10, Thomas 8, Sarah J. 6, Harriet 4


OBITUARY - West Liberty Banner, dtg. Thursday January 4, 1894, West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio.

DEATH - MARY E. KING was born August 17, 1826, near Tremont, Ohio, and died at her home near West Liberty, Dec. 27, 1893, aged 67 years, 4 months and 10 days.
She united with the M.E. church in 1845, being a member for nearly forty-nine years. She was married to SAMUEL SOWER, Jan. 2, 1851, at Tremont. Of this union, nine children were born, eight sons and one daughter. The husband and four soner world, leaving four sons and the daughter, and a large number of friends and relatives to sincerely mourn her death.
Funeral services were conducted at South Union church by Rev. Swank, on Friday, and the body was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.

Notes:

Married:
The marriage record for Samuel Sour is found on p. 241 of V
ol. 3 of the Clark county marriage records.

They applied for marriage on Dec. 28, 1850 as Sam'l Sour and Sarah Ellen King. The official certificate of marriage gives the correct name of Mary Ellen King. They were married by Rev. Jesse Goddard, minister of the M. E. church.