IDFirstMiddleLastDOBDODCOD
29WilliamN/ACarman6/8/18257/21/1890heart failure

veteran
exhumed
purchaser
cemetery
TRUEFALSEN/AAdams Street

lot
plot
N/AR2 G1 Civil War marker GPR scan found no body by his marker
relations
Caroline C. Staples Carman (wife, b. c 1823) William Henry (son, 1842-3 May 1912, engineer 1860, quarryman 1870, blacksmith) James J. (son, b. 1845, farmer, d. 1882) George F. (son, b. c 1846, moved to Chatanooga TN) Ed (son, b. c 1848; not in 1860 census) Charles R. (son, c Dec 1852- c Apr 1864) Hannah Carman Kline (daughter, b. c 1854, moved to Rices Landing, PA) Cyrus (son, b. c 1856, moved to Tablerock, Nebraska) Fred (son, b. c 1859, moved to Frankfort, KS) Frank (son, b. c 1863, lived in Cleveland in 1890) Edward (son, b. c 1866, lived in Berea in 1890) Wilbur H (son, b. c 1869, lived in Cleveland in 1890) Adelaide (daugher-in-law, m. to William Henry Carman, b. c 1847) Charles (grandson, b. c 1866) Albert (grandson, b. c 1868) Harvey (grandson, b. c Jan 1870) Henry Carman Sr (father, d. 1869) Hannah Carman (mother, d. 1863) Alanson Carman (brother) Henry Carman Jr (brother) Catherine Carman Staples (paternal aunt)

military branch
date served
war
Army 8/23/1864 - 7/10/1865Civil War

rank
medals
unit
enlisted as PrivateN/ACompany E., 1st Ohio Light Infantry

military comments
Age 40 years old at Mustering In. Mustered out at Camp Dennison, OH

military sources
Inscriptions from the Old Berea Cemetery 1904, Berea Historical Society Civil War Research Database, citing Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State ofOhio,online www.civilwardata.com

comments
William Carman's inscription on his grave marker in 1904 and 1934 stated, "Wm., Co E. E., 1st O.L. Art." William Carman, shopkeeper, Civil War veteran, Libertarian, and local curmudgeon, married Caroline Staples in 1844 (Historical Marriage License Index online). They had eleven children, only one of them a daughter. All the children went to school (census). His home was known as the "Wallace Homestead" (the Robert Wallace family bought it from him) and was the first brick house in Berea (William H. Carman obituary). He was enumerated in the 1850 census, age 31, a shoemaker with real estate worth $800, born in PA, living in Middleburg Twp with his wife Caroline (29), and children Wm. H (8), James (6), George (4), and Edward (2). None of the children were attending school, odd for this area. He enlisted in Civil War Union Army as private 23 Aug 1864, age 40, mustered into Battery E, Ohio 1st Light Artillery on 23 Aug 1864, mustered out 10 Jul 1865 at Camp Dennison, OH (Labaj). He also served in the "Squirrel Hunters," as a "100-days" man, and as a musician in Edgarton's Battery (obit). His son Charles R. was killed at age 11 on railroad tracks and is also buried at Adams St. He ran a shoe and boot shop on Front St., owned several homes for rent (real estate worth $4500 in 1870, personal estate worth $300), farmed, was always running for elections and losing, and was such a character that his doings were reported almost daily in the local newspapers. In the 1880 census, his wife is living alone with Wilbur, next door to son William H, but "married" not "widowed"; newspapers record Wm. as having gone to Nebraska indefinitely. They live on Bevans St, the fashionable South Side; their neighbors are a physician, TJ Quayle, and P.F. Schneider. The Berea Advertiser records Wm's return to town after financial dissappointments and an illness, and he begins building a new house on the corner of Church and Seminary Streets (now gone). Berea Advertiser, 13 June 1890: "Mr. Wm. Carman met with an accident by which one rib was fractured, and he has been very sick during the past week. But he is this morning reported better." Berea Advertiser, 20 June 1890: "Mr. Cyrus Carman from Table Rock, Neb., arrived in Berea Monday morning, called here by the illness of his father. He is looking quite well and we are glad to hear is doing well." AND "Mr. Wm. Carman is improving and his friends are hopeful that he will entirely recover." Berea Advertiser, 4 July 1890: "Wm. Carman’s Church street house has been re-covered with drop siding." Berea Advertiser, 18 July 1890: "Mr. Wm. Carman was still very low this morning, and beyond hope of recovery." Berea Advertiser, 25 July 1890: "Obituary. William Carman. William Carman was born in Lancaster, Pa. June 8, 1825. His father’s family removed to Meadville, Pa., where they resided for a number of years, and subsequently to Brooklyn Village in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. About 1841 they moved to Berea, settling on what is now known as the Robert Wallace farm, south of the village and built the large