Oct 20

Chatt Advertisers in Willshire’s 1952 Willow

I have some old Willow yearbooks here at home and they are fun to look through. The Willow was the Willshire Public School yearbook. Willshire Public School consolidated with Rockford Public School in 1961 to form Parkway Local Schools. I believe the first Willow yearbook was published in 1948 and I posted advertisers from that book some time ago: Advertisers in Willshire’s 1948 Willow. And for the 1950 Willow, Advertisers in Willshire’s 1950 Willow.

1952 Willow

Today, some of the advertisers in the 1952 Willow. There were a number of advertisers from all over the area, but my focus here is primarily on Chatt and Willshire. And, since there are quite a number of from Willshire and Chatt, I am going to show the businesses from Chatt today and those from Willshire at another time.

Most of those businesses are no longer around, but it is still fun to see who was in business back then and to see if I remember them or remember hearing about them.

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

I see HEFFNER CASH STORE in the last scan. That was probably a popular store. I would go to a cash store!

As you read through the list advertisers you realize just how many businesses were in Chatt over the years. Many more than you would think.

Oct 17

Tombstone Tuesday-Infant Son of Adam & Katy Kable

Infant Kable, son of Adam & Katy, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of the infant son of Adam and Catharine (Huffmann) Kable, located in row 2 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Infant Son of
Adam & Katy
Kable
Died
July 23, 1895

Mercer County, Ohio, death records indicate that an unnamed male child, the son of Adam (1861-1948) and Catharine (Hoffman) (1862-1913) Kable, died 23 July 1895. No age was given and death was due to a premature birth. [1]

The parents married 17 December 1890 in Mercer County and this was the father Adam Kable’s second marriage. Note that the mother’s name is spelled several ways on various documents and grave markers over the years–Katharine, Catharine, Katy, Hoffmann, Hoffman, Huffmann, Huffman. On this tombstone her name is spelled Katy but on her tombstone in the same cemetery, her name is spelled Catharine.   

Some images on this weathered marble tombstone: a rose at the top and below the inscription, an arch with open gates with a dove flying above.

His parents and two infant brothers are also buried in this cemetery.

This infant son of Adam and K/C Kable had the following siblings:

Charles/Carl E. Kable (1891/2-1973), married Cora Edna Bellows; married Eva Ann Wurster
Hulda K. Kable (1894-1985), married Philip Kerwood; married Leo Andrews
Male Kable (1896-1896)
Male Kable (1898-1898)

He also had a half-brother from his father Adam’s first marriage to Margaret Miller:
Emil Kable (1889-1978), married Agnes A. Loree; married Lillian Weinman

[1] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Mercer County Deaths, 1888-1908 Vol.2, no.12, Kable, 23 Jul 1895; database with images, FamilySearch.org.

Oct 13

Darrel “Pete” Brewster’s 1954 Browns Football Contract

It is nearly the middle of October. The weather is cooler, the days are shorter, the leaves are turning color and falling to the ground, and it is football season. And football often causes me to think of my first cousin twice removed, Darrel Pete Brewster (1930-2020), a professional football player over 60 years ago, who once played for the Cleveland Browns and eventually earned a Super Bowl ring.

Pete Brewster football card, signed by “Pete” on 16 July 2014. (2014 photo by Karen)

Darrel Burton Brewster, later nicknamed Pete, was born in 1930 in Adams County, Indiana, and grew up in Portland, Indiana, where he excelled in basketball and football. After high school he attended Purdue University, where he again excelled in football. After graduating from Purdue he was drafted into the NFL and played professional football for the Browns and Steelers. He later coached for the Vikings and Chiefs and received his Super Bowl ring in 1970, while coaching for the Chiefs. He played and worked with some big names in football back then, including Paul Brown, Buddy Parker, and Hank Stram. And unlike football players today, he played on offense, defense, and special teams because the teams needed players.

Thanks to Rick, a Cleveland Browns fan and Karen’s Chatt reader, for sharing these photos of Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Browns football contract. Rick said he purchased the documents when the Browns old stadium was demolished and they threw out their old files. How interesting!

Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

Darrel Brewster’s National 1954 Football League contract, in part:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
STANDARD PLAYERS CONTRACT
Between
Cleveland Browns Inc., Cleveland, Ohio which operates a professional football team and which is a member of the National Football League, and which is hereinafter called the “Club”
 and Darrell Brewster, hereinafter called the “Player.”

…The term of this contract shall be from the date of execution hereof until the first day of May following the close of the football season commencing in September 1954, subject however, to rights of prior termination as specified herein…

…the Club promises to pay the Player each football season during the term of his contract the sum of $8,500 to be payable as follows: 75% of said salary in weekly installments commencing with the first and ending with the last regularly scheduled League game played by the Club during such season and thee balance of 25% of said sum of the end of said last regularly scheduled League game.

In addition, the Club promises and agrees to pay the reasonable board and lodging expenses of the Player incurred while playing games for the Club in other than the Club’s home city and also to pay all proper and necessary traveling expenses of the Player and his meals en route to and from said games.

The Player agrees at all times to comply with and to be bound by all the provisions of the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the League and of the Club, all of which are hereby made a part of this contract. If the Player fails to comply with said Constitution, By-laws, Rules and Regulations the Club shall have the right to terminate this contract or to take such other action as may be specified in said Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, or as may be directed by the Commissioner of the League, hereinafter call the “Commissioner.” The Player agrees to submit himself to the discipline of the League and of the Club for any violation of such Constitution, By-laws, Rules and Regulations subject however, to the right of a hearing by the Commissioner. All matters in dispute between the Player and the Club shall be referred to the Commissioner and his decision shall be accepted as final, complete, conclusive, binding and unappealable, by the Player and by the Club. The Player hereby waives any and all rights of action against the Commissioner, the League, the Club, or any of its members or stockholders, and against any officer of the Club or of the League…

The next section is about fines and suspensions for life or indefinitely if a player accepts a bribe or who agrees to throw or fix a game or failure to report an if a bribe is offered.

Signatures on Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

This agreement has been made under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

In witness whereof the Player has hereunto set his hand and seal and the Club has caused this contract to be executed by its duly authorized officer on the date set opposite their respective names.

Signed 7 June 1954 by two witnesses and approved by Bert Bell, Commissioner.

Signed by Paul E Brown, Cleveland Browns Inc. General Manager

Signed by Darrel Brewster, player, 1725 NE 17 Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 

His contract was for $8500, which doesn’t sound like much, but today, in 2023, it would be about $97,000.

I met Darrel Pete Brewster a few years ago and wrote a blog post about that meeting as well as a couple other blog posts over the years. [1]

Darrel Brewster by his memorial plaque, Portland, IN, July 2014

There is a memorial plaque honoring Darrel Pete Brewster at Portland’s East Jay Middle School football field, where he used to play high school football. In 2012 the field was renamed Brewster Field and the plaque was erected. The memorial plaque tells Brewster’s football history and is inscribed:

DARREL “PETE” BREWSTER FIELD
The football field at East Jay Middle School, the former football field of Portland High School, is dedicated to honor the career of Pete Brewster, class of 1948.
• Member of Portland Panther Varsity Football and Basketball teams.
• Named as 1948 Indiana High School Basketball All Star.
• Played Basketball and Football at Purdue University.
• Named to 1952 College Football All Star team.
• Played 9 seasons in the NFL 1952-1960.
• Earned two NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns (1954 and 1955)
• Retired from the NFL in 1960 after accumulating 210 receptions, 3,758 receiving yards, and 221 touchdowns as an offensive end.
• An Assistant Coach for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs that won Super Bowl IV in 1969.
• Inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
• Inducted into the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
This Jay School Corporation board resolution made on this day, July 16, 2012.
Greg Wellman, President
Mike Masters, Vice President
Larry Paxson, Secretary
Mike Shannon, Beth Krieg, Ron Laux, Jim Sanders, members
Dr. Tim Long, Superintendent

Darrel Pete Brewster, July 2014.

[1] “Lunch with Darrel ‘Pete’ Brewster,“ Karen’s Chatt, 18 Jul 2014, “Pete Brewster-Professional Football Player,” Karen’s Chatt, 12 Oct 2012, and “The Passing of Darrel ‘Pete’ Brewster,” 10 Jan 2020.

Oct 10

Tombstone Tuesday-Theobald & Caroline (Kable) Leininger

Theobald & Caroline (Kable) Leininger, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Theobald and Caroline (Kable) Leininger, located in row 6 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LEININGER
Theobald
1861-1944
Caroline
1862-1934

Theobald Leininger was born in Mercer County, Ohio, likely in Liberty Township, on 20 July 1861, the son of Jacob (1832-1908) and Catherine (Kettering) (1836-1914) Leininger.

In 1870, Theobald Leininger, age 8, attended school and his father Jacob Leininger was a farmer. Their family in 1870: Jacob Leininger, 35; Catharine Leininger, 32; Margaret Leininger, 13; Theobald Leininger, 8; William Leininger, 5; Christina Leininger, 4; Mary Leininger, 2; and Henry Kettering, 25. [1]

No longer a student, in 1880 Theobald Leininger worked on the family farm. The Jacob Leininger family in 1880: Jacob, 47; Catherine, 43; Theobald, 18; William, 16; Christine, 14; Mary, 12; Phoebe, 9; John, 6; and George, 4. [2]

Theobald Leininger married Caroline Kable on 21 January 1886 in Mercer County, married by Rev. Samuel Egger. [3]

Caroline Fredericka Kable was born in Mercer County on 2 January 1863, the daughter of Ferdinand and Catharine (Bollenbacher) Kable. Both of her parents were German immigrants and Caroline was the fourth child born to the couple, their first daughter. Caroline’s two oldest brothers, Jacob and John George, died of dysentery in 1865, shortly after their father Ferdinand returned from serving in the Civil War.

The Ferdinand Kable family in 1870, with daughter Caroline, living in Liberty Township: Ferdinand Kable, 43; Catharine, 37; Adam, 9; Caroline, 7; Louisa, 3; and Catharine, 1. [4] The Ferdinand Kable family in 1880: Ferdinand, 54; Catharine, 45; Adam, 17; Caroline, 16; Louisa, 13; Catherine, 12; and Nettie, 8. [5]

After their marriage Theobald and Caroline Leininger lived on a farm in Black Creek Township. I believe their 80-acre farm was just north of Chatt, on the Black Creek/Liberty township line, aka Strable Road, about a half mile east of route 49, on the north side of the road. The Theobald Leininger family in 1900: Theobald, 38, head; Caroline F, 37, wife; Henry L, 13, son; Edwin A, 8, son; Bertha C, 5, daughter; and Samuel J, 2, son. Theobald was a farmer. The couple had been married 14 years and four of six children born to the couple were living. [6] Theobald served as justice of the peace in Black Creek Township during this time.

The Theobald Leininger family in 1910: Theobald, 48, head; Caroline F, 47, wife; Edwing A, 18, son; Bertha C, 15, daughter; Samuel J, 12, son; Victor F, 5, son. The family lived on Leininger Pike in Black Creek Township. Five of seven children born to the couple were living. [7]

In 1920 Theobald, wife Caroline, and son Victor, lived with married daughter Bertha (Leininger), her husband Leroy Pifer, and their children: Roy Pifer, 28, head; Bertha Pifer, 28, wife; Beatrice Pifer, 1, daughter; Ruby Pifer, 7 months, daughter; Theobald Leininger, 58, father-in-law; Caroline Leininger, 56, wife; Victor Leininger, 15, son. Theobald had retired from farming by this time and his son-in-law Leroy Pifer farmed. [8]

In 1930 Theobald, 68, and Caroline, 67, lived by themselves on Stringtown Pike, in Black Creek Township. Theobald was a stock & poultry [?] farmer. [9]

Caroline (Kable) Leininger died in Liberty Township, Mercer County, on 7 April 1934. She was 71 years, 2 months, and 5 days old and her death was due to complications from dementia. She was a housewife and was buried on the 9th. [10]

In 1940 widower Theobald Leininger once again resided with his daughter Bertha (Leininger) Pifer and her family. The Pifer family in 1940: Leroy C Pifer, 49, head; Bertha C, 45, wife; Beatrice, 22, daughter; Ruby, 20, daughter; Glenda, 19, daughter; Marjorie, 18, daughter; Twyla, 14, daughter; Glee [Verna], 10, daughter; Gerald, 6, son; and Theobald Leininger, 79, widow, father-in-law. [11]

Theobald Leininger died in Mercer County on 7 June 1944. Theobald Leininger’s obituary:

Rockford, June 8—Theobald Leininger, 82, retired farmer of Blackcreek-tp, died Wednesday at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Pifer, near Chattanooga, O.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Leroy Pifer; four sons, H.L. of Caldwell, Ida.; E.A. of Hobart, Ind; S.J. of Liberty-tp and V.F. of Fort. Wayne, Ind; one brother, William of Ft. Wayne, and one sister, Mrs. Andrew Harb of Blackcreek-tp and 15 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. [12]

Theobald and Caroline (Kable) Leininger had the following children:
Henry Lewis Leininger (1887-1976), married Luella Jane Loree
Edwin Anton Leininger (1891-1976), married Lola Mae Landfair; married Gladys (Wood) Landfair
Bertha Caroline Leininger (1895-1978), married Leroy Pifer
Samuel Jacob Leininger (1898-1990), married Lela V Myers
Victor Frederick Leininger (1904-1983), married Naomi C Kuhn

Find a Grave.com also indicates that an infant child born to Theobald and Caroline died 14 July 1889 and is buried at St. Paul UCC Cemetery. [13]

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.150B, dwelling 133, family 119, Jacob Lininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.479A, dwelling 140, family 148, Jacob Leininger; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1886 Leininger/Kable marriage p. 362, 1861-1887

[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, dwelling 100, family 92, p.148B, Ferdinand Kable; Ancestry.com.  

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, dwelling 51, family 54, p.474C, Ferdnand [sic] Kable; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.15, dwelling & family 303, Theowald Leininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 107, p. 1A, dwelling & family 8, Theotatt Leininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[8] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 124, p.8A, dwelling & family 157, Dewalt Lemininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[9] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 1, p.6B, dwelling & family 139, Theobald L Lininger; Ancestry.com.

[10] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Mercer, Liberty, Caroline Fredericka Leininger, 7 Apr 1934; database with images, FamilySearch.org.  

[11] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 54-1, p.9B, household 188, Leroy C Pifer; Ancestry.com.

[12] Theobald Leininger obituary, The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 8 Jun 1944, p.4; Ancestry.com.

[13] FindaGrave.com, Memorial no. 28288740, Infant Leininger, St. Paul UCC Cemetery.

Oct 06

Goldsby Alaska Bennett, Black Creek Teacher in 1900

I really enjoy finding surprises in the local censuses. Last week I was reading through the 1900 census for Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, mainly looking at the occupations, when the name of a schoolteacher caught my eye, Goldsby A. Bennett.

I recognized that unusual name right away and wondered what Goldsby Alaska Bennett was doing in my neck of the woods, Black Creek Township. Goldsby Alaska Bennett was from Montezuma, Ohio, area, just south of Grand Lake in Franklin Township. I know this because Goldsby Alaska Bennett was husband Joe’s great-uncle, the brother of Joe’s grandfather Vermont Bennett.

Goldsby A. Bennett, age 21, is shown as a boarder in the Levi Robinson household, which included Levi, age 65, and his wife Matilda, age 62. Levi was a farmer and Goldsby was a schoolteacher. Goldsby had not been employed 4 months, [1] meaning that Goldsby was not employed 4 months between 1 June 1899 and 31 May 1900.

1900 Census, Black Creek Township, Mercer Co, Goldsby A Bennett in Levi Robinson household

Levi Robinson lived in Section 25 of Black Creek Township, on the north side of what is now 707, the last house before Township Line Road, very close to Dublin Township.  

There was a school less than a mile to the west, School no. 7, aka Robinson School. Robinson School was on the corner of 707 and Erastus Durbin Road. I have been told that the old Robinson Schoolhouse is still standing but has been moved. Today it is used as a garage/barn outbuilding on a farm in that area.

Robinson School, in the center of the map below, was on the corner of 707 and Erastus Durbin Road. Route 707 is in the middle of the map, running left to right. Township Line Road is to the right, running up and down.

1900 plat map, Black Creek Township, Mercer Co, Robinson School No.7, Levi Robinson household, Levi Rutledge household

I may be jumping to conclusions here, but it looks like Goldsby Alaska Bennett may have taught at Black Creek’s Robinson School.

But hold on. There was another schoolteacher living about a mile south of the Robinson’s.

Tennie E. Rutledge, age 17, daughter of Levi and Lucinda Rutledge, was also a schoolteacher. She too reported that she was not employed for 4 months. [2] Levi Rutledge lived in Section 36 of Black Creek Township, on Township Line Road, about a half mile north of Tama Road. Dublin Township was across the road from them.

Either one, Bennett or Rutledge, could have taught at Robinson school.

But there’s more.

The Black Creek census was taken by David G. Adams on 11 June 1900. I decided to check on Goldsby Alaska Bennett’s parents, Henry and Sarah Bennett, and his siblings in 1900. They lived in Franklin Township, Mercer County.

I saw that Goldsby Alaska Bennett was also enumerated with his parents and siblings in 1900, all living near Montezuma, in Franklin Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The Franklin Township census was taken on 7 June 1900, five days before Black Creek’s count.

Goldsby Alaska Bennett was enumerated twice in 1900! And he was enumerated as a schoolteacher in both. He reported that he was not employed for 9 months in the Franklin enumeration. His name was slightly different in the two enumerations, Goldsby A. Bennett in Black Creek and Alaska Bennett in Franklin Township, but it is the same person for sure.

Goldsby Alaska Bennett’s father was Henry Brandenburg Bennett. The Henry Bennett household in 1900 in Franklin Township: Henry Bennett, 59, head, farmer; Sallie [Sarah], 55, wife; Dakota, 32, son; Alaska, 21, son, schoolteacher; Minnesota, 26, daughter; Arizona, 18, son; Delaware, 16, son; and Vermont, 13, son. [3]

1900 Census, Franklin Twp, Mercer Co, Alaska Bennett in Henry Bennett household

Both enumerations were taken in June and schools were probably not in session during the summer months, as most older children probably helped on the farm and around the house during the summer.  

You may have noticed some interesting names in the Henry Brandenburg Bennett family. Henry Brandenburg Bennett, Joe’s great-grandfather, named his seven children after U.S. states or territories:

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
Goldsby Alaska Bennett (1878-1953), married Ida Ellen Monroe
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

Below is a photo of the Henry Brandenburg family. Goldsby Alaska is standing, second from left.

Standing: Vermont, Goldsby Alaska, Dakota, Arizona, Delaware; Seated: Nevada, Henry Brandenburg Bennett, Sarah (Milligan) Bennett, Minnesota

A little about Goldsby “Alaska” Bennett: He 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.

Goldsby 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.

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

Goldsby Alaska Bennett

Alaska and Ida (Monroe) Bennett had the following children:
Rex Monroe Bennett (1910-2005), married Avis Shisler
Doris Bennett (1912-2009), married Aaron Kohart
Edgar Lee Bennett (1913-2006), married Elsie Weaver; married Aletha Gunderman McCullough
Lois Bennett (1915-1983)
Homer Francis Bennett (1917-1985), married Helen Grace Westenbarger
Dorothy Bennett (1919-1962), married Horace France

What an interesting piece of Bennett and Black Creek history!

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.4, dwelling & family 90, Goldsby A Bennett, in household of Levi Robinson; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.4, dwelling & family 88, Levi Rutledge; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Franklin, ED 79, p.5, dwelling 102, family 104, Henry Bennett; Ancestry.com.