Dec 06

Local War News from 1917

The United States was involved in a World War in 1917.

The U.S. entered World War I on 6 April 1917. That same day the General Secretary of the International Committee of the North American YMCA determined that the YMCA would help provide services for the military forces, to assist in maintaining and promoting their morale and welfare. They provided recreation, library services, Bible study, and religious services to soldiers in training camps and on troop trains in the United States and Europe.

Willshire did its part to help the YMCA war effort.

WILLSHIRE
Willshire, town and township, ranked among the best doners in the Y.M.C.A. War Fund Campaign. This district contributed the handsome sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars. (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Celina Democrat, 30 Nov 1917

Other news from Willshire in 1917:

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Geissler, Dale and Fanny Cowan and Miss Besse Cpaulding [sic] were at Camp Sherman for a visit with Clarence Geissler, who will soon leave for France.  (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Possibly a result of the War:

Due to the coal shortage the Celina public library will be closed evenings until further notice. (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Celina Democrat, 30 Nov 1917

MAIL EARLY-SHOP EARLY
Mail your Christmas packages a week or 10 days earlier than usual this year. That is the advice the American Railway Association Special Committee on National Defense sends out…To take care of the unusual traffic…because of the thousands of soldiers away from homes, is going to require every available baggage and express car as well as some high-class refrigerator cars…Postmaster Schunck looks for the biggest rush in the history of the Celina Post Office… (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

The following letter from serviceman Albert C. Heffner (1888-1945) to John C. Carlin was published in the 16 November 1917 edition of the Celina Democrat. Originally from Chattanooga, Ohio, Albert resided in Celina in 1917, where he was employed as a piano dealer. Albert, age 29, registered for the WWI draft on 5 June 1917. He was single and described himself as medium height and weight with blue eyes and blonde hair. [1]

Celina Democrat, 16 Nov 1917

DISCIPLINE GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN
Fort Omaha, Neb.
November 11, 1917
Mr. John C. Carlin, Celina, Ohio.

Friend John: How’s everything in Celina. You know I promised to write you when I left Celina and I have never written for the reason that I didn’t know until a day or two ago where I would be located.

I like the army life fine so far as I have gone, although I haven’t been in it long enough to tell much about it.

I really think it is better for a fellow to enlist, rather than wait for the draft. If a man enlists he has the advantage of choosing his service which I believe means a whole lot.

While at Columbus I could see from 75 to 300 fellows enlisting every day. There are not very many fellows from Ohio enlisting. Most of the fellows I met were from Pennsylvania, New York, W. Virginia, and some more states in the east.

They feed us on the regular army ration of 14c a meal, but there always is enough on the table for anyone. Sometimes a fellow don’t like the way the feed is cooked up, but that is something that might happen if a fellow is staying at home. There are a couple of restaurants around here, so a fellow can always buy what he wants.

This is a balloon signaling outfit here. I haven’t been here long enough yet to get assigned or any regular job, but I probably will have to get busy tomorrow a.m.

The worse fault I find with army life is the discipline. After a fellow has been used to doing pretty much as he pleases all his life, this strict obedience to order goes against the grain, but there is nothing to do but obey, unless a fellow wants to get in the guardhouse, and that is full most of the time, too.

Well, John, since I will have a permanent address for a few months, I would appreciate receiving the Democrat starting with last week’s issue.

Let me hear from you John, when you have a little extra time.

With best regards to all, I am
Sincerely yours,
A.C. Heffner
South Barracks,
Fort Omaha, Nebraska

Albert enlisted in the Regular Army at Columbus, Ohio, on 27 October 1917. He served in several Balloon Companies during World War I: the 1st Balloon Squadron, Fort Omaha, Nebraska, until 15 March 1918; in the 64th Balloon Company until 12 July 1918; in the 66th Balloon Company AS until 13 January 1919; and in 52nd Balloon Company until his honorable Discharge on 28 January 1919. He also held the rank of corporal and later sergeant. [2]

Albert returned to Celina after the war and married Ethel Olson. He and his brother-in-law Jake Bauer were salesmen in a music store. [3]

Albert is buried in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Albert & Ethel Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Albert Heffner military marker, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

[1] “U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ohio, Mercer County, Albert Carl Heffner, no. 1340; Ancestry.com.

