Feb 14

Be My Valentine

Be My Valentine–a popular sentiment on cards given and received today.

Today is the day to show your love by sending cards, flowers, candy (you can never go wrong with chocolate), or having a romantic dinner.

Today’s Valentine cards are beautiful, but there is a certain charm to the old Valentine cards.

I have a few old Valentine cards that my mom saved. Some were given to my Grandpa Cornelius Schumm, some were given to my mom when she was a student at Zion Lutheran Parochial School at Schumm, and some were given to others.

To my grandfather Cornelius Schumm from Mary Eicher.

I somehow have a couple Valentine cards that were given to Wilbert Germann:

To Wilbert Germann.

To Wilbert Germann, 1927.

To my mom from Herbert, but not my dad Herbert. They didn’t meet until later.

To my mom from Herbert, 1936.

Some of her valentines have moving parts or unfold to become three dimensional and some have intricate cut-out designs.

This Valentine was from Ellen, probably Ellen (Schumm) Black. The little girl looks like Shirley Temple:

To Florence, From Ellen S (1939)

A few other Valentines given to my mom from other friends and from teachers:

To Florence, From Lois (1936)

To Florence, From Marilyn (1944)

To Florence, From Louis

To Florence, From Teacher (1936)

To Florence, From Teacher (1940)

We exchanged Valentine cards with classmates at Willshire elementary school. We each decorated a box or shoe box and cut a large slit in the lid to collect our Valentine cards. Our boxes were usually covered with red or pink construction paper, with hearts of various sizes colored or pasted on the outside. Paper heart-shaped doilies were also popular decorations. We sat our box on our desk and we walked around the classroom and placed a Valentine in each of the other students’ boxes.

And of course there was usually some sort of  food treat involved.

I think I’ll go treat myself to a piece of chocolate, from my favorite Valentine.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Feb 11

Tombstone Tuesday-Peter & Luisa Haas

Peter & Luisa Haas, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Twp, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Peter and Luisa Haas, located in row 6 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

HAAS

PETER HAAS
1832-1888

LUISA HAAS
1841-1903

Peter and Luisa Haas were both born in Germany, married there, and had several children there, before immigrating to America in 1883. Peter Haas, 51, and Louisa Haas, 43, arrived in New York 30 June 1883, aboard the ship Rhynland, with their four sons, Peter, 22, Carl, 14, Jacob, 11, and Ludwig, 6. [1]

The senior Peter Haas missed being enumerated in any U.S. census. The family arrived in America three years after the 1880 census was taken and he died well before the 1900 census. Peter got to enjoy life in the new country for only five years. As a result, there is very little information about Peter Haas Sr. It appears his death was not recorded in Mercer County either.

Peter Haas, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

His widow Luisa lived long enough to be enumerated in the 1900 census, residing in Liberty Township with her son Carl, aka Charley Haas. At that time Charley and his wife had a family of six children. Charley’s younger brother Jacob also lived with them. The Charley Hass family in 1900: Charley, 31, head; Elizabeth, 32, wife; Adolph J, 6, son; Charley P, 5, son; Olga J, 4, daughter; Ida M, 3, daughter; Willis D, 2, son; Lizzie L, 9 months, daughter; Jacob Haas, 29, brother; and Louisa Haas, 60, mother. Charley had at least two more children, born between 1900 and 1910, Julius T and John A Haas.

Luisa Haas, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

That 1900 census enumeration indicates that the mother Luisa Hass was born in Germany in November 1839, was a widow, and that two of her four children were living. Those two children were Charley and Jacob. Luisa could not write or speak English. It was not known when she immigrated. However, Charley, reportedly immigrated in 1883, was naturalized, and was farmer. [2] Luisa’s birth date in the 1900 census disagrees with her year of birth on her tombstone.

Luisa’s other two sons, Peter and Ludwig, apparently died sometime between 1883 and 1900. Their deaths are not recorded in Mercer County probate.

According to Mercer County Death records, “Louisa” Hass died in Liberty Township, on 4 October 1902, aged 63 years, 11 months, and 23 days. Cause of death was dropsy of the chest, her residence was Scudder, and she was born in Germany. The death date on her death record disagrees with the date on her tombstone. [3] Luisa’s date of birth was 12 October 1838, as calculated from her death record.

Per Find a Grave.com, Luisa’s maiden name was Schug. [4]

Although two of Peter and Luisa’s sons apparently died before 1900, their other two sons, Carl and Jacob, lived to marry and have children.

