Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential

Center

 

Samuel Skinner

 

­­­LH - 353

                                                                        ________________________________________________

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

 

Introduction

 

This collection was acquired by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center through Maryellen R. Shively on behalf of George and Teresa Rearick on July 22, 2008. 

 

 

Biographical Sketch

 

Samuel Skinner was born on 10 May 1814 in Perry County, Ohio to George and Mary (Goodin) Skinner.  In 1830 the family arrived in the Lower Sandusky area (now Fremont, Ohio) and eventually settled in the southeast part of Washington Township.  On Oct. 17, 1833 Samuel Skinner married Elizabeth Geeseman, and the couple had ten children: George W., Mary (Rearick), Sarah (Rearick), Cynthia (Burgoon), Eliza Ann (Choate), Margaret E. (Hansberger), Laura M. (Zorn), Harriet M. (Zorn), Jane E. (Cornelius) and Emma N. (Hendricks).  After the death of his first wife in 1869, Samuel Skinner married Sarah Guyer in April 1870.

 

Samuel Skinner was one of the most successful pioneers in Sandusky County, bearing witness to the areas transformation from the black swamp to a progressive community.  While assuming his role as a catalyst to these changes Samuel’s everyday life was spent on his farm.  One of the more popular stories involving Samuel Skinner took place in the winter of 1834.  He took the lead on a bear hunt around the county that ended unsuccessfully, but it was situations like this that made Skinner a well known pioneer.

 

Skinner retired from his farm in 1871 and spent the rest of his life in Fremont, Ohio.  In the community he became known as “Uncle Samuel”.  He died on 15 of February 1902 at the age of 88 and is buried in the Four-Mile House Cemetery.

 

Scope and Content

 

This collection, spanning from 1860 to-1923, contains 147 pieces of correspondence, legal documents, military documents and business receipts relating to the Samuel Skinner family of Sandusky County, Ohio.  The collection also contains a New Testament, two German publications and a book titled My Brother Ben.  The letters date from 1884-1901, with the bulk spanning the years 1889-1890, and are primarily of a personal nature from the extended family of Samuel Skinner.  The legal documents contain land deeds, tax records and wills.  Other papers include business receipts for building materials from various establishments.  A military pension on the behalf of Sarah Rearick, widow of George L. Rearick, is also documented for his Civil War service in the 169th Ohio National Guard.

Inventory

Ac.5724

147 items

 

1. Personal Letters     1884-1889                                    

 

Oct. 9, 1838                Mary Ann Hall to Unknown      (Death of father George Skinner)

Nov. 13, 1884             Sara Skinner to Samuel Skinner

June 3, 1886                Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

June 13, 1874              David Skinner to brother

Oct. 10, 1887              James Rose to Samuel Skinner  (Pioneer Meeting)

Mar. 18, 1888              Millie Hendricks to Grandparents

Mar. 16, 1888              Fred Zorn to father Skinner

Apr. 10, 1888              Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel          (Life on the farm)

May 9, 1888                Sophia & Nathan Skinner to brother     (Family life)

July 21, 1888               George W. Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Sept. 3, 1888               Smith Goodin to cousin Samuel Skinner            (Political Events)

Sept. 29, 1888             Harriet M. Zorn to father Samuel Skinner          (Family Sickness)

Oct. 23, 1888              Annie Choate to friends

Nov. 1, 1888               Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Nov. 10, 1888             Lizzie & W.A. Walters to Uncle Samuel Skinner

Nov. 20, 1888             Cora Hansberger to Grandpa Samuel Skinner

Nov. 20, 1888             Ellie Hansberger to father Samuel Skinner

Nov. 26, 1888             Clarence Elmer Henricks to Grandpa

Dec.?, 1888                 L. Skinner to cousin                  (Death of cousin)

Dec. 11, 1888              Smith Goodin to cousin Samuel Skinner

Dec. 12, 1888              Isaac Goodin to cousin Samuel Skinner     (Death of brother John)

Dec. 24, 1888              George W. Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Jan. 6, 1889                 Fred Zorn to father                   (Farm news)

Jan 8, 1889                  Harriet Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Feb. 5, 1889                Jane to father

Feb. 8, 1889                Annie Choate to friends            (Sickness)

Feb. 17, 1889              Ellie Hansberger to father George Skinner

Feb 25, 1889               Ellie Hansberger to father George Skinner

Feb. 27, 1889              Fred Zorn to father

Mar.?, 1889                 Rebecca Catherman to uncle Samuel Skinner    (Sickness)

Mar. 8, 1889                Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Mar. 18, 1889              C. & Noah Fundaberg to cousin Samuel Skinner

Apr. 7, 1889                Harriet Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Apr. 10, 1889              Lizzie Walters to uncle Samuel Skinner     (Birth in family)

