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Jonas Hartzell
(1818-1894)

 

Jonas "Jonah" Hartzell -- also spelled "Hartsel" -- was born in about 1818 in Somerset County, PA. He is believed, although not entirely proven, to have been the son of George and Mary (Younkin) Hartzell

He was wed to Anna Elizabeth Whipkey (Dec. 10, 1823-1898), daughter of John and Catherine (Ferner) Whipkey. (The mother's name might have been "Brandt." Sources differ.) The Hartzell and Whipkey clans were close, and Jonas' brother Simon married Anna's sister Eva.

They produced a family of eight known children, John Hartzell, Minerva Ross, Joanna Hartzell, Marcellus Hartzell, Silas Hartzell, Samuel Hartzell, Mary M. Hartzell and Simon Hartzell. 

During the 1850s, following the lead of Jonas' elder brother John, the family relocated to Big Tree, Greene County, PA, with a post office of Aleppo Township. At some point in about 1858, they relocated across the state line to near Rock Lick, Marshall County, where their home was adjacent to Adolphus Burley's farm, and the Hartzell boys worked for Burley off and on.

Jonas and Anna worried when their eldest son John enlisted in the Army during the Civil War, became ill, was captured in battle and then rejoined his regiment. Son John wrote letters home, which they could not read, and so their neighbor Mary Burley read the letters aloud and then wrote replies dictated by the parents. At one point, Anna borrowed clothing from Mary Burley so that she could travel to the war front to see her son in person. 

Circa 1865, the Hartzells made their home with the Ross family as tenants on the farm of Parkinson, between Cameron and Rock Lick.

By 1870, still making their home in Aleppo, they received their mail at Rogersville. In about 1875, they are thought to have moved again to Washington, Washington County, PA.

Jonas died at the age of 75 on Jan. 29, 1894. His remains were lowered into rest in the Rock Lick Cemetery in Marshall County.

Anna lived for another five-and-a-half years after her husband's passing. She succumbed on Sept. 1, 1898. Burial was in Rock Lick Cemetery.

Over the ensuing years, his direct descendants Martha Jane Martin, Beverly (Hartzell) Palarino and Ella Coen have been interested in family history research on this Hartzell line. Lance D. Gill photographed the Hartzell graves at Black Lick in the 1980s, but over time the markers apparently have disintegrated or been removed. The images show that both markers featured a carving of two shaking hands.

Should you have any knowledge or documents about Jonas connecting him to his presumed parents George and Mary, please consider sharing that with us to enhance the accuracy of this biography. You may reach us via email.]

 

Civil War veteran 
John Hartzell

~ Son John Hartzell ~

Son John Hartzell (1844-1925) was born in on Oct. 3, 1844 near Kingwood, Somerset County. He was a boy when he and his parents relocated to Big Tree, Greene County, PA. Among his school chums was Frederick Wise, who would remain a friend for life. In about 1858, he moved across the state line into the home of Adolphus and Mary Burley in Rock Lick, Marshall County, to work as a farm hand. 

During the Civil War, when he was age 18, Union Army recruiters came to the Burley house, on or about on Aug. 20, 1862, John agreed to enlist. He was assigned to the 12th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. Cousin Samuel "Freeman" Younkin and Alexander White were among his colleagues in the 12th West Virginia. John stood five feet, nine inches tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and light hair, and, weighing 145 lbs., was considered a tout, hearty man. 

In December 1862, while guarding the railroad at Buckhannon and New Creek, WV, he went on a raid to the town of Monterey. Upon arriving back at camp, he disclosed that he was unable to relieve his bladder and bowels. "This laid him out on the broad of his back," recalled fellow soldier Josiah Van Scyoc. He was unsure as the cause, later saying it was perhaps due to lying in the snow, or wearing his cartridge belt too loose. 

One physician recommended tea made of pumpkin and watermelon seeds, which helped a bit. Regimental surgeons Frederick H. Patton and O'Brien visited his tent to administer treatment. At first, after using a catheter to withdraw his urine, with John in excruciating pain and held down by a comrade, they believed him to be stricken with kidney stones. He was transported by rail to an army hospital in Cumberland, MD on the last day of 1862. 