brick house which is now the home of Mrs. Wallace. At that time, almost fifty years ago, Berea was nothing but a hamlet of a few houses scattered about the south side. The Carman family have been identified with the history of the place for half a century. Henry Carman, senior, had three sons-Alanson, Henry, and William. Alanson Carman is in McKeesport, Pa; Henry Carman lives in Saginaw, Mich. Henry Carman senior, died in 1879, leaving considerable real estate in Berea, much of which came into the possession of his son William, whose death is chronicled in this sketch. The deceased was married in Rockport, O., in 1842. To Mr. and Mrs. Carman were born several sons and one daughter, whose names in the order of age are: William Henry, of Berea; George F., of Chattanooga Tenn.; Mrs. Hannah Kline, Rices Landing, Pa.; Cyrus, Table Rock, Neb.; Fred, Frankfort, Kan.; Frank, Cleveland, O.; Eddie, Berea, and Wilbur H., Cleveland. Probably no individual has been so well known in Berea as Mr. Carman. Faults he had, but who has none? He also had his peculiarities, but who has not? Let the broad mantle of charity cover what we are disposed to criticize in his life and remember him for the good he has done. He was a union soldier. First as a “Squirrel Hunter,” then he went with the 100 Day men, and afterward enlisted as a musician in Edgarton’s Battery and served two years in the war of the Rebellion. He was patriotic and always took a lively interest in local and national affairs. He gained considerable notoriety as a fifer and for many years and was always ready to do his part in the local 4th of July celebration and decoration day. The last thing he did before being taken sick was to take part in the exercises of Memorial Day at Butternut Ridge. [paper damaged]….sickness covered a period of […] weeks. For a number of years he has been troubled with heart disease, which finally caused his death. Since the death of his wife, which occurred in 1887, his home has been with his eldest son, Wm. Henry Carman. In his sickness he was also attended by his son Cyrus, who for three weeks scarcely left his bedside. For more than a week he lay at death’s door. The end came about 1 a.m., Monday, July 21, 1890. The funeral services were held at the residence of W.H. Carman, Wednesday Morning, conducted by Rev. J.F. Smith, who delivered a brief but impressive discourse from Romans 14:7: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Appropriate hymns were sung by the Congregational church choir, Miss Adah Arnold playing the organ. All the sons and daughter of the deceased were present. After the sermon the casket was borne to the hearse by the following pallbearers: D.T. Gould, Wm. Roof, M Reublin, C.B. Loomis, Geo,Blakeslee, J.F. Eckert. The remains were taken to the vault at Woodvale Cemetery." [The vault was where bodies were taken for temporary storage when the ground was too frozen for burial. But in July, this does not make sense. And why is there no body under Wm. Carman's stone? There is no marker in his name at Woodvale.] His burial was held 23 July 1890 (City of Berea). William H. Carman and others of Wm. Carman's family are buried at Woodvale Cemetery, sec. 2, NE corner. *A new granit headstone has replaced the old, worn headstone. As mentioned before, William H. Carman was mentioned in what seemed like every edition of the Berea Newspapers. To get a good understanding of who William H. Carman was as a person, one must read the notes from the newspapers. In chronological order: “Editors Advertiser, Dear, Sirs: Permit me through your paper to return the thanks of the Martial Band to the ladies of Berea, for their cordial reception kind attention and beautiful dinner that was furnished said band on our late Fourth of July occasion at the grounds. By request of the Band: W.Carman, Leader” (The Advertiser, 11 July 1868) “In The Shoe Trade—On Saturday last, a boy, about seventeen years of age, entered Mr. Carman’s Shoe shop, and informed him that he was traveling for a shoe house in Cleveland, and that he was able to sell his goods (which he carried with him) at less than half cost, offering shoes worth twelve shillings for four. Mr Carman suspicioning[sic] the young man, requested him to be seated a few moments until he went to the house to get some money when he would take his stock. Mr Carman went to Mayor Brown and informed him of the facts. The Mayor went to the shop, gave the young man to understand that he was in the shoe trade and made him an offer of fifty cents per pair for the lot. The young man accepted. Mr. B. however took the boy and shoes both to his store. The young man finally made an excuse to stop out a few moments and took advantage of the same, giving “leg bail” for security. Mr B. found the owner of the goods in Cleveland the following day and put the police on the track of the young “penitentiary bird” (The Advertiser, 19 December 1868). “Fair Proposition.