Jun 24

Chatt News, 1917 (part 3)

Continuing with more news from Chatt in the early months of 1917, as reported in The Celina Democrat.

The 7th annual Chattanooga Farmer’s Institute was held 9 & 10 February 1917 at the Chattanooga Methodist Church. Perhaps some of your ancestors are mentioned as participants in their lengthy program:

Celina Democrat, 2 Feb 1917, p.1

This article, published a couple weeks later, mentions the success of the Institute as well as some Chatt news:

The Celina Democrat, 16 Feb 1917, p.5.

It seems a writer for the paper had a sense of humor:

The Celina Democrat, 9 Feb 1917, p.5.

This news of an accident:

The Celina Democrat, 2 Feb 1917, p.1.

Chatt news 23 February 1917:

The Celina Democrat, 23 Feb 1917, p.5.

The news of a Blackcreek fire:

The Celina Democrat, 2 Mar 1917, p.1.

And lastly, a question that has plagued the Supreme Court (or a supreme court) for over a century, asking what a woman is. People today are still asking the Supreme Court to define a woman and one (almost) member recently just could not do it. It seems pretty cut and dried to me…    

The Celina Democrat, 30 Mar 1917, p.1.

I hope you enjoy reading the Chatt news from years ago as much as I do. I love these little news snippets. The Chattanooga news pieces were not included in every Celina Democrat newspaper, so the ones that were published are pretty special. I will continue to look for them and republish them here. 

Jun 21

Tombstone Tuesday-Lillie E. Gunsett

Lillie E Gunsett, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Lillie E. Gunsett, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

GUNSETT
Lillie E.
1898-1989

Lillie Emma Gunsett was born 10 November 1898, the fifth and last child born to Joseph (1865-1931) and Clara (1866-1942) (Schinnerer) Gunsett. Lillie was baptized at home on 27 November 1898 with Martha Grund and Mrs. Emma Balyeat serving as her sponsors. Lillie grew up with three older brothers. The fourth brother died infancy before she was born. The family attended Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm.

The Joseph Gunsett family in 1900: Joseph, 37, head; Clara A, 34, wife; Walter, F, 10, son; Edward T, 8, son; Herbert H, 3, son; and Lillie E, 1, daughter. Joseph and Clara had been married 11 years and 4 of their 5 children were living. Everyone in the family was born in Ohio and Joseph was a farmer. [1]

In 1920 Lillie Gunsett, age 21, resided with her parents and brother Edward in Willshire Township. Lillie was not employed. Her father and brother were farmers. [2] In 1930 Lillie and Edward resided with their parents in Willshire Township as well.

Their father Joseph Gunsett died in Willshire Township 21 October 1931. After Joseph Gunsett’s death Lillie and her mother Clara moved to Van Wert sometime before 1935. In 1940 Lillie, 41, single, lived with her widowed mother Clara, 74, at 709 Washington St, Van Wert. Lillie’s occupation was housework at a private residence. [3]

Lillie’s mother Clara (Schinnerer) Gunsett died 12 March 1942. According to Clara’s obituary, Lillie lived in Van Wert, Lillie’s brother Walter lived in Chicago, brother Edward lived in Willshire, and brother Herbert lived in Akron.

Lillie Gunsett died at Brighton Hall Nursing Home, Fort Wayne, Indiana, on 22 June 1989 at the age of 90. She never married and her usual occupation was domestic employee. Lillie was buried next to her parents on 26 June. [4]

Lillie Gunsett had the following siblings:
Walter Friedrich (1890-1968) married Clara Bender
Edward Theodore (1891-1973) married Martha A. Dirkson
Arthur Hermann (1893-1895)
Herbert Heinrich (1896-1981) married Fayelle Kelly

Lillie was my first cousin twice removed and my second cousin once removed, depending on which common ancestors you look at. We are related through both the Schumms and the Schinnerers. Lillie’s mother was the daughter of Frederick & Elizabeth (Schumm) Schinnerer. Her mother Clara was a sister to my great grandmother Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scaer.

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 98, p. 11A (penned), p. 310A (stamped), dwelling 207, family 208, Joseph Gruasett; Ancestry.com, viewed 20 Jun 2022.

