Joseph Lewis Walterhouse
Joseph Lewis Walterhouse was the third child of Philip Benjamin Walterhouse and Rebecca Mapes, his wife. Joseph was born on 23 April 1854 in Blanchard Twp. Hancock Co. OH.
Joseph, age 8, born OH is listed with Philip and Rebecca in the 1860 census of Paulding Co. OH as well as George W., Almina [Ellen] and Charles.
In the 1870 census of Crane Twp. Paulding Co. OH, in the household of his brother Silas, is recorded "Joseph Walterhouse, age 20, day laborer, born OH".
On 7 November 1878 in Whitley Co. IN Joseph married Lydia (Liddie) Grace. In the 1880 census Joseph is to be found in Jefferson Twp. Whitley Co. IN, age 26, laborer, born OH, father born Canada, mother born OH with Liddie L, his wife, age 21, born OH and Norman M. 3/12.
By 1900, Joseph and Liddie are living in Polk Twp. Marshall Co. IN. In the census record for that year and that place his age is given as 4 and his occupation as farmer. Also recorded are Lydia, his wife; Norman age 23; Louis age 19; Grace age 11; Lizzie age 7.
This picture is said to be a composite and shows Lydia and Joseph about the time of their marriage.
The picture is in the possession of Roma Jones, Joseph's great-granddaughter who graciously allowed my great nephew to photograph it.
Joseph died 19 August 1904 at age 50 years, 3 months and 27 days. The Indiana death certificate lists the cause of death as "General Debility" of a "Duration of 8 months". The "Immediate cause" was "Hemoptysis" of "Duration-1 hour". Information about his parents lists "Phillip Walterhouse" as father and "Becca Phillips" as his mother. The information was given by his wife Lydia but she obviously made a mistake with his mother's maiden name which was Mapes. His occupation at the time of his death is listed as "Mechanic".
Obituary from the "Plymouth Democrat", Plymouth IN for August 1904
"Joseph Lewis Walterhouse, son of Philips and Rebecca Walterhouse was born near Paulding, OH April 23, 1854 and died of hemorrhage of the lungs August 19th 1904 aged 50 years, 4 months and 20 days. [Note discrepancy with death certificate.] The deceased was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Grace in Whitley Co. IN November 7 1877. [Another discrepancy] To this union were born five children, two sons and three daughters who survive him; also one sister and one brother and three half-brothers and one half-sister*. He emigrated to this county in 1885 where he has since made his home, having made his home in Tyner until 4 years ago when he moved to the farm in Polk Twp. Where he died. He was a carpenter by trade. [Mechanic?] He was of a quiet disposition and a devoted husband and father. The funeral services were conducted at the Blissville church last Sunday August 21st and was the largest ever held in Blissville."
Obituary from the Plymouth Republican", Plymouth IN for August 1904
"Joseph L. Walterhouse died at his home in Polk township Friday August 19 after a long illness of consumption. He was 50 years and 4 months old and was an excellent citizen and had been a resident of Polk Township nineteen years. He leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters to mourn his death". [Norman Millard, born March 19 1880; Simon Lewis (always called Lew) born July 13 1881; Grace Marldia born March 6 1889; Mary May born April 3 1891 and Lizzie Bernice born February 13 1893]
Lydia Walterhouse aged 46 years, died at her home on April 28 1905. "She had been sick only a couple of days with apoplexy. Her husband Joseph died about a year ago. She leaves a family of grown children".
Both Joseph and Lydia are buried in the Blissville Cemetery in Polk Township.
*1 brother -- he had 2 brothers, George W. and Charles. We know little about George but we do know that Charles was alive in 1904.
1 sister -- his sister Ellen
3 half-brothers -- Silas was dead by 1904 but William L.(1) and Isreal Morris(2) were alive. The other half-brother would logically be John Wesley (3) of nearby Bremen, Marshall Co. IN.
1 half-sister --Mary was deceased, Eliza was in Canada, Sarah had been adopted as had Kittura Ann so we could surmise that this is Margaret Matilda.