Oct 30

Tombstone Tuesday–Nimrod Headington

Major Nimrod Headington, Green Park Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

This is the tombstone of Major Nimrod Headington, located in Green Park Cemetery, Portland, Jay County, Indiana. His military veteran’s marker is inscribed, Major N. Headington, 34 Ind. Inf. A large Headington monument is nearby. According to his Indiana death record he died 7 January 1913 at the age of 85 years.

Nimrod was the son of Nicholas and Ruth (Phillips) Headington and is my fourth great granduncle. Nimrod Headington is another ancestor that I proved for the OGS lineage society, The Society of Civil War Families of Ohio. The requirements are that a direct ancestor or the brother of a direct ancestor served in the Civil War from Ohio or once resided in Ohio.

The following is his biographical sketch:

Colonel Nimrod Headington was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1827, and has lived in Portland, Indiana, since 1853. In September, 1861, he, with James W. Campbell, raised a company for the war of the Rebellion, which was assigned to the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and on its organization he was elected first lieutenant, and a year and a half later promoted to captain, his commission bearing date April 10, 1863. He was later commissioned major of his regiment, and January 3, 1865, lieutenant-colonel. He was mustered out February 21, 1866, his entire time of service being four years and five months. Colonel Headington participated in the battle of Baker’s Creek, or Champion Hills, where he was in command of his company, which lost seventeen men, killed and wounded, the entire division losing fifteen hundred men. Then followed the siege of Vicksburg, in which his regiment took an important part, and after the fall of Vicksburg moved on Fort Jackson, and thence to New Orleans, and participated in the Tesch campaign in Louisiana. Soon after this campaign they were sent via New Orleans to Matagorda Bay, and thence up the Rio Grande River four hundred miles to Ringgold Barracks, where their last duty was performed. Colonel Headington had many narrow escapes from rebel bullets during his long term of service, but his health became impaired, and for number of years following his discharge he was a continual sufferer from the effects of his army service.

In 1870 the Colonel built the Headington House, which he conducted twelve years. He was appointed postmaster in 1878, and served seven years. The faithfulness with which he discharged his duties as postmaster is indicated by the fact that at the end of his service his accounts were examined and it was found that he was indebted to the department nine cents, for the payment of which he holds a receipt. He is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1857 and 1858 he was surveyor of Jay County. Politically the Colonel is a Republican. He was reared a Democrat, but the firing on the nation’s flag at Fort Sumter changed his politics.

Colonel Headington was first married November 6, 1849, to Mary McDonald, by whom he had two children: Charles F., who is a member of the firm of Cartwright & Headington, and Thetis O., now the widow of the late Charles T. Tate. The mother died January 24, 1855. He was again married in September, 1858, to Rebecca Hawkins, who died April 1, 1880. His present wife was Mrs. Ruth A. Watson, daughter of William Haines. [1]

 

[1] Biographical Memoirs of Jay County, Indiana, (Chicago:  B.F. Bowen Co., Publishers, 1901), 300-1.

Oct 26

Our Ohio Century Farms

Herbert Miller, Ohio Century Farm, Miller Farm, est. 1873. (2008 photo)

A century is defined as one hundred consecutive years. Most of us will not live to experience that period of time so to have something that has been in the family at least a century is noteworthy. Especially if it is the family farm.

Land was very important to our ancestors. Many of our ancestors came to this country just so they could own property. Once they became property owners they worked hard and sacrificed much to keep and maintain their land.

In our family, two farms, one on my paternal side and one on my maternal side, have been in the family over one hundred years. And I think that is pretty special.

The Miller Farm was established 139 years ago by my paternal great-grandfather Jacob Miller. Schumm Evergreen Farm, was established 134 years ago by my maternal great-grandfather Louis J. Schumm. Both farms have stayed in the family all during that time.

When I heard about the The Century Farms of Ohio Recognition Program I knew I wanted to register our family farms. I enjoy joining lineage societies so of course I wanted to apply to this program. In 2008 I applied and received the recognition for both my parents as birthday surprises. I gave them the certificates and Century Farm signs as their gifts. Ithink it is rare that a married couple has farms on both sides that are designated as Ohio’s Century Farms.

Ohio Century Farms recognition, 2008 birthday surprises.

The Century Farms Recognition Program, also known as Ohio’s Century Farms Program, is a program developed and sponsored by The Ohio Department of Agriculture. Their website gives this description of the program:

The Century Farms Program recognizes families who have maintained a farm in their family for at least 100 consecutive years. Families who wish to have their farm recognized must submit a Century Farm Registration Form. Qualifying farms receive a certificate signed by the Governor of Ohio. Recognized farms may display the Century Farm yard sign. Signs may be purchased by contacting the Century Farm Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The Century Farms website also includes a list of Ohio’s Century Farms, a downloadable pdf version of the Century Farm Registration Form, newsletters and The Century Farms Special Recognition List.

