Kirker Cemetery Adams County, Ohio

John R. Zercher was a Civil War veteran. He was mustered into the Captain Brown's Company, Company C, of the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on October 21, 1861 in Eckmansville, Ohio for a period of 3 years. His age was listed as 23 years old.

John reenlisted (Volunteer Enlistment) as a Veteran Volunteer on January 24, 1864 at Scottsboro, Alabama. He was described as having Hazel eyes, fair hair, a dark complexion, being 5 feet seven inches tall, and 25 years and 8 months of age. He was paid a bounty of $60.00 for reenlisting. He was assigned to Captain John T. Brady's Company, Company A, of the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed Corporal on April 30, 1864.

On June 5, 1864 he was listed as sick, and was sent to General hospital at Rome, Georgia. He remained in the hospital for the remainder of the Civil War, and was granted a Disability Discharge from Camp Dennison Hospital, June 21, 1865 (Certificate of Disability for Discharge).

The People's Defender
West Union, Ohio
Thursday April 29, 1916
Pg. 1

TAPS SOUNDED

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For Jno. Zercher, Civil War Veteran, at Russellville.

John R, Zercher, well known citizen of Russellville, died at his home there last Friday, April 23, aged nearly 77 years.

Deceased was born at Decatur May 10 1838. For a number of years he resided in the Eckmansville neighborhood and leaves many relatives in this county, among them a sister, Mrs. Sarah McClanahan, of West Union.

Mr. Zercher was the father of four children, Minnie Lee, Levicy Evaline, now Mrs. Frank G. Young, of Seaman, Ohio, Della Belle, now Mrs. Chas. M. McKinley, of Russellville, Ohio and John W., of Dayton, Ohio. The widow, Mary Jane and the last three of the above of the above children survive him; Minnie Lee died in 1885.

He enlisted at the beginning of the Civil War in the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served three years, then re-enlisted for three years more or until the close of the war. He was in several severe engagements, among them being, Shiloh, Look-out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Antietam, Chicamauga, Vicksburg and with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was mustered out from the hospital at Camp Dennison at the close of the war.

He took a business course in school but afterwards engaged in the plastering trade which he followed for 64 years. He also attended D.H. Baldwin's Music at Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequentially taught vocal music for many years. He was a member of the M. E. church and held official positions until the time of his death.

The funeral services were conducted at Russellville Sunday afternoon by Rev. Yockum and the interment was made in North Liberty Cemetery.

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Mary E. Zercher, daughter of Wade and Eliza Baldridge, and wife of John R. Zercher, was born Aug. 26th, 1841, and died March 9th, 1883.

At the age of 19 she united with the U. P. church at West Union, O., where she held her membership until she married and moved too far away to attend that church. Four years before her death she, with her husband, united with the M.E. church at Eckmansville, O., of which she was a consistent member. For two months before her death she was aware the she could not recover, but peacefully awaited the coming of the Lord. She suffered but little and her mind was clear to the last. Only a short time before she drew her last breath, in answer to the question whether her Saviour was with her, she replied yes and peacefully fell asleep. She had commended her loving family to her covenanted God and rested quietly on his promises. By her amiable disposition and christian walk, she had gained the esteem of her neighbors and of the christian community who showed their appreciation by their sympathy during her sickness and her family in their bereavement. Rev. L. O. Deputy preached her funeral sermon to a large and solemn audience.

     She's gone to the land of Elysian
          Where Jesus and angels abide,
     She has crossed with the pale angel boatman,
          She's crossed over death's chilly tide.

     We know she is now safely landed
          Where snowy white robes ever gleam,
     And the gates of the city are opened,
          To welcome, to welcome her in.

     We now say adieu not forever,
          We soon shall behold her arrayed,
     On the throne with the great King of glory,
          All robed in her garment of white.

E.G.G.     

Children of John R. Zercher and Mary E. Baldridge:

E1 Minnie Lee Zercher, born March 23, 1867, died January 11, 1885; buried in Cherry Fork Cemetery, Adams County, Ohio.

E2 Levicy Evaline Zercher, died after 1915; married Frank G. Young.

E3 Della Belle Zercher, born December 28, 1872 in Adams County, Ohio; died Januiary 10, 1951 in Russellville, Ohio (view Death Certificate), buried in Linwood Cemetery, Russelville, Ohio; married Charles M. McKinley, born June 1871 in Ohio.

E4 John W. Zercher, born July 5, 1875 in Adams County, Ohio, died September 18, 1945 in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio (view Death Certificate); married Stella _____, born ca. 1881; John W. Zercher was a veteran of the Spanish American War.

The Zercher Family History is a project of Carol M. Gillespie, D.D.S. You can contact Carol at: CGillespi2@aol.com. Please enter a Subject of Zercher Genealogy, to help us separate your message from spam. The html version was created by Eric Davis.