Lydia Ann Kear

Lydia Ann KEAR, daughter of Thomas Reed KEAR and Catherine FRYSINGER, was born 28 August 1838 in Van Wert Co., Ohio [note 1] and died 2 June 1922 in Petersburg, Menard Co., Illinois. Lydia is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard Co., Illinois. She married Emery R. UNDERWOOD on 15 October 1857 [note 2]. Emery died on 14 April 1863 in a Field Hospital, near Murpheesboro, Tennessee from Pneumonia, and is buried in the National Cemetery there [note 3].

After Emery's death, Lydia married Thomas MALLOY in Plymouth, Indiana on 14 February 1864. He died in Auburn, New York in 1867. She then married Benjamin BALTZELL on 24 January 1868 in Plymouth, Indiana [note 4]. He was previously married to Louisa WELCH on 1 January 1852 in Van Wert Co., Ohio [note 5]. Louisa divorced Benjamin in the March 1865 term of a court in Van Wert Co., Ohio [note 6]. Benjamin was born about 1832 in Miami Co., Ohio, and died on 22 July 1908 in Petersburg, Menard Co., Illinois.

After Lydia's second marriage, Jackson PENCE husband of Mary Margaret Kear (Lydia's sister), was appointed guardian of her children on 19 March 1867 [note 7]. John Joseph KEAR was later appointed guardian of the children [note 8].

Emery enrolled on 11 October 1861 at Van Wert, Van Wert Co., Ohio, in Company F , 64th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteers Infantry, to serve three years as a musician (drummer) [note 9].

The Baltzell's moved to Petersburg from Van Wert around 1894. Lydia, however, was a resident of Bath, Illinois, in 1883, and they may have lived there for some time.

He moved to Liberty Township, Van Wert Co., Ohio around 1855. He was a farmer and also worked in Webber's brick yard.

At the time of his induction into military service, Benjamin was 5 feet 7 inches tall, dark complexioned, had blue eyes and dark hair. An Army surgeon later indicated that Benjamin had an indolent ulcer for years.

His Civil War service began 10 September 1861 when he joined Captain Heath's Company 46th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Van Wert, Van Wert Co., Ohio, as a private. The Company later became Company A. On 31 December 1861, he was transferred to Captain Smith's Company in the same Regiment. The designation of this company changed, also, becoming Company K on 18 August 1862 [note 10].

An ulcerated leg and an ulcer led to his discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, on 24 June 1862. Through a mixup he was declared a deserter on 18 August 1862.

Even though he had been declared "totally unfit for military duty," Benjamin enlisted for a three-year term on 14 October 1862 at Mansfield, Ohio, with Company B, 10th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry. He was put on sick leave at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, on 10 February 1863. After rejoining the Company on 24 January 1864 at Bridgeport, Alabama, he was promoted to Corporal on 1 July 1864.

He was taken prisoner of war at Wadesboro, North Carolina, on 4 March 1865, and was released at Aiken's Landing, Virginia, on 2 April 1867. His discharge took place on 10 June 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio, and mustered out at Lexington, North Carolina, on 24 June 1865.

Although Benjamin was a farmer, his illness seemed to prevent him from becoming prosperous. In 1916, Lydia existed on a $12.00 a month pension, and at the time of her death here sole assets were less than $200.00.

Lydia was living alone in a rented house when she died. Her daughter, Emma Feagans, lived at 619 West Madison Street in Petersburg, Menard Co., Illinois.

Children of Lydia and Emery UNDERWOOD:

Tintype from Lydia's scrapbook.

Emma Kate May UNDERWOOD.

Frank Ellsworth UNDERWOOD.

Children of Lydia and Benjamin Baltzell: [note 11]:

1. Bessie BALTZELL.
2. Alta BALTZELL.

Notes:

Military and Pension Records, Civil War, National Archives, Washington, D.C., Certificate 678923. [Return]
Marriage Records, Probate Court, Van Wert County, Ohio, Bk. II, p. 105. [Return
Military and Pension Records, Widow's Claim for Pension, 23 April 1863. [Return]
Ibid. Click to see a copy of Lydia's marriage license. [Return]
Marriage Record, Van Wert County, Ohio, Vol. 1., p. 181.
From the record's location in the book it would appear that the date should be 1853. Three entries ahead of this one gave 1853. [Return]
Military and Pension Records, Declaration of Widow's Pension, 30 July 1908. [Return]
Military and Pension Records, Guardian Letter, Vol. 1410, p. 1092. [Return]
Return]
Military and Pension Records. [Return]
Military and Pension Records. [Return]
The Bolser Family Home Page, by Kenneth Bolser. [Return]

Copyright

Information on this site related to the Kear family is from The John Cears Kear Family compiled, written and edited by Donald L. Kear, copyright © 1984.
Copyright © 2000 - 2008 by Donald L. Kear. All rights reserved. Portions of the pages on this site may be reproduced for nonprofit use only. Credit shall be given to the source.