Carl Haas (22 Aug 1868-21 Jan 1947), aka Charley Haas, was fourteen years old when the family immigrated. Charley married Elizabeth (Gravins) and they had at least eight children. They lived in Liberty Township in 1900, moved to Oklahoma by 1910, and to New York by 1930. Charley and Elizabeth are both buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Canastota, Madison County, New York. [5]

Jacob Haas (20 Dec 1870-4 Nov 1963), was eleven years old when the family immigrated and remained in Mercer County the rest of his life. He married Philippina “Phebe” (Schaadt) Alt and they had at least six children. Jacob and his wife Phebe are buried in St. Paul UCC Cemetery. [6] Jacob and Phebe spoke German in 1910. [7]

[1] Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, M237, U.S. Customs Service, RG 36, National Archives, Washington DC, Peter Hass & family, 30 Jun 1883, ship Rhynland; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty Twp, ED 85, p.8, dwelling 143, family 148, Charley Haas; Ancestry.com.

[3] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001, Mercer, Vol. 2, no page number, Louise Haas, 4 Oct 1902; FamilySearch.org.

[4] Find a Grave.com, Luisa (Schug) Haas (1841-1903), Memorial no.27656150. 

[5] Find a Grave.com, Charles Haas (1868-1947), Memorial no.52163397.

[6] Find a Grave.com, Jacob Haas (1870-1963), Memorial no.27656046.

[7] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, Twp, ED 119, p.10A, dwelling 172, family 175, Jacob Haas; Ancestry.com.

Feb 07

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Do you speak German?

In 1910, who spoke German as their main language in Black Creek and Liberty Townships, Mercer County, Ohio?

Why 1910? The 1910 census has a specific question, column 17, “Whether able to speak English; or, if not, give language spoken.”

Enumerators were given these instructions in 1910 for the language question in Column 17: This question applies to all persons 10 years of age and over. If such a person is able to speak English, write English. If he is not able to speak English—and in such cases only—write the name of the language which he does speak, as French, German, Italian. If he speaks more than one language, but does not speak English, write the name of that language which is his native language or mother tongue. For persons under 10 years of age, leave the column blank. [1]

My great-grandfather Jacob Miller Sr. (1843-1918) immigrated to the United States in 1871 and settled in Black Creek Township, Mercer County. Our family history says that he never learned to speak English. The story goes that his son-in-law Howard Caffee, who did not speak German, had a difficult time communicating with him.

German was always the primary language of Jacob Miller and his wife Christena (Rueck) (1858-1945), who was also an immigrant. They probably didn’t feel the need to learn to speak English. They lived in a community with quite a few other German families. Jacob and Christena attended church at Zion Chatt. Zion had a German minister and services were held in German in 1910. Zion’s first English service was around 1911, but German services were still provided into the 1920s.

My dad and his sister Ruth, growing up in the 1920s and 30s, picked up a little German from their grandmother Christena, because she spoke German at home.

Jacob and Christena Miller probably didn’t feel the need to learn English living in the Chatt area.

So, I wondered how many others in that area spoke German in 1910.

Apparently not very many in Black Creek Township, according to the 1910 census.

In Black Creek Township, there was only one person who reported that they did not speak English, per the 1910 census.

That one person was Sophia Schulz, 67, widow, born in Germany, immigrated in 1894. Sophia lived in the Marie Brandt household. And Sophia spoke German.  

Surely there were more people in Black Creek Township who spoke German. Like my great-grandparents? Why didn’t they report that they spoke German?

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. Maybe English was recorded as their language if a person spoke even just a teeny bit of English.

Was there a misunderstanding when asking the question or getting an answer to that question? Was there a communication problem between the census taker and the individual answering questions in that largely German community? Perhaps people were afraid to admit that they spoke German.

Who knows?

Then I looked at Liberty Township, Mercer County, and saw that there were many more people who spoke German there. I suspect the reason is how the census enumerator interpreted question no.17.

It is also interesting to note that not all who spoke German were immigrants. In many cases, all family members, including the parents, were born in Ohio, but still spoke German. And some immigrants who had been in the United States for decades still spoke German.  

Those who spoke German in Liberty Township, Mercer County. It’s a long list:

Sophie Meyer, 70, married, mother-in-law, in John Sudhoff household on Mud Pike.

John Hatert, 65, wife Anna, 51, and children Henry, Joe, Clara, and Edward. All born in Ohio and lived on Mud Pike. [Hatert indexed as Hubert on Ancestry.com]  

George VonStein, 48, born in Kentucky, his wife Leana, 45, born in Ohio, and their children, Carl, Frieda, Arthur, Ernest, Cristina, George, John, Edna, and Walter, born in Ohio, lived on Mud Pike.

