Apr 15

Advertisers in Willshire’s 1950 Willow

Last week it was interesting to see who advertised in Willshire School’s 1948 Willow, the school’s first yearbook.

This week I am featuring local advertisers from the 1950 Willow. This information will coincide with some additional 1950 information that I will post in the next couple weeks. Hint: Some pretty exciting information that is only released every 10 years.

A census enumeration! Specifically, the 1950 census, which was just released earlier this month. And, as a supplement to these 1950 Willow advertisers, next week I will start posting the village of Willshire, as it was enumerated in the 1950 census.

Willshire School’s 1950 Willow yearbook

But, back to today’s post. The 1950 Willow had about 28 advertisers from the Willshire/Chatt area, compared to about 20 area advertisers in the 1948 Willow. There were also advertisers from Van Wert and Decatur in the yearbook but I am including only those from Willshire and Chatt.

1950 Willow advertisers:

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

Actually, Wendel Motor Sales:

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

1950 Willow

Next week, a glimpse of the 1950 census in Willshire!

Apr 12

Tombstone Tuesday-Heavenly City Symbol

The Heavenly City in the clouds symbolism is often seen on older tombstones.

Ridge-Slater Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio

 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio

The columns and the open gates show the entrance to Heaven and the path leads the way to the city in the clouds. The divine star guides the way.

Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert, Ohio

Greenbriar Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio

Unfortunately, many of the old marble monuments are weathering badly and their inscriptions and images are becoming difficult to read.

Apr 08

Advertisers in Willshire’s 1948 Willow

After spending time looking at occupations and businesses in the village of Willshire in the 1880 census, I am leaving the 19th century and fast-forwarding about 70 years, to look at some Willshire businesses in the mid-1900s.

But instead of using census records I am using the advertisers in Willshire’s yearbook, the Willow. Their advertisements bring back memories of businesses that are no longer. I have several old Willow yearbooks and the 1948 Willow is the oldest I have.

1948 Willow, Willshire Public School

I am familiar with some of the advertisers in the 1948 yearbook. Some advertisers were from neighboring towns like Van Wert and Decatur, but I did not include them. Except for the Chattanooga advertisers, which I am including. There were many Chatt-area students at Willshire Public School and, after all, this is Karen’s Chatt.

Willshire and Chatt advertisers in the 1948 Willow:

1948 Willow

My mom was a bookkeeper at Willshire Grain & Supply.

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

Phone numbers were easier to remember back then. They consisted of only 2 or 3 digits and today we use 10!

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

1948 Willow

I have some other Willow yearbooks, for more recent years, and I will show some of the advertisers in them soon.

Apr 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Caroline Huber

Caroline Huber, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Caroline Huber, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Caroline Huber
Born 6, 10, 1842
Died 2, 13, 1924
Age 81 Years
8 Mo, 3 Da

Caroline Huber was born 10 June 1842 in Schwieberdingen, Wuerttemberg, the daughter of Michael and Christena (Ehret) Huber. Caroline was baptized 12 June 1842 in Schwieberdingen. [1] [2]

Caroline’s father Michael Huber, her mother Christena Huber, and Caroline herself came to America in June 1853. [2]

The Michael Huber family settled in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, and had Shanes Crossing address. The Michael Huber family there in 1860: Michael Huber, 44; Christena Huber, 46; and Caroline Huber, 18. This enumeration indicates that all three family members were born in Wuerttemberg and Michael was a farmer. [3]

Caroline Huber married Casimere B. Laukhart on 23 July 1863 in Mercer County, Ohio. [4] Casimere Laukhart (1818-1879) was a widower with a couple sons from his first marriage. A daughter, Flora C, was born to Casimere and Caroline on 11 June 1864. Census records indicate that Casimere and Caroline divorced or separated by 1870 and Caroline and her daughter Flora went back to live with Caroline’s parents, Michael and Christene Huber. Caroline took back her maiden name and retained her maiden name the rest of her life.   

