Bert Samuel Cress

Other Events:

• Census: 1900, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Samuel B. Cress, son, in the household of Henry R. Cress
• Census: 1910, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States
• Physical Description: 12 Sep 1918; tall, slender, blue eyes and brown hair
• Military: 12 Sep 1918, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, United States; registered for the WWI Draft
• Occupation: 12 Sep 1918, Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, United States; motorman; Address:
  Ohio Electric Railway Company
• Residence: 12 Sep 1918, Medway, Clark County, Ohio, United States
• Beneficiary: 22 Sep 1923; in the will of his father, Henry R. Cress

Notes:

No children.

Bert married Lucy Clark on 27 Mar 1915 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. Lucy was born about 21 Oct 1891 in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, United States; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• History / Bio: History of Miami County Ohio (Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing), p440
• Name: Adolph Cress
• Name: Henry Rudolph Cress
• Census: 1860, Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as Henry Cress, in the household of Geo. Cress, Esq.
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Henry R. Cress, works on farm, in the household of George Cress
• Census: 1880, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Henry Cress, son, farm hand, in the household of George Cress
• Occupation: 1893; Traveling Salesman
• Residence: 1893, Kessler, Miami County, Ohio, United States
• Census: 1900, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Henry R. Cress, farmer, head of household
• Beneficiary: 5 Mar 1900; in the will of his father, George Cress
• Census: 1910, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as H. R. Cress, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1920, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Henry R. Cress, farmer, head of household
• Will: 22 Sep 1923, Miami County, Ohio, United States
• Census: 1930, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Adolph Cress, farmer, head of household
• Probate: 13 Nov 1939, Miami County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

...Rodolphus married Emma Curtis, daughter of Samuel Curtis, who owned large tracts of land in both Monroe and Union Township and donated the land for the Curtis Cemetery, where he is buried. Emma Cress died young leaving Rodolfhus with three children: Clarence C. Cress, Bert Samuel Cress and Dessie May Kelly. His second marriage was to Rosa Vance and to them were born: Ernest, Dewey and Edwin. Rodolphus died in 1939. Edwin only living child now lives in West Milton. Clarence Cress married Dollie Kessler, daughter of David Kessler in 1901. Clarence died in 1973. Their children: Zelma Byrkett, Dayton, Ohio; Virgil Cress, Circleville, Ohio; Ruth Grauser, Troy, Ohio; Jack, deceased and June Faulknor, deceased. Bert Cress married Lucy Clark of Covington - no children. Dessie married Joseph Kelly of near West Milton in Union township. She died in 1968 at West Milton. Three sons were born to them: Deuane, Donald and Max. Donald survives and lives in Tipp City. Ernest, son of Rodolphus and Rosa Vance married Ruth Wener. She survives and lives near Dayton, Ohio. Their children: Janice of Dayton; Marvin, of Columbus, Ohio; Naomi of Colorado and Morris of Dayton. Dewey Cress married Margaret Honeyman of West Milton and they had three daughters: Mary Poling, Marjorie Jean Fine and Carolyn DeHart, all of near West Milton. (Source: The Miami County Historical Society, Tipp City, Ohio, "History of Miami County Ohio", Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing County, pg. 440)

History / Bio:

...Rodolphus married Emma Curtis, daughter of Samuel Curtis, who owned large tracts of land in both Monroe and Union Township and donated the land for the Curtis Cemetery, where he is buried. Emma Cress died young leaving Rodolfhus with three children: Clarence C. Cress, Bert Samuel Cress and Dessie May Kelly. His second marriage was to Rosa Vance and to them were born: Ernest, Dewey and Edwin. Rodolphus died in 1939. Edwin only living child now lives in West Milton. Clarence Cress married Dollie Kessler, daughter of David Kessler in 1901. Clarence died in 1973. Their children: Zelma Byrkett, Dayton, Ohio; Virgil Cress, Circleville, Ohio; Ruth Grauser, Troy, Ohio; Jack, deceased and June Faulknor, deceased. Bert Cress married Lucy Clark of Covington - no children. Dessie married Joseph Kelly of near West Milton in Union township. She died in 1968 at West Milton. Three sons were born to them: Deuane, Donald and Max. Donald survives and lives in Tipp City. Ernest, son of Rodolphus and Rosa Vance married Ruth Wener. She survives and lives near Dayton, Ohio. Their children: Janice of Dayton; Marvin, of Columbus, Ohio; Naomi of Colorado and Morris of Dayton. Dewey Cress married Margaret Honeyman of West Milton and they had three daughters: Mary Poling, Marjorie Jean Fine and Carolyn DeHart, all of near West Milton. (Source: The Miami County Historical Society, Tipp City, Ohio, "History of Miami County Ohio", Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing County, pg. 440)

Will:

