Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Maria Elizabeth Gazlay


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Maria Elizabeth Gazlay and 16 of her descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Maria Elizabeth Gazlay,1 born 25 June 1883 in Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio, the daughter of John Arvin Gazlay and Henrietta Elmira ‘Etta’ Morgan;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 31 October 1973 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.1, 3, 8 Maria married, 22 September 1909 in Sandusky County, Ohio, Carl Adolph Hildebrand2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 (born 12 March 1886 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio, the son of William C. Hildebrand and Christine Sophia Bodeman;2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Carl died 8 January 1965 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio10, 13). Maria and Carl are buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio.1, 9

Carl was engaged in the general insurance business, representing several well-known companies. In his youth he was employed by several companies, including the Northern Ohio Telephone Company as wire chief; the Bellevue Ice and Cold Storage Company that he established; the Zahner Packing Company; Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and the Bellevue public schools where he served as engineer. Carl enlisted as a drummer boy at the outbreak of the Civil War, and he served with the New York Volunteer Cavalry, attaining the rank of lieutenant. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He held several posts in Huron County, including deputy treasure, deputy auditor, registrar of vital statistics, and draft registrar during World War I.12


Children of Maria Elizabeth Gazlay and Carl Adolph Hildebrand:

 2i. William Arvin Hildebrand, born 12 January 1911 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio;14, 15 died 15 January 1911 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio.14, 15 William is buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio.14, 15
+3ii. Helen Marie Hildebrand, born 7 June 1912 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; died 1 April 1996 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio. Married Rev. Charles John Bauer.
+4iii. Elizabeth Sophia Hildebrand, born 23 April 1916 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio; died 26 September 1954 in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Married Rev. Michael David Fetter.
 5iv. Dean Gazlay Hildebrand, born 14 August 1919 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio;6, 14, 15 died 4 July 1928 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio.14, 15, 16 Dean is buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio.14, 15
+6v. Arvin Carl Hildebrand, born 24 September 1924 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; died 2 November 1944 in Italy. Married Gene Isabel Kingman.

