May 09

Chattanooga On Google Earth

Last week I wrote about Google Earth and posted some area photos that I screen captured while looking around in the program. It is interesting to look at the photos from various years and different views on Google Earth. This week I have some photos of Chattanooga, Ohio, from Google Earth.

Google Earth’s most recent aerial view of Chattanooga was taken 26 February 2012. Chatt’s downtown area looks pretty much the same today as it did in 2012. The Chatt Bar is in the left center of the photo below. Notice that the 2012 aerial view shows a vacant lot to the south of the Chatt Bar.

Chattanooga, Ohio, Google Earth, 26 Feb 2012 photo.

Chattanooga, Ohio, Google Earth, 26 Feb 2012 photo.

But when I switched to Google Earth’s Street View in front of the Chatt Bar I got a big surprise. I noticed that the aerial view and the street view were taken at different times. The street view photos were taken October 2008, four years before the aerial photos were taken. And I noticed something very interesting in the photos. The old brick building, once located south of the Chatt Bar, was still standing in October 2008 and it can still be seen in Google Earth’s Street View photos.

Chatt Bar and brick building, Google Earth, image Oct 2008.

Brick building & Chatt Bar, looking north, Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

That old brick building was once the Chattanooga Bank. Yes, Chattanooga had a bank at one time–the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. It was in business by 1917 and closed about 1930. A plat map of Chatt from the 1920s shows the bank was south of the hotel and bar. Semon Egger’s property and businesses were between the two.

Part of Chatt Plat Map, c1920s, showing Chatt Bank.

Part of Chatt Plat Map, c1920s, showing Chatt Bank.

A document from the Chattanooga Farmers & Merchants State Bank, dated 1917.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Chattanooga, Ohio, 1917.

Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Chattanooga, Ohio, 1917.

The brick bank building later housed two grocery stores, Heffner’s Grocery and then Bollenbacher’s Grocery.

Heffner's Grocery, Chattanooga, Ohio, undated photo.

Heffner’s Grocery, Chattanooga, Ohio, undated photo.

By studying Google Earth’s aerial maps of Chatt I was able to determine that the old brick building was torn down between July 2009 and August 2010. Someone from Chatt probably knows the exact date.

Chatt Bank/Grocery & Chatt Bar. Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

Chatt Bank/Grocery & Chatt Bar. Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

At one time there was another building between the Chatt Bar and the brick building. That building was Semon Egger’s grocery, which also included the Chattanooga Post Office and Egger’s mortuary, which was upstairs.

When I was a child that building was the home of the Chattanooga Volunteer Fire Department. At that time there was a large garage door on the ground level and the Chatt Chums 4-H Club would sometimes meet upstairs. Back then we had no idea the second floor had once been a funeral parlor.

Chatt Volunteer Fire Dept, undated photo, c1970s, courtesy of Jerry Miller.

Chattanooga Volunteer Fire Dept, undated photo, c1970s, courtesy of Jerry Miller. The building was once Egger’s store. Notice the former bank building to the left.

In the above photo, “Jug” Andrews (on street, looking at ladder, this side), Don LaBrun ( taller one with fire coat and helmet, to the left of the men on the ladder, with back to the windows of the store), Dick Stephenson (not in fire gear, standing near the fire station’s large open door). Don LaBrun was a volunteer for about 30 years.

Today Chatt’s Fire Department is across the street, in the building that once was Wendel’s Garage and Auto Sales. My parents purchased Pontiac autos from them years ago. Below is a Google Earth photo of that building as it looked in 2008.

Google Earth, October 2008 image.

Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

I am grateful that the 2008 Street View images of Chatt still remain on Google Earth and that I am able to see that old brick building once again.

Google Earth, October 2008 image.

Chatt Bar and Bank, looking south, Google Earth, October 2008 photo.

I did not have a photo of the brick structure before they tore it down, but I do now, thanks to Google Earth.

(All images accessed from Google Earth 30 April 2014.)

May 06

Tombstone Tuesday–Emma Germann

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

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

This is the tombstone of Emma Germann, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

EMMA GERMANN
1907-1917

Emma Germann was born 14 January 1907 in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of Friederick “Fred” C. and Clara C.M. (Pflueger) Germann. [1] [2]

I found very little information about little Emma. Her baptism was not recorded in Zion Schumm’s records because her family probably attended another church at that time. Nor could I find her Ohio death certificate, but her death and burial information was recorded in Zion Schumm’s records. I was able to locate more information about her parents, however.

Fred Germann, Emma’s father, was born 30 December 1866 in Harrison Township, the son of Henry and Magdalena (Boyer) Germann. Fred was a timber dealer at the time of his marriage and a farmer at the time of his death. Emma’s mother Clara was the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hofmann) Pflueger, born 2 April 1881 in Monroeville, Indiana.

Fred and Clara married in Van Wert County on 5 August 1900 and afterward they lived in Harrison Township. They had at least two daughters, Pauline C., born about 1903, and Emma, born in 1907.

Fred Germann died 28 January 1909 in Harrison Township of “cancer of superior maxilla,” probably cancer in the upper jaw or sinus. His death certificate indicates that he had this affliction for 9 months. Fred is buried in the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, several miles northeast of Schumm.

In 1910 Clara Germann was a widow, living with her two daughters in Harrison Township. Soon after, Clara married William O. Myers on 15 May 1910 in Van Wert County. William was born in Pennsylvania on 25 February 1863 to John and Anna (Painter) Myers. William had also been married once before.

Emma Germann died 29 December 1917 in Willshire, at the age of 10 years, 11 months and 14 days. She was buried on the 31st. Survivors included her mother, her step-father, 3 sisters and 1 brother, according to the church records. Pauline was Emma’s full sister and Mildred, Oscar, and Louise Myers were her half-siblings. Since I could not locate Emma’s death certificate, I do not know the cause of her death. The church records did not mention that fact.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-23316-71542-76?cc=1932106 : accessed 04 May 2014), Emma E. Germann, 14 January 1907; citing Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, Birth Registers 1899-1908, Vol 4, p.185, from FHL microfilm 1015857.

[2] Zion Schumm’s records indicate Emma was born 15 January 1907, but her Van Wert County birth record indicates her date of birth as 14 January 1907.

Other sources of information:

“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18084-11862-25?cc=1614804 : accessed 04 May 2014), Friederick Germann and Clara C.M. Pfleuger, 5 August 1900; citing Van Wert, Ohio, Marriage Records 1899-1903, Vol. 10, p. 193; FHL microfilm 1015863.

“Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21292-5946-99?cc=1307272 : accessed 04 May 2014), Frederick C. Germann, 28 January 1909; citing Harrison Township, Van Wert, Ohio; FHL microfilm 1952875.

1910 U.S. Census, index and images, Van Wert County, Ohio, ED 90, p. 16B, dwelling 283, family 292, Clara C.M. Germann;  digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 04 May 2014); from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1238.

“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18084-117367-45?cc=1614804 : accessed 04 May 2014), William O. Myers and Clara Germann, 15 May 1910; citing Van Wert, Ohio, Marriage records 1908-1912, Vol 13, p. 310; FHL microfilm 1015864.

1920 U.S. Census, index and images, Blue Creek, Adams County, Indiana, ED 1, p. 2A , dwelling 29, family 30, William Myers; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 04 May 2014); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 420.

 

 

May 02

Looking Around With Google Earth

If you haven’t checked out Google Earth yet you are missing out on some interesting photos and a whole lot of fun. Google Earth is a program that allows you to look at places all over the earth and view them from the air or at street level.

These are not just maps, they are actual satellite images, aerial photographs, and 3D images from the geographic information system, from various sources—old satellite photos, the US Geological Survey, the State of Ohio, and the USDA Farm Service Agency.

And best of all, Google Earth is free. You can download the program from this Google Earth link. It works best with a fast Internet connection and it does use a lot of data, if you use a data plan like I do.

When viewing the aerial photo images you are able zoom in on an area and see how far above the earth that particular view is. The 3D views make browsing even more realistic. There is a search feature and all you have to do is type in an address or place name and within seconds you see the aerial view. You can also “pin” a location that you want to visit again, sort of like a bookmark.

Chattanooga, Ohio, Google Earth, Feb 2012.

Aerial view of Chattanooga, Ohio, Google Earth, Feb 2012 photo.

Another feature that I enjoy is the Street View. To activate the street view and take you from aerial view to the ground, simply move the yellow person icon to the street area in front of a building or place. The yellow icon is located on the right side of the screen. Street view appears as though you are standing in the street looking at the building or place. You can rotate the street view 360 degrees and toggle back and forth between aerial and street view by clicking the Exit Street View button in the upper right.

Drag the yellow person in front of a building to activate Street View.

Drag the yellow person in front of a building to activate Street View.

Street view photos are panoramic photos that were taken from a “camera car” as it drove down the road, capturing photos every few yards. Unfortunately the street view is not available for a lot of the rural areas. They photographed the panoramic views on the main roads but not all of the back roads. However, I did notice that Frahm Pike is available on Street View. There is also a ground-level view option, but it is a very flat view.

I have also noticed that the aerial view and the street view were not taken at the same time. In fact the dates of the two views can vary greatly, even on the same highway. At this time, street view images on State Route 49 south of 707 were taken October 2008. Images on State Route 49 north of 707 were taken July 2009. Images on State Route 707 east and west of 49 were taken September 2013. It appears Google is updating their images all the time.

You can do and see a lot with Google Earth.Google Earth enables you to view places and things that no longer exist. For example, Lefeld’s John Deere is no longer north of Chatt, but the street view photos below were taken in 2009, when it was still in operation.

Lefeld's Google Earth Oct 2009 - Copy

Lefled’s John Deere, State Rout 49 north of Chatt, Google Earth, July 2009 photo.

Lefled's John Deere, State Rout 49 north of Chatt, Google Earth, July 2009 image.

Lefled’s John Deere, State Rout 49 north of Chatt, Google Earth, July 2009 photo.

With Google Earth you can view you ancestor’s home or farm without even leaving your home. Below is a nice photo of my great-great-grandfather Friedrich Schinnerer’s home east of Willshire, where he lived in 1880. The photo below was taken in 2013. Notice the improved quality of the photo compared to the above two photos.

Friedrich Schinnerer home in 1880, Google Earth, Oct 2013 image.

Friedrich Schinnerer lived in this home in 1880, Google Earth, Oct 2013 photo.

Here is a photo of the Schumm barn, which is no longer standing. The barn was taken down in 2012 and the photo was taken in 2011. On the slate roof: L. Schumm 1886. Louis Schumm was my great-grandfather.

Schumm barn, Google Earth, May 2011 image.

Schumm barn, Google Earth, May 2011 photo.

This is an aerial view along the St. Marys River, west of Rockford, where I believe my great-great-grandfather Friedrich Schinnerer’s grist mill once stood.

Probable location of Schinnerer's Mill along St. Marys River, Google Earth, February 2012 image.

Probable location of Schinnerer’s Mill along St. Marys River, Google Earth, February 2012 photo.

Occasionally you will see some people in a street view photo. The two men below, from the Willshire area, were probably talking about the 2013 harvest.

Van Wert County, Oct 2013

Farmers near Willshire, Google Earth, October 2013 photo.

Google Earth 6 provides Historical Imagery, which gives a variety of aerial imagery dates to chose from. You can view the old aerial maps by clicking on View in the Menu Bar, and then Historical Imagery. Viewing older images enables you to note changes in the towns and landscape below.

The oldest aerial photos date back to 3 April 1994, taken by the US Geological Survey. Some of the older images are not very clear. Over the years the clarity of the aerial images has improved dramatically and the most recent street view images are also very clear. The new 3D imagery is amazing. I have yet to determine if there is a way to view the older Street View images.

There are other features on Google Earth that I have not tried, such as overlaying a map. I hope to learn to use them some day.

Fun and interesting stuff! You should try it.

 

Source of photos: Google Earth, photos accessed 30 April 2014.

 

Apr 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Paul A. & Elsie E. (Scaer) Roehm

Paul A. & Elsie E. (Scaer) Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Paul A. & Elsie E. (Scaer) Roehm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Paul A. & Elsie E. (Scaer) Roehm, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ROEHM
Paul A.
1903-1989
Elsie E.
1904-1998

Paul Andreas Roehm was born 6 September 1903, the first of nine children born to Andreas “Friedrich” George and Henrietta Amalia (Schumm) Roehm. Paul was baptized at Zion Schumm on 20 September of the same year, with Hugo A. Schumm and Heinrich Reidenbach as his sponsors.

Paul married Elsie Scaer 27 February 1927 by Rev. R.O. Beinert at Zion Schumm Church. Witnesses to the marriage were members of the two families.

Elsie Elisabeth Scaer was born 23 November 1904, the fourth child born to John and Elisabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer. Sarah (Breuninger) Schumm and Lydia Schumm were sponsors at her baptism on 4 December 1904 at the Scare home east of Willshire. Sarah (Breuninger) Schumm was my great-grandmother and they lived just down the road from the Scaers.

Elsie was a sister to my grandmother Hilda (Scaer) Schumm. The Scaers lived in Allen County, Indiana, when my grandmother Hilda was born in 1895, but it appears the Scaers had moved to east of Willshire by 1904. Census enumerations 1910-1940 show that Elsie was born in Ohio and the fact that Elsie was baptized at Zion Schumm in 1904 also indicates the move.