Catharine Weigel, 64, widow, born in Germany, immigrated in 1858.

Catharine Turckes, 42, born in Ohio, wife of Joseph.

Mathias Schritz, 62, and wife Anna, 40, both born in Luxembourg, immigrated in 1880 and 1881 respectively. 

John Everling, 74, and wife Mary, 70, both born in Luxembourg, immigrated in 1881.

Gardner Vunwell/Vundwell [?], 58, single, step-mother Anna Vunwell, 79, widow, both born in Germany, immigrated in 1865.

Richard Schmidt, 68, and his children David, 45, and Amelia, 27, all born in Ohio.

Peter Bauer, 44, wife Catharine, 44, children Adolf, Otto, and Nora, brother William Bauer, 50. The adults were born in Germany, the children in Ohio. Peter and Catharine immigrated in 1850 and 1865 respectively.

Fred Bauer, 37, and his wife Mary, 30, both born in Ohio.

William Dickie, 47, wife Augustie, 41, children Edward, Viola, and Otto. Augustie emigrated from Germany in 1873, the others were born in Ohio.

Margaret Bader, 62, widow, born in Germany, immigrated in 1883.

Henry Klopfleisch, 63, wife Annie, 57, children Bertha and Gust. The parents emigrated from Germany in 1867 and 1860 respectively, the children born in Ohio.

Andy Bauer, 42, and his wife Mary, 39, both born in Ohio.

Lizzie Bauer, 35, widow head, born in Ohio.

Margaret Kable, 65, widow, born in Ohio.

John Bauer, 76, wife Susanna, 72, both emigrated from Germany in 1862 and 1848, respectively.

Nichol Peters, 76, and wife Catherine, 64, both emigrated from Germany in 1850 and 1856 respectively.

Peter Alt, 56, wife Hermina, 53, son William, and Elizabeth Alt, 64 [sic], mother, widow. The adults were born in Germany, immigrated in 1877, and William was born in Ohio.

John Schaadt, 36, and wife Katie, 28, both born in Ohio.

William Schaadt, 34, and wife Annie, 34, both born in Ohio.

Ludwig Alt, 52, married, born in Germany, immigrated in 1877.

Mary Schaadt, 59, widow, son Adam Schaadt, both born in Ohio.

Henry Linn, 37, born in Germany, immigrated in 1875, and wife Maggie, 31, born in Ohio.

Peter Brehm, 51, wife Sofa, 46, both born in Ohio.

Catharine Koch, 79, head, widow, emigrated from Germany in 1834, and son John Koch, Ohio.

The John Deiner family, John Deiner, 43, wife Sofa, 43, and children John, Urban, and Millie. All were born in Ohio.

Helmut Kaufman, 48, wife Annie, 29, both emigrated from Germany in 1883 and 1885 respectively, their daughters, Elsie and Hilda, born in New York.

Rosie Schaadt, 31, emigrated from Germany in 1885, wife of William; their son Oscar, William’s brothers George Schaadt, 28, Dee Schaadt, 21, and niece Lizzie Emrich, 15, Ohio.

Louisa Fender, 72, widow, born in Germany.

Jacob Haas, 39, born in Germany, wife Phebe, 38, born in Ohio.

Jacob Wendel, 61, wife Pheaba, 62, both emigrated from Germany in 1861.

John Fahncke, 50, wife Louisa, 40, children Henry, Annie, Emma, Otto, Hugo. John and Louisa immigrated in 1872 and 1874 respectively, the children were born in Ohio.

Valentine Brehm, 49, wife Sofia, 42, son Philip Brehm, 23; Fred Linn, 24, son-in-law, and Annie Linn, 21, daughter, all born in Ohio.

Valentine Deitsch, 30, wife Caroline, 27, both born in Ohio.

Peter Fickert, 75, wife Phillippina, 70, sons Lewis and Otto, all emigrated from Germany in 1885.

David Schaadt, 36, wife Ida, 31, both born in Ohio.

Henry Bollenbacher, 42, children Eda and Edwin, all born in Ohio.

George Berron, 49, emigrated from Germany in 1873, wife Mary, 49, Ohio.

Jacob Linn Jr, 72, wife Catharine, 72, both emigrated from Germany in 1872.

Louis C. Bollenbacher, 50, wife Mary, 46, children Rufus, Eda, Meala, Annie, all born in Ohio.