The Michael Huber family in 1870, residing in Blackcreek Township: Michael Huber, 54; Christena M Huber, 57; Caroline Huber, 28; and Flora Laukhart, 6. This enumeration indicates all three Hubers were born in Wuerttemberg and that Flora was born in Ohio. [5]  

Caroline’s father Michael Huber died 29 March 1877 and is buried in row 9 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery. [6]

In 1880 Caroline Huber, 36, divorced, and her daughter Flora Laukhart, 11, lived with her widowed mother Christena Huber, 70, head, all living in Willshire Township. This enumeration indicates that Christena and Caroline were born in Bavaria and that Flora was born in Ohio. This enumeration also indicates that Christena had cancer of the uterus. [7]

Caroline’s mother Christena (Ehret) Huber died on 4 July 1880, a few weeks after the census was taken, and is buried in row 9 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.  

The 1890 census was destroyed, so there is a 20-year gap between the 1880 and 1900 censuses. During that time Caroline’s daughter Flora Laukhart married Jacob Elonzo Alspaugh (1867-1948). They married about 1888. I could not locate Caroline Huber in the 1900 census but it would be a good assumption that she was living with her daughter Flora and her family. Caroline lived with them the rest of her life and they were her only relatives in this country.

In 1900 Jacob and Flora (Laukhart) Alspaugh lived on West South Street in Rockford: Jacob, 32; Flora, 35; Finley, 10; Arnold, 7; Adah, 5; and Zelah, 1. Jacob worked as a house carpenter. [8]  

The Jacob Alspaugh family moved to Willshire Township by 1910 and Caroline Huber lived with them and was enumerated with their household in 1910: JE Alspaugh, 42; Flora, 45, wife; Finley, 20, son; Arnold, 17, son; Adah, 15, daughter; Zelah, 11, daughter; Ezra, 9, son; Esther, 5, daughter; and Caroline, 77, mother. [9]

The Jacob Alspaugh family moved to Stryker, Williams County, Ohio, sometime between 1910 and 1920. Caroline continued to live with her only child Flora and her family there, residing on Lynn Street in Stryker. The Jacob Alspaugh family in 1920: Jacob E Alspaugh, 52, head; Flora Alspaugh, 55, wife; Ezra Alspaugh, 18, son; Esther Alspaugh, 15, daughter; and Caroline “Hoover,” 77, mother-in-law, widowed. [10]

Caroline Huber died in Stryker, Ohio, on 13 February 1924, at the age of 81 years, 8 months, and 3 days.  She was buried on the 16th, buried a couple rows from her parents gravesite.

Child of Casimere B. Laukhart and Caroline Huber:
Flora C. Laukhart (1864-1963), married Jacob Elonzo Alspaugh

[1] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985, Schwieberdingen Taufen, Tote, Heiraten, Notizen & Toten, 1558-1810, year 1842 no.42, Karolina Huber, born 10 Jun 1842.

[2] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Family Tables, 1550-1985, Schwieberdingen, Konfirmation & Familienbucher, 1723-1866, p. 182, Michael Huber family; online database, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mary 2022.

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, p.329, dwelling 581, family 586, Michael Huber; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[4] Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Mercer County Marriages, 1861-1887, p.46 , Casamere Lakehart & Caroline Hahur/Hover, 23 Jul 1863; database on-line, Ancestry.com, viewed 30 Mar 2022.

[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, p.23A, dwelling & family 62, Michael Hoober; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[6] Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001, Van Wert, Vol.1, 1867-1908, p.120 Michael Huber, 29 Mar 1877; database with images, FamilySearch.org, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[7] 1880 U.S. Census Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.457A, family 258, Mary Hoser; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[8] 1900 U.S. Census, Dublin, Mercer, Ohio, ED 78, p.9, dwelling 201, family 208, Jacob Allspaw; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 3 Apr 2022.

[9] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.2A [penned], dwelling & family 28, JE Alspaugh; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 30 Mar 2022.

[10] 1920 U.S. Census, Springfield Twp, Williams, Ohio, ED 168, p.8B [penned], dwelling & family 222, Jacob E Alspaugh; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 30 Mar 2022.

 

Apr 01

Willshire Occupations & Businesses in 1880

I am still stuck in Willshire’s 1880 census enumeration. This is a time in history that I really enjoy studying. Plus, I like looking through census records. Add to that, this year is Willshire’s Bicentennial and we have a win-win.

