Nov 26

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Karen’s Chatt!

Sending blessings from our house to yours.

Thanksgiving postcard, postmarked 1910.

Nov 24

Tombstone Tuesday-Henry P. & Rosa I. (Roehm) Reidenbach

Henry P & Rosa I (Roehm) Reidenbach, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Henry P. and Rosa I. (Roehm) Reidenbach, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

REIDENBACH
Henry P.
1866-1943
He Shall Never See Death
Rosa I.
1869-1939
Be Thou Faithful Unto Death

Henry Peter Reidenbach was born in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 8 January 1866, the son of George Peter and Eva Margaretha (Pflueger) Reidenbach.

The George P Reidenbach family in 1870, when Henry was 6 years of age: George, 48; Margaret, 42; John, 19; George, 17; Elizabeth, 21; Margaret, 15; Louis, 9; Henry, 6; Martha, 4 months, and Caroline, 11. The parents were born in Germany and the father George was a farmer. [1]

The George Reidenbach family in 1880: George, 58; Margaret, 51; George, 26; Maggie, 23; Caroline, 20; Louis, 18; Henry, 14; and Martha, 10. The parents were born in Germany and the children were born in Ohio. George was a farmer. [2]

Henry Reidenbach married Rosa Roehm about 1887.

Rosina Isabel “Rosa” Roehm was born at Schumm on 18 March 1869, the daughter of Andrew and Friedericke (Gutheil) Roehm. Rosa was baptized 21 March 1869 with Isabella Schumm and Rosina Schumm serving as her sponsors.

The Andrew Roehm family in 1870, when Rosa was a year old: Andrew Roehm, 56; Freidericke Roehm, 43; Jacob Roehm, 23; Henry Roehm, 19; Emmanuel Roehm, 16; Anna Roehm, 13; George Roehm, 8; Magdalene Roehm, 6; Susannah Roehm, 4; Rosa Roehm, 1; Charles Reddig, 18; Mary Reddig, 16; John Reddig, 13; Frederick Redig, 11; and Catherine Reddig, 10. The parents were born in Germany and the father Andrew Roehm was a farmer. [3]

The Andrew Roehm family in 1880: Andrew, 66; Friedericke, 56; Catherine, 18; George 17; Magdalena, 15; Susanna, 14; and Rosa, 11. [4]  

The Henry Reidenbach family in 1900, 13 years after their marriage: Henry, 33; Rosa, 31; Wilbur, 12; Amanda, 11; Theodore, 5; and Viola, 2. The father Henry Reidenbach was a farmer. Rosa had given birth to four children and all were living. [5]

The Henry Reidenbach family in 1910: Henry 44; Rosa, 41; Wilber, 22; Amanda, 21; Theodore, 15; Viola, 12; and Roland, 7. [6]

The Henry Reidenbach family in 1920: Henry, 53; Rosa, 50; Viola H, 21; Roland G, 17; and Olga Maria, 5. [7]

By 1930 Olga Reidenbach was the only child living at home with her parents: Henry, 64; Rosa, 61; and Olga, 15. [8]

Rosa (Roehm) Reidenbach died of a heart attack at their home near Schumm on 25 November 1939, at the age of 70 years, 8 months, and 7 days. She was buried on the 28th, with Rev. A. Moeller officiating at her service.  

By 1940 Henry’s daughter Olga had married Paul Robison and they resided with Olga’s widowed father Henry in 1940: Henry Reidenbach, 74; Olga Robison, 26; and Paul Robison, 25. Henry and Paul farmed. [9]

I find it interesting that the Reidenbachs were enumerated next to to my great-grandmother Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer and they were probably close neighbors.

Henry Reidenbach died at the Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Indiana, on 30 April 1943, at the age of 77 years, 3 months, and 22 days. He was buried on the 3rd, with Rev. A. Moeller officiating at his service.

Henry and Rosa (Roehm) Reidenbach had the following children:
Wilbur Lewis (1887-1978), married Adeline Sophia Bischoff
“Amanda“ Magdalena Margaretha (1889-1916), married “William“ Lorenz Schumm
Theodore Andrew (1895-1974), married Bertha (Bischoff) Rice
Viola Henrietta (1898-1981), married Albert Lawrence Handwerk
Roland Gerhard (1902-1978), married Wilma H. Rice
Olga Marie (1914-1973), married Paul K. Robison

I have another interesting connection to this family. Henry Reidenbach’s mother Eva Margaretha (Pflueger) was the younger sister of my great-great-great-grandmother Maria “Barbara” Pflueger (1822-1908), an immigrant who married immigrant Ludwig Schumm (1817-1855), my great-great-great-grandfather.

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, p.252A, dwelling 17, family 17, Leo P Ridenbauch; digital image  by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, Ed 148, p.310C, dwelling 161, family 164, George Reidenbauch; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[3] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.139A, dwelling 132, family 133, Andrew Roehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[4] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.449B, family 120, Andrew Roehm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[5] 1900 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 79, p.5, dwelling 39, family 39, Henry Reidenbach; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 20 Sep 2020).

[6] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.5A, dwelling 94, family 95, Henry Reidenbach; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 20 Sep 2020).

[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.4B, dwelling 80, family 81, Henry Reideubacher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[8] 1930 U.S. Census, Wilshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.3B, dwelling 67, family 69, Henry Reidenbach; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

[9] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.8A, household 159, Henry Reidenbach; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ : viewed 23 Nov 2020).

Nov 20

Thanksgiving Dinner Memories

Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner and I have been reminiscing about the Thanksgiving dinners we used to have with my parents. Since my parents are no longer with us those memories are very special.

Our family enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving Day. When we arrived at my parents’ home the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was on the TV and we could smell the turkey roasting in the oven. Something special was cooking on every burner on the stove.

The parade ended, a football game began, and we sat down to dinner.

Thanksgiving 2009

My mom was a very good cook and she made everything you would expect for a Thanksgiving dinner—roast turkey, stuffing (we call it dressing), mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato souffle, corn, cranberry salad (homemade), rolls, and pumpkin pie. She made everything from scratch.

Every single dish was delicious and we all ate too much. After dinner we all were ready for a nap. What is it about being sleepy after eating a turkey dinner?

I know which dish I think was the star of the meal and I asked Joe what dish was his favorite. We both agreed it was the dressing. My mom made the best dressing ever. Here is her dressing recipe:

Thanksgiving Dressing:

2 T butter
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 loaf of bread
½ t. poultry seasoning
1 t. salt
½ t. pepper
2 cups of broth
1 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
Turkey giblets

Separate and let bread slices dry out overnight. Tear in pieces and put into large bowl. Sauté celery and onion and seasonings in butter. Add to bread pieces. Add broth, milk, beaten eggs and giblets to the mixture. Stir until mixed well. The mixture will be very moist, almost runny. Pour into greased large casserole and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. I usually bake covered with foil for 45 minutes and uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

Giblets are optional, depending on how much your family likes them. I sometimes add cooked turkey or chicken pieces if I am just making dressing. Or, you don’t have to add meat at all.

We like plenty of poultry seasoning in our dressing, too.   

My mom said her recipe was very similar to the Schumm church ladies’ dressing recipe. And she always stressed that the dressing mixture should be runny when you pour it into the casserole. You don’t want dry dressing.

I once made this recipe in a slow cooker, which worked fine for that carry-in dinner. I just had to make sure it stayed plenty moist because it tended to dry out in the slow cooker. It was good but it did not get the nice brown top crust you get when baked in the oven.

Since my mom passed away in 2016 Joe and I have eaten an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner each year. Our son and his family usually go to his in-laws on Thanksgiving Day. They come back to Celina for the Bennett get-together, a carry-in dinner for a couple dozen family members, not on Thanksgiving Day. That leaves Joe and I on our own on Thanksgiving Day. What restaurant is open on a holiday? Chinese buffet. That’s right. We have been eating Chinese on Thanksgiving Day. It works for us and I don’t have to cook!   

But this year all Thanksgiving plans are messed up. The grandkids have colds, so we will get together closer to Christmas.

The turkey is in the freezer and the dressing recipe is close at hand.  