Nicholas Lenhart, 71, widow, emigrated from Germany in 1860.

Mike Linn, 26, wife Arnela, 23, both born in Ohio.

Philip Linn, 69, wife Margaret, 62, both emigrated from Germany in 1872.

Jacob Bollenbacher, 53, emigrated in 1865, wife Louise, 48, daughter Lizzie, both born in Ohio.

Jacob Garman, 34, single, emigrated in 1885.

George Bollenbacher, 78, emigrated in 1842, wife Barbara, 74, born in Ohio.

Jacob Bollenbacher, 72, emigrated in 1852, wife Magdalena, 53, children Jacob D, Hulda, Daniel F, Laura M, the rest of the family born in Ohio.

John C Bollenbacher, 44, wife Phoebe, 42, children Hugo, Theodore, Meala, all born in Ohio.

Catharine Kable, 72, widow, mother [of John Kable], emigrated in 1862.

Elizabeth Gertz, 63, widow, emigrated in 1871.

Anton Alexander, 50, Ohio, widow, children Fred and Mary, Indiana.

John C Brehm, 55, wife Margaret, 53, children Mary, Annie, Fred, Carl. All born in Ohio except Margaret, who emigrated in 1873.

Jacob Weisman, 69, wife Elizabeth, 65, both emigrated in 1883.

John C Bollenbacher, 37, wife Effie, 33, both born in Ohio, mother-in-law Dora Strabel, 84, widow, emigrated in 1848.

Frederick Weitz, 63, wife Christina, 60, both emigrated in 1870.

Andy Bollenbacher, 41, wife Katie, 39, children Elmer, Roma, Loree, Henry. Katie emigrated in 1837, the rest born in Ohio.

George Bollenbacher, 46, wife Caroline, 44, both born in Ohio.

John Hinger, 69, emigrated in 1882, wife Dora, 52, Ohio.

George Weinman, 49, wife Minnie, 39, emigrated in 1873 and 1882 respectively.

Catharine Deitsch, 74, widow, emigrated in 1883.

John Koch, 34, wife Elizabeth, 30, both born in Ohio.

Charles Bollenbacher, 38, wife Mary, 35, daughter Alvina, all born in Ohio.

John Fickert, 40, emigrated in 1875, wife Caroline, 35, Ohio.

George F Koch, 31, wife Hulda, 27, both born in Ohio.

Martin Pelinkey, 70, wife Jennie, 68, children John, Lena Jacob. Parents and John emigrated in 1872, the rest born in Ohio.

Annie Robin, 70, widow, emigrated in 1870.

Samuel Egger, 53, wife Mary, 52, children Frieda, Semen, Frank, Livina, Cornelius, all born in Ohio.

Caroline Baker, 67, widow, emigrated in 1853.

George Hass, 32, emigrated in 1894, wife Barbara, 30, Iowa, daughter Gertrude, Ohio.

John T Becher, 46, Ohio, wife Rettie, 47, emigrated in 1881, children Carl, Roman, Albert, born in Ohio.

Walter Fickert, 22, Ohio, wife Minnie, 18.

Fred Kuhn, 39, wife Marie, 38, both born in Ohio.

Caroline Huffman, 87, widow, emigrated in 1849.

Conrad Freewalt, 65, wife Dora, 64, emigrated in 1869 and 1871 respectively.

Jacob Linn, 44, wife Elizabeth, 37, emigrated in 1872 and 1887 respectively, children Otto, Lucy Caroline, Peter, all born in Ohio.

Jacob Allmandinger, 44, wife Louisa, 28, both born in Ohio.

Elizabeth Huffman, 76, widow, emigrated 1845, daughter Elizabeth Huffman, 52, Ohio.

Henry Regedanz, 61, emigrated 1853, wife Emma, 53, Ohio.

Fred Schott, 28, wife Minnie, 23, both born in Ohio.

Anton Koch, 62, Ohio, wife Margaret, 64, Germany.

Henry Baker, 32, wife Margaret, 30, both born in Ohio.

Charles Bollenbacher, 64, emigrated 1852, wife Catharine, 64, Ohio.

Ferdinand Kable, 82, wife Catharine, 77, emigrated 1849 and 1852 respectively, children Louisa and Catharine, born in Ohio.

Caroline Strable, 53, widow, sons Philip, Edward, all born in Ohio.

Jacob Baker, 33, wife Katie, 24, both born in Ohio.