 

Libby Prison, Richmond, an old warehouse where John and other POWs from the 12th West Virginia were held in June-July 1863

 

He apparently recovered and rejoined his regiment. In March 1863, he was stationed with his unit at Winchester, VA and in mid-June, just a few weeks before the Battle of Gettysburg, was captured in the Second Battle of Winchester. John and other prisoners of war were sent to Libby Prison and Belle Isle Prison in Richmond and held until they were exchanged a month later in July 1863. 

From there they were sent to Annapolis, MD and then sent home on furlough. From there, they reported back for duty at Camp Chase, OH, and ordered to report to their regiment at Harpers Ferry, WV. They stayed in the Shenandoah Valley until about October 1864. and may have gone from there to Cumberland. At some point, his mother borrowed clothing from a neighbor so that she could travel to visit him. 

 

Clarysville General Hospital in Cumberland as seen in 1864 -- where John was treated for bladder problems during the war.

 

   

Hewitt's History of the 12th West Virginia

John was discharged on June 16, 1865 and returned home to Cameron. Brother in law Joseph Ross saw him about two weeks later and observed that "he was poorly thin in flesh, looked bad." A neighbor noticed that he walked stiffly and placed his hands on his lower back.

 

Immediately upon return home, he began working for neighbor Adolphus Hurley, where he must have spent time with his cousin and of Hurley's other laborers, Martha Whipkey (1846-1882). On Nov. 10, 1866, when he was age 22, he was united in marriage with the 20-year-old Martha. Justice of the peace Jackson Hinerman officiated at the wedding held in nearby Greene County, PA. 

They produced these known children -- Andrew D. Hartzell, Sarah Hartzell, Samuel Hartzell, Sheridan Hartzell, Maggie B. Hartzell, Charles Milton Hartzell, Marcell Hartzell Sr., James Hartzell and Garfield Hartzell. 

They moved in about 1867 to the community of Rock Lick, Marshall County, where they were tenant farmers and neighbors with Joseph Ross. After seven years in Rock Lick, the family relocated across the state line to a farm in Morford, Greene County, PA, also known as Sugar Grove and with a post office of Big Tree. He worked at times for his wife's relative James Whipkey of McCracken, Greene County, complaining of back and urination pain. One physician diagnosed cystitis of the kidney. When spending time with his brother in law Joseph Ross, and unable to urinate, Ross would brew him some tea made of dandelions and peach bark. He also used patent medicines, turpentine and nitre (potassium nitrate) to seek relief. At times he was simply unable to work. 

 

Map of Big Tree, Aleppo Township, 1876

 

In about 1873, they relocated again back to Rock Lick, and in 1880 moved back to Big Tree in the Aleppo area. When the federal census was enumerated in 1880, the family made their living as farmers in Aleppo Township, Greene County. Sadly, Martha died on July 5, 1882, in Big Tree, at the age of 36. John outlived his wife by four decades. After a decade as a widower, his inner ear became inflamed, and he was rendered deaf thereafter. An observer in 1897 said that John was "a poor man and by his careful management has a small farm, which is and has been worked by his boys, he overseeing the same." They rarely went to pick up mail at the post office. He remained in Aleppo until about 1907, when he established a new residence in Sycamore near Waynesburg, Greene County. 

In later years, he applied for and was awarded a military pension of $18 monthly as compensation for his wartime service. [Invalid App. #759.366 - Cert. #546.385] Serving as a witness to his declaration for pension in 1912 was his cousin, justice of the peace Jefferson Younken, attested by Belle Younken and others. Also coming to his assistance with testimony on his behalf were friends Andrew Knapp, Josiah Van Scyoc (pronounced "Van Sihawk"), brothers in law Joseph Ross and Isaac Polen, relative Alexander Whipkey, cousin by marriage George W. Fuller, George W. Harbison, Joseph T. Francis, Adolphus and Mary M. Burley and Frederick Wise.

 

Reunion of the John and Martha Hartzell family, circa 1906

 

Senility set in about 1902. He lost sight in his right eye in 1912 and in 1915 the vision in his left eye as well. As his health declined, he was cared for by his son and daughter in law Garfield and Nellie. Nellie wrote in 1920 that he was "practicable blind. So nearly so he can't wait on him self at the table nor be trusted a lone outside of the house. He is confined to the house all the time unless he has an assistant."