As of 5 October 2012, Ohio’s Century Farms Program has 930 farms registered, with a farm registered in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Twenty-three Century Farms have been recognized in Mercer County and ten in Van Wert County. Ohio’s oldest registered Century Farm is the 240 year old Smiley farm in Adams County, established in 1772. This land was deeded to Alexander Smiley from King Georg III and was part of Virginia at that time.

Ohio’s Century Farms application was not too difficult to complete compared to some of the lineage applications I have filled out. It was four pages long and they asked for copies of deeds to show the chain of title. Deed research gave me an excuse to research at my favorite office at the courthouse, the Recorder’s Office. I also included some old family photos and farm photos with my application. There is no charge for applying to the program but you have to purchase the Ohio Century Farms signs if you want them.

Schumm Evergreen Farm, est. 1878. Florence Schumm Miller. (2012 photo)

Here is a brief history of our Century Farms of Ohio:

Jacob Müller/Miller emigrated from Germany in 1871 and purchased 80 acres of land in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, from Jesse Hartzog in 1873. Jacob’s son Carl Miller (my grandfather) purchased the land in 1919 and Carl’s son Herbert Miller (my dad) purchased the farm in 1974. The farm house was built in 1895 and barn was built in 1909. Both Carl and Herbert were born in the frame house. Jacob had a small herd of dairy cows and raised hogs and chickens. At one time there were seven working oil wells on the farm. My dad farmed the 80 acres until he retired from farming in 2003.

Jacob Miller (1843-1918).

Louis Schumm, son of immigrant Louis Schumm, purchased 80 acres of farm land from Henry Tindall in 1878 and 20 acres of woods from Henry Schumm in 1879. Both parcels are located in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. Louis’ son Cornelius Schumm (my grandfather) purchased the farm in 1938 and Cornelius’ daughter Florence Miller (my mother) purchased the farm in 1986. The farm house was built before 1872 and the barn was built in 1886. Cornelius and Florence were both born in the farmhouse. The Schumm farm is known as Evergreen Farm, named from the time when Louis and Cornelius maintained an elaborately trimmed evergreen hedge around the yard. Cornelius owned and operated a sawmill at the edge of the woods for many years.

Louis (1851-1938) & Cornelius (1896-1986) Schumm.

Wheat, soy beans and a little corn are grown on the farms today.

Make sure you take notice of the Ohio’s Century Farms signs as you travel through Ohio. Those farms contain a lot of history.

Oct 23

Tombstone Tuesday–Nannie B. Headington

Nannie B. Headington, Liber Cemetery, Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana.

This is the tombstone of Nancy “Nannie” Headington, located in Liber Cemetery, Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana. The marker is inscribed:

Nannie B.
Wife of
J.W. Headington
Died
Feb’y, 9, 1871
Aged
35Y. 2 M. 19 D.

Nancy “Nannie” Bosworth was born 21 November 1835, as calculated from her tombstone. She was one of twelve children born to Dr. Jacob and Nancy (Westlake) Bosworth. Her father was born in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, and moved to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he and Nancy Westlake were married 17 February 1820. [1] The 1850-70 census enumerations indicate that Nancy was born in Indiana, so the Bosworth family had moved to Jay County by that time.

Nannie Bosworth married John W. Headington on 9 May 1858 in Jay County, Indiana. [2] John and Nannie had four children: Austin B., Alice (married J.H. Roll), Harry N. (died at age 22), Mary G. (wife of A.A. Richardson). [3]

Nannie B. Headington, Liber Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

 

[1] The Ohio Genealogical Society, Ohio Marriages Recorded in County Courts Through 1820, An Index, (No place: privately printed, 1996), 103, citing Gallia County Marriages Vol. 1, p.91.

[2] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959,” abstracts, FamilySearch.org (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 October 2012), for marriage of John W. Headington and Nannie Bosworth, record 949, digital folder 4714925.

[3] Biographical Memoirs of Jay County, Indiana, (Chicago:  B.F. Bowen Co., Publishers, 1901), 295-98, 611-12.

 

Oct 19

Chattanooga News in the 1930s

Johnson’s Garage, Chattanooga, Ohio. (1972 photo)

Old issues of hometown newspapers may contain some interesting news and human interest items about the locals. I noticed a regular “Chattanooga News” page in old issues of The Willshire Herald as I looked for obituaries in that local newspaper. I find these old issues on microfilm at the Van Wert County Library. The Willshire Herald, a weekly newspaper, is now called The Photo Star. Willshire is about eight miles north of Chattanooga, Ohio.

The “Chattanooga News” feature, with a sub-category of “Just for Fun”, seemed to be particularly popular in the 1930s. The “Just for Fun” column was a bunch of little items about the people of Chatt and what they were doing each week. My dad thought that Carl Schroeder, and maybe his wife Marcella, provided the information to the newspaper.

