Oct 25

Haunted Mercer County?

When you think of haunted places in Ohio, northern Mercer County is probably not the first place that comes to mind. But this area seems to be a hotbed of paranormal activity according to the Internet and some other sources. They identify several haunted places very near here. Legendary places where people claim they have witnessed paranormal activity. And for some unknown reason the majority of these sites are in the Mendon area.

Are these spooky tales perpetuated by teenagers or those that seek out paranormal activity? Or are these places truly haunted?

With less than two weeks before Halloween and a full moon last Friday night, Joe and I decided it would be the perfect time to do a little ghost hunting ourselves. We visited some of the rumored haunts during the day and others under the light of the full moon. Did we see or hear any paranormal activity? Read on.

Palmer Cemetery:

Palmer Cemetery, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Palmer Cemetery, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is a small family cemetery on Palmer Road, west of Mendon. The cemetery is in the middle of a field, about 200 yards from the road. A stately old cement arch by the road marks the location of a grassy lane that leads to the burying ground. It is said that two cement lions with green glass eyes once flanked the arch and that the green eyes spooked passing horses. A broken portion of a lion’s claw is all that remains of those statues.

Palmer Cemetery. (2013 photo by Karen)

Palmer Cemetery. (2013 photo by Karen)

A stone wall surrounds the family plot back in the field. I was near there one afternoon last week and it was quiet and peaceful. Nothing out of the ordinary appeared. In fact I think the Palmer family would be interesting to research.

Palmer Cemetery

Palmer Cemetery

One of the tombstones supposedly glows in the dark and is visible from the road. We drove by slowly in the light of the full moon, looking for a glowing tombstone. One stone did appear to have a pale green aura, but Joe pointed out that it was actually light from a distant farm night light, blocked by the tombstone, its light glowing around the stone.

Palmer Cry-Baby Bridge:

Cry-Baby Bridge, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Cry-Baby Bridge, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Palmer Cry-Baby Bridge is about half a mile down the road from Palmer Cemetery and spans the St. Marys River. There are a several variations of this bridge’s legend, 1) A father threw his baby over the bridge and killed his wife. 2) A man killed his wife and baby and then hanged himself from a tree at the bottom of the bridge. 3) The devil killed a family under the bridge.

It is said that if you park on the bridge at night, turn off your car engine and lights and roll down the windows, you will hear a baby cry. Then a ghost will appear, enter your car engine and disable it. You will have to push your car off the bridge before it will start again. Sounds plausible.

Cry-Baby Bridge. (2013 photo by Karen)

Cry-Baby Bridge. (2013 photo by Karen)

We followed all those instructions last Friday night under the full moon. Twice. Our car started just fine both times. No ghost. No baby’s cries. I thought I heard a howl once, but Joe said it was just the wind blowing through the trees.

As we sat there in silence I wondered if we would be able to push our car off the bridge if it wouldn’t start. What if it actually would not start? Joe said that he could steer our car if I would push it.

Tomlinson Cemetery:

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

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

This cemetery is on Tomlinson Road, at the Mercer-Van Wert County line. The remains of Tomlinson Church are across the road. It is said that if someone stands in the middle of the cemetery and another person walks backward around the cemetery, the person standing in the cemetery will disappear.

This is a rather large cemetery and I decided not to walk backward around it. Besides, Joe said he did not want to disappear. And to be honest, I did not want him to disappear either. The legend never explained where the person disappeared to or gave instructions on how to get them back.

Tomlinson Cemetery

Tomlinson Cemetery

Bloody Bridge:

Bloody Bridge, Auglaize County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Bloody Bridge, Auglaize County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Bloody Bridge is in Auglaize County and crosses the Miami-Erie Canal south of Spencerville. Bloody Bridge looks a lot like Cry-Baby Bridge, probably because both were recently rebuilt. The Auglaize County Historical Society erected a sign near Bloody Bridge in 1979 that tells its spooky tale:

BLOODY BRIDGE
During the canal years of the 1850’s a rivalry grew between Bill Jones and Jack Billings for the love of Minnie Warren. This became hatred by Bill because Minnie chose Jack. On a fall night in 1854, returning from a party, Minnie and Jack were surprised on the bridge by Bill. Armed with an ax, with one swing, Bill severed Jack’s head. Seeing this, Minnie screamed and fell from the bridge into a watery grave. Bill disappeared, and when a skeleton was found years later in a nearby well, people asked was it suicide or justice.