So this year, because of the virus, our Thanksgiving Day dinner will probably be Chinese carryout.

Nov 17

Tombstone Tuesday-Margaretha B. Schumm

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

This is the tombstone of Margaretha B. Schumm, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruhet in Gott
Margaretha
B. Tochter d.
Georg u. Maria
Schumm
Gest. 21 Sep 1851
Sie brachte ihr
Gebon auf 3 Jahr
8 Mo. u. 25 Tage

Here rests in God Margaretha B, daughter of Georg and Maria Schumm, died 21 September 1851, [literally: she brought her, born on?] [aged] 3 years, 8 months, and 25 days.

“Margaretha” Barbara Schumm was born near Schumm in Van Wert County on 2 December 1847, the sixth of thirteen children born to George Martin and Maria (Pflueger) Schumm. Margaretha was baptized 1 January 1848 with Rev. George Streckfuss and wife and Ludwig Schumm and wife serving as her sponsors. Her parents were both German immigrants.

Margaretha was enumerated with her family in just one census, the 1850 census: George Schumm, 38; Mary, 30; Fred, 11; Louis, 9; George, 8; John, 6; Rosina, 5; Margaret, 2; Mary, 1; Elisabeth Pflueger, 14; and Jacob Bienz, 24. The parents and Jacob Bienz were born in Germany, while the rest were born in Ohio. The father George was a farmer. Elisabeth Pflueger, Mary (Pflueger) Schumm’s sister, married Jacob Bienz the next year. [1] 

Margaretha Schumm died from brain fever at 8:30 in the morning of 21 September 1851, according to Zion Schumm’s records. She was 3 years, 8 months, and 25 days old and was buried on the 22nd.

[1] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.166B, dwelling 114, family 131, George Shuman; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ : viewed 15 Nov 2020).

Nov 13

1896 Postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

Today, an old envelope with a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. This envelope is postmarked 22 January 1896 and is the earliest Chattanooga postmark that I have.

1896 postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

It is addressed to:
Germania Publishing Co.
286 & 288 West Water St.
Milwaukee, Wis.

It cost 10 cents to mail this letter in 1896.

1896 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark

Stamped on the reverse is that the letter was received in Milwaukee on 25 January 1896. It was received in three days, which seems like a pretty quick delivery service back in 1896. I’m not so sure things have improved all that much in the last 125 years.

Reverse of envelope with 1896 postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

Unfortunately, there is no return address on the envelope and the envelope is empty. I would venture a guess that the envelope contained the payment for a subscription or a subscription renewal.

Also stamped on the front of the envelope is Registered No. 12. Does this mean it was sent registered mail? Maybe, if a check or money was being sent.

I have written about the Chattanooga, Ohio, post office before. After looking at the Appointment of Postmasters records, it appears the Chattanooga Post Office operated from 1882 to 1900 or 1904. Just after the turn of the century the mail was sent to Rockford.

According to the Postmaster records, Philip Deitsch was Chattanooga’s Postmaster in 1896. [1]

The Chattanooga Post Office was in the frame building that stood just south of where the Chatt Bar is today, located in what was Egger’s Grocery store.

Semon Egger had a mortuary in the upstairs of the same building. Hmmm. A post office and a mortuary in the same building. Good thing they didn’t have mail-in voting back then. But I digress…

The list of appointed postmasters in Chattanooga (1882-1900):

1882-1889:
Philip Hill, 18 Sep 1882
John Schlenker, 31 Aug 1885
William Fender, 8 Sep 1888
Jacob Deitsch, 24 Dec 1889

1891-1930:
Henry J Cordier, 9 Jul 1891
Frederick Heffner, 15 Jan 1894
Philip Deitsch, 16 Jul 1895
Andrew Leistner, 10 Apr 1899
George R Hagerman, 30 Nov 1891
Mail to Rockford 3 May 1900
Charles F Wagner, 14 Sep 1904 [1]

A nice piece of Chattanooga history.

[1] Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, National Archives, Roll #100, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio, Vol. 38, (1873-1891), p.316, & Vol. 79 (1891-1930) p.367-368; digital image, Ancestry.com, viewed 12 Nov 2020.