Suffering from a case of bronchial pneumonia, John passed away at the age of 80 on March 3, 1925. Burial was in Slonaker Cemetery, with an obituary printed in the Waynesburg Republican, stating that he was survived by 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. J.A. Hartzell of Waynesburg was the official informant for the death certificate. [View grave] In 1925, the year he died, John was named in a list of 12th West Virginia Infantry soldiers in Scott Powell's book History of Marshall County, W.Va.

John and Martha's genealogy was researched circa 1978 by Mrs. John Malson of Redwood Valley, CA. Her notes are on deposit at the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County.

 

   

Sheridan and Bessie Hartzell

Son Sheridan Hartzell (1867-1928) was born on Oct. 8, 1867 in Aleppo Township, Greene County. As a young man, Sheridan joined the Church of the Brethren and remained a member for life. He also labored in a local mill. When he was 35 years of age, on June 21, 1903, Sheridan married 32-year-old Essie Bungard (or "Burgard") (1871-1934), a native of West Virginia and the daughter of Isaac and Esther (Knapp) Bungard who had relocated to Aleppo. Rev. J.M. Murray officiated. The couple were about five years apart in their respective ages. They produced one known son, Arthur Leo Hartzell. The family made their home for nearly 22 years in West Waynesburg, Franklin Township, Greene County. There, Sheridan was "well known and highly respected," said the Waynesburg Republican. "For a time he was employed in the tin mill in West Waynesburg, but for several years has been a member of the maintenance force of the State Highway department of Greene county." For 15 years, Sheridan served as treasurer of the Sunday School of West Waynesburg Mission. Essie was a member of the Quiet Dell Brethren Church. At the age of 61, suffering from a spinal cord infection, he died at home on Nov. 15, 1928. He was placed into repose in the Rosemont Cemetery in Rogersville. Essie outlived her husband by six years. Now widowed, she moved in with her married son Arthur and his wife Daisy in Conger, Morris Township, Washington County, and is shown in their household in the 1930 federal census. At the age of 62, she became paralyzed with a stroke and died on March 27, 1934. Rev. Thomas Presnell of Aleppo preached the funeral sermon held at her son's home, with her remains placed for eternity beside her husband's.

  • Grandson Arthur Leo Hartzell (1907- ? ) was born in about 1907. In about 1929 or early '30, he married 17-year-old Daisy (1913- ? ). They were farmers when the 1930 census was taken and provided a home that year for Arthur's widowed mother. They made their residence in 1934 in Dunns Station, Greene County.

 

Charles and Clara Hartzell family

Daughter Margaret Bell "Maggie" Hartzell (1870- ? ) was born on June 28, 1870. She was deceased by 1915.

 

Moundsville Daily Echo

Son Charles Milton Hartzell (1878-1926) was born on Oct. 9, 1878 in Rocklick, Marshall County. On March 30 or Nov. 9, 1901, when he was age 23, Charles married 17-year-old Clara Esta Courtwright (1884-1962) of Marshall County, the daughter of William and Mary Emma (Hughes) Courtwright. They were farmers and resided during their quarter century of married life in Cameron, Marshall County. The couple produced five known children -- Hollie Leo Hartzell, Mary Opal Gable, Martha E. Williams, John W. Hartzell, Bernice Littell. In 1910, they were farmers in Aleppo Township, living next door to their uncle and aunt, Isaac and Mary Margaret "Maggie" (Hartzell) Polen. They continued this line of work and moved back across the state line, shown as farmers in the 1920 census of Liberty District, Marshall County. They were members of the First Brethren church. Sadly, Charles contracted tuberculosis which led to advanced illness and death in Cameron at the age of 47 on March 31, 1926. His remains were interred in Big Run Cemetery near Cameron. Clara survived her husband by more than 35 years and maintained a home at 69 Gable Avenue in Cameron. At the age of 79, stricken with an intestinal obstruction and strangulated hernia, she was admitted to Ohio Valley Hospital in Wheeling. Unable to rally, she died there on Oct. 7, 1962. Burial was in Big Run Cemetery, with her church pastor Rev. Cecil Bolton Jr. officiating. A lengthy obituary published in the Moundsville Daily Echo noted that her survivors included a dozen grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren. Circa 1978, daughter-in-law Lucy (Keenan) Hartzell of Cameron and Harriet J. Malson of Redwood Valley, CA were actively researching this family. Their family group sheet is on file today at the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County, Inc.

