Nov 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Catharina Schaeffer

Catharina Schaeffer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2016 photo by Karen)

Catharina Schaeffer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2016 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Catharina Schaeffer, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. This small marble tombstone stands only about 3 feet high and is located in what was probably the back of the cemetery in 1877. The marker is inscribed:

CATHARINA
Wife Of
PHILIP
SCHAEFFER
Died 1877
Aged 49Y
Gone but not forgotten

This is another one of those mysterious grave markers in Zion Chatt’s cemetery, one of a handful of tombstones in the cemetery that marks the final resting place of someone about which nothing is recorded or known.

Who was Catharina Schaeffer?

Neither her death nor her burial is recorded in the church records. In fact, she is not mentioned in the church records at all. Not even in the communion records. Very few individuals with the surname Schaeffer, or other spelling variations of that name, are mentioned in the Zion Chatt’s records. It just was not a common surname around the Chatt area.

In addition, her death does not appear to have been recorded in Mercer County Probate.

Catharina’s grave marker is badly weathered and very difficult to read. When the Mercer County Chapter OGS read the cemetery in 1990 they transcribed a word in the second line of the inscription as “dau” [daughter] of Philip, but Find a Grave.com records it as “wife” of Philip.

That would certainly make a big difference. Was Schaeffer Catharina’s maiden name or was it her married name? Was Philip her father or her husband?

The other day we stopped at the cemetery for another look at the tombstone and to take more photos.  I agree with both tombstone readings that Catharina died in 1877 and was 49 years old. That means she was born in about 1828. But the most weathered, unreadable part of the inscription is the word “wife” or “dau.”

The word looks like “wife” to me. The D on Died in line five does not look like the first letter of the word that would be Dau. Plus there is a tall letter in the mystery word that looks very much like the f in “Of” in the same line, which would make sense if the word was “wife.”

Catharina Schaeffer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2016 photo by Karen)

Catharina Schaeffer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2016 photo by Karen)

Where was Catharina Schaeffer in 1870?

There were a couple Schaeffers/Shaffers living in the area at that time.

There was a Catharine Shaffer living with the Christian Beinz family in Dublin Township in 1870. She was 50 years old, not a very good age match for our Catharina, but census enumerations are notorious for their age ranges. That Catharine lived closer to Chatt than the 57-year-old Catharine Shaffer living with the John Shaffer family in Gibson Township in 1870. Again, the age is a problem.

And what about Philip Schaeffer? My heart skipped a beat when my search for him came up with a Phillip Shaffer (1834-1902), born in Ohio, a physician who lived in the Wabash, Indiana, area. Another Zion Chatt Cemetery mystery immediately came to mind–Dr. Benjamin Franklin Edgington, his wife Eliza, and his daughter Carrie (Edgington) Eichhorn Friedell. Déjà vu. Could this be the burial place of yet another physician’s wife? No. This was not the person I was looking for. Dr. Phillip Shaffer probably never practiced in Ohio and he was not married to a Catharina.

There is at least one Schaefer mentioned in Zion Chatt’s records–Anna M. (Schaefer) Grauberger, who is also buried in Zion’s cemetery. Anna is buried next to her husband George Adam Grauberger.

If you go with the “daughter of Philip” inscription and if Schaeffer was Catharina’s maiden name, I would look at Anna Schaeffer’s family, wondering if the two women might have been sisters. Their ages would have been close enough. Anna was born in 1833 and Catharina was born about 1828.

That would really be a stretch, though, especially since I cannot positively determine if the tombstone says “wife” or “dau.”

More information is definitely needed for this one.

Yet, another Zion Chatt Cemetery mystery…

Nov 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Karen’s Chatt. I wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Postcard, c1910

Nov 22

Tombstone Tuesday–Fred W. & Maria W. (Springer) Becher

Fred W. & Maria W. Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Fred W. & Maria W. Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Fred W. and Maria W. (Springer) Becher, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BECHER
Maria W. 1888-1958
Fred W. 1887-1960

Friedrich Wilhelm “Fred” Becher was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on 2 September 1887 to Johann and Louise Friederike (Mamber) Becher. His father was born in Liberty Township and his mother was born in Württemberg. Fred was baptized at Zion Chatt on 25 September 1887 with George Becher and Emilie Rieger as sponsors. He was confirmed at Zion Chatt by Rev. R.V. Schmitt on 31 March 1901.

