Person Page

     Margaret Jane Artman was born on 10 September 1835 in Orange Twp., Richland Co. (now Ashland Co.), Ohio.^2,3 She was married by John Warren, J. P., to John Gerkey, son of George Gerkey and Rachel Martin, on 25 September 1859 in Ashland Co., Ohio.⁴ She died from "paralysis" on 26 December 1910 in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio, at age 75.¹ She was buried on 28 December 1910 in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio.¹
     She and her husband John were living in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1860.⁵
     She and her children may have faced difficult times financially after the (presumed) death of her husband John about 1868. In 1870 she and her two youngest children Charles and Phoeba J. were living with her mother Magdalena in Orange Twp.⁶ Her nine-year-old daughter Eliza was then living with John's brother Elijah Gerkey in Orange Twp.^7,8, and her seven-year-old daughter Fannie was living with John's brother Henry Gerkey's family in Carlton, Barry Co., Michigan.^9,8 Eliza had rejoined the family by 1880, when she was listed in the census with her mother Margaret and siblings Charles and Phoebe in Orange Twp.¹⁰ Fannie was still living away from home, however, as a servant with her aunt Lucinda (Gerkey) Stull's family in West Salem Twp., Mercer Co., Pennsylvania.^11,8
     Margaret was living with her daughter Fannie's family in Orange Twp. in 1900 (along with her daughter Phoebe) and in 1910.^3,12
     Her will was dated 24 July 1907, and admitted to probate on 18 January 1911. She named Charles T. Richards as the executor, and left all of her real estate and personal property to her daughters Fannie LaValley and Phoebe Gerkey, to be divided equally.¹³

     John Gerkey was born about 1831 in Pennsylvania.⁵ He was married by John Warren, J. P., to Margaret Jane Artman, daughter of Adam Artman and Sarah Magdalena Poff, on 25 September 1859 in Ashland Co., Ohio.¹ He probably died between 1867 and 1870, possibly in late 1867 or early 1868, based on the birth record of his daughter Phoebe, born 22 July 1868. It lists Phoebe's mother as Jane Girkey, but doesn't list a father's name.^6,7
     He and his wife Margaret were living in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1860⁵, where he was working as a farm laborer.⁵

     Eliza C. Gerkey was born on 30 December 1860 in Ohio.^1,2 She was married by R. M. Yoder to John Aguste Albright, son of Amos Albright and Rebecca Koup, on 4 December 1888 in Ashland Co., Ohio.³ She died on 6 July 1902 at age 41.¹ She was buried at Nankin Cemetery in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio.¹
     In 1870, at age 9, she was living with her uncle Elijah Gerkey in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio,^4,5 but by 1880 she was back with her mother Margaret and siblings Charles and Phoebe in Orange Twp.²
     She and her husband John were listed in the 1900 census in Ruggles Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio. John's brother Dan was living with them.⁶
     They had one child, Roy D. (b 30 September 1889, d 19 June 1891).⁷

     Charles Gerkey was born about 1866 in Ohio.^1,2 He died between 1880, when he was listed with his mother in the census, and 1900, when his mother was listed as having had four children but with only three then living.^2,3

     Phoebe Jane Gerkey was born on 22 July 1868 (her death certificate says 13 July 1868) in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio.^1,3 She died from tuberculosis on 24 January 1913 in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio, at age 44.³
     She and her mother were living with her sister Fannie's family in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, in 1900.⁴ In 1910 she was living in Orange Twp. next door to Fannie's family, boarding with her aunt Amelia Artman.⁵