It is said you can see a woman’s face in the waters of the canal when standing on the bridge. The only thing we saw in the water was an old tire.

Were there any haunts around Chatt? When I was a teenager we talked about one spot on Oregon Road, near the state line. There were woods on both sides of Oregon Road there and the trees were thick and close to the road. The story was that a couple parked between the two woods and the guy left the car for some reason. After a while, waiting for her boyfriend to return, the girl heard something swishing back and forth on the car roof. She thought it was a tree branch but it was actually her boyfriend’s head hanging from a branch. Maybe some of you from the Chatt area remember this story?

Houck Cemetery, Kentucky. (photo used by permission)

Houck Cemetery, Kentucky. (photo used by permission)

Finally, the photo above was given to me by one of my patients who knew of my interest in cemetery research. The photo was taken in Houck Cemetery, in the hills of Kentucky. They were having trouble locating the back-road cemetery. The entrance was overgrown and they unknowingly drove past it several times.

She said it was a clear, warm, still day but all of a sudden a gust of wind blew some low branches to the side, enabling them to see the cemetery’s entrance. She located her ancestor’s tombstones and took some photos in the cemetery.

When she got her 35mm photos developed she noticed there were opaque white spots floating in the air above some of the tombstones. She saw nothing like that when she was in the cemetery and she is convinced that the spots were ghostly apparitions. Believe it or not…

Even though Joe and I did not see or hear any ghosts or witness any unusual activity last week, we had fun visiting the local spooky spots. Happy Halloween!

 

 

Oct 22

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob W. & Rosa D. Duff

Rosa D. & Jacob W. Duff, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Rosa D. & Jacob W. Duff, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Jacob W. and Rosa D. Duff, located in Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Duff
Rosa D.
Dec. 27, 1886
Apr. 2, 1965

Jacob W.
Feb. 13, 1882
Mar. 2, 1948

If you look closely at this tombstone you will notice that a barber pole is carved into it. Jacob Duff was one of Chatt’s barbers in 1930s and 40s. This information was in his obituary, which Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellwarth had cut out of a newspaper years ago. It was among her clippings and photos that I scanned last spring.

Obituary:

Duff Funeral at Chattanooga Tuesday Afternoon

Chattanooga Barber Dies Saturday at Decatur Hospital—

Funeral services for the late Jacob W. Duff, 66, of Chattanooga, who died at the Adams County Memorial Hospital, Decatur, will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The rites will be conducted at the Chattanooga Methodist Church, with the Rev. J. True Yocum in charge. Burial will be made in Kessler Cemetery.

He had been a resident of Chattanooga for the past 14 years and was a barber. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He was born in Jay County, Indiana, February 13, 1882, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Duff.

He was united in marriage with Rosa Buckley May 15, 1907 and she survives together with their children, namely, Mrs. Evelyn Carter of Ft. Wayne, James G. and Robert W. Duff of Ft Wayne, Howell Duff of Decatur, Gene Duff of Willshire and Paul Duff at home. One son is deceased.

His five brothers are Oiley and Earl Duff of Florida; Finley and Ross Duff of Buckley, Michigan; and Ray Duff of Geneva. Two sisters are deceased. There are 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild left to mourn.

Mr. Duff had been in failing health for the past five years and his condition was serious since January. He died Saturday afternoon from Angina Pectoris.

Zwick’s Funeral Home prepared the body for burial, and removed it from Decatur to the Duff residence on Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon. [1]

Jacob William Duff was born in Indiana, the son of James and Emma Duff. His father was a farmer in Jefferson Township, Adams County, where the family was living in 1900: James M. (44), Emma (42), Oley (20), Jacob (18), Finley C (15), James R. (12), Earl (11), Mabel F. (9), Ross F. (5). Everyone in the family was born in Indiana. I found it interesting that in 1900 the Duff family lived one house away from my distant relative, Peter J. Bryan, son of John and Hanna Bryan. [2]

