We know that Chattanooga, Ohio, once had its very own post office. At one time the post office was in the frame building that stood just south of where the Chatt Bar is today.
At that time the Chattanooga Post Office was in Egger’s Grocery. Semon Egger also had a mortuary in the upstairs part of the same building. There was a lot going on at Egger’s and it was likely the center of activity in Chatt.
I am sure a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark is rare and I don’t believe I had ever seen one–that is until a few weeks ago.
Several weeks ago someone showed me a very old envelope with a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. This 1897 postmark would likely predate the post office that was in Egger’s store.
The envelope was from James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufacturing Co. in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. It is dated 13 Dec 1897 and was sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio.
From James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufacturing Co, Columbus, Ohio. To F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio, 1897. (2015 photo by Karen)
Close-up of above postmark, 1897. (2015 photo by Karen)
The other side of the envelope has the Chattanooga postmark. You can read Chattanooga, Ohio, clearly and the date is Dec 1897, but it is difficult to make out the exact day of the month. I am not sure why the Chattanooga postmark was stamped on the back of the envelope. Maybe someone knows why.
December 1897 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. (2015 photo by Karen)
December 1897 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. (2015 photo by Karen)
This letter was sent in the envelope to F. T. Kuhn:
1897 letter sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)
1897 James Ohlen & Sons letterhead, sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)
Mr. F.T. Kuhn,
Chattanooga, O.
Dec. 13, ‘97
Dear Sir,
Yours 9” received. We sell our special cut half oval file at $3.00 dz. Or $1.50 half dz. 10 inch Mill Files at $1.30 dz. Can t Hooks $1.25 each, Speed Indicators with bell $1.00 each, and without bell 60 cents each. Swedges Co. #1 at $2.75, and #0 at $3.25. We can ship promptly, and we will be glad to do some business with you.
Very truly,
James Ohlen & Son’s Saw Manufacturing Co.
Wm Felton
The James Ohlen Company also sent a repair ticket with the letter:
1897 repair ticket from James Ohlen & Sons, sent to F.T. Kuhn. (2015 photo by Karen)
1897 repair ticket from James Ohlen & Sons, sent to F.T. Kuhn. (2015 photo by Karen)
I am not sure who F.T. Kuhn was, but in 1916 an F.T. Kuhn lived south of Chatt, just south of Schaadt Road. He is listed in the 1916 The Farm Journal Illustrated Directory of Mercer County on page 103:
T. Kuhn, wife Mary, 5 children, farmer, tenant, 5 horses, 11 cattle, at route 5 Rockford, with an Indiana telephone.
What an interesting piece of Chattanooga history!
