Aug 23

Headlines from the Past (1926 & 1930)

My abstracts of some news stories from one of my favorite local newspapers, The Willshire Herald (1926 & 1930).

New Business Venture by Stetler Brothers
Earl and Ralph Stetler purchased the Ward Acheson lot and the W.R. Brown service station building just west of the post office on Wolcott Street, to engage in the business of spouting, roofing, roof painting, and washing and painting automobiles. They have the right of sale for Paulding and Van Wert Counties for the Monarch Paint Company, Cleveland. In addition to selling paint, they will contract for painting, as a savings to property owners.  Earl and Ralph previously operated an auto service business, now operated by Lewis Wise on State Street. (Willshire Herald, 18 March 1926)

 Service stations seemed to be big news in Willshire.

New Service Station to Keep “Open House” Saturday
Willshire’s newest service station, the Scott Service station, will have an open house on Saturday and Sunday, 21-22 June. Walter Scott, local agent for the Sinclair Company, announced that a valuable gift will be given to each motorist who purchases five gallons of gasoline. (Willshire Herald, Thursday 19 June 1930)

An obituary:

Willshire Herald, 14 Jan 1926

Well-known Schumm Man Dies Suddenly in Barn Lot
John C. Schumm was found between 4-5:00 p.m. in the barn lot by his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Schumm.

Mr. Schumm left his house shortly after 12:00 noon to do a few chores around the barn and then go to the store at Schumm to pick up several items for his daughter-in-law. A few hours later his daughter-in-law noticed that she had not seen him go toward Schumm. She phoned the store and they informed her that he had not been there. She looked around the premises but could not find him. She then telephoned her husband, Arnold Schumm, who was helping butcher at the W.A. Buechner farm, the adjoining farm to the north. Arnold hurried home and discovered the body in the barn lot.

John C. Schumm was survived by his children [Victor, Lydia, Hilda, Elisabeth, Arnold, Salome], one brother, Louis J. Schumm, three miles east of town, and a sister, Mrs. [Charles F.] Germann, Harrison Township. Other relatives resided in California. (Willshire Herald, 14 January 1926)

A stockholders meeting:

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Willshire Equity Union Exchange Company was held at the town opera house Monday Afternoon, with 40-50 farmers in attendance. Secretary E.O. Stelter gave a favorable business report and after President T.J. Dellinger called for nominations for directors. T.J. Dellinger, R.C. Elston, George Grauberger, E.O. Stetler, and Thomas O. Hill were nominated, and all were elected since only five names were needed. (Willshire Herald, 14 January 1926)

Only from a small community:

Mary Dellinger was in Decatur Monday afternoon having dental work done. (Willshire Herald, 14 January 1926)

And from the Chatt area (Willshire Herald, 14 January 1926):

Funeral services were held Monday at Zion Lutheran, Chatt, for Jacob Hiller, 80, life-long resident of the Chattanooga area. Rev. J.E. Albrecht conducted the service.

Zion Chatt’s Luther League met at home of Carl Brandt’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Brandt, Friday night. Not all members were present due to the weather.

And lastly, an airplane ride in 1930 is big local news:

Willshire Herald, 19 June 1930

First Willshire Person to Ride Airplane from Pacific Coast
Miss Rilla Hileman, a young Willshire woman, was believed to be the first person in the community to be a cross-country passenger on an airplane.

She had been visiting her niece, Mrs. T.C. (Eathyl Hileman) Robbins, in Glendale, California, for three months. Mrs. Robbins was formerly from Willshire.

Hileman departed Los Angeles at 10:00 a.m. Saturday for Clovis, New Mexico. There she
boarded a Santa Fe Pullman train bound for Colorado, traveling during the night. She flew from Colorado to Indianapolis, arriving about 4:00 p.m. Sunday. It took about 30 hours for the 1800-mile trip.

Another niece, Bernita Moore, of Van Wert, met Hileman at Indianapolis and drove her home. They arrived home about midnight. (Willshire Herald, Thursday 19 June 1930)

 

Aug 20

Tombstone Tuesday-Caroline Linn

Caroline Linn, Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Caroline Linn, located in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. Her marker is inscribed:

Caroline
LINN
1897-1983

Caroline Linn was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 28 July 1897, the daughter of Jacob Linn Jr (1865-1927) Elizabeth (1872-1943) Garman. Caroline’s parents were both born in Germany.