—Mr. Wm. Carman has been the master spirit of all martial music in this town, for the last twenty years, and what is more to his credit than to ours, is that he has done nearly all of it at his own expense. Now drums and fifes cost something and like every thing else have the habit of wearing out, and this is the point at issue; the drums have got into such bad condition that we came near a failure last Fourth. Carman, says if the people wil furnish money enough to buy three or four drums, he will take care of them and see that the town has good music the balance of his life. Now what better can we all do than plank a few stamps when called upon for this object? M” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 24 July 1869). “William Carman has just finished a sidewalk, which is said to be the best in town. We commend his enterprise in this matter” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 20 November 1869). “Fire—Thus has disappeared one of the old landmarks of Berea. It was built about twenty-three years ago, by Mr. W. Carman, and was the second building erected on Front St” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 23 September 1870). July 21 gca “Notice—is herby given that there will be a petition presented to the Commissioners of Cuyahoga County and State of Ohio, at their annual meeting on the first Monday in September, the 1871, at their office in Cleveland, asking them to lay out or cause to be laid out a County Road of usual width” commencing at a point where Front Street ends in the village of Berea County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, and running straight so as to intersect Rockport Road at Mathias Reublin’s farm Robert Wallace William Carman A.J. Campbell” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 21 July 1871). “The Pressure on the Press.— The darkness that ever envelops the editorial sanctum is occasionally penetrated by a ray of mirth so intensely vivid that it is a wonder that death does not sometimes occur to the somber inmates. These awfully funny events occur in two ways, that is, they force themselves into a foresaid darkness in the form of letters, scrawled, misspelled and ungrammatical; or they come in the shape of irate mortals, armed with clubs, revolvers, bulldogs, billingates, etc. For the last few weeks the melancholy inmates of this office have grown thin and weak from continued and unaccustomed laughter; for during that time the number who have fancied themselves aggrieved and have ‘gone’ for us in one form or another, has been unusual. It seems to be impossible to edit a newspaper in peace; if you “dish up” some fellow for some diabolical transaction, without mentioning his name, there will be at least a dozen other chaps who will take the item to themselves, and will call around to see you, with murder in their hearts. If you mention the name of this sinner in the item, he will call first, and then all of his friends will come along as soon as they can get around to it, and speak to you in a manner that causes you to think of funerals in which you take the principal part. But when they leave, you laugh; every body in the office laughs, and it is no unusual thing for the “devil” of the shop to stand on his head and groan, in the futile endeavor to save himself from going off in a fit. We give below a fair sample of the way some people take newspaper items to themselves. It will be remembered that last week’s Advertiser contained the following paragraph. A paragraph that was written for the benefit of all the world. “No pent up” Berea even, was to be made better by it only but the whole human family was to be made to pause in its frivolity, and hang its head in sober and profitable reflection. This was the paragraph: “Every old spavined plug” and antiquated “pung” has had business during the recent sleighing. Some folks feel big when they drive a good horse and fancy cutter, don’t they? Well, a man must have something to be proud of, if it is nothing more than his wife and children.” The first report from the foregoing item came in this way” A spry and youthful darkey was seen hanging around the street in front of this office. He seemed anxious to do some business with us, yet he evidently lacked the nerve. Our “devil” saw this pickaninny erratie movements, and watched him from the interior of an empty ink barrel. Suddenly the youthful mingling of “Afric’s sable fountain and Caucasia’s alabaster