 

  • Grandson Hollie Leo Hartzell (1902- ? ) was born on May 1, 1902. He is believed to have died in boyhood, possibly in June 1917. More about him needs to be discovered.

 

  • Granddaughter Mary "Opal" Hartzell (1903-1972) was born on July 9 or Sept. 9, 1903 in either Greene County, PA or Marshall County, WV. (Sources differ.) On Sept. 12, 1928, at the age of 25, she was united in wedlock with 33-year-old divorcee George Willis Gable (1898- ? ). Rev. Philip Y. DeBolt of the First Methodist Episcopal Church officiated at the nuptials held in Moundsville. At the time, both lived in Cameron. They apparently did not reproduce. Over the span of time, Opal was a member of the Cameron Church of the Brethren and the American Legion Auxiliary of Cameron. Their address was Pennsylvania Avenue in Cameron. Opal died at the age of 69 on Nov. 21, 1972 in the Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale. An obituary was published in the Waynesburg (PA) Republican. burial was in Big Run Cemetery.

 

  • Granddaughter Martha "Edna" Hartzell (1906- ? ) was born on March 20 or 22, 1905 or on Jan. 5, 1906 in either Greene County, PA or Marshall County, WV. (Sources differ.) When she was age 19, on March 19, 1925, fibbing that she was actually 21, Edna married 21-year-old Donald Leo Williams (1906-1984) of Cameron, son of Charles Franklin and Anna Bell (Quigley) Williams. The pastor officiating at the ceremony was Rev. James B. Smith of Moundsville. In 1962, they dwelled in Weirton, WV but by 1972 they had returned to Cameron. Donald died in Cameron on March 26, 1984. Edna joined him in eternal rest on May 13, 1992, in Marshall County. They are interred in Big Run Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave]

 

  • Grandson John W. Hartzell (1916-1975) was born on May 7, 1916 in Marshall County. Residing in Cameron, on May 28, 1937, he married Lucy Keenan ( ? - ? ). and had four known children -- Ronald Hartzell, Carol Ann Stern, Charles William Hartzell and Betty Sue Ernest. He became a family historian and shared information with others based on material provided by his father's first cousin Lindsay Hartzell. Every year, he was active with the Hartzell Reunion held at Wind Ridge, Greene County, otherwise known as Jacktown. The 1951 event was to have been held on July 1, 1951. John passed away on July 16, 1975. Lucy provided genealogical details about this family in the 1970s to Harriet J. Malson of Redwood Valley, CA.

 

  • Granddaughter Bernice Hartzell (1923- ? ) was born on Dec. 18, 1923. She was united in holy matrimony with (?) Littell ( ? - ? ). Bernice dwelled in Cameron in 1962-1972. Nothing further about her life is known.

 

 

James and Pearl Hartzell family

Son Marcellus "Marcell" Hartzell (1872- ? ) was born on Oct. 8, 1872. He married a distant cousin, Martha Agnes Finnegan (1880-1947), daughter of John and Eliza (Younken) Finnegan. See their biography for more.

Son James A. Hartzell (1875-1967) was born on April 25, 1875 in Aleppo Township, Greene County or in Rocklick, Marshall County, WV. "As a young man," said the Waynesburg Republican, he "farmed and raised livestock in western Greene County. he resided most of his life at Waynesburg and was employed for a number of years by the Peoples Natural Gas Company, and later by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways." James married Pearl Hewitt ( ? -1961). Their children were Fred Hartzell, Faye Lightner and Ruth Everett. They resided at 329 Nazer Street in Waynesburg and attended the Waynesburg Church of the Nazarene. Sadly, Pearl died on June 28, 1961. James survived her by six years and toward the end went to live in the Curry Memorial Home. He died there at the age of 91 on Jan. 29, 1967. Burial was in Rosemont Cemetery. At the time, son Fred lived in Madison, OH; daughter Faye Lightner and her husband Charles in Waynesburg; and daughter Ruth and her spouse Paul Everett in Orlando, FL.

