Jul 26

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Miller (Jr)

Jacob Miller Jr (1886-1913), Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Jacob Miller Jr, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The stone is inscribed Jacob Miller, 1886-1913. MILLER is also carved on the top of the stone.

Jacob Miller Jr was the second child of Jacob Miller and his third wife, Christena Rueck. Jacob and Christena were my great-grandparents.

Obituary—Young Man Killed in Oil Field—The body of Jacob Miller Jr, who was killed in the Oklahoma oil fields, was brought back to the home of his parents, who live south of town. The corpse came in over the Clover Leaf Sunday and was met by undertaker H. B. Cowan who removed the body to the parents’ home preparatory to the services which were held Monday afternoon.

The young man was about 25 years old, well known and respected here. The nature of the accident which caused his death has not been reported. The accident causing the young man’s death was that of a falling oil derrick which, though he was at some distance, struck him killing him instantly. (source: The Willshire Herald, 17 Apr 1913, page 1)

Jacob Miller Jr (1886-1913)

Obituary—Explosion of Shale Gas Brought Death to Young Man of this County who was Working in Oil Fields in California. The body of Jacob Miller Jr, who was killed by falling timber following an explosion of shale gas, was brought to Willshire Sunday and removed to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller near Chattanooga. Young Miller was drilling in the oil fields in California when he met his untimely death. He was a young man of twenty-eight years and has been in the west for three years.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at the Lutheran church at Chattanooga, followed by interment at that place. Accompanying the body of Mr. Miller was Christ Brier, who had gone west with the young man. (source: The Daily Standard, 18 April 1913, page 7)

The two above sources disagree on where Jacob Miller Jr died, so I also checked the death and burial records at Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga. Their records indicate that he was killed by a falling oil derrick in Oklahoma. (source: records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book II:344)

Jacob Miller Jr never married.

Jul 22

Updates

This week, some updates of past blogs.

Re:  Bluetooth Blues, 1 February blog. In the world of technology there is nothing more frustrating than a renegade mobile device. Bluetooth has now ceased communications with my Droid entirely. A few weeks ago I dialed a phone number on my Droid but no sound came from the Bluetooth in my ear. However, I could tell by looking at my phone that the other party’s phone was ringing. I talked, but they could not hear me and I could not hear them. I redialed the number but the results were the same. Then I made the mistake of pressing on Bluetooth in an effort to end the attempted call. Bluetooth took it upon itself to dial one lucky person from my Contact List. In the past Bluetooth usually liked to dial Janet H when it got the chance, but this time the special person was Robin C. I could not hear anything coming from my earpiece. So how did I know Bluetooth had dialed Robin? I heard a little voice coming from my purse, “Hello. Hello.” (My phone was in my purse.) I called Robin back immediately, but how do you explain that your mobile device has a mind of its own and is out of control? A simple apology was best.  At least Bluetooth didn’t call her early in the morning. No more Bluetooth Blues for me. Bluetooth has been relegated to silence in a drawer.

Re: Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Miller, 29 March. Jacob Miller was my great-grandfather and in this blog I transcribed his lengthy obituary. At the time I did not know where that obituary came from. On a recent research trip to the Brumback Library in Van Wert I discovered that his obituary was in the 5 July 1918 edition of The Willshire Herald. I also learned that there was a short obituary published in the 21 June 1918 edition of the same paper: Jacob Miller, aged 75 Years, residing 5 miles south of town, died Saturday afternoon, June 15. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn his loss. Burial took place at the Chattanooga mausoleum.

Re: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, Part 2, 10 March. This blog was about Joe’s grandfather, Ed Roesner. The 27 April 1917 issue of The Daily Standard reported that Ed Roesner was married when he lost his arm in the railroad accident. I believe this was a reporting error. I searched the Van Wert probate court marriage records and Ed Roesner was not married in Van Wert County before his accident in 1917. I also found reports of his railroad accident in several Van Wert newspapers, but none mentioned a wife. On his WWI Draft Registration card, dated June 1917, and on his marriage license to Goldie Helen Lee, in 1921, Ed stated that he had never been married.

Re: We Are For the Birds, 24 June. In this blog I told about seeing hundreds of Dickcissels in a neighboring field. This was a type of bird that we had never seen before. About a week after I wrote that blog the little birds were evicted when the farmer mowed the field. Hopefully the Dickcissels were able to relocate to another alfalfa field. On happier note, we recently saw another bird that was new to us and to our lot. A Summer Tanager visited one of our bird baths and perched in a tree long enough for me to get a photo. We usually see some Scarlet Tanagers every spring but we have never seen this Tanager variety.

Summer Tanager, July 2011

Re: Ten Tech Tools and Tips, 13 May. So far the portable scanners have worked very well. I took my Flip Pal Scanner to my Aunt Amy’s a few weeks ago and scanned some Schumm photos. I visited with her while I scanned photos. The nice thing was that her photos didn’t have to leave her house. I haven’t used the Magic Wand Scanner a lot, but some color pages that I scanned turned out great. I will be using both devices this weekend at the Miller reunion. I have asked family members to bring photos and I will be able to scan them right there at the reunion. I just need to remember to take extra batteries.

Re: What I’m Reading Now, 30 January. I have since finished the Hallows series of books by Kim Harrison. There are 9 books in the series so far and I hope Kim continues the series with several more books. I really like the characters and Kim’s imagination. Then I went back to the Southern Vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris and read Dead Reckoning, the 11th book in that series. It was published in May of this year. The HBO True Blood TV series is based on these books.  I enjoy these books almost as much as the Hallows books. I started a new series a couple weeks ago—Kate Daniels/Magic series by Ilona Andrews. The first book is Magic Bites and I couldn’t put it down. Like the other books I have been reading, these also feature a female lead character, our heroine, who lives in a fantasy world and fights all sorts of evil creatures. These books are set in an alternate Atlanta and they combine fantasy and mystery. Ilona doesn’t come right out and give you all the details of who or what Kate actually is or the circumstances of the setting. You feel your way through and I like that. So far there are 5 books in this series. For me this summer’s reading will include more vampires, shapeshifters, wares, witches and magic.

Jul 19

Tombstone Tuesday–Christian Miller

Christian Miller (1880-1911), Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Christian Miller. It is located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The stone is inscribed Christian Miller, 1880-1911. MILLER is also carved on the top of the stone.

Christian was the second son of my great grandfather, Jacob Miller and Jacob’s second wife, Margaretha Strabel/Strobel. I descend from Jacob and Christena Rueck, Jacob’s third wife.

Obituary: Christian Miller, son of Jacob and Margaretha Miller, nee Strabel, was born Sept. 5, 1880; was baptized in infancy, confirmed as a full member of Zion’s Evangelical church, at Chattanooga, April 21, 1895, by Rev. Sollar. The next eleven years of his life were spent in and near the parental home, where he endeared himself to all who knew him. Since then he had labored in various oil fields in Oregon, California, Oklahoma and recently in Texas. He was a Christian young man, was industrious and saved his money, investing it in properties. There is no doubt that he cherished fond dreams of occupying a home of his own at some future time after his years of sojourning in different States. But God meant that instead of this he should occupy a more abiding home than this could have been—a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

After only about ten days’ residence in Texas he was taken sick with typhoid fever. He was taken to the hospital at Wichita Falls, Texas, where two nurses and skilled physicians did their utmost to care for him; but after only twelve days’ sickness he was summoned from these earthly scenes. Realizing the seriousness of his condition, he asked for a pastor of his own faith and when one came he partook of the Lord’s Supper. He also desired to see his father, who was telegraphed for and with his brother, John, hastened to his bedside, but they were disappointed to find him no longer among mortals. He died Oct. 24, aged 31 years, one month and 20 days. Father and brother returned Friday night with the remains and the funeral took place at the Lutheran church, Saturday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. L. Loehr. Interment in the Lutheran cemetery. (source: The Willshire Herald, 2 Nov 1911, page 8 )