[2] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 145, p.3B, dwelling & family 63, Joseph Gunsett; Ancestry.com, viewed 20 Jun 2022.

[3] 1940 U.S. Census, Van Wert, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 81-10, p.3B, visitation 71, Lillie Gunsett; Ancestry.com, viewed 20 Jun 2022.

[4] Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Indiana State Board of Health, 1989, roll 10; database on-line Ancestry.com, viewed 20 Jun 2022.

Jun 17

Chatt News in the Celina Democrat, 1917 (part 2)

Today, continuing on with some Chattanooga news, as published in The Celina Democrat in 1917.  

On 11 May 1917 the paper announced the dedication of Zion Lutheran’s new brick church in Chatt. The old frame church had not been moved yet and still stood very close to the new church. I found it interesting that they had a fare-well service in the old church before the dedication services in the new church. Also interesting is that additional dedication services were held on Monday and Tuesday. It must have been quite an event.

The Celina Democrat, 11 May 1917.

ZION
New Evangelical Lutheran Edifice at Chattanooga
To Be Dedicated Sunday-Interesting Day and Evening Program Arranged for Event
Next Sunday, May 13:h, the new church of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Chattanooga, Liberty township, will be dedicated to the service of the Triune God. And the members of the congregation desire to extend a cordial invitation to all their friends and acquaintances to come and rejoice with them in the fact that an undertaking which presented many difficulties and required many sacrifices has, by the blessing of God, been successfully finished and that the members of Zion’s congregation at last possess a worthy and beautiful house of worship.

The following is the order of the Dedicatory service:
9:30 a.m.—A brief fare-well service in the old church.
9:45 a.m.—Formal sermon by Rev. J.F.C. Soller of Youngstown, O, and an English sermon by Rev. H.J. Schuh of Anna, O.
2:00 p.m. Afternoon Service–Rev. Geo. Haas, of Napoleon, O, will preach the German and Rev. Paul Brockhaus of Oak Lawn, Ill, the English sermon.
8:00 p.m. Evening Service—Rev. L. Loehr of Montra, O, and Rev. W.N. Emch, of Fort Recovery, O, will be the speakers, both in the English language.

Beside the congregational singing, which is in itself an essential feature in every Lutheran service, there will be special singing by various choirs, viz.: the Mixed Choir and the Male Choir of Zion’s church, the Male Sextet of St. John’s church, Celina, O, and the Male Choir of St. Paul’s church of Liberty township.

The time designated is Sun Time. Dinner and supper will be served in the basement of the new church for the nominal cost of 25c. a meal.

Additional services will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Rev. G.F. Reitz, of Celina, O, will preach on Monday evening and Rev. H.N. Brobst, of Coldwater, O, on Tuesday evening. The organist, Miss Bernice Heffner, will be assisted on the pip organ by Miss Clara Sunderman of Ft. Recovery and by Mrs. Rev. Brobst, of Coldwater.

May God grant his blessings in these services to all who will be present. (11 May 1917, p.1)

The old frame church and new brick church, 1917.

From the same paper, other local Lutheran churches were encouraged to attend the dedication. This refers to St. John, Celina:

The Celina Democrat, 11 May 1917.

What happened to Zion Chatt’s old frame church? The 9 Feb 1917 Celina Democrat, p.1, tells that Floyd Vining purchased the old church. Great information! This piece also gives some other interesting information:

Celina Democrat, 9 Feb 1917.

I vaguely remember the old frame church building, just north of Chatt, used as a garage before it was torn down. I assume it remained in the same location that Floyd Vining moved it to in 1917? Does anyone know for sure? 

The old frame church, used as a garage, 1980.

A piece about local Luther Leagues meeting at Zion Chatt, 17 Aug 1917 p.1:

FIFTH MEETING LUTHER LEAGUES
The Luther Leagues of Mercer County and Salamonia, Indiana, will hold their fifth annual convention at Zion’s Church at Chattanooga on Labor Day, Monday, September 3.

