May 03

Chatt Grocery for Sale, 1903

Even though Chattanooga, Ohio, has always been a small town, it has been home to a number of businesses over the years. Years ago, when travel was not as easy as it is today, it was important that the small towns meet the needs of the local people, so they could buy and sell goods close to home.

A grocery store was one of those necessary businesses. It was important to have a grocery close to home. There have been a number of grocery stores in Chatt over the years.

Here is one such Chattanooga grocery, up for sale and advertised in the Cincinnati Enquirer on 7 November 1903:

GENERAL STORE-In Chattanooga, Ohio, in the oil field and doing a good business: splendid opportunity. G.R. Hagerman, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Chatt Grocery for Sale, 7 Nov 1903, Cincinnati Enquirer

There are a couple interesting things here. The mention that Chatt was in the oil field would have been a good business opportunity. A location in the oil field would mean there were more people in the area and thus generate more money.

And who was G.R. Hagerman, who was apparently selling the grocery?

A few years back I wrote a blog post about this man, Chattanooga physician Dr. G.R. Hagerman, Dr. G.R. Hagerman, Physician and Surgeon in Chattanooga, Ohio.

In that blog post I wrote about an 1896 letter, postmarked Chattanooga, Ohio, with the return address of Dr. G.R. Hagerman, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Letter from Dr. G.R. Hagerman, Chattanooga, Ohio, 1896.

This 1900 map of Chatt shows where Dr. Hagerman lived.

1900 map of Chattanooga, Ohio.

According to his death certificate, George Robinson Hagerman was born 2 August 1856 in Mendon, Ohio, the son of James and Elizabeth Hagerman. [1]

In 1880 Dr. George Hagerman, age 23, was a physician in Mendon, Ohio. He was single and lived in John Heppard’s boarding house. John C. Miller, another physician, also lived in the same boarding house. [2] 

Dr. George Hagerman married Elizabeth Luella Dutton on 25 May 1882 in Mercer County. [3] Elizabeth was also from Mercer County, the daughter of James W. and Sarah C. (Grant) Dutton. [4]

In 1900 Dr. Hagerman lived in Liberty Township, Mercer County, with Elizabeth, his wife of 18 years, and 3 sons, Charles W., 15; Edwin W., 11; and James F., 1. Their oldest son Charles ran a huckster wagon. [5] Perhaps Dr. Hagerman ran the grocery in addition to his medical practice. Or perhaps his wife ran the grocery. Maybe he owned the grocery but hired a non-family member to run the grocery. We may never know.

Their son Wallace Edwin Hagerman died in 1902 and a year later Dr. Hagerman put the grocery store up for sale. 

Dr. Hagerman apparently sold the grocery because by 1910 he and his family resided in Camden, Loraine County, Ohio, [6] where he remained and practiced medicine until his death in 1939 at the age of 82.

Dr. George R. Hagerman died at his home in Kipton, June 6 at the age of 82 years. He was the father of James F. Hagerman, a member of the U.S. Coastguards at Marblehead. Funeral services were held Friday. [7]

Death of George R. Hagerman
Dr. George R. Hagerman died at his home in Kipton, Tuesday evening, at the age of 82 years. He is survived by his wife, one son, James F. Hagerman, of the U.S. Coast Guards at Marblehead, and one grandson, Russell Hagerman, of Cicero, Ill. Funeral services were conducted at the Community Church, Kipton, on Friday morning with interment at Mendon, Ohio. [8]

Dr. GR Hagerman obituary, 2 Jun 1939, The Peninsular.

Dr. George R Hagerman is buried at Mendon Cemetery and shares a tombstone with wife Elizabeth L. (1864-1941), son Wallace E. (1889-1902), son Charles W. (1884-1911). [9]

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Camden, Loraine, Geo Robinson Hagerman, 6 Jun 1939; FamilySearch.org.

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Mendon, ED 191, p.535D, dwelling & family 43, George Hagerman; Ancestry.com.

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” Mercer County, Vol 5, p.135, Geo R Hagerman & Libbie L Dutton, 25 May 1882; FamilySearch.org.

[4] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Ottawa, Port Clinton, Elizabeth Luella Hagerman, 13 May 1941; FamilySearch.org.

[5] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 85, p. 10A, dwelling 184, family 189, George R Hagerman; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Loraine, Camden, ED 101, p.3A, dwelling 67, family 69, George R Hagerman; Ancestry.com.

[7] Port Clinton Herald and Republican, Port Clinton, Ohio, 16 Jun 1939, p.10; Newspapers.com.

[8] The Peninsular News, Marblehead, Ohio, 2 Jun 1939; Newspapers.com.

[9] FindaGrave.com, George Robinson Hagerman Memorial #64361248.

