Sep 27

The Music Men of Chatt

It is a little country village said to have been established before 1840. Located in the center of mid-west farm land, just a mile from the Indiana State Line, it has only one street and that is the state highway that runs through the middle of town. It has been home to a number of families, a place to socialize, and a place to conduct business during a time when the means of travel were limited. Once an oil town, with rumors that a train would run through it, Chattanooga, Ohio, has boasted quite an impressive list of businesses and services over the past 173 years.

Chattanooga, Ohio.

Chattanooga, Ohio.

That list includes: hotel, restaurants, grocery stores, poultry & eggs, saloon, bar, car dealership, garage, hardware, gas station, general store, mercantile, shoe store, hat shop, tile factory, handle factory, post office, photographer, physician, undertaker, funeral parlor, fire department, bank, insurance company, mausoleum association, 2 churches, 2 schools, grain elevator, pool hall, sawmill, barber shop, blacksmith, stock yard, farm services, migrant camp, canning company, tire center, roofing & spouting, plumbing, several fraternal societies, outdoor theater [movies shown on the side of what is now the Chattanooga Fire Department], muzzle-loading shop, and numerous baseball teams.

And at one time Chattanooga had its own band.

I enjoy browsing through old newspapers and The Willshire Herald, now called the The Photo Star, is one of my favorites. The best local news from years ago can be found in those old small town newspapers. A while back I found the following notice in a 1933 issue of The Willshire Herald:

CHATT BAND CONCERTS BEGINS WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Chattanooga band concerts are scheduled to begin Wednesday night, July 19. The program for the first concert is as follows:

Courage, March.
Marcella, Waltz.
Dynamic, Overture.
Georgiana, Waltz.
Elizabeth, 6-8
At Sight, March.
Remembrance of Colonel Miner, March.
Bright Star, Overture.
Courage, March.

The members of the band and the instrument they play are as follows:

Fat Carr, cornet; Ed Maurer, cornet soloist; Vernon Caffee, cornet soloist; John Kallenberger, cornet soloist; Frank Leistner, 1st cornet; Ralph Rutledge, 1st cornet; Luther Egger, 1st clarinet; Rob Hart, 1st clarinet; Wesley Kallenberger, 2nd clarinet; Warren Weis, 1st clarinet; Ralph Brehm, 2nd clarinet; Forest Leistner and Norman Fahncke, alto; Howard Caffee, baritone; Gust Weitz and Vic Kuhn, tenor; Perys [Lorys?] Witters, slide trombone; Lester Bollenbacher, base horn; John Brehm, bass drum; Herbert Fahncke, snare drum; Semon Egger, Leader. [1]

I recognize some of those names and I remember Vernon Caffee, John Kallenberger and Gus Weitz.

The Chatt band certainly had an ambitions-sounding concert performance planned. I am not familiar with any of those songs but I was able to hear and watch a modern day performance of Remembrance of Colonel Miner March and Georgiana Waltz on You Tube.

Liberty Band

Liberty Band, unknown date.

My friend Miriam sent me the above photo of the Liberty Band. The Liberty Band photo predates the band mentioned in the above Newspaper article. Since Chatt is in Liberty Township there may have been some Chattanoogians in the Liberty Band. Miriam’s great-uncle, Fred Diener, standing at the far left, lived a mile or two north of Chatt. Note the woman in the window holding a baby. I wonder if the band woke up the baby.

This photo and The Willshire Herald article make me wonder: Where did these men learn to play those instruments? Did they take private lessons or were they taught in school? Were the Chatt and Liberty bands  separate bands or were they one and the same? Who was Fat Carr?

Where were the Chatt Band concerts held? The article did not say. Perhaps they were held outside since they were during the summer months.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has any information about these old area bands or that can identify any of the band members in above photo.

[1] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 13 July 1933.

Sep 24

Tombstone Tuesday–John G. Kessler

John G. Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

John G. Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John G. Kessler, located in Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

John G.
Sohn von
C. & M. Kessler
Geb.
28 Aug 1852
Gest.
28 Apr 1853
Alter 8 Monat

Translation: John G., son of C. & M. Kessler, born 28 August 1852, died 28 April 1853, age 8 months.

“Johann Georg” Kessler was born to Christian and Margarethe (Kable) Kessler on 28 August 1852 in Mercer County, Ohio, according to the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga. He died 28 April 1853 in Mercer County, a mere eight months old. His parents were featured in the past two Tombstone Tuesday posts here.

There are only two known records that tell of John Kessler’s brief life, since some of the usual records I use for research do not exist for him. John was born and died between the 1850 and 1860 censuses, so he was not enumerated in a census report. Births and deaths were not recorded in Ohio until 1867, so there are no probate records that record the vital events of John’s life.

