Dec 09

Tombstone Tuesday–Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner

Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Rudolph & Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Rudolph and Nellie (Deyo) Heffner, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

HEFFNER
Nellie
1885-1974
Rudolph
1886-1957

Christened Georg Rudolph Heffner, Rudolph was born 11 May 1886 in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Friedrich and Anna (Merkle) Heffner. According to Zion Chatt’s records his father was also born in Blackcreek Township and his mother was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He was baptized 6 June 1886, with his grandparents Georg and Sophie Heffner as sponsors.

Rudolph grew up in the Chatt area. In 1900, when he was 14, he lived with his family, Fr. [Friedrich], father, 38; Anna, mother, 28; and siblings Ebert, 12; Emma, 10; Herbert, 6; Oscar, 4; and Roman, 10 months. All were born in Ohio. His father Friedrich was a saloon keeper. [1]

Rudolph was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 31 March 1901 by Rev. R.V. Smith. [This surname was sometimes spelled Haeffner in some of the older church records.]

Rudolph Heffner married Nellie Deyo on 1 June 1907 in Adams County, Indiana. They were married by J.H. Stone. At the time of their marriage Rudolph was a farmer and lived in Chatt, likely with his parents. His father still worked in a saloon and his mother kept house. He signed his name as Rudy Heffner on his marriage license application. [2]

Nellie Deyo was born 5 October 1885 in Berne, Indiana, the daughter of William and Bettie (Biddle) Deyo. Nellie did housework at the time of their marriage. Her father was deceased and her mother was also a housekeeper. Nellie’s father was born in Ohio and her mother was born in Fleming County, Kentucky. [2]

In 1910 the Rudolph Heffner family lived on Leininger Pike in Blackcreek Township, where Rudolph farmed. In the household were Rudolph, Nellie, and son Luther R. [3]

In 1920 the Heffners were living in Liberty Township and in the household were Rudolph, 33, head; Ella, wife, 34, Luther, 11; Ruth, 7; and Lois, 10 months. All were born in Ohio except the mother Ella, who was born in Indiana. Rudolph’s occupation was given as a pumper in the oil field. [4]

In 1930 they lived in Chatt, where Rudolph still worked in the oil fields, then as an oil well driller. In the household were R.G., Nellie, Luther, Lois, Cleo, and Robert. [5]

In 1940 the family still resided in Chatt, living in the same house as they were in 1935. They owned their home and it was valued at $1500. The highest level of school that Rudolph attended was 8th grade and he worked as a mechanic in a garage at that time. Robert, age 16, was the only child still living at home. [6]

Rudolph Heffner died of a heart attack at 8 p.m. on 28 November 1957 in Decatur, Indiana. He was 71 years, 6 weeks, and 17 days old and was buried on 1 December. Survivors included his wife; sons Luther, Cleo, and Robert; a daughter Mrs. Morris Koch; a brother Vernon; a sister Mrs. Marguerite Roebuck; and 8 grandchildren.

Nellie Heffner died of pneumonia on 3 November 1974 at Shane Hill Nursing Home, near Rockford in Mercer County. She was 89 years old and was buried on the 6th. Survivors included her son Robert, Lima, and daughter Lois Koch, Rockford; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Rev. Ralph Hershberger was in charge of the service.

Rudolph G. and Nellie Heffner had the following children:
Luther Rudolph, (1908-1974), married Mary M. Hiles; married Florence Gunsett
Edna Ruth, (1912-1927)
Louise “Lois” Catherine, (1919-2007), married Morris Koch
Cleo Carl, (1921-1958)
Robert William, (1923-aft 2007), married Patricia

 

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 85, p. 10A, dwelling 183, family 188, Fr Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 1241304, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304.

[2] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 5 December 2014), Rudolph George Heffner and Nellie Deyo; citing Adams County Marriage License Applications, Vol 2, p. 273, county clerk offices, Indiana; FHL microfilm 2,321,466.

