Oct 10

To Adam Kable, Esq, Hinton, Ohio

Below is an old envelope, addressed to Adam Kable, Esq, Hinton, Mercer County, Ohio.

To Adam Kable, Esq, Hinton, Mercer County, Ohio, 1901.

The postmark date is nearly impossible to read but is probably from about 1901.

To Adam Kable, Esq, Hinton, Mercer County, Ohio, 1901.

Hinton was a hamlet with post office, located at Oregon and Erastus Durbin Roads. Their Post office operated from 1890-1904.

The return address is Chas. J. Fox, County recorder, Celina.

Adam Kable (1861-1948) was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, and was the son of Ferdinand and Catharine (Bollenbacher) Kable, both German immigrants. He was married twice, first to Maggie Miller (1861-1889), and then to Catherine Huffman (1862-1913). Both preceded him in death.

Adam lived his whole life in Liberty Township and, according to census records, was a farmer.

The envelope referred to Adam as Esq, short for Esquire, a term that was often used for an attorney. The term used to imply that the individual was licensed to practice law. However, by the early 20th century, the term esquire was used as a general courtesy title for any man in a formal setting, with no precise significance, and was usually used as a suffix to his name.

The handwriting on this envelope is beautiful and reminds me of a time when people took pride in their penmanship. My mom also had beautiful handwriting and I remember that she enjoyed practicing her handwriting. Maybe I should try that because sometimes I have a hard time reading my own handwriting.  

I wonder what correspondence might have been in this old envelope, addressed in such a formal manner.

I want to thank David for sending me the photos of this envelope, in reference to Adam Kable’s Tombstone Tuesday blog post. [1]

[1] Karen’s Chatt, Tombstone Tuesday-Adam Kable, 29 Sep 2023.

Oct 03

Mercer County Cemeteries Online

Mercer County has a new online resource for cemetery research that includes detailed information about the county’s cemeteries, their locations, cemetery readings, and information about veterans’ burial places, available through the Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website.

All this thanks to Julie Peel, Mercer County Recorder, and Janell Weiss from the Mercer County Auditor’s Office. They worked with advanced geographic information systems students from Miami University to make the information available to the public.  

Access to the cemetery information is on the Mercer County Recorder’s website, https://www.mercercountyohio.org/elected-officials/recorder/

Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website

On that page, in the header, click on the Search Records. URL: https://www.mercercountyohio.org/elected-officials/recorder/search-records-2/

On that next page are 6 items under the Search Links and 2 of the links are specifically related to Mercer County cemetery research, Cemetery Records Search and Cemetery Map Search.

Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website, Search Links

Cemetery Records Search, URL: https://cemeteries.mercercountyohio.gov/  brings up 8 more links, Veterans Grave Registrations 2025 PDF and 7 volumes of Mercer County cemetery readings by the Mercer County Chapter Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS).

Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website, Veterans Grave Registrations 

The first link, VeteransGraveReg2025.pdf, brings up a PDF file of the Veterans Grave Registrations information and cemetery plat maps of Mercer County cemeteries, made during the WPA era.

Mercer County, Ohio, Veterans Grave Registration, Mercer County Recorder’s Office

Mercer County, Ohio, Veterans Grave Registration, Mercer County Recorder’s Office

The information on this PDF is very interesting because it gives burial information (section, lot, grave) about Revolutionary War, War of 1812, War with Mexico, Civil War, Spanish American War, and WWI veterans who are buried in Mercer County, with a plat map of each cemetery. A little information about the cemetery is also included.  

The other 7 PDF items on this page are 7 volumes of Mercer County cemetery readings made by the Mercer County Chapter OGS, made roughly around 1990. Their readings are in 7 volumes, organized by township.

Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website, Cemetery Inscriptions, 7 Volumes.

About 35 years ago the Mercer Chapter OGS recorded the inscriptions of the readable tombstones in each Mercer County cemetery, including information about each cemetery, as well as information about veterans’ graves. These books contain invaluable information because some of these tombstone inscriptions are no longer readable and some of the tombstones may no longer exist. These books are a great resource and I use them all the time.

Note, the Mercer County Chapter OGS has published 8 cemetery inscription books in all. The 8th volume, containing Granville and Marion Townships, will be added to the cemetery information on the Recorder’s website soon. And, if you prefer the print version, all 8 volumes, in book form, are still available to purchase from the Mercer Chapter, order information at mercerogs@gmail.com .

The other item for cemetery research on the Search Links page is Cemetery Map Search.