Marie Becher, 73, widow, born in Pennsylvania.

William Becher, 38, wife Catharine, 32, daughter Marie, all born in Ohio.  

What a difference in the reporting of the German-speakers between the two adjacent townships.

I suspect the enumerators interpreted question no.17 very differently in the two townships.

Or, who knows?

Maybe my great-grandparents could speak English better than we thought.

Jan 31

Skunks at Skeels Crossroads

It seems that southern Liberty Township had a pest problem some years back. And getting rid of the smelly little critters proved to be a problem for a couple men.

Below is a little news piece from a 1915 issue of The Celina Democrat, concerning the Alexanders from Skeel’s Crossroads.

Skeel’s Crossroad was a few miles south of Chatt, in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on State Route 49. It is just a crossroad today, but at one time it was a hamlet that had a post office by 1888. Their post office was discontinued in 1905 and their mail was sent to Celina. Skeels Road still exists today.

Celina Democrat, 19 Nov 1915

The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 19 Nov 1915:

SKUNKS
John and Alexander Kincaid, of near Skeels X Roads, were arrested last Friday by Deputy Game Wardens Herman Nohr, of Lewistown, and Harry Lininger, of this city, on a charge of killing and having skunks in their possession out of season. The season opened last Monday, the 15th.

They were taken to Coldwater and arraigned before Justice of the Peace D.W. Frick. They plead guilty and were each fined $10 and costs. The former settled, but Alex did not and was committed to jail until the fine and costs were paid. The mittimus to the sheriff was not properly made out and Sheriff Pumphrey would not accept the prisoner from the Butler township constable.

The constable took his man back to Coldwater and Squire Frick attempted to correct the mittimus. He then sentenced Kincaid to two days in the county jail and fined him $10 and costs. The error in the mittimus was corrected and Sheriff Pumphrey took charge of the prisoner.

Wednesday Mr. Kincaid, through his attorney Frank V. Short, filed habeas corpus proceedings before Probate Judge Raudabaugh and immediately discharged the court finding that the Justice had sentenced Mr. Kincaid to jail, when the law governing the matter provided for nothing more than a fine. The entire sentence of Kincaid was therefore declared illegal.

Well, that stinks!

Skunk

A couple things here.

They were arrested on Friday and the season opened on Monday, three days later. Someone was watching the Kincaids and their skunks very closely.

A $10 fine seems plausible, but jail-time for killing and having skunks out of season seems a little severe. Did that mean they had live skunks? Plus, Alex hired an attorney.

I had no idea there was a market for skunk pelts, but I guess there was and still is. I looked online and there are skunk coats. Actually, they are rather attractive and probably pretty warm.

I suppose people also trap skunks because they are a pest, nuisance, and a possible risk of rabies. Skunks like to live under decks and buildings and will spray a nasty oily scent on humans or pets if they are threatened. I know. We have had them here. We have never been sprayed, but they do create an unpleasant scent around their living quarters, which is sometimes beneath our deck.

Skunks are classified among the fur-bearing animals in Ohio’s codes. Not being a hunter or trapper, I did not know there was a skunk season.

From the website, Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, with Ohio codes, today’s rules:

Rule 1501:31-15-18 | Furbearing animals, seasons, and bag limits.
Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31 Chapter 1501:31-15 | Hunting and Trapping:

Unless otherwise provided by division rule, it shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess a furbearing animal at any time except during the respective open season. Provided further:

(1) The open season for hunting raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth through midnight, January thirty-first;

(2) The open season for trapping raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth through midnight, January thirty-first…

(7) Coyotes may be hunted and trapped year-round unless otherwise provided by division rule;

(8) The furbearing animals listed in this rule may be possessed at any time during the respective open season through the next immediate June fifteenth or by a person having a permit issued by the division of wildlife…

Skunks aren’t all bad and can be beneficial around the yard. They keep other pesky animal populations down and prey on rodents, grubs, rats, mice, moles, gophers, beetles, grasshoppers, yellow jackets, spiders, cockroaches, and snails. And they are kind of cute.

My closest encounter with a skunk was years ago, when I was about 10. Riding my bike, I rounded the corner of the barn and there was a skunk, right in front of me. Evidently I did not appear to be a threat to him and I was able to back away without getting sprayed. The incident made my heart race, though.

Skunk

A couple skunk jokes:

What did the skunk say when he went to church? Let us spray.

What did the skunks do with their letters? They scent them.

Yesterday I found a broken skunk. It was out of odor.

Where did the skunk go after losing his tail? A retail store.

