By: Mark Holtsberry
William Samuel Barnard was the son of Cyrus, born 1853 in Ohio and Catherine” Kitty” (McKevitt) Barnard, born 1851 in Ohio. This couple was married August 10, 1872 in Paulding. In this union, four sons were born. Alma Darious November 3, 1872, Edward Frank born January 19, 1874, George Earnest August 20, 1875 and William Samuel January 20, 1878. All sons were born in Charloe, Ohio. On December 13, 1878, Catherine passed away and was buried in Charloe-Blakeslee Cemetery, Charloe.
By 1880, Cyrus and son Alma was living with Cyrus’ parents in Charloe. William was living with Catherine’s parents, Patrick and Helen McKevitt in the Charloe area. William’s brothers George and Edward were living with an aunt and uncle.
By 1898, Paulding was forming a company of men to serve in the Spanish American War. Company M. 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed. William was mustered into service, June 30, 1898 and served until February 10, 1899 when the company was mustered out of service. By June of 1900, William moved to Cumming, Michigan where he stayed in a housing complex and was working as a day laborer. Also in the same complex was a man named Ezra B. Holtsberry, who was my grand-father’s first cousin! (O.K. I will not go down this rabbit hole).
While living in Lansing, Michigan, William met a gal named Janet Alice Blume, born January 4, 1882 in lonia County, Michigan. Janet was married before so she had three sons from a prior marriage. Loren C. born June 27, 1901, Carl born July 1, 1903, and Neil L. born September 24, 1907.
January 19, 1912, William’s father, Cyrus, passed away. He was buried with Catherine at Charloe. December 12, 1914, a son Duane was born to William and Janet. On September 12, 1918 at Lansing, Michigan draft board, William registered for the World War draft. Short and slender build, blue eyes, brown hair and working as a painter at an automotive factory. The couple was living at 524 West Main Street in Lansing.
By 1920 William and family were still living at the same address. William’s mother in law, Louise Barber, was now living with them. On October 30, 1928, stepson Loren passed away.
By 1930 William and Janet were still at the same address. On January 22, 1932, Janet suffered a fractured skull as she fell at home. She passed away February 3, 1932. She was buried in Deepdale Memorial Park Cemetery, Eaton County, Michigan.
On September 1, 1937 William entered the Michigan Soldiers Home in Lansing, Michigan. He suffered from organic heart disease. He passed away October 17, 1937. He was buried beside his wife. Son Duane served in World War Two.