 

Garfield Hartzell

Son  Garfield A. Hartzell (1881-1940) was born on Jan. 16, 1881 in Aleppo Township. He appears to have been named for the popular United States President-elect James A Garfield, who only served in office for six months until his tragic assassination and death in September 1881. In 1916, at the age of 35, Garfield was united in marriage with Nellie B. Throckmorton ( ? - ? ). They were farmers for half of a century, lived in R.D. 1 Sycamore/Nineveh, Greene County and were members of the Hopewell Methodist Church. They had three known children -- William H. Hartzell, Maggie Belle Thomas and John Alfred Hartzell. Sadly, their three-day old infant son John Alfred died on July 1, 1920 from convulsions probably caused by bleeding on the brain. John was riddled with multiple stomach ulcers which bled frequently. Toward the end of his life he resided in Sycamore, Greene County. At the age of 59, the ulcers hemorrhaged and he was hospitalized in Greene County Memorial Hospital. Unable to recover, he died on June 13, 1940. Burial was in Hopewell Cemetery in Greene County, joining his infant son there in repose. An obituary was published in the Waynesburg Democrat.

Son Andrew D. Hartzell ( ? - ? ) apparently was not recorded in the family Bible.

Daughter Sarah Hartzell ( ? - ? ) apparently was not recorded in the family Bible.

Son Samuel Hartzell ( ? - ? ) apparently was not recorded in the family Bible.

 

~ Daughter Minerva (Hartzell) Ross ~

 

Daughter Minerva "Manervy" Hartzell (1846-1915) was born in about July 1846 in Turkeyfoot Township. She was a girl of about nine years when she and her parents and siblings relocated from Kingwood to Marshall County, VA (later West Virginia). Among her childhood friends were Cass Harris and Kate Hartzell, both of Loudenville, near Cameron.

On Aug. 28, 1866, at the age of 19, Minerva was united in marriage with 33-year-old Civil War veteran Joseph R. Ross (1834-1912) of Marshall County. The ceremony took place across the state line in Aleppo, Greene County, PA, with Rev. Adam Wise officiating. Among Joseph's friends as a boy were George M. Howard, Catherine Chambers and J.R. Jones. In adulthood, he stood five feet, six inches tall and weighed 115 lbs, with blue eyes and a dark complexion.

They produced a family of at least four children, including Anne K. Ross, Cyrus Ross, Sarah Ross, and William Ross.

In mid-April 1864, Joseph resided as a hired man on the farm of Isaiah Coe and then sold his crop to Coe before joining the Union Army. Recalled Coe: "He was a sound and healthy man." He enlisted and was assigned to the 17th West Virginia Infantry, Company A. His term of military service lasted from August 1864 to June 1865.

While stationed at Bulltown, WV, he suffered a bad bruise while on duty. His Company A was detailed to scout along Skin Creek one very dark night. Others on the mission were John M. Fordyce and future wife's uncle John G. Hartzell. He fell over a rocky precipice and landed on a protruding rock, striking his pubic bone. He was escorted back to camp, where he remained in his tent for several days, unable to be up and around. The injury caused a fluid buildup in his scrotum which rendered him unfit for further duty, and which he endured for the rest of his life.

 

Covered bridge at Bulltown, WV, near where Joseph was injured

 

 

Moundsville Daily Echo

Once he received his honorable discharge at Wheeling, Joseph returned home. Within a few days of his arrival, he saw his future brother in law John Hartzell and showed him the injury.

Upon their marriage, the Rosses settled on a farm in Rock Lick near Cameron, Marshall County. They were farmers in Rock Lick for the rest of their lives.

Circa 1898, Joseph gave a deposition to a government investigator in the soldier pension claim of his brother in law John Hartzell. At times, when Hartzell could not urinate due to kidney stones or other related ailments, Joseph would brew up some tea made of dandelions or peach bark. They apparently moved into the Marshall County seat of Moundsville at some point in time. 

 

Moundsville Daily Echo

As he aged, Joseph applied for and was awarded a soldier's pension. [Invalid App. #304.467 - Cert. #261.503]. Every year or two he had to undergo a physical examination by army surgeons in Wheeling or Bellaire, OH. He declared in February 1883 that he was "compeled to wear a trust continually."