Apr 30

Tombstone Tuesday-Luetta L. Baker

Luetta L. Baker, Chattanooga Mausoleum, Mercer County, Ohio. (2017 photo by Karen)

This is the burial compartment of Luetta L. Baker, located in the Chattanooga Mausoleum, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The compartment is inscribed:

Luetta L. Baker
Oct . 13, 1902
Oct. 24, 1932

Luetta Louisa Baker was born in Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 13 October 1902, the daughter of Theodore W. (1875-1932) and Mary H. (Bollenbacher) (1875-1961) Baker. She was the youngest of four daughters born to Theodore and Mary. 

The Theodore Baker family in 1910: Theodore, 34; Mary, 25; Elvira, 12; Leona, 11; Marie, 10; and Luetta, 7. The family lived on what was known as Baker Pike and Theodore was a farmer. [1]

Luetta was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, on 27 May 1917. Luetta’s confirmation photo:

In 1920 Luetta, 17, lived with her parents and sisters Leona and Marie. Luetta attended school and her father was a bank teller. [2]

By 1930 Luetta’s three sisters had married and left home and Luetta, 27 and single, lived with her parents. She was not employed and her father operated a stone crusher. [3]

Luetta Baker, age 30, died in Black Creek Township on 23 October 1932. On 23 October according to her death certificate, although 24 October is inscribed on her compartment. According to her death certificate she died from tuberculosis. [4] Zion Chatt’s death and burial records indicate that she died from a hemorrhage of the lung. Luetta was interred in the Chattanooga Mausoleum on the 26th.  She was survived by her parents and 2 sisters.

The Baker family lost three family members that year. Luetta’s sister Elvira (Baker) Ripley died 30 July 1932, Luetta died in October, and their father Theodore Baker died 14 December 1932.

Luetta Louisa Baker had 3 sisters:
Elvira Lorena Baker (1897-1932), married Forrest M. Ripley
Leona Louise Baker (1898-1980), married Homer Carr
Marie Christina (1900-1986), married Oscar F. Schaadt

[1] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer County, Black Creek Township, ED 107, p.1B, dwelling & family 14, Theadre [sic] W Baker; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer County, Black Creek Township, ED 124, p.8A, dwelling & family 160, Thead [sic] Baker; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer County, Black Creek Township, ED 1, p.7B, dwelling & family 163, Theador [sic] W Baker; Ancestry.com.

[4] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Mercer County, Luetta L Baker, 23 Oct 1932; FamilySearch.org.

Apr 26

Goldsby Alaska Bennett, Center Public School Teacher, 1905

A few months ago I wrote about Joe’s great-uncle, Goldsby “Alaska” Bennett, who was enumerated as a schoolteacher in Black Creek Township and in Franklin Township, Mercer County, in 1900. [1] He was enumerated twice in that census, which is rather unusual.

Goldsby “Alaska” Bennett

Alaska taught a few more years in Mercer County. I recently got a copy of the 1905 Souvenir book for Center Public School, Franklin Township, Mercer County, where Alaska Bennett was the teacher. There is a nice photo of Alaska on the front.

1905 Souvenir Book, Center Public School, Franklin Township, G.A. Bennett, teacher.

Whoever wrote his name on the front apparently used the abbreviated version of Alaska.

1905 Souvenir Book, Center Public School, Franklin Township, G.A. Bennett, teacher.

Written inside:

Center
Public School
Special District
Franklin Twp, Mercer County, Ohio
G.A. Bennett, Teacher

Pupils
Nellie Clevenger
Lizzie Clevenger
Ethel Frank
Lulu Preston
Mabe Ballinger
Blanche Harrison
Mabel Harrison
Edith Mosier
Eunice Kittle
Lura Frank
Cecil Frank
Clarence Frank
Carl Miller
Paul Miller
Ray Snider
Louis Kittle
Dale Sheeley
James Goodnick
Harry Servis
Bessie Goodnick
Elsie Sheeley
Clifford Gray
Lewis Newland
Hazzle Clevenger
Flavilla Frank
Alta Lyons
Elma Hole
Electra Ballinger
Caroline Harrison
Mirtie Mosier
Jessie Kittle
Cecil Kittle
Earl Frank
Worley Frank
Lawrence Frank
Park Miller
Harold Snider
William Kittle
Frank Kittle
Earl Sheeley
Forest Ballinger
Charles Servis
Flossie Harrison
Albert Harrison
Leroy Newland
Willie Newland

School Board
Irvin Hole
Philip Servis
H.B. Bennett
J.W. Harrison
John Lyons

One of the School Board members was H.B. Bennett, Alaska’s father.

Alaska didn’t have to go far to teach at Center School. Center School was on the edge of his father Henry Brandenburg’s land, northeast of Montezuma. Henry had some nice lake-shore property.

Center School and Henry B Bennett land, 1900 map, Franklin Township, Mercer County, Ohio.