Apr. 15, 1889              Rebecca Catherman to uncle Samuel Skinner

May?, 1889                 Mary Hull to friends

May 19, 1889              Sophia Skinner to Samuel Skinner & Wife

May 24, 1889              Lizzie Walters to uncle Samuel Skinner

July 1, 1889                 Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner          (Death of Rebecca)

July 9, 1889                 Annie Choate to friends

July 21, 1889               Maggie Overmyer to Mrs. Samuel Skinner        (Death of grandfather)

Aug. 19, 1889              James Rose to Samuel Skinner                                     

Sept. 6, 1889               Millie to grandfather

Sept. 8, 1889               Ellie Hansberger to father Samuel Skinner

Sept. 15, 1889             Sophia Skinner to friends                      (Sickness)

Sept. 21, 1889             Emma Hendricks to father Samuel Skinner

Sept. 21, 1889             Fred Zorn to father

Oct. 7, 1889                George Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner        (Coming for a visit)

Oct. 12, 1889              Maude Hendricks to grandfather

Oct. 19, 1889              R.E. Cutler to aunt & uncle

Oct. 19, 1889              Nathan Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Oct. 20, 1889              Emma Hendricks to father Samuel Skinner

Nov. 27, 1889             Mary Ann to aunt & uncle

Dec. 1, 1889                Laura Zorn to father-in-law

 

2. Personal Letters     1890-1901

 

Jan. 3, 1890                 Maudie Hendricks to grandpa

Jan. 10 1890                Ellie Hansberger to father Samuel Skinner

Jan. 15, 1890               Laura & Fred Zorn to Samuel Skinner

Jan. 16, 1890               Rhoda Cutler to aunt & uncle                (Church revival)

Jan. 23, 1890               Annie Choate to friends

Jan. 25, 1890               Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Feb. 5, 1890                Martha Ellen Hansberger to grandpa Samuel Skinner

Feb. 15, 1890              Sophia Skinner to Sam & Sara Skinner (Pres. Hayes/Church)

Feb. 26, 1890              Fred & Laura Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Feb. 27, 1890              Emma Hendricks to grandpa                

Feb. 28, 1890              George W. Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Mar.?, 1890                 Unknown                     (Death of Rhoda Black)

Mar. 28, 1890              Harriet Zorn to father Samuel Skinner   (Church/converts)

Apr. 16, 1890              Annie Choate to friends

Apr. 18, 1890              Mrs. J.S. Fletcher to Mr. & Mrs. Skinner         (Fremont visit)

May 24, 1890              Nathan Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

May 28, 1890              Maggie Fletcher to Samuel Skinner                   (Selling of property)

May 29, 1890              Mr. & Mrs. George Skinner to Samuel Skinner

June 1, 1890                J. Skinner? to cousins

June 19, 1890              Sophia Skinner to Sarah Skinner           (Church)

July 3, 1890                 Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Sept. 29, 1890             W.A. Walters to uncle Samuel Skinner

Oct. 5, 1890                Rhoda Cutler to aunt & uncle

Oct. 8, 1890                Mary Ann Hull to aunt& uncle

Nov. 9, 1890               George & Susan Edelman to Samuel Skinner    (Religion)

Nov. 19, 1890             Mary Heiserman to aunt & uncle

Jan. 11, 1891               Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner                     

Jan. 21, 1891               Ivan Hansberger to grandpa     

Jan. 23, 1891               L.M.  ? to Mrs. Samuel Skinner

Feb. 15, 1891              Mary Black to uncle Samuel Skinner

Feb. 15, 1891              Annie Choate to friend

Feb. 17, 1891              Harriett Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Mar. 3, 1891                Rhoda Cutler to Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Skinner

Mar. 5, 1891                Mary Ann Hull to aunt & uncle  (Measles outbreak)

Mar. 6, 1891                Annie Choate to friends                        (Rosella has baby boy)

Mar. 18, 1891              Ivan Hansberger to grandpa

Apr. 2, 1891                Laura to her father                                (Death of Ida)

Apr. 3, 1891                Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Apr. 6, 1891                Emma Curtis to grandpa & grandma

Apr. 12, 1891              Mary Ann Hull to aunt & uncle  (Sickness)

May 6, 1891                Rhoda Cutler to uncle Samuel Skinner  

May 6, 1891                George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

May 19, 1891              George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

June 4, 1891                Anna Choate to friends

June 18, 1891              Ellie Hansberger to father Samuel Skinner

June 21, 1891              Fred Zorn to father

June 22, 1891              Charles Skinner to uncle

Aug. 1, 1891                Emma Hendricks to father Samuel Skinner

Aug. 19, 1891              Addie Choate to grandparents

Aug. 24, 1891              Unknown to father Samuel Skinner                   (Train travels)

