Wishing blessings to you and your family this Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas from Karen’s Chatt.
Dec 24
Merry Christmas
Dec 20
Chattanooga, Christmas 1933
Heffner & Heffner Grocery, Andrews Garage, Lehman’s Home Restaurant, Egger’s Grocery, Dr. Metcalf, Johnson’s Garage, Smith & Sons Hardware, Wendel’s Motor Sales, Schroeder’s Barber Shop, Vining Stock Yard,.
Do any of these businesses sound familiar? They were business establishments in Chattanooga, Ohio, back in 1933. They all had advertisements and Christmas greetings in the 1933 Christmas edition of The Willshire Herald.
Last week I posted some Dear Santa letters from some Chatt residents, printed in that same 1933 Christmas newspaper. This week we’ll take a look those Chattanooga business ads and Christmas greetings.
1933 Christmas edition, Willshire Herald.
Lehman’s Home Restaurant. Could there be a connection to Barney Lehman, the former owner of the current Chatt Bar & Restaurant? Next to it was an ad for Heffner & Heffner, which I assume was Heffner’s Grocery.
Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933
Heffner Grocery
Christmas Greetings, 1933, and Best Wishes for 1934 from S.S. Egger and family, Chattanooga, Ohio. Egger Grocery was south of the Chatt Bar. In his building was a grocery, the post office and the undertaker.
Andrews Garage: Have your car checked for winter. Come in any time. We have light oil and alcohol. Your spark plugs may be off–have them tested free. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Dr. Fred Miller Veterinarian, Phones: Wabash Mutual, Rockford and Willshire.
Merry Christmas and All Good Wishes for the New Year from Smith & Sons Hardware, Chattanooga, Ohio.
Vining Stock Yard advertised a Community Sale every Friday night beginning at 6:30: Good native farm horses each week. Good cows, hogs and sheep. If you have anything you wish to sell, bring it here and we will help you sell it as high as possible. Phones–Rockford, Willshire and Wabash.
Wendel’s Motor Sales: New and used cars. General automobile and body and fender repairing–Duco and all kind of top repair work.
Carl Schroeder offered a hair cut for 25 cents and a shave for 15 cents at his barber shop.
Smith & Sons Hardware had a second ad: Sheet metal work of all kind, roofing and spouting, plumbing work, Jack Brasher, Tin Shop Manager.
At A. Smith’s portable feed mill: We grind and mix: oats, barley, wheat, corn, rye, hay, soybeans, alfalfa, corn stalks, chicken feed; We go anywhere. Phones, Wabash and Willshire.
Chatt had a physician and surgeon in 1933: Dr. Metcalf, Physician and surgeon. Office hours 12 M to 1 p.m., 8 to 9 p.m. (Except Sunday), Dr. Miller’s Office. Phones– Wabash 16-31, Willshire 109-R11, Rockford 258.
Floyd Vining had graded, good quality, Michigan white sand russet potatoes for sale.
Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for A Happy and Prosperous New Year from Ivan Johnson. He sold Willard batteries, Goodyear tires, and Sinclair Products at his garage.
Johnson’s Garage, 1933 Willshire Herald.
Yes, Chatt was a thriving community in 1933 and these ads give us a good idea of the businesses and services offered in the village.
Dec 17
Tombstone Tuesday–J. J. Schumm
J.J. Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of Johann Jacob Schumm, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. All that is legible on the marker is J. J. Schumm.
Johann “Jacob” was the sixth child born to Johann Georg and Ann Maria (Fisher) Schumm. Jacob was born 26 Sep 1815 in Rupppertshofen, Württemberg, and as a young man he came to America with his father, sister, and three brothers in 1833. The Schumms lived in Holmes County, Ohio, for about five years before moving to Willshire Township in Van Wert County, on 7 June 1838. Jacob married Hannah Boyer on 15 February 1839 Van Wert County. [1]
There is some conflicting information concerning the maiden name of Jacob’s wife Hannah. According Zion Schumm’s records, Jacob married Hannah Herzog on 15 February 1839. In a later entry, for the baptism of their son George, the church records give Hannah’s maiden name as Billman. Van Wert’s marriage record indicates her name was Boyer. Perhaps this was a second marriage for Hannah?
Jacob was among the white make inhabitants enumerated in Willshire Township in 1839. [2] He was enumerated in the 1840 census of Willshire Township and his household consisted of a female 15-20 years of age and a male child under five. [3] Johann Jacob was naturalized 2 October 1843 in Van Wert County. Henry Reichard and Thomas R. Kear witnessed the event. [4]
Jacob Schumm owned the southwest quarter of Section 23 in Willshire Township. This parcel of land, which consisted of 160 acres, was originally purchased by his father, Johann Georg Schumm in 1837. I have not found the deed transferring this land to Jacob but Jacob had possession of the land in 1845 and 1849 when he sold acreage to Martin Geisler and Michael Billman. [5]
Jacob Schumm died of consumption on 31 August 1853 near Schumm and was buried on 1 September, according to Zion’s records. He was only 37 years 11 months and 5 days old, as calculated from the church records.