[2] Official Roster Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, World War, 1917-1918 (Columbus, Ohio : FJ Heer Printing Co., 1926), 7271; Ancestry.com.

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.

 

Nov 26

Tombstone Tuesday-Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher

Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher, located in row 6 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The tombstone is inscribed:

1913-1933
Hilda Bollenbacher

Hilda Linn was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 25 June 1913, the youngest child of Henry (1871-1934) and Margaret (Deitsch) Linn (1877-1967) Linn.

The Henry Linn and wife Margaret had a family of nine children. The Henry Linn family in 1920: Henry, 48; Margaret, 42; Edward, 20; Andrew, 19; Valentine, 17; Urban, 15; Paul, 13; William, 11; Eda, 9; and Hilda, 6. Their son John Linn had left home by 1920. [1]

In 1930 Hilda, 16, resided on the home farm with her parents and three of her siblings, Valentine, 27, Urban, 25, and William, 24. [2]

Hilda Linn married Ferdinand Christian Bollenbacher in Mercer County, Ohio, on 14 May 1932. Hilda’s parents gave their consent for her to marry. The couple was married by Rev. Alfred J.A. Wahl. Ferdinand Bollenbacher (1910-1951) was the son of Charles W. Bollenbacher and Mary (Hoffman), also from Liberty Township. [3]

A daughter, Ilene M., was born to Ferdinand and Hilda Bollenbacher on 11 December 1932 in Mercer County.  

Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher died as a result of blood hemorrhages and spleen problems on 19 April 1933 at University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She had been a patient there for three weeks and her spleen was removed two days before her death. She 19 years, 9 months, and 24 days old and was buried on the 21st. [4]

From Hilda’s obituary:
Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher was born in Liberty township 25 June 1913, the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Deitsch) Linn. She was baptized 27 July 1913 by Rev. S. Egger and confirmed in St Paul’s Evangelical Church, Liberty Township, on 10 April 1927 by Rev. A.J. Wahl. She was united in marriage with Ferdinand Bollenbacher 14 May 1932, with Rev. Wahl officiating. Hilda and Ferdinand lived at the home of his parents after their marriage and they had a daughter, Ilene May, born 11 Dec 1932. Hilda was active in the church, a graduate of the First Teachers Training Class in 1930, and she taught Sunday School.

Hilda was survived by her husband, a daughter, her parents, her grandmother, Mrs. John Deitsch Sr; her in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bollenbacher; six brothers, Edward Linn, Celina; Andrew Linn, Coldwater; Valentine Linn, Urban Linn, William Linn, Liberty Township; Paul Linn, South Bend, Indiana; a sister Eda Linn, Celina; brother-in-law Richard Bollenbacher; sisters-in-law Mrs. Edwin Bollenbacher, Liberty Township, and Mrs. John D. Bollenbacher, Celina. She was preceded in death by her brother Carl Linn in 1927 and another brother who died in infancy. At her funeral her confirmation class sang the hymn O Jesus, I Have Promised. [5]

It is interesting to note that Rev. Wahl confirmed Hilda and presided over her marriage and burial.

Ferdinand and Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher had one child:
Ilene M. Bollenbacher (1932-2012), married Leroy W. Limbert

Hilda Linn had the following siblings:
Charles John Linn (1897-1937), married Hulda Bollenbacher
Edward H Linn (1899-1972), married Margaret E Laderman
Andrew Chris “Andy” Linn (1900-1971), married Velma A Douglas
Valentine “Jim” Linn (1903-1985), married Elizabeth K Wendel
Urban P. Linn (1904-1978), never married
Paul Roma Linn Sr (1906-1973), married Helen K Kindig
William P Linn (1908-1993), married Alma Irene Brown
Eda Caroline Linn (1910-1993), married Herbert Schaadt

In 1940, Hilda’s widowed husband Ferdinand and daughter Ilene lived with Ferdinand’s parents in Liberty Township. Ferdinand married Melba Smithley (1921-1990) in Adams County, Indiana, on 14 March 1944. Ferdinand and Melba had a son, Michael Charles Bollenbacher (1949-2009). Ferdinand Bollenbacher died 31 January 1951 and Melba married Leroy G. Overman (1923-2005) in 1953.