Fred Becher married Nora Arminte Fennig on 7 September 1909. They were married by Rev. J.L. Marvin of New Corydon, Indiana, although their marriage license and return was recorded in Mercer County. Nora was the daughter of H.J. and Anna (Locker) Fennig of Washington Township, Mercer County, Ohio. [1]

After their marriage Fred and Nora lived along Brandt Pike in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, where Fred farmed. [2]

Fred and Nora had two children, Clifford Cornelius (1911-1992) and Werner LeRoy (1915-1979). Nora Becher died on 2 September 1915 from septicemia poison following the birth of their second child Werner LeRoy. She was 33 years, 1 month, and 26 days old.

With two very young children to raise, widower Fred Becher married Maria W.L. (Springer) Itskin on 14 October 1916 in Allen County, Indiana. Maria lived in Sheldon, Indiana, at the time of their marriage and was 28 years old. Fred Becher’s residence was Willshire, Ohio, and he was a 29 year-old farmer. [3]

Maria Wilhelmina Louise Springer was born 29 June 1888 in Sheldon, Pleasant Township, Allen County, Indiana, the daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Leininger) Springer, according to Zion Chatt’s records. One Ancestry.com account indicates her father’s name was Frederick August and her mother’s name was Philippina Catherine Leininger. According to Zion Chatt’s records Maria was baptized and confirmed at St. Marks in Yoder, Indiana.

Their marriage record indicates that this was her third marriage and that she was twice divorced between the years 1913 and 1915. Maria married Oliver W. Itskin on 26 May 1910 in Allen County, Indiana. [4] Maria and Oliver Itskin had a son, Lorraine Itskin, born in 1914. They divorced in August 1913 and Maria married Joseph A. Current on 25 August 1914 in Allen County, Indiana. [5] 

In 1920 Fred and Maria Becher lived in Black Creek Township, Mercer County. In the household: F.W. Becher, 32; Maria, 31; Clifford, 8; Lorraine, 5; Verner, 4; Luis, 2. Note that her son Lorraine Itskin was listed as a Becher and was born in Indiana. Fred was a farmer. [6]

The Fred W. Becker household in 1930: Fred W, 43; Mary W, 42; Werner L, 14; Louis A, 12; J Lorraine A Itskin, 16. They lived on State Route 51, wherever that was. [7] Could they have meant State Route 49?

In 1940 Fred and Maria were the only two people in their household. Fred was 52 and Maria was 51 and they had lived in this same house in 1935. [8]

Maria (Springer) Becher died from cardiac and kidney failure at 10:00 p.m. on 29 March 1958 at the Berne Nursing Home. She was 69 years and 9 months old and was buried on 1 April. Her address was Route 1, Willshire, but she had resided at the nursing home four weeks. Her physician was Dr. N.E. Beaver, who was also our family physician back then. Yager Funeral Home, Berne, was in charge of arrangements. [9] Maria was survived by her husband, sons Lorraine Itskin and Louis Becher; 2 stepsons, Clifford and Werner Becher, 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 5 brothers: Louis, William, George, Ed, and Harold; 5 sisters: Mrs. Martha Doermann, Amelia Zellinger, Esther Hartman, Ada Buttearl, and Loretta Grover, according to Zion Chatt’s records.

Fred W. Becher died of a stroke on 10 December 1960 at the Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Indiana. He was 73 years, 3 months, and 8 days old and was buried on 12 December. Fred was a retired farmer whose address was Route 1, Willshire. His son Louis Becher was the informant for the information on his death certificate. Dr. Norman Beaver was his physician and Yager Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Fred was survived by brothers, 3 sons: Werner, Clifford, and Louis and his step-son Lorraine Itskin. [10]

Fred and Maria (Springer) Becher had one son:
Louis (1917-1994), married Maryan Ferry; married Eileen Prior

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 15 Aug 2015), Fred W. Becher and Nora A. Fennig, 7 Sep 1909; citing Mercer County, Ohio Marriages, Vol. 9, p.539, from FHL microfilm 914958.

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Blackcreek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 107, p. 3A, dwelling & family 48, Fred W. Becher; FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 15 Aug 2015); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[3] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 20 Nov 2016), Fred W. Becher and Maria W.L. Itskin, 14 Oct 1916; Allen County Marriages, Vol. 44, p.311; FHL microfilm 2130027.

[4] Marriage Index, 1800-1941,Oliver W Itskin to Minnie Springer, 26 May 1910; Index to Marriage Record 1824-1920, WPA, 1938-1940, from County Clerk’s O, Book 34, p.262.

