Sarah
Elizabeth "Betsy"
(Minerd) Krick
(1838-1895)
Sarah Elizabeth "Betsy" (Minerd) Krick was born in 1838
near Scio, Harrison County, OH, the daughter of John
and Barbara (Shaeffer) Minerd Jr. She was a pioneer settler of western Ohio
and eastern Indiana.
In 1840, when Betsy was age two, she and her parents left Harrison County. Using "a good team of horses and a substantial wagon," a newspaper once said, they traveled across the state, a "very tedious and slow" journey. The family settled in Van Wert County, OH, and in 1845 moved to a farm along the Ohio state line in Allen County, IN.
At age 18, on Aug. 24, 1856, Betsy married Emanuel Krick (1833-1881), a native of Ohio whose parents had been born in Pennsylvania. The ceremony took place in Allen County. He was age 27, and she 18, at the time of marriage. He also was known occasionally as "Manuel."
Their eight children were Minor Krick, Elijah Krick, Philip D. Krick, Anna B. Krick, John W. Krick, James A. Krick, Eva Jane Plumley and Mary D. Krick. When the federal census was taken in 1860, the Kricks resided in Decatur, Adams County, IN, where Emanuel was a farmer. Sons Minor and Elijah were living under their roof that year.
The Kricks' home was "five miles south-east" of Monroeville, Allen County, IN, and three miles north of Dixon, Van Wert County, OH. Emanuel was a farmer, and as his sons became teenagers, they too worked on the family farm. When the census was taken in 1870, the Kricks lived as near neighbors to Sarah's parents and brother James Minerd.
The 1880 census shows the family of parents and seven children living and working on their farm near Monroeville. That year, they were living in the general neighborhood as Sarah's uncle, Henry Minerd.
Just three days after his 48th birthday, Emanuel passed away, on May 3, 1881. He was buried in Stephenson Cemetery, today known as Sugar Ridge Cemetery.
Betsy survived her husband by 14 years. She was considered "a good neighbor as well as a staunch and loyal friend."
In the early months of 1895, at the age of 57, Betsy became "dangerously ill" She held on for several weeks, but died on Feb. 16, 1895. Said the Monroeville Weekly Breeze: "The funeral services were held Monday at the house and was attended by the largest crowd that has been seen in these parts for sometime.... [She] leaves a large number of children and grand children, besides a large circle of friends to mourn her loss."
Betsy was buried with her husband at Sugar Ridge. Her estate administration papers were filed in Allen County.
Their grave marker was standing and faintly legible when photographed in August 2002.
Son Minor Krick (1857- ? ) boarded at age 23 with the farming family of Harvey and Jane Turner in Marion Township, Allen County, when the federal census was taken in 1880. His fate after that can only be guessed.
Son Elijah Krick (1859- ? ) married Ida M. (?) (1867- ? ) in about 1887, when he was age 27 and she 19. They resided on Hoffman Road near Monroeville, Allen County where they labored as farmers. The Kricks had eight children -- Grover L. Krick, Elsie M. Krick, Estella I. Krick, Glen M. Krick, Hazel B. Krick, Carl A. Krick, Elijah L. Krick and Lucille Krick. When the federal census was taken in 1930, Elijah, Ida and Elijah Jr. resided together.
Writing to the Indiana Minerds in September 1929, from his home in Pittsburgh, cousin Corwin D. Tilbury asked: "How is everybody? McCormicks, Fosters, Kricks and so on down the line?" He asked again in October 1932, "How is Ida Krick?" In March 1933, he inquired, "What has become of Lige Krick? Let me know if you can." In March 1934, he asked again, "No, have had no word from Lige Krick; is he still living alone?"
Son Philip D. Krick (1861- ? ) married Kansas native Caroline (?) (1867- ? ) in about 1887. In the early years of marriage they lived in Indiana. By 1900, they resided in Pleasant Township, Van Wert County, OH, and were farmers. Their farm was located along the road between Section 30 and 31. They lived in Michigan for a brief time, circa 1907, when daughter Ethel was born, but returned to Van Wert. They had at least seven children -- Mary G. Krick, Nellie B. Krick, Lozel R. Krick, Roy C. Krick, Earl Krick, Ethel Krick and one unknown.
Some
of the Krick descendants remained close with their cousins of the family of John
"Reuben" Minerd, who resided on a farm on the Indiana-Ohio state line near
Dixon, OH. Seen here are photographs of Kricks from the collection of the
Minerds. At left is a portrait of Ethel Krick in profile -- thought to have been
the daughter of Philip Krick -- taken in May 1971. At
right are Eleanor Dashnke and Ethel Krick in October 1970. Eleanor's precise
relationship to the family is not known, but she was known to have boarded with
Charles W. and Ethel Krick in 1930 in Monroeville, IN.
Daughter Annie B. Krick (1864- ? ) has faded into time.
Son John W. Krick (1866-1932) married Maggie Viola Sherwood (1870-1921), the daughter of James and Margaret (Weinbauer?) Sherwood of Albion, IN. The wedding took place in about 1887. He was a longtime baker and lived on West Perry Street in Paulding, Paulding County, OH. They had five children -- Clarence Krick, Mabel Krick, Bernice Krick, Floyd Krick and Bruce Krick. Maggie passed away at the age of 50 on May 24, 1921, caused by hepatitis. On Aug. 30, 1932, just six days before his 67th birthday, John was killed in an automobile accident on a public highway when his vehicle upset and careened off the road. He was buried at Live Oak Cemetery in Paulding. Clarence A. Krick was the informant for Maggie's official death certificate, and Henry Whirrett was the informant on John's death certificate.
Son James A. Krick (1868- ? ) seems to have faded into history. He may have been a twin with Eva Jane. An article in the Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette (Dec. 5, 1895) suggests that he "and others, against Ann Foster and others, a partition suit, the property was ordered sold, and David Martin, of Monroe township, was appointed commissioner." His fate is being researched.
Daughter Eva Jane Krick (1868-1966?) married John West Plumley (1867-1947), the son of John W. and Elizabeth (West) Plumley of Muskingum County, OH. They resided in Convoy, Van Wert County, and were longtime farmers. Late in life, James suffered from anemia for two years, and died of its effects at the age of 75 on Feb. 4, 1947. Eva Jane is believed to have passed away in about 1966, but this date needs to be confirmed with precision. She and John were buried in the Convoy IOOF Cemetery. Dewey Plumley, possibly one of their adult children, was the informant on John's death certificate.
Daughter Mary D. Krick (1875- ? ) is not known at present.
Copyright © 2002, 2006, 2008 Mark A. Miner