[1] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 140, p.5A, dwelling 84, family 87, Henry Linn; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 20, p.4A, dwelling 86, family 86, Henry Linn; Ancestry.com.

[3] Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993, Mercer Marriage Record 14, p.52, Ferdinand Bollenbacher & Hilda Linn, 14 May 1932; Ancestry.com.

[4] Ohio Deaths Records, Hilda Bollenbacher, 19 Apr 1933; FamilySearch.org.

[5] Hilda (Linn) Bollenbacher Find a Grave Memorial no.28261687; Find a Grave.com.

Nov 22

Willshire High School 1944 Senior Class Photo

People can be very kind and thoughtful, going out of their way to share information they randomly find.

Thank you to Jodie, who saw this photo at a thrift store, found that Karen’s Chatt has a connection to Willshire, and forwarded a scan of the photo to me, a photo of the 1944 Willshire High School senior class.

Plus, the names of the class members are hand-written on the back of the photo. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Willshire High School Class of 1944

Back row: Paul Leistner, Ralph Hamrick, Rick Strickler, Bob Carr, Fredrick Schumm.

Middle row: Winifred Davis, Blaine High, Donie Eichar, Gene Bebout, Nancy Schaffner, Vera Dull (sponsor).

Seated: Helen Hileman, Dorothy Carr, Harriet Stetler, Alvera Cully, Margie McBride, Dorothy Miller.

The photographer was Fred B. Smith, School Photos, Blanchard Avenue, Findlay, Ohio.

Written vertically on the left side of the back, probably written by the photographer, is Miss Nancy Jane Schaffner, Senior 1943-1944.

Names written on the back of Willshire 1944 senior class photo.

This was likely Nancy Schaffner’s copy of her senior class photo. She was the last surviving member of the Willshire High School Class of 1944, a class of 16 members. Nancy passed away just a little over a month ago, on 18 October 2024. Somehow the photo made its way to the thrift store.

WWII was still going on in 1944 and many of these young men served in the U.S. armed forces after they graduated.

A little more about the members of the Willshire Class of 1944:

Paul S. Leistner (1926-1997), married Barbara Rose White

Ralph W. Hamrick (1926-2019), U.S. Army, WWII; married Kathryn L. Baxter; married Frances L. Dull

Richard LeDoyle Strickler (1926-2006), U.S. Navy, WWII; married Pauline Ila Smith

Robert E. Carr (1926-1992), U.S. Navy, WWII; married Dorothy L. Minx

Fredrick “Fritz” Louis Schumm (1926-1990), U.S. Army, WWII; married Rosemary Ilo Fisher

Winifred Irene Davis (1926-2005), U.S. Air Force; married William C. Stout

Collin Blaine High (1926-1967), U.S. Army, WWII; married Mary B. Bollinger

Donald F. Eichar (1926-2015), U.S. Navy; married Elizabeth L. Skiles

Eugene Harold Bebout (1926-1996), married Carol Carey [1]

Nancy Jane Schaffner (1926-2024), married Gail Tice; married Gerald E. Hildbold

Vera Pearl Dull (sponsor) (1896-1977)

Helen Jean Hileman (1926-2002), married Charles Phillip White

Dorothy L. Carr (1926-2004), married Robert Humbert

Harriet E. Stetler (1926-1969), married Max Noll; married David Martin

Alvera Cully (1926-2013), married Theodore David Eady

Margie R. McBride (1927-2016), married Charles M. Opliger

Dorothy J. Miller (1926-1993), married Charles M. Tussing; married Floyd Ray; married [?] Whitmore

I remember several of the individuals in this class and two of them, Helen Jean Hileman and Dorothy Carr, were members of Zion Lutheran, Chatt.

The photo is also a good example of high school fashion during the war years.

Such a nice photo! Thank you Jodie for sending it to me!

[1] There appears to be a flag staff by his tombstone photo on FindaGrave.com. However, I could find no details of his military service. Perhaps someone knows and will let me know.