Feb 07

Tombstone Tuesday-Masonic Tombstone Art

Masonic symbols are usually easily identified on tombstones. The Masons, also known as Freemasons or Free and Accepted Masons, is a fraternal society that originated in the Middle Ages from stonemason and cathedral builder guilds.

Mason, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

The most common Masonic symbol seen on tombstones is the square and compass, the tools used by masons and carpenters. The square represents morality and the compass represents measuring the ability to wisely conduct actions. The letter G is often in the center of the square and compass. The G may mean God, geometry, gnosis, or the ancient Hebrew letter with the value of 3.   

Mason, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

Masonic symbol superimposed over Bible, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

Members are awarded degrees, some as high as 32 and 33.

32nd Degree Mason, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

33rd Degree Mason, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

33rd Degree Mason, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

The Masons have several auxiliary organizations, called appendant bodies. The Order of the Eastern Star is open to both women and men but is probably known more as a women’s branch. The Eastern Star symbol is a five-pointed star with the bottom point pointing downward toward the manger. The meaning of the letters FATAL is reportedly revealed only to members but I have read that they represent the words Fairest Among Thousands Altogether Lovely.

Order of Eastern Star, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

This Order of Eastern Star symbol has its acronym, OES.

Order of Eastern Star, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

The boys Masonic branch is the Order of DeMolay and the girls branch is the Order of Job’s Daughters or the Order of the Rainbow.

Another group connected to the Masons is the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, usually known as the “Shriners.”  

Shriner, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

Feb 03

1911 Postcard to J.S. Egger

How interesting that a postcard sent over a century ago, to a state over 700 miles away, eventually ends up within a few miles of its origin.

This 1911 postcard is addressed to J.S. Egger in Hornick, Iowa. Egger is a surname that was familiar in the Chatt area at one time.

1911 postcard to J. S. Egger from Freda.

Rev. Samuel Egger (1857-1948) was born in Monroe County, Ohio, married Mary Buckio there in 1882, and by 1900 he and his family had moved to Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, where he was the minister of the UCC church near Chatt for 38 years. Rev. Egger spent the rest of his life in Mercer County and is buried in St. Paul’s Cemetery on Oregon and Wabash Roads.

Rev. Egger’s oldest brother was Jacob Samuel “J.S.” Egger (1851-1947), also born in Monroe County, Ohio, and moved to Iowa about 1881. He remained in Iowa the rest of his life.

The Egger family kept in contact with one another. This is the second old postcard I have that was sent from Rockford to J.S. Egger in Hornick, Iowa.

The postcard, postmarked Rockford, Ohio, Sep 14, 1911
To Mr. J.S. Egger
Hornick, Iowa

Message:
Just received word from the girls that they are coming today & Freda will have to leave Friday. Don’t worry if she don’t get home until Tuesday for pa will go to Chicago with her Monday. Freda

1911 postcard from Freda, to J.S. Egger, Hornick, Iowa.

Two Fredas are mentioned in the message, the message-writer and the Freda who is leaving for home.

There were in fact two Freda Eggers, first cousins, about the same age. Rev. Samuel Egger had a daughter Freda (1887-1980), who married Jacob Henry Brehm (1889-1953). Rev. Samuel’s brother in Iowa, J.S. Egger, had a daughter Friederike Julia “Freda” (1890-1986), who married Clarence Sulsberger (1892-1971).
 
I am guessing that the Mercer County Freda wrote the letter to her uncle J.S. Egger in Iowa, concerning her cousin Freda’s travel arrangements. Cousin Freda from Iowa was probably visiting family in Mercer County. The pa mentioned was likely Rev. Samuel Egger.

Of course, this is just speculation. The postcard may have been written by the Iowa Freda.

Jan 31

Tombstone Tuesday-J.W. Smith WOW Monument Unveiled, 1910

As I was reading through the 1910 issues of The Celina Democrat, this article got my attention. It tells about a Woodman of the World [WOW] cemetery marker that was unveiled 31 July 1910 on the grave of Jacob Walther Smith, at North Grove Cemetery in Celina.

The Celina Democrat, 5 Aug 1910. Smith monument unveiled.