Mercer County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office website, Search Links

Clicking that link will bring up a page that contains a map of Mercer County showing all the cemeteries. URL: https://merceroh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=aa6ddabbebfb47ccbce252597bb96c42  

Cemeteries in Mercer County, Ohio, Mercer County Recorder’s Office

Clicking on a specific cemetery brings up an informational pop-up about that cemetery.

Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio, Liberty Township

Information includes alternate name, address, location (latitude & longitude), township, the cemetery’s link to FindaGrave.com, WPA Plat link (the WPA information mentioned previously), genealogy link (a link to the Mercer County Chapter OGS cemetery inscription book), and facts about the cemetery.  

Zion Lutheran Cemetery Information, Liberty Township

Zion Lutheran Cemetery Information, Liberty Township

Zion Lutheran, Liberty Township, WPA plat map, Mercer County Recorder’s Office

This gives you some idea and examples of what you can expect to find while exploring these pages.

A big thanks to all who make this resource available online to the public.

I think you will find the information very helpful for your genealogical research. I know I will!

Sep 30

Tombstone Tuesday-Margaret (Deitsch) Kable

Margaret (Deitsch) Kable, St. Paul Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Margaret (Deitsch) Kable, located in row 5 of St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Margaret Kable
1845-1925

Margaret Martha Deitsch was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 6 March 1845, the daughter of John Jacob Deitsch (1814-1859) and Catharine (Deitsch) Deitsch (1821-1900). [1]

The John Jacob Deitsch family in 1850: Jacob, 37; wife Catharine, 39; children Susan, 9; Elizabeth, 8; Michael [sic], 5; Philip, 4; Catharine, 2; and William, 1 month. Margaret was enumerated as Michael in this census. Her father Jacob was a farmer. [2]

Margaret’s father died in 1859, leaving behind a widow and 10 children. Margaret was 15 years old and the third oldest child in the family. [3]

Margaret Deitsch married John Kable in Mercer County on 4 February 1869, married by St. Paul Liberty’s pastor Rev. George Heintz. [4] 

The groom John Kable was born in Bavaria on 1 December 1843 and was the son of Christian Kable (Sr) (1814-1885) and Dorothea (Maurer) Kable (1815-1904). The Kables also attended St. Paul Lutheran, Liberty Township church.

A year later John and Margaret had a baby son. The John Kable family in 1870: John, 26, Prussia; Margaret, 25, Ohio; John Kable, 2 mo, Ohio; Emma Gibson, 8, Illinois. John Kable was a farm renter. [5]

By 1880 John Kable and wife Margaret had five children: John P, 10; Sophia, 8; Christian H, 6; Jacob, 4; and William, 9 months. John was a farmer and his oldest son helped on the farm. [6]

John Kable died on 12 November 1881, at the age of 37. He was survived by his widow Margaret and 5 children under 15 years of age.

In 1900 and 1910, widow Margaret Kable’s two youngest sons, Jacob and Willie H, both single, lived with her. Both censuses indicate that Margaret had given birth to 5 children and all of them were living. [7] [8]

By 1920 widow Margaret Kable, 74, lived with her son William H, age 40, who was a farmer and single. [9]

Margaret (Deitsch) Kable never remarried and she died in Liberty Township on 6 September 1925, aged 80 years. She was buried on the 9th in what they called Deitsch Cemetery. [1]

Margaret’s husband John is also buried in row 5, a few stones away from Margaret.

John and Margaret (Deitsch) Kable had the following children:
John P Kable (1870-1961), married Anna D. Weitz
Sophia Kable (1872-1977), married William A Bock
Christian Henry Kable (1874-1941), married Luvella “Lula” Fredericka Schmidt
Jacob Kable (1876-1970), married Bertha Helen Linn
William Henry Kable (1879-1948), married Elizabeth Katharine Anselman

[1] Ohio Death Certificates, 1925, Mercer County, Margaret Deitsch Kable, 6 Sep 1925; FamilySearch.org.

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.287A, dwelling, family, Jacob Deistch [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.356, dwelling 970, family 975, Catharine Deitch [sic]; Ancestry.com.  

[4] Ohio, U.S. County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Mercer, Vol. 1861-1887, p. 212, John Kable & Martha [sic] Deitsch, 4 Feb 1869; Ancestry.com.  

[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.146A, dwelling 63, family 58, John Kable, Ancestry.com.

[6] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.481A, dwelling 175, family 183, John Kable; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 85, p.13, dwelling 240, family 246, Marguret [sic] Kable; Ancestry.com.

