Aug 24

Schumm Signatures, 1849

Have you ever wondered what your ancestor’s signature looked like? If you have an ancestor from the Schumm, Ohio, area, their signature may be written below.

Below is a list of names from the old record book of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, that dates back to 1849. Johann G. Streckfuss was Zion’s pastor and their records were written in German, using the old Gothic script handwriting. Although I do a fair job at reading the German names I really don’t know the German language and cannot read the rest of the document.

These pages appear to be Zion Schumm’s 1849 membership list, following what appears to be Zion’s first church constitution. I believe these are the actual signatures of the men, not just a list that one person wrote. All the signatures are different, indicating many individuals signed their names to the list.

In some instances a death date or some other notation is written by a name. Gestorben or ist gestorben means that the person had died. The † symbol also indicates the person had died.

The numbering of the names is a little difficult to follow because someone tried to keep this list of names updated. When a member died someone crossed out their name and number and then renumbered the list. Later they tried to renumber the list by writing a new number to the right of some of the names.

In the transcription below I numbered them as the numbers were first started, but I did not cross out numbers. I did add the numbers that were inserted to the right of the names.

I did pretty good. There were only two surnames that I could not read.

 

Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  1. Johan G. Streckfuss, Pastor
  2. Friedrich Schumm
  3. Johann George ?
  4. Georg Martin Schumm
  5. Georg Michael Schüler

Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  1. Adam Ehrenmann (gestorben)
  2. Jacob Bienz
  3. Ludwig Schumm (ist gestorben)
  4. Johannes Bienz
  5. Jacob Schumm († ist gestorben)

Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  1. Michael Geissler Sen. (ist gestorben) 7.
  2. Martin Geissler († gestorben)
  3. Jacob Diedrich 8.
  4. Baals Konradt [Konradt Baals] 9.
  5. Georg Geissler 10.
  6. Johann Georg ?

Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  1. Friedrich Schinnerer 11.
  2. Conrad Meyer (Fort Wayne)
  3. Eberhardt Zimmermann 12.
  4. Johannes Büchner 13.
  5. Johann Georg Schüler (ist gestorben)
  6. Michael Geissler 14.
  7. Christoph Kreiselmeyer 15.

    Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  8. Johann Martin Gaier 16.
  1. Christian Ehrenmann 17.
  2. Pankratius Schinnerer (ist gestorben den 8 Jul 1857) 18.
  3. Martin Schinnerer 19.
  4. Georg Adam Kolb 20.
  5. Georg Michael Grub 21.

Signatures of members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, 1849.

  1. Leonhardt Meyer 22.
  2. Georg Steeger 23.
  3. Johann Grund 24.
  4. Nickolaus Geissler 25.

Michael Grund (gestorben) 26.
Johann Hofmann 23.
Adam Dietrich 24.
Adam Büchner 25.
Johann Schwab 26.
Christian Bienz 27.

I have a couple direct ancestors on this list and many other distant relatives. My direct ancestors are Friedrich Schinnerer and Ludwig Schumm. Unfortunately, John George Schumm, the father who immigrated with his five children in 1833, died in 1846. His signature is not on this list.

Aug 21

Tombstone Tuesday–Mina Juliana Schumm

Mina Juliana Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Mina Juliana Schumm, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Minna Juliana
Tochter
Fr. und Margaretha
SCHUMM
Geboren den 11 Mar [illegible]
Gestorben [illegible]
Alter [illegible]

Minna Juliana, daughter of Fr. and Margaretha Schumm, born on 11 March [illegible], died [illegible], age [illegible].

This tombstone is broken off and lying on the ground. It is weathered and parts of it are illegible. The Van Wert County Chapter OGS read the cemetery in 1992 at that time they were able to read a little more of the inscription. Although they had difficulty reading the stone, they read the dates as: 11 Mar 1876-2 Aug 1876, age 6 months. They indicated that they were unsure of the 2 August date.

However, the exact dates can be determined by consulting Zion Schumm’s records, which record her baptism and death.

According to Zion Schumm’s records Mina Juliana Schumm was born 11 March 1876, the twin of Anton Hugo Schumm. They were the third and fourth children of Friedrich Jr (1844-1907) and “Margaret” (Ehrenmann) (1847-1885) Schumm.

Mina Juliana and her twin brother were both baptized on 19 March 1876. Mina’s baptismal sponsors were Mrs. Maria (Germann) Schumm and Barbara Schumm, with Mrs. (Anton) Katharina Kramer also noted in the baptismal record. Mina’s brother Anton Hugo’s sponsors were Friedrich G. Schumm II and Anton Kramer.

As I mentioned last week, 1876 was a year of ups and downs for the Friedrich Schumm Jr family. The year began sadly when their son Theodor Wilhelm, just over 3 years of age, died on 30 January 1876.

