Oct 25

1918 Photo of Dynamited Schumm Parochial School

One hundred and one years ago residents in the area of Schumm, Ohio, were shocked when Zion Lutheran’s parochial school was dynamited in the early morning hours of 20 October 1918. The time was during WWI, when the country was filled with anti-German sentiment. Schumm was settled by German immigrants. It was a German-Lutheran parish and they still held church services in German and taught the German language at the school at that time.

I wrote about this event last year, “Schumm Parochial School Dynamited in 1918.” [1] I have heard a couple theories about why the school was dynamited, but the most accepted theory is the anti-German sentiment at the time.

I have acquired a photo of Schumm’s parochial school not long after it was dynamited. The damage was to the northeast corner of the building:

Schumm Parochial School after 20 October 1918 dynamiting.

The brick school building, built in 1899, was about 24 x 32 feet. You can see where the dynamite was placed, under the window in the northeast corner, creating a large hole. The force of the explosion was so great that one end of the building was blown out, every window was broken, the seats were blown loose from their fastenings on the floor, the ceiling was wrecked and the entire North wall was damaged. The vibrations caused by the explosion created a report which was heard for miles around, indicating that a large quantity of the explosion was set off. [2]

Schumm’s parochial school:

Zion Lutheran Parochial School, Schumm, Ohio (built in 1899)

Tragic as this event was, at least the perpetrators chose a time when no one was at the school. No one was injured.

How ironic that at that same time there were young German-American men from Schumm, risking their lives while fighting the Germans in Europe. They were patriotic Americans.

[1] Karen’s Chatt, “Schumm Parochial School Dynamited in 1918,” 13 July 2018, https://karenmillerbennett.com/schumm/schumm-parochial-school-dynamited-in-1918/.

[2] Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, 21 Oct 1918, pg. 3. [The whole newspaper article at “Schumm Parochial School Dynamited in 1918.”]

Oct 22

Tombstone Tuesday–Alma Schinnerer

Alma Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Alma Schinnerer, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ALMA SCHINNERER
1891-1977

“Alma” Rosina Elizabeth Schinnerer was born 17 November 1891 in Van Wert County, Ohio, the first child born to Frederick G. and Wilhelmine “Minnie” (Roehm) Schinnerer. Alma was baptized 20 November 1891, with Mrs. Elizabeth Schinnerer, Mrs. Rosine Schinnerer, and Mrs. Rosine Roehm serving as her sponsors.  

The Frederick Schinnerer family in the 1900 census, living in Willshire Township: Fred G, 39; Minnie, 29; Alma, 8; Martha, 6; Herman, 4; Carl, 2; Paula, 0; and Delton Bohlembach, 21, farm laborer. Her father Frederick was a farmer and the family lived east of Willshire. [1]

The Frederick Schinnerer family in 1910: Frederick, 49; Minnie, 39; Alma, 18; Martha, 16; Herman, 14; Carl, 12; Paula, 9; Gerhart, 6; and Arthur, 4. [2]

The Frederick Schinnerer family in 1920: Frederick, 58; Minnie, 48; Alma, 28; Martha, 26; Herman, 23; Gerhardt, 16; and Arthur, 14. [3]

By 1930 just Alma Schinnerer, 38, and her brother Arthur, 24, lived with their parents in the large white Schinnerer house just east of Willshire. Her father Frederick, 69, was a farmer and her mother Minnie was 59 years old. [4]

The father Frederick Schinnerer died 24 September 1935. [5]

In 1940 Alma, 48, lived with her widowed mother Minnie Schinnerer, 69. It appears they were living with Alma’s brother Arthur and his family, likely living in Friedrich Schinnerer’s (1824-1905) old house, just east of Willshire. Arthur was married by this time and had a year-old son, Joseph. [6]

It appears Alma had moved to Fort Wayne by 1950. Forty Wayne city directories indicate that she worked as a maid there in 1950-1952 and possibly longer, and as a cook at the Duemling Clinic in 1960. The Old Duemling Clinic was located on Fairfield Avenue in Fort Wayne.

