Debolt Family History (PDF)

DeBolt Family HistoryOriginally Compiled by Elizabeth Harbert HansenAltoona, KansasAmended by Karen DeBolt AnsleyThree brothers came to the United States from the Rhine Country, France (original documentstates “some 275 years ago, but I am not sure when it was written). I, Elizabeth Harbert Hansen,am of the 11 th generation descended from one of these men, a lame man and weaver by trade,who settled in Greene County, Pennsylvania.This weaver had at least one child, a son George, from whom I am descended. I have at presentno record of the next generation, but I am descended from George’s son. George had a grandson(son of the preceding generation whose name was not recorded by family) named Gideon (thefourth generation in America).Gideon had a son, George, who lived at the time of the Revolutionary War (I have notdocumented this.). He was a wealthy farmer. At the time of the Tory Plot, a Michael Catt wasdeputed to kill George DeBolt, but Michael came to him the day before the deed was to be doneand exposed the plot.This George DeBolt’s oldest son was Henry DeBolt (and I have found many of them, I assureyou, but cannot document which one fits here). His wife lived in good health to the age of 105years. She was first married to a Mr. Black, then to George DeBolt, and then to a Mr. Notts.She had children by each husband. The children all lived to old ages. Henry DeBolt had sixchildren: Michael, George, Nicholas, Henry, Polly and Katy (who married a Launce).Henry’s son Henry married Mary Girard (Gerard) when she was 15 years old. Mary was ofScotch descent. Her grandmother’s maiden name was Smith. Her grandfather was shot throughthe mouth during the Revolutionary War. Her father, John H. Girard, was killed during theRevolutionary War, and Mary was raised by her Girard grandparents. Henry and Mary went ona flatboat to the mouth of the Little Miami River (Ohio) and remained in a fort for about twoyears. His oldest child was born there. He entered on a section of land in Butler County (Ohio)in 1791. He returned to Newton, Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1800.*[*All of this so far was in the history written by my father’s cousin. I can document that therewas a Henry DeBolt in Hamilton County Ohio—found one on 1799 tax census for HamiltonCounty, but also on 1808 and 1810 tax lists for Butler County Ohio. There was also a HenryDeBolt in Hamilton County on 1850 census and also found him listed on several lists inHamilton County History.As you can readily see, there cannot be that many generations as she has listed here.From the information you sent, I believe that we can guess that Henry might have come fromGreene County, but sure will have to work harder to prove it. I don’t know about the flat boatstory, but a Henry DeBolt definitely settled in Ohio around 1800.]

The following information came to me from June Hamilton, whose grandmother (Ruby PearlKinnett) was my father’s cousin. June lives in Norfolk, Virginia (windy2323@yahoo.com)From June Hamilton:Henry DeBolt, b. circa 1773 in Greene County, Pennsylvania and died 27 Dec 1805, in LemonTownship, Butler County, OhioMarried, on 19 April 1791 in Newtown, OhioMary Girard (Gerard) b. 20 Oct 1774 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) and died 26 Nov 1856 atMt. Holly, IndianaHenry DeBolt entered section in Butler County, Ohio in 1791 and lived in Newtown, HamiltonCounty Ohio in 1800. Listed in 1820 Ohio census in Anderson Township, Hamilton County,OhioTheir children:Elizabeth, b. 24 Jan 1792 in Anderson Township, Hamilton County Ohio and died 21 May 1859In Madison Township, buried in Astoria CemeteryMarried Joseph Hinkel, Jr. at Middletown, Butler County, OhioGeorge John DeBolt, born 12 Sept 1793 in Hamilton County, Ohio and died at Mt. Holly,Randolph County, Indiana and buried in New Lisbon CemeteryMarried Rachel Clawson circa 1816Rachel DeBolt, born circa 1796 in Anderson Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, and died27 June 1867. Buried at Goodwin Corners Cemetery, Union County, Indianamarried John MarshallAndrew J. DeBolt, born 28 July1797, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and died 27 Feb 1873At Mt. Holly, Randolph County, IndianaMarried(1) Susan Segmon, (2) Rachel Smith, (3) Francis GoodwinMichael DeBolt, born 10 Aug 1799 in Anderson Township, Hamilton County, OhioMarriedNancy Saunders on 22 Nov 1821 in Butler County, OhioNancy DeBolt, born 1800, Hamilton County, Ohio and died 1885 at Goodwin Corners, UnionCounty, IndianaMarried James PenecostBenjamin DeBolt, born circa 1803/05 in Madison Township, Butler County Ohio and died3 Feb 1885 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohiomarried (1) Amanda Shafer and (2) Sara RobertsAfter Henry DeBolt died:Mary Gerard DeBolt married James Boles, who died 1840-50(?) in Union County, Indiana