Jacob and Rosa were married 15 May 1907 in Adams County, Indiana, by John T. Ault, JP. [3] Jacob was 25 years of age and worked in a factory. He reported that he was born in Jay County, Indiana, to James M. and Emma (Mason) Duff. Rosa Buckey was 21 years old, born in Adams County, Indiana, to Abraham L. and Ida (Showalter) Buckey. Both Jacob and Rosa were living in Adams County in 1907 and were married near Berne. It was the first marriage for both and their witnesses were Josie and Katie Ault. [4]

Marriage record of Jacob and Rosa (Buckey) Duff, 1907. [4]

Marriage information of Jacob and Rosa (Buckey) Duff, 1907. [4]

Rosa’s name was recorded as Buckey in their marriage record and in the 1900 census, but as Buckley in Jacob’s obituary.

In 1910 Jacob, Rosa and daughter Evelyn T, age 2, were living in Dayton, Ohio. They moved to Ohio shortly after their marriage because Evelyn was born in Ohio in about 1908. The writing is difficult to read but it appears that Jacob worked in the “knife works” trade,   [5]

The Duffs moved to Kansas by 1918. According to his WWI Draft Registration Card, Jacob William Duff was born 13 February 1882 and his nearest relative was Mrs. Rosa Duff, of Douglass, Kansas. He was an engineer for the city of Douglass and was described as short with medium build. [6]

Jacob William Duff WWI Draft Registration. [6]

Jacob William Duff WWI Draft Registration. [6]

The Duffs were still living in Kansas when the 1920 U.S. Census was taken. Jacob worked as a tool dresser in the oil fields there. Jacob and Rosa had four children by this time: “Evaline” (12), James (9), Howell (7), and Robert (6). “Evaline” and James were born in Ohio and Howell and Robert were born in Indiana. [7]   

By 1930 the Jacob Duff family had moved back to Indiana, living in Jefferson Township, Adams County. Their children living at home were Howell (18), Robert (16), and Jacob G. (8). Jacob did general farm work. [8]

The Duffs moved to Chattanooga, Ohio, about 1934. It was during this time that Jacob was a barber in the village. In 1940 the Duffs were enumerated near Kenneth Hoblet, Earl Vining, and Clark Sipe. Jacob was also employed by the state highway department. Two children were still living at home, both born in Indiana: Eugene, 17, Paul, 10. Jacob’s 83-year-old widowed mother Emma was also living with them. [9]

Jacob filled out a WWII Draft Registration Card in 1942. He was 60 years old and was living at R.R. #1 Rockford, Liberty Township, Ohio. He gave his place of birth as Bryant, Indiana, born 13 February 1882. Rosa D. Duff was his contact person and he was working for the Ohio Highway Department, headquartered in Celina. [10]   

[1] Unidentified newspaper clipping from Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellwarth, dated 27 March 1948.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams County, Indiana, ED 4, p. 12A, dwelling 215, family 215, line 35, James M. Duff; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2013); from FHL microfilm 1240357, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 357.

[3] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXJX-K4H : accessed 20 Oct 2013), Jacob W. Duff and Rosa Dell Buckey, 1907, from Vol 1, 1905-1911, p. 216.

[4] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXV3-YQG : accessed 20 Oct 2013), Jacob M Duff and Rosa Buckey, 1917, from Vol 1894-1914, p. 203.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Montgomery County, Ohio, Ward 4 Dayton, ED 65, p. 4B, house 1208, line 72, Jacob W. Duff; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2013); from FHL microfilm 1375229, from National Archives microfilm T624, roll 1216.

[6] “World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K66H-94K : accessed 20 Oct 2013), Jacob William Duff, serial no. 119, order no. 6427, 12 September 1918, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas; from FHL microfilm 1643425, from NARA microfilm publication M1509.

[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, ED 12, p. 6B, dwelling 160, line 86, Jacob Duff; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2013); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 523.

[8] 1930 U.S. Census, Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana, ED 4, p.3A, dwelling 48, family 48, Jacob W. Duff; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2013); from FHL microfilm 2340309, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 574.

[9] 1940 U.S. Census, Chattanooga, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 54-22, family 291, line 72, sheet 14B, Jacob W. Duff; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Oct 2013); NARA digital publication of T627, roll 3114.

