My Genealogy Hound

HENRY NAWMAN. This name will be remembered among the early residents of German Township, as belonging to one of its most worthy citizens, who departed this life at his homestead therein June 24, 1870. He was born in Clark County, July 16, 1817, and was a son of Thomas and Catherine Nawman, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania. His early life was similar to that of most farmers’ boys, during which he attended the district school and made himself useful as he was able at plowing, sowing and reaping. He grew up healthful in mind and body with a good knowledge of the various employments of farm life, and by reading and observation kept himself posted as to what was going on around him.

Mr. Nawman remained a bachelor until approaching the thirty-seventh year of his age, and was then married. March 29, 1854, to Miss Ingebee J. Rhonemus. Of this union there was born a family of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Clara is the wife of John Konkle, and they live in Springfield; Samuel G. is a resident of Walla Walla, Wash.; Thomas is farming in German Township; William is in Minnesota; Louisa died when thirteen and one-half years old; Webster remains at home with his mother; Mary died at the age of fifteen years; Catherine is the wife of Charles Wey, and they live in German Township; Matilda married Albert Green, and they are residents of Springfield Township, Clark County; Amanda is the wife of Jesse Belt, of Springfield; Andrew and Henry remain at the farm with their mother.

In all the relations of life Mr. Nawman acquitted himself with faithfulness and credit. He was a good provider for his family, kind and hospitable to his neighbors, and a man whose loss to the community it was difficult to replace. In politics he gave his unqualified support to the Republican party. He left a snug farm comprising nearly seventy acres of well-developed land, which makes a comfortable home for his family.

Mrs. Ingebee J. Nawman was born August 17, 1831, in Clinton County, this State, and is a daughter of William and Matilda (Clark) Rhonemus, the former of whom was born in Clinton County, and the latter in Virginia. The mother of Mrs. Nawman lived in Virginia until a young lady of eighteen years, and then accompanied her parents to Ohio, they settling first in Clinton County. Mrs. Rhonemns is still living and spends the most of her time with her son in the city of Springfield. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Nawman were among the earliest pioneers of Clinton County, and the grandfather carried a musket as a soldier in the War of 1812. He removed to Springfield in 1853, and died there several years ago. The parental household consisted of a goodly number of sons and daughters, five of whom are living, Mrs. Nawman being the eldest. The next daughter, Louisa, is the wife of Samuel Nawman, of this township. The sons are named respectively: Martin V., Andrew and Elwood.

Mrs. Nawman spent her childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner under the parental roof, attending the common school and becoming familiar with all useful household duties. She remained with her parents until her marriage, and has proved a most sensible and efficient helpmate to her husband, assisting him in the accumulation of their property and looking well to the ways of her household.