Less than two months later, on 11 March 1876, the couple celebrated the birth of twins Anton “Hugo” and Mina Juliana.

Sadly, one of the twins, Mina Juliana, died 22 September 1876, at the age of only 6 months. She was buried on the 24th.

Children born to Fred and Margaret (Ehrenmann) Schumm:
Theodor Wilhelm (1872-1876)
Katherine Magdalena (1874-1958), married William Adam Buechner
Anton “Hugo” (1876-1932), married Ada Alpha Wilson
Mina Juliana (1876-1876)
Leona Barbara (1877-1958), married Philip Fredrick Martin Schumm
Henrietta Amalia (1879-1947), married Andreas “Friedrich” George Roehm
Maria Elizabeth (1881-1966), married Heinrich “Henry” Dietrich
Clara May (1883-1883)
“William” Lorenz (1884-1961), married Minnie Katherine Gunsett

Margaret (Ehrenmann) Schumm died 27 June 1885 and Friedrich Schumm Jr married Maria Catharina Buechner (1861-1930) on 6 September 1888.

Friedrich Jr and Maria Catharina (Buechner) Schumm had the following children:
Justine Louise (1889-1889)
Amos Clemens (1891-1974), married Esther Emilie Schumm
Erna Theresa (1894-1971), married Walter Emanuel Schumm
Naomi Margaretha (1897-1982), married Arnold Ludwig Schumm.

 

Aug 17

Some Photos from Velma Schumm’s Collection

Today, some old Schumm picture postcards from the Velma Schumm collection. Velma was always very good about labeling and identifying the people in her photos, so it is always a joy to look at them.

A review of Velma’s family, who she identified on most of these postcards: Velma’s dad was Philip Schumm (1882-1968) and her mother was Leona Barbara (Schumm) (1877-1958). Her Uncle Amos Schumm (1891-1974) was Velma’s mother’s half-brother, the son of Friedrich Schumm Jr. and his second wife Maria (Buechner). Velma’s Uncle Charlie Schumm (1875-1954) was her father’s brother. Her Uncle Charlie was married to Jeanetta “Jennie” Bury (1875-1916) and their children were Donna (1900-1950) and Charles (1914-2001).

Velma wrote on the first postcard: Uncle Charlie’s tenant’s house. Ben Handwerk had lived there. Dad and Uncle Amos on right, Charles in front.

Philip, Amos, Charles Schumm, on the right.

The next postcard is a photo of an old car and Velma identified the people as Henry and Lydia Schinnerer and George M. Schumm. I am not sure of the order, but Henry Schinnerer may be on the left.

Henry & Lydia Schinnerer, George M. Schumm.

There is no caption on this postcard, but in this day and age in this area, it looks like Amish buggies parked in the barnyard while their owners have their church service. This may have been at the Charles Schumm residence on what is now route 33. I believe it looks like their barn.

Velma Schumm postcard.

This photo was taken in front of the Brumback Library in Van Wert and shows Charles Schumm and his daughter Donna:

Charles Schumm ad his daughter Donna.

Another photo taken in front of the Brumback Library, shows Velma’s Uncle Charlie, his wife Jeanetta, and their children Donna and Charles. I also have a copy of this postcard and wrote a blog post about it some time back.

Charles Schumm, wife Jeanetta, children Donna and Charles.

Another unidentified photo. This farmer may or may not be a Schumm.

Unidentified photo.

The last postcard is a view of a train wreck that occurred 1 mile south of Rockford on 23 February at 11 p.m. Unfortunately, no year was written on the postcard. I am not sure exactly when or where this would have occurred.

Train wreck 1 mile south of Rockford, Ohio, 23 Feb, 11 p.m., year unknown.

Thanks to Norm and Mike “Spank” at the Shane’s Crossing Historical Society/Rockford Museum for allowing me to scan these postcards. Velma was a devoted member of the Shane’s Crossing Historical Society and donated quite a few items to them, which are on display there. It is a very nice museum, loaded with lots of local historical items and worth the trip to visit.

Aug 14

Tombstone Tuesday–Theodor Wilhelm Schumm

Theodor Wilhelm Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2018 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Theodor Wilhelm Schumm, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Theodor Wilhelm
Sohn von
Fr. Und Margaretha
Schumm
Geborn
24 Nov. 1872
Gestorben 30 Jan. 1876
Alter 3 Jahr, 2 Mo, 6 Tag

Theodor Wilhelm, son of Fr. and Margaretha Schumm, born 24 November 1872, died 30 January 1876, age 3 years, 2 months, 6 days.

Theodor Wilhelm Schumm was born 24 November 1872, the first child born to Friedrich Jr (1844-1907) and “Margaret” Ehrenmann (1847-1885) Schumm. He was baptized 8 December 1872, with Friedrich Schumm Sr and Wilhelm Schumm serving as his sponsors.

