Dec 13

What Chatt Folks Expect of Santa Claus, 1933

The folks of Chattanooga, Ohio, have always been a close-knit community with a knack for making the best of the times. Even during the Great Depression. They worked hard in the little village but they also knew how to have a good time. And they enjoyed kidding around with each other.

Some of this good-natured kidding was in the “Chattanooga” section of the weekly local newspaper, The Willshire Herald, back in the 1930s. Perhaps it was because the country was in the midst of the Great Depression that the residents looked to the fun newspaper items as a diversion.

Individuals [or probably one person in particular] wrote Dear Santa letters in 1933 and they were published in the Christmas edition of The Willshire Herald.

The Willshire Herals, Christmas 1933.

The Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933.

These Dear Santa letters are not what you might expect. They were not written by the children of Chatt, but were written by the adult Chattanoogians. These were probably based on funny incidents that we will never know about.

So read about some good old-fashioned Chattanooga fun at Christmas time. Many of you will recognize some of the names.

WHAT CHATT FOLKS EXPECT OF SANTA CLAUS

Dear Santa: I have been a very good little girl and I would like some nice curls to pin in my hair, a toy piano, some oranges and grapefruits. Orville would like a red wagon and a story book about “The Tree Bears.” Your little girl, Ruth Hoblet.

Dear Santa Claus: Guess you didn’t receive the letter I sent you last year so I’m asking you again, dear Santa, please! Bring me a new car. I feed the cow and chickens every day and have been making buckwheat cakes for Carl’s breakfast since the first cold day we had last fall. If you still think I am asking too much just leave a stick of dynamite and a match and I’ll take care of the rest. Your little girl, Marcella Schroeder.

Dear Santa: I would like a story about “When Man Was Boss.” If you do not have a book of such an early edition then send me the popular book of the day, “Woman, the Queen over the Land, Air and Water.” Bud Smith.

Dear Santa: Please bring me a compass so I can always find my way home. Fred Wick.

Dear Santa: We are two little boys just out of school and would like to correspond with lady friends about seventeen years old. Our dad lets us drive the family cars now and then so we could go to a few movies. Your choice will suit us OK, Santa. Your little friends, Glenn Schaadt and Reginald Fisher. P.S. Did you help Luther Egger and Warren Weisenborn find their lady friends?

Dear Santa: I would like a violin that can be played by just turning a crank. I promise never to play the same tune twice if I have to buy a hundred records a year. You may also bring me a Jersey cow. Your little boy, Ivan Johnson. P.S. I haven’t told a lie this year.

Ivan Johnson Garage Christmas ad, The Willshire Herald, 1933.

Ivan Johnson Garage, Chattanooga, The Willshire Herald, Christmas 1933.

Dear Santa: Please send me a brand new beau, a string of beads and a ring. With love, Margy Wendel.

Dear Santa: I would like a tall and broad-shouldered farmer boy, if you please. Berniece Bollenbacher.

My Dear Santa: I want another bottle of dog medicine (Floyd drank the last I bought), some more Michigan potatoes, another permanent and some oranges. Your own little Hazel Vining.

Please Dear Santa: Bring me a License of Leisure of the year 1934. Hod Becher.

Dear Santa: I would like to trade wives for one of small stature and less power. Your little boy, Andy Myer.

My Dear Santa: I would like a baseball mask and a chest protector. Your little friend, Lewis Wendel.

Dear Santa Claus: I never argue with my husband and always cook his favorite dishes so won’t you please bring me a new coat, a new hat, (I made a beautiful black dress out of some material I found in the rag bag so you don’t need to bring a dress). If you have plenty of jewelry please leave me four strings of beads with earrings to match. Dot Smith.

Please Dear Santa: Have all the chickens yell for egg mash Christmas morning. Francis Bollenbacher. [1]

Marcella Schroeder was my second grade teacher at Willshire School and I have heard that she wrote the fun Chatt items for the paper. If so, she probably wrote these Dear Santa letters, too.

 

[1] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 22 December 1933, p. 8.

 

Dec 10

Tombstone Tuesday–Friederich & Magdalena Schumm

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

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

This is the tombstone of Johan Friederich and Magdalena Schumm, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

SCHUMM

Hier ruhet in Gott zu Eheleute
Friederich und Magdalena Schumm

Magdalena Schumm
Geboren
Den 4 Sept. 1819
Gestorben
Den 15 Marz 1897

Friederich Schumm
Geboren
Den 24 April 1814
Gestorben Den 6 Aug. 1902

Translation: Here rests in God the married couple Friederich and Magdalena Schumm; Magdalena Schumm, born 4 September 1819, died 15 March 1897; Friederich Schumm, born 24 April 1814, died 6 August 1902.

Johann “Friederich” was the fifth child born to Johann Georg and Ann Maria (Fisher) Schumm, born 24 April 1814 in Rupppertshofen, Württemberg. He came to America in 1833 with his father, sister, and three brothers. They lived in Holmes County, Ohio, for five years before moving to Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 7 June 1838.

“Friedrich cleared his wooded land with an ax by himself and made for himself one of the finest homes in Willshire Township. He had 260 acres of well-improved land, with good substantial buildings.” [1]

Friederich Schumm farm, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, 1882.

Friederich Schumm farm, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, 1882.

Friederich applied for a land patent on 26 April 1837 to acquire the northeast quarter of Section 22 in Willshire Township, consisting of 160 acres. The final certificate was signed by President Martin Van Buren and issued 10 October 1840. [2] Friederich sold the east half of this tract of land to his brother-in-law Michael Schüler for $100 on 10 March 1840. [3] Friederich then purchased the northwest quarter of Section 26, consisting of 160 acres, from his father Johann Georg on 10 March 1840 for $200. [4]

Friederich and his wife deeded ½ acre of this land to the Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm [Dütch Lutheran Church] on 10 January 1842. [5] A frame church was built on this land in 1855, built on the east side of Schumm Road, just north of the cemetery. The railroad had right of way through his land and in 1894 Friederich sold a parcel of his land to the Schumm Creamery Company. [6]

Friederich was enumerated  in Van Wert County in the 1840 census. In addition to Friederich was a female, age 20-30, and a male and female under five years of age. He and his family were listed next to George Schumm and Jacob Schumm in 1840. [7] Friederich was naturalized 2 October 1843 in Van Wert County, Henry Reichard and Thomas R. Kear as witnesses. [8]

While in Holmes County Friederich married Magdalena Meyer/Meier on 15 August 1838. [9] According to the Zion Schumm’s records, Magdalena Meyer was born 4 September 1819, in Kleburg [Cleebourg?] bei Weiszenburg in Elsass. She died of a heart ailment on 15 March 1897 at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 11 days and was buried on the 18th.

Friederich & Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm, 1882.

Friederich & Magdalena (Meyer) Schumm, 1882.

Friederich died 6 August 1902 near Schumm. According to Zion’s records he died of old age, at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 27 days and was buried on the 24th. Friederich was the last surviving member of the Schumm family that immigrated in 1833. His obituary:

An Old Settler Dies

Frederick Schumm Sr., of Schumm, died Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., age 88 years. Funeral Sunday morning at ten o’clock. He had lived in the county 65 years and was one of the early pioneers. [10]

Friederich and Magdalena (Myer) Schumm had the following children:

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

[1] History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc. , 1991), 254.

[2] U.S. Bureau of Land Management, “Patent Search,” database, General Land Office Records (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx  : accessed 1 December 2013), entry for Frederick  Schumm, Lima office, Doc. no. 9728.

[3] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 281.

[4] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 280.

[5] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. N: 207.

[6] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. 46: 588.

[7] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 69, line 26, Frederick Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 December 2013); from FHL microfilm 0020178, from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 431.