[3] 1910 U.S. Census, Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 107, p1A, dwelling 3, family, Rudolph G. Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 140, p.4A, dwelling 72, family 72, Rudolph Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.Ancestry.com : accessed 29 November 2014); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[5] 1930 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 20, p.10A, dwelling 231, family 231, R.G. Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from FHL microfilm 2341584, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 54-22, house 272, p. 14A, Rudolph Heffner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 December 2014); from NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

Dec 05

Christmas Memories–A Favorite Song

A couple days ago I attended my first Christmas party of this Christmas Season, hosted by the women’s group at St. John Lutheran Church, Hopewell. After a delicious meal we had the pleasure of hearing Ryan Hirschy sing Christmas carols and songs while Brad Byerly accompanied him on the piano. Their music put everyone in the Christmas spirit.

As Ryan sang Mary, Did You Know I thought about the first time I heard that song, back in the early 1990s. The first time I ever heard Mary, Did You Know was at a live concert, sung by one of its composers, Buddy Greene.

A friend had asked us if we would like to go to Fort Recovery to hear Buddy Greene, a Christian musician who is known for his harmonica playing. She and her husband had seen him perform several times and she knew that I liked harmonica music. Our son Jeff also went along and he was about 12 or 13 at the time. I would guess the year was about 1994.

I do not even remember where the event was held. I only remember that it was at a church in Fort Recovery. Chairs were set up in their fellowship hall where a small group had gathered that Friday night to hear some Gospel harmonica music. We had seats in the first or second row and we even got to meet Buddy Greene after the show.

Buddy Greene is quite talented and is a very good entertainer. In addition to the harmonica he played his guitar, sang, and talked. He had several harmonicas and played them like I had never heard a harmonica played before.

He played traditional harmonica numbers, such as Orange Blossom Special, as well as hymns, Gospel songs, and even a few classical pieces. I never thought of Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as a harmonica number, but Buddy played it beautifully on his harmonica.

Toward the end of the evening he sang Mary, Did You Know, a song that he helped compose. That was the first time we had ever heard the song and it immediately became one of our favorite Christmas songs. Buddy explained that his friend Mark Lowry wrote the lyrics and asked him to compose a melody for it.

What a wonderful piece of music that has become a favorite Christmas song for many. I still get chills every time I hear it because the lyrics are so profound and meaningful.

"Mary, Did You Know" by Buddy Greene & Mark Lowry.

“Mary, Did You Know” by Buddy Greene & Mark Lowry.

The lyrics were written in 1984 and Buddy composed the music some time after. Mary, Did You Know was first recorded by Michael English in 1992 and has since been sung and recorded by many others.

So we got to hear it when it was a relatively new song and were privileged to hear it performed live by one of its composers.

Dec 02

Tombstone Tuesday–Edna Ruth Heffner

Edna Ruth Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Edna Ruth Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

This is the tombstone of Edna Ruth Heffner, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

EDNA RUTH
HEFFNER
1912-1927

Edna Ruth Heffner was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on 15 March 1912 to Rudolph G. and Nellie (Deyo) Heffner. She was baptized at Zion Chatt on 7 April 1912 with her parents as sponsors.

In 1920 “Ruth” was living with her parents and siblings in Liberty Township: Rudoph, 33, head; Ella, 34, wife, Luther, 11; Ruth, 7; and Lois, 10 months. All were born in Ohio except her mother Ella, who was born in Indiana. Her father’s occupation was given as a pumper in the oil field. [1]

Edna Ruth was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 5 April 1925 by Rev. Albrecht. Her confirmation verse was Jeremiah 31:3. She is in the confirmation photo below, but I do not know which one she was.

1925 Confirmation Class at Zion Chatt, with Rev. Albrecht.

1925 Confirmation Class at Zion Chatt, with Rev. Albrecht.

According to Zion’s records Edna Ruth died of heart failure on 18 August 1927 at the age of 15 years, 5 months, and 3 days. She was buried on the 20th. Survivors included her parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. Her siblings were Luther, Cleo, Robert, and Lois.

According to her death certificate Edna Ruth was born in Black Creek Township, Mercer County, and her mother was born in Adams County, Indiana. According to this record Edna Ruth died of endocarditis with arthritis as a contributing factor. According to this record she was buried on the 21st, with Egger and Ketcham in charge of the funeral arrangements. [2]

 

[1] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 140, p.4A, dwelling 72, family 72, Rudolph Heffner; Ancestry.com (www.Ancestry.com : accessed 29 November 2014); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[2] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 November 2014), Edna Ruth Heffner, 18 August 1927; citing Liberty Township, Mercer, Ohio, from FHL microfilm 1985116.

