Dec 20

Letters to Santa, 1917

December 1917. The U.S. had entered World War I a few months earlier and Christmas was right around the corner. Even though we were at war, children were making Christmas lists and writing letters to Santa.

Dear Santa, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

The Celina Democrat printed a few Dear Santa letters in 1917, most from local children. The children’s wish lists were fairly minimal back then, although one little girl asked for a piano. Candy, fruit, and peanuts were popular Christmas list items. These children also seemed to be conscious of the needs of others.

Dear Santa letters from the 21 December 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat:

Dear Santa Claus:
I will not ask for much. I want a coaster sled and don’t forget my little cousins Horson and Holdy and my brother Vernon would like a pair of mishing [sic?] socks. Don’t forget my cousins out of town. I will close and say my prayer.
John Loyda Bader (RR Mendon)

I’m not sure what mishing socks were. There were a lot of typos in these letters and mishing may have been a typo.

Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a new doll and a piano and some candy and nuts, oranges and fruits. I am four years old. I go to Sunday School. Please don’t forget to bring Evaun and Kahle something…
Marielle Jenkins (RR Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl nine years old, and I go to school every day and study my lessons very good. I want you to come to my house and bring me Sleepy Night Stories striped hair ribbons, some candy, nuts, and oranges. I live three miles southwest of Celina. I’ll go to bed early.
Pearl Andrews (Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I don’t go to school. I am five years old. I would like to have an A.B.C. book, a handkerchief, hair ribbon and overshoes and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Ruth McGee (Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am eight years old. I go to school and am in the fourth grade. I would like to have a handkerchief, story book, and pretty goods to make my doll a dress, and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Blanch McGee (Celina)

James, Romania, William, and Mary Carlin, probably siblings in Columbus, Ohio, each wrote a letter to Santa and each asked Santa not to forget the poor.  They remembered their parents, grandparents, and siblings as well. Each also mentioned that they would have the fire lit when Santa came in so that he could get warm. These are the other items they asked for:

Dear Santa Claus:
I would like to have a machinic [sic] and some candy.
James John Carlin

I would like a doll and some candy.
Romania Marie Carlin

I would like a machine and candy.
William Charles Carlin

I would like a red go-cart and candy.
Mary Elizabeth Carlin

I wonder what that machine was that the two boys asked for.

Things have not changed all that much over the years since 1917. Children still wish for special presents and ask Santa for them, although today’s Christmas lists may be digital Amazon Wish Lists and many of the items are technical electronics. Children still anxiously wait for Santa’s arrival and anticipate the excitement and fun of opening presents on Christmas morning.

A couple weeks ago I featured a letter from a November 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat, written by Albert C.  Heffner, of Chatt, written while he was in basic training in Nebraska. Before he entered the war he and his brother-in-law Jake Bauer were piano dealers in Celina. This was their Christmas ad:

Albert Heffner, piano dealer, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

Perhaps Santa got a piano for little Marielle Jenkins from their store.

Dec 17

80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Yesterday, 16 December, was the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most important battles for the Allies during World War II.  

The Battle of the Bulge, aka the Ardennes Offensive, lasted for over a month and by 25 January 1945 the Allies had restored their line to its previous position. It was the largest land battle ever fought by the U.S. Army and the last major German offensive campaign in the West before the end of the war.

Losses of both Allied and German soldiers were high. Nearly 20,000 American service members were killed during the battle, accounting for about 10 percent of all American combat casualties during WWII. In addition, over 23,000 American soldiers were captured and became prisoners of war.  

My dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He entered the battle just before Christmas, as a replacement, in the 84th Division, 333rd Company, Infantry. He fought in the northern part of the Bulge, in the Ardennes and in Belgium towns.

He said the conditions were terrible. It was the coldest winter on record, and they were not outfitted for the severe conditions they encountered. He had the standard issue of winter clothes: a wool uniform, sweater, and 2 pairs of socks, but it was not adequate clothing for the harsh weather conditions, when temperatures ranged from 0 to minus 10-15 degrees with knee-deep blowing snow. He said they were constantly on the move, walking and moving forward during the day and digging shallow fox holes to try to keep warm and get a little sleep at night. He did not see the inside of a building until the end of January 1945.

Our service members fought bravely and suffered greatly during the Battle of the Bulge. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.

Certificate, Battle of the Bulge Association.

Sir Winston Churchill said that the Battle of the Bulge was “…undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.”

Herb & Florence Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

Last Saturday was Wreaths Across America Day. This is the wreath I ordered from them to mark my parent’s grave-site for Christmas.  

Dec 13

Two Ohio Shanesvilles at One Time

We spent this week in Holmes County, a little get-away to see Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas show, along with some shopping, eating, wine tasting, and driving around the beautiful, hilly countryside. Our trip included going to Sugarcreek, in neighboring Tuscarawas County.

A couple years ago, we saw this Shanesville sign in a winery near Sugarcreek, and we were told there once was village named Shanesville nearby.

Shanesville sign on display near Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Interesting, because we live very close to Rockford, which was originally called Shanesville. Shanesville was the first settlement in Mercer County, founded by Anthony Shane in 1820. It was the original county seat of Mercer County and is the oldest village in the county. Its name was changed to Shanes Crossing in 1866 and to Rockford in 1890.  

Two Shanesvilles in Ohio! Who knew? One in Mercer County, one in Tuscarawas County. I wonder if their mail ever got mixed up in the early 1800s.

Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, old map

Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, on current map

We decided to look into the Tuscarawas County Shanesville this trip. Probably not the best timing because it was freezing cold out when we took these photos. This should have been a summer project.

The Tuscarawas County Shanesville was founded in 1814 by Abraham Shane and was incorporated in 1902. The intersection of 39 and 93 appears to have been the center of town. The village merged with Sugar Creek in 1968.

On the west edge of Sugarcreek, at the intersection of routes 39 and 93, signs of the old village of Shanesville are still there—an old Shanesville sign, Shanesville’s fire wagon, some historical plaques, a church, a carryout, and a cemetery a block away.

Downtown Shanesville, routes 39 & 93, now part of Sugarcreek.

This little building houses an old Shanesville Volunteer Fire Department fire wagon and a Shanesville sign. Two historical plaques, mounted on the outside, tell the history of the village:

Shanesville mementos, intersection of routes 39 & 93, Sugarcreek.

Old Shanesville sign & Shanesville volunteer fire department wagon, housed in the little building.

Plaque with history of Shanesville, mounted on building.

History of Shanesville, as inscribed on the plaque:

1814-100 lots were laid out by Abraham Shane, with 10 perches for a public square and street

1820-The Lutheran Church began with Rev. Abraham Snyder

1821-The First Reformed Church of Shanesville was organized by Rev. William Reiter

1840-Shanesville trading point and outpost from Pittsburgh

1861-The Shanesville Blues, under Captain Benjamine Ream, Civil War volunteer militia was established

1876-Shanesville Lodge No.97 K of P was formed

1914-Centennial Celebration

1964–Sesqui-Centennial

1968-Merged with Sugarcreek

Nearby is this brick wall plaque, depicting Shanesville’s founder Abraham Shane:

Shanesville marker, near little building.

Plaque reads, 1814 Shanesville 1968, Founded by Abraham Shane.

Across the street is the Shanesville Lutheran Church:

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

The Shanesville Drive-Thru is on the other side of the street:

Shanesville Drive Thru

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery is about a block to the west, on Hillcrest Drive:

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery

The marker reads: This cemetery is the site of two former churches: A log church used by Lutheran and German Reformed congregations from 1828 until 1851. A brick church used by the German Reformed congregation from 1851 until 1914.

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery

Another brick marker, one of several on a wall of historical markers in downtown Sugarcreek:

Plaque notes Shanesville, in downtown Sugarcreek

Although the Tuscarawas Shanesville kept its name longer, the Mercer County village still exists and thrives, as Rockford.

How many more Shanesvilles might there be across the country?

Dec 03

Tombstone Tuesday-Anna Weismann

Anna Weismann, St. Paul CC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Anna Weismann, located in row 1 of St. Paul CC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Anna
Toch. von
JAKOB und
ELISABETH
WEISMANN
Gest. den
17 Jan. 1914
Alter
43 J. 1 M. 18 T.
WEISMANN
Ruhe in Frieden

Anna, daughter of Jakob and Elisabeth Weismann, died 17 January 1914, aged 43 years, 1 month, 18 days. Rest in Peace.

