Weekly Roundup 10 Jun 2011

I have to admit I have not been doing much research lately. It's that time of year when I follow another passion of mine - gardening! This year is even busier as I'm redoing one of my large flower beds. Then there's always the veggie garden.

I did do some work on Truman Porter, whom I'm trying to establish any relationship to my 2nd Great Grandpa William Porter. I received 3 obituaries that I had requested from the Wood County (OH) Genealogical Society, but they did not tell me much. Now I have about 10 more I need to request.

I'm still waiting on the Complete Service Record for Albert Porter. I don't know what's taking so long. I received a pension file for another man a couple weeks ago. I had requested both of them at the same time. Maybe they are having a hard time finding his records?

Truman Porter 1801 - 1879

Truman Porter is a person of interest. I decided to research Truman Porter as he could very well be a relative of my 2nd Great Grandpa William, maybe even his brother. A Truman Porter is found in the 1830 federal census living close by my 2nd Great Grandfather, William Porter. He and William are listed on the same page, but are not next to each other. In 1830 Truman is 20-30 years old, and a female 20-30 is also living in his household. 1830 U S Census: Chautauqua, Chautauqua, New York, Page:295; NARA Roll: M19-86; Family History Film: 0017146

William is found in the 1835 New York state census still living in Chautauqua County, New York. He appears in the 1840 federal census living in Harrison Township, Knox County, Ohio. So sometime between 1835 and 1840 William moved to Harrison Township, Knox County, Ohio. Truman Porter is not found in the 1835 New York state census; however, there is a Truman Porter in the 1840 federal census living in Jefferson Township, Knox County, Ohio.

Is this the same Truman Porter? The family in the 1840 federal census consists of one male 30-39 (correct age), 1 male under 5,  2 males 5-9, 1 male 70-79; 1 female 20-29 (hmm, that hasn't changed since the 1830 census), and 1 female 60-69. Year: 1840; Census Place: Jefferson, Knox, Ohio; Roll: 406; Page: 355; Image: 717; Family History Library Film: 0020169


In 1850 federal census, William is still living in Knox County, Ohio, though now he resides in Pleasant Township. No Truman Porter is living in Knox County, Ohio, but there is one of the right age now living in Portage, Ottawa County, Ohio. This household consists of Truman Porter, age 49, born about 1801 in Vermont; Maria Porter, age 38, born about 1812 in New York; David Porter, age 19, born about 1831 in New York; Calvin Porter, age 15, born about 1835 in New York; Van Renisalaer Porter, age 12, born about 1837 in New York; Orrilla Porter, age 10, born about 1840 in New York; John Porter, age 7, born about 1843 in Ohio; Sarah Porter, age 4, born about 1846 in Ohio; Alunson Porter, age 1, born about 1849 in Ohio. Year: 1850; Census Place: Portage, Ottawa, Ohio; Roll: M432_719; Page: 159A; Image: 54

A few things to consider here ... David Porter and Calvin Porter fit the ages of the "2 males 5-9" of the 1840 federal census, and Van R Porter fits the age of the "1 male under 5". However, there are no female children listed with the family in 1840. Orilla is listed as having been born about 1840 in New York. Is this the same family? Orilla could have been born about 1840 but in Ohio. I cannot find her after the 1850 federal census, so I have nothing to compare for her.

In the 1860 and the 1870 federal census, this Truman Porter is living in Plain Township, Wood County, Ohio.

Further research shows that this Truman Porter married Maria Darrow. She was born in New York and there are Darrows living in Chautauqua County, New York in 1830. Maria's father served in the Revolutionary War. Records show that a request to have his pension sent to Knox County, Ohio was issued. This would explain the 70-79 year old male living with the Truman Porter family in the 1840 federal census in Knox County, Ohio.

The above facts lead me to believe that the Truman Porter found in 1830 in Chautauqua County, NY is the same Truman Porter found in Jefferson Township, Knox County, Ohio, and later in Plain Township, Wood County, Ohio.

But is he related to Great Great Grandpa William Porter? There are several Porter families that appear in Chautauqua County, New York before and after William Porter lived there. Are any of them related? So far the only one that appeared also in Knox County, Ohio was Truman Porter. This still does not prove that he is related to William.

I did receive a death notice for Truman Porter in Wood County, Ohio. It only mentioned that Truman Porter of Plain Township had died, so that was of no help. This Truman Porter did not serve in the military so I cannot use those records. There is one troubling thing about this Truman Porter. In several records, including his own census records and those of his children, it states that he was born in Vermont. But there are also census records of both Truman and his children that state he was born in New York. So which is correct? Don't know. Though even if he were born in Vermont, it is still possible that he is William's brother. William was born about 1794, Truman in 1801. That gives the family plenty of time to have moved to Vermont.

I have yet to check military records for any of Truman's sons. Hopefully at least one of them did fight during the Civil War. If so then I can order a compiled service record which should state a place of birth.

If anyone has any information about this Truman Porter, please let me know.

Those Places Thursday - Sacred Heart Church, Columbus, Ohio

Sacred Heart Church

Columbus, Ohio

Sacred Heart Church is located on the corner of 1st Avenue and Hamlet Street in the area of Columbus now called Italian Village. The block where Sacred Heart Church is located, bounded by Summit and Hamlet streets and First and Second avenues, has been Catholic Church property since 1852 or 1853, when William Phelan of Lancaster (OH) willed it to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. (The diocese of Columbus was later formed from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1868.)

Sacred Heart was established in 1875. A school was built which had a large hall where church services were held until the current church was dedicated in 1923. Father John Eis was the first pastor of Sacred Heart. He served the church for 44 years. He was replaced by Father (later Msgr.) James Ryan. He served the church from 1919 until his death in 1944. In 1945 Auxiliary Bishop Edward Hettinger was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart. He served for 32 years. Bishop Hettinger is who I remember.

The original school building served as both an elementary and high school. From 1908 on the high school was a commercial school for girls only. The old school was torn down and replaced by a new building in 1957. The girls high school was closed in 1966, and the elementary school was closed in 1972. Today the building is leased to the St. Joseph Montesorri School.

I attended Sacred Heart elementary school 1st and 2nd grades. It was right after I transferred to Holy Name School that the old school building was torn down. I remember going with my Dad to the laying of the new building's cornerstone. Even when I went there I could sense that the building was old. One year a boiler exploded in the lower level. Luckily it was overnight so no one was hurt. But that meant we had to eat our lunches in our classrooms as the cafeteria was in the lower level. Always felt like sitting in a dungeon when eating our lunch! The first and second grades (and probably 3rd and 4th) were on the first floor. I remember walking up the large stairwell to the second floor a few times, once for a hearing test. I'm not sure how the upper level was arranged, and there might even have been a third floor? The hearing test that I remember was in a large hall, so that was probably where the church services were held until the church was built.

I remember the interior of the church as dark and grey. From today's pictures it looks as if there has been some color added to the interior. I also do not remember the wood ceiling. I remember chandeliers hanging from the ceiling also, which are no longer there.

Reading current comments about the church validates my feeling that this church is special. It gives one the feeling of what a church should look and feel like. It has a spirituality that other churches do not. Today about half of the 150-200 people who attend weekly services are from areas outside the parish area.

When I attended Sacred Heart the church was always packed. It was built to seat about 800 people. It was at one time one of the largest parishes in Columbus, but due to the migration of the population to the suburbs, which started after World War II, it now has about 200 registered families.

I was baptized, had my first Confession, and received First Holy Communion at Sacred Heart Church.