By: Mark Holtsberry
Edward Staley was a popular Sheriff of Paulding County, established as a dealer in timber and real estate, was born in Lafayette, Allen County, Ohio, March 7, 1862.
His parents, Isaac and Martha A. (Gilbert) Staley Isaac passed on the tradition of hard work. Isaac was born January 7, 1829, in Virginia. He was a well known blacksmith, wagon and repairman in Washington Township, who became involved in timber and marketing of wood products. Isaac married Martha A. Gilbert, the daughter of Chloe and Josiah Gilbert, who was born February 1, 1833, in Waterloo, Monteregie Region, Quebec, Canada.
By 1870, 11 year old Edward S. Staley and eight brothers and sisters were living in Brown Township, where he received a basic education. In 1880, at the age of 18, single, living at home, Edward turned to Farming. In 1881, Edward rented a homestead farm, and was engaged in the timber business in the vicinity of Melrose, he also learned the blacksmith trade and became a good mechanic (I bet he learned this trade from his father).
In the fall of 1881, Edward engaged in business for the firm of N. Moses and Brothers, remaining with them for two years. In 1882, Edward even spent a year, prospecting in mines and timber trade in Leadville, Colorado. This venture was not too prosperous. Edward returned home to Melrose in 1883, working again for N. Moses and Brothers. He was put in charge of the timber operation as well as the real estate business in two counties. Edward was engaged in farming in Washington and Latty townships. A total of 400 acres, 100 acres were cultivated. I am guessing that the rest of the land was under woods.
Edward was becoming a person with integrity, energy, most favorably known, and well to do young man of the county. On May 16, 1885, Edward married a gal named, Elva Day, of Henry County. This marriage produced a daughter, Jessie, born June 23, 1886. Elva Staley passed away, July 18, 1886, I am guessing from issues with child birth. Elva was a lady known as a faithful and loving wife and mother.
Living in Paulding as a timber dealer, Edward took a leap into another vocation. November 3 1891, he runs for Paulding County Sheriff. Edward, running against Mr. Alfred. H. Saylor, a popular candidate for re-election. Edward won the election by 179 votes! Edward finds a gal, named Blanche Marie Patterson, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Patterson in Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio. They were married, May 11, 1892 in Paulding, Ohio.
As a county sheriff, you could deal with all sorts of issues: barking dog, drunken fights, domestic issues, stolen farm animals, etc., but November 5, 1894 was a day that Sheriff Edward Staley, was not prepared for. Two small children, one three and the other five, were located in a pile of burnt brush near their home three and a half miles northwest of Paulding. Neighbors pointed fingers at a young man named Charles Hart. I guess, it was because he found the bodies when everyone was looking for the missing children. Arrested, Charles was sitting in jail, when Sheriff Staley interviewed him, sheriff noting that Charles was grossly ignorant. Others were held and interviewed as crowds outside cried for justice. Sheriff Staley moved the prisoners to Van Wert in fear of a lynch mob. In jailhouse interviews, Charles denied any involvement. It was said, that Charles did not understand the seriousness of the charges. Of the other four men that were arrested, each of them were pointing fingers at each other. Charles was held without bond, then shipped to Williams County jail in Bryan. Charles confessed to Sheriff Staley, November 26, 1894.
A few days before Christmas, Charles was taken to Defiance for the trial. Charles, standing with his attorneys, Alfred Wilcox and John Snook, before Judge Snook, Charles declared his guilt. After witnesses, Judge Snook sentenced Charles Hart to be hung until dead. In Paulding, there were people in the town, that felt Charles was innocent. Sheriff Staley was one of those people who felt Charles was not guilty, and hated to see the boy hung. Charles Hart was hung in the Ohio State Penitentiary, April 12, 1895.
In 1900, Edward Staley, his wife Blanch, and three children were living in Paulding, Edward was a timber dealer. By 1910, the Staley’s were living on Main Street in Paulding, but with the addition of another child, a son, Edward Jr. On August 22, 1911, their eighteen year old son Nelson, drowned in St. Ignace, Michigan. He was buried in Live Oak Cemetery.
By 1920, the Staley family moved to South Water Street in Paulding. Their daughter, Jessie, marries and moves to California. Edward took to farming. Their son John dies July 30, 1927, a Marine and a World War 1 Veteran, not sure what happened. John was a Hotel Manager.
By 1930, Edward and Blanche were living at 520 North Main Street. Edward was still engaged in farming, but I believe he was renting out. By 1940, Edward and Blanche were still living in Paulding. On July 11, 1941, Blanche Staley passed away in Paulding, Ohio and is buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Paulding, Ohio. Edward moved to Florida and passed away July 24, 1947, in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. He was buried beside Blanche in Live Oak Cemetery.
Unitl Next Time!
