Stephen L. Polhamus
We go to Long Island to find the first of this family in the United States. It was here that John Polhamus, Sr., was born about 1761,and lived for a time, then went to New Jersey and married Hannah Howard, and raised a family of three sons and three daughters. John Polhamus, Jr., was the eldest son of this family. He was born in New Jersey in 1800. He lived here to marry Abigail Ladew, a daughter of Stephen and Naomi Ladew, in 1824. Stephen Ladew died in the war of 1812 of yellow fever. In 1835 Mr. Polhainus came with his family to Ohio, and settled in Montgomery County. They raised a family of five children, viz., Ann Eliza, Stephen L., Sarah J., Naomi, and John F. Of this family there were three who came to Shelby County, Stephen L., Naomi, the wife of George B. Booher, and John F., who was killed in the Rebellion. John Polhamus died in 1841. His wife died in 1840. This couple had been Methodists from childhood, he being a leader in the church for many years.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883