The Aaron Swartz Family

Aaron Swartz married Sophia Heiss (year unknown).  Sophia Heiss was the daughter of Henry and Eliza Heiss (according to Evangelical Messenger Obituary Records).  In 1865, Henry Heiss conveyed 160 acres of Section 21 of Green Township to Aaron Swartz.  Aaron and Sophia Swartz lived at this property until they completed their new residence in 1882.

Aaron Swartz was born May 22, 1832 to Christian Swartz and Elizabeth (Myers) Swartz.  Sophia Swartz died June 20, 1893.  Aaron Swartz then married Lora E. (Thursby) Swartz around 1895 (see 1900 Census). 

Aaron Swartz was a Second Corporal in Company H, which defended Washington, D.C. in the Civil War.  Aaron and Sophia Swartz were members of the Evangelical Association.

Aaron and Sophia Swartz raised Henry J. Steese as their adopted son (see 1880 Census).  Henry J. Steese was the biological son of a John Steese and Mary Heis (Heiss) according to his death certificate.  Sophia Swartz had a sister named Mary Heiss.

Aaron Swartz died April 3, 1912.  Lora E. (Thursby) Swartz then conveyed 28.84 acres in Sections 10 and 27 (including the Walnut Woods property) to Vinnie Steese in 1913 in accordance with the will of Aaron Swartz.  Vinnie Steese (b. ~1888) was the daughter of Henry J. Steese and Katherine (Neitz) Steese.   Henry J. Steese retained a life estate in the subject property.

Vinnie Steese married William N. Clause.  According to Pauline Franks (longtime Green, Ohio resident), Henry J. Steese, Katherine Steese and their granddaughter Marian (first daughter of William Clause and Vinnie Steese Clause) lived on the property for several years.  Marian resided with her grandparents.  William Clause and Vinnie Steese, Marian's parents, resided near Buchtel High School in Akron.  After Vinnie Steese Clause’s death in 1944, the property of the subject designation passed to Robert E. and William N. Clause.  Robert E. Clause and wife Mary Clause then raised their family in the home of the subject property.