In April 1912, with Joseph's health failing, the couple moved into a house on Poplar Avenue in Cameron. There, he passed into eternity five weeks later on May 22, 1912, at age 73, due to bronchial trouble. An obituary in the Moundsville Daily Echo reported that following funeral services held in the Ross home, burial was held in Greenlawn Cemetery.

As a widow, Minerva began to receive the pension payments in the amount of $12 each month. [Widow App. #987.496 - Cert. #745.753] 

Suffering from organic heart disease, Minerva went to live in the home of her son Cyrus on Cameron's Poplar Avenue. Having been treated by Dr. W.G. McGlumphy, Minerva died at the age of 68 on Aug. 11 or 17, 1915, in Moundsville. An obituary in the Daily Echo noted that interment was in Mt. Rose Cemetery following a funeral service preached by Rev. C.C. Lanham of the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church. The church choir performed sacred music at the service, and the co-workers of sons Cyrus and William at the United States Stamping Company sent a floral bouquet. In a card of thanks printed in the Daily Echo, Cyrus and William thanked "friends and neighbors for their kindness during the sickness and death of our dear mother. Also Rev. Lanham and Calvary coir and the employes of the United States Stamping Co. for their floral offering."

United States Stamping Company in Moundsville

 

Daughter Anna K. Ross (1868- ? ) was born in about 1868 near Cameron, WV.

Son Cyrus R. Ross (1870- ? ) was born in November 1870 near Cameron, WV. At age 29 in 1900, unmarried, he lived at home and worked as a farm laborer. On June 14, 1902, when he was age 32, Cyrus was united in wedlock with 30-year-old Hannah Richmond (1871- ? ) of Wolf Run, Marshall County. Rev. R.F. Getty, of the Presbyterian Church in Cameron, officiated. They had two known children -- Lawrence Ross and Loretta Ross. The couple dwelled on Poplar Avenue in Moundsville in 1920, where Cyrus earned a living as a trucker with United States Stamping Company. By 1930, they had relocated to a farm in the Clay District of Marshall County.

  • Grandson Lawrence Ross (1906- ? ) was born in about 1906.

 

  • Granddaughter Loretta Ross (1911- ? ) was born in about 1911.

Daughter Sarah Ross (1872- ? ) was born in about 1872 near Cameron, WV.

 

Son William Ross (1883-1964) was born on April 3, 1883 near Cameron, WV. As a young man, William obtained employment with U.S. Stamping Company and relocated from the farm into the town of Moundsville. When he was 22 years of age, on Sept. 5, 1906, William was wedded to 19-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzie" Keller of Moundsville. Rev. W.D. Reed, of the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, led the nuptials held in Moundsville. The couple initially lived in rural Moundsville. In 1920, they dwelled in Wheeling, Ohio County, WV, with William working as a streetcar conductor. Stricken with a peptic ulcer, William suffered a gastro-intestinal hemorrhage and circulatory collapse and died at the age of 81 on April 8, 1964, in Moundsville General Hospital. His remains were placed into repose in Mt. Rose Cemetery in Moundsville.

 

Side by side Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Cameron

 

~ Daughter Joanna Hartzell ~

Daughter Joanna Hartzell (1850- ? ) was born in about September 1850 in Turkeyfoot Township.

 

~ Son Marcellus Hartzell ~

Son Marcellus Hartzell (1854- ? ) was born in 1854. At age 25, in 1870, he was unmarried and dwelled at home in Aleppo Township. He has not yet been located on the federal census of 1880.

 

~ Son Silas Hartzell ~

Son Silas Hartzell (1856- ? ) was born in about 1856. Nothing more is known.

 

~ Son Samuel Hartzell ~

Son Samuel Hartzell (1858- ? ) was born in about 1858. His paper trail has ended for now.

 

~ Daughter Mary Margaret (Hartzell) Polen ~

Daughter Mary Margaret "Maggie" Hartzell (1862-1929) was born on March 2, 1862 in Marshall County, VA (later becoming part of West Virginia). 

In 1888, when she would have been 26 years old, Maggie married 37-year-old Isaac Polen (1852-1926), sometimes spelled "Poland." He was the son of William and Margaret (Chambers) Polen. 