     John Aguste Albright was born on 4 September 1855 in Clear Creek Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio.^1,4,5 He was married first, by R. M. Yoder, to Eliza C. Gerkey, daughter of John Gerkey and Margaret Jane Artman, on 4 December 1888 in Ashland Co., Ohio.² He was married second, by Harris P. Richards, Minister, to Margaret Onie Vance on 23 July 1910 in Ashland Co., Ohio.³ He died from a stroke on 1 May 1931 in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, at age 75.¹ He was buried on 3 May 1931 at Nankin Cemetery in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio.^1,4
     He and his first wife Eliza were listed in the 1900 census in Ruggles Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio. John's brother Dan was living with them.⁶
     In the 1910 census, after his wife's death, he was listed in Ruggles Twp. living as a boarder with Hugh Camble. Also living there was Maggie Vance, a 21-year-old housekeeper, who later that year became John's second wife.^7,3 He and Margaret are listed together in the 1920 and 1930 censuses in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio.^8,9
     He was a farmer most of his life, and also worked as a house carpenter around 1910.^6,8,1,7,3
     He and his first wife Eliza had one child, Roy D. (b 30 September 1889, d 19 June 1891).¹⁰

     Fannie Gerkey was born on 30 March 1863 in Ashland Co., Ohio.^2,3,1 She married first Frederick LaValley, son of Anthony LaValley and Turceil Plante, in 1888.² She was married second, by Rev. L. R. Akers, to William Henry Martin, son of John W. Martin and Louisa LaValley, on 12 April 1924 in Ashland Co., Ohio.^4,2 She died from heart disease on 3 July 1949 in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio, at age 86, with a stroke suffered in 1947 as a contributing factor.⁵ She was buried on 6 July 1949 at Nankin Cemetery in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio.^3,2
     In 1870, at age 7, she was living with her uncle Henry Gerkey's family in Carlton, Barry Co., Michigan.^6,7 And in 1880 she was living as a servant with her aunt Lucinda (Gerkey) Stull's family in West Salem Twp., Mercer Co., Pennsylvania.^8,7
     She and her first husband Frederick are listed in the censuses from 1900 to 1920 in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio. Fannie's mother Margaret was living with them in 1900 and 1910, and her sister Phoebe was with them in 1900.^1,9,10
     She and her second husband William are listed in the 1930 and 1940 censuses in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio. William's niece Mary Brown (b 1925) was living with them.^11,12
     She and Frederick had two children, Winifred (b August 1890) and Esther May (b May 1899), and an adopted son Arthur (b abt 1913).^1,10

     Frederick LaValley was born on 14 February 1856 in Mexico, Oswego Co., New York.² He married Fannie Gerkey, daughter of John Gerkey and Margaret Jane Artman, in 1888.¹ He died from endocarditis on 1 January 1922 in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, at age 65.^2,1 He was buried on 3 January 1922 at Nankin Cemetery in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio.²
     He and his wife Fannie are listed in the censuses from 1900 to 1920 in Orange Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio. Fannie's mother Margaret was living with them in 1900 and 1910, and her sister Phoebe was with them in 1900.^3,4,5 He was working as a ditch digger in 1900 and 1910, and laborer in a pump factory in 1920.^3,4,5
     He and Fannie had two children, Winifred (b August 1890) and Esther May (b May 1899), and an adopted son Arthur (b abt 1913).^3,5

     William Henry Martin was born on 7 February 1870 in Greenwich, Huron Co., Ohio.² He married as his second wife Fannie Gerkey, daughter of John Gerkey and Margaret Jane Artman, on 12 April 1924 in Ashland Co., Ohio.^1,3 He died on 17 December 1958 in Holmes Co., Ohio, at age 88.⁴
     He and his second wife Fannie are listed in the 1930 and 1940 censuses in Nankin, Ashland Co., Ohio. William's niece Mary Brown (b 1925) was living with them.^5,6 In 1930 he was working as a laborer doing odd jobs.⁵