Boles served as a private in the Hamilton County volunteers under Captain John S. Wallace,enlisting 13 Aug 1812 and being discharged 4 Sept 1812. Cannot substantiate, but two sourcessay he lost a hand fighting during time time.Mary and James may have had a daughter Polly, who married a Mr. Benton. The had a son,James Boles, Jr., born circa 1815/17Mary Gerard DeBolt Bales was living with (daughter) Rachel and John Marshall in 1850 census,Union County, IndianaOn Mary’s tombstone:Mary BalesDied November 26 th , 1850Age 76 years 1 month 6 daysThis information is from Rick Wingo (contacted through the DeBolt message board atfamilyhistory.com. I don’t have his e-mail, as have contacted him through the board. He and Ievidently come through the same line, and I must contact him and find that connection. Severalthings here connect with my “family legend”—the wife of Nicolas could be the woman wholived to be 105. You notice he mentions a cousin Dene. I have found a Dean DeBolt who isUniversity Librarian, Special Collections and West Florida Archives at the University of WestFlorida (ddebolt@mail.uwf.edu) . I am going to write to him, but I just haven’t taken the time todo so.I have a fairly thorough history of my lineage of the DeBolts prepared by a cousin Dene DeBolt.His research shows a George DeBolt arrived in PA from Alsace-Lorraine in the early 1750’s. Hebrought three sons with him, George, Henry and Nicolas. These three brothers may have beenthe source of the legend (my message posted mentioned the 3 brothers). These DeBolts arrivedafter Hans Michael Diebolt who arrived in Philadelphia in 1739. Apparently this family changedits name to Debald then DeBolt in succeeding generations.Nicholas was reportedly killed in the Battle of Brandywine in 1777 but was not verified becauserecords were destroyed when the British sacked Washington DC in 1812. Nicolas marriedElizabeth Brown Black (Black from a previous marriage) and they settled in Greene County, PA.Nicolas had at least one child Henry who was born around 1773. Dene’s research showsHenry’s marriage to Marry Garrard in 19 April 1791 was performed by Judge William Goforth,according to A Collection of Pioneer Marriage Records, Hamilton County, Ohio 1789-1817.Henry died 12/27/1805 leaving 7 children: Elizabeth b.1792 d.1859; George John b.1793 d.1853; Rachel b. 1796 d. 1867; Andrew b. 1797 d. 1873; Michael (my line) b. 1799 d. 1872;Nancy b. circa 1800 d. 1885; Benjamin b. circa 1803 d. 1885.After Henry’s death Mary married James Boles on 9/20/1808. Mary died 7/26/1850.This is a combination of the information from the family history written by Elizabeth Hansenand my own knowledge and research. I have documented most of this info.From Elizabeth Hansen:

This Henry had a son, Michael DeBolt, b. 10 August 1799 and d. 23 November 1872. Hemarried Nancy Saunders, b. 14 June 1805. They had 11 children:Mary Ann DeBolt DeBolt, b. 11, April 1823 and m. cousin Andrew DeBolt*--have picture[*I have a record from 1880 Indiana census showing the following listing:Andrew DeBolt 63 W MMary DeBolt 57 W FElla DeBolt 27 W F childLena DeBolt 17 W F childJohn Staker Bowda (?cannot read my own writing—should look that up again) W M 57Eliza DeBolt, b. 6 July 1825 and d. 18 October 1826Joseph Hinkle DeBolt, b. 1 January 1828 no death recordMartha DeBolt Swift, b. 25 March 1830, and d. 24 January 1869George DeBolt, b. 28 September 1832, no death recordWyatt Saunders DeBolt, b. 10 August 1835 and d. 23 January 1921 (in Altoona, KansasHenry DeBolt, b. 25 September 1838 and d. 15 August 1845Nancy DeBolt Bissell, b. 23 June 1841 no death recordRebecca DeBolt Trichler, b. 18 March 1844 and d. 2 April 1926Anna Elizabeth DeBolt Ramey, b. 3 December 1846, no death record—(have picture)Henrietta DeBolt, b. 11 February 1851, d. 1 September 1906—have picturesWyatt Saunders DeBolt is my great-grandfather. He married Elizabeth Jerusha Silvey on 23September 1858. They had five children:Fannie Silvey DeBolt Harbert, b. 3 March, 1860, d. 10 July 1940 [I do not remember AuntFannie, of course, but at the time I was born my parents lived just across the street from theHarbert home in Altoona, Kansas in 1939. I grew up knowing her two daughters, Allie Harbert(never married) and Elizabeth Harbert Hansen.]Michael Henry DeBolt, born 20 April 1862 and died in 1872 (I am questioning this info as I alsohave picture identified as wife and child of Michael Henry DeBolt. I believe June Hamilton hassome different dates here, but I haven’t cross checked them)Elmer Asbury DeBolt, b. 19 February 1865 and d. 7 December 1936—have pictures