  1. Find a Grave (website). Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Maria Elizabeth Gazlay Hildebrand, b. Jun. 25, 1883, Clyde, Sandusky County, Ohio; d. Oct. 31, 1973, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Notes indicate the names of her husband, parents, and two children.
  2. Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958, available at familysearch.org. Carl A. Hildebrand and Maria E. Gazlay, married 22 September 1909 in Sandusky County, Ohio. The record includes their ages and birth places, and the names of their parents.
  3. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Hildebrand, Maria, no. 282-36-3013
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Ohio, Sandusky County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 93, Sheet No. 13B, family (indexed as Gooley) of John A. Gazley (54, NY, May 1846, grocer), wife of 28 years Henrietta Gazley (46, Ohio, Nov 1853, 6 children, 5 living), son John Gazley Jr. (20, Ohio, June 1881, clerk in grocery), daughter Lotta Gazley (23, Ohio, Jan 1877, teacher in public school), daughter Phebe Gazley (21, Ohio, Nov 1878, teacher in public school), daughter Maria Gazley (17, Ohio, Jan 1883), daughter Jennie (15, Ohio, Nov 1884).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Ohio, Sandusky County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 134, Sheet No. 18B, family of John A. Gazlay (63, NY, traveling salesman for cleaning co.), wife of 40 years Henrietta A. Gazlay (55, Ohio, 6 children, 5 living), son-in-law Carl A. Hildebrant (24, Ohio, proprietor, ice plant), daughter and wife of 0 years Maria E. Hildebrant (26, Ohio, no children).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Ohio, Huron County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 46, Sheet No. 4B, family of A. Carl Hildebrand (33, Ohio, insurance agt.), wife Maria Hildebrand (36, Ohio), daughter Helen Hildebrand (7, Ohio), daughter Elizabeth Hildebrand (3 8/12, Ohio), son Dean Hildebrand (4/12, Ohio).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Ohio, Huron County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 39-10, Sheet No. 5A, family of Carl A. Hildebrand (44, Ohio, agent, insurance, age 24 at first marriage), wife Maria E. Hildebrand (46, Ohio, age 26 at first marriage), daughter Helen N. Hildebrand (17, Ohio), daughter Elizabeth S. (13, Ohio), son Arvin C. Hildebrand (5 9/12, Ohio).
  8. Ohio Obituary Index, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; website. Hildebrand, Maria, died 31 October 1973, Dayton, Ohio, age 90. Spouse First Name: Carl A.
  9. Find a Grave (website). Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Carl Adolph Hildebrand, b. Mar. 12, 1886 Bellevue, Huron County Ohio; d. Jan. 8, 1965, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Notes give his wife’s name, marriage date, parents names, and names of two of his children, Helen Marie and Arvin Carl, and their birth/death years.
  10. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Hildebrand, Carl, no. 291-30-0821
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Ohio, Huron County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 25, Sheet No. 1B, family of Wm. Hildebrand (43, Germany, Apr 1857, janitor, schoolhouse), wife of 15 years Sophia Hildebrand (49, Ohio, Sep 1850, 2 children, 2 living), son Carl Hildebrand (14, Ohio, March 1886), son Ralph Hildebrand (8, Ohio, May 1892).
  12. History of North Central Ohio, by William A. Duff, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka-Indianapolis, 1931. Biographical sketch of Carl A. Hildebrand, pages 918-920.
  13. Ohio Obituary Index, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; website. Hildebrand, Carl A., died 8 January 1965, Cleveland, Ohio, age 78; married 22 September 1909 to Maria A. Gazlay.
  14. Find a Grave (website). Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Dean Gazlay Hildebrand, b. 14 Aug. 1919; d. 4 July 1928. William Arvin Hildebrand, b. 12 Jan. 1911; d. 15 Jan. 1911. Both names are on the same grave stone.
  15. Email from Mary Fetter to Lee Gazlay, various dates in April and June 2013. The emails include as attachments 18 pages of hand-written family history notes containing the names, birth, marriage and death dates and places, primarily centered around the ancestors and descendants of Carl Adolph Hildebrand (1886-1965) and his wife Maria Elizabeth Gazlay (1883-1973). The pages include surnames Gazlay, Hildebrand, Rhoades, Morgan, Zehner, and Fetter, among many other surnames. The information in these pages matches the same information found in other (primarily public) records, so is considered highly reliable.
  16. Ohio Obituary Index, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; website. Hildebrand, Dean Gazley, died July 1928, Bellevue, Ohio, age 9. Parent’s First Name: Carl A.
Second Generation
3. Helen Marie Hildebrand2 (Maria1), born 7 June 1912 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 died 1 April 1996 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio.1, 2, 4 Helen married, 26 August 1936, Rev. Charles John Bauer9 (born 17 January 1907 in West View, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the son of Henry J. Bauer and Margaret Kettenbach;3, 7, 8 Charles died 24 April 1992 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio7, 8). Helen and Charles are buried in Saint Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lakeside, Ottawa County, Ohio.2, 7

Children of Helen Marie Hildebrand and Rev. Charles John Bauer:

 7i. John Charles Bauer, born 1 December 1947 in Baltimore, Maryland.3
 8ii. Mary Louise Bauer, born 19 May 1953 in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia.3

4. Elizabeth Sophia Hildebrand2 (Maria1), born 23 April 1916 in Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio;3, 5, 6, 10 died 26 September 1954 in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin.3 Elizabeth married, 6 November 1938 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, Rev. Michael David Fetter3 (born 28 August 1912 in Crestline, Crawford County, Ohio, the son of David Fetter and Appolonia _____;10, 11 Michael died 26 March 2001 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas11).

Children of Elizabeth Sophia Hildebrand and Rev. Michael David Fetter:

+9i. Elizabeth Ann ‘Beth’ Fetter, born 18 October 1939 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Married John Figgins.
+10ii. Rev. Michael David Fetter, Jr., born 9 August 1944 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. Married Mary Katherine Mercer.
+11iii. Mark Carl Fetter, born 12 July 1949 in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Married Rose Mary Sagebiel.

