Merry Christmas!

The Nativity, on wood.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas from Karen’s Chatt!

Wishing you and your family all the blessings of Christmas!

Letters to Santa, 1917

December 1917. The U.S. had entered World War I a few months earlier and Christmas was right around the corner. Even though we were at war, children were making Christmas lists and writing letters to Santa.

Dear Santa, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

The Celina Democrat printed a few Dear Santa letters in 1917, most from local children. The children’s wish lists were fairly minimal back then, although one little girl asked for a piano. Candy, fruit, and peanuts were popular Christmas list items. These children also seemed to be conscious of the needs of others.

Dear Santa letters from the 21 December 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat:

Dear Santa Claus:
I will not ask for much. I want a coaster sled and don’t forget my little cousins Horson and Holdy and my brother Vernon would like a pair of mishing [sic?] socks. Don’t forget my cousins out of town. I will close and say my prayer.
John Loyda Bader
(RR Mendon)

I’m not sure what mishing socks were. There were a lot of typos in these letters and mishing may have been a typo.

Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a new doll and a piano and some candy and nuts, oranges and fruits. I am four years old. I go to Sunday School. Please don’t forget to bring Evaun and Kahle something…
Marielle Jenkins
(RR Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl nine years old, and I go to school every day and study my lessons very good. I want you to come to my house and bring me Sleepy Night Stories striped hair ribbons, some candy, nuts, and oranges. I live three miles southwest of Celina. I’ll go to bed early.
Pearl Andrews
(Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I don’t go to school. I am five years old. I would like to have an A.B.C. book, a handkerchief, hair ribbon and overshoes and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Ruth McGee
(Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am eight years old. I go to school and am in the fourth grade. I would like to have a handkerchief, story book, and pretty goods to make my doll a dress, and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Blanch McGee
(Celina)

James, Romania, William, and Mary Carlin, probably siblings in Columbus, Ohio, each wrote a letter to Santa and each asked Santa not to forget the poor.  They remembered their parents, grandparents, and siblings as well. Each also mentioned that they would have the fire lit when Santa came in so that he could get warm. These are the other items they asked for:

Dear Santa Claus:
I would like to have a machinic [sic] and some candy.
James John Carlin

I would like a doll and some candy.
Romania Marie Carlin

I would like a machine and candy.
William Charles Carlin

I would like a red go-cart and candy.
Mary Elizabeth Carlin

I wonder what that machine was that the two boys asked for.

Things have not changed all that much over the years since 1917. Children still wish for special presents and ask Santa for them, although today’s Christmas lists may be digital Amazon Wish Lists and many of the items are technical electronics. Children still anxiously wait for Santa’s arrival and anticipate the excitement and fun of opening presents on Christmas morning.

A couple weeks ago I featured a letter from a November 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat, written by Albert C.  Heffner, of Chatt, written while he was in basic training in Nebraska. Before he entered the war he and his brother-in-law Jake Bauer were piano dealers in Celina. This was their Christmas ad:

Albert Heffner, piano dealer, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

Perhaps Santa got a piano for little Marielle Jenkins from their store.

80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Yesterday, 16 December, was the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most important battles for the Allies during World War II.  

The Battle of the Bulge, aka the Ardennes Offensive, lasted for over a month and by 25 January 1945 the Allies had restored their line to its previous position. It was the largest land battle ever fought by the U.S. Army and the last major German offensive campaign in the West before the end of the war.

Losses of both Allied and German soldiers were high. Nearly 20,000 American service members were killed during the battle, accounting for about 10 percent of all American combat casualties during WWII. In addition, over 23,000 American soldiers were captured and became prisoners of war.  

My dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He entered the battle just before Christmas, as a replacement, in the 84th Division, 333rd Company, Infantry. He fought in the northern part of the Bulge, in the Ardennes and in Belgium towns.

He said the conditions were terrible. It was the coldest winter on record, and they were not outfitted for the severe conditions they encountered. He had the standard issue of winter clothes: a wool uniform, sweater, and 2 pairs of socks, but it was not adequate clothing for the harsh weather conditions, when temperatures ranged from 0 to minus 10-15 degrees with knee-deep blowing snow. He said they were constantly on the move, walking and moving forward during the day and digging shallow fox holes to try to keep warm and get a little sleep at night. He did not see the inside of a building until the end of January 1945.

