Mar 08

Tombstone Tuesday-Micheal Huber

Michael Huber, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Michael Huber, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Michael
Huber
Died
Mar. 29, 1877
Aged 60 Y, 9 M, 29 D

Michael Huber was born 28 May 1816, as calculated from his tombstone. German church records indicate he was born 30 May 1816 Schwieberdingen, Wuerttemberg, the son of Balthas Huber (1777-1862) and Anna Maria (Mayle) Huber (1783-1829). Michael was baptized at the Lutheran church there on 1 June 1816 and his first communion was in 1830. [1] [2] [3]

Michael Huber married Christena Madgalene Ehret on 7 September 1841 in Markgroeningen. Christena was born in Markgroenninen, Oberamt Ludwigsburg, Wuerttemberg, on 22 September 1813. She was the daughter of Johann Adam Ehret and Christina Magdalena Gerna [sp?]. [2]

Michael and Christena Huber’s daughter Caroline Huber was born 10 June 1842 in Wuerttemberg. [4] [5]

Emigration records indicates that Michael F. Huber, born 30 May 1816 in Schwieberdingen, applied for emigration in July 1853. [6] Michael Huber’s Family Register page in the church at Schwieberdingen shows he emigrated June 1853 with his wife and child. [5]

In 1860 the Michael Huber family lived in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, where they had a Shanes Crossing address. The family in 1860: Michael Huber, 44; