Jul 21

Downtown Willshire, c1940-50

Today, a couple old photos of downtown Willshire, probably taken in the 1940s or 1950s, from the looks of the cars.

I believe the first photo is looking north on the U.S. 33, looking at the west side of the street. Someone probably knows for sure, so please let me know if that is incorrect.

Willshire, Ohio, c1940-50

I can make out the signs on several businesses: __uland Hardware; Willshire Variety Store, Dry Goods, Notions & Candy; and Town ___ Restaurant, with words Town and Lunch on the window. There are two more signs farther down the street but I can’t make them out. There is an awning on another building farther down the block.

I remember shopping for fabric in the Willshire Variety Store when I was about 10 or 12 and I remember the store being in that location then. I liked to sew and they had a nice selection of fabric. Actually, they had a lot of items in the Variety Store.

I believe the next photo was taken farther north on U.S. 33, at the main intersection, where the traffic light is today, looking northwest. It appears that the large brick building is the same building that is on the far right of the first photo and would be on the northwest corner of the intersection. The arched entry and windows match those in the other photo.

Willshire, Ohio, c1940-50

There is a Philgas sign hanging on the right side of the large brick building and a large painted Chew Mail Pouch ad on the same side. There are a couple other signs and printing on other windows, but they are too small to read.

A man is standing in the doorway of the small white building on the left. He is wearing a hat and what looks like work clothes and is holding something in his hands.  

Willshire looked to be a bustling town with a nice downtown area. Although there have been changes over the years, the town looks similar today, with business, shopping, and dining opportunities.

Jul 18

Tombstone Tuesday-Anna Whiteman

Anna Whiteman, Pingry Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana

This is the tombstone of Anna Whiteman, located in Pingry Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana. The marker is inscribed:

ANNA WHITEMAN
Died
July 1838
In The 27
Year of Her
Age

Anna Whiteman was born 18 July 1811 in Pickaway County, Ohio, the youngest child of Christian (1762-1827) and Hannah (Huey) (1773-1850) Whiteman. Anna’s father Christian served in the Berks County Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolutionary War. 

Christian and Hannah Whiteman resided in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and were enumerated there in 1800. [1] Christian purchased 315 acres of land in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, Ohio around 1804 [2] his family resided there by 1810. [3]  

Anna Whiteman is likely the female under age 10 enumerated in the Christian Whiteman household in Amanda Township in 1820. [4]

Anna’s father Christian Whiteman died 23 December 1827, probably in Fairfield County, Ohio. His widow Hannah was enumerated there in 1830, living by herself. Her daughter Mary and her husband Isaac Huey lived a few households away. Isaac and Mary married in 1824 and had four children under 10 in 1830. Also in the Isaac Huey household was a female, age 15-20, which I believe was Anna Whiteman, Mary (Whiteman) Huey’s younger sister. [5] 

In the mid-1830s some of the Whitemans and related families purchased land in Jay County, Indiana, and moved there. Anna Whiteman was not married and she could legally purchase land herself. In 1837 Anna purchased 160 acres in Jay County from the U.S. Government. [6] Anna’s property was a little southeast of Bryant, Indiana. At about the same time Anna’s brother-in-law Isaac Huey purchased 312 acres in Jay County from the Government. His land was near Anna’s property, also a little east of Bryant. Anna Whiteman and the Isaac Huey family moved to Indiana very soon after.

The first of March 1838 Anna Whiteman took ill. Her sister Mary and Mary’s husband Isaac Huey cared for Anna for 139 days before her death on 17 July 1838. From Anna Whiteman’s probate file:

Anny Whiteman deceased was [?] In her last illness from first of March 1838 until the 17th of July 1838 and then departed this life. She was a great deal of trouble to us throughout that time and was had to attend to her closely both day and night. [an itemized account of their expenses]:

For nursing her 139 days, $1/day…$139
For 1 gallon of wine…$1
Paying the doctor…$1
Burying cloths…$3.50
Coffin…$5
Total…$149.50 [7]

Anna died intestate, unmarried, and without children, but she left an estate that consisted of the 160 acres she had recently purchased and some personal belongings. Ironically, Anna’s land patent was finalized after her death, with the signature date of 20 August 1838. 