stream.” Made a dive for the interior of the office, and , quicker than a boiler explosion, dropped a letter upon the editorial desk. Our imp rose up in his barrel, rolled his eyes, showed his teeth, and the darkey became invisible more briefly than a small potato in the hands of half-starved native of Green Isle. That letter was opened and read. It contained the forgoing item about “pungs” etc., pasted on the margin was the following in writing: “that is Just why I keep a good horse, Buggy and fancy cutter for. I knew there was some people in this town that enveyed me anything at all and I see I have accomplished Just what I wanted to, they were always Ready to give me and my family a dab of slang &c. however send on your paper another six months here is your 50 ct with my Respects W. Carman, Berea, O. P.S.—if you publish this, put it all in don’t go to picking out” (Grindstone Advertiser, 16 February 1872). “Kicked by a horse—Wednesday afternoon a young son of Wm. Carman, Esq., while attempting to catch a horse, belonging to Mr. Schupp, that was running at large on the Common, received a kick from the animal which broke one arm above the elbow. His injury was dressed by Dr. Parker” (Grindstone Advertiser, 3 May 1872). “Thrown from a buggy- The icy condition of the streets, combined perhaps with fast driving, has resulted in a few “upsetting’ affairs within the last week, and slight injuires to the persons holding the ribbons. Among the number was Mr. Wm.Carman, who drives a 2:40 pacer. On Monday afternoon might have been seen the “rig” on Main street, with the owner holding the ribbons, and seated by his side Mr. Charles Vanslse, who seemed to be admiring the gait of the noble beast as she pranced to the ‘ga-lang” of her admiring driver. All was moving along swimmingly, ‘till they arrived at the crossing of South Seminary street, when the beast was suddenly reined to the right, then to the left—to avoid a heap of stone which the city fathers have not seen fit to remove from the center of the street—when the icy condition of the street caused the carriage to slue around so suddenly that it was overturned, and both gentlemen were thrown out. Mr Vansise escaped with a few slight bruises, but Carman held to the lines and was dragged by the frightened animal as it ran about twenty rods up the street, turned around and came back to the place it started, when he let go the $1000, and had just recovered his feet when the animal struck the slippery sidewalk and fell and before the beast could get up Carman was seated on the mare’s head shouting lustily for help. The mild invitations extended by Carman soon brought a crowd of students to his relief, and under his plain, but forcible, directions the beast was freed from the carriage. Fortunately Mr. Carman escaped with a few slight cuts and bruises. The horse was not injured, but the buggy looked a little worse for wear” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 20 December 1872). “Objects.- By permission from the writer, Wm.Carman, Esq., we publish the following. A careful perusal of the article will convince the reader that it “speaks for itself.” –Ed. “To the Council of the Incorporated Village of Berea. Gents: I see by your notice in the Village paper that any person having anything to say, or any objections to offer with regard to this High Water Level Sevwer, just completed , they must put it in writing and hand it to Clerk, etc. Now, what I have to say is this: I see your assessors have made a Local Sewer of it, entirely, except in one instance, and that is myself. I suppose they said as the people used to say of my father, when he was on earth, ‘it’s old Carman, he is rich, he can stand it.’ Now, if you make a Local Sewer and assess only the property on the Sewer., here is my friend Churchward, with 30 feet front, pays $50; I have 27 feet, pay $75. Now again my friend Campbell, --a good church-going man—just as able to pay for his improvement as old Carman is, he has one lot 66 feet, one lot 33 feet, making 99 feet; he pays 80 cents per foot, while I pay nearly $3 (three dollars) per foot. Hot high is that? Now, either asses each man equal per foot front, or create a Sewer District. If any person pays for benefits commence at Ed. Kennedy, Campbell, stone house property, two lots, Dave Cobarn, German Wallace College, F. Schuler. Wm. Johnson on the hill, Mike Honegan, Chas. Brown, Dr. Allen, lot of Campbell, beside Brick Church, Quayle, Joe. Hannum, this property behind Johnson’s store. I see they have plastered it on old Schupp pretty thick too. As the thing stands it is only proof, or confirms what I have always said : that the people of this Holy city would