[5] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 20 Nov 2016), Joseph A Current and Minnie W. Itskin, 25 Aug 1914; Allen County Marriages, Vol. 41, p.165; FHL microfilm 2111593.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 124, p.11A, dwelling & family 117, FW Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Nov 2016); FHL microfilm 2341584, NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[7]1930 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 0001, p.5B, dwelling & family 215, Fredric W Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Nov 2016); NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[8] 1940 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-1, p.9B, line 69, Fred W Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Nov 2016); NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

[9] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Nov 2016), Mrs. Fred W. Becher, 29 Mar 1958, no. 7395; Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

[10] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Nov 2016), Fred W. Becher, 10 Dec 1960, no. 40779; Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nov 18

Advertising Chattanooga Businesses

Today, a blast from the past—some old advertising giveaways from Chattanooga, Ohio, businesses.

I enjoy collecting these items and they sure bring back a lot of memories. Memories of some businesses that were once in Chatt—Fisher Hardware, Wendel Brothers Motor Sales, Heffner’s Grocery, and the Chatt Home Restaurant.

A tear-off shopping list from Heffner’s Grocery:

Heffner's Grocery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Heffner’s Grocery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

A pretty picture and thermometer from Wendel Motor Sales. We always called it Wendel’s Garage.

Wendel's Garage, Chattanooga, Ohio

Wendel Motor Sales, Chattanooga, Ohio

Wendel's Garage, Chattanooga, Ohio

Wendel Motor Sales, Chattanooga, Ohio

This piece was made in Monroeville, Indiana.

Wendel's Garage, Chattanooga, Ohio

Wendel Motor Sales, Chattanooga, Ohio, back of photo.

Most of the advertising items I have are from Fisher Hardware. Fisher’s had a nice hardware and appliance store and they sold John Deere implements as well.

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Bullet pencils and a match book from Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio.

From Fisher Hardward, a perfectly good fly swatter, in nearly-new condition.

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

The Farmer’s Pocket Ledger, 1953-54, compliments of Fisher Hardware.

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Fisher Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio

Some items from the Chatt Home Restaurant and Bar.

Chatt Home Restaurant

Chatt Home Restaurant

The Chatt Restaurant and Bar is the only one of these businesses that is still open today.

I hope these items bring back some pleasant memories for you, too, and that you enjoy reminiscing about the bygone businesses in Chatt.

Nov 15

Tombstone Tuesday–Darleene Becher

Darleene Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Darleene Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Darleene Becher, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

DARLEENE Dau. of
L. & M. Becher
1939-1941

Norma “Darleene” Becher was born in Berne, Adams County, Indiana, on 2 September 1939. She was the first child born to Louis Fredrick and Maryan (Ferry) Becher. Darleene was baptized by Rev. Yahl at Zion Chatt on 15 October 1939, with Lorain and Magdalene (Hone) Itskin as her sponsors. Darleen’s father was from Blackcreek Township and her mother was from Geneva, Indiana. Louis and Maryan Becher lived in Berne at the time of Darleene’s birth and Louis worked as a clerk in a meat market. [1]   

Darleene Becher birth certificate. [1]

Darleene Becher birth certificate. [1]

In 1940 the Louis Becher family lived in a rented home at 260 East Main Street in Berne. Louis and Maryan were both 21 years old and Darleen was nine months old when the 1940 census was taken. Louis worked as a clerk in a meat market and Maryan was a housewife. They had lived in a rural area five years before. [2]

Darleene died at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 25 November 1941, at the young age of 2 years, 2 months, and 23 days. She had been a patient there for 25 days. Her death certificate and the church records indicate that she died of rectal cancer. Yager and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral arrangement. Her death certificate indicates that the family was living at 240 E. Walnut Street in Fort Wayne at the time of her death. She was buried on the 28th.  [3]

Darleene Becher death certificate. [3]

Darleene Becher death certificate. [3]

According to Zion Chatt’s records Darleene was survived by her parents, grandparents, 3 great-grandparents, 4 uncles, 3 aunts, and 1 cousin.

 

[1] Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940, Norma Darleen Becher, 2 September 1939; database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); Indiana State Board of Health, Vol. 76-80, Roll no. 16, #39070, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

[2] 1940 U.S. Census, Ed 1-6, p. 3A, line 36, Louis Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 1024.

[3] Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Norma Becher, 25 Nov 1941; database on-line, Ancestry.com  (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Nov 2016); Indiana State Board of Health, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.