Without a will, Anna’s estate was divided among her immediate family, her mother and her siblings. To legally dispose of her estate the court had to determine Anna’s next of kin, those who would inherit her property. As a result, the legal distribution of Anna’s estate created a probate document that includes some wonderful family information. Information that genealogists dream of finding. Some of the most important parts of the document:

Jay Co., IN Probate Order Book A., p.40 (Office of Clerk), Aug. Term 1840
…Anna Whiteman deceased left the following heirs: Hannah Whiteman her mother, John Whiteman, Henry Whiteman & Elizabeth Ekelberry wife of Jacob Ekelberry, all of Delaware County, Ohio; Christian Whiteman of Sandusky, Ohio; James Whiteman of Jay County, Indiana; and Mary Huey wife of Isaac Huey of Jay County, Indiana, brothers and sisters of the whole blood, and Jacob Whiteman of Pickaway County, Ohio and Sarah Welch wife of Charles Welch of Allen County, Ohio, brothers and sisters of the half blood…that distribution be made as follows: 1/2 of said estate be paid to the Hannah Whiteman mother of the deceased and the balance to be divided equally among the remaining heirs. Except the said Jacob Whiteman and Sarah Welch who each received half a share only… 

Anna’s estate was valued at $328.45 and John Pingry was the administrator. Anna’s mother Hannah, her closest relative, received the largest share of her estate. The final account of the estate was 19 October 1839.

The above document tells us who was living to inherit Anna’s estate, their relationship to Anna, and where they were living:

Hannah Whiteman, mother, Delaware, Ohio
John Whiteman, full brother, Delaware, Ohio
Henry Whiteman, full brother, Delaware, Ohio
Elizabeth (Jacob) Ekelberry, full sister, Delaware, Ohio
Christian Whiteman, full brother,  Sandusky, Ohio
James Whiteman, full brother, Jay County, Indiana
Mary (Isaac) Huey, full sister, Jay County, Indiana
Jacob Whiteman, half-brother, Pickaway County, Ohio
Sarah (Charles) Welch, half-sister, Allen County, Ohio

Anna’s two half-siblings were from her father Christian’s first marriage to Catherine Greiner.

The information in that legal document has been used by many Whiteman researchers to prove the relationships in this family. It was invaluable on my DAR application to prove my lineage and to show [indirectly] that my ancestor Mary Whiteman was the daughter of Christian Whiteman.

[1] 1800 U.S. Census, Georges, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, p. 554, line 5, Christian Whiteman; Ancestry.com, viewed 29 June 2014.

[2] Tract Book and Entries, Congress Lands 22 Ranges and U.S. Military Lands, Vol. 1, Auditor of State [Ohio], LOV 230:476, 480, microfilm #GR8285, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio. 

[3] Resident Duplicate for Fairfield County, Ohio, 1910, microfilm #GR2343, p. 1, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio.

[4] 1820 U.S. Census, Amanda, Fairfield, Ohio, p.164, NARA Roll M33_87, image 126; Christian Whitmon [sic]; Ancestry.com, viewed 17 Jul 2023.

[5] 1830 U.S. Census, Amanda, Fairfield, Ohio, p.228, NARA M19_29, Isaac Hughey [sic]; Ancestry.com; viewed 17 Jul 2023.

[6] Anna Whiteman land patent, Doc no. 18924, Indiana, 24 N, Range 14E, SW ¼ Section 27, 160 acres, Issue Date 20 Aug 1838; Bureau of Land Management [glorecords.blm.gov], viewed 17 Jul 2023.

[7] Anna Whiteman estate, Jay County, Indiana probate file, Box 1, Jay County, Indiana Genealogical Society, 109 S Commerce St, Suite E, Portland, IN 47371.

Jul 14

Real Daughters

At a recent DAR meeting we discussed the restoration of the grave-site of a Real Daughter. A Real Daughter is the daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier or patriot.

Christian Whiteman, Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio. (2002 photo by Karen)

Some Real Daughters were alive in 1890 to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) when the organization was established.  More than 700 Real Daughters were DAR members and they are referred to as Real DAR Daughters.

I descend from a Real Daughter, Mary Whiteman, a daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Christian Whiteman (1862-1827). In fact, every generation in my DAR application but one was through a woman, a daughter of the previous generation. My dad was the exception.

My application went as follows:
Herbert Miller
Gertrude (Brewster) Miller
Pearl (Reid) Brewster
Emily (Bryan) Reid
Hannah (Huey) Bryan
Mary (Whiteman) Huey
Christian Whiteman   

My Revolutionary War ancestor Christian Whiteman had 4 daughters:

Sarah Whiteman (c1796-1880), married Nathan Huey; married Charles Welch
Elizabeth Whiteman (1880-1854), married Jacob Ekelberry
Mary Whiteman (1810-1855), married Isaac Huey
Anna Whiteman (1811-1838), never married

Christian’s daughter Sarah was from his first marriage to Catherine Greiner (1758-1796). Christian’s other three daughters were from his marriage to Hannah (Huey) (1773-1850).

Two of Christian’s daughters, Mary and Anna, are buried in Pingry Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

Mary (Whiteman) Huey, Pingry Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana

Anna Whiteman, Pingry Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana

Daughter Elizabeth is buried in Cheshire Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio, the same cemetery where her mother Hannah is buried.

Daughter Sarah’s burial site is not known.

Christian is buried in Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Unfortunately, none of Christian Whiteman’s daughters lived long enough to be Real DAR Daughters.

Jul 11

Tombstone Tuesday-Harold P. & Leahline P. (Case) Schumm

Harold & Leahline (Case) Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Harold P. and Leahline P. (Case) Schumm, located in row 10 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

SCHUMM
Harold P.
1921-1988
Leahline P.
1930-1981

Harold Paul Schumm was born at Schumm on 2 Sep 1921, the second of three children born to Oscar Albert (1890-1984) and Hilda Marie (Schumm) Schumm (1883-1974). Harold was baptized at Zion Lutheran Schumm by Rev. R.O. Bienert on 11 September 1921, with Victor A. Schumm and Paul E. Schumm serving as his sponsors.     

The Oscar Schumm family in 1930: Oscar, 39, head; Hilda, 46, wife; Hildred, 13, daughter; Harold, 8, son; Roman, 5, son; and Maria Schumm, 74. Maria (Heffner) Schumm was Oscar’s widowed mother. [1]

The Oscar Schumm family in 1940: Oscar, 43, farmer; Hilda, 56; Hildred, 23; Harold, 18; and Roman, 15. [2]

Harold Schumm had completed one year of high school, was working as a farmer and thresher, and living at home with his parents when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He enlisted as a private in Toledo, Ohio, on 21 August 1942. [3] During the war Harold was admitted to a convalescent hospital from January-March 1945, suffering from trench foot caused by reduced temperatures, as well as infectious jaundice/hepatitis. [4] Harold was honorably discharged from the Army 28 October 1845 and returned to his family’s home in Willshire Township.

The Oscar Schumm family in 1950: Oscar A Schumm, 59, head, laborer; Hilda M, 66, wife: Hildred M, 33, daughter; Harold P, 28, son, laborer; and Roman B, 25, son. [5]

Harold Schumm married Leahline Pearl Case at Zion Schumm on 1 May 1954, married by Rev. Werner P. Kuhlberg. Witnesses to the marriage were R. Schumm and Beverly Case.

Leahline Pearl Case was born in Mercer County, Ohio, 3 January 1930, the daughter of Earl (1882-1961) and Huldah Jane (Brunstetter) Case (1883-1940. The family lived near Willshire.

The Earl Case family in 1930, residing in Black Creek Township, Mercer County: Earl, 48; Huldah, 47; Voyd, 20; Daimon, 18; Madonna, 16; Joyce, 14; Helen, 10; Luther, 5; and Leahline, 3 months. The father Earl was a pumper for an oil company. [6]

Their mother Huldah Case died 4 February 1940. The Earl Case family in the 1940 census: Earl, 57; Luther, 14; and Leahline, 11. Earl was a farmer. [7] Both Luther and Leahline Case lived with their father in 1950 as well. Leahline had completed 12 years of school and was not employed in 1950. [8]

Harold and Leahline married in 1954 and resided in Mercer County, on U.S. 33 between Hill and Jordan Roads.

