Nov 06

Veterans Day 2020

This coming Wednesday, 11 November 2020, we commemorate Veterans Day.

Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created to recognize of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”  Veterans Day was made a legal holiday in 1938. Today we take this special day to honor all U.S. military veterans.

My dad, Herbert Miller, and his two brothers LaVerne and Kenneth, all served in the U.S. Army.

Herbert Miller, 333 Reg, 84 Div, “Rail Splitters”, WWII

LaVerne Miller, Army Anti Aircraft Artillery

Kenneth Miller, 278 Regimental Combat Team 1953-55

A photo of my dad and his two brothers. They sure do look alike, all so handsome.

Miller brothers, Herbert, LaVerne, and Kenneth, all veterans.

A big thank you to all veterans who served in our great county’s military, who served at home or abroad.

Thank you for your service.

Nov 03

Tombstone Tuesday-Oscar A. & Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm

Oscar A. & Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm, Zion Lutheran Church, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Oscar A. and Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

SCHUMM
Oscar A.
Oct. 31,1890
Feb. 2, 1984

Hilda M.
Sep. 12, 1883
Sep. 28, 1974

“Oscar” Albert Schumm was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 31 October 1890, the ninth of ten children born to William (1840-1906) and Anna Maria (Heffner) (1855-1931) Schumm. Oscar was baptized at Zion Lutheran, Schumm, on 9 November 1890, with JF Schumm and Martin Schinnerer I serving as his sponsors.

The William Schumm family in 1900, when Oscar was 9 years old: William, 59; Maria, 44; Hugo, 23; Rudolph, 20; Theodore, 18; Conrad, 16; Bertha, 14; Paul 12; Oscar, 9; and Julia, 4. William was a farmer and they lived between Willshire and Schumm. [1]

Oscar’s father William died in 1906. Oscar Schumm in 1910, living with his widowed mother and two siblings: Mary, 54, head; Paul, 21, son; Oscar, 19, son; Julia, 14, daughter. [2]

Oscar Schumm married Hilda Schumm at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, on 1 November 1914.

“Hilda” Maria Schumm was born near Schumm, Willshire Township, on 12 September 1883. She and her twin sister Lydia were the second and third of six children born to “John” Christian (1849-1926) and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Breuninger) (1860-1899) Schumm. Hilda and her twin sister were baptized at Zion Schumm 23 September 1883, with Mrs. Sarah Schumm, Mrs. Rosine Schinnerer, Mrs. Hannah Germann, and Margaretha Buechner serving as their sponsors. Hilda’s name is written first on their baptism record so the first two sponsors listed may have been her sponsors.

Hilda‘s mother Minnie (Breuninger) Schumm died in 1899.

Hilda Schumm, age 16, with her family, the next year, in 1900: John Schumm, 50; Victor A, 18; Hilda M, 16; Lydia, 16; Elizabeth, 12; Arnold, 10; Salome, 7; and Otis, 23. Her father John Schumm was a farmer. [3]

The John Schumm family in 1910: John, 60; Hilda, 26; Lydia, 26; Arnold, 19; and Salome, 17. [4]

Six years after their marriage, Oscar and Hilda Schumm in 1920: Oscar, 29; Hilda, 36; and Hildred, 3, daughter. Oscar was a farmer. [5]

The Oscar Schumm family in 1930: Oscar, 39, head; Hilda, 46, wife; Hildred, 13, daughter; Harold, 8, son; Roman, 5, son; and Maria Schumm, 74. Maria was listed as daughter on this enumeration but she was Oscar’s widowed mother, Maria (Heffner) Schumm. [6] Oscar‘s mother Maria died the next year.

The Oscar Schumm family in 1940: Oscar, 43; Hilda, 56; Hildred, 23; Harold, 18; and Roman, 15. Oscar farmed and son Harold worked on the farm. [7]

Hilda (Schumm) Schumm died from a heart attack near Willshire on 28 September 1974, at the age of 91. She was buried on 1 October. [8]

Oscar Schumm died of sepsis at the Van Wert County Hospital on 2 February 1984, at the age of 93. He was buried on the 6th. [9]

Oscar and Hilda (Schumm) Schumm had the following children:
Hildred Wilhelmina (1916-2004)
Harold P (1921-1988), married Leahline Pearl Case
Roman C (1924-1988)

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 97, p.11A, dwelling 219, family 234, William Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 22 March 2015).