     Almira Artman was born on 9 July 1839 in Ohio.¹ She was married first, by Francis Graham, J. P., to John Laubaugh on 3 September 1857 in Ashland Co., Ohio.² She was married second, by Pastor A. D. Griesly, to William Maynard, son of Manuell Maynard and Hester Shippe, on 24 December 1896 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.³ She died from a stroke on 18 May 1902 in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, at age 62.¹ She was buried on 20 May 1902 at Rutland Cemetery in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.^1,4
     After their marriage she and her first husband John lived in Montgomery Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, where they are listed in the 1860 and 1870 censuses. John's children George and Mary from his previous marriage lived with them. Also living with them in 1860 was Catharine Poff, age 67, perhaps the mother of John's first wife Mahala Poff.^5,6 They then moved to Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1880 census.⁷
     She is listed with her second husband William in Rutland Twp. in the 1900 census, along with his son William, age 17, from his previous marriage.⁸

     John Laubaugh was born about 1825 in Pennsylvania.^2,3 He was married first, by W. A. G. Emerson, to Mahala Poff on 21 August 1850 in Ashland Co., Ohio.⁴ He was married second, by Francis Graham, J. P., to Almira Artman, daughter of Adam Artman and Sarah Magdalena Poff, on 3 September 1857 in Ashland Co., Ohio.¹ He died from pneumonia on 26 April 1895 in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.² He was buried at Rutland Cemetery in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.⁵
     After their marriage he and his second wife Almira lived in Montgomery Twp., Ashland Co., Ohio, where they are listed in the 1860 and 1870 censuses. John's children George and Mary from his previous marriage lived with them. Also living with them in 1860 was Catharine Poff, age 67, perhaps the mother of John's first wife Mahala Poff.^6,3 They then moved to Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, where they are listed in the 1880 census.⁷
     He was listed as a farmer in the censuses.^6,3,7

     William Maynard was born on 23 November 1848 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada.^2,3 He married as his second wife Almira Artman, daughter of Adam Artman and Sarah Magdalena Poff, on 24 December 1896 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.¹ He died on 17 December 1932 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, at age 84.²
     He immigrated from Canada to the United States in 1865, and became a naturalized citizen by 1900.³
     He and his second wife Almira are listed in the 1900 census in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, along with his son William, age 17, from his previous marriage.³
     In the censuses from 1910 to 1930 he is listed in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, with his third wife Betsy in 1910, and with his son Henry in 1920 and 1930.^4,5,6
     He was married twice more after his second wife Almira's death, first to Betsey Jane (Tobias) Wellman, daughter of Ezra Tobias, on 22 March 1905 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan. She was born 20 March 1840 in New York, and died 21 May 1910 in Hastings.^7,8
     His fourth marriage was to Laura (Richards) Snell, on 2 November 1911 in Hastings. She was born about 1849 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, the daughter of Edwin and Mary Richards. Their marriage was apparently contentious from the start. He filed for a divorce just a year later, on 9 November 1912, charging extreme cruelty. The case was contested, and on 4 September 1913 the court refused to grant the divorce. Then, a year after that, on 3 December 1913, his wife Laura filed for divorce, charging extreme and repeated cruelty. This case was not contested, and on 10 September 1914 the court granted the divorce.^9,10,11

     James E. Laubaugh was born on 2 October 1858 in Ohio.¹ He was married by A. A. Knappen, Minister, to Mary VanSickle, daughter of George VanSickle, on 30 March 1883 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.³ He died on 9 April 1929 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, at age 70.¹ He was buried at Rutland Cemetery in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.⁴
     He and his wife Mary lived in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, where he was a farmer.^5,6,7,8 They had five children: Bertha (b October 1883), Perry (b September 1885), Alfred (b December 1895), Burr (b April 1900), and Lavern (b abt 1904).^5,6