Chris Miller (1880-1911) by oil drums

Last Rites: The funeral of Christ Miller, whose death occurred at Wichita, Texas, was held here Sunday at the Lutheran church in Liberty township. The young man was the son of Jacob Miller of Blackcreek township, and was thirty-one years old at the time of his death. He had been working in the oil fields in Oklahoma and three weeks ago went to Wichita, Texas, where he contracted typhoid fever and died in the hospital there. His father and one brother, Pete, Miller, of California, when appraised of his illness started for his bedside, but his death occurred before either reached him. His father brought the remains here where his funeral occurred Sunday. (source: The Daily Standard, 3 Nov 1911, page 3)

Christian Miller never married.

Jul 15

Morrison Photography, Chattanooga, Ohio

Unidentified photo by Morrison, Chattanooga, Ohio

I am not sure how I acquired this photo nor do I know who the gentleman in the photo is. There is nothing written on the back of the photo to identify him. I do not know when the photo was taken either. Basically, I don’t know a whole lot about this photo.

However, there is something very interesting about this photograph–its inscription. The lower right corner of the cardboard frame is inscribed, “Morrison, Chattanooga, O”. Evidently Chattanooga had a photography business at one time.

There have been many businesses in Chattanooga over the years. In a blog a few months ago I listed the Chattanooga businesses that were included in the 1916 Mercer County, Ohio, Farm Journal Directory. Morrison Photography was not among them.

I searched through a number of other Mercer County sources that listed businesses in Chattanooga: the 1882, 1907, and 1978 Mercer County Histories; the 1888 and 1900 Mercer County Combined Atlases; and the Liberty Township Passport, by Joyce Alig of the Mercer County Historical Society, 2008. This little booklet gives quite a long list of businesses that were in Chatt over the years. Morrison Photography was not listed in any of these sources.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s there were several Morrison families living within 2-3 miles of Chattanooga, in Black Creek Township. Chatt is in northern Liberty Township and the Liberty-Black Creek Township line is on the north end of the village.

I also looked through census enumerations for the years 1900-1920 in Mercer County. The Morrisons were farmers then. There were no photographers listed among them.

Morrison, Chattanooga, O

The Morrison photographer could have been from Adams County, Indiana, since Chattanooga is only a mile from the state line.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that can identify the gentleman in this photo or from anyone that has information about Morrison Photography in Chattanooga, Ohio.

Jul 12

Tombstone Tuesday–George & Anna B. Bollenbacher

George & Anna B. Bollenbacher, Liberty (aka Kessler) Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio.

This is the tombstone of George and Anna B. Bollenbacher, located in row 7 of Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

George Bollenbacher
1830-1912
Anna B. His Wife
1836-1913
BOLLENBACHER

Kessler Cemetery, aka Liberty Cemetery, is about ½ mile from the Indiana state line and about two miles south of Chattanooga, Liberty Township.

George Bollenbacher and Anna Albrecht [sic] were married in Mercer County, Ohio, by Rev. John George Streckfuss on 28 July 1853. (source: Mercer County Marriage Book D:19) Rev. Streckfuss was a pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, Liberty Township, Mercer County, in the mid 1850s as well as a pastor the Zion Lutheran, Schumm, Van Wert County, 1847-1856. George and Anna may have been married at someone’s home because the St. Paul church was not completed until about 1856.

George and Anna Bollenbacher attended Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, a good portion of their adult lives. Both of their funeral services were held at Zion by Pastor Loehr. The following information is taken from Zion’s death and burial records:

George Bollenbacher died 14 Apr 1912, age 81 years, 5 months, 5 days.  He was buried on the 16 April.  Survivors include his spouse, 8 children, 37 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren.  The cause of death was heart disability and mitral insufficiency.  Text: John 11:25, 26; Deut. 33:27. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Book II:343) His date of birth was 9 November 1830, as calculated from the church records.