Leahline (Case) Schumm died from colon cancer at the Van Wert County Hospital 26 December 1981. She was buried on the 29th. [9]

Harold Schumm died in St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, Ohio, from a heart attack on 11 January 1988. His brother Roman Schumm died later that same day.  

Obituary:
Harold P. Schumm and Roman Schumm
Rockford-Harold P. Schumm, 66, of here, died at 12:10 a.m. Monday at St. Rita’s Medical Center. His brother, Roman Schumm, 63, of Willshire, died at 3:57 p.m. Monday at Van Wert County Hospital following an apparent heart attack.

Harold Schumm was born Sept. 2, 1921. Roman Schumm was born May 12, 1934. They were both born in Van Wert County, the sons of Oscar and Hildegard Schumm Schumm.

On May 1, 1954, Harold Schumm married Leahline Case who died Dec. 26, 1981.

Harold Schumm was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm and the Rockford American Legion Post.

Roman Schumm was a farmer. He was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post of Willshire and Zion Lutheran church. He was also a World War II veteran.

Harold Schumm’s survivors include two sons, Jim Schumm of Rockford and John Schumm at home; a daughter, Kay Schumm at home; and three grandchildren.

Harold and Roman Schumm’s sister, Hildred Schumm, survives in Willshire.

Joint funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, Pastor Gary Luderman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation for Harold Schumm will be until 9 tonight at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Visitation for Roman Schumm will be 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorial contributions in the name of Harold Schumm may be made to the Wren Emergency Medical Squad or Van Wert Visiting Nurses Association.

Memorials in the name of Roman Schumm may be made to the Wren Emergency Medical Squad. [10]

Harold Schumm had two siblings: Hildred Schumm (1916-2004) and Roman Schumm (1924-1988).

Harold and Leahline (Case) Schumm had three children:
James Schumm, married Karen (1955-201)
Kay Schumm
John Schumm

[1] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.2B, dwelling 42, family 43, Oscar Schumm; digital image, Ancestry.com, viewed 1 Nov 2020.

[2] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.4B, house visited 81, Oscar Schumm; digital image, Ancestry.com, viewed 25 Oct 2020.

[3] Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946, NAID: 1263923, Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007, Record Group 64, Box Number 09263, Reel, 348, Harold Schumm; and Draft Registration Cards for Ohio, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947, Records of the Selective Service System 147, box 1287, Harold Paul Schumm; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

[4] Hospital Admission Card Files, ca. 1970, NAI: 570973, Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army), 1775-1994, Record Group 112, NARA, Harold P Schumm; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

[5] 1950 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-40, p.16, dwelling 232, Oscar A Schumm; digital image, Ancestry.com, viewed 3 Oct 2022.  

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 1, p.3B, dwelling & family 62, Earl Case; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-1, p.4B, household 85, Earl Case; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

[8] 1950 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-1, sheet 25, Earl Case; Ancestry.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

[9] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Van Wert County Death Certificates, 1908-1989, Leahline Schumm, 26 December 1981.  

[10] The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, 12 Jan 1988, Harold P. & Roman Schumm; Newspapers.com, viewed 10 Jul 2023.

Jul 07

Two Liberty Township Bands, 1923-35

Today, photos of Mercer County’s Liberty Township Band (1923-26) and the Liberty League Orchestra (1935). And best of all, most of the musicians in these photos have been identified.

Liberty Band, 1923-26:

Liberty Township Band, 1923-26

In the photo, left to right.
Standing: ?, ?, Jacob Kable, Bill Kable, Charles Weitz, ?
Seated: ?, Lou Brehm, Sim Egger, ?, Fred Weitz
Front: John Brehm, ?

Liberty League Orchestra, 1935, left to right. I apologize for the quality of the image.

Liberty League Orchestra 1935

Standing: Fred Weitz, Lawrence Maury, Walter Maurer, Edward Maurer, Rudolph Kable, Jacob Kable
Front: August Weitz, Marcella Weinman

I wonder if the bands played at local July 4th events.