Henry Couts

     Henry was born on Wednesday, 4 July 1810 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Christian Couts and Mary Neice. The Chirstian Couts family moved into Liberty Township on 11 April 1821 when Henry was not quite 10 years old. They eventually settled on a farm about a mile southeast of Sulphur Springs. Henry soon became friends with the indigenous peoples of the area, the Wyandot Indian Tribe. His closest friend among them was a French-Indian named Johnny Cake. Henry spent much time with him and his family, sometimes as much as several weeks at a time. He learned to shoot with bow and arrow with Johnny’s two sons. He was also close to one of the Wyandot chiefs, Bill Walker, who was educated to the point that he at times practiced law. Henry also spent time with the chief’s family and enjoyed spending time with Walker’s sisters. He spent the rest of his youth mingling among these people, hunting and fishing with the families and being a part of their culture. Henry married Sarah Ann Peterman, daughter of Johannes Peterman and Maria Barbara Eckert, on 25 April 1833 in Crawford County, Ohio.¹ Henry & Sarah had children: Samuel [4/10/1834-11/23/1865][m. Sarah Nichols], David [11/04/1835-3/10/1911][m. 1858 Sarah Palmer], John A. [10/02/1837-7/19/1920][m. Mary A Borst], William Henry Harrison [3/16/1840-10/15/1937][m. Harriet Lavina], Barbara Ellen [3/18/1842-8/02 /1913][m. Jacob Shoop], Jacob [3/03/1844], Jerimiah [3/12/1846-7/04/1919][m. Susan Myers], Frances [7/18/1848-died in infancy], Hiriam Andrew [11/06/1849-5/07/1871], Eliza Ann [4/07/1852-died in infancy], Sanford F. [9/21/1854-9/17/1917][m. 12/23/1873 Cythia Ann Dixon], & Charles Fremont [3/28/1857-10/27/1888][m. Hattie Mahaffey]. 20 September 1850, Henry and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bucyrus Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Henry Couts [41 Pennsylvania - farmer], his wife: Sarah [32 Pennsylvania], children: Samuel [16 Ohio], male [14 Ohio], John [13 Ohio], William U. [11 Ohio]. Barbara E. [9 Ohio], Jacob [5 Ohio], Jerimiah [4 Ohio], & Hiriam A. [9 mos. Ohio].² 24 June 1860, Henry and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bucyrus. Enumerated in this household were Henry Courts [50 Pennsylvania, his wife: Sarah [42 Pennsylvania], Jerimiah [15 Ohio], Hiriam A. [12 Ohio], Sanford [6 Ohio], & Charles [3 Ohio]. Henry is a farmer & horse doctor.³ 14 June 1870, Henry and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bucyrus Township. Enumerated in this household were Henry Courts [57 Pennsylvania], his wife: Sarah [52 Pennsylvania], children: Barbary[25 Ohio], Hiriam A. [22 Ohio], Sanford [17 Ohio], Charles [14 Ohio], Elmore [9 Ohi], & William [2 Ohio]. Henry is a farmer.⁴ 12 June 1880, Henry and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bucyrus Township. Enumerated in this household were Henry Couts [69 Pennsylvania], his wife: Sarah [62 Ohio], & son, Elmer [19 Ohio]. Henry is a farmer.⁵ Henry died on Wednesday, 31 July 1889 in Bucyrus at age 79 years and 27 days when he fell off a train. He was buried there in Oakwood Cemetery.