Anna Barbara Bollenbacher died 1 Feb 1913, age 76 years, 10 months, 12 days.  She was buried on 4 Feb. Text: Rom: 8:28; Prov. 23:23.  (source: Records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Book II:344) Her date of birth was 20 Mary 1836, as calculated from the church records.

Anna’s Ohio Department of Health death certificate gives the following information: Anna Barbara Bollenbacher, born 19 April 1836 in Germany, the daughter of John and Barbara (Hiller) Albright, died 1 February 1913 in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. She was buried 4 February 1913 in Kessler Cemetery. She was 76 years, 9 months, and 22 days old. She was a housewife and was a widow at her death.  As often happens, her age differs in these two records.

Liberty (aka Kessler) Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio

George and Anna were enumerated as “Bulenbaugh” in the 1860 census in Liberty Township, with a Skeels Cross Roads Post Office. Their household consisted of George, 30, born in Germany; Barbary, 26, Germany; Jacob, 6, Ohio; Caroline, 4, Ohio; Harriett, 2, Ohio; and Ellen, 2/12, Ohio. (source: 1860 US Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: M653_1009, page 359)

In 1880 George Bollenbacher was a farmer in Liberty Township, Mercer County. The following were in the Bollenbacher household in 1880: George J., 49, Rhein Beirne [sic]; Barbara, 44, Rhein Beirne [sic];  Louis, 20, son; Louisa, 17, daughter; Anna, 15, daughter; George, 13, son; Frank, 11, son; Samuel, 8, son; Mary, 5, daughter; and Edward, 1, son. All the children were born in Ohio. (source: 1880 US Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: 1048:474C)

In 1900 George, Anna and their family were still living in Liberty Township. In the Bollenbacher household were George, 69, head, Germany; Anna B., 65, wife, Germany; George, 33, son, Ohio; Samuel, 27, son, Ohio; Edward, 21, son, Ohio; Christina Shenebarger, 17, granddaughter, Indiana; and William Shenebarger, 10, grandson, Indiana. In the enumeration they stated they had been married 48 years. Anna had given birth to 12 children but only 8 were living in 1900. This census also tells us that George immigrated in 1847 and Anna in 1840. George was still a farmer. (1900 US census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll T623_1304:11B)

The 1910 census was the last census George and Anna were enumerated in. They were still residing in Liberty Township. In the household were George, head, 79; Barbara, wife, 74; George, son, 42, single; Samuel, son, 37, single; Edward, son, 30, single; and William Sinabagher [sic], 19, nephew.  (source: 1910 US Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll: T624_1214:11B)

Several of their children were either baptized, confirmed, or had burial services conducted at Zion, Chattanooga. Most of the church confirmation records also give birth dates. The following information concerning their children is in Zion’s records:

Anna Henrietta Bollenbacher was born 16 Nov 1857 and was baptized 27 Dec 1857. Witnesses at her baptism were Ferdinand Kable and his wife Catherine.  (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:103)

Louise Emilie Bollenbacherwas born 4 Jun 1862 and confirmed 17 Mar 1878. She died 6 Sep 1882, age 20 years, 2 months, 18 days.  (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:320)

Laurina Ida Bollenbacher, young child of George and Anna Maria Bollenbacher, was born 17 Feb 1882 and died 16 Mar 1884. Her death was some sort of accident. Her age was 2 years and 29 days. She was buried on the 18th. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:320)

Frank Bollenbacher was confirmed at Zion in 1884. He was born 25 July 1869. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:173)

Samuel Abraham Bollenbacher was confirmed at Zion in 1886. He was born 22 July 1872. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:174)

Maria K. Bollenbacher was confirmed at Zion in 1890. She was born 23 June 1875. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book I:175.)

Edward Daniel Bollenbacher was confirmed at Zion in 1893. He was born 31 Jan 1879. (source: Records of Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga, Book II:205-06)

Angel atop tombstone of George & Anna B. Bollenbacher, Mercer County, Ohio

George and Anna, with several of their children, took Communion regularly at Zion, Chattanooga. Their names are in Zion’s Communion Records regularly from 1882-1899 and at various times between 1907-1910.