Will:
Know all men by these Presents:
That I, Henry R. Cress, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament.
Item 1.
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Rosa F. Cress, in lieu of dower and years allowance, all my personal property of whatsoever kind to be to her absolutely, she to pay my just debts and funeral expenses.
Item 2.
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Rosa F. Cress, the farm on which we now live being 55.65 acres in the South-west quarter of section 10, town 6, range 5 E Union Township, Miami Co., Ohio to be to her during her natural life, provided that no timber shall be cut on said premises except for necessary building and repairs on said farm and for necessary fuel for the family.
Item 3.
At the death of my wife, Rosa F. Cress, I will that the farm be sold and the proceeds be divided equally among my children viz: Clarence Cress, Bert Cress, Dessie Kelly, Earnest Cress, Dewey Cress and Edwin Cress or their legal representatives.
Item 4.
In case of the legatees or devisees hereinbefore named shall institute or prosecute any action to contest or set aside this, my will, the legacy or devise hereinbefore given to such person or persons shall be thereby forfeited and annulled and shall revert and inure to the residue of my estate.
Item 5.
I hereby nominate and appoint my wife, Rosa F. Cress, Executrix of this will and request that no bond be required.
Witness my hand this 22nd day of September A. D. 1923.
Signed: Henry R. Cress
Signed and acknowledged by the said Henry R. Cress as and for his last will and testament in our presence and by us subscribed as attesting witnesses in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other this 22nd day of September 1923.
Witnesses: Hirt Kessler and Maurice Kessler

Probate:

Probate:
13 November 1939
Will of Henry R. Cress, Filed in the Probate Court, Miami County, Ohio
Record of Wills Vol 26, page 152B
24 November 1939
Application for Appointment: Rosa F. Cress, widow, asks to be appointed Executrix
24 November 1939
Statement and Application for Appointment of Appraisers
25 November 1939
Orders On Appointment: Rosa F. Cress, ordered bond waived and appointment of Executrix
25 November 1939
Letters of Administration granted to Rosa F. Cress

Died:


OBITUARY
Cress, H. R. Cress 83
Union Township
Miami County Ohio
—Died Wednesday October, 1939 Good Samaritan Hospital Dayton, Ohio.
Survivors: his second wife, Rosa Vance Cress; children, Clarence C. Cress of Troy, Bert Cress of Medway, Ernest Cress of Miamisburg, Dewey Cress of West Milton, Edwin Cress of Ludlow Falls and Mrs. Dessie Kelly of West Milton area; 20 grandchildren; eight grandchildren; 2 brothers, D. R. Cress of West Milton and H. G. Cress of Troy.
—Born south of Frederick in Montgomery County Ohio to George and Ruth Mann Cress. At age of 8 yrs., his father moved the family to Union Township (Kessler Station) Married Emma Curtis, who died more than 50 years ago. Married a second time, to Rosa Vance.
—Cause of death was due to gangrene, which resulted in the amputation of left leg above the knee, on Tuesday—.Rev. Lester A. Hill, pastor of the West Union congregational Church officiating.
—He was a farmer in Union Township for many years. (source: Troy-Hayner Genealogy and History Center, Troy, Ohio - card file containing extracts of obituaries)

Henry married Emma Susan Curtis on 1 Feb 1882 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. Emma (daughter of Samuel S. Curtis and Susannah Honeyman) was born on 22 Jun 1864 in Ohio, United States; died on 25 Feb 1890 in Miami County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Feb 1890 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Susan E. Curtis, in the household of Samuel Curtis

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as George Cress, farmer, in the household of Abram Cress
• Census: 1860, Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as Geo Cress, Esq., farmer, head of household
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as George Cress, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1880, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as George Cress, farmer, head of household
• Will: 5 Mar 1900, Miami County, Ohio, United States
• Probate: 9 Dec 1905, Miami County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

HISTORY
...Jacob, John and William Cress or possibly Abraham, Jacob and William with their father and mother were thought to have come to Philadelphia from Germany sometime between 1756 and 1766. their mother and father (name unknown) became ill and died on the way over. The boys were sold out to pay for their passage. William was said to have entered the Revolutionary army and was killed in the Battle of Bunker hill.
...Jacob, after arriving to manhood about 1776 married Elizabeth Fickus. In 1777 they moved to Virginia, living mostly in Franklin and Wythe Counties, Virginia. They left Virginia in 1809, settling in the northern part of Montgomery county (now Miami County, Ohio, near Frederick. Jacob died in 1811 and is buried near Frederick. Seven children were born to Jacob and Mary, one in Pennsylvania and the others in Virginia. The children were: Elizabeth, Barbara, Rebecca, Mary, John, Abe and Sarah. Jacob Cress was a carpenter and farmer and a very industrious citizen.
...Abraham the second son of Jacob and Mary, born in Virginia in 1782 lived until 1873. He married Mary Pearson and they had nine children: Elizabeth, George, Samuel, Noah, Amelia, Henry, Beulah, Sarah and James.
...George, the first son married Ruth Mann and settled on land west and north of Kessler in Union Township. The couple had five children: Margaret, Mary Jane, Robert Davis, Henry Rodolphus and Horatio Gates Cress. Margaret married Frances Fox and their son Grant married Floreta Pearson. They had two daughters, Treva and Ruth. Floretta died in 1905 and Grant married Emma Fulker in 1909. She had one son, Vivian Fulker. Grant died in 1948. Treva Strohmeyer lives in Troy. (Source: The Miami County Historical Society, Tipp City, Ohio, "History of Miami County Ohio", Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing County, pg. 440)

