Here are some obituaries for the Zehring name in the Dayton, Ohio area
for the late 1800s and early 1900s.
-Eric
Dayton Daily Journal, Tuesday, September 22, 1885, page 3, Col 4
Death of Mother Zehring
Elizabeth Garst Zehring, mother of Mrs. J.S. Binkerd of Dayton, and of
John Zehring of Germantown, was born in Swaters Creek in Dauphin (now
Lebanon) county, Pa., October 20th, 1794. She was married to William
Zehring in 1819, and the same year they emigrated to the then far
west, and settled in Lemon Township, Butler County, Ohio
In moving, they traveled the entire distance in their own private
conveyances; - camped out at night, and did their own cooking, baking
and washing by the roadside. Turnpikes, canals, railroads, telegraphs,
telephones, electric-lights, and, indeed, most of our present aids to
intelligence and commerce were then unknown. Even free-schools are of a
more recent date. Middletown and Franklin were small trading posts, and
the great Miami Canal had no existence.
In 1828 they moved to Jackson township, Montgomery County, where they
lived the greater part of their life. Subsequently they removed to
Miami County, Indiana, where Mr. Zehring died in 1870; they had lived
together fifty-one years. Their union was blessed with three sons and
two daughters, all of whom are still living.
In 1830 she and her husband entered the fellowship of the German Baptist
Church, were baptized by Rev. John Brower, and remained devoted and
consistent members until death.
The first nine years of her widowhood she spent with her son William in
Indiana and the last size years with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. William Miltenberger, - and within site of the place where she
first came to live in 1819.
Her long life was of marked activity in all that was noble, true and
good. She was much interested in our common school education, and for
its support, and inauguration of our free school system, she made many
sacrifices.
As a Christian, mother, neighbor, friend of the poor and suffering, her
virtues shone with special luster. No want remained unrelieved no
charity unbestowed when it was in her power to lend it a helping hand,
and no place had a greater share of her devotion and assistance then the
bedside of the sick. She went to her rest as she had lived, in perfect
peace September 15, 1885, aged 90 years, 10 months and 26 days; and
leaves to mourn her departure three sons, two daughters, 26
grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Calm on the bosom of they God
Fair Spirit rest the now;
His seal was on thy brow;
Dust To??hy narrow house beneath!
Soul to its place on high!
They that have seen they look in death.
No more may fear to die.
Dayton Daily Journal, Saturday, July 18, 1868, page 1, Col 6
The Bulletin states that Joseph Zehring died on the 14th inst., of
colic, induced by drinking ice cold lemonade and eating ice cream, after
getting overheated in dancing, at the Liederkrang picnic on the Fourth.
Dayton Daily Journal, Saturday, February 12, 1887, page 3, Col. 3
Quite a number of deaths have occurred in this vicinity. Three funerals
were held at this place within three days, that of Miss Emma Zehring,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Zehring, who died on the 6th inst., of
consumption, aged 29 years being the first
Dayton Journal, Wednesday, June 28, 1916, page 4, Col.3
DEATH COMES TO AGED RESIDENT
Mrs. Elizabeth Z. Bently, 103, Dies at Home of Granddaughter.
Dayton lost one of its oldest residents at 8:15 yesterday morning, when
Mrs. Elizabeth Zehring Bentley, 103, died at the home of her
granddaughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughs, 126 Joe Street, following an
illness of several years.
Mrs. Bentley was born July 22, 1814, in Lancaster County, Penn., and at
an early age came to Madison township, Montgomery county. At that time
this county was practically a wilderness and the decedents father was
obliged to clear the several hundred acres of land he had purchased
before anything could be raised.
In 1848 she married Isaac Bentley and the couple moved to Darke County,
Ohio. This county was then overrun with roving bands of Indians who
were friendly to the whites, however, and committed no depredations.
After remaining on the farm 30 years, Mrs. Bentley and her husband moved
to Castine, )., where the latter died, 30 years ago. About eight years
ago Mrs. Bentley came to Dayton where she had since lived.
She is survived by one son, Jacob Bentley of National avenue, and nine
grandchildren. The funeral services probably will be held Thursday at
Castine, Ohio. The burial will be in the cemetery at that place.