[8] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.8B, dwelling 147, family 148, Margeret Kabler [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[9] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 140, p.5A, dwelling 89, family 93, Wm H Kable; Ancestry.com.

Sep 26

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster

Today, a blast from the past. A cartoon-like advertising poster/map of the Celina-St. Marys area, created for the 1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon.

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster

“Crappiethon” fishing events were held on Grand Lake for several years and were very popular. Prize money was awarded and a lucky fisherman could win $50,000 if he caught the Crappie named Tanglefoot.

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster

I don’t remember who gave me this poster, but I’m pretty sure it was someone who came into the St. Marys office.

The poster features caricatures of businesses and a general idea of their location. Things are not quite to scale, but it is fun to look at the map and remember businesses that are no longer there, that have changed their name, or have moved to a different location.

How many of these businesses do you remember?

Take a trip down memory lane.

On the Celina side of the poster: JC Penney, Uppercut Styling Salon, Goldstein’s, Pogue’s, Bair Pharmacy, The Orchard Tree Restaurant, Huffy Bicycles, and Rax Restaurant.

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster, Celina side.

More on the Celina side: Gospel Gift & Book Shop, Lake Front Racquet & Health Club, Bob’s Audio & Video, Martin’s Restaurant, Lake View Carryout, and in Montezuma, Arnie’s Corner Restaurant.

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster, Celina side.

There is even a little historical information about Mercer County.

1988 Crappiethon poster, historical information.

On the St. Marys side of the poster: The Innlet, Paris Cleaners, Happy Humpty, S & W Motel, Lucky Steer, Koch’s Restaurant, The Old Canal Inn, and Grand  Carriage II. In Wapakoneta, the Chalet Inn and Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum are featured.

1988 Grand Lake Crappiethon Poster, St. Marys side.

More from the St. Mary’s side: Logan Furniture, Good Year Tire & Rubber, and Coat of Arms Restaurant.

1988 Crappiethon poster, St. Marys side.

I remember just about every one of these businesses and miss many that are no longer there.

 

 

Sep 19

Wapakoneta Murals

Wapakoneta, the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, has several murals in and around town.

Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was born on a farm near Wapakoneta (aka Wapak) and the town celebrates Armstrong and his accomplishments.

About three miles east of Wapakoneta, on the north side of US 33 and visible when traveling west, is a giant mural of the moon and Armstrong in a space suit.

Armstrong mural by John Cerney, 3 miles east of Wapakoneta, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

The mural is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, celebrated in 2019. The mural was created by California artist John Cerney in 2020 and is Ohio’s first Cerney mural. Cerney has created artwork in 28 states and Canada.  

There is a space and moon theme all throughout the town. On the east end of town, near I-75, is the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, a great place to visit, if you haven’t already. 

On the north side of Auglaize Street, near Lengerich Garden and the Downtown Parkway, is a gathering and walkway area that includes a seated statue of Neil Armstrong and a space mural.

Neil Armstrong mural, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Armstrong statue & mural, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Just down and across the street, there is a veterans’ memorial that also boasts a giant space helmet that literally reflects the historic downtown area.

Veterans’ Memorial, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Veterans’ Memorial, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

All around town they have cleverly disguised traffic utility boxes with moon and space-related paintings.

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Painted traffic utility box, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

A mural that looks like an early 20th century postcard of downtown Wapak is mounted on the corner of Auglaize and Park Streets. It was installed by the Auglaize County Historical Society in 2024, the beginning of the Picture Yourself in Auglaize County project, funded by the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation and individual doners.

Mural, Wapakoneta, Ohio. (2025 photo by Karen)

Another mural, Beauty of Diversity, on the corner of Auglaize and Willipie Streets, celebrates the arts along “Artist Avenue.”

“Beauty of Diversity,” Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Eight pieces of artwork are showcased below the mural. Note that the windows also have artwork. 

Artist Avenue, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

Artist Avenue, Wapakoneta. (2025 photo by Karen)

In addition, the Wapakoneta Post Office has a mural inside the lobby. The mural, Wapakoneta and American History, was painted by Joseph Limarzi during the New Deal-era. The mural features Native Americans, men felling trees, and farmers feeding livestock.  

“Wapakoneta and American History,” Wapakoneta Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Mural signed Joseph Limarzi, Wapakoneta Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

The Wapakoneta Post Office was built with WPA labor and the mural was funded through commissions under the Federal Treasury Department’s section of Painting and Sculpture, to showcase the best possible art in post offices constructed between 1934 and 1943. 

Yet another local town with historic, beautiful murals.