[10] “United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9,1,1/X5CH-4WL : accessed 20 Oct 2013), Jacob William Duff, Serial no. 65, 1942, Mercer County, Ohio.

 

Oct 18

A Collection of Ball Caps

Men folk of all ages in these parts like to wear ball caps. Nearly every male I know wears a ball cap from time to time, if not most of the time. Joe, Jeff, farmers, laborers, males young and old wear ball caps. My dad always wore a ball cap and my grandpa Miller wore something similar–an engineer’s cap.

The main purpose of a ball cap is to shade your eyes from the sun, but they have become much more than that. Wearing a ball cap is like having a small billboard on top of your head. Their message can make a statement, advertise a business or advertise all sorts of products, show your pride and support for your favorite team or organization, and even show where you have been or where you would like to go.

We have lots of ball caps around here. Joe has quite a collection and some of Jeff’s old ball caps are in the basement. Plus I have most of my dad’s old ball caps.

A ball cap collection seems to be inevitable for guys.They somehow seem to multiply. Guys start out with one ball cap, pick up others here and there, receive free ones as advertising, and pretty soon they have a collection. And ball caps are difficult to part with. There is a bond between a man and his ball cap.

Most men have their favorite ball cap. It is the one that is frayed, worn, and soiled. It is the one that fits and feels the best. The ones below are in pristine condition and were probably never worn, but they are still favorites.

My dad had several vintage ball caps from the area that are reminders of bygone businesses, places and events. Below are a few of the ball caps we have around here.

I’m sure this ball cap was one of my dad’s favorites since he had coffee at the Chatt Bar nearly every morning. He was truly a member of The Chatt Bar Hall of Fame.

The Chatt Bar Hall of Fame

The Chatt Bar Hall of Fame

My dad usually attended the Chattanooga Farmers Picnic and took Jeff there when Jeff was a boy.

Chatt Farmers Picnic, 1989.

Chatt Farmers Picnic, 1989.

I don’t remember this Caffee business. Maybe one of you will help me remember.

Carree & Son Stone & LIght Grading

Carree & Son Stone & LIght Grading

Motor Inn is a popular truck stop in Mercer, known for their good food and coffee.

The Motor Inn Family Restaurant.

The Motor Inn Family Restaurant.

My parents liked to go to Las Vegas and usually stayed at Westward Ho.

Westward Ho, Las Vegas.

Westward Ho, Las Vegas.

My dad purchased his tires from Zurcher Tire.

Zurcher Tire, Monroe, Indiana.

Zurcher Tire, Monroe, Indiana.

Here is one of Joe’s flashy caps from his former employer, GTE.

GTE Safety Expo, 1994.

GTE Safety Expo, 1994.

I have several ball caps myself. I sometimes wear a ball cap if I am having a bad hair day. I also have a few visors. Women seem to favor a visor over the traditional ball cap, but I’m not sure why. Maybe they don’t want to have their hair mashed down by a full-cap.

Joe gave this Reds ball cap to me.

Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds.

I remember one thing about my dad and ball caps: my dad did not like seeing a ball cap worn backward. He thought they should be worn as they were intended, with the bill shading the eyes, not the neck.

These ball caps bring back many memories.

 

 

 

Oct 15

Tombstone Tuesday–Edward Rudolph & Almeda (Heffner) Kessler

Interment area of Edward R. & Almeda Kessler, Swamp College Cemetery. (2013 photo by Karen)

Interment site of Edward R. & Almeda Kessler, Swamp College Cemetery. (2013 photo by Karen)

This week’s Tombstone Tuesday photo looks a little different. Different because the subjects of this week’s post have no tombstone.

I have been writing about the Kessler family that settled near Chattanooga, Ohio, in the mid-1800s and the trail has led me to this Kessler couple who has no tombstone. But sources indicate that they are buried here.

The empty space on the photo is the final resting place of Edward Rudolph Kessler and his wife Almeda (Heffner) Kessler, located in section I, row 15, in the west side of Swamp College Cemetery. Swamp College Cemetery is located on Karch Road, south of Route 29, Jefferson Township, Mercer County, Ohio.

