I would like to sincerely thank those of you who have taken time to post
your thoughts and suggestions as to the father of Elizabeth Harden. It is
helpful to have fresh eyes. What a great group! Thank you.
Here are my answers to some of your questions.
William Harden was born 29 Aug 1828 in Somerset Co. PA.
He moved with his father Isaac to Perry, Ashland Co. OH in 1831. William
and his brother Isaiah came to Union Township, Adams Co. in 1849. Isaiah
is enumerated in the 1850 census:
Isaiah Harden is 23, wife Susan 23, William H. 2, Amanda 3 months and his
brother William Harden 22.
Jane Ross Burrell born 7 Sep 1834 in Tuscarawas Co., OH to Richard Burrell
and Sarah Strasbury. Her parents names are given on Jane's death record.
Looking at the 1910 census record for William Harden and his wife Jane,
they were married for 57 years in 1910 and was a first marriage for both. 10
children with 8 living.
Karin you are absolutely right about the marriage date of Leander Johnson
and Elizabeth Harden Whitright. The date I gave was the date of their
marriage application. They married 21 Mar 1878. Signed by the Rev. Willard in
Van Wert Co., OH. Her marriage license to Elias Whitright in Adams County
is signed by S.S. Tarber/Farber, Minister Gospel. I have a hard copy of both
marriage licenses for Elizabeth Harden, neither of which name her parents.
I will pursue that avenue along with both ministers who married Elizabeth.
Kathy, I have long suspected that Elizabeth Ann Harden is an illegitimate
child of Elizabeth A. Harden. I have searched for many years to find
Elizabeth's parents and I will find them! :)
Elizabeth did not have a easy life. When she married at age 16 to Elias
Whitright, they moved away to OH. instead of staying in Indiana. I think
they wanted to get "out of Dodge." There were no Whitright family ties in Van
Wert OH. Elizabeth lost her husband Elias after seven years of marriage and
she lost her second child Thomas Ross Whitright to Typhoid Fever when he
was 18 years old. Note that Thomas' middle name is Ross as was Elizabeth's
first child Dalton. Dalton Ross Whitright. Hmmmm, just like Jane Ross
Burrell Harden? In all, Elizabeth bore 11 children.
Last week on the Adams County web site, I found a guardianship record for
Leander Johnson dated Jan 1906. Leander Johnson died in Union, Adams Co.
in Feb 1906. The guardian being Daniel Erwin, Esq. Erwin filed because
Leander Johnson was of "unsound mind." It is a lengthily application, but in
summation a public sale was held in Van Wert OH. of Leanders real estate
and personal property. The proceeds were used to pay Leander's debts and
each of his children received $36.00. William Harden was also paid for corn.
Thank you Marge and Jim for maintaining the Adams web site. We are
fortunate to have such dedicated people.
Once again, thank you for reading.
Jean