However, his small marble tombstone still remains in Kessler Cemetery, next to his mother’s marker. Both tombstones are located in the second row from the west and John’s is immediately north of his mother’s.

The other record that tells about John is in the Familienregister [family register] portion of Zion Chatt’s old records. Even though John died before Zion’s records began in 1855, some entries in the church records give information about people who lived before 1855. 

The Familienregister gives about three generations of genealogical information about many of the earliest families of Zion Chatt. In this case, the family entry is that of Christian Kessler, John G’s father (1814-1892). The record indicates when and where Christian Kessler and his wife Margarethe (Kable) were born, the names of their parents, the year the family immigrated, and information about the couple’s children. Information about their children includes date and place of birth, where they were baptized, and their death date, if applicable.

It was this entry in Zion’s Familienregister that indicated when John was born, when he died, and who his parents were.

And that is why church records are so valuable.

 

 

 

 

Sep 20

Genealogy Roadshow to Debut

If you enjoy watching the hit show Who Do You Think You Are? you will be pleased to learn that another genealogy-related TV show will premier this coming Monday, September 23rd, on the PBS network.

Genealogy Roadshow is the American version of the hit Irish TV series and has a format similar to that of Antiques Roadshow. Participants with “unique claims and story lines” will be chosen from an audience and genealogists will research to find the truth. Genealogists Joshua Taylor and Kenyatta Berry will be the hosts of the show.

The first season consists of four episodes (23 September-14 October), filmed in Austin, Detroit, Nashville and San Francisco. I read that one show will be from Nashville, where researchers will try to determine whether or not an individual is related to Davey Crockett, as his family legend claims. Another episode to be from San Francisco, about the earthquake in the early 1900s.

I saw a 5 minute clip of Genealogy Roadshow at last month’s FGS Conference in Fort Wayne and it should be a hit with anyone interested in family history.

Genealogy TV shows, while very interesting, can be deceiving. The whole research process may look quick and easy on a one-hour TV show, but you don’t see the hours it took to find all those documents and the information needed to trace one’s family history back several generations.

TV 2

In April of this year the Lima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution presented the “Women in American History Award” to former Lima TV personality VaLaire (Rilee) Orchard. As a child she was in some of the “Our Gang” movies. Her 18-year TV career in Lima began in 1953 and later she was a radio talk show host on WIMA, Lima, from 1971-1986. VaLaire related her experiences and the challenges of doing live TV shows and commercials. It was interesting to hear her tell how TV has changed over the years and she brought back memories of TV shows I remember from the 50s and 60s.

I am old enough to remember black and white TV and how exciting it was when our family got a color TV. I’ll never forget watching Bonanza in color the first time. In fact, I have heard that many people purchased a color TV just to watch Bonanza in “living color.” And who could forget that NBC peacock?

I watched quite a bit of TV with Grandma and Grandpa Miller during the summer days. Kids’ shows were usually on in the morning: Captain Kangaroo [with his side-kicks, Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, and Grandfather Clock], Mighty Mouse, Howdy Doody, and The Mickey Mouse Club. Afternoon TV was mainly game shows: Concentration, Password, and Queen for a Day.

Westerns filled up the TV evening hours. Who can forget Gunsmoke, The Rebel, Maverick, Paladin, Cheyenne, Bronco Lane, The Rifleman, Wagon Train and Sugarfoot, to name a few. Reruns of those old westerns are now shown on the Western Channel.

Back in the 50s and 60s we didn’t throw away broken down items or appliances like we do today. We got them repaired. When the TV didn’t work we called a TV repairman.

Jack August, 1949. Chattanooga TV repairman.

Jack August, 1949. Chattanooga TV repairman.

In the Chatt area we called on the local TV repairman, Jack August. Jack would come to our house with his big TV-repair tool box, full of vacuum tubes, resistors, tuners and other now obsolete TV-repair items. I don’t know how Jack knew which tube was bad, but I noticed that it was usually the one that was dark and burned-looking in the inside. He was good and he always fixed our TV.

In those days we never ever would have dreamed of having a remote control. Changing channels was unwanted exercise back then, usually for youngest in the family. In addition, there were only three channels to chose from back then.

I still like to watch TV and this coming Monday I will be watching Genealogy Roadshow. You might want to tune in, too.

Sep 17

Tombstone Tuesday–Margarethe Kessler

Margarethe Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Margarethe Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Margarethe Kessler, located in Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

KESSLER
Margarethe
Frau von
C. Kessler
Geb
25 Juli 1816
Gest
8 Sept, 1862
Alter
46J. 1m.  14T.