1876 was a year of tragedy and happiness for the Friedrich Schumm Jr family. The year began sadly when their son Theodor Wilhelm died on 30 January 1876 and was buried on 1 February.

Less than two months later, on 11 March 1876, the couple celebrated the birth of twins Anton “Hugo” and Mina Juliana.

Sadly, one of the twins, Mina Juliana, died 22 September 1876, at the age of only 6 months.

Theodor’s parents went on to have eight children after Theodor Wilhelm’s birth:

Katherine Magdalena (1874-1958), married William Adam Buechner
Anton “Hugo” (1876-1932), married Ada Alpha Wilson
Mina Juliana (1876-1876)
Leona Barbara (1877-1958), married Philip Fredrick Martin Schumm
Henrietta Amalia (1879-1947), married Andreas “Friedrich” George Roehm
Maria Elizabeth (1881-1966), married Heinrich “Henry” Dietrich
Clara May (1883-1883)
“William” Lorenz (1884-1961), married Minnie Katherine Gunsett

Theodor’s mother Margaret died in 1885 and in 1888 Friedrich Jr married Maria Catharine Buechner (1861-1930). Friedrich Jr and Maria Catharine had the following children:

Justine Louise (1889-1889)
Amos Clemens (1891-1974), married Esther Emilie Schumm
Erna Theresa (1894-1971), married Walter Emanuel Schumm
Naomi Margaretha (1897-1982), married Arnold Ludwig Schumm

Theodor Wilhelm Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. Negative view (2018 photo by Karen)

Theodor’s tombstone is in the children’s section of Zion Schumm’s cemetery and is the first marker along Schumm Road, at the north end of the cemetery. It appears there may be other graves to the north of it, but their stones did not survive.

 

Aug 10

The Last Schumm Postmark, 1953

Last weekend was the biennial Schumm reunion. It was a very hot day but a good-sized crowd, estimated at about 200 descendants of John George Schumm, gathered on the grounds of Zion Lutheran Church for the day-long activities. It was a very good and enjoyable reunion.

2018 Schumm reunion (2018 photo by Karen)

Yes, it was a good Schumm week.

Earlier in the week I acquired a postcard with a Schumm postmark. This postcard was postmarked on the last day the Schumm post office was open, 31 January 1953. Written on the back, in a nice feminine script: “Last Day, Schumm, Ohio.”

Last Schumm, Ohio, postmark, 31 Jan 1953

Last Schumm, Ohio, postmark, 31 Jan 1953

It is addressed to Lyman Thomas, 1811 N. W. 9th Street, Gainesville, Fla, and was postmarked in the afternoon of that closing day.

The little village of Schumm, just north of Zion church, was named after John George Schumm and his five children who settled in the area in 1838. Schumm was once a place where passengers could board and depart at the Cloverleaf Railroad Station, later the Nickel Plate. Where a sawmill and elevator once operated. And where a U.S. Post Office was once located.

The post office at Schumm was situated in the second house south of the railroad track, on the east side of Schumm Road. The post office was in the front part of the home.

Schumm Post Office, c1930.

Schumm Post Office was established in 1881 and Martin J. Schumm was appointed as its first postmaster on 31 December 1881. Henry Schumm, George F. Schumm, and Henry M. Schumm were the next three postmasters, serving during the years 1885-1903. [1]

The list of Schumm postmasters and their appointment dates, 1881-1940 [1] :
Martin J. Schumm (31 December 1881)
Henry Schumm (29 April 1885)
George F. Schumm (30 June 1885)
Henry M. Schumm (4 August 1886)
Herbert I. Hileman (18 June 1904)
Wm O. Tickle (27 February 1905)
Elias F. Sheets (21 December 1905)
Logan Wolfe (29 March 1906)
Wm A Colter (23 September 1908)
Gustave J. Schumm (13 November 1912)
George Weinman (14 September 1916)
Mrs. Pearl A. Debolt (26 November 1928)
Matie M. Stevens (31 October 1929)
Mrs. Cleta A. Johns (1 December 1930)
George Weinman (23 November 1931)

The Schumm Post Office closed January 1940 when George Weinman retired after 19 years as the postmaster. The mail was then sent to Willshire, but just for a few months. A petition to reopen the post office was signed by the residents of the community and the Schumm Post Office was reopened on 16 April of that same year, with Emanuel H. Schumm appointed as its postmaster.

Emanuel Schumm served as postmaster for the next 13 years, but the Schumm Post Office again closed, this time for good, in 1953.

The Schumm Post Office was closed forever on 31 January 1953 and the mail was once again sent to Willshire.

What a nice addition to my local postmark collection.

 

[1] U.S., Appointments of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971, Vol 38, c1873-91, p. 478-9; and U.S., Appointments of US Postmasters, 1832-1971, Vol 79, c1891-1930, p. 575-77; digital images by subscription Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 September 2014), from NARA microfilm publication M841, roll 101.