Carl and Marcella Schroeder went to our church, Zion Lutheran in Chatt, and they were both school teachers. In fact, Marcella Schroeder was my second grade teacher. Carl was also a barber in Chatt.

Marcella Schroeder, second grade teacher and most likely Chattanooga reporter for The Willshire Herald.

These little items tell a little about the people in the village of Chattanooga—what they did for a living and what they did in their spare time; their sense of humor and the fun they had in their close-knit rural community. There most likely is a story behind each little item.

All of the following items are from issues of The Willshire Herald during the Great Depression. I’m sure they all enjoyed some humor during that time period.

Ivan Johnson and Hod Becher were favorites and were mentioned nearly every week. Ivan (1892-1969) ran Johnson’s Garage and I remember my dad talking about him. Odas L. Becher was nicknamed Hod Becher (1901-1971). They must have been a pair of real characters!

  • Ivan Johnson took advantage of the fact that most of his neighbors were gone Sunday evening and brought out the old fiddle. It wasn’t long until he had the Irish reel in full swing. (28 September 1933)
  • Beware of short changing at Johnson’s Garage!  (10 February 1933)
  • Ivan and Floyd shed quite a few tears at the Station last Sunday morning when their pal left this time without them. (24 August 1933)
  • Ivan Johnson is complaining about his sweetheart wife not doing the cooking to suit his taste and if he wouldn’t be such a tightwad and buy her something to cook with, she would surely cook to suit his taste. (10 February 1933)
  • Ivan Johnson, wife and daughter, Genevieve, and Perry Gibbons spent Sunday at the Orville Felver home in Gas City, Ind. (3 February 1933)
  • Ivan Johnson made a trip to Rockford one day last week to purchase some valentines. (23 February 1933)
  • Ivan Johnson purchased a portable battery charger. If it isn’t on exhibition the day you call, please ask Ivan for full information. (19 January 1933)
  • Bill Betzel has been helping Ivan milk his cow. (11 May 1933)
  • The people in Chatt have been wondering just what Hod Becher will turn out to be. The State game warden has been out from Columbus and stated that by Hod’s looks and actions, noticing his nose in particular, he is a full blooded moose. Anybody doubting this write for a free photo anywhere in U.S. Postage will be prepaid. His address is Rockford, O., R. No. 4. (10 February 1933)
  • Hod Becher has made much improvement in 1932. You know he was road roller. He now is a Chevrolet salesman and delivers cars to all states, especially the western states of Kansas and Colorado. We all wish Hod a prosperous business for 1933 and a promotion to a higher office. (3 February 1933)

Ivan Johnson

Did Hod Becher know some of my Brewster relatives?

  • Hod Becher was a caller at the Frank Brewster home Wednesday night, Jan. 25.  (3 February 1933)

What did the Chattanoogians do in their spare time?

  • NOTICE: The Anti-Loafing Society will meet at my home Wednesday evening, October 4. Every member is urged to be present. (By order of the president) Vivian Carr. (28 September 1933)
  • Hazel Vining said, “No more ball games.” It makes her too nervous. Floyd had to call Dr. Miller twice Saturday night.  (27 July 1933)
  • Chas. Carr, Glenn Schott, Melvin Mosier, and Leo Slusser will fulfill the contract this week of painting a thousand feet of Mercer county bridges.  (31 August 1933)
  • Mrs. Vivian Carr has discontinued buying cream for the Cloverleaf Creamery at Decatur, Ind., since last Monday a week ago. Mrs. Carr worked for this company for thirteen years in Chattanooga. (24 August 1933)
  • HELP WANTED! Some reliable party to teach the ladies of Chattanooga (whose husbands spend at least seven days and nights in a pool room) the art of playing cards. Mrs. Carr has already stated that she can learn if she will give up her job as can washer and spend her time helping the “Justice of the Peace” with his cards as it is a much more profitable business. Anyone wanting the job please call on any of the ladies as they can always be found at home waiting. (10 February 1933)

Just who was Chattanooga’s “Justice of the Peace”? It seems Charley Carr was called the JP.