[The schedule for the day, beginning at 10:00 a.m., was also printed. Some individuals involved]: Elizabeth Yeager, Salamonia; Mary Siebert, Hopewell; Clara Schroeder, St. Paul, Washington Township; Celina’s choir; Theodore Weinmann, St. Paul Liberty; Fort Recovery choir; Rev. Hugo G. Schmidt, Middletown, O; Rosa Betzel. The event included a basket dinner at noon and an evening lunch and concluded with an evening service at 7:30 p.m.

John Leistner’s obituary, 6 April 1917, p.1:

The Celina Democrat, 6 Apr 1917.

Mrs. Frank Hinton’s obituary, 12 Jan 1917, p.1, 8:

The Celina Democrat, 12 Jan 1917.

Mrs. Otto Wendel’s health update, 12 Jan 1917, p.1:

The Celina Democrat, 12 Jan 1917.

The tragic accident of Walter Brehm, reported 26 Jan 1917, p.8. Sadly, Walter died 2 days later, on 28 January 1917 and is buried at St. Paul UCC Cemetery. Walter Brehm (1895-1917):

The Celina Democrat, 26 Jan 1917.

I will publish more news items from The Celina Democrat in upcoming blog posts.

Jun 14

Tombstone Tuesday-Rose Symbol

A rose signifies beauty, hope, or unfailing love.

Rose symbol, Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapak, OH.

Rose symbol, Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapak, OH.

During the Victorian Age the rose symbol was frequently used on the tombstones of women or young girls.

The growth stage of a rose can be an indication of a person’s age. A rosebud, broken bud, or a rose in partial bloom represents a child. A rose in full bloom represents a mature person.

Rose symbol, Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapak, OH.

Joined rosebuds symbolize a strong bond between two people. Several rosebuds on the same branch represent secrecy. A wreath of roses signifies beauty and virtue. 

Rose symbol, Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapak, OH.

A red rose symbolizes martyrdom and a white rose symbolizes purity.

Rose symbol, Swamp College Cemetery, Mercer County, OH.

Rose symbol, Willshire Cemetery.

It is said that the rose in Paradise did not have thorns but acquired them on earth to remind man of his fall from grace. However, the rose’s fragrance and beauty remained to suggest to man was Paradise is like.

Rose symbol, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, OH.

Rose symbol, Willshire Cemetery.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, OH.

Roses are sometimes associated with the Virgin Mary, the “rose without thorns.”

Jun 10

Chattanooga News in 1917

What was going on in Chattanooga a little over 100 years ago? Thanks to a reader, I learned that a few years of The Celina Democrat newspaper (years 1910-1918) are on the Library of Congress website. Chatt is a few miles from Celina but the paper occasionally published Chattanooga news. And some Willshire news as well, even though Willshire is in another county.

The Celina Democrat was established in Celina in 1895 by Charles C. Carlin and George W. Phillips. It called itself ”the home paper of Mercer County” and referred to Celina as…”the Reservoir City-the biggest little town on earth—the hub of the universe.” The Celina Democrat was a weekly paper, published on Friday, and usually consisted of 8 pages. Its front page focused on local and state news and the interior pages included national and international articles. Local items included local business items, classifieds, real estate advertisements, legal notices, obituaries, marriages, local news and personal gossip that was organized by town name. The Celina Democrat ceased publication in 1921.

As I browse through this newspaper will share some Chatt and Willshire news. Today, few Chatt and Chatt-area news items from The Celina Democrat in 1917:

SUCCESS TO HIM
C.L. Vining, late candidate for County Auditor, made The Democrat a pleasant call a few days since while looking after some business matters down at the hub. Mr. Vining has gone into business at Chattanooga, having, but recently purchased the Merkle store there. His host of friends down this way will surely wish him unstinted business success. [4 May 1917, p.1]

The Celina Democrat, 4 May 1917.

CHATTANOOGA
To Have Patriotic Meeting and Pole-Raising Next Sunday Afternoon—Expect Big Crowd
The people of Chattanooga and vicinity will participate in a flag raising next Sunday afternoon at half past two o’clock, and an invitation is extended to everybody in the county to witness the raising of Old Glory and hear the interesting program that has been arranged.