Paul and Elsie lived, farmed, and raised their family a couple miles east of Willshire on State Route 81. Paul was known as Senior by that time because their first child was named Paul Andres Jr. The Roehms first lived on the south side of State Route 81, where River Henry Schumm once lived. The Roehms later moved across the road, into the house near the edge of the woods owned by my grandfather Cornelius Schumm. My mom and her sisters used to walk through the woods to visit their Roehm cousins.

Jacob and Regina Rueck once owned that home on the north side of 81, along with 120 acres of land. Jacob and Regina were my great-great-grandparents. The Reuck family resided there in about 1880, soon after they immigrated from Württemberg. They moved to Oregon a few years later but their daughter Christena stayed in Van Wert County and married Jacob Miller in 1882. Jacob and Christena Miller were my great-grandparents. Interesting how families on both sides of my family are intertwined.

Paul Roehm Sr farmed all of his life. The family also raised chickens in the 1930s and 1940s. Elsie and the children would butcher the chickens and Paul would drive to Fort Wayne where he sold the chicken meat and eggs. Paul was active in several Van Wert County farm organizations including the Van Wert County Farm Bureau, The Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation, and The Field Science Day Committee. He served on the board and as committee chair in several of those organizations.

I remember attending the Van Wert Farm Focus held at the Roehm farm one summer back in the late 1980s or early 1990s. A feature of the event was the opportunity to take a wagon ride. The ride took us around the neighborhood, passing by many of the farms in the Schumm area. It was a big event and all the farms and yards were nicely manicured for the special occasion.

Paul Roehm Sr. passed away 13 July 1989, at the age of 85 years, 10 months and 7 days. Elsie passed away 15 July 1998, at the age of of 93 years, 7 months and 22 days.

Paul and Elsie had the following children:
Paul Andrew Jr (1929-1968), married Jeanette LaRue; married Gretchen Thieme
Ella Louise, married Wilbert Thieme
Helen Elizabeth (1934-2018), married Palmer Schwartz
Walter George, married Nancy Sidle

Obituaries:

Paul A. Roehm Sr.
Paul A. Roehm Sr., 85, of Willshire, died Thursday, July 13 in his residence.

He was born Sept. 6, 1903, in Mercer County, the son of F.G. and Henrieta (Schumm) Roehm. On Feb. 27, 1927, he married the former Elsie E. Scaer, who survives.

Other survivors include one son, Walter G. of Rt. 4, Rockford; two daughters, Mrs. Wilbert (Ella) Thieme of Rt. 5, Decatur, Mrs. Palmer (Helen Schwartz of Rt. 7, Decatur; one brother, Albert Roehm of Convoy; two sisters, Mrs. Harold (Alma) Thieme of Rt. 3, Decatur and Mrs. Anna Bergman of Fort Wayne; 27 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Paul Roehm Jr. and several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were held Sunday in the Zion Lutheran Church of Schumm with the Rev. Gary Luderman officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. [1]

Seated: Elsie (Scaer) Roehm. Row 2: Ella (Roehm) Thieme, Amy (Schumm) Boenker, Helen (Roehm) Schwartz, Florence (Schumm) Miller. Row 3: Walter Roehm, Esther (Schumm) Krueckeberg, Mary (Schumm) Grote, Elmer Schumm. 1997 photo, funeral of Hilda (Scaer) Schumm, sister of Elsie.

1997, funeral of Hilda (Scaer) Schumm, sister of Elsie. Seated: Elsie (Scaer) Roehm. Row 2: Ella (Roehm) Thieme, Amy (Schumm) Boenker, Helen (Roehm) Schwartz, Florence (Schumm) Miller. Row 3: Walter Roehm, Esther (Schumm) Krueckeberg, Mary (Schumm) Grote, Elmer Schumm.

Elsie E. Roehm
Elsie E. Roehm, 93, former resident of Willshire, died July 15, 1998, at Adams County Memorial Hospital, Decatur, Ind. She had lived the past eight years with her daughter in rural Decatur.

She was born November 23, 1904 at Van Wert County, Ohio, to the late John and Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer. She married Paul A. Roehm on February 27, 1927 in the Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm. He died in 1989.

Mrs. Roehm was a homemaker. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, L.S.M.L., and A.A.L. of the church.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Wilbert (Ella) Thieme and Mrs. Palmer (Helen) Schwartz, both of rural Decatur; a son, Walter G. Roehm of Rockford; 27 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Paul Roehm Jr.; two sister, Hilda Schumm and Edna Schumm; two brothers, Oscar Scaer and William Scaer.