like to rob and plunder me, and make a poor Devil of me, if you will let me alone I will come to that soon enough. Now this is just about as I see this matter, as it now stands. Hoping you will not take any offence at what I have said all flesh is mortal and liable to err in judgement [sic], if I have done so it’s no more than others have done, and now I will leave you to do as seemeth best to yourselves. I probably shall bide whatever you do. With sincere regard for your health, and welfare, I remain Yours Truly, William Carman, No. 27 feet Front street, Berea, Ohio. If you had proceeded according to law in this matter and made your estimate of cost, I should have told you very quick, I would not stand no such price or amount on my front. I was told several times the cost (by Mayor Watson) would be about $1.31 per foot front, and now I think this $3.00 is spreading it on pretty thick” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 7 March 1873). “Fine Young Horse—Mr. Wm. Carman of this village has lately purchased a very fine three-year-old stallion, of the Messinger and Stranger blood. In symmetry he is a beauty. It is thought by good judges of horse-flesh that this animal will eventually make a good record, for speed. Carman admires a fast horse, and seems perfectly happy when holding the “ribbons’ over a “first-class stepper” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 10 October 1873). “Look out for Mrs. Carman and family, who will sing in Berea, May 29th” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 15 May 1874). Grindstone City Advertiser 1874 “Mrs. Carman and Family at the Brick Church, next week Friday evening” (Grindstone City Advertiser , 22 May 1874). “Go and hear the Carman Family. The Carman Family at the Brick Church, Friday Night” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 28 May 1874). “We anticipate a rare treat on Friday evening in the occasion of Mrs. Carman’s Concert at the Brick Church, and hope that the citizens of Berea will show their appreciation of a rational and refined entertainment by their attendance. The proceeds go to a worthy object” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 28 May 1874). “Mrs. Carman and family, or Norwalk, gave a concert at Brick Church, according to announcement, last Friday evening. The attendance was not large, just about paying expenses; but those who were there, were delighted with the singing of Mrs. Carman, her three sons and little daughter. Such entertainments are calculated to elevate and refine. One goes away feeling that he is better for having been there. On Thursday of last week, about noon, a little son of George Carman, of this village, was playing in Wm. Carman’s barn and called to a son of Mr. Carman, who happened to be passing, to come and see what a nice bonfire he had got.” Sure enough he had got a bonfire in the straw in one of the stalls, which was making nice headway and would, in a few minuets more, have been a dear one for Berea, as the barn is in the immediate vicinity of the Nichols House stables and other frame buildings. Fortunately there were two pails of water in the barn and several more were son on hand and the fire was extinguished without damage” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 4 June 1874). “Horse Trot.—Some of our sportsmen had a little trotting on the Fair Grounds on Saturday afternoon. Three entries were made Wm. Carman’s spotted horse, R. Wallace’s colt, driven by H.S. Hatch, and L.H. Chavalia’s Horse. The last named was ruled out and Carman’s Horse won the race in two heats” (23 July 1874). “Almost a fire—On Monday afternoon a dense smoke was seen issuing from a frame dwelling house, situated on the alley one square north of the Nichols House, occupied by Geo. Carman, and owned by his father Wm. Carman. The parties who first reached the house, found on the chamber floor of the unoccupied part, the ashes, yet warm, of burned straw with some straw scattered about the floor and a liberal sprinkling of coal oil on the floor and walls of the room. The house being filled with smoke, it was believed that fire existed somewhere, but for some time it could not be found. At last a closet cupboard coming down to the floor was opened, and the flame and smoke burst out. By this time the Hook & Ladder Co., were on hand with a large number of citizens, and water soon put an end to the fire. The cupboard which was on the lower floor, appeared to have been filled with straw which was only partly burned. Indications of coal oil were seen in this room also. The extent of the damage was a hole six or eight inches in diameter burned thought he floor. The house is in the immediate vicinity