Jacob Walter Smith died 5 October 1909, at the age of 34, and was buried on 7 October. Smith died relatively young from typhoid fever, after suffering with the disease for 18 days. He was a real estate agent and was married to Mary Rosetta Koch. They had two daughters, Eulalia and Juanita. Jacob Smith was the son of William and Caroline (Meyers) Smith. [1]

Woodmen of the World, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio

Jacob Smith’s monument was not unveiled until late July 1910, nearly ten months after his death. The unveiling ceremony appears to have been quite an event, with music and eulogies. Several organizations were involved, including the I.O.O.F. [Independent Order of Odd Fellows], the Ladies’ Circle auxiliary, the White Oak Camp, and Senator Johnson. I am not sure what group the ladies auxiliary was associated with and I wonder if the White Oak Camp was the name of the local Woodmen’s organization.    

I have written about the Woodmen of the World before. They are a non-profit, fraternal benefit society that combines insurance with mutual aid and social membership. Their markers often look like a tree stump, or in this case, like stacked logs. Early Woodmen certificates entitled holders to a death benefit and a free monument, but later the monuments were given to members who purchased a $100 rider. The tree stump tombstone was abandoned in the late 1920s due to cost. 

Right now it is a little chilly to be out taking cemetery photos, but as luck would have it, this marker caught my eye back in 2005 and I took a photo of it then. The angle of the tombstone in this photo isn’t the best and does not show the inscription very well, but you get a good overall look of the tombstone.  

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Mercer County, Jacob Walter Smith, 5 Oct 1909; database with images, FamilySearch.org, viewed 30 Jan 2023.

Jan 27

Chattanooga-One of the Best Towns on Earth

I hope you find these old newspaper articles as interesting as I do. Here are some more local items of  interest from the 1910 Celina Democrat.

We all know that there is no place like Chatt and the surrounding area. The George Adams family thought the same thing in 1910. 

Celina Democrat, 25 Nov 1910

Words matter. Adjectives matter. This year Joe and I celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary but I don’t think of us as an Aged Couple.

Celina Democrat, 12 Aug 1910

An accident involving a buggy and an automobile, in the days before auto insurance.

Celina Democrat, 29 Jul 1910

Sealscott and Groth purchase the grocery and huckster business at Hinton. The Hinton business, which included a post office at one time, was located at the intersection of Oregon and Erastus Durbin roads. John H. Laudhan was the postmaster there until 1905, after which time the mail was sent to Celina. 

Celina Democrat, 2 Dec 1910

Occasionally The Celina Democrat included some Willshire news. 

Celina Democrat, 30 Sep 1910

It appears less red tape was required for adoptions in 1910. Just a casual notice in a newspaper. You wonder what happened to all those children.  

Celina Democrat, 12 Aug 1910

Another disturbance at a church. Was this a common occurrence?

Celina Democrat, 4 Nov 1910

The next article may seem to be unrelated to Chatt, but there is a connection. Margaret “Maggie” Shepherd ran a millinery store in Celina for many years, until her death on 16 March 1910. About 40 years earlier, Sarah Sitterley, from east of Chatt, purchased a bonnet with a green ribbon from Maggie Shepherd’s store for Mary Arabella Secaur. That green ribbon was found tied on the bridle of Alexander Mcleod’s horse after Mary Secaur’s murder. Maggie testified about the bonnet and ribbon at the murder trial.

Celina Democrat, 16 Sep 1910

Jan 24

Tombstone Tuesday-Frederick N. & Anna M. (Sochor) Allmandinger

Frederick N & Anna M (Sochor) Allmandinger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Frederick N. and Anna M. (Sochor) Allmandinger, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ALLMANDINGER
Frederick N.
“Fritz”
7 -7-1907
7-14-1987

Anna M.
(Sochor)
1-12-1917
7-14-1987

Frederick Nicolaus Allmandinger was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, on 7 July 1907, the son of William and Barbara (Hoehammer) Allmandinger. Frederick was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, on 21 July 1907 with Nicolaus Pfeifer and Eva Pfeifer as his sponsors. His friends knew him as Fritz.

The William Allmandinger household in 1910, in Van Wert County: William, 43; Barbara, 33; Richard, 11; Walter, 10; Marie, 9; Caroline, 8; Bertha, 6; Hugo, 4; Frederick, 2; Lila, 3 months; and Leroy Lautzenheiser, 20, servant/farm work. [1] 

Frederick’s father William Allmandinger died in July of 1919, leaving his widow Barbara and 12 children. Widow Barbara Allmandinger with their children in 1920, living in Willshire Township: Barbara S, 42; Richard E, 21; Walter L, 19; Marie M, 18; Caroline K, 17; Bertha M, 16; Hugo J, 13; Fredrick N, 12; Lillie L, 9; Minnie l, 8; Martin W, 6; Aaron L, 2; and Anna B, 2. [2]

Frederick’s mother Barbara (Hoehamer) Allmandinger died in February 1929 and her younger children went to live with their older, married siblings.