According to Zion’s records Jacob’s widow Hannah married widower Georg Steger on 25 July 1854. Hannah was born on 5 October 1822 in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and died 21 March 1878. I do not know where she is buried.
Jacob and Hannah had five children:
Daniel (1840-1863; died in the Civil War)
Katherina (1846-1929), married John Henry Lankenau
George Christian (1848-1848)
Ludwig (1849-1849)
Isabella (1851-1903), married Ferdinand Meyer
I originally featured this tombstone in a post on 11 March 2011, explaining why I believe this is the marker of Johann Jacob Schumm, the immigrant. In that post I explained how I came to that conclusion after studying Zion Schumm’s records and the other Schumm tombstones that are inscribed with “J” or “JJ” or Jacob.
[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1004,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VN31-9SL : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Jacob Schom and Hannah Boyer, 15 Feb 1839; citing Vol. 1937-1840, Van Wert, Ohio, United States, reference; FHL microfilm 1016002.
[2] History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc. , 1991), 141.
[3] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 69, line 28, Jacob Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 December 2013); from FHL microfilm 0020178, from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 431.
[4] Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Journal A: 160.
[5] Van Wert County Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. F: 448 & Vol. E: 183.
Dec 13
What Chatt Folks Expect of Santa Claus, 1933
The folks of Chattanooga, Ohio, have always been a close-knit community with a knack for making the best of the times. Even during the Great Depression. They worked hard in the little village but they also knew how to have a good time. And they enjoyed kidding around with each other.
Some of this good-natured kidding was in the “Chattanooga” section of the weekly local newspaper, The Willshire Herald, back in the 1930s. Perhaps it was because the country was in the midst of the Great Depression that the residents looked to the fun newspaper items as a diversion.
Individuals [or probably one person in particular] wrote Dear Santa letters in 1933 and they were published in the Christmas edition of The Willshire Herald.
The Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933.
These Dear Santa letters are not what you might expect. They were not written by the children of Chatt, but were written by the adult Chattanoogians. These were probably based on funny incidents that we will never know about.
So read about some good old-fashioned Chattanooga fun at Christmas time. Many of you will recognize some of the names.
WHAT CHATT FOLKS EXPECT OF SANTA CLAUS
Dear Santa: I have been a very good little girl and I would like some nice curls to pin in my hair, a toy piano, some oranges and grapefruits. Orville would like a red wagon and a story book about “The Tree Bears.” Your little girl, Ruth Hoblet.
Dear Santa Claus: Guess you didn’t receive the letter I sent you last year so I’m asking you again, dear Santa, please! Bring me a new car. I feed the cow and chickens every day and have been making buckwheat cakes for Carl’s breakfast since the first cold day we had last fall. If you still think I am asking too much just leave a stick of dynamite and a match and I’ll take care of the rest. Your little girl, Marcella Schroeder.
Dear Santa: I would like a story about “When Man Was Boss.” If you do not have a book of such an early edition then send me the popular book of the day, “Woman, the Queen over the Land, Air and Water.” Bud Smith.
Dear Santa: Please bring me a compass so I can always find my way home. Fred Wick.
Dear Santa: We are two little boys just out of school and would like to correspond with lady friends about seventeen years old. Our dad lets us drive the family cars now and then so we could go to a few movies. Your choice will suit us OK, Santa. Your little friends, Glenn Schaadt and Reginald Fisher. P.S. Did you help Luther Egger and Warren Weisenborn find their lady friends?
Dear Santa: I would like a violin that can be played by just turning a crank. I promise never to play the same tune twice if I have to buy a hundred records a year. You may also bring me a Jersey cow. Your little boy, Ivan Johnson. P.S. I haven’t told a lie this year.
Ivan Johnson Garage, Chattanooga, The Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933.
Dear Santa: Please send me a brand new beau, a string of beads and a ring. With love, Margy Wendel.
Dear Santa: I would like a tall and broad-shouldered farmer boy, if you please. Berniece Bollenbacher.
My Dear Santa: I want another bottle of dog medicine (Floyd drank the last I bought), some more Michigan potatoes, another permanent and some oranges. Your own little Hazel Vining.
Please Dear Santa: Bring me a License of Leisure of the year 1934. Hod Becher.
Dear Santa: I would like to trade wives for one of small stature and less power. Your little boy, Andy Myer.
My Dear Santa: I would like a baseball mask and a chest protector. Your little friend, Lewis Wendel.
Dear Santa Claus: I never argue with my husband and always cook his favorite dishes so won’t you please bring me a new coat, a new hat, (I made a beautiful black dress out of some material I found in the rag bag so you don’t need to bring a dress). If you have plenty of jewelry please leave me four strings of beads with earrings to match. Dot Smith.
Please Dear Santa: Have all the chickens yell for egg mash Christmas morning. Francis Bollenbacher. [1]
Marcella Schroeder was my second grade teacher at Willshire School and I have heard that she wrote the fun Chatt items for the paper. If so, she probably wrote these Dear Santa letters, too.
[1] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 22 December 1933, p. 8.