They had the following children -- Leslie Polen, Stidger Polen, Elsie Hewitt, Brooks Polen, Lloyd Polen plus two who died young. 

 

Moundsville Daily Echo

They were farmers and made their residence in Aleppo Township, living in close proximity to Maggie's brother John and his wife Martha. Circa 1897, Isaac gave a deposition to a government official investigating the Civil War pension claim of brother-in-law John Whipkey. In the deposition, Isaac said: "I have employed him for different kind of arm work, and while he could stand it to work I paid him the same wages I did others for the same kind of labor." 

The 1900 federal census shows them living in Aleppo as near neighbors to cousin Floyd Strait, Lindsay Hinerman and John Hartnell (different spelling, no relation). They were members of the Brethren Church at Quiet Dell, PA.

The 1910 census of Aleppo lists one of their neighbors as Charles and Clara Hartzell. They moved to a farm in Fairview and, in retirement, lived at 210 Birch Avenue in Moundsville. Said the Moundsville Daily Echo, Isaac "was very well known, and highly respected."

Isaac was felled by a stroke and, after paralysis and suffering for some time, passed into eternity at the age of 73 on July 8, 1926. Brooks Polen of Moundsville signed the father's death certificate. Rev. W.C. Harold of the Baptist Church led the ceremony, with interment in Wood Hill cemetery.

 

Moundsville Daily Echo

Now widowed, Maggie apparently lived with her son Leslie in Wood Hill, Marshall County, and then moved into Moundsville in about 1924, dwelling with her son Lloyd in Moundsville at 1708 Virginia Street. Burdened with stomach cancer, Maggie died at home on Dec. 18, 1929, at the age of 67. She was placed into repose in Wood Hill Cemetery. Son Lloyd Polen of Moundsville hosted the funeral service at his home and was the informant for the mother's certificate of death.

Daughter Elsie Polen (1890- ? ) was born in about 1890 in Greene County. On Dec. 30, 1911, when she was 21 years of age, she married Orville M. Hewitt ( ? - ? ), also age 21 and a native of Greene County. Rev. W. S. Dysinger performed the ceremony in Wheeling, WV. In 1929, they made their residence in Sherrard, WV.

Son Leslie Polen (1889- ? ) was born in February 1889. He grew up in Aleppo Township. He resided as a young man in Moundsville. When he was 30 years of age, on March 27, 1920, Leslie was wedded to 22-year-old Vione Shook ( ? - ? ). Rev. M.L. Dearien officiated at the nuptials held in Sherrard, WV. The Polens were farmers and in 1929-1930 lived in Wood Hill in the Washington District of Marshall County. Their known children were Roberta Polen, Eileen Polen, Mildred Polen, Thelma Polen and Forrest Polen.

Son Brooks Polen (1896-1958) was born on Jan. 23, 1896 in Aleppo Township. During World War I, he served with the American Expeditionary Force. He was married to Dorothy ( ? - ? ). They did not reproduce. The couple dwelled in Fork Ridge in the Clay District of Marshall County in 1929-1930 and by the late 1950s lived in Moundsville at 1105 Seventh Street. He was employed by the West Virginia State Road Commission. He suffered a massive heart attack and died on April 7, 1958 before arrival at Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale near Moundsville. Interment was in Riverview Cemetery.

Son Lloyd Polen (1902- ? ) was born in about 1902 in Aleppo. As an adult, he worked as a chiseler in the U.S. Smelter works in Moundsville. He married Iva Weekly (1905- ? ) in about 1922, when he was age 20 and she 19. They had two known children and possibly more -- Kathleen Polen and Carrell Pollen. Their home in 1930 was on Virginia Street in Moundsville, with Iva's mother living under their roof.

Son Stidger Polen ( ? - ? ) was born in about (?). In 1929, he made his home in Moundsville.

 

~ Son Simon P. Hartzell ~

Son Simon P. Hartzell (1865-1950) was born on March 2, 1865 in Marshall County, VA, now West Virginia. He was a lifelong farmer. 

At the age of 23, in about 1888, Simon married 18-year-old Ellen Miller (1870-1948), daughter of Robert and Levina (Miller) Miller of Aleppo. The couple made their residence in Washington, Washington County, PA. 