     Sophronia Laubaugh was born on 2 November 1860 (the 1900 census says November 1859) in Ohio.^3,4 She was married by Joseph Webb Bancroft, Minister, to Charles Shultz, son of Joseph Shultz and Lovina Billman, on 24 July 1880 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.⁵ She died on 1 May 1932 in Hope Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, at age 71.² She was buried at Brush Ridge Cemetery in Schultz, Barry Co., Michigan.⁶
     She and her husband Charles lived in Hope Twp., Barry Co., Michigan. Their granddaughter Mildred Nash, age 9, was living with their family in 1920.^4,7,8,9
     She and Charles had at least seven children, possibly eight. (Sophronia's entry in the 1900 census says she had had seven children with six living, while in 1910 it says seven children with seven living.) Names are known for seven: Edwin (b February 1884), Amanda M. (b April 1886), Lydia E. (b December 1898), Ira A. (b May 1894), Bernard C. L. (b February 1898), and Raymond (b abt 1903).^4,7

     William Edward Laubaugh was born on 10 November 1863 in Ohio.^4,5 He was married first, by Rev. J. H. Palmer, to Claudia B. Odell, daughter of John Odell and Mary Port, on 22 April 1885 in Cedar Springs, Kent Co., Michigan.⁶ He was married second, by George H. Lockhart, to Jessie C. Lease, daughter of Robert R. Lease and Emeline Myers, on 25 January 1919 in Cedar Springs, Kent Co., Michigan.³ He died on 23 January 1929 in Cedar Springs, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 65.¹
     He and his first wife Claudia lived in Cedar Springs, Kent Co., Michigan, where they are listed with their children in the 1900 census.⁵ He is listed there with his daughter Grace in 1910, after Claudia's death, along with Claudia's parents John and Mary Odell.⁷
     He and his second wife Jessie are also listed in Cedar Springs in the 1920 census.⁸
     He worked as a farm laborer in 1900, and railroad section hand in 1910 and 1920.^5,7,8
     He and his first wife Claudia had three daughters, Gertrude (b October 1885), Pearl (b November 1887), and Grace (b April 1895).⁵

     Levi Laubaugh was born in June 1866 (his cemetery marker says 1865) in Ohio.^3,4 He married first Agnes E. Wells, daughter of Richard Wells, on 24 December 1888 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.² Agnes filed for divorce on 24 February 1898 charging cruelty and non-support. Levi contested the divorce, but it was nonetheless granted on 14 July 1898 in Barry Co., Michigan.⁵ He married second Elizabeth Michael, daughter of John Philip Michael, between 1910 and 1915.^6,7,8 He died in 1956.⁴ He was buried at Onalaska City Cemetery in Onalaska, La Crosse Co., Wisconsin.⁴
     In the 1900 and 1910 censuses he is listed in the household of Charles Biggs in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan, where he was working as a farm hand.^9,10
     He and his second wife Elizabeth are listed in the 1920-1940 censuses in Browntown, Green Co., Wisconsin. Listed with them in 1920 were their daughter Pearl E. Laubaugh (age 4 1/12) and Elizabeth's son Herald Palmer (15) from a previous marriage. Listed with them in 1930 were Pearl, Elizabeth's father John P. Michaels, and a grandson LaVern Hoevermann (9). And listed with them in 1930 were Harold F. (age 34, listed as "son" with the surname Laubaugh, but actually Harold Palmer), their grandson Lavern, and Raymond A. Parmer, a lodger.^11,7,8
     He was working as a laborer in a cheese factory in 1920, in a powder milk plant in 1930, and as a night watchman at a silica plant in 1940.^11,7,8
     He and his first wife Agnes had two children, Richard (b April 1891) and Grace (b February 1893).¹²
     He and his second wife Elizabeth had one known child, Pearl E. (b abt December 1916).¹¹

     Augusta Laubaugh was born on 1 July 1867 in Ohio.^2,3 She married John Waters, son of Patrick Waters and Mary Hoonan, on 1 October 1886 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.⁴ She died on 30 March 1934 in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan, at age 66.² She was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings, Barry Co., Michigan.⁵
     She and her husband John lived in Rutland Twp., Barry Co., Michigan.^3,6,7,8 They had two children, Harry G. (b 16 December 1886) and Elizabeth A. (b 5 March 1890).^9,10,3