Our service members fought bravely and suffered greatly during the Battle of the Bulge. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.

Certificate, Battle of the Bulge Association.

Sir Winston Churchill said that the Battle of the Bulge was “…undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.”

Herb & Florence Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

Last Saturday was Wreaths Across America Day. This is the wreath I ordered from them to mark my parent’s grave-site for Christmas.  

Two Ohio Shanesvilles at One Time

We spent this week in Holmes County, a little get-away to see Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas show, along with some shopping, eating, wine tasting, and driving around the beautiful, hilly countryside. Our trip included going to Sugarcreek, in neighboring Tuscarawas County.

A couple years ago, we saw this Shanesville sign in a winery near Sugarcreek, and we were told there once was village named Shanesville nearby.

Shanesville sign on display near Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Interesting, because we live very close to Rockford, which was originally called Shanesville. Shanesville was the first settlement in Mercer County, founded by Anthony Shane in 1820. It was the original county seat of Mercer County and is the oldest village in the county. Its name was changed to Shanes Crossing in 1866 and to Rockford in 1890.  

Two Shanesvilles in Ohio! Who knew? One in Mercer County, one in Tuscarawas County. I wonder if their mail ever got mixed up in the early 1800s.

Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, old map

Shanesville, Tuscarawas County, on current map

We decided to look into the Tuscarawas County Shanesville this trip. Probably not the best timing because it was freezing cold out when we took these photos. This should have been a summer project.

The Tuscarawas County Shanesville was founded in 1814 by Abraham Shane and was incorporated in 1902. The intersection of 39 and 93 appears to have been the center of town. The village merged with Sugar Creek in 1968.

On the west edge of Sugarcreek, at the intersection of routes 39 and 93, signs of the old village of Shanesville are still there—an old Shanesville sign, Shanesville’s fire wagon, some historical plaques, a church, a carryout, and a cemetery a block away.

Downtown Shanesville, routes 39 & 93, now part of Sugarcreek.

This little building houses an old Shanesville Volunteer Fire Department fire wagon and a Shanesville sign. Two historical plaques, mounted on the outside, tell the history of the village:

Shanesville mementos, intersection of routes 39 & 93, Sugarcreek.

Old Shanesville sign & Shanesville volunteer fire department wagon, housed in the little building.

Plaque with history of Shanesville, mounted on building.

History of Shanesville, as inscribed on the plaque:

1814-100 lots were laid out by Abraham Shane, with 10 perches for a public square and street

1820-The Lutheran Church began with Rev. Abraham Snyder

1821-The First Reformed Church of Shanesville was organized by Rev. William Reiter

1840-Shanesville trading point and outpost from Pittsburgh

1861-The Shanesville Blues, under Captain Benjamine Ream, Civil War volunteer militia was established

1876-Shanesville Lodge No.97 K of P was formed

1914-Centennial Celebration

1964Sesqui-Centennial

1968-Merged with Sugarcreek

Nearby is this brick wall plaque, depicting Shanesville’s founder Abraham Shane:

Shanesville marker, near little building.

Plaque reads, 1814 Shanesville 1968, Founded by Abraham Shane.

Across the street is the Shanesville Lutheran Church:

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

Shanesville Lutheran Church

The Shanesville Drive-Thru is on the other side of the street:

Shanesville Drive Thru

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery is about a block to the west, on Hillcrest Drive:

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery

The marker reads: This cemetery is the site of two former churches: A log church used by Lutheran and German Reformed congregations from 1828 until 1851. A brick church used by the German Reformed congregation from 1851 until 1914.

Shanesville First Reformed Cemetery

Another brick marker, one of several on a wall of historical markers in downtown Sugarcreek:

Plaque notes Shanesville, in downtown Sugarcreek

Although the Tuscarawas Shanesville kept its name longer, the Mercer County village still exists and thrives, as Rockford.

How many more Shanesvilles might there be across the country?

Local War News from 1917

The United States was involved in a World War in 1917.

The U.S. entered World War I on 6 April 1917. That same day the General Secretary of the International Committee of the North American YMCA determined that the YMCA would help provide services for the military forces, to assist in maintaining and promoting their morale and welfare. They provided recreation, library services, Bible study, and religious services to soldiers in training camps and on troop trains in the United States and Europe.

