Catherine Stall was the third child and eldest daughter of William and Susanna Firebaugh Stall. She was born in 1821 or 1822 according to the census records. Her tombstone was worn so bad I couldn't get her age at death. Sometime I will try and get back and try and get a rubbing or check local records in Illinois. Growing up in Crawford Township, Coshocton County she married when she was about 18 or 19 to John C. Hay on June 18, 1840. John was of Irish descent but was born in Pennsylvania in 1815.
The Hay family was a very prominent family in the county. John C.'s brothers owned factories and a bank in Coshocton. Also a feed mill and several small businesses from time to time including the Coshocton Iron Works and the Coshocton Axle Company which made buggy axles. After marriage they first settled in Crawford Township on some of Catherine's father's land then moved to Adams Township Coshocton County around 1847. From there they moved to Homer, Illinois around 1857.
A letter that has been preserved follows:
I kept some of the original spelling that was in the original letter. Later I'll scan the letter, right now I can't find it. I remember sealing it in plastic and putting it up so nothing would happen to it, and it's well put up. When I find it I will send a scan. This letter was sent to Daniel Stall and was to be read to the mother Susan Stall (William was dead by now) and also to Dan's brother Anthony.
This is Catherine's stone in the Patterson
Cemetery at Homer Illinois.
John C. Hay lived until 1890. He married again and had children from the second wife. I can't find my notes on this second marriage or second wife's name, but if any descendant of John and Catherine wants it, I will dig for it. I will do this family a little different and post all I have on it, including children and grandchildren. At this time I have yet to make contact with any descendants from this branch of the family but I know they are out there.
Raymond Hay of Coshocton was working on the Hay family when he died in 1984. Most of what I have on the children are from his notes. He didn't live long enough to finish his work so it is incomplete.
