Sarah Ridgely

     Sarah was born on Saturday, 18 May 1811 in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio.¹ She was often referred to as Sallie. Sarah married Michael Peterman, son of Johannes Peterman and Maria Barbara Eckert, on 12 April 1832 in Crawford County, Ohio.^2,3 On 13 March 1828, Michael purchased from the government 80 acres in the east half of the southwest quarter Of section 35 Of Liberty Township [t2s r17e]. This property is between what is now U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway or Mansfield Road) and Stetzer Road. A road connecting these two roads and adjacent to the property became known as the Peterman Road. U.S. 30 is the original trail used by the settlers on their way west. The Peterman farm was approximately one mile south of that trail and on the eastern edge of the township.⁴
3 September 1850, Sarah and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [52 Pennsylvania], his wife, Sarah [47 Ohio], their children: Elizabeth [17 Ohio], John [15 Ohio ], Michael [13 Ohio], Westell [9 Ohio], Sarah [7 Ohio], & Isabella [5 Ohio].⁵ 30 June 1860, Sarah and her husband Michael were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [63 Pennsylvania], Sarah [50 Ohio] Westel [20 Ohio] & Isabel [ 17 Ohio]. They have real propery valued at $3200 and personal property valued at $700. Michael is a farmer and Westel is helping with the farm.⁶ 30 June 1870, Sarah and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [73 Pennsylvania], his wife, Sarah [68 Ohio], & daughter, Isabella [26 Ohio].⁷ 4 June 1880, Sarah and her husband, Michael, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census living in the home of their son at Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Michael Peterman [42 Ohio][butcher], children: William [7 Ohio], Cora [6 Ohio], & Amanda [4 Ohio], Michael Peterman [83 Pennsylvania], Sarah [69 Ohio], & housekeeper: Martha Grall [32 Ohio].⁸ Sarah's husband, Michael, died on 6 August 1880 in Bucyrus at his home located at the corner Spring & Charles Street leaving her a widow.⁹ Sarah died on Saturday, 11 May 1889 at Liberty Township at the Peterman family farm of heart failure at 10:45 pm

Obituary: Mrs. Sarah Peterman, widow of the late Michael Peterman, died at the residence of her son, M. A. Peterman in Liberty Township on Saturday night at 10:45 aged about 78 years. The deceased formerly lived in the city on the corner of Spring & Charles Streets where her husband died some years ago. A very large circle of friends & relatives in the vicinity of her late home and others from the city attended the funeral. [Bucyrus Jounral - Friday, 17 May 1899]¹⁰

She was buried there in Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, 13 May 1889.