of several barns, and in a few minuets more the[sic] entire square would have been in danger. Who was the author of the mischief is of course unknown. If it was childrens play it was rather dangerous amusement ” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 27 August 1874). “A petition was presented by Wm. Carman, signed by several citizens on North Seminary street, asking that a six foot sidewalk be built on the west side of that street from Bridge street to Bagley Road.. Petition withdrawn to obtain more signatures and the parties instructed by the Mayor to file the same with the Board of Improvements” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 17 September 1874). “Village Council …The committee appointed to ascertain what 10 feet of land belonging to Wm. Carman, lying west of the Town Hall can be procured for, reported that Mr. Carman would take $1,000 for the same” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 5 November 1874). “A house dropped down on the Carman lot near the Town Hall last Saturday. The owner has not reported to us what is to be done with it” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 3 December 1874). “Village Council On motion duly carried, E.J. Kennedy and J. Kurtz were appointed a committee to negotiate with Wm. Carman for ten feet of land, west of the Town Hall” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 31 December 1874). “Wm. Carman has commenced a new house on the east side of Seminary street, opposite Council Hall” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 8 April 1875)” “Wm Carman is preparing to lay a wide sidewalk along his lot on Bridge street Between Council Hall and the Nichols House” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 26 August 1875). “Wm Carman having heard the election news, has ornamented his hitching post in front of his shop with Plain Dealer cuts and asks the sympathy of his neighbors” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 14 October 1875). “Mr. Wm. Carman is setting a good example for his neighbors by putting down stone curbing outside the row of shade trees and about six feet from the sidewalk, leaving space for a neat lawn, along the entire front of his property, where he resides on North Seminary street. It is similar to the plan adopted by D.M. Stearns recently” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 28 October 1875). “Mr. Wm Carman informs us that his shoe shop on Front street was entered on Monday night, by a side window, which is hidden from the street by a small building and goods to the value of about $150 were taken, consisting of eight pairs of men’s sewed calf boots, two pair men’s pegged calf boots, two pair men’s “Alexis” shoes, and five or six pair men’s kip boots. The light which is kept burning nights was still burning in the morning Reward. Mr. Carman authorizes us to announces that he will pay $25 for the return of the stolen goods, and ask no questions” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 16 December 1875). “Marshal Morden, armed with a search warrant, made some investigations on Tuesday, in regard to the burglary of Wm. Carman’s shoes shop but failed to develop anything satisfactory” (Grindstone City Advertiser, 16 December 1875). “Berea Village On the morning of election day two “split” tickets made their appearance. One was headed “Reform Village Ticket,” in which the name of E.F. Benedict was substituted for that of John Baldwin, Jr. The other was entitled “Reform,” and contained the names of T.J. Quayle, William Carman, and E.F. Benedict, for councilmen. The champions of the last mentioned ticket were marshaled by Mr. Carman; and occasionally along the lines of battle would be heard the semi-familiar cry of “Tild—Carman and Reform!”( GCA, 5 April 1877). “Wm. Carman picked up a pair of old fashioned spectacles in front of the Savings Bank, on Monday” (GCA 30 August 1877). “Tax, Schools and Wages Tax payers and laboring men of Berea, take notice that they are paying the lowest grade of female teachers in our Union School $10 80 per week for their labor. Let us look at the matter: For instance, a teacher works in a good, comfortable, dry room, not losing any time, five days for one week, six hours for one day, thirty hours for one week, gets $10.80 for the said thirty hours. While the laborer, if it does not rain and he gets this time all in, works six days in the week, ten hours to the day, gets $6, while the young lady teacher gets $10.80 for thirty hours labor in the house. Who would not be a lady teacher? What laboring man or tax payer wants to submit to such injustice or inequality as this? The reappears to be but one remedy, and every