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From: "Bernard Ozinga" <>
Subject: Julius Bement in Huron Ohio
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 20:20:31 -0500


I am looking for any information or clues on Julius C. Bement that lived in Huron Co, Ohio. He apparently married a Charlotte M. Johnson, July 2, 1857 from the LDS page. I am wondering if he could be the same Julius C. Bement I have looked for several years, to see where he died & lived the last few years of his life.

My GGG Grandfather was named Julius C. Bement, born about 1813 in New York. He was the son of John Bement & Betsey Hichcock. John Bement was a shoe/boot maker, with a patent held by himself & is wife's brother Samuel Hitchcock. He was also a farmer, first in Cortlandville, N where the family lived in 1820, then in Genoa, Seneca Co, NY.

Julius Bement married Sarah Darling Bement, about 1840, in Groton, Tompkins Co, New York & they had children:
Reuben born 1841
Frances born 1845 (my GG GRandmother),
Edward Payson born 1848,
Sarah Emmaline born 1850
William Payson born 1853 by several census's, but 1856 by his marraige license in 1890.

Anyway, Julius is shown with is family in the 1850 census in Skaneateles area of New York, with his occupation listed as "None". He is not seen again on census. Julius brother Jeremy was a carriage maker, & both Jeremy & Julius have children buried in the Seneca Ny cemetery, so it's possible he worked for his brother. His brother moved to MIchigan in 1849 & died there shortly afterwards.

Julius wife Sarah is living alone with the 2 youngest children in 1860, "Divorced by the Laws of the State of New York" in Groton, Tompkins NY, near where her father Reuben Darling lived & also near the families of two brother, Lyman & Edward Darling. Her daughter Frances is living with the family of her future husband Thomas Darby "going to school" & son Edward P is apparently an apprentice to a blacksmith in Scipio NY. Oldest son Reuben is not seen anywhere in 1860 census, neither is ex-husband Julius Bement, that we can find.

Sarah Darling Bement is seen again in 1865 living with all her children including son Reuben Bement, born 1841, listed as a tailor, in Groton, New York, now Sarah is listed as a widow. Son Ed was trained as a Blacksmith & entered the Civil War from Tompkins Co, NY in 1862. He lists himself only as son of Sarah Bement at his enlistment. After the 1865 census where oldest son Reuben is listed as a 23 year old tailor in Groton, Reuben is never seen again on any census that we can find, & at her death he is not listed as a survivor.

Julius her husband from whom she is apparently divorced has not been seen on census since 1850, but because their youngest child, William was born either 1853 which is more likely, or 1856, we know Julius must have still been around at that time. Sarah & all but Ed of her children moved to Clarksville Iowa in 1868, with no sign of accompaniement by oldest son Reuben or Julius, the ex-husband. Ed stayed in NY until 1875 or so then also moved to Clarksville, Iowa. The family never returned to NY that we know of again.

2 Gentleman who have lots of information on the Bement family, one operates the "Bement Chronicles" pages on-line, indicate that source says Julius moved to Ohio, joined the Civil War with his son Reuben, Julius was a minister. That seems doubtful to me given his 1850 occupation as "None" & the divorce which would not be acceptable for a minister of any kind in that day & age.

However I do know the laws of NY say at that time the only reason for a divorce to be granted is adultry, & the adultrous party can not be married again in the State of NY. So it is possible this marriage in 1857 in Ohio is the same Julius Bement, who moved to Ohio because of the divorce laws of the State of NY. He may have joined the Civil War in Ohio during his second marriage if he is the same individual that has married Charlotte Johnson as was married to Sarah Bement. It is possible that he was killed during the Civil War. It seems possible that he entered the Civil War with his son Reuben as Reuben is living in NY before & after the divorce, although not in 1860, so it's possible he also lived in Huron Ohio then.

I was thrilled to find this marriage for Julius Bement & Charlotte M Johnson in Huron Co, Ohio on LDS pages, in 1857 as it seems possible this could be the same person I've been looking for. Appreciate any help anyone can give to let me know any details about Julius & Charlotte Johnson Bement, age, occupation, etc, to see if this might be the same Julius Bement. Any death information, military service information appreciated!.

This could clear up a longstanding mystery about what happened to him. Up until now, despite diligent searches by genealogists, record searches by many societies & individuals, nothing can be found of the life of Julius after 1853 when his youngest child was born. Thanks for any clues anyone can help with!

Lynda & B.J. Ozinga


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