Funeral services were held Sunday, July 19, at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm with Rev. Tim Zechiel officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. [2]

[1] The Photo Star, Willshire, Ohio, 19 July 1989, p.3.

[2] The Photo Star, Willshire, Ohio, 22 July 1998, p.3.

Apr 25

Chatt-Area Farm Bureau Council

I grew up in a rural area and I still live in farm country. To this day farming continues to be the main business in this region. As a result, years ago organizations and events were created to keep the farmers informed of the latest farming trends and news and to give farmers the opportunity to offer their opinions and ideas concerning the farm industry.

I have written about a couple of these local farm organizations recently and that brought to mind yet another rural organization that my parents belonged to back in the 1950s and 60s—the Farm Bureau Council.

About a dozen families belonged to our neighborhood “Council,” as we used to call it. Most of the couples in our discussion group lived north of Chatt. The group met monthly and each family took their turn hosting a meeting in their home.

The main purpose was to discuss a specific farm topic or issue, given to the group by the state organization. They provided the topic and questions for discussion. The secretary then reported the results of the discussion to the larger organization.

Christmas pot-luck dinner, c1962. L to R: Dorothy Humbert, Lucille Bransteter, Amber Oakley, Ercie Ripley, Vergie Buchanan, Rita & Bob Humbert, Ruth Broerien.

Christmas pot-luck dinner, c1962. L to R: Dorothy Humbert, Lucille Bransteter, Amber Oakley, Ercie Ripley, Vergie Buchanan, Rita & Bob Humbert, Ruth Broerien.

It was not all serious business. Sometimes the group played games and sang songs. I remember accompanying the group on the piano at several meetings. And of course there was food. The hostess for the monthly meeting would prepare a snack, usually a dessert. It was not only a farm business discussion, it was a social event.

I would usually go along to the meetings. Some of the other couples had children that were my age and we all knew each other because we went to school and church together. We kids would play games while the adults tackled more serious issues.

The members of our Council were Bill & Amber Oakley, Claude & Vergie Buchanan, Vernon & Donna Caffee, Fred & Hulda Miller, Homer & Leona Carr, Forrest & Ercie Ripley, Leo & Mary Baker, Bob & Dorothy Humbert, Enid Westerberg (later married Charles Strable), Argyle & Lucille Bransteter, Raymond and Ruth Broerien, and my parents.

Council Christmas pot-luck, c1962. L to R: Ercie Ripley, Verbie Buchanan, Mary Baker, Ruth Broerien, Forrest Ripley, Claude Buchanan, Bill Oakley, Leo Baker. Front: Fred Miller & Vernon Caffee.

Christmas, c1962. L to R, Front: Fred Miller & Vernon Caffee. Back:  Ercie Ripley, Vergie Buchanan, Mary Baker, Ruth Broerien, Forrest Ripley, Claude Buchanan, Bill Oakley, Leo Baker.

The North-of-Chatt group had a yearly Christmas pot-luck dinner that was usually held at our house. Our basement was partially finished and it was a roomy enough to host a meal.

Christmas c1962, L to R: ?. Florence Miller, Donna Caffee, Homer Carr, Vernon Caffee, Rita & Bob Humbert, Fred Miller.

Christmas c1962, L to R: ?. Florence Miller, Donna Caffee, Homer Carr, Vernon Caffee, Rita & Bob Humbert, Fred Miller.

I do not know if these small groups had names but I do know there were other Farm Bureau Council groups in the area. My friend Miriam said her parents belonged to a group between Chatt and Rockford. That council included the Ivan Fasts, Philip & Emma Brehm, as well as Miriam’s parents, William & Thelma Hawk. Lester & Marge Miller and Paul & Kate Eichler were also in a council.

The Farm Bureau Councils are still active today but are now called Community Councils. According to the Ohio Farm Bureau website, the council program was started in 1936 and the concept is unique to Ohio. The councils were originally formed so groups of couples and singles would “meet regularly to develop camaraderie and community while discussing farm and family topics.. Farm Bureau’s greatest strength lies in its grassroots approach to policy-making and problem solving, giving a voice to agriculture and rural communities…and media and legislators often take note of council feedback.”

The state organization provides topics for discussion to over 400 Community Councils in Ohio today. And they seem to be keeping up with the times, using social media such as Facebook and Twitter to share ideas and information.