Surnames:
AYERS, BLAIR, DIETRICK, FULMER, NEFF, NOVAS, PEPPER, SINGHAUS, SCHWAB, WALTERS

Searching for William Henry BLAIR’s parents and grandparents.

Unproven information has stated that William Henry BLAIR was born 18 December 1826 in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio to John BLAIR (or possibly James BLAIR) and Mary AYERS. I am looking for proof of that information and William’s siblings and grandparents.

On 2 September 1845 William married Mary Ann SINGHAUS who was a member of the Disciples of Christ Church in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mary Ann was born 11 May 1822 to Casper and Elizabeth PEPPER SINGHAUS in Harrison County, Ohio. William and Mary Ann BLAIR had two children: David Ross BLAIR born 27 April 1849 possibly in Skinnersburg, Ohio (does anyone know where that was?) and Clara Esabella BLAIR who was born 4 March 1854 in Ohio. David married Louisa Emma NOVAS born 4 Feb 1869 in Coshocton, Coshocton County, Ohio. David died 7 March 1927 in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Clara married Jacob SCHWAB born 22 February 1854 in Ohio. Clara died 6 Apr 1938 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

 In 1850, William lived in Green Township, Harrison County, Ohio; in 1853 William witnessed a deed in Tuscarawas County, Ohio for Ross A. BLAIR (who I think is possibly related-maybe a brother to William); in 1854 William bought and sold several lots in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

William Henry and Mary Ann were divorced on 29 April 1857.

On 21 Jun 1864, William Henry married Susan DIETRICK in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. The children born to them are Viola BLAIR born 14 Apr 1870 in Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Helen O. BLAIR born about 1878 in Carroll County, Ohio and twins, Elmer Ellsworth BLAIR and Ellsworth (Elmer) BLAIR born 14 April 1884 in Bergholtz, Jefferson County, Ohio.

In 1880, William lived in Carroll County Ohio and then by 1902 he moved to Canton, Stark County, Ohio.

Viola BLAIR first married John E. WALTERS who was born in 1864 and died in 1889. Viola then married Jeremiah Elie NEFF on 25 Dec 1892 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio. Jeremiah NEFF was born 24 Jan 1868 in Richville, Stark County, Ohio to Samuel (Charles) NEFF born 28 January 1845 in Perry Township, Stark County, Ohio and Rachel FULMER NEFF born about 29 September 1846 in Lake Township, Stark County, Ohio. Jeremiah and Viola had 4 children: Bessie Ethel NEFF born 27 Oct 1893, Charles Ayers NEFF born 20 Feb 1894, Ross Ayers NEFF born 28 Aug 1896 and Elmer Ellsworth NEFF born Dec 1899.

ANALYSIS: A clue leading to John or James and Mary AYERS as being the parents of William is some of their grandchildren have the middle name of AYERS.

Ross A. BLAIR could be a brother to William because William and Mary Ann SINGHAUS name their first son, David Ross. Then a generation later, Viola (who is a step sister to David Ross) and Jeremiah name their son Ross Ayers NEFF maybe commemorating Viola’s Uncle Ross.

If you might have information about this family, please contact Nancy Mehaffie at 87 E. Ramsey Canyon Road, Hereford, AZ 85615-9614 or hunn.mehaffie@gmail.com.