In The Year 1828

In the year 1828, Mr John Smeltzer of Green Township, Gallia Co. Ohio, Was married to Miss Margaret Kerns. For several years he lived in the enjoyment of all the comforts of an easy independence, blessed with a wife of great inability, affectionate and kind to all around her, and seven sons and daughters all in their minority. In 1845 the putrid sore throat attacked one of their children which terminated its existence in a very few days .. then, one by one they were attacked and died until there were six buried. The father and mother deserted the premises to save the last of their children, Christina, then in her third year (3 years old) They did save it. and in some eighteen months after this sore visitation his wife blessed with another infant, in some measure to repair their loss, but strange to say, in a few days ( 14 days) after the birth of her child Mrs. Smeltzer and her infant both died, and left him with one little girl, to mourn the loss of a fond Mother and seven brothers and and sisters.

Since the death of his family, Mr. Smeltzer has exhibited continual mental agony, and evinced a settled purpose of continuing in that state of mind until his death should unite him with his departed family. A few days since, while at the house of Mr. Jacob Smeltzer, his brother, he was attached with colic and after suffering excruciating pain a few days, he died. He was buried by side of his wife. Leaving one little girl out of a family of ten persons.

Christina Smeltzer was married to Jonas Sibley on dec.22 1861 , she was 18 years old. Had she not survived the sad events that took place I would not be here...