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.1B, dwelling & family 15, Mary Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.11, dwelling 216, family 221, John Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.6A, dwelling 111, family 112, John G Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.3B, dwelling 59, family 60, Oscar A Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.2B, dwelling 42, family 43, Oscar Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.4B, house visited 81, Oscar Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ : viewed 25 Oct 2020).

[8] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Convoy, Tully Township, Van Wert, Hilda M Schumm, 28 Sep 1974; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9ZY-T6N8?i=2272&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CJ-XGW : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[9] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Pleasant Township, Van Wert, Oscar A Schumm, 2 Feb 1984; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Q-CFWB?i=303&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CN-2BF : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

Oct 30

Evans City Cemetery, Night of the Living Dead

Today, on the eve of Halloween 2020, some photos I took last year at a cemetery in Pennsylvania that has become somewhat of a cult cemetery.

Last December we went to Pennsylvania to visit my Aunt Ruth on her 100th birthday. While there we learned that we were not far from the Evans City Cemetery, where the opening scenes of the 1968 zombie horror movie Night of the Living Dead were filmed.  

I saw this movie in the late 1960s and have no desire to see it again. But I do like to visit cemeteries, so we decided to go to this famous cemetery while we were in the area. I never miss an opportunity to visit a cemetery.

Evans City Cemetery.

Evans City Cemetery is a few miles from Evans City, in a hilly area of Pennsylvania. The cemetery is located out in the country, situated on the top of a hill. A long winding drive leads up to the cemetery.

The opening scenes of the movie show Johnny and Barbara driving up that narrow drive to the cemetery.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery. Note the road below, in the distance.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery.

Once Johnny and Barbara arrive at the cemetery they place a wreath on a tombstone next to the Blair tombstone.

Blair tombstone at Evans City Cemetery. The cemetery chapel in the background.

Unfortunately I did not get the best shot of the Blair tombstone. I was focused on the other tombstone made famous by the movie, the Kramer tombstone.

Nicholas Kramer tombstone, Evans City Cemetery. (2019 photo by Karen)

As the movie continues, a zombie appears, attacks and knocks out Johnny. Barbara runs away in fear. At one point Barbara clings to the Kramer tombstone.

Nicholas Kramer (1842-1917) served in the Civil War.

Coins placed on Nicholas Kramer tombstone, for his Civil War service.

Standing by Kramer tombstone.

Kramer monument, Evans City Cemetery.

The names of Nicholas Kramer’s wife Mary and some of their children are inscribed on the other faces of the main monument. The small stones behind the main monument are for their children. There is also a Civil War marker for Nicholas.

The chapel, located near the entrance to the cemetery, is in some movie scenes.

Evans City Cemetery Chapel.

Barbara eventually runs out of the cemetery, to the countryside below, and the gruesome movie continues on to its finale.

Barbara ran from the cemetery down to the road below.

We visited Evens City Cemetery on a bright crisp morning and fortunately we did not see any zombies. We found it to be a nice, peaceful cemetery. Although, as I looked back through my photos, I do not remember seeing someone standing by that tall monument…

Person standing by tall monument??

More photos from Evans City Cemetery:

Evans City Cemetery

Evans City Cemetery

Evans City Cemetery

I was never much of a zombie fan, but I do watch the series The Walking Dead and its spin-off shows. Amazingly, I find The Walking Dead less disturbing than the original Night of the Living Dead.

This year I don’t know which is scarier, Halloween or the events of 2020. A couple thoughts about Halloween this year:

Does anyone else feel like Halloween is unnecessary this year? I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for 8 months now and I don’t think I need a day dedicated to it anymore.