In 1930 Frederick, age 23, lived with his older brother Richard and Richard’s wife Freda: Richard, 31, head; Freda, 36, wife; Louis, 4, son; Frederich, 23, brother; and Martin, 17, brother. [3]

Frederick Allmandinger married Anna Marie Sochor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Van Wert, on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 1939, married by Rev. Father Gallagher. Frederick lived in Glenmore and Anna lived in Ohio City at the time of their marriage. [4]

Anna Marie Sochor was born in Paulding County, Ohio, on 12 January 1917, the daughter of Joseph (1875-1961) and Marie (Hrachovska) (1879-1946) Sochor. Both of Anna’s parents were born in Czechoslovakia. Anna grew up in Paulding County and had two sisters, Bessie and Elizabeth. Their father was a farmer.

In 1940 newlyweds Frederick and Anna (Sochor) Allmandinger lived in Willshire Township, in or near Glenmore, next door to Frederick’s brother Martin and Martin’s wife Beatrice. Frederick worked as a mechanic in a garage, as did his brother Martin. [5]

A daughter, Betty Louise Allmandinger, was born to Frederick and Anna in 1941. Betty Louise was baptized at Zion Schumm on 2 November 1941, with Mrs. M.W. Allmandinger and Mrs. W. Allmandinger as her sponsors.

The Frederick Allmandinger household in 1950: Frederick, 42, head; Anna M, 33, wife; and Betty L, 8, daughter. Frederick worked as a mechanic in a repair shop. [6]

Frederick and Anna Allmandinger died in a boating accident near Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan, in 1987.  Their obituary:

Daughter here
Frederick, Anna Allmandinger, Glenmore, Ohio
Word has been received here of the death of Frederick N. Allmandinger 80, and Anna Marie Allmandinger, 70, of Glenmore, Ohio, who drowned Tuesday morning when their boat capsized in Randalls Lake, Mich. They are the parents of Betty L. Sautbine and grandparents of Troy Sautbine, both of Columbus.

Funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Gary Luderman at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm, Ohio. Calling hours will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Cowan and Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, Ohio. Friends may call one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, where they were members.

Allmandinger was born July 7, 1907, in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, the son of William and Barbara Hoehammer Allmandinger.

Mrs. Allmandinger was born Jan. 12, 1917, in Paulding County, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph and Marie Hrachovska Sochor.

They were married Feb. 14, 1939.

Allmandinger owned and operated Glenmore Garage for 45 years.

Other survivors include a son, Gene F. Allmandinger of Ohio City route 2; two other grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Allmandinger is survived by a brother, Martin W. Allmandinger of Ohio City route 2 and two sisters, Marie Beard of Convoy, Ohio, and Minnie Drydale of Chicago. He was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters. [7]

Frederick and Anna (Sochor) Allmandinger had two children:
Betty Louise Allmandinger
Gene Allmandinger

[1] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.4B, dwelling 79, family 80, Wm. Allmandinger; Ancestry.com, viewed 9 June 2013.

[2] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, PD 146, p.3A, dwelling 52, family, 53, Barbara S Allmindinger [sic]; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jan 2020.

[3] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.2B, dwelling 38, family 39, Richard Allmandinger; Ancestry.com, viewed 9 Jan 2023.

[4] Ohio Marriages, 1774-1993, Van Wert County, Vol. 18, p.366, Frederick Allmandinger & Anna Sochor, 14 Feb 1939; Ancestry.com, viewed 23 Jan 2023.

[5] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, Ed 81-28, p.1A, dwelling 1, FN Allmindinger [sic]; Ancestry.com, viewed 23 Jan 2023.  

[6] 1950 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, Ed 81-40, sheet 17, dwelling 249, Fred N Allmandinger; Ancestry.com, viewed 23 Jan 2023.

[7] Frederick & Anna Allmandinger death notice/obituary, The Republic, Columbus, IN, 15 Jul 1987, p.14; Newspapers.com, viewed 23 Jan 2023.