6. Arvin Carl Hildebrand2 (Maria1), born 24 September 1924 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio;3, 6, 12 died 2 November 1944 in Italy.12 Arvin married, 19 December 1943 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, Gene Isabel Kingman13 (born 16 January 1927, the daughter of Dr. C. A. Kingman and Ruth Wademia Angier13). Arvin is buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio.12

Arvin was a 1st Lieutenant and a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the copilot on aircraft #44-6399, a B-17 from the 20th Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) when it took off on the morning of 2 November 1944 from its home base at Amendola, Italy. The plane was on a solo Navigation Instrument Training Mission, scheduled to fly to Rome, Naples, Tranto, and back to base. The plane never returned from its mission. Weather conditions included high winds and icing conditions on the aircraft’s route and altitude, and other aircraft crews indicated the aircraft could have been blown off course.3, 14


  1. Find a Grave (website). Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Carl Adolph Hildebrand, b. Mar. 12, 1886 Bellevue, Huron County Ohio; d. Jan. 8, 1965, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Notes give his wife’s name, marriage date, parents names, and names of two of his children, Helen Marie and Arvin Carl, and their birth/death years.
  2. Find a Grave (website). Saint Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lakeside, Ottawa County, Ohio, Helen M. Hildebrand Bauer, born: 7 June 1912 in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; died: 1 April 1996 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio (from record, which includes note with the names of her parents, husband, and two children; and provides the name and link for her husband).
  3. Email from Mary Fetter to Lee Gazlay, various dates in April and June 2013. The emails include as attachments 18 pages of hand-written family history notes containing the names, birth, marriage and death dates and places, primarily centered around the ancestors and descendants of Carl Adolph Hildebrand (1886-1965) and his wife Maria Elizabeth Gazlay (1883-1973). The pages include surnames Gazlay, Hildebrand, Rhoades, Morgan, Zehner, and Fetter, among many other surnames. The information in these pages matches the same information found in other (primarily public) records, so is considered highly reliable.
  4. Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Bauer, Helen M., born 7 Jun 1912, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; died 1 Apr 1996, Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio; Father’s Surname: Hildebrand; Mother’s Maiden Name: Gazlay; Occupation: teacher.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Ohio, Huron County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 46, Sheet No. 4B, family of A. Carl Hildebrand (33, Ohio, insurance agt.), wife Maria Hildebrand (36, Ohio), daughter Helen Hildebrand (7, Ohio), daughter Elizabeth Hildebrand (3 8/12, Ohio), son Dean Hildebrand (4/12, Ohio).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Ohio, Huron County, Bellevue, Enumeration District 39-10, Sheet No. 5A, family of Carl A. Hildebrand (44, Ohio, agent, insurance, age 24 at first marriage), wife Maria E. Hildebrand (46, Ohio, age 26 at first marriage), daughter Helen N. Hildebrand (17, Ohio), daughter Elizabeth S. (13, Ohio), son Arvin C. Hildebrand (5 9/12, Ohio).
  7. Find a Grave (website). Saint Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lakeside, Ottawa County, Ohio, Rev. Charles John Bauer, born: 17 January 1907 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; died: 24 April 1992 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio (from record, which includes notes giving the names of his parents, several siblings, wife, and two children; and provides the name and link for his wife).
  8. Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Bauer, Charles John, born 17 Jan 1907, Pennsylvania; died 24 Apr 1992, Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio; Father’s Surname: Bauer; Mother’s Maiden Name: Kettenbach; Occupation: clergy.
  9. Ohio Obituary Index, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; website. Bauer, Charles John, died 24 Apr 1992, Sandusky, Ohio; Spouse: Helen Marie Hildebrand; Marriage Date: 26 Aug 1936. Parents: Henry J. Bauer, Margaret Kettenbach.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Ohio, Franklin County, Columbus, Enumeration District 93-10, Sheet No. 5A; family of Rev. M. D. Fetter (27, Ohio, minister, church); wife Elizabeth Fetter (23, Ohio); daughter Elizabeth A. Fetter (5/12, Ohio).
  11. Obituary, Porter Loring Mortuary (website); Michael David Fetter, age 88, born 28 August 1912 in Crestline, Ohio; died 26 March 2001 in San Antonio, Texas. The article provides biographical details, including his ministries in several churches in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Texas. The article also names his parents, and his survivors, including his wife of 45 years, two sons, and two daughters.
  12. Find a Grave (website). Bellevue Cemetery, Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; Lieutenant Arvin Carl Hildebrand, b. 24 Sep. 1924; d. 2 Nov. 1944. Notes indicate he was born in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio; died in Italy, buried in Military Cemetery In Italy, rank of Lieutenant; parent: Maria Elizabeth Gazlay Hildebrand.
  13. Oshkosh Daily Northwester, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, available at newspaperarchive.com; 27 August 1955, article announcing the farewell sermon of Rev. M. David Fetter, which also mentions that he will return to Oshkosh on 31 October to be married to Miss Shirley Gumz.
  14. The Second was the First, the life and times of the men of the Second Bombardment Group (Heavy) during World War II, by Charles W. Richards; Printed by Maverick Publications, Inc., Bend, Oregon, 1999. Page 402. Available at Second Bombardment Association (website: www.2ndbombgroup.org).
Third and Fourth Generations
9. Elizabeth Ann ‘Beth’ Fetter3 (Elizabeth,2 Maria1), born 18 October 1939 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.1, 2 Beth married, 11 October 1959 in St. Roberts, Pulaski County, Missouri, John Figgins1 (born 15 July 1932, parents not determined1). Their marriage ended in divorce on 25 March 1964 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.1