Goldsby “Alaska” Bennett was born in Mercer County on 27 November 1878, the fourth child, the second son of Henry Brandenburg and Sarah Maria (Milligan) Bennett. He grew up near Montezuma, became a teacher and taught for several terms.

Alaska Bennett married Ida Ellen Monroe (1883-1967) on 27 March 1910 in Mercer County and they moved to a farm in Paulding County, Ohio. There he farmed, served as the school board clerk, and was a founder of the Oakwood Telephone Company and the Oakwood Oil Company.

Alaska Bennett died on his 75th birthday, 27 November 1953. His widow Ida died 13 December 1967.

Alaska Bennett had the following siblings:
Nevada B. Bennett (1865-1925), married John J. Beauchamp
Dakota T. Bennett (1868-1936), married Anna Manning
Minnesota Bennett (1873-1953), married James Austin Drumm
Arizona Landon Bennett (1881-1961), married Orla Yancy
Delaware Samuel Bennett (1884-1937), married Mattie Evelyn Yeaton
Vermont H. Bennett (1886-1964), married Lura Vivian Monroe; married Mattie Evelyn (Yeaton) Bennett

[1] Goldsby Alaska Bennett, Black Creek Teacher in 1900 , Karen’s Chatt, 6 Oct 2023.

Apr 23

Tombstone Tuesday-Forrest M. & Elvira L. (Baker) Ripley

Ripley, Forrest & Elvira (Baker), Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Forrest M. and Elvira L. (Baker) Ripley, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

RIPLEY
Elvira L.
1897-1932
Forrest M.
1896-1969

Forrest Malcolm Ripley was born 29 Aug 1896 in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, the son of Malcolm Alonzo (1866-1953) and Lillie (Hopf) (1866-1925) Ripley. Forrest’s parents were both born in Mercer County, Ohio, and his mother’s family attended Zion Chatt, where she was baptized on 24 June 1866.

The Malcolm Ripley family in 1900: Malcolm, 33; Lily P, 34; Earl F, 5; Forrest M, 3; Fay, 10 months; and Benford Ripley, 27, brother. Malcolm Ripley was a farmer. [1] By 1910 the Ripley family had grown to include Leland, born in 1904, and Dorothy, born in 1907.

Forrest M. Ripley married Elvira L. Baker at Zion Lutheran Church, Chatt, on 1 Jan 1919. Witnesses to their marriage were Earl Ripley and Luetta L. Baker.

Elvira Lorena Baker was born in Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 12 July 1897, the daughter of Theodore W. (1875-1932) and Mary H. (Bollenbacher) (1875-1961) Baker. 

The Theodore Baker family in 1900: Theodore, 24; Mary, 25; Alvera [Elvira], 2; Leona, 1; and Marie, 4 months. All family members were born in Ohio and Theodore was a farmer. [2] By 1910 the Baker family had grown to include daughter Luetta, born in 1902.

Elvira was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 9 April 1911.

By 1919 the Baker sisters were getting married and leaving home. Elvira married Forrest Ripley in 1919. Her sister Leona married Homer Carr on 14 March 1920, and sister Mary married Oscar F. Schaadt on 14 October 1920.

In 1920, newlyweds Forrest, 23, and Elvira Ripley, 22, resided with Forrest’s parents on Willshire Pike, in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana. Malcom Ripley’s family in 1920: Malcolm, 53; Lillie, 53; Earl, 24; Fay, 20; Leland, 15; and Dorothy, 12. The census indicates that Malcolm and Lillie were born in Ohio and their children were born in Indiana. Malcolm was a farmer and Forrest was the farm manager. [3]   

Two sons were born to Forrest and Elvira Ripley during the next few years, Laverne, in 1921, and Carl in 1925. Both sons were born in Ohio, so they probably moved to Ohio between 1920-1921.

Forrest Ripley was baptized at Zion Chatt on 25 March 1923.

Forrest’s mother, Lillie Pauline (Hopf) Ripley, died from cancer on 2 Feb 1925, age 58 years. She was buried on the 4th and her funeral in Union Church, Adams County, Indiana, although her burial information is recorded in Zion Chatt’s records. She was survived by her husband, 3 sons, 2 daughters, 5 sisters, and 1 brother. 

In 1930 Forrest and Elvira and their 2 sons, Laverne, 8, and Carl, 4, lived in Black Creek Township, Mercer County, on what was called Baker Pike. [4]

Elvira (Baker) Ripley died in Decatur, Indiana, 30 July 1932, at age 35, from a bowel obstruction. She was buried on 1 August, with S.S. Egger in charge of the funeral arrangements. Her death certificate indicates that she was buried in the Chattanooga Mausoleum. [5]

Ripley, Elvira (Baker), Chattanooga Mausoleum (2017 photo by Karen)

Elvira was survived by her husband, 2 young sons, her parents, and 3 sisters.