voter and tax payer will readily see where that lie—put the right men in the right place. Tax payer, William Carman Berea, Dec. 19, 1877.” (GCA, 20 December 1877). “Taxes vs. Tax-payers Well here is old Reform on the docket again. I wonder what that irrepressible Bill Carman is driving at now? Well I will tell you. I had occasion to call on our friend and neighbor, Joseph Nichols our Township Treasurer, at his office, on business, and was very kindly received, and given the liberty of office and books and I learned some facts and figures, in those books, which I did not know existed. For the benefit of tax payers, it benefit you may call it, I will lay a few of them before the people. We paid for the support of the Poor of this township, for the year 1876, the sum of $5751.83. Also, the year 1877 will overreach that amount: or about $16 per day. Now this amount is paid out to 30 or 40 different persons, in different parts of the township, for coal, wood, groceries etc.; One grocery bill for instance, amounts to $450. What I would propose is that the people of the township appoint, and have a meeting , have our Treasurer bring his books in, and read the items, that cost the tax-payers this amount of money, consult together, and devise a more economical plan of supporting the township poor, and thus lessen taxes. I would suggest making a large or small family, whichever our poor would make, and have them comfortable cared-for under one roof, by some responsible person, in an economical way. I would also say to the people that it is not only their privilege but their duty to know what their money Is paid out for. There are some other items, and not small ones either, which perhaps the people do not expect or think of. Let the people read, consider, and see if it is not worth their attention. Wm. Carman. Since writing the above, it has been suggested that if the people move in this matter, it should be done immediately, so as to bring the snbject[sic] before the Legislature the present session, as there will have to be a vote of the people taken after the legislature acts, and before our Trustees can act. W.C.” (Grindstone Advertiser, 10 January 1878). “Township poor …Thereupon, Wm. Carman, Edq, stated the object of the meeting to be to learn how much money was paid for the support of the poor of the township, to whom paid and how paid….” (GA, 24 January 1878). “Fair Play We, the undersigned citizens of the Village of Berea, would respectfully suggest that a peoples caucus for the nomination of village officers for the spring election be held at Council Hall, as soon as next week Wednesday evening, at 7 o’clock, so as to give the voters a fair chance to discuss the merits or demerits of the candidates receiving nominations at said caucus. Wm. S. Simpson Wm. Carman.” (more citizens were also on this list) (GA, 21 March 1878). “It is expected that the Berea Brass Band, and Martial musicians under the direction of Mr. Wm. Carman, will be present and participate in the patriotic solemnities of Decoration, next Tuesday. Mr. Carman requests all the assistance from the surrounding country, which masters of the drunk and fife can give him” (GA, 23 May 1878). “Mr Wm. Carman, and others, have done themselves and the village much credit in keeping the edges of their sidewalks clear of weeds, tall grass, etc. The example might be followed by others” (GA, 25 July 1878). “Mr. William Carman, left last evening to attend the national camp-meeting, at Petoskey, Mich” (GA, 25 July 1878). “Mr. Wm. Carman returned from Petoskey yesterday” (GA, 8 August 1878). “Mr. William Carman is remodeling his shoe shop” (GA, 29 August 1878). “Mr. W.H. Carman has exchanged his farm near Petoskey, Mich., with his father, for the lot next north of Council Hall, and will remove his dwelling on to the same” (GA, 29 August 1878). Mr. William Carman is deserving of credit for much needed improvements in the walk, in front of his store” (GA, 5 September 1878). “Justice Court. Wm. Carman vs. J. Leffingwell for possession of a house occupied by the latter, as a residence, was tried by a jury on Friday, and decided in favor of the plaintiff” (GA, 24 October 1878). “W.H. Carman has removed his house onto the lot next north of Council Hall, and has the underpinning nearly completed” (GA, 7 November 1878). “W.H. Carman had one of his fingers cut off, and a hand badly smashed by a grindstone falling on it, last Friday” (GA, 21 November 1878). “Fred. Carman, son of Mr. Wm. Carman, starts next Monday for Petoskey, Mich., where he expects to develop his father’s farm” (GA, 28 November 1878). “We publish to-day another communication from MR. Wm. Carman on a good many things in general, and taxes in particular. We presume most of our readers are acquainted with Mr. C. and they will placed a proper estimate upon his words. Though we do not agree with the gentleman in all his ideas, yet we think he is entitled to a respectful hearing. From the People [The author of the following communication requests us to insert his article exactly as written, this time, which we do, verbatim, literatim et spellatim.