Hi Tess,
I'm hoping this latest information I have might lead us somewhere. Benjamin E. Sowders was found in the 1850 Census for Brown, Carroll County, Ohio living with the David Eakin family. It was David Sr and Margaret, David Jr., James Eakin and Mary Eakin and a Richard Murel. At the time I believe Benjamin was 9. I do believe this would be our Benjamin as his son, John E (my grandfather) has his middle name as Edward Eakin. So I assume there is some sort of connection there. Possible he was being taken care of this family or being used as a laborer on a farm even though he was 9. Also I found on a 1870 Census James A was living with a Koontz family he was 5 and his last name spelled Sonder. In 1880 James was still living with Koontz family and John was living there, the ages at that time were James 15 and John 7 which would be about right and it shows them being the grandsons of Martha Koontz with 3 daughters and a son but none were Lucretia. Hope this helps....