Edward Kessler’s death certificate indicates that he is buried in Swamp College Cemetery. The Mercer County, Ohio Cemetery Inscriptions, Volume VI, 1995, also indicates that he and his wife are buried at Swamp College. However, there is no grave marker for either Edward or Almeda. There is only an empty grassy area where their markers would be.

Edward and Almeda Kessler were the parents of an infant daughter who was the subject of last Tuesday’s post. Their child passed away in 1905 and is buried in Kessler Cemetery.

According to the records at Zion Lutheran Chatt, Edward Rudolph Kessler was born 11 February 1877 to Christian and Margarethe (Heffner) Kessler. Edward was confirmed at Zion in 1893.

Edward Rudolph married Almeda Heffner about 1903. [1] According to Zion Chatt’s records, Almeda Heffner was born 15 May 1883 to Johann and Maria (Tester) Heffner [sometimes spelled Haeffner]. I have been unable to locate a marriage record for Edward and Almeda. Perhaps they married in Indiana.

Edward and Almeda lived on Lisle Street in Celina, Ohio, a good portion of their married life. Edward worked for Mersman Brothers manufacturing, where he made furniture.

Swamp College, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Swamp College, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Edward filled out his WWI Draft Registration Card in 1918. According to his card he was living at 504 Lisle Street, Celina, was born 11 February 1877, and was a laborer at Mersman Brothers. His nearest relative was Lena Nolls, at the same address. Subsequent research indicates that Lena was his sister. Edward was 5’5” with blue eyes and blond hair. [2]

In 1920 Edward and Almeda were living at 504 Lisle Street. Living with them were their two sons, Clem, 10, and Carl, 6, as well as Gladys Noles, 14, niece, and Lany Noles, 48, sister. Edward was 42 and worked in a furniture factory. Almeda was 36. [3]

In 1930 Edward and Almeda and their son Carl E. were living in the some home on Lisle Street. They owned their home which was valued at $1000. Ed still worked in a furniture factory. [4] 

Edward Kessler died 5 Jun 1950 at Otis Hospital, Celina, of myocarditis and bronchial asthma. At the time of his death he was married, lived at RR 5, Celina, and was a retired laborer. His death certificate indicates he was buried at Swamp College Cemetery. [5] 

Edward’s Obituary:

Edward R. Kessler

Celina, June 6—Edward R. Kessler, 73, Celina, died at Otis hospital Monday evening.

He was a native of Mercer-co. Mr. Kessler was born Feb. 18, 1877.

Survivors include his widow, Alameda, and two sons, Clem W., Flint, Mich., and Carl E., Dayton.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Pulskamp funeral home. [6]

Almeda Kessler died 28 July 1981 at a long-term care facility in Fairborn, Green County, Ohio. She was a widow and 98 years old. Her date of birth is recorded as 15 May 1883. [7]

Edward and Almeda (Heffner) Kessler had at least 3 children:

Infant Daughter (1905-1905)
Clem (c1910-?)
Carl E. (1913-1976), married Lucille Luedeke

 

[1] 1910 US Census, Dublin Township, Mercer, Ohio, ED 110, p. 4B, dwelling 82, line 65, Edward R. Kesler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 October 2013); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from National Archives microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[2] “World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 October 2013), Edward Rudolph Kessler, serial no. 1771, order no. 594, Celina, Mercer County, Ohio; citing World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, NARA microfilm publication M1509, roll 1832519.

[3] 1920 US Census, Celina, Mercer, Ohio, ED 139, p. 11B, house 504, dwelling 242, line 61, Edward Kessler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 October 2013); from National Archives microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[4] 1930 US Census, Celina, Mercer, ED 18, p. 14A, house 504, dwelling 338, line 28, Edward R Kessler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 October 2013); from National Archives microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[5] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearc.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X619-TJG : accessed 5 October 2013), Edward R. Kessler, 1950.

[6] The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 6 June 1950, p.2.

[7] “Ohio Deaths 1908-1932, 1938-2007,” Ancestry.com and Ohio Department of Health, subscription database (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 October 2013); certificate no. 056450, volume 24531.

Oct 11

First Auto Made and Crashed in Ohio City

Last Monday’s episode of the new PBS series Genealogy Roadshow featured a short clip with audience member Jennifer Weed and professional genealogist Josh Taylor. Weed’s great-grandfather John William Lambert made the first gasoline-powered automobile in the U.S. and she wanted to know if he had had a feud with Henry Ford.