Nov 28

This & That from The Willshire Herald

One of my favorite pastimes is looking through old issues of The Willshire Herald on microfilm at the Van Wert County Library. Below are some interesting articles that I recently found.

Sustains Injured Hand
John Scaer, farmer residing on route 2, Willshire, had the misfortune of cutting four fingers and the thumb off the left hand while operating a buzz saw at his home late Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Scaer was taken to taken to [sic] the Adams county hospital at Decatur that same afternoon, where the injured hand will be given the best of medical care. Although the injury is very painful, Mr. Scaer is getting along as well as can be expected. [1]

The Willshire Herals, 12 February 1925, p.1.

The Willshire Herald, 12 February 1925, p.1.

John Scaer was my maternal great-grandfather, the father of my grandmother Hilda (Scaer) Schumm. He was was 61 years old when this accident occurred.

John Scaer (1865-1940)

John Scaer (1865-1940)

Other injuries and some genealogical information from The Willshire Herald:

Chattanooga—
The daughter of Wm. Becher got her fingers caught in a pulley and was severely injured while her father was making hay.

Geo. Fender was kicked on the arm by a horse, breaking both bones.

Mr. and Mrs. Fogle and Miss Rosa Kuehm visited with their mother, Mrs. Wm. Betzel, Sunday.

John Bollenbacher and family took dinner with Perry Gibbons and family, Sunday.

J.F. Smith and family and Mes Dames Frank Hurl and Clyde Jones of Wren, Ohio, took dinner with H.B. Cowan and family, Sunday.

Ed Merkle of Ohio City, was here over Sunday. [2]

Some entertainment in Willshire in 1928:

An Old Fiddlers Contest will be held at Dull’s Theatre next Wednesday night, which will furnish plenty of entertainment and amusement. Garfield Martin will bring his gang from Neptune, Doc Fetters, Ed Brune and others from Celina and St. Marys. Some of these are well remembered by the entertainment they gave here two years ago. This contest is open to local talent also. The same entertainment will be given at Rockford the following night. [3]

I wonder how just how old you had to be to compete in that fiddlers contest?

Linn Grove Bank Robbed
At 10 o’clock Tuesday morning, four bandits entered the bank at Linn Grove, and took $1900 in cash. Murl Lybarger, formerly of the Willshire bank here, is cashier, and was alone at the time of the robbery. This is said to be the third time for this bank. [3]

Concrete Road Ordered
A concrete road has been ordered from the north line of Liberty township south through Chattanooga. The Willshire road through Blackcreek township has been ordered improved, by grading and the applying the first course of a built up traffic bound road this year. [4]

I wonder if this was the first paved road in Chatt?

One of Zion Chatt’s ministers receives a gift:

Rev. Yahl Surprised by Gift of Radio
Rev. Carl Yahl, pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, was the victim of a pleasant surprise recently when he drove his new automobile for the first time and found it equipped with a fine radio.

The radio was the gift of Carl Andrews, the dealer, and a member of his congregation, and the congregation itself, and was a complete surprise to Rev. Yahl. To say that he is proud of the gift and the good will that prompted it is putting the way he feels about it very mildly. [5]

Rev. Carl Yahl, pastor at Zion Chatt 1931-42.

Rev. Carl Yahl, pastor at Zion Chatt 1931-42.

The news was always interesting back then in The Willshire Herald.

 

[1] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 12 Feb 1925, p.1.

[2] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 14 July 1910, p.1.

[3] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 1 March 1928, p.1.

[4] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 16 February 1928, p.1.

[5] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 18 April 1940, p.1.