1932 continued to be a tragic year for the Theodore Baker family. Elvira’s sister Luetta Louisa Baker, age 30, died 24 October 1932 and the father Theodore William Baker died 14 December 1932.

Elvira’s father, mother, and sister Luetta are also interred in the Chattanooga Mausoleum.

Widower Forrest Ripley married Helen Laffin on 2 December 1933 at Zion Lutheran Church, married by Rev. Carl Yahl. Helen, age 27, was the daughter of Elza and Florence (Davis) Laffin and was born in Liberty Township on 26 September 1906. She was not previously married. [6]

The Forrest Ripley family in 1940: Forrest, 43, head; Helen P, 33, wife; Laverne, 18, son; and Carl, 14, son. [7]

Forrest and Helen apparently divorced and Forrest married widow Ercie Lucille (Butler) Hower on 27 December 1943 in Indiana. Ercie was born in Tipton County, Indiana, on 16 Feb 1896, the daughter of Jesse M. (1863-1903) and Tempie (Thrailkill) (1875-1963) Butler and she lived in Decatur. [8] Ercie’s first husband Frech C. Hower died in 1938.

Forrest and Ercie lived on 707, west of 49, near the Indiana State Line. Ercie joined the congregation of Zion Lutheran, Chatt, on 15 April 1945. By 1950 Forrest’s two sons had left home and Forrest and Ercie lived by themselves, , along with Walter E. Thatcher, 15, as their farm hand. 

Forrest Malcolm Ripley died of a heart attack at his Black Creek Township home on 2 January 1969, aged 72 years. He was buried on the 5th. He was survived by his wife Ercie, 2 sons, 1 stepson, 2 step-daughters, 1 brother, 1 sister, and 3 grandchildren. His obituary:

Forrest [Ripley], 72, Rt. 1, passed away at 9 a.m., at his home after a coronary attack.

He was the son of Malcolm and Lily (Hopf) Ripley. He married twice. His first wife was Elvira Baker, who preceded him in death. On Dec 28, 1944, he married Ercie Hower, who survived him.

Also surviving were two sons, LaVern and Carl, both Rockford; a stepson, Frech Hower, New Haven, IN; two stepdaughters, Betty Kline, Sarasota, Fl, and Mrs. Donald House, Linton, IN; a brother, Earl, Napoleon; two sisters, Faye (Joseph) Rolley, Redwood Valley, CA, and Dorothy (Earl) McBride, Rockford; and three grandchildren. Deceased is a brother, Leland.

He raced horses for several years, and was a member of the Western Ohio Colt Racing Assoc. and the U.S. National Trotting Assoc. He also was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lodge 667, F&AM of Willshire and Chapter 25, Order of the Eastern Star of Willshire.

Funeral services were in the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, with Rev. Ralph Hershberger officiating. [9]

Forrest’s widow Ercie married Rev. Herman Reinking in 1971 and he passed away in 1973. Ercie Lucille (Butler) Hower Ripley Reinking died 8 February 1994 at the Lutheran Home, Allen County, Indiana.

I remember Forrest and Ercie Ripley attending church at Zion Chatt and attending the Farm Council Meetings. The house they lived in on 707 was moved to Sipe Road some years ago.

Forrest and Elvira (Baker) Ripley had the following children:
LaVerne Theodore Ripley (1921-1992), married Rilla Putman
Carl Malcolm Ripley (1925-1990), married Lucille Ketcham

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Indiana, Adams, Blue Creek, ED 1, p. 10, dwelling 189, family 196, Malcolm C [sic] Ripley; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.9, dwelling & family 196, Dore W Baker; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1920 U.S. Census, Indiana, Adams, Blue Creek, ED 1, p.6A, dwelling 118, family 118, Forrest Ripley; Ancestry.com. The Malcolm Ripley was family no. 117.   

[4] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio,  Mercer, Black Creek, ED 1, p.7B, dwelling & family 165, Forest [sic] M Ripley; Ancestry.com.  

[5] Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, IN, Indiana Death Certificates, 1932, roll 7, Elvira Ripley, 30 Jul 1932; Ancestry.com.

[6] Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Mercer Marriages, Vol. 14, p. 147, Forrest M Ripley & Helen Laffin, 2 Dec 1933; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 54-1, p.8B, household 174, Forrest M Ripley; Ancestry.com.

[8] Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001, Forrest M. Ripley & Ercie Hower, 27 December 1943; Ancestry.com.

[9] Forrest M. Ripley Find a Grave memorial no. 39739608, from The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 3 Jan 1969; FindaGrave.com.

Apr 19

Some Chattanooga Residents

Some residents of Chatt from days gone by.

Jack August

 

Carl Schroeder

 

Anna (Huffman) Bollenbacher

 

Theodore Leininger

Ivan Johnson

 

Bruno Betzel