Dec 10
Tombstone Tuesday–Friederich & Magdalena Schumm
Friederich & Magdalena Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of Johan Friederich and Magdalena Schumm, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
SCHUMM
Hier ruhet in Gott zu Eheleute
Friederich und Magdalena Schumm
Magdalena Schumm
Geboren
Den 4 Sept. 1819
Gestorben
Den 15 Marz 1897
Friederich Schumm
Geboren
Den 24 April 1814
Gestorben Den 6 Aug. 1902
Translation: Here rests in God the married couple Friederich and Magdalena Schumm; Magdalena Schumm, born 4 September 1819, died 15 March 1897; Friederich Schumm, born 24 April 1814, died 6 August 1902.
Johann “Friederich” was the fifth child born to Johann Georg and Ann Maria (Fisher) Schumm, born 24 April 1814 in Rupppertshofen, Württemberg. He came to America in 1833 with his father, sister, and three brothers. They lived in Holmes County, Ohio, for five years before moving to Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 7 June 1838.
“Friedrich cleared his wooded land with an ax by himself and made for himself one of the finest homes in Willshire Township. He had 260 acres of well-improved land, with good substantial buildings.” [1]
Friederich Schumm farm, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, 1882.
Friederich applied for a land patent on 26 April 1837 to acquire the northeast quarter of Section 22 in Willshire Township, consisting of 160 acres. The final certificate was signed by President Martin Van Buren and issued 10 October 1840. [2] Friederich sold the east half of this tract of land to his brother-in-law Michael Schüler for $100 on 10 March 1840. [3] Friederich then purchased the northwest quarter of Section 26, consisting of 160 acres, from his father Johann Georg on 10 March 1840 for $200. [4]
Friederich and his wife deeded ½ acre of this land to the Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm [Dütch Lutheran Church] on 10 January 1842. [5] A frame church was built on this land in 1855, built on the east side of Schumm Road, just north of the cemetery. The railroad had right of way through his land and in 1894 Friederich sold a parcel of his land to the Schumm Creamery Company. [6]
Friederich was enumerated in Van Wert County in the 1840 census. In addition to Friederich was a female, age 20-30, and a male and female under five years of age. He and his family were listed next to George Schumm and Jacob Schumm in 1840. [7] Friederich was naturalized 2 October 1843 in Van Wert County, Henry Reichard and Thomas R. Kear as witnesses. [8]
While in Holmes County Friederich married Magdalena Meyer/Meier on 15 August 1838. [9] According to the Zion Schumm’s records, Magdalena Meyer was born 4 September 1819, in Kleburg [Cleebourg?] bei Weiszenburg in Elsass. She died of a heart ailment on 15 March 1897 at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 11 days and was buried on the 18th.
Friederich & Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm, 1882.
Friederich died 6 August 1902 near Schumm. According to Zion’s records he died of old age, at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 27 days and was buried on the 24th. Friederich was the last surviving member of the Schumm family that immigrated in 1833. His obituary:
An Old Settler Dies
Frederick Schumm Sr., of Schumm, died Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., age 88 years. Funeral Sunday morning at ten o’clock. He had lived in the county 65 years and was one of the early pioneers. [10]
Friederich and Magdalena (Myer) Schumm had the following children:
Wilhelm Schumm (1840-1906), married Maria Heffner
Johann Schumm (1842-?)
Friedrich Schumm Jr (1844-1907), married Margaret Ehrenmann; married Maria Büchner
Catherine Isabella Schumm (1846-1907), married David Stamm
Johann Jacob Schumm (1848-1862)
“Hannah” Margaretha Schumm (1849-1927), married Rev. Johann Zimmerman
“Maria” Barbara Schumm (1851-1928), married Johann Zimmerman
“Lewis” George Schumm (1853-1939), married Catherine “Cassie” Bonnewitz
George Friedrich Schumm (1856-1927), married Sadie McClellan
Maria “Barbara” Margaret Schumm (1858-1951)
George Martin “Henry” Schumm (1861-1941), married Henrietta Wilhelmina “Minnie” Hoppe
George Conrad “Ferdinand” Schumm [Rev] (1864-1926), married Minnie Brockmeyer; married Minnie Felkner
[1] History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc. , 1991), 254.
[2] U.S. Bureau of Land Management, “Patent Search,” database, General Land Office Records (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx : accessed 1 December 2013), entry for Frederick Schumm, Lima office, Doc. no. 9728.
[3] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 281.
[4] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 280.
[5] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. N: 207.
[6] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. 46: 588.
[7] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 69, line 26, Frederick Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 December 2013); from FHL microfilm 0020178, from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 431.
[8] Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Journal A: 159.
[9] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-59B : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Frederick Schum and Magdalena Meyers, 15 Aug 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 53, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference 276; FHL microfilm 477144.
[10] Van Wert Democrat, Van Wert, Ohio, 8 August 1902.
Karen Miller Bennett, CG®, Retired 2024
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You are welcome!
You're welcome, Karen. I'm still working on this also. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful Mercer County…
Very interesting and great picture (I had neersee before) of the church! Thanks for sharing this, Karen.
Ha! I see why you say that. Your original surname was probably something similar to Schmitt.
Thank you for letting me know.