They had these known children, Bloyd Hartzell, Robert Lee Hartzell, Jonas "Ellsworth" Hartzell, Iva Hartzell, Florence Hartzell and Viola Hartzell. 

Tragedy rocked the family on the fourth day of the new year in 1921, when 14-year-old daughter Viola succumbed to a fatal case of meningitis and septic shock. 

The 1910 census shows Simon as a farmer in South Strabane Township, Washington County. Later, he worked as a laborer in a local glass factory. In March 1925, Simon was named in the Waynesburg Republican obituary of his brother John. The 1930 census shows the family living on East Maiden Street in Washington. 

Ellen died of heart problems on Aug. 26, 1948 at the age of 78. 

Circa 1950, now widowed, he lived at 73 Murray Avenue. He suffered from heart and artery problems and died at age 75 on June 10, 1950. Interment was in Chartiers Hill Church Cemetery in Canonsburg, North Strabane Township, Washington County. Daughter Iva McKinney signed the death certificate.

Son Floyd Hartzell (1890- ? ) was born in about 1890. At the age of 20, in 1910, he worked as a brick laborer in a brickyard.

Son Robert Lee Hartzell (1891-1947) was born on Sept. 15, 1891 in Greene County. He married Ruth Mounts (1907-1985), who was 15 years younger. They had two known children -- Wilma J. Hartzell and Robert Thomas "Salty" Hartzell. In 1930, they and their children lived under the roof of Robert's parents. That year, Robert held a job as a truck driver hauling milk. By the 1940s, they had relocated into the rural outskirts of Washington. Robert was employed in 1947 as a diamond grinding operator for Findlay Clay Products Company. The constant dust-breathing on the job led to bronchitis and silicosis problems, and Robert died from their effects at the age of 55 on March 11, 1947. His remains were placed into repose in the Chartiers Hill Church Cemetery. Ruth survived her husband by almost 40 years. She passed away the day after Christmas 1985.

Son Jonas "Ellsworth" Hartzell (1893-1942) was born on Nov. 15, 1893 in Greene County. He married Charity Rush (1896-1973). They produced one daughter, Charlene Elsie Hopewell. Jonas was a truck driver and they lived in the early 1940s at 583 East Maiden Street in Washington. Tragically, in March 1942, Jonas began to suffer symptoms from colon cancer that was spreading in his body. He died at age 48 on Aug. 1, 1942. He was interred in Chartiers Hill Church Cemetery. Charity lived for another 30-plus years. She passed away in 1973 with burial beside her husband.

Daughter Iva Hartzell (1895-1983) was born in 1895. She was married to James "Earl" McKinney (1890-1963), son of Alexander and Katherine (Shipe) McKinney. They dwelled in Washington, at at 87½ Murray Avenue and later at 73 Murray Avenue. They had two known daughters who died in infancy -- Geneva Marie on Aug. 25, 1921 and unnamed newborn on May 6, 1922. James earned a living as a glass plant foreman. James was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and died on Aug. 28, 1963 at the age of 73.

Daughter Florence Matilda Hartzell (1896- ? ) was born in 1896 or on June 1, 1899. She is believed to have married John Paul Burt (1895-1942) -- son of John S. and Emma May (Oldham) Burt -- and to have had four children -- Betty Grace Chase, John Walter Burt, Kenneth E. Burt and Duane Hartzell Burt. John worked at Washington Tin Plate Company. Sadly, at the age of 46, he suffered a massive heart attack and died on April 27, 1942. Florence lived for another three-plus decades as a widow. She died on July 18, 1976 in Washington, with burial in Chartiers Hill Church Cemetery.

Daughter Viola Hartzell (1907- ? ) was born in about 1907.

Copyright © 2015, 2018, 2020 Mark A. Miner

Research for this page graciously shared by the late Olive (Rowan) Duff, the late Donna (Younkin) Logan and Marlyn Hartzell Dalsimer, a.k.a. Marlyn Klee-Hartzell and Ella (Hartzell) Coen. Others researching the Hartzell family have been Beverly Palarino, Ella Coen, John C. Foster, Louise Dollison Marsh, Martha Jane Martin and Barbara Erlenbach.