Bonzo Family Photo Album -- Jacob Deemer

JACOB DEEMER:
CENSUS: 1850, 1880
From a Deemer Descendant: Child "Nelly Irvin" (last name hard to read) "Ad" (adopted?) age 11 in 1880 census.

A second Deemer Descendant has birth on Nov. 2

From Ed Boots, Civil War re-enactor: "Jacob Deemer, Company F, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery.
Enlisted 21 August 1862 at age 20. Mustered in 18 Oct 1862 as a Private in Company F, 117th Ohio Infantry. Promoted to Corporal on 10 August 1863. On 12 August 1863 the 117th was reorganized as the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery. Mustered out on 25 July 1865 at Knoxville, Tennessee.

Here's my observations regarding the photos...
It's hard to see in the headstone photo, but could the Co. F, 1st O.V.R.A. actually be Co. F, 1st O.V.H.A. ? This was an abbreviation that was used for the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery or 1st Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery. See http://www.ohiocivilwar.com/hacw1.html
Jacob was 20 years old when he enlisted in the 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery (actually the 117th Ohio Infantry at the time he enlisted) The fellow in the photo certainly appears to be about 20 years of age.
The photo definitely appears to be Civil War to me. Sky blue (light colored) pants, sack coat, etc. Although vests were not an issued item, many soldiers wore vests identical to the one Jacob has on. It has a military style to it - 9 buttons and a stand up collar. The reproduction vest I wear is identical to this one. The hat he has on doesn't appear to be military issue either and may have given someone the impression that the photo is not Civil War, but this type of hat was certainly similar to hats worn by various soldiers during the Civil War. Ostrich plumes, like his, were common military attire as well.
There were only two insignias during the Civil War which were crossed - cannons for artillery & sabers for cavalry. Of those two, these certainly appear to be cannons because of their width; although it is hard to see in the photo exactly what it is. While on the subject of the crossed cannons, there is a vertical line in the photo just below the center of the cross. This is not part of the crossed cannon insignia. I believe this vertical line could certainly be the number 1; representing the 1st OH Heavy Artillery.
The only thing I can see in the photo that doesn't appear to be quite right is the absence of corporal chevrons on his sleeves. He did start out as a private, but was promoted to corporal just prior to the 117th becoming an artillery unit. Not knowing the exact date of the photo, I'm sure a plausible explanation could be made for that.
In my opinion, this is definitely a military uniform and certainly extremely likely to be Civil War. Being that it is military and this is suppose to be either Jacob or his father... Was Peter Jacob Deemer ever in the military? I don't think so. Too young for the War of 1812 and I believe he was dead by the time we went to war with Mexico. I guess the bottom line is that in my humble opinion both of you are correct in saying that this photo is Civil War and is Jacob, son of Peter Jacob Deemer."

From a third Deemer Descendant -- 2003:

He enlisted on August 21, 1862 and served in Company F, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to corporal on August 1 1863, and was discharged on July 25, 1865.

He was a Farmer and the owner of a saw mill. An article about Jacob adds the following:

'Life until Jacob was 16 was spent in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he received all of his school training. In 1857, his family moved to Scioto County, Ohio and located in Madison township. After the war, about 1871, he was engaged in the lumber business, and lived in Washington township, Ohio, where he operated a sawmill for several years. In 1875, he was a trustee of Washington Township, Scioto county, Ohio.

In 1880, he moved to the northwestern part of Rush township, near McCulloch Creek, Scioto county, Ohio, where he had one of the finest and best equipped farms in the county. His farm buildings were models of usefulness. He was known all over the county as an upright , honest, successful man and was esteemed for his genial manners and obliging disposition. He was one of the most highly respected farmers.

Before moving to Buena Vista Pike in 1905, Jacob located in Rushtown, Scioto county, Ohio. He was a law abiding citizen, affectionate husband and father. He was always ready to help the afflicted and gave freely to worthy causes. In his death the county lost a splendid citizen.

Jacob and his brother John lived on the west side of Scioto county, Ohio and seldom visited relatives on the east side of Scioto county.

Jacob and Samantha's funeral was handled by Al Windle of Portsmouth, Ohio."

Jacob was laid to rest on November 13, 1920 at Rushtown cemetery, Rushtown, Scioto county, Ohio. Cause of Death: Chronic pericarditis.
Jacob suffered for 3 years from the above malady, and he suffered from chronic zephritis for 2 years.

SAMANTHA MCKINNEY:
CENSUS: 1880

From a Deemer Descendant -- 2003: She died at 3:45 a.m. at her home in Washington township of cerebral hemmorhage - was paralyzed for three days. She was laid to rest on
January 15, 1928 at Rushtown cemetery, Rushtown, Scioto county, Ohio