Alma died of a heart attack on 29 January 1977 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. She was buried on the 31st. [7]

Alma’s parents, Frederick and Minnie (Roehm) Schinnerer, had the following children:
Alma Rosina Elizabeth (1891-1977), never married
Martha Juliana Louisa (1893-1989), married George “William” Joseph Schinnerer
Herman George Ludwig (1896-1954), married Norma Emilie Nofer
Karl Friedrich (1898-1964), married Ella Thomas
Paula Ida (1900-1912)
Gerhardt Johan (1903-1953), married Lillian Marcella Buechner
Arthur Heinrich Ludwig (1905-1961), married Helen Rosetta Spring

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 97, p.9, dwelling 179, family 193, Fred G Schinerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/ : viewed 13 Oct 2019). 

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.3A, dwelling & family 51, Frederic Schimerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1910uscenindex/ : viewed 13 Oct 2019).

[3] 1920 U. S. Cesus, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, Ed 146, p.6A, dwelling 116, family 117, Fred G Schinnerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1920usfedcen/ : viewed 21 Oct 2019).

[4] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, Ed 24, p.2A, dwelling 27, family 28, Fredrick G. Schinnerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1930usfedcen/ : viewed 21 Oct 2019).

[5] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Willshire, Van Wert, Frederich G Schinnerer, 24 Sep 1935; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PTH-9HBL?i=1505&cc=1307272&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AX6WL-3FG : viewed 21 Oct 2019).

[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.10A, house visited 195, Minnie Schinnerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1930usfedcen/ : viewed 20 Oct 2019).

[7] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1977, Roll 1, Alma E. Schinnerer, 29 Jan 1977; database on-line, Ancestry.com.

Oct 18

Two More Photos from Morrison Photography, Chattanooga, Ohio

At one time, in the late 1800s or just after the turn of the century, Chattanooga, Ohio, had a photographer–Morrison Photography. I know this because I have a couple photos with Morrison, Chattanooga, O, incised into the frame mat.

This photographer is somewhat of a mystery. Was he located in Chatt or was he located nearby? I looked through several sources that list businesses in the Chatt area during that time period but found no mention of a Morrison that was a photographer.

In the late 1800s and through 1920 there were several Morrison families living within 2-3 miles of Chatt, a little north in Blackcreek Township, but they were farmers and there are no Morrison photographers enumerated in the censuses. I wrote a blog post about this a few years ago. [1]

Chatt has always been a very small town and I never heard that there was a photography studio there. Or did Morrison set up his studio in an established building and did not advertise much? Maybe he worked out of his house? Or did he go to people’s homes and take photos? One of the photos below was taken in front of a house.

Recently two more Morrison photographs surfaced, the images sent to me by a reader. We hope that someone might be able to identify these people. The originals are large photos, 8×10 inches.

Perhaps these faces look familiar. They might be your ancestors. 

Morrison Photography, Chattanooga, O.

Morrison Photography, Chattanooga, O.

I would love to hear from anyone who can identify these people.

[1] Karen’s Chatt, “ Morrison Photography, Chattanooga, Ohio,” 15 July 2011,
https://karenmillerbennett.com/chattanooga/morrison-photography-chattanooga-ohio/ .

Oct 15

Tombstone Tuesday-Paula I. Schinnerer

Paula I. Schinnerer, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Paula I. Schinnerer, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Paula I.
Schinnerer
14 Mai 1900
23 Dec. 1912
Text: Luca, 2.11.

Paula Ida Schinnerer was born 14 May 1900, the daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmine “Minnie” (Roehm) Schinnerer. She was baptized at home on 27 May 1900 with Ida Schumm, Clara Schinnerer, and Alma Roehm serving as her sponsors.

About three weeks later Paula was enumerated in the 1900 census, her age shown as under one month (0/12). The Frederick Schinnerer family in 1900: Fred G, 39; Minnie, 29; Alma, 8; Martha, 6; Herman, 4; Carl, 2; Paula, 0; and Delton Bohlembach, 21, farm laborer. Her father Frederick was a farmer and the family lived east of Willshire. [1]

The Frederick Schinnerer family in 1910: Frederick, 49; Minnie, 39; Alma, 18; Martha, 16; Herman, 14; Carl, 12; Paula, 9; Gerhart, 6; and Arthur, 4. [2]

Paula Schinnerer came down with typhoid fever on 8 December 1912 and was attended by Dr. J.K. Christy several times before she died at home on 23 December 1912. She was 12 years, 7 months, and 9 days old and was buried on the 26th. [3]

Paula’s parents, Frederick and Minnie (Roehm) Schinnerer, had the following children:
Alma Rosina Elizabeth (1891-1977), never married
Martha Juliana Louisa (1893-1989), married George “William” Joseph Schinnerer
Herman George Ludwig (1896-1954), married Norma Emilie Nofer
Karl Friedrich (1898-1964), married Ella Thomas
Paula Ida (1900-1912)
Gerhardt Johan (1903-1953), married Lillian Marcella Buechner
Arthur Heinrich Ludwig (1905-1961), married Helen Rosetta Spring

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 97, p.9, dwelling 179, family 193, Fred G Schinerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1900usfedcen/ : viewed 13 Oct 2019).  

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.3A, dwelling & family 51, Frederic Schimerer; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1910uscenindex/ : viewed 13 Oct 2019).

[3] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Van Wert County, Willshire Township, Paula Schinnerer, 23 Dec 1912;  database with images, FamilySearch.org ; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPJR-KF?i=1910&cc=1307272&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AX86X-BHS  : viewed 13 Oct 2019).

Oct 11

Jacob Miller Estate Sale, 1918

I always enjoyed going to auctions and sales, although I don’t go to many anymore because I really don’t need more stuff. But I find it interesting see what was sold at my great-grandfather’s estate sale 100 years ago.

Back then people weren’t interested in antiques as collectibles. What we call antiques today are the items they often used every day. The items sold at their estate sales were useful and people would continue to use them around the farm and the house. And today, many of these same items continue to be sold over and over, still sold at sales and antique shops, but now considered collectible antiques. I am sure grandma never imagined that her old crocks and kitchenware would be so desirable decades after she used them. She took such good care of her china and fancy glassware, but it is the everyday items that are popular now.  

Jacob Miller (1843-1918).

My great-grandfather, Jacob Miller, immigrated to this country in 1871 and did quite well for himself here in Mercer County, considering that he probably left Bavaria with very little and ended up owning 80 acres of farmland a couple miles north of Chatt. Eighty acres was an average-sized farm in Mercer County, but it would have been considered a lot of property in Germany, then and now.

Jacob Miller was born 7 March 1843 in Bierbach, Bavaria, and died 15 June 1918, at the age of 75.

Jacob died without leaving a will and his son-in-law Howard Caffee was appointed administrator of his estate on 9 August 1918. 

Howard Caffee, Administrator of Jacob Miller Estate, 1918.

A public sale was held on 27 November 1918 at 10:00 a.m. It is no surprise that the sale was advertised in the Willshire Herald. The farm items and some livestock were to be sold, not the household items. His widow Christene would have needed the household items.

Items to be sold:

Horses & Cattle: 1 bay horse, 4 years old; 4 year-old roan horse; 11 year-old roan mare, 8 year-old driving mare; 2 year-old bay colt; 7 year-old spotted cow; 4 year-old roan cow, will be fresh in May; 2 year-old black heifer, will be fresh in May.

Implements: Milwaukee mower, hay tedder, Asbarn hay loader, low lift manure spreader, Deering binder, disc harrow, disc drill, gale corn planter, Iowa seed buncher, spring tooth harrow, a harrow spike harrow, Scotch clipper, breaking plow, hay rake, shovel plow, farming mill, 2-horse farm wagon, hay ladders and hog rigging, cob buggy, double set work harness, single set work harness, sixty gal. feed cooker, iron kettles, spades & tile scoop, post auger, 20 grain bags, 26 ft. of log chain, 600 bushels of corn in crib, 400 bushels of oats in bin, and other articles not mentioned.

