Oct 24

Tombstone Tuesday-Infant Son of Adam & Katy Kable (1896)

Infant son of Adam & Catharine (Huffman) Kable, 1896, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Ohio (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of the infant son of Adam and Catharine (Huffmann) Kable, located in row 2 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Infant Son of
Adam & Katy
Kable
Died
June 19, 1896

This male child was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Adam (1861-1948) and Catharine (Hoffman) (1862-1913) Kable on 19 June 1896. [1] The child was born prematurely and died the same day. [2] Just the year before, Adam and Catharine Kable lost another male child due to a premature birth. Their marble tombstones are identical and include a rose at the top and an arch with open gates and a flying dove below the inscription.

The child’s parents had married 17 December 1890 in Mercer County and this was his father Adam Kable’s second marriage. The mother’s name is spelled several different ways on various documents and grave markers–Katharine, Catharine, Katy, Hoffmann, Hoffman, Huffmann, Huffman. On this tombstone her name is spelled Katy but on her tombstone, in the same cemetery, her name is spelled Catharine.  

His parents and two infant brothers are also buried in St. Paul UCC Cemetery.

This infant son of Adam and K/C Kable had the following siblings:
Charles/Carl E. Kable (1891/2-1973), married Cora Edna Bellows; married Eva Ann Wurster
Hulda K. Kable (1894-1985), married Philip Kerwood; married Leo Andrews
Male Kable (1895-1895)
Male Kable (1898-1898)

He also had a half-brother from his father Adam’s first marriage to Margaret Miller:
Emil Kable (1889-1978), married Agnes A. Loree; married Lillian Weinman

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” Mercer County, Liberty Township, entry 19, male Kable, son of Adam Kable & Catharine Huffman, 19 Jun 1896; database with images, FamilySearch.org.

[2] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Mercer County Deaths, 1888-1908 Vol.2, no.9 (1897 category), Kable, 19 Jun 1896; database with images, FamilySearch.org.

Oct 20

Chatt Advertisers in Willshire’s 1952 Willow

I have some old Willow yearbooks here at home and they are fun to look through. The Willow was the Willshire Public School yearbook. Willshire Public School consolidated with Rockford Public School in 1961 to form Parkway Local Schools. I believe the first Willow yearbook was published in 1948 and I posted advertisers from that book some time ago: Advertisers in Willshire’s 1948 Willow. And for the 1950 Willow, Advertisers in Willshire’s 1950 Willow.

1952 Willow

Today, some of the advertisers in the 1952 Willow. There were a number of advertisers from all over the area, but my focus here is primarily on Chatt and Willshire. And, since there are quite a number of from Willshire and Chatt, I am going to show the businesses from Chatt today and those from Willshire at another time.

Most of those businesses are no longer around, but it is still fun to see who was in business back then and to see if I remember them or remember hearing about them.

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

1952 Willow

I see HEFFNER CASH STORE in the last scan. That was probably a popular store. I would go to a cash store!

As you read through the list advertisers you realize just how many businesses were in Chatt over the years. Many more than you would think.

Oct 17

Tombstone Tuesday-Infant Son of Adam & Katy Kable

Infant Kable, son of Adam & Katy, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of the infant son of Adam and Catharine (Huffmann) Kable, located in row 2 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Infant Son of
Adam & Katy
Kable
Died
July 23, 1895

Mercer County, Ohio, death records indicate that an unnamed male child, the son of Adam (1861-1948) and Catharine (Hoffman) (1862-1913) Kable, died 23 July 1895. No age was given and death was due to a premature birth. [1]

The parents married 17 December 1890 in Mercer County and this was the father Adam Kable’s second marriage. Note that the mother’s name is spelled several ways on various documents and grave markers over the years–Katharine, Catharine, Katy, Hoffmann, Hoffman, Huffmann, Huffman. On this tombstone her name is spelled Katy but on her tombstone in the same cemetery, her name is spelled Catharine.   

Some images on this weathered marble tombstone: a rose at the top and below the inscription, an arch with open gates with a dove flying above.

His parents and two infant brothers are also buried in this cemetery.