Caroline Linn, age 2 years, was enumerated with her parents and 3 siblings in 1900: Jacob Linn Jr, 34, head; Elizabeth, 28, wife; Peter [sic] [Otto], 6; Louise, 4; Caroline, 2; and Peter, 2 mo. This enumeration indicates that both her parents were born in Germany, that her father immigrated in 1872 and her mother in 1888, that her parents were married for 9 years, all their children were all born in Ohio, 4 of their 6 children were living, and that her father Jacob Jr was a farmer,. [1]

By 1910 there were five children in the Jacob Linn Jr family: Otto, 16; Lucy, 14; Caroline, 12; Peter, 10; and Philip, 3 mo. [2]

The 1916 Mercer County Directory shows the following: Jacob Linn Jr, wife Elizabeth, 5 children, farmer, owned 120 acres, 8 horses, and 18 cows, lived at Route 1 Celina, Liberty [Twp] 48, and had an Indiana telephone. [3]

In 1920 Caroline Linn, 22, resided with her father and 3 siblings: Jacob Linn Jr, 54; Louisa, 25; Caroline, 22; Peter, 19; and Philip, 9. [4]

In 1940 Caroline, age 42, single, was employed as a housekeeper in the Bernard Westbrock household, Dayton, Ohio. Caroline’s employer was an undertaker, and she had been at this residence for at least five years. The highest grade she had completed was the 5th grade. [5]

Caroline Linn died in a long-term care facility in Fairborn, Greene County, Ohio, on 29 October 1983. [6]

Caroline Linn had the following siblings:
Infant brother (1891-1891)
Otto Linn (1893-1960), married Norah Gladys Stover
Infant brother (1894-1894)
Catharine Louisa Linn (1895-1974), married Theodore Arndts
Peter Linn (1900-1976), married Iola Ione Kanorr 
Philip Linn (1910-1994), never married

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 85, p.8, dwelling 149, family 154, Jacob J Sinn [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.16a, dwelling 349, family 310, Jacob Linn; Ancestry.com.

[3] The Farm Journal Illustrated Directory of Mercer County, 1916, Wilmer Atkinson Co, Philadelphia: 1915, p.108.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 140, p4B. dwelling, 83, family 86, Jacob Linn; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Montgomery, Dayton, ED 94-156, p.4A, house 531, Caroline Linn; Ancestry.com. 

[6] Ohio Deaths, 1958-2007, Ohio Department of Health, Carolin [sic] Linn, 29 Oct 1983; Ancestry.com.

 

Aug 16

Improved Order of Red Men Area Tribes

Earlier this week I wrote about the Improved Order of Red Men and their unique emblem, and I learned about them myself. I learn a lot when I write blog posts and that post was no exception.

As I wrote Tuesday, the Improved Order of Red Men was established in America about 1834 and still exists today. They are considered a secret society and claim direct descent from the patriotic colonial group, Sons of Liberty, devoted to inspiring a love for America and the principles of American liberty. Their insignia consists of Indian items, such as tomahawks, clubs, and war bonnets. Their women’s auxiliary is called the Degree of Pocahontas.

Improved Order of Red Men, Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

After seeing their symbol on the Riverside Cemetery tombstone, I wondered about the Improved Order of Red Men society in the area and did some follow-up research since Tuesday.

I learned that there were quite a number of Red Men “tribes” in the area. There were tribes in just about every local village-Van Wert, Rockford, Middle Point, Convoy, Scott, and Haviland. Convoy apparently had a fairly large tribe and sent a delegation of 80 to the annual meeting of the Ohio tribe in 1911.  

The Van Wert group was the Abanaki Tribe No. 77 and they had a Pocahontas auxiliary group. I am not sure of the spelling. I read both Abanaki and Abenaki. Some of their meetings were called wigwams.

Abenaki Tribe No. 77, Red Men, Van Wert, Ohio, 1920

From the newspaper accounts I learned that the head of a tribe was called the Grand Sachem and the head of the auxiliary was called the Great Pocahontas. Degrees included a Chief’s Degree and a Warriors’ Degree. …The degree of teams of Abanaki Tribe Improved Order of Red Men will confer the Warriors’ degree at a meeting of the tribe in Rockford… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 8 Mar 1919)

The Van Wert Abanaki Tribe had apparently been around since about the 1870s: …Abanaki Tribe celebrated its 34th annual feast, a party of more than 300 in attendance. The tepee was nicely decorated in honor of the occasion. J. Val. Faudree was toastmaster. The address of welcome was by O.A. Balyeat and the response by Levi X. Jacobs. There was a musical and literary program, presented by Misses Spahr, Tumbleson, Tomlinson, Ensminger and Poling, and Earl Wallace and the Jacobs Orchestra… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 4 Dec 1907)