Josh Taylor confirmed that in 1891 John W. Lambert did indeed invent the first gasoline-powered automobile in the U.S. Lambert was a pioneer in the field and years ahead of Henry Ford, but Taylor found no evidence of a feud between the two inventors. Taylor also mentioned that Lambert is credited with having the first automobile accident in the US.

What Josh did not mention was where that first automobile was produced and where that first auto accident occurred.

And now for the rest of the story.

Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Both events occurred right here in west central Ohio, in the small village of Ohio City, located in Van Wert County. Ohio City is about twelve miles from our home, located on State Route 118 between Rockford and Van Wert.

Ohio City, Ohio. First automobile produced here and site of first US automobile accident. (2013 photo by Karen)

Ohio City, Ohio. First automobile produced here and site of first US automobile accident. (2013 photo by Karen)

Ohio City is larger than Chatt and has several streets. Ohio City was platted in 1876 and has gone through several name changes. It was first named Van Wert Junction and then Enterprise before getting its current name of Ohio City. The town prospered in the early 1900s because at least three railroads ran through the town. Wikipedia reports that in 2010 there were 705 people living in the village.

Sign at edge of Ohio City. (2013 photo by Karen)

Sign at edge of Ohio City. (2013 photo by Karen)

Signs along the roads leading into Ohio City proudly indicate that John W. Lambert made the first American automobile there in 1891. A sign downtown indicates the location of the first automobile accident on West Carmean Street. In fact we have driven down that street and right past the very spot where the accident occurred. There is a blue building at that location and perhaps Lambert made his first automobile in that building.

Site of first US automobile accident. (2013 photo by Karen)

Site of first US automobile accident. (2013 photo by Karen)

John William Lambert (1860-1952) was born in Champaign County, Ohio, and moved to Ohio City after his marriage in 1885. In Ohio City he formed JW Lambert and Company with his father as his partner. In fact Lambert owned several businesses and buildings in Ohio City: an agricultural implement store, grain elevator, lumber yard, opera house, town hall, jail, as well as a few other establishments. He manufactured fork handles and spokes for wagons there.

However, Lambert’s main interest was the gasoline engine. He was fascinated with them and his goal was to make a light weight gasoline engine that could run a “horseless carriage.” About 1890 he worked to develop a light engine and produce an automobile in his small machine shop in Ohio City. He worked in secret, hiding his invention behind the walls of his farm implement store. Lambert conducted road tests in secret at night on back roads near Ohio City.

Downtown Ohio City. First US auto accident occurred in front of blue building. (2013 photo by Karen)

Downtown Ohio City. First US auto accident occurred in front of blue building. (2013 photo by Karen)

One night in1891, while secretly test-driving the first single-cylinder gasoline automobile, Lambert was involved in the first automobile accident in the United States. Lambert’s car struck a tree stump in the road and bounced into a hitching post at 201 West Carmean Street, near its intersection with South Liberty Street. Lambert and his passenger James Swoveland sustained only minor injuries.

First US auto accident occurred near intersection of W. Carmen & S. Liberty Streets. (2013 photo by Karen)

First US auto accident occurred near intersection of W. Carmen & S. Liberty Streets. (2013 photo by Karen)

Soon after, Lambert tried to sell his new “horseless carriage” to the public, but was unsuccessful. He was unable to sell any of his automobiles. He then sold his businesses in Ohio City and moved to Union City, Ohio, where he made stationary gasoline engines. In 1892 he established the Buckeye Manufacturing Company and the Lambert Gas and Gasoline Engine Company, making stationary engines and farm machinery implements. In 1893 he started the Union Automobile Company.

Lambert moved from Union City to Anderson, Indiana, in about 1893. In Anderson he continued in manufacturing, where at last he successfully produced automobiles . His automobile manufacturing plant in Anderson, the Buckeye Manufacturing Company, produced up to 2,000 cars a year in the early 1900s. During his lifetime he had over 600 patents and is credited with inventing the friction drive transmission.

Lambert remained in Anderson with his family for the remainder of his life. John W. Lambert died 20 May 1952 and is buried in East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

 

Source of information: John William Lambert, Wikipedia.