This infant son of Adam and K/C Kable had the following siblings:

Charles/Carl E. Kable (1891/2-1973), married Cora Edna Bellows; married Eva Ann Wurster
Hulda K. Kable (1894-1985), married Philip Kerwood; married Leo Andrews
Male Kable (1896-1896)
Male Kable (1898-1898)

He also had a half-brother from his father Adam’s first marriage to Margaret Miller:
Emil Kable (1889-1978), married Agnes A. Loree; married Lillian Weinman

[1] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Mercer County Deaths, 1888-1908 Vol.2, no.12, Kable, 23 Jul 1895; database with images, FamilySearch.org.

Oct 13

Darrel “Pete” Brewster’s 1954 Browns Football Contract

It is nearly the middle of October. The weather is cooler, the days are shorter, the leaves are turning color and falling to the ground, and it is football season. And football often causes me to think of my first cousin twice removed, Darrel Pete Brewster (1930-2020), a professional football player over 60 years ago, who once played for the Cleveland Browns and eventually earned a Super Bowl ring.

Pete Brewster football card, signed by “Pete” on 16 July 2014. (2014 photo by Karen)

Darrel Burton Brewster, later nicknamed Pete, was born in 1930 in Adams County, Indiana, and grew up in Portland, Indiana, where he excelled in basketball and football. After high school he attended Purdue University, where he again excelled in football. After graduating from Purdue he was drafted into the NFL and played professional football for the Browns and Steelers. He later coached for the Vikings and Chiefs and received his Super Bowl ring in 1970, while coaching for the Chiefs. He played and worked with some big names in football back then, including Paul Brown, Buddy Parker, and Hank Stram. And unlike football players today, he played on offense, defense, and special teams because the teams needed players.

Thanks to Rick, a Cleveland Browns fan and Karen’s Chatt reader, for sharing these photos of Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Browns football contract. Rick said he purchased the documents when the Browns old stadium was demolished and they threw out their old files. How interesting!

Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

Darrel Brewster’s National 1954 Football League contract, in part:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
STANDARD PLAYERS CONTRACT
Between
Cleveland Browns Inc., Cleveland, Ohio which operates a professional football team and which is a member of the National Football League, and which is hereinafter called the “Club”
 and Darrell Brewster, hereinafter called the “Player.”

…The term of this contract shall be from the date of execution hereof until the first day of May following the close of the football season commencing in September 1954, subject however, to rights of prior termination as specified herein…

…the Club promises to pay the Player each football season during the term of his contract the sum of $8,500 to be payable as follows: 75% of said salary in weekly installments commencing with the first and ending with the last regularly scheduled League game played by the Club during such season and thee balance of 25% of said sum of the end of said last regularly scheduled League game.

In addition, the Club promises and agrees to pay the reasonable board and lodging expenses of the Player incurred while playing games for the Club in other than the Club’s home city and also to pay all proper and necessary traveling expenses of the Player and his meals en route to and from said games.

The Player agrees at all times to comply with and to be bound by all the provisions of the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the League and of the Club, all of which are hereby made a part of this contract. If the Player fails to comply with said Constitution, By-laws, Rules and Regulations the Club shall have the right to terminate this contract or to take such other action as may be specified in said Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, or as may be directed by the Commissioner of the League, hereinafter call the “Commissioner.” The Player agrees to submit himself to the discipline of the League and of the Club for any violation of such Constitution, By-laws, Rules and Regulations subject however, to the right of a hearing by the Commissioner. All matters in dispute between the Player and the Club shall be referred to the Commissioner and his decision shall be accepted as final, complete, conclusive, binding and unappealable, by the Player and by the Club. The Player hereby waives any and all rights of action against the Commissioner, the League, the Club, or any of its members or stockholders, and against any officer of the Club or of the League…

The next section is about fines and suspensions for life or indefinitely if a player accepts a bribe or who agrees to throw or fix a game or failure to report an if a bribe is offered.

Signatures on Darrel Brewster’s 1954 Cleveland Browns football contract.

This agreement has been made under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

In witness whereof the Player has hereunto set his hand and seal and the Club has caused this contract to be executed by its duly authorized officer on the date set opposite their respective names.

Signed 7 June 1954 by two witnesses and approved by Bert Bell, Commissioner.

Signed by Paul E Brown, Cleveland Browns Inc. General Manager

Signed by Darrel Brewster, player, 1725 NE 17 Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 

His contract was for $8500, which doesn’t sound like much, but today, in 2023, it would be about $97,000.

