Category: Uncategorized

Area Patterson Exam Grads, 1912-1914

Last week I showed the names the Van Wert and Mercer County students who successfully passed the Patterson Exam. The Patterson Exam was given to eighth grade students to make sure they were ready to enter high school. If a student passed the exam he or she could enter the high school of their choice.

Wets and Drys

I continue to search through old issues of The Celina Democrat, looking for articles and information about our area of Mercer County. One thing I noticed is that this newspaper, during this time period, often featured articles about liquor and drinking.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Today I am re-posting a blog I wrote several years ago, the story of the first time I heard the beautiful Christmas song Mary, Did You Know.

1907: Traction Line Planned for Chatt

Chattanooga, Ohio, was founded before 1840. It was and still is a very small town. I have heard that a train was supposed to go through Chatt many years ago.

Schumm Sawmill/USS Constitution Connection

As 2022 winds down to its final weeks, Willshire’s Bicentennial year does the same. The village was founded and platted in 1822 by Captain James Riley and the village and residents of the area have been celebrating its 200th birthday all year.