Census:

Also in this household is Anna Mann, niece, age 20

Will:


WILL
Dated March 5, 1900, filed in Probate Court, Miami County, Ohio November 9, 1905 – pg. 464
Last Will and Testament of George Cress
Know all men by these present that I George Cress do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.
—Item first. I give and bequeath to my son Horatio R. Cress One Thousand Dollars to be paid out of my Estate.
—Item Second. I give and bequeath to my son Adolphus R. Cress and Davis R. Cress my farm on which I now reside. Being 97 acres in the South East quarter of Section 10, ____ 6, Range 15, E. Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, to be divided as follows: Adolphus R. Cress to have all that part of said farm lying West of a line parellel with the East line of a ten acre tract owned by said Aldolphus Cress in said qr. Section. Also all the balance of said farm lying South of the said road. Also Eight acres of timber land in the South East corner of said farm as follows - beginning at the South East corner of said farm at the junction of the pike and ___ thence North for enough for a line parallel with North line of farm to make Eight acres thence West on said line to road thence South East with road to place of beginning. All the balance of said farm to my son Davis R. Cress. Provided said Davis R. Cress is to pay to my estate One Thousand Dollars in cash. All of said land to be subject to the dower of my wife Mary Cress if she should survive. In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of March A.D. 1900.
George Cress
Signed and acknowledged by said George Cress as his last will and testament in our presence: and signed by us in his presence.
Stella Kessler
Wirt Kessler

George married Ruth Mann on 22 Jun 1851 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. Ruth was born on 9 Nov 1822 in Miami County, Ohio, United States; died on 28 Jun 1888 in Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jun 1888 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1860, Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as Ruth Cress, in the household of Geo. Cress, Esq.
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Ruth Cress, in the household of George Cress
• Census: 1880, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Ruth Cress, wife, in the household of George Cress

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Samuel Curtis, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Samuel Curtis, farmer, head of household

Samuel married Susannah Honeyman on 14 Nov 1839 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. Susannah (daughter of Benjamin Honeyman and Mary Knife) was born on 22 Feb 1822 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States; died on 31 May 1894 in Miami County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jun 1894 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Susan Curtis, in the household of Samuel Curtis
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Susan Curtis, in the household of Samuel Curtis

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as Abram Cress, farmer, head of household

Notes:

Abraham the second son of Jacob and Mary, born in Virginia in 1782 lived until 1873. He married Mary Pearson and they had nine children: Elizabeth, George, Samuel, Noah, Amelia, Henry, Beulah, Sarah and James. (Who is the second Sarah in the 1850 census????)

Abraham married Mary Pearson. Mary was born on 12 Apr 1789 in Bush River, Newberry County, South Carolina, United States; died on 9 Oct 1847; was buried in Oct 1847 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1820, Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States; as Benjamin Honeyman, head of household
• Census: 1850, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Benjamin Honeyman, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1860, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as Benjamin Honeyman, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1870, Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, United States; as John B. Hunnaman, retired farmer, head of household
• Probate: 26 Feb 1876, Miami County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

...Honeyman, Benjamin; from Penna.; buried on farm; d. Feb 9, 1876 age 86-11-27; wife Hannah, d. Apr. 19, 1875, age 77 yrs. (Some records give his wife as Mary Knife). Benjamin, prob. the son of Charles and Barbara, who are buried on the farm lot, Charles Honeyman d. Mar 24, 1838, age 73 yrs.; Barbara d. Aug 25, 1845, age 76 yrs.
...Benjamin had issue known:
John, Benjamin, Serena, wife of George Idemiller; Anna, wife of Samuel Curtis; Andrew, Michael.
...Andrew, born Union Twp. Sept 16, 1830 married Mary Pearson, (dau of Moses); issue - Mary Esther, wife of Alfred McManus; Dorsey, Minerva.
...Michael b. Sept 1, 1820 m. Dec 18, 1845, Lucinda Hoover, dau. John, Jr. and Mary Carroll Hoover): issue - Webster, Sarah, Wife of William Frantz; Benjamin, Almeda, wife of David James; Emeline, wife of Ira Grisso; Cora, wife of Frank Fritz, John, George, Hanford, Harvey, Enos. (Source: 977.1d2b, pg. 76)

Benjamin married Mary Knife about 1817 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. Mary (daughter of Michael Knife, Jr. and Elizabeth Toms) was born on 10 Jun 1797 in Frederick County, Maryland, United States; died on 4 Jan 1835 in Miami County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jan 1835 in Miami County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Polly Knife