I met Darrel Pete Brewster a few years ago and wrote a blog post about that meeting as well as a couple other blog posts over the years. [1]

Darrel Brewster by his memorial plaque, Portland, IN, July 2014

There is a memorial plaque honoring Darrel Pete Brewster at Portland’s East Jay Middle School football field, where he used to play high school football. In 2012 the field was renamed Brewster Field and the plaque was erected. The memorial plaque tells Brewster’s football history and is inscribed:

DARREL “PETE” BREWSTER FIELD
The football field at East Jay Middle School, the former football field of Portland High School, is dedicated to honor the career of Pete Brewster, class of 1948.
• Member of Portland Panther Varsity Football and Basketball teams.
• Named as 1948 Indiana High School Basketball All Star.
• Played Basketball and Football at Purdue University.
• Named to 1952 College Football All Star team.
• Played 9 seasons in the NFL 1952-1960.
• Earned two NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns (1954 and 1955)
• Retired from the NFL in 1960 after accumulating 210 receptions, 3,758 receiving yards, and 221 touchdowns as an offensive end.
• An Assistant Coach for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs that won Super Bowl IV in 1969.
• Inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
• Inducted into the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
This Jay School Corporation board resolution made on this day, July 16, 2012.
Greg Wellman, President
Mike Masters, Vice President
Larry Paxson, Secretary
Mike Shannon, Beth Krieg, Ron Laux, Jim Sanders, members
Dr. Tim Long, Superintendent

Darrel Pete Brewster, July 2014.

[1] “Lunch with Darrel ‘Pete’ Brewster,“ Karen’s Chatt, 18 Jul 2014, “Pete Brewster-Professional Football Player,” Karen’s Chatt, 12 Oct 2012, and “The Passing of Darrel ‘Pete’ Brewster,” 10 Jan 2020.

Oct 10

Tombstone Tuesday-Theobald & Caroline (Kable) Leininger

Theobald & Caroline (Kable) Leininger, St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. (2023 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Theobald and Caroline (Kable) Leininger, located in row 6 of St. Paul UCC Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LEININGER
Theobald
1861-1944
Caroline
1862-1934

Theobald Leininger was born in Mercer County, Ohio, likely in Liberty Township, on 20 July 1861, the son of Jacob (1832-1908) and Catherine (Kettering) (1836-1914) Leininger.

In 1870, Theobald Leininger, age 8, attended school and his father Jacob Leininger was a farmer. Their family in 1870: Jacob Leininger, 35; Catharine Leininger, 32; Margaret Leininger, 13; Theobald Leininger, 8; William Leininger, 5; Christina Leininger, 4; Mary Leininger, 2; and Henry Kettering, 25. [1]

No longer a student, in 1880 Theobald Leininger worked on the family farm. The Jacob Leininger family in 1880: Jacob, 47; Catherine, 43; Theobald, 18; William, 16; Christine, 14; Mary, 12; Phoebe, 9; John, 6; and George, 4. [2]

Theobald Leininger married Caroline Kable on 21 January 1886 in Mercer County, married by Rev. Samuel Egger. [3]

Caroline Fredericka Kable was born in Mercer County on 2 January 1863, the daughter of Ferdinand and Catharine (Bollenbacher) Kable. Both of her parents were German immigrants and Caroline was the fourth child born to the couple, their first daughter. Caroline’s two oldest brothers, Jacob and John George, died of dysentery in 1865, shortly after their father Ferdinand returned from serving in the Civil War.

The Ferdinand Kable family in 1870, with daughter Caroline, living in Liberty Township: Ferdinand Kable, 43; Catharine, 37; Adam, 9; Caroline, 7; Louisa, 3; and Catharine, 1. [4] The Ferdinand Kable family in 1880: Ferdinand, 54; Catharine, 45; Adam, 17; Caroline, 16; Louisa, 13; Catherine, 12; and Nettie, 8. [5]

After their marriage Theobald and Caroline Leininger lived on a farm in Black Creek Township. I believe their 80-acre farm was just north of Chatt, on the Black Creek/Liberty township line, aka Strable Road, about a half mile east of route 49, on the north side of the road. The Theobald Leininger family in 1900: Theobald, 38, head; Caroline F, 37, wife; Henry L, 13, son; Edwin A, 8, son; Bertha C, 5, daughter; and Samuel J, 2, son. Theobald was a farmer. The couple had been married 14 years and four of six children born to the couple were living. [6] Theobald served as justice of the peace in Black Creek Township during this time.