Anna, aka Annie, Weismann was born in Germany on 27 November 1870, the daughter of Jacob (1840-1927) and Elisabeth (Ulrich) (1844-1926) Weismann. [1]

The Jacob Weissmann family, consisting of Jacob, 42, wife Elizabeth, 39, and children Anna, 10, Caroline, 9, Carl, 3, and Edward, 3 months, all from Germany, departed Antwerp Belgium on the ship Waesland and arrived in New York City on 4 May 1883. [2]

Anna was not enumerated with her parents in 1900. Her parents and siblings, residing in Liberty Township, Mercer County, as enumerated in 1900: Jacob, 60; Elizabeth, 56; Charles, 20, son; Edward, 18, son. This enumeration indicates that Jacob and Elizabeth had been married for 32 years and four of their seven children were living. It also tells that all the family members were born in Germany and all immigrated in 1883. Jacob was a farmer and owned his farm. [3]  

Although Anna was not enumerated with her parents in 1900, it appears that she was enumerated as a servant in the household of E. [Edward] L. Edwards, in Dayton, Ohio: Anna, age 29, single, born November 1870 in Germany, and immigrated in 1883. [4]

On 5 May 1910, Anna Weismann was enumerated with her family in Liberty Township: Jacob, 69, head; Elizabeth, 65, wife; Annie, 39, daughter, single; and Edward, 28, son, single. This enumeration repeats the same information from the 1900 census, that Anna was born in Germany, immigrated in 1883, and that she was a servant in a private house. That Jacob and Elizabeth were married for married 42 years, 4 of 7 their children were living, all family members were born in Germany, and all immigrated in 1883. [5]

It appears that Anna Weismann was enumerated twice in 1910, in Liberty Township and in Dayton, Ohio, as a servant in the household of Edward L. Edwards. On 20 April 1910, Anna Weisman, 39, single, born in Germany, was enumerated in the Edward L. Edwards household, the same household that she was employed in 1900. She could have been enumerated first in Dayton, then enumerated about two weeks later at her parents’ home, although there is always the possibility that there was another Anna Weisman of the same age, born in Germany, who was a private servant. [6]

Anna Weismann died in Liberty Township on 15 January 1914, aged 43 years, 1 month, and 18 days. Her cause of death was Brights Disease and her occupation was housekeeper. She was buried on the 17th. The 15th is the death date given on her death certificate, although her tombstone is shows she died on the 17th. [1]

Anna’s obituary:
Miss Anna Weisman, aged 44, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Jacob Weisman of Liberty township, died at the home of her parents yesterday morning. Death was due to Bright’s disease. She was born in Germany, but came to this country with her parents when a girl of 12. She is survived by her parents, two brothers and a sister. Her funeral will take place tomorrow (Saturday) morning. [7]

Anna Weismann had the following siblings, plus two additional siblings, which may have died in infancy:
Charles Weisman (1879-1933), married Catherine Siebert
Edward Weisman (1882-1959), married Myrtle Brough
Ludwig Weisman (1887-1887)
Caroline Weisman (1872-1949), married Jacob Miller

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Mercer, Annie Weismann, 17 Jan 1914; FamilySearch.org.

[2] Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897, Records of the U.S. Customs Service, RG 36, NAID M237, Jacob Weissmann [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 85, dwelling 267, family 272, Jacob Weismann; Ancestry.com. 

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Montgomery, Dayton Ward 1, ED 35, p.3, dwelling 68, family 68, E.L. Edwards; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.13B, dwelling 294, family 251, Jacob Weiseman [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Montgomery, Dayton Ward 1, ED 49, p.5B, dwelling 94, family 124, Edward L. Edwards; Ancestry.com.

[7] Anna Weisman Obituary, The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 16 Jan 1914; Newspapers.com.

Nov 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Karen’s Chatt!

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish each one of you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. May your home be filled with happiness, joy, and thankfulness as you gather with family and friends today.

Some Thanksgiving fun facts:

Thanksgiving is American’s second-favorite holiday, between Christmas and Halloween.

The first Thanksgiving feast was in 1621 and lasted three days.

There were more Native Americans than colonists at the first Thanksgiving.

For many Native Americans Thanksgiving is known as the National Day of Mourning.

George Washington issued the first presidential proclamation of a Thanksgiving celebration in 1789.

Thanksgiving was held on various dates for many years, but in 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that it be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In 1941 the date was fixed as the fourth Thursday in November.

The first Thanksgiving dinner likely included lobster, mussels, venison, and corn porridge, but no potatoes, cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie.

The popular green bean casserole was developed by the Campbell Soup Company.

The Thanksgiving turducken (a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey) originated in New Orleans.

Most Americans believe that leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving.

Abraham Lincoln was the first president to pardon a turkey. The bird was intended for his Christmas dinner.

The tradition of cracking a wishbone originated with the ancient Etruscans.

“Jingle Bells” was written for Thanksgiving.