Person:Cynthia Hertsel (1)

Otis S. Hertsel, Cynthia's brother stated in his Civil War Pension papers that Cynthia's home had burnt and that the family bible had burnt with it.

General Affidavit State of Indiana, County of Whitley, ss#570632

On the 10th day of May, A.D. 1909, personally appeared before me a notary Public in and for the aforesaid county, duly authorized to administer oaths, Otis S. Hertsel, aged past 62 years, a resident of Columbia City in the County of Whitley, a State of indiana, whose post-off address is the same place RFD Route No. 8 well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn declared in relation to a aforesaid case as follows:

In answer to call herewith returned dated Feb. 18, 1909. 1st - There is no public birth record of his actual age. 2nd - that there is no baptismal record of his birth. 3rd - That there is no family or bible record from or for the reason that it was in the hands of his sister, Mrs. Cynthia Singer, who lived in Paulding County, but now dead. They lost their house by fire and bible record with it about 35 years ago (1874), and that his sister above mentioned and affiant at one time talked about their respective ages and his best impression was that the same was true of his sister that he was born May 5th, 1846 although the absense of any record of his correct age he does not say for a positive fact that he was 62 years May 5th, 1908, which is he says is the correct day of the month that he was born. That under the circumstances of no records at all now existing he says that he is sure that he is now past 62 years, and that he cannot say more.

Otis S. Hertsel

He further declares that he has interest in said case and is concerned in its prosecution

Otis S Hertsel

There is the possibility that Cynthia and Thomas Singer moved to Kansas after their house fire. Their is a Thomas and Cynthia Singer for the 1880 U. S. Census in Kansas. It also shows a son 10 year old son Harry.

Mission Creek, Wabaunsee, Kansas

1. ↑ Whitley, Indiana, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432).