Translation: KESSLER, Margarethe, wife of C. Kessler, born 25 July 1816, died 8 September 1862, aged 46 years, 1 month, 14 days.

According to the Familienregister [family register] in the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Margarethe Kable was born 25 July 1816 in Fechingen by Saarbrucken, Rhein, Bavaria. She was the daughter of Christian and Elisabeth (Müller) Kable. Margarethe married Christian Kessler in May 1841 and they had three children in Bavaria before the family immigrated to America in 1849. Three more children were born to them in Mercer County. Margarethe Kessler died 8 September 1862 after a short illness.

Margarethe Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Margarethe Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Margarethe’s widower husband Christian Kessler married widow Marie (Koch) Drewes on 20 April 1865 in Mercer County. [1] Christian died 25 January 1892 and he and his second wife Marie are buried in Kessler Cemetery, seven rows away from Margarethe. Christian and Marie were featured in last week’s Tombstone Tuesday post.

Christian and Margarethe (Kable) Kessler had the following children:

Margarethe, b. 19 September 1842 in Fechingen
Christian, b. 19 November 1843 [tombstone calculation] or 15 September 1845 [church records], in Walzheim
Ferdinand, b. 22 May 1847 in Fechingen
Magdalena, b. 18 October 1850 in Mercer County
Johann Georg, b. 28 August 1852 and d. 28 April 1853 in Mercer County
Jakob, b. 1 March 1856 in Mercer County

Christian, Margarethe and their four children were living in Liberty Township, Mercer County by 1850. Christian was a farmer and their youngest child was a month old and unnamed. [2] She would later be given the name of Magdalena .

By 1860 the Kessler family had grown, with five children now in the household. Their son Johann Georg was born and had died since the 1850 census. He is buried in Kessler Cemetery, next to his mother Margarethe. [3]

There was an additional child, Mary, with the Christian Kessler family in the 1880 census. She was born about 1862. Could this have been another child of Christian and Margarethe or was she Christian’s step-daughter, one of Maria (Koch) Drewes daughters from her previous marriage? This answer to this question will require more research.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” Index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/XZGF-PLK : accessed 8 September 2013), Christian Keshler and Maria Drewer or Kazh, 1865; citing Vol. 3:85.

[2] 1850 US Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, p. 286B, line 1, dwelling 7, family 8, Christian Kesler;  digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 September 2013); from National Archives microfilm M432, roll 710.

[3] 1860 US Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, p. 359, line 21, dwelling 1016, family 1021, Christian Kessler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 September 2013); from FHL film 805009, from NARA microfilm M653, roll 1009.

Sep 13

The Chattanooga Mausoleum

It has stood for nearly a century, located near Chattanooga, Ohio, just west of Zion Lutheran Cemetery on Tama Road. Situated on the edge of a field and once considered a modern form of burial, it is the final resting place for nearly 40 former area residents. The structure is the Chattanooga Mausoleum, built about 1915.

Chatt Mausoleum. (2000 photo by Karen)

Chattanooga Mausoleum. (2000 photo by Karen)

Mausoleums, such as the Taj Mahal in India, were built centuries ago as tombs for the dead, but lost popularity after Christianity became prominent. They seemed to gain popularity again after the death of Prince Albert in 1861, when his widow Queen Victoria ordered that a mausoleum be built for them at Frogmore. Their elaborate mausoleum was completed in 1871.

Today the Chattanooga Mausoleum is one of only three mausoleums in Mercer County. The others are both in Celina, one at North Grove Cemetery and the other at the Catholic Cemetery.

Mausoleum at North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

Mausoleum at North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

Mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

Mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

What many people probably don’t realize is that the Chattanooga Mausoleum never belonged to Zion Lutheran Church nor is it part of Zion Cemetery. It belonged to the Chattanooga Mausoleum Association, originally comprised of some of those that established the mausoleum and their successors. My great-grandfather Jacob Miller was one of the original Mausoleum Association members.

Chattanooga mausoleum Association Certificate of Ownership, Jacob Miller, 1916.

Chattanooga Mausoleum Association Certificate of Ownership, Jacob Miller, 1916.

This is to certify that Jacob Miller having paid in full therefor is entitled to the exclusive ownership and control of Compartments No. 5 and 6, Section F on West side of the Compartment Mausoleum No…….erected under the patents and plans of construction of the Ohio Mausoleum Company at Chattanooga, Ohio, and we hereby grant and convey full title to same, subject to the rules and regulations of the Chattanooga Mausoleum Association. In Witness Whereof the Chattanooga Mausoleum Association has caused this certificate to be signed and issued by its duly authorized officers this 20 day of Nov A.D. 1916.
THE CHATTANOOGA MAUSOLEUM ASSOCIATION, H.C. Baker, President, S. A. Bollenbacher, Secretary.
Number of Compartments 2. Number of Certificate 13.

