May 31

Willshire School News, January 1949

I just could not help myself. A few weeks ago, while at the Brumback Library in Van Wert, looking at William G. Hoffer’s obituary, my eyes strayed to other parts of the Willshire Herald. Actually, I looked at a few other issues of the newspaper while we were at the library. Those old newspapers are just so darned interesting! My time there that day was very limited but I still had enough time to gather some information from one of the papers.

Willshire High School, October 1917, photo postcard.

The 27 January 1949 issue had some Willshire School News and I saw names that I recognize—some names of people that I know. I am sure some of you know some of these students, too. Maybe your name is among them:

WILLSHIRE SCHOOL NEWS

11th Grade Perfect Spellers
Eugene Bienz, Ruth Kreischer, Peggy Clouse.

10th Grade Perfect Spellers
Phyllis Kessler, Wanda Edwards, Beverly Clouse, Patty Black, Phyllis Gunsett, Victor Strickler, Elmer Schumm, Frederick Schumm, Rosemary Weinman, Patty Minx.

9th Grade Perfect Spellers
Beverly Agler, Donna Baker, Carl Fisher, Evelyn Humerickhouse, Tommy June Marsee, Helen Roehm, Katy Stetler.

8th Grade Perfect Spellers
Donald Debolt, James Habegger, Bonnie Harmon, Marlene Harmon, Barbara Merkle, Kay Slusser, Virgil Thatcher, Mary Evelyn Weddle, Yvonne Voltz.

8th Grade Honor Roll
Minor: Donald Debolt, Virgil Thatcher.

8th Grade Perfect Attendance
Jack Bayles, Arley Buckmaster, Donald Debolt, James Habegger, Eugene Price, Robert Roebuck, Lester Strickler, Eileen Black, Marlene Harmon, Anna Miller, Kay Slusser, Virgil Thatcher, Marlene Trisel, Yvonne Voltz, Mary Evelyn Weddle.

7th Grade Perfect Spellers
Vernon Kuhn, Janet Black, Mary Byer, Carolyn Caffee, Colleen Weinman.

6th Grade Perfect Spellers
Wayne Black, Charles Koch, Esther Brandt, Donna Mae Bienz, Martha Fisher, Sharon Baker, Jane Fowler, Bonnie Stetler, Mary Thatcher.

6th Grade Honor Roll
Major: Bonnie Stetler, Esther Mae Brandt, Donna Mae Bienz, Martha Fisher, Jane Fowler, Linda Hoblet, Anna Kallenberger, Leon Jones.
Minor: Sharon Baker, Jan Schlickman, Charles Koch.

6th Grade Perfect Attendance
Walter Baker, Merle Black, Wayne Black, Roderick Bowen, Jim Finch, Tommy Garwood, Leon Jones, Charles Koch, Donald Krall, Richard Marbaugh, Jimmy Martin, Eugene Michaud, Robin Schaffner, Jan Schlickman, Kent Stetler, Lynn Stucky, Billy Walls, Sharon Baker, Esther Brandt, Donna Mae Bienz, Lois Christman, Katherine Dailey, Jane Fowler, Janice Geisler, Linda Hoblet, Alla Kallenberger, Bonnie Stetler.

Willow year books, 1948, 1950, 1957.

5th Grade Perfect Spellers
Paul Bollenbacher, Alan Clase, John Goodwin, Farrel Krall, Gerald Kuhn, Gilbert Merkle, Larry Miller, Dick Samples, Kyle Taylor, Marcile Byer, Betsy Estill, Linda Finch, Mary Ann Fisher, Vernie Frank, Norma James, Jeanette Voltz.

5th Grade Honor Roll
Major: Farrel Krall, Judy Byer, Marcile Byer, Mary Ann Fisher.
Minor: Alan Clase, John Goodwin, Gilbert Merkle, Jeanette Voltz.

5th Grade Perfect Attendance (One-half year)
Paul Bollenbacher, Bobby Caffee, Alan Clase, Donald Lee Jones, Leon Kallenberger, Max Kallenberger, Farrel Krall, Larry Miller, Kyle Taylor, Norma James, Sonja Shoup.

4th Grade Perfect Spellers
Janet Koch, Louise Merkle, Phyllis Goodwin, Teddy Passwater, Emma Marsee, Sondra Schlickman, Sharon Hoverman, Julia Suman, Dana Hoblet, Eugene Huston, Ronnie Lautzenheiser, Anne Heffner, Clara Garver, Buddy Marbaugh, Billy Huffman.

4th Grade Honor Roll
Major: Sondra Schlickman, Phyllis Goodwin.
Minor: Bobby Wechter, Anne Byer, Clara Garver, Darlene Gibbons, Anne Heffner, Dana Hoblet, Sharon Hoverman, Janet Koch, Emma Marsee, Louise Merkle, Marjorie Thatcher, Charmaine Wilson.

4th Grade Perfect Attendance (One-half Year)
Marjorie Thatcher, Julia Suman, Sondra Schlickman, Sandra Marbaugh, Shirley Kuhn, Janet Koch, Buddy Marbaugh, Billy Huffman, Sharon Hoverman, Ellen Harmon, Nada Bayles, Esther Bailey, Janice Bailey, Larry Miller, Larry Huston, Waldo Hileman.

2nd Grade Perfect Spellers
David Byers, Rose Baumgartner, Jimmy Cowan, Mary Goodwin, Ralph Merkle, Karen Hoverman, Richard Merkle, Delilah Kuhn, Larry Dellinger, Marlene Dietrich, Larry Caffee, Richard Delliger, Leroy Ernie, Mary Harriett Eichar, Evelyn Krall, Jimmy Myers, Ronald Kelsey, Edward Garver, Patty Donovan, Vincent Nieto, Betty Allmandinger, Marguerite Dailey, Billy Christman.

2nd Grade Honor Roll
David Byers, Jimmy Cowan, Richard Dellinger, Ralph Merkle, Richard Merkle, Edward Garver, Jimmy Myers, Leroy Ernie, Marlene Dietrich, Mary Harriett Eichar, Mary Goodwin, Delilah Kuhn, Carl Lawson, Evelyn Krall, Betty Allmandinger, Josephine Allmandinger, Rose Baumgartner.

2nd Grade Perfect Attendance (One-half Year)
Wayne Baker, Larry Caffee, Billy Clouse, Jimmy Cowan, Larry Dellinger, Dickie Dellinger, Richard Huffine, Ralph Merkle, Jimmy Myers, Betty Allmandinger, Marlene Dietrich, Patty Donovan, Mary Harriett Eichar, Mary Goodwin, Karen Hoverman, Delilah Kuhn, Josephine Allmandinger.

I have a few old Willow yearbooks, but not the 1949 edition. The oldest I have is 1948.

Just for fun, here are the class photos from that 1948 Willow:

1948 Willshire classes, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman.

1948 Willshire grades 8, 7, 6.

1948 Willshire grades 5, 4, 3.

1948 Willshire grades 2 & 1.

I will post the names that go with the class photos sometime in the future.

 

May 28

Tombstone Tuesday for Memorial Day

Today, some Memorial Day cemetery photos.

Resthaven Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. (2014 photo by Karen)

My parents’ tombstone at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.
Herbert M. Miller (1925-2012), my dad
WWII
Private, 84th Division, 333rd Regiment, Co. L, The Railsplitters
Battle of the Bulge, 2 Bronze Stars

Herbert & Florence Miller tombstone, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2018 photo by Karen)

Back side of Miller tombstone (2018 photo by Karen)

Daniel Brewster (1845-1917), my great-great-grandfather
Civil War
Private, Co E, 80th OVI
Riverside Cemetery, Geneva, Indiana

Daniel Brewster tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, Geneva, Indiana. (2014 photo by Karen)

Daniel Brewster tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, Geneva, Indiana. (2014 photo by Karen)

Ralph J. Derickson Jr. (1925-1945), my first cousin once removed
WWII
Private, 99th Infantry Division
Killed in action in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge
Buried in Luxembourg
Riverside Cemetery, Geneva, Indiana

Ralph Derickson Jr, Riverside Cemetery, Geneva, Indiana (2014 photo by Karen)

Christian Whiteman (1762-1827), my 5th great-grandfather
Revolutionary War
Private, Berks County 6th Battalion, Pennsylvania Militia
Reber Hill Cemetery, Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio

Christian Whiteman, Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio. (2002 photo by Karen)

Nicholas Headington (1790-1856), my 5th great-grandfather
War of 1812
Gorsuch’s Company, 2nd Maryland Militia
Liber Cemetery, Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana

Nicholas Headington, War 1812 marker at foot.

This is only a partial list of my ancestors and relatives who served our county with the military service.

We remember them all and are thankful for their service to our country.

Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, Auglaize Co, OH (2013 photo by Karen)

May 24

Memorial Day 2019

This coming Monday is Memorial Day. It was originally called Decoration Day, the name my mom always used. It is a federal holiday that traditionally marks the beginning of summer.

Resthaven Memory Gardens, Auglaize County, Ohio. (2014 by Karen)

Memorial Day began as a way to remember and honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed in battle during the Civil War. In 1868 the 30th of May was officially proclaimed as the day to decorate those graves. After WWI Memorial Day was extended to honor Americans who died in all wars. Today most Americans use this holiday as a time to decorate grave sites, whether the deceased served in the military or not.

Memorial Day was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed the last Monday in May. In December 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed, which asks all Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.

Remember to observe proper flag etiquette on Memorial Day: The American flag should be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full-staff. During a parade there may be several participants with a flag and it is appropriate to salute only the first flag as it passes by. As the first flag passes everyone should show respect by standing at attention with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should give their appropriate formal salute.

Most area towns have a Memorial Day ceremony at local cemetery, conducted by the local American Legion and/or VFW, who also mark all veterans’ graves with an American flag. A big Thank You to all those volunteers.

Aleta, Willshire Home Furnishings, Memorial Day, 2018.

Willshire Home Furnishings will have a display of over 150 military uniforms, photos, flags, maps, and letters of local servicemen all weekend and Memorial Day. It is a wonderful display and well worth a visit. My dad’s photo and Army jacket will be on display there. Willshire will also have its Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

May 21

Tombstone Tuesday–Friedrich J. Stegmeier

Friedrich J. Stegmeier, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Friedrich J. Stegmeier, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

FRIEDRICH J.
Sohn von
L. und K.
STEGMEIER
Gest. den. 13
Feb. 1892
Alter
2 J.  9 T.

Friedrich J., son of L. and K. Stegmeier, died 13 February 1892, aged 2 years, 9 days.

“Friedrich” Johann Stegmeier was born 4 February 1890, the third child of Leonhardt “Leonhard” G. and Leah “Katharine” (Rettig) Stegmeier.  He was baptized at home on 16 February 1890, with Friedrich Rettig of Convoy and Nickolaus Steger serving as his sponsors. His father Leonhard was born in Wuerttemberg.  

Friedrich Johann Stegmeier died of lung fever on the afternoon of 13 February 1892, at the age of 2 years and 9 days. He was buried on the 15th, according to Zion Schumm’s records.

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

Friedrich J. Stegmeier had the following siblings:
Karl Georg (1884-1954), never married
George Adam Anton “Tony” (1886-1929), married Anna Giessler
“Antoinette”/”Nettie” Elisabeth Martha (1897-1983), married James A. Bell

Friedrich’s parents his two brothers are buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery. His sister is buried at Convoy.

May 17

New Book about 1872 Secaur Murder

Just in time for summer reading, a newly published book about the events surrounding the murder of 13-year-old Liberty Township resident, Mary Secaur. Many from this area of Mercer County, Ohio, have heard and read about these events that occurred just east of Chattanooga, Ohio, in June 1872.

Even after nearly 150 years there is still an interest and many questions about that murder and the lynching that followed a few days later.

Shadows of the Summer Solstice, by Sharon Schaadt Cowen, 2019.

The most recent account of those incidents is the new book, Shadows of the Summer Solstice…A Legend about a Farmer and the Green Ribbon Murder, by Sharon Schaadt Cowen, ISBN13:978-0-578-46094-9, 294 pages, published by SSC Publishing, April 2019. It is available in paperback and Kindle edition at Amazon.com.

Most locals have heard about the murder of young Mary Arabelle Secaur and about the lynching of Absalom Kimmel and Alexander McLeod, two men who were accused of murdering her. Mary Secaur was murdered on her way home from church one Sunday, murdered a couple miles east of Chatt on Tama Road, near where the Farmer’s Picnic is held. Kimmel and McLeod were two of three men accused of murdering Mary and were being held in the Mercer County jail when a mob overcame the sheriff and took the prisoners from the jail. The mob took the men out of town and hung two of them east of where the murder occurred.

Author Sharon Schaadt Cowen has a special interest in this story. Four generations of her family lived east of Chatt and her great-grandparents, Fred and Kate Schaadt, were next-door neighbors to Mary Secaur and the Sitterleys on Tama Road. The families knew each other and the Schaadts were eye-witnesses and participants in the events that occurred after Mary’s murder. Those details have been passed down in the Schaadt family for four generations. Sharon herself grew up near Tama Road and tells the story as it was told to her by her father, Herb. Herb heard the story from his father Lewis, as was told to him by Fred Schaadt himself. Although Cowen tells her family’s version of the incident, she says that the bones of her story come from J.H. Day’s account, Lynched.

I enjoyed the way Cowen tells this sad and tragic story. In her book, set in about 1932, old Duck Legs Phil Kromer, who was a real person, narrates the story from his room at the county home. With his colorful language he recalls the details of the events that summer, nearly sixty years before, and how those events affected the community and how the local people reacted.

One of my favorite things about this book is how Cowen’s personal and local connection makes the characters come to life. Cowen gives the characters real personalities and tells how they dealt with this tragedy. The book also provides a glimpse of what everyday life was like in rural Mercer County in the 1870s. Of course, having grown up in the Chatt area, the names and places were familiar, which added to my reading enjoyment. I know the story, but the book was still hard to put down.

Shadows of the Summer Solstice, by Sharon Schaadt Cowen, 2019.

After nearly 150 years, parts and details of the story will likely always remain a mystery. Although there are several theories about what really happened and who was guilty and who was not, there are just some things we will never really know for sure.