I do not know if the Abanaki Tribe had their own building or not, but a 1905 news article mentions the Van Wert Red Men’s Hall. In 1937 the Red Men’s lodge room was moved from the Brumback building to the third floor of the Rumpf building, East Main Street. (Van Wert Times Bulletin, 19 Oct 1937)

Red Men meet in Haviland, 1917

From one of their meetings: …The Grand Sachem…emphasized the strength and beauty of the cardinal principles of Freedom, Friendship and Charity. [He] dwelt upon the great force of Redmanship and the need of its exercise in the direction of crushing out Bolshevikism in event that monster show its head in the United States… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 8 Mar 1919)

The tribe at Middle Point had a Memorial Day observance in Middle Point in 1910. …enactment of the grand tribe of the order it is proposed that the annual observance of the day to the memory of the soldier dead shall be perpetuated by the Red Men, who are purely an American institution, with American ideas and sentiments in all matters. The Middle Point tribe has extended an invitation to the other secret societies there to join in the observance… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 23 May 1910)

The 10th District School of Instruction was held at Middle Point in 1910 and lasted all day and into the evening. At noon they adjourned for lunch, which consisted of corn and venison. The event included music by the Red Men’s Band. The Red Men’s Band was mentioned in several news articles. (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 5 Oct 1910)

Red Men meet at Middle Point, 1910

In 1912 a large delegation of Red Men and Daughters of Pocahontas attended the annual meeting of the Great Council in Springfield, where about 2000 men and women participated in a parade. …quite a number of the Red Men appearing in Indian garb and war paint… The great council fire will not be extinguished until Wednesday evening… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 14 May 1912)

The Improved Order of Red Men also participated in funeral graveside services. From a member’s obituary: …Grover Snyder, as prophet, conducted the ritualistic services of the Red Men at the grave, during which a white dove was released… (Van Wert Daily Bulletin, 2 Nov 1912)

It is surprising that we do not see more tombstone symbols of this society in the area, considering how popular the group once was.

Aug 13

Tombstone Tuesday-Improved Order of Red Men

We were taking some photos at Riverside Cemetery yesterday and Joe noticed this unfamiliar symbol on a tombstone, a fraternal symbol that I had never seen before, but had hoped to find some day.

It is the symbol of the Improved Order of Red Men.

Improved Order of Red Men, Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

 

Their insignia consists of Indian items, such as tomahawks, clubs, and war bonnets. This is a perfect example of that. 

The Improved Order of Red Men was established in America about 1834 and traces its origin to secret patriotic societies founded before the American Revolution. They claim direct descent from the colonial group, Sons of Liberty, and was formed by members of two patriotic organizations, the Sons of Liberty and Sons of St. Tamia.

The Improved Order of Red Men is devoted to inspiring a greater love for America and the principles of American liberty.

Members dressed in costumes fashioned after the Great Plains and Iroquoian Indian patterns and it is believed the society used Iroquois Indian disguises to hide their patriotic work. Most costumes were purchased from supply houses or made by members.

The organization’s membership peaked in the late 19th century, but the society still exists today.

Their women’s organization, the Degree of Pocahontas, supports a number of charitable, youth, and education programs.

This symbol is on the tombstone of Oliver Hedges (1866-1937). There must have been a lodge in the area.

I have been reading a booklet about German-born Rev. Friedrich Konrad Dietrich Wyneken (1810-1876), whose restored Adams County, Indiana, home we visited the weekend before last, as part of this year’s Schumm reunion activities. The booklet mentioned the Order of Red Men and some other fraternal, aka secret societies, in about 1845. Rev. Wyneken was not a fan of secret societies. …The nuisance of the secret societies was then already widespread and well-established in Baltimore. It was particularly the Order of Red Men, which the Germans joined and of which they organized several lodges. …the Order of Odd Fellows was very esteemed, and it lodges were frequented far too much by the Germans… He pointed out their threat for church and state…he was the first pastor in America who publicly took a firm stand against the secret societies… and once, as a result of his stance …a lodge of Red Men in full array turned around the corner and marched past in procession. All of them took off their hats and saluted mockingly as they passed by Wyneken…

 

Aug 09

45th Schumm Reunion Memories

The 45th Schumm Reunion is now a fond memory and one for the history books. This year’s reunion marked 100 years of Schumm reunions and drew the largest gathering of John George Schumm descendants in recent history. Over 220 family members were in attendance at Sunday’s reunion.