The Chattanooga Mausoleum was built by Henry Baker and Samuel and Ed Bollenbacher in about 1915. [1]

The land deed for the mausoleum property shows that Henry C. & Margaret Baker sold the land to the Chattanooga Mausoleum Association for $100 on 1 December 1916 and the transaction was recorded on 22 January 1917. The mausoleum property dimensions are 100 by 60 feet, with the 60 feet being along Tama Road. Interesting that the only stipulation in the deed about maintenance was that Chattanooga Mausoleum Association and their successors were “to keep in repair all fence on the line of said above described real estate on the north and west sides so that said fence is satisfactory for use of any farm stock which may be in the adjoining field or fields.”  Anton Koch and John H. Kable were witnesses to the deed. [2]

Dedicate Mausoleum
The dedication of the new Mausoleum of Chattanooga Sunday afternoon was largely attended, indicating the deep interest taken in that community in this modern manner of burial. The building is one of the finest in this section of the state being built of stone with marble interior and decorated in mural paintings. The dedicatory address was made by Rev. M.C. Howey, of Lima, who held his audience in close attention. He was followed in an address by Rev. Egger who spike in German. Music was furnished by a male quartette and the Evangelical choir. [3]

The Chattanooga Mausoleum is kept locked but is opened on Memorial Day for visitors. The building has a light marble interior and some stained glass windows. I have been inside the mausoleum a couple times and have taken a few photos but I have not recorded the names inscribed on the vaults. Not all the vaults have been used and some of the bodies have been removed and interred elsewhere.

Update, March 2018: The Chattanooga Mausoleum has been repaired and is available for interments again. Vaults are $800 each. Contact Don Stachler at 419-852-2790 for more information.

Interior of Chattanooga Mausoleum. (2013 photo by Karen)

Interior of Chattanooga Mausoleum. (2013 photo by Karen)

The first interment in the Chattanooga Mausoleum appears to have been that of Owen Sapp in 1915. There were several interments soon after: Joseph Schmidt in 1916, John Baumgartner, Carrie Bollenbacher, and Salena Laudahn in 1917, and my great-grandfather Jacob Miller in 1918. Jacob’s wife Christena (Rueck) Miller was laid to rest there in 1945. The last interment was Clarence Linn in 1980. [4]  

Vaults inside Chattanooga Mausoleum. (2013 photo by Karen)

Vaults inside Chattanooga Mausoleum. (2013 photo by Karen)

The Mercer County Cemetery Inscription book lists 41 mausoleum interments. I cross-checked those names on Find A Grave.com and it appears that three bodies have been moved: Vernon R. Bollenbacher (1907-1930), moved beside his parents in North Grove Cemetery, Celina; Philip Linn (1841-1920) and his wife Margaret (Miller) Linn (1847-1924), moved to Swamp College west of Celina. [5] Margaret (Miller) Linn was my great-grandfather Jacob Miller’s sister.

There are two additional vault inscriptions that are not listed in Mercer County’s cemetery book: Stella May Height (1890-1960) and George I. Height (1864-1959). George Height’s obituary indicates that he was to be buried in the Chattanooga Cemetery. [6] George and Stella are not buried in Zion’s cemetery but they were probably once interred in the mausoleum and later moved. Find a Grave.com indicates they are buried in Ridge Cemetery, Middle Point, Ohio.

I also compared the mausoleum records with Zion’s records and found three more persons that are supposedly buried in the mausoleum, per the church records: Viola Kable (1910-1921), Walter Kable (1906-1921), and Mary Catherine Carr (1921-1922). I searched for these names on Find A Grave but did not find their tombstones listed. However, Mary Catherine Carr’s name is inscribed on her parents’ tombstone at Zion Cemetery. Her parents were J. Homer and Leona Carr.

 

[1] Mercer County Chapter OGS, compiler, Mercer  County, Ohio, Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. VI, Blackcreek, Hopewell, and Liberty Townships, (Celina, Ohio : Privately printed, 1990), p.73.

[2] Mercer County Deed Books, Vol. 103: 530, Mercer County Recorder, Celina, Ohio.

[3] Dedicate Mausoleum, The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 21 July 1916, p. 1.

[4] Mercer County Chapter, Mercer County, Ohio, Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume VI, 73.

[5] Find A Grave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 September 2013).

[6] George Height obituary, The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 27 March 1959, digital image by subscription Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com  : accessed 12 September 2013.), p. 2.