Today, occupations and businesses of Willshire’s 520 residents in 1880.

It comes as no surprise that men made up the vast majority of the work force at that time. There was an occasional working woman, usually a schoolteacher, dressmaker, milliner, or one who worked at a hotel. Sometimes a widow ran a boarding house.

Willshire, Ohio, 1886

The most common occupations were day labor, carpenters, merchants, and railroad workers. The railroad had only been in the village a couple years, which probably explains the number of railroad workers. It is interesting that there were several stone cutters in Willshire, possibly because there were a couple stone quarries nearby. 

Most of the community’s needs could be met in a small village like Willshire. Back then, people didn’t travel far for their basic needs and small towns provided most of the necessary services and supplies.

I noticed that often persons with the same family name had the same occupation, which makes sense. They continued in the family trade.

Some occupations from that time period are nonexistent today and here are few definitions of occupations we may not recognize:

Cooper: person to made wooden casks, barrels, vats, buckets, tubs, etc. from timber staves that were heated or steamed to make them pliable.

Day Labor: worker is hired and paid one day at a time, with no promise that more work will be available.

Drayman: the driver of a dray, which was a low, flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled by horses or mules and used to transport all sorts of goods.

Livery: a livery stable; a place where horses, teams, buggies, and wagons were for hire; or liveries could be attached to a hotel, where horses could be boarded for a short time.

Milliner: one who makes, designs, trims, or sells hats.

Stave: narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel, such as a barrel.

From the 1880 census of Willshire village, I transcribed names mainly as they were indexed on Ancestry.com, so the spellings may not be as we spell them today. The list below shows the occupation, those who worked at that occupation and their age, and sometimes the person’s specific duty:

Agriculture Store: Jefferson T. Cully, 26; Wm F.R. Davis [clerk]
Barber: William P. Paster, 40; Lafayette Riker, 45
Blacksmith: David Dellinger, 47; Thomas Dellinger, 24; L.J. Patrick, 31; Henry Nichols, 22; Byron Denman, 24
Book/Shoe/Clothing Store: Gabrial H. Keople, 35
Bookkeeper: W. C. Davis, 46
Brick Maker: William J. Coil, 55; Malan Morehead, 28; Mathew Morehead, 32
Butcher: Milton Majar, 50; Jerome D. Carter, 45; Samuel Lotter, 33; August Husse, 19
Carpenter/Cabinetmaker: William A. Ross, 38; William King, 26; J.L. Bienz, 28 [house]; Wm Foreman, 40; William Dellinger, 56; Steve Buchanan 32; Henry H. King, 38; Lauren King, 18; George W. Majors, 37
Constable: William Beam, 34
Cooper: David Savern, 24; Phillip Trautner, 79
Day Labor: Soloman Swank, 33; William H. Stetler, 23; Amos D. Stetler, 20; Franklin Chilcote, 33; Newton Tullis, 24; Paul Branstetter, 25; Amos M. Ainsworth, 16; William B. Hard, 63
Dentist: Christopher C. Scott, 27; John D. Scott, 24
Drayman: Thomas Avery, 28; John Moody, 27
Dressmaker: Margaret Jewel, 36; E.E. Albright, 22; Rachael J. Stutar, 50; Lu Arbogast, 25; Elizabeth Ainsworth, 27
Drug Store: Chas Vance, 30; H.S. Ainsworth, 21 [clerk]; Melvin Davis, 20 [clerk]; Sylvester Brock, 40
Merchant/Dry Goods: David Casto, 40; Henry Banto, 55; James D. Banto, 22 [clerk]; Jesse Zimmerman, 26; James Weimer, 23 [clerk]; A.J. Woods, 32; John B. Weber, 20; C.G. Harb, 28; John Seman, 40 [clerk]; Joseph M. Price, 32 [clerk]              
Engineer: A. Henderson, 31; Thomas Laman, 36
Farmer: John Thatcher, 75; Geo Thatcher, 40
Farm Labor: David W. Allspaw, 27
General Trader: Thomas Willie, 27
Grocer/Dry Goods: W.M. Williams, 33; Simison Wicks, 38 [grocer]
Gunsmith: Robert B. Rhodes, 46
Handle Turner: F.G. Marple, 22
Hardware Store: Henry Altheon, 41; William Pontias, 39
Harness Maker: Alexander Beall, 32; Wm H. Beall, 34
Hotel Keeper/Boarding House: Stephen C. Flinn, 31; Caroline Barbar, 49; Ann Crowinger, 44; Adam Straubinger, 37
Hotel Worker: Jos Morningstar, 22; Mary Jones, 33; William Thomas, 26 [clerk]; Louisa J. Cook, 20 [hotel cook]
House Painter/Sign Painter: D.O. Thorp, 48
Life Insurance Agent: A.W. Chilcote, 38
Livery Worker: Alfred Park, 26; Alexander Park, 30; John Ainsworth, 29
Lumber Yard: Sam Fairchild, 27; George Gardner, 28 [lumber man]; W.E. Day, 26 [lumber merchant]
Marble/Stone Cutter: A.H. Mook, 45; Michael McBrian, 39; Agu Keefer, 20; F.G. Marple, 20
Miller: Enoch Cox, 37
Milliner: Volletta Thomas, 20; Lea Manto, 45
Minister: L.W. Linsey, 27
Music Teacher: Ida C. Crowinger, 23;
Plasterer: Henry Weimer, 35; Robert Davis, 33; G.H. Young, 54; Sylvester R. Young, 25
Photographer: W.F. Lourey, 33
Physicians: John W. Pearce, 65; John K. Ross, 35; S.K. Christy, 27; Dr. Timothy Hawkins, 35; J.F. Shaffner, 51
Printing Office: E.L. Slottabeck, 18
Railroad: Isa Magnes, 34 [section hand]; Joseph Lynch, 42 [contractor]; James Hammond, 23 [section hand]; L.S Risly, 25 [freight agent]; Daniel Trautner, 30 [section hand]; David Troutner, 22 [section hand]; Thomas Troutner, 24 [section hand]; Hanen Riker, 20 [section hand]
Saloon: Isaac Emery, 33 [keeper]; J.F. Burdge, 28 [clerk]; Andrew Richter, 43; Amos Foreman, 26; William Shrank, 14 [clerk]
Sawmill: A.M. Davis, 47; Wm Weghter, 23 [worker]
School Teacher: Addie K. Sims, 14; For a E. Price, 29
Shoemaker: Calvin A. Mix, 24; James H. Davis, 51; Israel Kemp, 44; Adam Kuhm, 43
Silversmith: John P. Hoff, 27; W.L. Davies, 25
Stave Factory: John L. Dellinger, 19; John Smith, 17 [cutter]
Tailor: Ludwig Selle, 30; James Campbell, 20
Tanner & Courier: Charles Thomas, 48
Tile Maker: Thomas Johnson, 28
Tin Smith: E.H. Harris, 27
Wagon Maker: Louis Warner, 30; John Detterer, 29

One last item about Willshire businesses in the late 1800s. Going back in time 8 more years, the 1872 Willshire Business Directory, from the Map of Van Wert County Ohio, 1872, Willard Kingman & McConahy:

H. Althon, manufacturer of and dealer in furniture. Undertaking attended to.
Fred Billman, livery stable. Proprietor Willshire, Van Wert and Decatur Stage Line.
David Casto
M. Croninger, physician and surgeon
John Detterer, proprietor sawmill. Manufacture and dealer in lumber.
Dettmer & Johnson, dealers in hardware and stoves, and manufacturers of tinware.
Jesse Hartzog, proprietor Willshire Steam Mills. Manufacture and dealer in flour and grain. Highest price paid for wheat in cash.
Philip Hill, boot and shoe shop.
Wm. T. Lamb, proprietor “Oregon House.” Dealers in groceries and provisions.
Lyman Patrick, proprietor, blacksmith, and wagon shop.
J.W. Pearce, physician and farmer.
W.C. Putnam, eclectic physician and surgeon.
Wood & Chilcote, dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, and Queensware.
J. Warren