Skunks don’t make dollars, they make scents.

Lastly, remember, today, January 31, is the end of skunk season in Ohio.

Jan 28

Tombstone Tuesday-Christ & Anna K. (Gehm) Linn

Christ & Anna K. (Gehm) Linn, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Twp, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Christ and Anna K. (Gehm) Linn, located in row 7 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LINN
Christ
1874-1953
Anna K.
1877-1941

Christian “Christ” Linn was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 28 April 1874, the son of Jacob (1838-1919) and Katharina (Mueller) (1839-1913) Linn. His parents were both born in Germany and immigrated to America in 1872 and settled in Liberty Township. His mother Katharina was the sister of my great-grandfather Jacob Mueller/Miller.

Christian “Christ” Linn with his family in 1880: Jacob Linn, 41, farmer; Katharina, 40; Jacob, 15; Philip, 12; Henry, 9; Christian, 6; and John, 6 months. [1]

Christ Linn married Anna K. Gehm on 3 May 1894 in Mercer County, married by Karl Mueller. [2]

Anna Katherine Gehm was born 13 December 1877, the daughter of William Gehm (1847-1893) and Barbara Brecheisen (1851-1914).

The William Gehm household in 1880: William Gehm, 32, wife Barbara, 28, and their four children, Jacob Gehm, 5; Henry Gehm, 4; Anne C Gehm, 2; and Mary Gehm, 5 months. William’s father, Philip Gehm, 60, also resided with them. [3]

Sic years after their marriage, Christ and Anna Linn and their four children resided in Liberty Township, where Christ was a farmer. Their family in 1900: Christopher Linn, 25; Anna, 23; Willie, 5; Bertha C, 4; Edith K, 2; and Clara M, 5 months. The couple had been married six years and four of their four children were living. [4] By 1910 they had another daughter, Laura, born in 1901, [5] and they had another son, Bevan, born in 1919.

By 1920, four of their six children had left home, leaving only Laura, 18, and Bevan, 7 months, living at home with their parents. [6]

In 1940 the family consisted of Christ Linn, 65; Anna K Linn, 63, wife; Bevan Linn, 32, son, single; and Laura Nelson, 38, daughter, widow. Daughter Laura lived in Adams County, Indiana, in 1935. [7]

Anna K. (Gehm) Linn died 25 May 1941.

In 1950, widower Christ Linn resided in Coldwater, Mercer County, Ohio, with his son Bevan Linn, Bevan’s wife Romania, and their daughter Linda. [8]

Christ Linn died 3 August 1953 in Coldwater, Ohio, age 79.

Christ Linn’s obituary:
Coldwater-Christ Linn, 79, a native of Liberty-tp, died Monday morning in Mercy Hospital here following a two-year illness. Mr. Linn was a retired farmer, a former trustee of Liberty-tp, and a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed church in Liberty-tp.

Surviving are one son, Bevan, Coldwater, with whom he had made his home for the last four years; four daughters, Mrs. Filmore Donovan, Celina; Mrs. Delphia Fennig, Wabash; Mrs. Ora Weil, Phoenix, Ariz; and Mrs. James Nelson, Celina; six grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Desch funeral home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. [9]

Christ and Anna (Gehm) Linn had the following children:
William Chris “Willie” Linn (1894-1953), married Martha Amelia Behmer
Bertha Caroline Linn (1896-1977), married Filmore A. Donovan
Edith K. Linn (1898-1977), married Delphia Enos Fennig
Clara M. Linn, (1899-1995), married Ora Weil
Laura Linn (1901-1984), married James Nelson
Bevan Wilbur Linn (1919-2005), married Ramonia E. Zumbrink

[1] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.477B, dwelling 114, family 121, Jacob Linn; Ancestry.com.

[2] Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Ohio, Mercer, 1887-1904, p.37, Christian Linn & Anna Gehm, 3 May 1894; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.479B, dwelling 144, family 152, William Gehm; Ancestry.com.

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.7, dwelling 156, household 156, Christopher Linn; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.2B, dwelling 37, family 37, Christ Linn; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 140, p.9B, dwelling 181, family 198, Christ Linn; Ancestry.com.  

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 54-22, p.11B, household 223, Christ Linn; Ancestry.com.

[8] 1950 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Coldwater, Ed 54-4, p.19, dwelling 184, Bevan W Linn; Ancestry.com.  

[9] Christopher “Christ” Linn, Find a Grave.com memorial no. 27666294, St. Pauls United Church of Christ Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio.