Mar 12

Tombstone Tuesday–Walter Bienz

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

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

Son of
A.J. & P.C. Bienz
Died May 19, 1890
Aged 2D

According to Zion Lutheran Schumm’s records, Walther “Walter” Stephan Bienz was born 17 May 1890, the son of Adam and Pauline Charlotte (Germann) Bienz. Walter was baptized at home later that same day, with Jacob Bienz and his wife serving as his sponsors. 

Walter’s father Johann “Adam” Bienz was the son of Jacob and Elisabeth (Pflueger) Bienz, born 26 October 1858.

Adam Bienz married Pauline C. Germann in Van Wert County on 25 September 1887. [1] Pauline was the daughter of Johann Phillip & Mary Elizabeth (Jung/Young) Germann.

Walter Bienz had an older sister, “Mina“ Elisabeth Bienz, born 18 December 1888, two years before Walter was born.

Walter passed away on 18 May 1890 at 11:00 in the evening. This date disagrees with his tombstone inscription by one day. Walter was buried on the 20th and his funeral text was Mark 10:14.

Walter’s mother Pauline passed away on 5 August 1891, a little over a year after Walter’s death. She is buried in row 6 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

Walter’s father Adam Bienz married Wilhelmine Christiana Reinking in Adams County, Indiana, on 9 April 1893. [2]

Adam Bienz’s second wife Wilhelmine Christiana died in 1897 [3] and Adam married Christina Mathilda Bleeke in Adams County, Indiana, on 14 May 1899. [4]

Christina Mathilda Bienz died 22 April 1944 [5] and Adam Bienz died 16 January 1949. [6] They are both buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Decatur, Indiana.

Walter’s sister Mina Bienz married Fred Geschwell. She died in 1952 and is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana. [7]  

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1879-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-65XH-H3?i=119&cc=1614804 : viewed 10 Mar 2019), Adam J Bienz & PC Germann, 25 Sep 1887; Van Wert County Marriages, Vol. 7:181.

[2] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6GTH-1XV?i=240&cc=1410397 : viewed 10 Mar 2019), Adam J Bienz & Christiana W. Reinking, 8 Apr 1893; Adams County Marriages, Vol. F:478.

[3] Find a Grave memorial no. 106418617, Wilhelmine Christine “Lena” (Reinking) Bienz, Immanual Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[4] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRS9-DQ8?i=49&cc=1410397 : viewed 10 Mary 2019), Adam J Bienz & Christena Mathilda Blakey, 14 May 1899; Adams County Marriages, Vol. G:492.

[5] Find a Grave memorial no. 98917043, Christina Mathilda Bleeke Bienz, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[6] Find a Grave memorial no. 98917041, Adam Jacob Bienz, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana.

[7] Find a Grave memorial no. 74129510, Mina B Geschwell, Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.

Mar 08

Willshire, 1904

Today, more items from the 5 May 1904 edition of the Willshire Herald that my great-grandfather Louis J. Schumm saved.

Willshire was a thriving village in 1904, with quite a few businesses and many services offered, according to this 1904 Willshire Herald.

I have also been looking at Willshire in the 1900 census and it should come as no surprise to see that many of the people who advertised in this paper were also enumerated in the 1900 census. It is interesting to see their names, enumerated with their families, with some information about them.

Below is more about Willshire and some of its residents, from the 4 May 1904 edition of the Willshire Herald :

Evidently having a 100+ year-old newspaper was news back in 1904, too:

An Old Newspaper
Chas. Winans, the village photographer, left a copy of the Ulster County Gazette at this office last Wednesday for our inspection and perusal. It was published at Kingston, N.Y., in January 1800, and consequently is 104 years old. The paper is peculiar in its make-up and typographically it looks every bit as old as it is. The advertisements are odd in phraseology and not very artistic in construction. As an historical relic it is valuable and interesting, and Mr. Winans has had it placed in a frame, the better to preserve and protect it.

1904 Willshire Herald

As the above article mentioned, Charles Winans was the photographer in Willshire:

Winans Photography, 1904 Willshire Herald.

The advertisement below caught my attention. I had no idea what a Tonsorial Artist was until I looked it up and learned that it means related to barbering. Detter was a barber:

F.A. Detter, Tonsorial Artist.
Vance Building, West side State St.

1904 Willshire Herald

But another notice in the same newspaper indicates that Detter had very recently sold his business:

A Business Change
Geo. W. Rhoads has again engaged in the barber business in this town, having bought the equipment and good will of F.A. Detter. The transfer of the property was made Tuesday, too late to change the advertising card. Mr. Rhoads needs no introduction to the Willshire public.

The 1900 census indicates that George W. Rhoads, 25, was a barber in Willshire. So it appears he quit barbering for a time but started up again in 1904.

This newspaper contains some information about doctors, a veterinary, and some health incidents in the area:

Dr. C.W. Bobo. Physician and Surgeon. Office at residence on South State Street, Willshire, O., General practitioner. Calls given prompt attention. Phone 59.

1904 Willshire Herald

Dr. C.V. Connell, Veterinary Surgeon and Dentist, Decatur, Ind.
Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and Toronto Veterinary Dental School. Treats all Diseases of Domesticated Animals. Surgery and Dentistry a Specialty. Free examination of your Horse’s Mouth. Calls promptly attended, Day or Night.  Office: 2nd and Jackson St.
Residence S 4th St.
Telephone 102.

Dentist Coming, Maybe
Dr. A.D. Buffington, of Minster, Ohio, was in Willshire, Monday, looking over the ground with a view of locating in this village for the practice of dentistry. We don’t believe that he could select a more desirable location for his purpose, and we sincerely trust that he will make up his mind to pitch his professional and residential tent in our burg. Willshire has long needed a resident dentist and Dr. Buffington has the appearance of a man who will make a good citizen, and if he is a good dentist, he will doubtless prove a valuable acquisition to our town’s population. 

I wonder if Dr. Buffington ever came to Willshire or if Willshire ever had a dentist–a dentist for humans, not horses.

 A Painful Operation
Simeon Wells, living near Delphos, last week submitted to an operation for the removal of his right eye. Four years ago he became overheated and the eye was affected, causing him a great amount of pain, so much so that it became intolerable, and the operation was necessary. —Delphos Courant

It Might Have Been Worse
Dr. J.Q. Neptune is minus eyebrows and a few of his bangs as a result of an explosion in his office Thursday. He attempted to light a gas stove, and an accumulation of gas sent a puff of flame into his face and almost blinded him for a time. Fortunately the accident was not serious. –Decatur Journal
Dr. Neptune is a son of Mr. and Mrs. I. Neptune of this place.

D.O. Thorp, paperhanger, provided a service:

Now is the time to see D.O. Thorp
If you wish Painting and Paperhanging done. He has Sample Book to show the different styles and prices. From 8 cents to One Dollar a bolt. Will show samples free of charge. All work to be done in first-class style. See me before contracting. Thanks for past patronage, I ask for continuance of same.
Phone No. 80.
D.O. Thorp, Willshire, Ohio

According to the 1900 census, Dan O. Thorp, 68, widower, was a painter in Willshire.

Interesting that W.W. Parks Pharmacy, offered wall paper from 3 cents a single roll, “up to any old price.”

1904 Willshire Herald

The 1900 census shows that William W. Parks, 37, was a druggist in Willshire.

 

Mar 05

Tombstone Tuesday–Wilhelm Andrew Neubrecht

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

  • This is the tombstone of Wilhelm Andrew Neubrecht, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

William Andrew
[unreadable]
NEUBRECHT
Died
Oct. 22, 188?
[unreadable]

According to Zion Schumm’s records Wilhelm Andreas Neubrecht was born 5 July 1887, the son of Carl [”Charles”] Neubrecht and Maria “Mary” B. (Roehm). Wilhelm died of malaria fever on 22 October 1887, at the age of only 3 months and 17 days. Church records indicated that he was buried in Zion’s cemetery on the 24th.  He is the only Neubrecht buried in Zion Schumm cemetery.

Although I have seen the Neubrecht surname several times, it is not very familiar to me, so trying to determine a little information about Wilhelm’s parents was quite a challenge.

I wrongly assumed, from the way Wilhelm Neubrecht’s death was recorded in Zion Schumm’s records, that his father was deceased. The record refers to Wilhelm’s parents as Karl [Carl/Charles] Neubrecht and his legal wife Maria (widowed), born Roehm. I first took that to mean that Maria “Mary” was widowed at the time of her son Wilhelm’s death. But I came to learn that it meant that Mary was a widow when she married Carl Neubrecht. Assumptions can be misleading.

Wilhelm Neubrecht’s mother was Mary B. Roehm, daughter of Andreas Roehm. Mary was born 14 July 1841 in Ohio. [1]

Mary B. Roehm married Johann “Carl” Germann at Zion Schumm on 17 October 1869. [2] Carl Germann was a widower whose wife had died in 1867. [3] Carl Germann died 29 August 1877. [4]

In 1880 Mary (Roehm) Germann, a widow, lived in the city of Van Wert with her brother Emmanuel Roehm and his wife Carrie. Their household in 1880: Emmanuel “Ream,” 25; Carrie, 20 wife; and Mary Germann, 35, widow. Emmanuel was a store clerk. [5]

The widow Mary (Roehm) Germann married Charles Neubrecht on 7 October 1880 in Van Wert County. Their marriage record indicates she was Mrs. Mary B. Germann. [6]

Their son Wilhelm Neubrecht died in 1887. He may have been their only child.

In 1900 Charles and Mary lived in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, where Charles farmed. Living with them was Mary’s nephew, Homer Roehm, the son of her brother Emmanuel Roehm. The Charles Neubrecht household in 1900: Charles, 55, Germany; Mary B, 57, Ohio; and Homer B, 16, Ohio. This enumeration indicates that Charles immigrated in 1861, that they had been married 20 years, and that Mary had not had any children. [7]

By 1910 Charles and Mary Neubrecht lived on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne. Living with them was Mary’s nephew Homer B. Roehm, The Charles and Mary Neubrecht household in 1910: Charles, 65, born in Germany, head; Mary, 68, born in Ohio, wife; and Homer B Roehm, 26, nephew, born in Ohio. Charles and Mary had been married 29 years and this enumeration indicates that Mary did not have any children. Charles was a delinquent tax collector and this record indicates that he immigrated in 1881. [8] The immigration date is probably incorrect since he married in 1880.

Charles Neubrecht died in Fort Wayne on 25 July 1919. [9]

In 1920 Mary and her nephew Homer B. Roehm resided on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne: Mary B. Neubrecht, 79, widowed; Homer B. Roehm, 35, single, nephew. [10]

Mary (Roehm) Germann Neubrecht died in Fort Wayne on 8 March 1928. [1]

Charles and Mary are both buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

 

[1] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com, Mary B Neubrecht, 8 Mar 1928. And Find a Grave memorial no. 67014789, Mary Bienz Roehm Neubrecht, Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. [note: I am not sure where the name Bienz fits in. I have not seen a Bienz connection in my research here, but research is always subject to correction.] Also, 1850 & 1860 census enumerations, living in Van Wert County with her father Andreas and her siblings, also indicate that Mary was born about 1841.]

[2] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-SPB8-X?i=21&cc=1614804 : viewed 4 Mar 2019), Charles Germann and Mary B Roehm, 17 Oct 1869; Van Wert Marriages, Vol. 1869-1871:458. And the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio.

[3] Find a Grave memorial no. 186951458, Elisabetha Schmidt Germann (1829-1867), Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Convoy, Van Wert County, Ohio.  

[4] Find a Grave memorial no. 83271718, Johann Carl Germann (1820-1877), Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Convoy, Van Wert County, Ohio.  

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 151, p.364B, dwelling & family 10, Mary Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6742&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 5 Mar 2019).

[6] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-65X8-J5?i=47&cc=1614804 : viewed 4 Mar 2019), Charles Neubricht or Neubright & Mary B German, 7 Oct 1880); Van Wert Marriages, Vol. 6:43.

[7] 1900 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 74, p.2, dwelling & family 47, Charley Neub??; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7602&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 5 Mar 2019).

[8] 1910 U.S. Census, Fort Wayne Ward 6, Allen Indiana, ED 47, p.7B, dwelling 156, house 162, Charles Neubrecht;

digital images by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=7884&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Mar 2019).

[9] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com, Charles Neubrecht, 25 Jul 1919. And Find a Grave memorial no. 110174063, Charles Neubrecht (1844-1919), Lindenwood Cemetery, Convoy, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.  

[10] 1920 U.S. Census, Fort Wayne Ward 6, Allen, Indiana, ED 56, p.14B, dwelling 268, house 306, Mary B Neubrecht; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=6061&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 4 Mar 2019).  

Mar 01

Willshire Depot & Rail Service in the Early 1900s

Chicago, Ft. Wayne, Fostoria, Findlay, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Boston and all points East and West reached most quickly and comfortably via the Nickel Plate Road… That is part of an advertisement in the 5 May 1904 edition of the Willshire Herald.

Traveling by rail was a big thing in 1904. It was the best and fastest way to travel any distance back then.

The ad goes on—Three Express Trains every day in the year. Thru Pullman Sleeping Cars to Chicago, New York and Boston. Comfortable high back seat coaches and modern Dining Cars serving meals on Individual Club Plan ranging in prices from 35 cents to $1.00. Also a la Carte service.

Colored Porters in uniform to look to the comfort of first and second class passengers and keep cars scrupulously clean.

Direct Connections with Fast Trains at Chicago and Buffalo.

All Agents Sell Tickets via this Popular Route, Write to C.A. Asterlin, Trav. Pass. Agent, Ft. Wayne, Ind.

May 1904 Willshire Herald

Willshire had a Nickel Plate train depot and the train would also stop at Schumm as needed. I figure the Willshire depot was located somewhere near where the grain elevator is today, on one side or the other of route 33 going to Decatur. Maybe someone reading this knows for sure. 

Below is a photo of Willshire’s Nickel Plate depot, date unknown:

Willshire’s Nickel Plate Depot, unknown date.

I found an interesting postcard among some old family papers, a postcard dated 5 September 1907 and addressed to my great-grandfather Jacob Miller, RFD #1, Willshire, Ohio. It was sent from Fort Wayne and it appears that Jacob was to pick up someone at the Willshire depot. Written on the postcard:

Dear Friends, Mamma and papa are coming Saturday. Please get them at Willshire. I don’t know just exactly what time between 2 and 3 o’clock. Come along with them or else come back with me when I come. Emma Keller

1907 postcard to Jacob Miller, RR#1, Willshire, Ohio.

I do not know who Emma Keller was or what she meant regarding the details of the meeting. Although it does not specifically mention the train depot, I would imagine that a train was their mode of transportation from Fort Wayne to Willshire. Also the fact that they needed someone to “get them.”

There were quite a few railroad ads in that May 1904 Willshire Herald.

An ad for the Toledo St. Louis & Western “Clover Leaf” Railroad Company:

May 1904 Willshire Herald

The Clover Leaf had Special Low Excursion Rates in 1904:

May 1904 Willshire Herald

The Erie Lines, Chicago & Erie Railroad:

May 1904 Willshire Herald

Cincinnati Northern Railroad Co:

May 1904 Willshire Herald

1914 Railroad map, part of Van Wert & Mercer Counties:

1914 railroad map, Van Wert & Mercer Counties.

Also from this newspaper:

It Is the Right Stand
President Shonts, of the Clover Leaf, has issued strict orders to employees that they must pay their debts. When an employee’s wages are garnished it means dismissal.

What fun it would have been to take a rail excursion! It would be fun to take a train to Chicago, something that is doable to this day.

Now I just need to figure out who the Kellers were…

 

Feb 26

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Schumm

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

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

Hier ruhet in Gott
Jacob Schumm
Sohn von
Fredrich n. Magdalena
Schumm
Gestorben
d. 5 August 1862
Alt 14 Jahr, 7 Mo
Und 1 Tag

Here rests in God, Jacob Schumm, son of Fredrich and Magdalena Schumm, died 5 August 1862, aged 14 years, 7 months, and 1 day.

Johann “Jacob” Schumm was born at 10:45 on the night of 4 January 1848, in Van Wert County, according to Zion Schumm’s records. He was the son of Friederich and Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm. Jacob was baptized 9 January 1848 with Jacob Rodel, Jacob Schumm, and their wives serving as sponsors.

Jacob’s parents were both German immigrants. In fact, Jacob’s father Friederich was one of five Schumm siblings who immigrated with their father John George Schumm in 1833. The Schumms lived in Holmes County, Ohio, soon after they arrived in America and Friederich Schumm married Magdalena Meyer there on 15 August 1838. [1] The couple moved to Willshire Township within a couple years of their marriage, where they owned and lived on the property across from where Zion Lutheran Church is located today. The Friederich Schumm family was enumerated in the 1840 census there. [2] You can read more about the parents on Tombstone Tuesday–Friederich and Magdalena Schumm. [3]  

Jacob, at 2 years of age, was enumerated in the 1850 census in Van Wert County: Friederich Schumm, 36; Magdalena, 31; William, 10; John, 8; Fredrick, 6; Catharine, 4; Jacob, 2; and Hannah, 10 months. [4]

Jacob Schumm was also enumerated with his family in the 1860 census: Friederich, 46; Magdalena, 41; Catharine, 14; William, 20; John, 18; Fredrick, 16; Jacob, 13; Hannah, 11; Mary, 9; Lewis, 7; George, 4; and Barbara, 2. [5]  

Jacob Schumm died at 3:00 in the afternoon of 5 August 1862, at the age of 14 years. The church records do not give the cause of his death nor his burial date. His burial text was Psalm 119:29.

Jacob was survived by four siblings and his parents had several more children after his death. The children of Friederich and Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm:  

Wilhelm Schumm (1840-1906), married Maria Heffner
Johann Schumm (1842-?)
Friedrich Schumm Jr (1844-1907), married Margaret Ehrenmann; married Maria Büchner
Catherine Isabella Schumm (1846-1907), married David Stamm
Johann “Jacob” Schumm (1848-1862)
“Hannah” Margaretha Schumm (1849-1927), married Rev. Johann Zimmerman
“Maria” Barbara Schumm (1851-1928), married Johann Zimmerman
“Lewis” George Schumm (1853-1939), married Catherine “Cassie” Bonnewitz
George Friedrich Schumm (1856-1927), married Sadie McClellan
Maria “Barbara” Margaret Schumm (1858-1951)
George Martin “Henry” Schumm (1861-1941), married Henrietta Wilhelmina “Minnie” Hoppe
George Conrad “Ferdinand” Schumm [Rev] (1864-1926), married Minnie Brockmeyer; married Minnie Felkner

Jacob’s mother Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm died 15 March 1897 and his father Friederich Schumm died 6 August 1902. Both are buried in row 6 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery. Friederich was the last surviving member of the Schumm family who immigrated in 1833.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-59B : viewed 24 Nov 2013), Frederick Schum and Magdalena Meyers, 15 Aug 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 53, Holmes, Ohio.

[2] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 69, line 26, Frederick Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=8057&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 1 December 2013).

[3] Tombstone Tuesday—Friederich & Magdalena Schumm, Karen’s Chatt, 10 Dec 2013.

[4] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.169B, dwelling 329, family 348, Fredk Shumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=8054&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 : viewed 25 Feb 2019).

[5] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.425 [stamped], p.149 [penned], dwelling 1065, family 1059, Frederic Schanen; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?htx=List&dbid=8054&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0  : viewed 25 Feb 2019).