Josiah Ware was born abt 1835 in Eaton, Preble, Ohio. He was the son of Jesse Ware (1791-1861) and Hannah Brison (1793-1851). Josiah’s grandparents (John Ware Jr., & Mary Albertson) were born and raised in Gloucester county, New Jersey.
His grandfather John passed away in New Jersey but his grandmother Mary migrated to Pyrmont, Montgomery, Ohio where she passed away in 1845. His father migrated to Warren county, Ohio around 1815. His mother passed away in 1851 and his father died in 1861, both of Preble county, Ohio.
Josiah’s siblings from his mother Hannah included Charlotte, b. abt 1825, Joseph A., b. 1828, and William, b. abt 1834.
Josiah married (1) Rebecca Clatterbuck on 27 May 1855 in Preble county, Ohio. Their marriage license was issued the day before their wedding. It is unknown what happened to Rebecca after their marriage. Records indicate Josiah had 7 children so it may be he had one with Rebecca and six additional with his second wife Priscilla. Her death date is unknown but it was prior to Josiah’s second marriage in June 1869.
Josiah married (2) Priscilla Jane Dillman on 12 Jun 1859 in Preble county, Ohio. They had 6 children (see memorial for Priscilla for names).
In 1860 Josiah was a “cooper” and in 1880 he was a farmer.
US Census records has him living:
1850, Eaton, Preble, Ohio
1860, Washington Twp, Preble, Ohio
1860 Ohio Census, Washington Twp, Preble, Ohio
1880, Gasper Twp, Preble, Ohio
Josiah joined the US Navy and fought on the Union side during the Civil War.
By 1881 it appears he had more problems than he could adequately handle. When his wife became very ill, about Feb-Mar 1881, he committed suicide on his farm located 6 miles SW of Eaton on 14 Mar 1881. His wife passed away a few weeks later on 25 Mar 1881, leaving 7 orphaned children.
Both Josiah and Priscilla were buried in the Mound Hill Union Cemetery in Eaton, Preble, Ohio.
A military headstone for Josiah was put at his grave about 1883 and his family later put up their own headstone.
Sources:
1. Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1879-1903 about Josiah Ware. “Ware, Josiah, US Navy, Cemetery: Mound Hill at Eaton, Preble Co., Ohio. Date of Death: Mch 14 – 1881. Headstone supplied by Gross Brothers, Mass., Contracted June 9, 1883”.
2. Abstracts from the Eaton Democrat, 1872-1881, volume 1, page 52 by Joan Bake Brubaker.—— “Mar 17, 1881- Josiah Ware committed suicide at his farm 6 miles SW of Eaton, Mar 14,1881. Leaves a wife and 7 children.” (sent to me by Berniece Quinton, 5/13/2012).
3. The marriage license for Josiah Ware and Rebecca Clatterbuck, Preble County, Ohio was issued on 26 May 1855. Jesse Ware, father of Josiah, and Melinda Clatterbuck, mother of Rebecca were both present and gave their consent to the marriage. Josiah was only age 19 (of age is 21) and Rebecca was only age 16 (of age is 18). The marriage was performed 27 May 1855 by R.G.D. McKenny, J.P. Since Josiah was age 19 in 1853 then he was born in 1834, and Rebecca was born in 1837.
Burial:
Mound Hill Cemetery
Eaton
Preble County
Ohio, USA