2024 Schumm Reunion

There was a good turnout for Saturday’s ice cream social at noon, followed by a presentation by Nathan Bienz about the first area Lutheran ministers, a tour of the Wyneken House west of Decatur, and a Tincaps ball game in the evening. The ball game was attended by those with the most stamina and the ability to withstand the heat and humidity into the evening. It was hot. Joe and I did all the above activities on Saturday except for the ball game. 

2024 Schumm Reunion

Wyneken House

Welcome sign at Wyneken House

Sunday’s events began with a Bible class presented by Dr. Cameron MacKenzie of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, followed by the church service with sermon by Dr. MacKenzie. Right after the service Dr. MacKenzie gave an historical talk about the early area Lutheran ministers. I was disappointed that I was not able to attend his talks. Maybe someone has a copy of his handout.

A delicious pot-luck meal followed around noon and the business meeting, special recognitions, announcements, and some singing followed.

2024 Schumm Reunion

I took the Sunday off playing the organ at Zion Chatt so we could get to Zion Schumm by 11:00 to man the book table. We enjoyed sitting at the book table, where we got to meet and talk with many family members. People came from as far away as Florida, Texas, and even Germany, although the folks from Germany were here for the Weck reunion and came to ours, too. I wish I had more time to talk with Gottfried Weck from Germany.

Again, it was a very hot and humid day, with a slight breeze from time to time. The sky clouded over at one point when a pair of storms went north and south of Schumm. We were spared from any storms, although we could use the rain.

2024 Schumm Reunion

It was enjoyable meeting family who don’t attend very often and seeing the regulars once again.

I enjoyed meeting my second cousin from Florida, Louis Allmandinger’s son. Louis Allmandinger was the WWII paratrooper I wrote about a few weeks ago.

I also enjoyed talking with the Schinnerers from Decatur. There are not many Schinnerers in this area anymore. 

To Mr. Schueler from Texas, concerning Michael Schueler’s second wife, Catharine Lakehart/Lakehard, who you asked me about, I have a theory that Catharine Lakehart was from Mercer County. A Lakehart family lived in Section 33 of Dublin Township in 1853. Catharine’s father may have been John Lakehart and she may have had a brother Casimir Lakehart (1818-1879). Both John and Casimir Lakehart were enumerated in the 1843 Mercer County Quadrennial Enumeration in Dublin Township. It appears the family came from Germany. This is just a theory at this point, but you may want to look into this family. I am hoping you read this because I do not know how to contact you.

The usual reunion photo was taken at the conclusion of the day’s events.

2024 Schumm Reunion group photo

Thanks to the many, many volunteers who made this 45th reunion a success and to the Schumm Reunion Committee for their meticulous planning-Al, Larry, Sherry, Maurice, Sharon, Chad, Andrea, Tim, and Mike; to Debbie for setting up the Wyneken display, and to everyone who helped in any way, from helping with registration to setting up and taking down tables, chairs, and tents. And for preparing the food. The Schumm family is very fortunate to have so many people willing to pitch in and help wherever help is needed and to provide many things.

Here are a few more photos from Sunday’s Schumm reunion.

2024 Schumm Reunion

2024 Schumm Reunion

The photographer stood on this ladder to take the reunion photo.

2024 Schumm Reunion

Below are some photos from Saturday’s visit to the Wyneken House. Rev. Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken was a circuit riding minister in the Indiana/Ohio area 1839-41. He was instrumental in seeing that ministers were provided to the Indiana/Ohio wilderness and in the establishment of the LCMS. He lived in Adams County, Indiana, 1859-63, and his home was moved to its current location a few years ago. It has been restored and converted into a historical repository of local German Lutheran heritage. The home’s restoration and the displays are very well done and are very informative.

Wyneken House, 2024

Pastor’s study, Wyneken House, 2024

Bedroom, Wyneken House, 2024

Kitchen, Wyneken House, 2024

Wyneken House being moved to its current location

Another great family reunion weekend.

I almost forgot to mention the new Schumm genealogy/history book. We delivered a copy to my Aunt Amy yesterday.

Aunt Amy with her 2024 Schumm genealogy book

It is a rather substantial book, with a 50mm coil binder. What can I say. We have a very large family. Here are photos of the front and back covers:

2024 Schumm genealogy/history, front cover

2024 Schumm book back cover