[8] Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Journal A: 159.

[9] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-59B : accessed 24 Nov 2013), Frederick Schum and Magdalena Meyers, 15 Aug 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 53, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference 276; FHL microfilm 477144.

[10] Van Wert Democrat, Van Wert, Ohio, 8 August 1902.

 

Dec 06

Some Christmas Postcards from Years Past

My grandfather, Cornelius Schumm, had a scrapbook filled with postcards he received and collected when he was a young man in the early part of the twentieth century.

I am not sure how I ended up with the scrapbook but I am glad to have it. I like old postcards and have a modest collection myself.

There are a few Christmas postcards in the collection. Most of the Christmas cards were sent to him but there are a couple that were sent to his mother, Sarah (Breuninger) Schumm, to his sister Frieda, and one to my grandmother HIlda (Scaer) Schumm. A few cards have no stamp, postmark, or writing on the back. Maybe someone gave him the card in person or perhaps they were leftover cards that he did not send.

This is the oldest postcard in the group, dated 22 December 1909.  The sender did not sign the card. I wonder who it was from?

To Cornelius Schumm, 1909.

To Cornelius Schumm, 1909.

To Cornelius Schumm, TT 2, Willshire, Ohio. 1909.

To Cornelius Schumm, RR 2, Willshire, Ohio. 1909.

The following postcard was sent to my grandfather from Carl S. in 1919. “Ft. Wayne Ind, 12-22-19. Old Scout: How are you? Am all well & happy. Will see you Wed. night at church. Best wishes & a Merry Xmas. From Carl S.”

From Carl S, Fort Wayne, 1919.

From Carl S, Fort Wayne, 1919.

The date is unreadable on the next postcard from Cornelius’ cousin Lizzy, postmarked Prairie ___, Wisconsin. “It is very cold here, think we will have snow for Christmas if it don’t all melt. Will close. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Lizzy.”

From Cornelius' cousin Lizzy.

From Cornelius’ cousin Lizzy, unknown date.

The postcard below was sent to Frieda Schumm, from M.K. Frieda was Cornelius’ sister. “Best Wishes for Christmas and a better one than you had last year. MK.” M.K. may be M. Koehler, who sent several postcards to my grandfather and his mother:

To Frieda Schumm from M.K., undated.

To Frieda Schumm from M.K., undated.

Cornelius married Hilda Scaer in 1927. Before their marriage Hilda worked as a housekeeper for the John Perry Reed family in Van Wert. John P. Reed was married to Estella Brumback, [1] daughter of John Sanford Brumback. John Brumback was a Van Wert banker and businessman who left a sizable bequest to Van Wert County to establish a county library. The Brumback Library in Van Wert was built with this money in 1899 and is the oldest county library in the United States. [2] [3]

The Reeds sent my grandmother the postcard below from Venice during the Christmas of 1925. John P. Reed died in 1920, so the postcard was probably written by his widow Estella or their daughter Ellen. Written on the back, to Miss Hilda Scaer: “Venice, Italy, 6 December 1925. The Reeds wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

To Hilda Scaer from "The Reeds" in Venice, Italy, 6 December 1925.

To Hilda Scaer from “The Reeds” in Venice, Italy, 6 December 1925.

Back of postcard from Venice, 1925.

Back of postcard from Venice, 1925.

Below is a postcard sent to Mrs. Louis Schumm, Willshire, Cornelius’ mother. Postmarked Cleveland, the date is unreadable: “Dear Aunt Sarah, Received your letters, both of them, and thank you very much. Yes, everything is very high, and some things you can hardly get, even for much money. I guess pretty soon we will have to stop eating, drinking and all else. Regards to Uncle Cornl, Frieda.  Tony Schumm.” [4]

To Mrs. Louis Schumm from her nephew Tony Schumm, date unreadable.

To Mrs. Louis Schumm from her nephew Tony Schumm, date unreadable.

The final Christmas postcard was sent to Mrs. Sarah Schumm (Cornelius’ mother) from M. Koehler, postmarked Van Wert, 22 December 1919. “A Happy Christmas. My New Year wish to you all. We are all well and I hope you’re the same. We will have our program by the Sunday School on Christmas day at 4:00 p.m. I wish that your kin see it. Will be a good program. They don’t have it [?] Best regards to all. Write or come. M. Koehler.” [5]

To Mrs. Sarah Schumm from M. Koehler, 1919.

To Mrs. Sarah Schumm from M. Koehler, 1919.

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/DL4-29H : accessed 5 December 2013), John P. Reed Jr and Estella or Estelle BRumback, 26 October 1886; citing Van Wert, Ohio, United States, reference v7p 102; FHL microfilm 1015861.

[2] “The Brumback Library,” Remarkable Ohio, Marking Ohio’s History, The Ohio Historical Society (http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=486 : accessed 5 December 2013).

[3] “Brumback Library,” Discover Ohio, Ohio Development Services Agency, Office of TourismOhio  (http://consumer.discoverohio.com/searchdetails.aspx?detail=57565 : accessed 5 December 2013).

[4] Tony Schumm was Anton Gerhard Schumm (1878-1938), son of Rev. George M. and Charlotte (Breuninger) Schumm. Charlotte (1855-1905) and Sarah (Breuninger) Schumm (1861-1921) were sisters.

[5] M. Koehler was probably Mary A. (Breuninger) Koehler (1858-1930), sister of Sarah (Breuninger) Schumm. Mary Breuninger was married to Oscar Koehler and they lived in Van Wert.

 

 

Dec 03

Tombstone Tuesday–George M. Schumm

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

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

This is the tombstone of George Martin Schumm, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruhet in Gott
George M. Schumm
Gestorben
Den 4 Juni 1871
Im Alter von
58 Jahr 6 mo. 24 Tage

Translation: Here rests in God, George M. Schumm, died 4 June 1871, aged 58 years, 6 months, 24 days.

George Martin Schumm was the fourth child born to Johann Georg and Anna Maria (Fisher) Schumm. He was born in Ruppertshofen, Württemberg, on 11 Nov 1812, as calculated from his tombstone. He came to America with his father, sister, and three brothers in 1833.

Church records at Zion Lutheran Schumm, indicate that he and his family resided in Holmes County, Ohio, for 5 years before moving to Van Wert County. While in Holmes County he married Maria Pflüger on 1 May 1838 [1] and the couple moved to Schumm on 7 June 1838. George Martin died near Schumm on 4 Jun 1871 of a nervous disorder and his wife Maria died 25 March 1903 in Van Wert County.

On 26 April 1837 George Martin applied for a land patent at the US Federal Land Office in Lima, Ohio, for the southeast quarter of Section 22 in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, consisting of 160 acres. [2] On 10 March 1840 he sold his 160 acre tract of land to his brother Lewis for $200. [3] George Martin purchased the northeast quarter of Section 27 from his father for $200 on the same day. [4] On 10 Jan 1842 George and his wife deeded ½ acre of section 27 to the “Dütch Lutheran Church” [Zion Schumm] for $5. [5] A log church was built on this site in about 1840. The railroad also had right of way through George Martin’s property.

In 1839 George Martin Schumm was enumerated as a white male inhabitant of Willshire Township, enumerated by assessor William Parent. [6] He was enumerated in the 1840 census in Willshire Township and his household consisted of a female 20-30 years old and a male child less than 5 years of age. [7] George Martin was naturalized 2 October 1843 in Van Wert County, witnessed by Henry Reichard and Thomas R. Kear. [8] In 1882 George Martin’s son Henry G. Schumm was living on the family homestead. [9]

George Martin Schumm (1812-1871)

George Martin Schumm (1812-1871)

Maria Pflueger Schumm (1820-1903)

Maria Pflueger Schumm (1820-1903)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Martin Schumm and Maria Pflüger had the following children:

J. Frederick (1839-1927), married Maria Germann
Louis (1840-?), married Mina Domke.
George, Rev. (1841-1917), married Amalia Justine Markworth 1867; married Charlotte Breuninger 1875.
John (1843-1864)
Anna “Rosina” (1845-1928) married Johann Roehm 1870.
Margaretha Barbara (1847-1851).
Marie (1849-?), married Claus Peters 1871.
George “Jacob” (1851-1895) married Lena Kellerman; married Amalia Backhaus 1880.
George “Christian” (1852-?).
George Henry “H. G.” (1854-1939), married Anna Roehm 1879; later married Wilhelmina Kroemer.
Jacob Wilhelm “Will” (1857-1858).
Jacob “Martin” (1859-1909), married Elizabeth Ehrenmann 1882.
Anna Magdelina Sophia (1862-?).

Their son John Schumm (1843-1864) died while imprisoned in a Confederate prison in Salisbury, North Carolina during the Civil War. John joined the 60th OVI, Company A, on 27 February 1864 as a private and was later appointed to Corporal. [10] Family history says that he was wounded and captured while fighting in the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia. He is presumed buried in one of the trench graves at Salisbury.

George Martin Schumm’s is buried in the same row as his brothers Friedrich and Ludwig. There is a flagstaff by George Martin’s tombstone, but he was not in any American war to my knowledge.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDP1-PT5 : accessed 24 Nov 2013), George Schumm and Mary Pfluger, 01 May 1838; citing Vol. 2 1831-1867, p. 44, Holmes, Ohio, United States, reference 272; FHL microfilm 477144.

[2] U.S. Bureau of Land Management, “Patent Search,” database, General Land Office Records (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx : accessed 1 December 2013), entry for George  Schumm, Lima office, doc. no. 9727.

[3] Van Wert County Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 283.

[4] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. E: 282.

[5] Van Wert Deeds, Recorder’s Office, courthouse, Van Wert, Ohio, Vol. N: 208.

[6] History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc. , 1991), 141.

[7] 1840 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p. 69, line 27, George Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 December 2013); from FHL microfilm 0020178, from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 431.

[8] Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, Journal A:160.

 [9] History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties, Ohio (1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc. , 1991), 257.

Nov 29

Wedding Postponed Due to Snow and Cold

Florence & Herbert Miller, 3 December 1950.

Florence & Herbert Miller, 3 December 1950.

It was supposed to be a nice Sunday afternoon wedding, scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend,1950.

Months of preparations and details were finally completed. The beautiful satin wedding gown from Fort Wayne had been fitted, pressed, and delivered. The Reverend Werner Von Kuhlberg and organist Velma Schumm were ready for the ceremony. The wedding cake was decorated and the flower arrangements were made.

Everything was ready for the late autumn wedding at Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm. It was to be the wedding of my parents, Herbert Miller and Florence Schumm

My parents’ wedding was scheduled for 26 November 1950, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. But the weather did not cooperate. It started to snow on Saturday and it snowed and blowed the whole weekend. And the snow piled up and drifted.

Late Saturday afternoon my dad left his home north of Chatt in his Studebaker Starlight to visit his fiancé, who lived a couple miles east of Willshire. It was only about an eight mile drive to the Schumm home.

But my dad never made it to the Schumm residence that afternoon, the day before his wedding. He did not even make it half way to Willshire. He got about two miles from his home, as far as Duck Creek Cemetery on State Route 49, when his car got stuck in the snow. He was driving in one of the worst blizzards Ohio had experienced in many years.

My dad could not get his Studebaker out of the snow drift and there was no other traffic on the road that afternoon to help get him out. So he hunkered down and spent the night in his car, stranded by the cemetery.