Willshire did its part to help the YMCA war effort.

WILLSHIRE
Willshire, town and township, ranked among the best doners in the Y.M.C.A. War Fund Campaign. This district contributed the handsome sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars
. (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Celina Democrat, 30 Nov 1917

Other news from Willshire in 1917:

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Geissler, Dale and Fanny Cowan and Miss Besse Cpaulding [sic] were at Camp Sherman for a visit with Clarence Geissler, who will soon leave for France.  (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Possibly a result of the War:

Due to the coal shortage the Celina public library will be closed evenings until further notice. (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

Celina Democrat, 30 Nov 1917

MAIL EARLY-SHOP EARLY
Mail your Christmas packages a week or 10 days earlier than usual this year. That is the advice the American Railway Association Special Committee on National Defense sends out…To take care of the unusual traffic…because of the thousands of soldiers away from homes, is going to require every available baggage and express car as well as some high-class refrigerator cars…Postmaster Schunck looks for the biggest rush in the history of the Celina Post Office
… (The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 30 Nov 1917; NewspaperArchive.com.)

The following letter from serviceman Albert C. Heffner (1888-1945) to John C. Carlin was published in the 16 November 1917 edition of the Celina Democrat. Originally from Chattanooga, Ohio, Albert resided in Celina in 1917, where he was employed as a piano dealer. Albert, age 29, registered for the WWI draft on 5 June 1917. He was single and described himself as medium height and weight with blue eyes and blonde hair. [1]

Celina Democrat, 16 Nov 1917

DISCIPLINE GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN
Fort Omaha, Neb.
November 11, 1917
Mr. John C. Carlin, Celina, Ohio.

Friend John: How’s everything in Celina. You know I promised to write you when I left Celina and I have never written for the reason that I didn’t know until a day or two ago where I would be located.

I like the army life fine so far as I have gone, although I haven’t been in it long enough to tell much about it.

I really think it is better for a fellow to enlist, rather than wait for the draft. If a man enlists he has the advantage of choosing his service which I believe means a whole lot.

While at Columbus I could see from 75 to 300 fellows enlisting every day. There are not very many fellows from Ohio enlisting. Most of the fellows I met were from Pennsylvania, New York, W. Virginia, and some more states in the east.

They feed us on the regular army ration of 14c a meal, but there always is enough on the table for anyone. Sometimes a fellow don’t like the way the feed is cooked up, but that is something that might happen if a fellow is staying at home. There are a couple of restaurants around here, so a fellow can always buy what he wants.

This is a balloon signaling outfit here. I haven’t been here long enough yet to get assigned or any regular job, but I probably will have to get busy tomorrow a.m.

The worse fault I find with army life is the discipline. After a fellow has been used to doing pretty much as he pleases all his life, this strict obedience to order goes against the grain, but there is nothing to do but obey, unless a fellow wants to get in the guardhouse, and that is full most of the time, too.

Well, John, since I will have a permanent address for a few months, I would appreciate receiving the Democrat starting with last week’s issue.

Let me hear from you John, when you have a little extra time.

With best regards to all, I am
Sincerely yours,
A.C. Heffner
South Barracks,
Fort Omaha, Nebraska

Albert enlisted in the Regular Army at Columbus, Ohio, on 27 October 1917. He served in several Balloon Companies during World War I: the 1st Balloon Squadron, Fort Omaha, Nebraska, until 15 March 1918; in the 64th Balloon Company until 12 July 1918; in the 66th Balloon Company AS until 13 January 1919; and in 52nd Balloon Company until his honorable Discharge on 28 January 1919. He also held the rank of corporal and later sergeant. [2]

Albert returned to Celina after the war and married Ethel Olson. He and his brother-in-law Jake Bauer were salesmen in a music store. [3]

Albert is buried in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio.

Albert & Ethel Heffner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Albert Heffner military marker, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

[1] “U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ohio, Mercer County, Albert Carl Heffner, no. 1340; Ancestry.com.

[2] Official Roster Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, World War, 1917-1918 (Columbus, Ohio : FJ Heer Printing Co., 1926), 7271; Ancestry.com.