The Theobald Leininger family in 1910: Theobald, 48, head; Caroline F, 47, wife; Edwing A, 18, son; Bertha C, 15, daughter; Samuel J, 12, son; Victor F, 5, son. The family lived on Leininger Pike in Black Creek Township. Five of seven children born to the couple were living. [7]

In 1920 Theobald, wife Caroline, and son Victor, lived with married daughter Bertha (Leininger), her husband Leroy Pifer, and their children: Roy Pifer, 28, head; Bertha Pifer, 28, wife; Beatrice Pifer, 1, daughter; Ruby Pifer, 7 months, daughter; Theobald Leininger, 58, father-in-law; Caroline Leininger, 56, wife; Victor Leininger, 15, son. Theobald had retired from farming by this time and his son-in-law Leroy Pifer farmed. [8]

In 1930 Theobald, 68, and Caroline, 67, lived by themselves on Stringtown Pike, in Black Creek Township. Theobald was a stock & poultry [?] farmer. [9]

Caroline (Kable) Leininger died in Liberty Township, Mercer County, on 7 April 1934. She was 71 years, 2 months, and 5 days old and her death was due to complications from dementia. She was a housewife and was buried on the 9th. [10]

In 1940 widower Theobald Leininger once again resided with his daughter Bertha (Leininger) Pifer and her family. The Pifer family in 1940: Leroy C Pifer, 49, head; Bertha C, 45, wife; Beatrice, 22, daughter; Ruby, 20, daughter; Glenda, 19, daughter; Marjorie, 18, daughter; Twyla, 14, daughter; Glee [Verna], 10, daughter; Gerald, 6, son; and Theobald Leininger, 79, widow, father-in-law. [11]

Theobald Leininger died in Mercer County on 7 June 1944. Theobald Leininger’s obituary:

Rockford, June 8—Theobald Leininger, 82, retired farmer of Blackcreek-tp, died Wednesday at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Pifer, near Chattanooga, O.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Leroy Pifer; four sons, H.L. of Caldwell, Ida.; E.A. of Hobart, Ind; S.J. of Liberty-tp and V.F. of Fort. Wayne, Ind; one brother, William of Ft. Wayne, and one sister, Mrs. Andrew Harb of Blackcreek-tp and 15 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. [12]

Theobald and Caroline (Kable) Leininger had the following children:
Henry Lewis Leininger (1887-1976), married Luella Jane Loree
Edwin Anton Leininger (1891-1976), married Lola Mae Landfair; married Gladys (Wood) Landfair
Bertha Caroline Leininger (1895-1978), married Leroy Pifer
Samuel Jacob Leininger (1898-1990), married Lela V Myers
Victor Frederick Leininger (1904-1983), married Naomi C Kuhn

Find a Grave.com also indicates that an infant child born to Theobald and Caroline died 14 July 1889 and is buried at St. Paul UCC Cemetery. [13]

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, p.150B, dwelling 133, family 119, Jacob Lininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, p.479A, dwelling 140, family 148, Jacob Leininger; Ancestry.com.

[3] 1886 Leininger/Kable marriage p. 362, 1861-1887

[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, dwelling 100, family 92, p.148B, Ferdinand Kable; Ancestry.com.  

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 188, dwelling 51, family 54, p.474C, Ferdnand [sic] Kable; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.15, dwelling & family 303, Theowald Leininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 107, p. 1A, dwelling & family 8, Theotatt Leininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[8] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 124, p.8A, dwelling & family 157, Dewalt Lemininger [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[9] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 1, p.6B, dwelling & family 139, Theobald L Lininger; Ancestry.com.

[10] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Mercer, Liberty, Caroline Fredericka Leininger, 7 Apr 1934; database with images, FamilySearch.org.  

[11] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 54-1, p.9B, household 188, Leroy C Pifer; Ancestry.com.

[12] Theobald Leininger obituary, The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 8 Jun 1944, p.4; Ancestry.com.

[13] FindaGrave.com, Memorial no. 28288740, Infant Leininger, St. Paul UCC Cemetery.