—Editor R. and A.] KEEP IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE, AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT. I have Said that while the price of Laibor[sic] and property of all Kinds had depreceated[sic] Since the panic, that the taxes and Salleries[sic] of our Sallered[sic] persons were about as heigh[sic] as ever, or while property has Depreceated[sic] one half or more, salaries had not come down to Speak of (if any person can deny this Let them give figures) But I am verry[sic] glad to have the oportunity[sic] of confessing that our Taxes in Berea have come down almost one half, and to the credit of honer[sic] of our city Dads, and for the Benefit of our town, Let the people know it, in the Fall of 76 our village paid 3,49 pr cent, in the fall of 77 we paid 2.88, this present Fall of 78 we pay 223, which every person will See makes a verry[sic] Beautiful Reduction, and now Let us all take courage and hope for the future, believing our officials have got the Dollars and cents Knocked out of there pockets and the Scales Knocked out of there Eyes and being to See things in the Right Light, and now if the tax-payers and Real Citizens had the Electing of our officers. and not a Lot of School boys that are not Real Residents, or tax payers and Who hold the Balance of power in our municipal Elections and have no Just claim to vote at the corporation Ele... William Carman has a marble military headstone and personal headstone. The lot number is 138, the row number is 2, and the grave number is 4. A fizz test was performed and a magnifier was used to examine the grain (with Jeremy Feador). The marker is white, grey, green, and has black spots. It is 21 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. The marker faces West and the inscription is on the West side. The marker only commemorates William. His marker is not decorative and the letters are relieved into a shield that it engraved into the stone. The marker is chipped and cracked in the Northwest corner. The marker is also discolored, dirty, and covered in moss and lichens. The marker is recognizable and readable, however, it is with difficulty. The marker is mostly legible and there was relief carving. The marker states, “WM. CARMAN CO. E. 1ST OHIO L.A.” "Carmen [sic], W.: Front north of Bridge, boots and shoes."

sources
E. S. Loomis and D. T. Gould, "Inscriptions from the Old Berea Cemetery," 1904; Adams St Cemetery folder, Berea Historical Society "List of Burials and Names," City of Berea Records "Cuyahoga Cemetery Inscriptions," Vol. I, Western Reserve Historical Society, 1934 "Numbers of burial lots and price," Adams St Cemetery folder, Berea Historical Society Berea Enterprise, 4 June 1898 GPR scan of cemetery, Geosearches Inc., 27 July 2007. William Carman--Caroline Staples marriage license, vol. 4, p. 244; Cuyahoga County Historical Marriage License Index online; Cuyahoga County Library, Fairview branch. 1850 US Federal Census, series M432, roll 673, p. 185. 1860 US Federal Census, William Carman household, series M653, roll 954, p. 115. 1870 US Federal Census, Wm. Carman household, series M593, roll 1193, p. 394. 1880 US Federal Census, Caroline Carman and Wm. H. Carman households, series T9, roll 1009, p. 239. Wm. Carman Grave Registration Card, Cleveland Public Library, microfilm. Cuyahoga County Historical Marriage License Index online, vol. 4, p. 244 Grindstone Advertiser (newspaper) 1875, Berea Historical Society Republican Advertiser (newspaper), Local Brevities section, 1879, Berea Historical Society Berea Advertiser (newspaper), Local Brevities and Personals sections, 1879-1890, Berea Historical Society William Carman obituary, Berea Advertiser, 25 July 1890. William H. Carman obituary [his son], "Another Patriot Answers the Last Roll Call," Carman family file, Berea Historical Society. Carman family lot, Woodvale Cemetery, Middleburg Heights, OH. William Carman inscription photo, Jeremy Feador, 2006. See individual newspaper entries for date and paper Baldwin Wallace College History Dept.Cemetery Documentation Project, William Carman, Breen Coughlin, 8 November 2007. Bailey's northern Ohio Gazetteer 1871-1872, Berea Business Directory Page 375-376, William Carman, Western Reserve Historical Society.