Nov 25

Tombstone Tuesday–Philipp & Margetha Emrich

Philipp & Margetha Emrich, Kessler/Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2014 photo by Karen)

Philipp & Margetha Emrich, Kessler/Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2014 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Philipp and Margetha Emrich, located row 8 of Kessler/Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed Emrich on the front. On the south side:

Hier ruhet in ?
Philipp
Emrich
Geb. Den 26,
Aug 1821
Gest. Den 4,
Dez. 1891
Alter
70 J, 3 M, 8 T

On the north side:

Hier ruhet in ?
Margetha
Emrich
Geb. Den 5,
Dez. 1828
Gest. Den 5,
Marz 1906
Alter
77 J, 3 M

 

Translation: Here rests in ? Philipp Emrich, born on 26 Aug 1821, died 4 Dec 1891, age 70 years, 3 months, 8 days. Here rests in ? Margetha Emrich, born on 5 Dec 1828, died 5 March 1906, age 77 years, 3 months.

Inscribed on the front of the stone: Wir Werden und Weidersehen—“And we will see each other again.” Vater und Mutter–“Father and Mother”

It is very helpful, but unusual, when tombstones of this era are inscribed with the birth date as well as the death date. Especially helpful since this couple was born in the early 19th century and I know very little about them. They left only one record in Zion Chatt’s records—Margetha’s death and burial record. I do not know her maiden name. Evidently they married in Bavaria and their two children were born there.

In 1870 Philipp and Margetha “Margret” Emrich were living in Montgomery County, Ohio, with a Vandalia post office. Living with them were their two children, Philip, 18, and Maggie, 16. All were born in Bavaria. Philipp Sr. gave his age as 49 and Margret’s as 43. Philipp had a personal estate was worth $500 but did not own real estate. [1]

The couple and their children moved to Mercer County sometime between 1870 and 1880, but most likely after 1873 when their daughter was married in Montgomery County.

In 1880 Phillipp and Margret were living in Liberty Township with their son Philip. Phillipp Sr was 58 years old, Margaret 52, and Phillip Jr 30. All were born in Bavaria. Phillipp Sr was a farmer and Phillip Jr helped on the farm. [2]

Philipp died in 1891 and Margret remained on the family farm south of Chatt.

Philipp Emrich inscription, south side of ston. (2014 photo by Karen)

Philipp Emrich inscription, south side of ston. (2014 photo by Karen)

In 1900 Margret’s granddaughter Sena was living with her, probably helping with the housework and helping care for her aging grandmother. Margret, a widow, was 74 years old. She had given birth to two children and neither were living in 1900. Margret was born in Germany and immigrated in 1865. She owned her farm. Her granddaughter was 15 years old, born in Ohio in July 1884. [3]

Margret Emrich died 5 March 1906 in Liberty Township. Margret’s probate death record is on the same page as that of her son Philip. The cause of her death was not given in this record. [4] However, her death and burial are mentioned in Zion Chatt’s records. That record indicates that she died 5 March 1906 at the age of 78 years and 2 months. She was buried on the 6th. Survivors included 2 sisters, 14 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. It also indicates that she was found dead in a well.

Philipp and Margret had two children, a son and a daughter, who were both born in Germany. Their daughter Margarethe “Maggie” (c1855-bef 1900) married Philipp Wendel on 11 February 1873 in Montgomery County, Ohio. [5] Their son Philip (1849-1896) married Philipina Fickert on 11 November 1884 in Louisville, Kentucky. [6]

 

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Wayne, Montgomery County, Ohio, p.814B, family 135, dwelling 145, Philip Emerick; FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), from FHL microfilm 552747, from NARA microfilm M593, roll 1248.

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 186, p.474C, dwelling 56, family 59, Phillip Emerick; FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), from FHL microfilm 1255048,from NARA microfilm T9, roll 1048.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED85, p.9A, dwelling 168, family 173, Margret Emrich; FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), from FHL microfilm 1241304, NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304.

[4] ”Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), from Mercer County Probate Deaths, Vol 1-2, 1867-1908, unpaginated.

[5] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1997,” index and images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), Philip Wendel and Margareth Emerick, 11 Feb 1873; FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2014), citing Montgomery, County, Ohio Marriages Vol. K, 1872-74, p. 264, from FHL microfilm 1030838.

[6] “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979,” index, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 November 2014), Philip Emrich and Philaphina Fickert, 11 November 1884; from FHL microfilm 588892.