Below is the list of the items sold, who bought them, and for how much:

Pile of junk to Carl Miller for $11.25 (valued at $5)
3 horse evener. Floyd Vining, $3.11
Feed cooker. Henry Gehm, $12.48, (valued at $5)
Iron kettle, Carl Miller $7.50 (valued at $2)
Spaders & tile scoop, Monroe Byers, $1.45 (valued at $2)
Post auger. J.D. Bollenbacher, $1 (valued at $1.50)
26 ft. log chain. John Bebout, $5 (valued at $3)
Farming mill. Peter Miller, $4.75 (valued at $5)
Shovel plows, Floyd Vining, $1.25 (valued at $1)
Scotch clipper plow. Carl Miller, $2 (valued at $2)
Walking cultivator. Earl Hains, $1 (valued at $1)
Riding corn plow. Geo Fisher, $17.53 (valued at $7)
Spike tooth harrow. Carl Miller, $3.50 (valued at $4)
A harrow. Frank Presho, $1 (valued at $1)
Spring tooth harrow. Chas White, $5 (valued at $5)
Disc harrow. Carl Miller, $15 (valued at $10)
Corn planter. Lewis Eggar, $38.40 (valued at $30)
Cloverherd buncher. Leonard Sauer, $1 (valued at $2)
Mower. Carl Miller, $16 (valued at $20)
Hay tedder. Carl Miller, $2 (valued at $5)
Hay loader. Caroline Caffee, $75 (valued at $50)
Deering binder. Caroline Caffee, $54 (valued at $25)
Manure spreader. Peter Miller, $62 (valued at $75)
Wagon. Mike Kallenberger, $19.44 (valued at $15)
Hog rack & hay laden. Milo Campbell, $7 (valued at $8)
Double set of work harnesses. Carl Miller $30 (valued at $20)
Single set of work harnesses. Fred Marbaugh, $8.16 (valued at $8)
Single buggy harness. [Mrs?] ? W. Baker, $10.50
Grain bags. J. P. Brookhart, $16.31 (valued at $5)
Cab Buggy. Lee Hilard, $72 (valued at $75)
Bay gelding. Carl Miller, $162.50 (valued at $150)
Roan gelding. Peter Miller, $127 (valued at $120)
Roan mare. Mike Kallenberger, $106.60 (valued at $100)
Bay colt. Carl Miller, $126 (valued at $100)
Driving mare. J. Pifer, $87 (valued at $75)
Roan cow. Floyd Vining $97 (valued at $75)
Spotted cow. D. Dudgeon, $86.40 (valued at $80)
Black heifer. Christian Miller, $58 (valued at $45)
Drill. Floyd Vining, $20 (valued at $15)

Corn. Wesley Rutledge, $352.40, John Leistner, $120.5, George Rothau, $120.53 (valued at $560)

Oats. J.J. Hilda, $35.30, Joe Teple $215, Christina Miller $14.64, Willshire Grain Co., $93.70 (valued at $308)

Plow. Carl Miller, $.50

Total from sale: $2381.90
[Cash: $812.72; Time & Notes: $1494.18; Taken by widow at appraisement: $75]

Account of Final Distribution, 1 November 1919:
Balance for Distribution: $1931.64
Christena Miller, widow of Jacob Miller: $710.54
Each of Jacob’s five living children received $244.22: John J. Miller, Peter Miller, Carl Miller, Caroline (Miller) Caffee, and Clara Miller.

Several of Jacob’s children were deceased at the time of his death, but those children left no spouses or children of their own.

Some people paid over value for some of the items, as the items were inventoried before the sale. My grandfather, Carl Miller, stayed on the farm and eventually owned it, so keeping many of the items was valuable and useful to him.  

The first entry of the items sold interested me and evidently caught my grandfather Carl’s eye, too—pile of junk.

Who doesn’t like a pile of junk? My dad would have liked a pile of junk and now I know where he got that.

Just what did they consider junk? Grandpa even payed over double the appraised value for the pile of junk. There must have been some good stuff in the pile.

There is something about going through a pile of junk. The unknown. Hoping there might be some special treasure hidden in the pile.  

I would love to go through that pile of junk today and see what was in there! 

Jacob Miller Sale Bill, 1918.