Anna Rebecca DeBolt Kinnett, b. 3 September 1869 and d. 20 May 1901 (This was JuneHamilton’s grandmother)Leslie Albert DeBolt, no dates recorded*[I do not understand why this man was left off Elizabeth’s narrative, as I remember this man asUncle Jud. He lived across the street from my grandmother DeBolt (Elmer’s wife). I rememberhim as an old man only, but he was a marvelous gardener. I can document his birthdates fromAltoona Cemetery and will do so. Last weekend I found a site with Wilson County (Kansas)history, but have not yet had time to explore it fully.]Wyatt and Elizabeth are both buried in the Altoona Cemetery.Elmer Asbury DeBolt is my grandfather. When he was born, he was named Elmer Ellsworth,but while he still a little boy he became fond of his mother’s brother Asbury Silvey, so hechanged Ellsworth to Asbury and was since known as Elmer Asbury. During his lifetime, he wasa dairy farmer and later a hardware store owner. His wife also operated a boarding house forrailroad workers in the early 20 th century. After Elmer’s death, his wife Gradie managed to getan appointment as postmaster of Altoona and served there until the early 1950’s. He marriedAnna Gradie Gardner (d. August, 1956) in Altoona. They had two sons:Ralph Gardner DeBolt, born July, 1900 in Altoona and d. in April, 1983 in Kerrville, Texas—nochildren. Ralph attended the University of Kansas. After serving in WWII, Ralph went to workfor Stanolind Oil as an accountant in Tulsa and later in Ft. Worth. The Gardner men all seemedto suffer from chronic depression, and Ralph suffered intensely from it. Shortly after his wifedied in 1979, Ralph fell and broke his hip. Richard kept him in their home, then in Kerrville,Texas, until he died in 1983.Richard Elmer DeBolt, born 23 July 1910, in Altoona d. 23 December 1987 in Dallas Texas.Richard was a high school teacher and coach. He taught in Altoona, Garnett, Bonner Springs,and Minneola, Kansas. In 1956 he quit teaching and bought a State Farm Insurance agency inDodge City, Kansas. In 1958, he took a job as district manager for State Farm in Enid,Oklahoma, but in 1962, he bought another agency in Beeville, Texas. Dorothy served as hisoffice manager. They retired to Kerrville in 1978. They moved to the Dallas area to be nearKathy and Teri (my sisters) in 1985 as his health began to fail.Richard m. Dorothy Isabel Cranor on 7 August 1938 at Chanute, KansasThey have three daughters:Karen Marie DeBolt Ansley b. 28 June 1939 in Altoona, KansasKathryn Jo DeBolt Lee b. 14 February 1941 in Garnett, KansasTeressa Ann DeBolt b. 30 September 1947 in Kansas City, MissouriElmer Asbury DeBolt and his wife Anna Gradie, along with my father Richard Elmer are allburied in the Altoona Cemetery. I have additional information about Fannie Silvey DeBolt

Harbert’s family if you are interested. I am anxious to hear from you and see what theconnection will be. As you can see, I am not a trained genealogist—don’t follow the correctforms, but I will learn!Sincerely, Karen DeBolt Ansley

June, I FINALLY have the printer going!The census listing you have for Gardner’s is that of Anna Gradie’s family. Her mother’s namewas Lucretia. Gradie (that is the name she went by) seemed to be quite close to the threeGardner brothers. Lucretia went to Lawrence Kansas during late twenties and early thirties(can’t remember when she died) and worked as a house mother at a fraternity house. She helpedmy father and Uncle Ralph pay for their college. My sisters have a couple of quilts that shemade, and I think I have one, too.I have a clipping from the Altoona Tribune (quite a famous little paper in its day) –a letter fromRichard to Gradie from Europe at the end of WWII. Richard was a newspaper editor inKentucky (I think it was) and in Minneapolis.Gradie was appointed postmaster at Altoona after Elmer’s death and served there until she retiredin the early ‘50’s. Elmer and Gradie ran a dairy for several years (when my dad was young),then later bought a hardware store in Altoona. Gradie also kept a boarding house for railroadworkers (there was then a round house in Altoona) and was quite well known for her cookingskills. She always mailed decorated cakes to my sisters and I for our birthdays.