Evidently selling a vehicle was newsworthy:

  • SOLD, CHEVROLET TRUCK. The firm of Wendel and Raudenbush of this place, sold a ton and a half Chevrolet truck last week to William Timmerman of Coldwater. Mr. Wendel made a trip to Flint, Mich., Tuesday for it and made the delivery to Mr. Timmerman Wednesday.  (10 February 1933)
  • Hod Becher, Lewis Wendel and wife motored to Celina last Thursday. Mr. Wendel and wife came back in a 1933 Chevrolet Coach. It certainly is a fine looking car.  (3 February 1933)

The Schroeders seemed to know everything that happened:

  • OVER-EXERTION ALMOST FATAL–Pat Heffner was critically ill one day last week. Pat was unloading chickens and one old hen escaped. Pat went after it at the rate of forty miles an hour. The hen was finally caught by school boy, but the excitement and fast running caused Pat’s blood pressure to mount so high that a physician was called at once and advised pat to eat nothing but ice cream for the next two weeks in order to cool off.  (19 January 1933)
  • Herbert Brandt was seen washing his face in the water tank one evening last week. An old horse with a look of amazement stood nearby watching him.   (27 July 1933)
  • Wanted—An old alarm clock to put in the back of Mike Bollenbacher’s Ford so he can tell when the wee hours of the morning come, telling him when to go home… (19 January 1933)

There was even an item about my aunt Ruth:

  • Miss Ruth Miller, who is in nurses’ training at Ann Arbor, Mich., is spending her summer vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller, south of town. Monday she underwent a tonsil operation at Berne.  (3 August 1939)

It looks like the citizens of Chattanooga had a lot of fun, even during the Depression Era.

 

Oct 16

Tombstone Tuesday–John Wesley and Laura E. Headington

John Wesley and Laura E. Headington, Green Park Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

This is the tombstone of John Wesley and Laura E. Headington, located in Green Park Cemetery, Portland, Jay County, Indiana. The marker is inscribed:

HEADINGTON
John Wesley
Headington
1833-1911
Laura E. His Wife
1852-1918

 A Civil War marker at the graveside is inscribed, Maj. Jno. W. Headington, 100 Ind. Inf.

Maj. John W. Headington, 100th Indiana Infantry.

John W. Headington’s autobiography: I was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 13th, 1833. My parents were Nicholas and Ruth (Phillips) Headington, who emigrated from Maryland in the early part of the present century. I was educated in the common schools of Ohio and came to Portland in September, 1853, where I have lived ever since. In 1856 I commenced the study of law with Hon. J.M. Haynes, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. In May, 1858, I was married to Miss Nancy Bosworth, a daughter of Dr. Jacob Bosworth, who died in 1874. In August, 1862, I enlisted as a private in Co. H., 100 Regiment Indiana Vol. Inft. On the organization of the company I was elected captain of the company at Wabash, Indiana, where we first sent into camp. We were at once ordered to Indianapolis and in old Camp Morton we began to school ourselves as soldiers. We graduated early, partly on account of our proficiency and partly because of necessity. On the 11h of November, 1862, we started for the field of battle and landed at Memphis, Tenn., where we joined Grant’s army on his campaign through Mississippi, which was defeated by the fall of Holley Springs in our rear, and we were forced to retire to Grand Junction, Tennessee… [1]

John W. was promoted to Full Major on 1 June 1864 and was promoted to Full Lieutenant Colonel on 21 May 1865. He mustered out on 8 June 1865 at Washington D.C. [2] John’s Regiment, the 100th Indiana, was engaged in at least 25 battles and several skirmishes.

John W. Headington married Nancy “Nannie” Bosworth in May 1858. She was a daughter of Dr. Bosworth, of Jay County. John and Nannie had four children: Austin B., Alice (married J.H. Roll), Harry N. (died at age 22), Mary G. (wife of A.A. Richardson). Nannie died in 1874 and John married Laura E. Haines on 13 February 1876. They had six children: Frank, Etta (married Charles Freemyer), Billie, Raymond L., Lena and Nellie.

Colonel Headington was a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, where he was post commander of the Stephen J. Bailey Post No. 154. His wife Laura was a member of the Eastern Star and they were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. [3]

Colonel John Wesley Headington, “Reminiscences of Adams, Jay and Randolph Counties”

John Headington died 19 January 1911 in Portland at the age of 77 years. [4] Laura E. Headington died 7 March 1919 in Portland at the age of 63 years. [5]

John W. Headington is my fourth great-granduncle. I have proved both John and his brother Nimrod for the Ohio Genealogical Society’s lineage society, Society of Civil War Families of Ohio.

 

[1] Reminiscences of Adams, Jay and Randolph Counties, Indiana, (Fort Wayne, Indiana: Lipes, Nelson & Singmaster, job printers, 1897), 166.

[2] Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA, “American Civil War Soldiers, database on-line,” abstracts, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 15 October 2012), John Headington, Union, Indiana, Enlistment 11 Sep 1862.

[3] Biographical Memoirs of Jay County, Indiana, (Chicago:  B.F. Bowen Co., Publishers, 1901), 295-98.

[4] Various Indiana county death records indexed by the Indiana Works Projects Administration, “Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920, database on-line,” abstract from Book CH-2, page 23, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 15 Pctpber 2012), John Headington.

[5] Various Indiana county death records indexed by the Indiana Works Projects Administration, “Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920, database on-line,” abstract from Book CH-2, page87, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 15 October 2012), Laura E. Headington.