The saga of Whitmer(Whit) Rees(e) was born in Penn. His father was a minister. He was the only son of this
marriage. His father's first wife died leaving several children-likewise his mother so he was spoiled by the two families.
(editor notes:this saga is exactly reproduced. factual errors will be addressed. re:above. Witmer's father(Benjamin Reese) was a limeburner. His father's first wife
did die, leaving only one known child Benjamin Reese, Jr. Witmer was the fourth
son of Benjamin Reese to his second wife Sarah Kuhn, whose own bible entry records Witmer's birth. Witmer's mother was
married a first time, her spouse died and there were two known sons from that
marriage. The saga version is a distortion of the facts.)
At the age of 14 years he was at that time call Peck's Bad Boy! His
father took $16.00 for him and put him in the Civil War. (This is very unlikely. An older brother was still in the home. A descendant claims Witmer ran away against his father's wishes at age 16 in August 1864) The brass kettle I have
was the kettle he used to cook his meals in. He went into one battle, and when
they said retreat; in his words "I retreated and never stopped until I
reached Ohio". he went to work for a Mr. Miller as a farm hand and married
their daughter Mary Margaret(Laser?)who had 3 children. At one time they own a
hotel solon(sp.saloon) in Mansfield, called the Ohio House. But as I remember
them they lived in a log cabin on the Plymouth-mansfield road at the corner of
Boyce Road.(editor's notes:Witmer was at least 16 at the time he entered
Union service. It is more likely that Witmer was a paid substitute, and
"ran away" at taht young age for induction. See Civil war
notes detailing Witmer's joining up, wrongful accusation and imprisonment
and attempt to remedy record.)
There were many stories told about him.
Some could not possible be true, because he was to lazy to do the things. Such
as catching sparrows and coloring them yellow and selling them for
canaries.
He was a very handsome man in his prime with a great sandy beard.
But also(a drunkard. One man in Mansfield told me one time if he would have used
his knowage in the right direction-with his brains and the way of deliver he
could have become a great statesman, but he was lazy and loved his drink. He
read everything he could get his hands on.-Another story-They tell how my Great
Aunt Mirt came into the house one day. She was a small child-mad because she had
to watch the stock because the fences were down and he wouldn't fix them. She
started to give him the devil for laying around reading and not fixing the
fences so she could go and play. He just looked at her saying"What do you
suppose I had you little sons-of-bitches for?" that gives you an idea of
him. My dad said he would have lived forever, but he was struck by a car, the
only time I guess he was sober, and died a few months later with internal
injuries. there must have been some good side to him because his wife followed
him to her grave about nine months later with grief.
News Clipping
WITMER REESE INJURED
When Struck by an Automobile, East of Shelby--
Going Home From Neighbors When
Hit.
Witmer Reese, a pioneer
of Richland County, and a resident of Jackson township, was struck by an
automobile yesterday evening about 5 o'clock while walking along the roadside
from the home of a neighbor toward his own home. He had been at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. W.H.Milligan and shortly before 5 o'clock started home. He was walking
along the right hand side of the road and a blinding snow storm was raging at
the time.
Mr. McQuate, the undertaker at Shiloh, accompanied by his brother
Cloyd McQuate and wife were passengers along the road in a Ford touring car. As
they approached Mr. Reese he started across the road to the left hand side. the
driver threw on the brakes and the machine skidded and struck Mr. reese knocking
him down and inflicting very bad injuries. He was carried into the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Sterret nearby and Dr. Dowds of Shelby, was summoned and reported at
once to give him medical attention. It was ascertained that no bones were broken
but Mr. Reese had a badly bruised back and leg and was injured in the region of
the abdomen. It was impossible to discover last night the exact extent of his
injuries and the physicians were not certain whether he was internally injured
or not. Last evening he was removed to his home nearby and word from there today
is that he is resting easier.
When the machine struck Mr. Reese he was thrown
with considerable force and the radiator was smashed back against the engine.
The hood was knocked from the machine and laid over at one side of the road. Mr.
McQuate and Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd McQuate remained there and gave every assistance
in their power in getting mr. Reese to the Sterret home and in summoning a
physician.
Mr. Reese will doubtless be confined to his bed for some weeks as
the result of his injuries. in a day or two it may develop that he was injured
internally. Mr. Reese is well known in Shelby and throughout this end of
Richland county and the accident is much regretted by his many friends.
Obituary
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Marriage Certificate 