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.

Oct 08

Tombstone Tuesday–Infant Daughter of E & A Kessler

Infant Daughter of E & A Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Infant Daughter of E & A Kessler, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of the infant daughter of E. & A. Kessler, located in Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Infant Dau of
E. & A. Kessler
Died Sept. 19, 1905

There is no record of this baby girl’s birth or death in the records of Zion Lutheran Chatt. There is no record of her birth or death in Mercer County’s probate records. She does not have a name and is known only as Infant Daughter. She may have been stillborn or she may have died within hours after her birth. We will probably never know the details of her very brief life.

I believe this infant was the child of Edward Rudolph and Almedia “Allie” Kessler and I determined this from the 1910 census.

The 1910 census indicates that Edward and “Allie” Kessler were living in a rented house in Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio, where Edward worked as a farm hand. Edward and Allie had been married 7 years, which means they married about 1903. The census also indicates that Allie had given birth to two children but only one was living in 1910. Their living child was their son Clem W. Kessler, who was nine months old when the census was taken in April 1910. [1] More recent censuses show that Allie’s name was Almedia but I have not been able to determine her maiden name.

Edward Rudolph and Allie Kessler are not buried in Kessler Cemetery near their infant daughter and I do not know where they are buried. That will require more research.

Edward Rudolph (1877-1950) was the son of Christian and Margaret (Haffner) Kessler. Christian (1843 or 45-1904) and Margaret (1852-1900). Christian and Margaret were featured in a Tombstone Tuesday post a few weeks ago.

The little lamb on this small marble tombstone represents innocence and purity and is a common figure on children’s grave markers.

 

[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.

Oct 04

Livin’ the Dream in Chatt

They have been “Livin’ the Dream” in Chattanooga, Ohio, for the past 37 years, but now Barney and Twila Lehman will find new ways to follow their dreams. For nearly 4 decades the couple owned and operated the Chatt Bar but in May of this year they sold the popular local establishment.

Chatt Bar celebration, 28 September 2013.

Chatt Bar celebration, 28 September 2013.

Last Saturday my mom and I attended a farewell and congratulations party for Barney and Twila at the Chatt Bar. The theme of the party was one of Twila’s favorite phrases, “Just Livin’ the Dream.”

Barney, 28 September 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

Barney, 28 September 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

Many friends, locals, and bar patrons showed up to congratulate and wish the Lehmans well. It was standing room only inside the bar with a tent outside for the overflow. There was delicious food, cake, and spirits to celebrate the occasion. The late co-owner Dean Strawn was remembered with photos. I sat across from a couple Chattanoogians and I enjoyed listening to them reminisce and tell stories about Chatt.

Party for Barney and Twila, 28 September 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

Party for Barney and Twila, 28 September 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

The renowned Chatt Bar is over 100 years old and was at one time called a saloon. These days the sign attached to the outside of the building reads “Chatt Home Restaurant.” I have even heard some call it by the classy name of Chatt Cafe, but to everyone around here it is known as the Chatt Bar.

They say there were two bars in Chatt at one time, but the current one sits nearly in the middle of town. The building that houses the Chatt Bar was originally one of three buildings that made up the Chattanooga Hotel. In the early 1900s the old hotel was owned by Nick Jennings of Berne. The small building at the north end housed some small shops: a barber shop, an ice cream store, and a hat store. There was pool hall in the middle building and the bar/restaurant at the south end.

Chatt Bar, 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

Chatt Bar, 2013. (2013 photo by Karen)

Someone, I believe Twila, once made a list of the bar’s owners and gave it to my dad:

Nick Jennings (from Berne)
Bill Betzel (local)
Perry Gibbons (local)
Albert & Hulda (Baker) Garman
Rude Heffner (local) (1912)
Mr. & Mrs. George Rothaar
Herbert & Vi Kuhn (local)
Fred V. Bollenbacher (local)
Hank Steele (Fort Recovery)
Ray Hemmelgarn
Herb & Donna Leirkamp (Berne)
Gene Ault (local)
Edna Lawson & William Chapman (RR Berne)
Gene Ault (local)
Russel “Barney” Lehman & Dennis Kuhn (RR Rockford & Celina) (1976)
Russel “Barney” Lehman & Dean Strawn (Celina) (1978)
And most recently: Valerie Petitt (2013)

Valerie, new Chatt Bar owner. (2013 photo by Karen)

Valerie, new Chatt Bar owner. (2013 photo by Karen)

Barney Lehman and Dean Strawn ran the bar from 1998 until Dean’s death in 2012. Barney and his wife Twila ran it after Dean’s death.

According to the 1910 census, Perry Gibbons was a “saloon owner” in Chatt and Fred Heffner was a bartender at a saloon. Perry was the bar’s third owner. Gene Alt supposedly gave it the name of “Chatt Bar.” I remember that Ray Hemmelgarn owned and operated the bar/restaurant when I was a child.

According to Perry Gibbon’s granddaughter, Wanda Lou Gilliland, owner Ray Hemmelgarn served the best chili soup around. It seems that Ray’s mother made the soup and her secret ingredient was mashed potatoes, which she added to make the soup thick.

Chatt Bar 1905, photo hangs in bar. (2013 photo by Karen)

Chatt Bar, 1905; this photo hangs in Chatt Bar. (2013 photo by Karen)

Years ago, one of my St. Marys patients told me that he drove a Budweiser beer truck and delivered beer to the Chatt Bar when Ray Hemmelgarn owned it. That patient always called me “Chattanooga” after learning my connection to Chatt.

Ray Hemmelgarn made changes to the bar when he owned it. He tore down the north building, made the pool hall into a kitchen, and moved the inside bar from the south wall to the north wall.

The Chatt Bar has always opened early in the morning for breakfast. My dad used to go there every morning for coffee but the main morning draw was shooting the breeze with the area farmers and locals. Barney told me that my dad was often the first one to arrive at the Bar in the morning. My dad knew where Barney kept the key and so my dad would open up the bar and turn on the lights as soon as he got there. Knowing my dad, he probably plugged in the coffee pot, too.

Twila told me that she was so nervous her first day on the job at the Bar that she couldn’t figure out how to make change for the $20 bill my dad gave her. He told her that three $5s & a $10 would be just fine!

Twila (2013 photo by Karen)

Twila (2013 photo by Karen)

Someone in that morning group started a tradition at the Chatt Bar. When one of the morning regulars passed away the other others would put the deceased’s chair upside down on the table where he sat. I’m sure they did that with my dad’s chair when he passed away last year.

When our son Jeff was little he also enjoyed going to the Chatt Bar with my dad. Jeff would bum quarters off my dad for video games. Jeff also remembers that Barney would put a Snickers candy bar in the freezer for him. Jeff still remembers those frozen Snickers bars.

The Chatt Bar is still known for its good food. They are best known for their deep-fried pizza and breaded tenderloin sandwich. People come from miles around for the deep-fried pizza but I am partial to the breaded tenderloin. The jumbo tenderloin is huge and half a jumbo is plenty for me. Serve it up with deep-fried breaded dill pickles and you’ve got yourself one good meal. Some of my other favorites are breaded onion rings, fresh sausage sandwich, grilled tenderloin, and grilled or broasted chicken.

Congratulations and best wishes to Barney and Twila! Enjoy Livin’ Your Dream!

 

[Some Chatt Bar information from Mercer County, Ohio History, 1978, Joyce L. Alig, Editor, The Mercer County Historical Society, Inc.]