Children of Elizabeth Ann ‘Beth’ Fetter and John Figgins:

 12i. Timothy John Figgins, born 21 January 1960 in Waynesville, Pulaski County, Missouri; twin.1
 13ii. Peter Michael Figgins, born 21 January 1960 in Waynesville, Pulaski County, Missouri; twin.1
 14iii. Leah Michelle Figgins, born 13 January 1961 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana.1
 15iv. Joshua Richard Figgins, born 13 February 1963 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma.1

10. Rev. Michael David Fetter, Jr.3 (Elizabeth,2 Maria1), born 9 August 1944 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.1 Michael married, 30 June 1967 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, Mary Katherine Mercer4 (born 17 September 1945 in Dallas County, Texas, the daughter of Howard Mercer and Remor Thyra Iversen3).

Children of Rev. Michael David Fetter, Jr. and Mary Katherine Mercer:

 16i. Jamie Elizabeth Fetter, born 30 November 1971 in Harris County, Texas.5
 17ii. Holly Katherine Fetter, born 8 October 1973 in Harris County, Texas.6

11. Mark Carl Fetter3 (Elizabeth,2 Maria1), born 12 July 1949 in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin.1 Mark married, 19 December 1970 in Sequin, Guadalupe County, Texas, Rose Mary Sagebiel1 (born ____, parents not determined).

  1. Email from Mary Fetter to Lee Gazlay, various dates in April and June 2013. The emails include as attachments 18 pages of hand-written family history notes containing the names, birth, marriage and death dates and places, primarily centered around the ancestors and descendants of Carl Adolph Hildebrand (1886-1965) and his wife Maria Elizabeth Gazlay (1883-1973). The pages include surnames Gazlay, Hildebrand, Rhoades, Morgan, Zehner, and Fetter, among many other surnames. The information in these pages matches the same information found in other (primarily public) records, so is considered highly reliable.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Ohio, Franklin County, Columbus, Enumeration District 93-10, Sheet No. 5A; family of Rev. M. D. Fetter (27, Ohio, minister, church); wife Elizabeth Fetter (23, Ohio); daughter Elizabeth A. Fetter (5/12, Ohio).
  3. Texas Birth Index 1903-1997, Mercer, Mary Katherine, born 17 September 1945 in Dallas, Texas; father: Howard Mercer; mother: Remor Thyra Iversen.
  4. Engagement Announcement, San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, 6 January 1967, Mary Katherine Mercer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mercer, and M. David Fetter, Jr., son of Rev. and Mrs. M. David Fetter. Wedding is planned for 30 June 1967 in Houston.
  5. Texas Birth Index 1903-1997, Fetter, Jamie Elizabeth, born 30 November 1971 in Harris County, Texas; father: Michael David Fetter; mother: Mary Katherine Mercer.
  6. Texas Birth Index 1903-1997, Fetter, Holly Katherine, born 8 October 1973 in Harris County, Texas; father: Michael David Fetter; mother: Mary Katherine Mercer.