For my Halloween costume I’m going to dress as a normal person with no mask, since that seems to scare the begibbies out of everyone.   

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Oct 27

Tombstone Tuesday-Salome S. Schumm

Salome S Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Salome S. Schumm, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Salome S. Schumm
5 Feb 1893-12 Sep 1983

Salome Sophie Schumm was born 5 February 1893, the sixth and last child born to “John” Christian (1849-1926) and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Breuninger) (1860-1899) Schumm. Salome was baptized at Zion Lutheran, Schumm, on 19 February 1893, with Mrs. Maria Anna Schumm and Mrs. Maria Stamm serving as her sponsors.

Salome‘s mother Minnie (Breuninger) Schumm died in 1899.

Salome Schumm, age 7, with her family in 1900: John Schumm, 50; Victor A, 18; Hilda M, 16; Lydia, 16; Elizabeth, 12; Arnold, 10; Salome, 7; and Otis, 23. Her father John Schumm was a farmer. [1]

The John Schumm family in 1910: John, 60; Hilda, 26; Lydia, 26; Arnold, 19; and Salome, 17. [2]

The John Schumm family in 1920: John, 70; Arnold, 28; and Salome, 25. [3]

Salome’s father John Schumm died in 1926.

In 1930 and 1940 Salome lived with her sister Lydia, Lydia’s husband Paul Schumm, and their family. The Paul Schumm family in 1930: Paul, 41, head; Lydia, 46, wife; Salome, 37, sister-in-law; Mildred, 13, daughter; Dolores, 10, daughter; Lola, 7, daughter; and Ellen, 4, daughter. [4] The Paul Schumm family in 1940: Paul, 51; Lydia, 56; Salome, 47; Mildred, 23; Lola, 17; and Ellen, 15. Salome had completed 8 years of school. Her brother-in-law Paul Schumm was a farmer and Salome was not employed during these years. [5]  

Salome Schumm died at the Van Wert County Hospital on 12 September 1983, at the age of 90.

Salome Schumm had the following siblings:

Alfred “Victor” Schumm (1881-1964), married Bertha Wilhelmine Kroemer

Lydia Barbara Schumm (1883-1967), married Paul Edwin Schumm

Hilda Maria Schumm (1883-1974), married Oscar Albert Schumm

Elisabeth Charlotte “Lizzie” Schumm (1888-1976), married William Cleveland Linser

Arnold Ludwig (1890-1968), married Naomi Margaretha Schumm

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.11, dwelling 216, family 221, John Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.6A, dwelling 111, family 112, John G Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[3] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.2B, dwelling & family 42, John C Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[4] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.2A, dwelling 30, family 31, Paul Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : viewed 25 Oct 2020).

[5] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.8A, house visited 164, Paul Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ : viewed 25 Oct 2020).

Oct 23

Willshire High School Junior Class, 1941-42

Below is a photo of Willshire High School’s Junior class, taken during the 1941-42 school year. My dad, Herb Miller, was a member of that class and you can see that he labeled this class photo.

In this photo my dad labeled some of his classmates by identifying the branch of the U.S. military they served in during WWII and who was married. He probably labeled the photo sometime after the war and before  April 1949. 

This was typical of my dad. He liked to label things and I am glad he did. Otherwise I would not know many of the people in the old photos he saved.

Junior class of Willshire 1941-42:

Whillshire High School Juniors, 1941-42.

Front row: Mary Dailey, Miriam Baker (married), Dorothy Leininger, Norma Jean Carr (married), Twyla Pifer, Ellen Schumm, Helen Schumm.

Middle row: Rilla Putman (married), Carl Ripley (Marines), William Stanton, Dale Caffee (Army), Ivan Wyer (Army), Dale Baumgartner (Army), Doris Painter, Norma Gribler

Back row: Dick Cowan (Air Corps Reserves), Kenny Ross, Murlin Miller (Marines), Herb Miller (Army), Carl (Jr) Linn, Louis Allmandinger (Army), G.M. Alspaugh (Navy).

My dad graduated from Willshire High School the next year (1943) and joined the U.S. Army in 1944.