It was a long cold night, but the conditions were not as bitter as those he experienced a few years earlier in Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. He did not see the inside of a building for nearly 30 days during that time. At least he had his car for shelter during the Ohio blizzard.

The next morning my dad headed home—on foot. Farrel Krall remembers seeing my dad walk past their house that Sunday morning, walking toward the Miller farm house. It was supposed to be their wedding day but no one was able to get out onto the roads. No one was going anywhere that day.

As a result of that winter storm, my parents had to postpone their wedding one week. Grandma Schumm froze the wedding cake and the minister had to fill out a new marriage certificate.

Rev. Von Kulhlburg did not think the weather would get that bad that weekend and so he filled out my parents’ Certificate of Marriage ahead of time. He wrote the 26 November date on the certificate and had to void that certificate when the wedding was postponed. To void that certificate he inserted a couple words: Herbert Melvin Miller and Florence Elizabeth Schumm “were supposed” to be united by me…  He also wrote at the bottom, “Wedding was postponed due to deep snow and cold weather.”

Certificate of Marriage: Wedding was postponed due to deep snow and cold weather." 26 November 1950.

Certificate of Marriage: “Wedding was postponed due to deep snow and cold weather.” 26 November 1950.

Rev. Von Kulhberg prepared another Certificate of Marriage the next Sunday, 3 December 1950, the day my parents finally were married. Their second marriage certificate has the correct date and it is embossed with the seal of Zion Lutheran Schumm, which the first certificate did not have. My mom has both certificates.

Certificate of Marriage, 3 December 1950, with embossed seal of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm.

Certificate of Marriage, 3 December 1950, with embossed seal of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm.

According to newspaper accounts, few Ohio roads were passable that Thanksgiving weekend. The following Monday Lima reported that 15 inches of snow fell during the three-day blizzard and that many private cars were abandoned beginning early Saturday evening. [1]

Governor Lausche called for a state of emergency and requested that people stay off the highways. Snow drifts were as high as ten feet in some areas of the state. Transportation was nearly paralyzed across the state, including Mercer and Van Wert Counties. [2]

Miller/Schumm wedding, 3 December 1950.

Miller/Schumm wedding, 3 December 1950.

My parents’ wedding was not the only event affected by the blizzard of 1950. The Ohio State/Michigan football game was played on 25 November 1950 in Columbus and is still known as the “Snow Bowl.” The complete game was played during the snow storm, with five inches of snow on the ground and wind gusts of 29 miles-per-hour. It was the worst blizzard in 37 years in Columbus. Unfortunately, Ohio State lost to Michigan 3-9. [3]

The teams punted 45 times, sometimes on first down, hoping the opponent would fumble a slippery ball near the end zone. The win earned Michigan the Big Ten Conference championship and a trip to the 1952 Rose Bowl. [4] You Tube has an interesting video of the 1950 OSU/Michigan game, The Snow Bowl.

Just about everyone that was around in 1950 still remembers the blizzard that hit that Thanksgiving weekend. Some of my patients even attended The Snow Bowl in Columbus. Some made it back home to Mercer County that night while others had to stay in Columbus overnight.

My parents were married nearly 61½ years when my dad passed away in 2012. They would have been married 63 years this coming Tuesday. Today, 29 November, my dad would have been 88 years old. Today I remember their anniversary and his birthday.

 

[1] The Lima News, Monday 27 November 1950, p.1; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 November 2013).

[2] Delphos Daily Herald, Delphos, Ohio, 27 November 1950, p.1 & 2; digital image by subscription, Newspapers.com ( www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 November 2013).

[3] “1950 Snow Bowl,” Ohio State University Libraries , The Ohio State University Libraries (www. Library.osu.edu : accessed 23 November 2013).

[4] “Snow Bowl (1950),” Snow Bowl (1950) Wikipedia , Wikipedia, (www.wikipedia.com : accessed 23 November 2013).