I checked in the index to Perry Co marriages and did not find a marriage for an Alfred Mechling. Judging from his age, Alfred M. Mechling could have served in the Civil War. Have you pursued this angle? Amy ---------- > From: CMechlingB@aol.com > To: OHFAIRFI-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: MECHLING, Alfred Melancthon > Date: Sunday, November 09, 1997 12:43 PM > > Seeking parental information on Alfred Melancthon MECHLING; > -- have looked in Perry, Licking and Fairfield Counties, but have not found > any birth or guardianship records. > > Known information is: > born 6 Oct 1845, Hopewell twp., Perry Co OH (data he used, anyway) > died 5 Aug 1933, near Ada, Liberty twp., Hardin Co OH (proven) > married circa 1871 (location unknown, but probably Perry Co.) > Eva SMITH/SCHMIDT (1847-1921) > d/o George & Mary Magdalina (FISHER/FISCHER) MECHLING of Perry Co OH > > Alfred Melancthon is found in these early census records: > 1850, age 5, residing with Joseph & Catharine (WINEGARDNER) SNIDER, in > Bowling Green twp., Licking Co OH > > 1860, age 15, residing with Daniel & Catherine (MECHLING) SHELLY in Hopewell > twp., Perry Co OH (Catherine was probably his aunt) > > 1870, age 25, with Simon & Elizabeth (SHELLY) SWINEHART in Perry Co OH > (Elizabeth was a sister to Daniel SHELLY) > > 1880, married with wife Eva in Monroe twp, Delaware Co IN > > His obit lists a sister, Sarah FORSYTHE of Argos IN. She was Sarah (nee > MECHLING) d/o Jacob D. (1821/3-1871) & Nancy (WAGONER) MECHLING (married 2 > Aug 1845), who left Perry Co. around 1850, and had a son Alfred, born 10 Sep > 1846, as recorded in the Good Hope Church records, near Glenford, Perry Co > OH. This is a different Alfred from Alfred Melancthon. Jacob D. was the s/o > Peter & Mary (DOWNOUR) MECHLING. > Jacob & Nancy had several other children who were also still alive at the > time of Alfred Melancthon's death, but they were NOT listed as his siblings! > His death certificate (information given by his dtr. Pearl (MECHLING) TURNER) > , list "Jacob" as his father, mother "unknown". > A "family story" says that his mother "...was the little French girl on the > next(?) farm..." How much validity might this have?? I cannot find any. > > The Perry Co OH will and estate papers of Margaret (MECHLING) SHELLY [wife > of George SHELLY}, lists Alfred MECHLING of Ada OH, as her nephew. This > would have to be Alfred Melancthon, because of the location - the other > Alfred resided in Indiana. > Margaret was the d/o Peter & Mary (DOWNOUR) MECHLING, making her a sister to > the above Jacob D. MECHLING. > Deducting from this information, it appears that Jacob D. MECHLING had an > affair shortly before his marriage, a child resulted, who became named, > Alfred Melancthon MECHLING. Might the mother have been in the Joseph & > Catharine (WINEGARDNER) SNIDER extended family -- is that why he was residing > with them? He was not their son. > Any suggestions, comments, or leads on this "stone wall" will be GREATLY > appreciated!! > Caral MECHLING BENNETT > cmechlingb@aol.com >