Addresses will be delivered by Lieutenant H.O Jones of the United States Army, Rev. Paul Marsh of Decatur, Ind, and former Prosecuting Attorney B.A. Myers of this city.

Music for the occasion will be furnished by the Chattanooga Band and the Male Chorus, of Decatur, Ind.
[22 June 1917, p.1]

The Celina Democrat, 22 June 1917.

News concerning some Liberty and Blackcreek Township residents:

Lewis Fickert, of Liberty township, was thrown headfirst from a Ford, his nose split, his face badly cut and his body badly bruised, last Monday night, when the machine, driven by his brother, Otto Fickert, went into a ditch a mile and a half northwest of town. The latter drove the car off a culvert bridge while attempting to go around a heavy wagon. The driver was uninjured. [29 June 1917, p.1]

LIGHTNING KILLS STEER
A valuable steer, belonging to John Kettering, of Blackcreek township, was instantly killed, when it was struck by lightning, during the storm of last Friday night. [29 June 1917, p.1]

A barn on the Frank Hinton farm in Liberty township, seven miles northwest of this city, was completely destroyed by fire last Monday noon, together with its contents of hay, grain and farm implements. A small calf was cremated. The origin of the fire is unknown. [13 April 1917, p.1]

A large barn on the Charles Weitz farm in Liberty township, nine miles northwest of this city, was destroyed by fire of unknown origin about 11:30 last Sunday night, together with the contents which included a threshing outfit, farm implements and a quantity of hay and grain. [13 April 1917, p.1]

Chattanooga Party Enjoy Day at Soldiers’ Home
An automobile party from in and about Chattanooga motored to Dayton Sunday and spent the day at the Soldiers’ Home, where they took their dinners and had a jolly time. The party included Fred Meyers and family, John Regedanz and wife, Iven [sic] Johnson and wife, Mrs. Barbara Huffman, Mrs. Perry Gibbons and son Vernon, John Bollenbacher and wife, James Gibbons, Charley Regedanz and Clyde Grim and family. [6 July 1917, p.1]

 

An article featuring Chatt’s bank:

THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE BANK
A Financial Institution at Chattanooga That Has Gained Prestige Very Rapidly Since Its Organization, and Stands To-Day As One of the Pillars of Strength in the Financial World of Western Ohio.

The Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Chattanooga, has been gaining prestige at such rapid rate since its organization that it has taken its place as one of the Gibraltars of Finance in Western Ohio, as it is conducted with a conservatism that makes it a very reliable institution It was organized by business men of Chattanooga and little did these gentlemen realize although they were optimistic that the institution would make such rapid strides to the front. With such men at its head it naturally followed that it would be successful and it would be conducted on a sound and conservative basis.

The bank occupies a very commodious building and the interior is furnished with the latest banking furniture of the period and is arranged both for convenience of the officers and for the benefit of the public. Its safes are fire and burglar proof and in keeping with the style used by some of the leading banks of the country.

A general banking business is transacted and money is loaned at reasonable rates on the proper collateral, personal or mortgage security. All classes of accounts are solicited and proper treatment is assured all, rich and poor alike.

Four per cent interest is paid semiannually on all accounts. This is one of the distinctive features of the banking life of Mercer county and its hundreds of depositors fully realize the safety and convenience of this department…

Mr. William Flith is president of this bank while Mr. T.W. Baker is its able and efficient cashier. The above names represent business men of well known financial ability and under their guidance the Democrat feels that this institution will continue to prosper and be one of the important factors in the continued development of Chattanooga and Mercer county. [27 April 1917, p.9]

Former Chatt Bank, Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

And finally, for today:

PROMINENT MEN WILL REPRESENT EVERY TOWNSHIP IN COUNTY
Will Serve Without Compensation As Crop And Feed Commissioners-Some Pointers.
The following gentlemen have been appointed as Crop and Food Commissioners to look after their respective townships under the direction of the Ohio Branch, council of National Defense, an organization national in scope and reaching every nook and corner of the United States. [from Blackcreek & Liberty Townships]:
Blackcreek-George Hill
Liberty-Peter Linn [27 April 1917, p.11]

I will post more news as I go through the issues of this newspaper.