Sept. 19, 1891             Mary Ann Hull to aunt & uncle              (Death)

Sept. 22, 1891             Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Oct. 6, 1891                George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Oct. 21, 1891              Harriet Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Oct. 29, 1891              Ellie Hansberger to father Samuel Skinner

Nov. 8, 1891               Mr. & Mrs. Catherman to uncle                        (Death)

Nov. 17, 1891             George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Nov. 24, 1891             Ardella Cornelius to grandparents

Nov. 27, 1891             Sophia Skinner to brother & sister                    (move back to farm)

Dec. 7, 1891                J. Cook to unknown

Dec. 13, 1891              Addie to grandparents

Dec. 13, 1891              Annie Choate to friends

Jan. 20, 1892               Annie Choate to friends                        (Sickness/Church fire)

Jan. 21, 1892               S.F. Skinner to uncle Samuel Skinner

Feb. 9, 1892                Fred Zorn to Samuel Skinner

Feb. 10, 1892              Harriet Zorn to father Samuel Skinner

Feb. 18, 1892              Emma Hendricks to father Samuel Skinner

Feb. 21, 1892              Mary Ann Hull to aunt & uncle

Feb. 22, 1892              George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Feb. 22, 1892              Aaron Skinner to brother Samuel Skinner

Feb. 24, 1892              Ardella Cornelius to grandparents         (Travel to Fremont/marriage)

Mar. 13, 1892              Annie Choate to friends

Apr. 20, 1892              George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

May 1, 1892                Maude Hendricks to grandparents

May 6, 1892                George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner     (Rearick)

May 8, 1892                Annie Choate to friends                        (Hattie has baby boy)

May 10, 1892              George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

July 6, 1892                 George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner

Mar. 8, 1897                Unknown Smith to Mrs. Samuel Skinner

Jan. 17, 1898               W.A. Wright to D.B.  Love? Esy?        (Legal, money issues)

 

3. Personal Letters, undated

 

Aug. 3                          Aaron Skinner to aunt& uncle

Aug. 14                        Mr. Schroeder to S. Skinner

Aug. 18                        Rebecca Catherman to friends  (Death of her mother)

Oct. 22                                    E.W. Henricks to father

Nov. 29                       Sophia Skinner to unknown                  (Visit from friends)

Unknown                     Smith Goodin to unknown

Unknown                     Mary Ann Hull to aunt & uncle  (Visit from Elisa Stiner)

Unknown                     George W. (Wash) Skinner to father Samuel Skinner     (Rearick)

Unknown                     Rhoda Cutler to unknown

Unknown                     Fred Zorn to unknown             

Unknown                     Rhoda to uncle Samuel Skinner

Unknown                     Rebecca Catherman to her uncle           (Death of Rhoda)

Unknown                     George W. (Wash) Skinner to unknown            (Death of Mohlers)

 

4. Legal Documents  

 

July 25, 1861               Warranty Deed-  John Osborne to John Hassenpflug 

Jan. 8, 1862                 Warranty Deed-  John Hassenpflug  to George Hiser

Feb. 26, 1868              Mortgage Deed-  George Rearick to Samuel Skinner

Sept. 8, 1874               Mortgage Deed-  J.W. Rearick to Elias & Mary Burkett

Aug. 23, 1879              Quit-Claim Deed-  Joseph Rearick to George Rearick

Mar. 25, 1881              Quit-Claim Deed-  J.W. & Martha Rearick, Elias & Mary Burkett                               

                                                   to Kate Leiter

May 3, 1905                Warranty Deed-  Mary Magdalena Hode to Oscar Reuschler

May 3, 1905                Mortgage Deed-  Oscar Reuschler to The Croghan Bank

Feb. 9, 1906                Land Contract-  Oscar Reuschler and D.H. Rearick

Feb. 14, 1906              Mortgage Deed-  George Rearick to Delbert & Estella Rearick

Oct. 18, 1915              Probate of Will- George Skinner

Sept. 8, 1923               Notice To Next of Kin- John Hendricks

 

20 Land Tax receipts from 1900-1913

 

5. Misc. Paperwork

 

June 24, 1894              Farmers Mutual Relief Association letter

1896-1918                   20 business receipts and bills

      

6. Military Pension Documents

 

Nov. 25, 1864             Certificate of Exemption- John S. Rearick

May 4, 1908                Bureau of Pensions Certificate- George L. and Sarah Rearick

July 31, 1908               Bureau of Pensions letter- Sarah Rearick

Sept. 1916                   Notice of Increased Pension- Sarah Rearick

Nov. 28, 1916             Notice of Increased Pension- Sarah Rearick

Oct. 6, 1917                Notice of Increased Pension- Sarah Rearick

 

Publications

 

New Testament

2 Publications, German Language (1839, 1858)

My Brother Ben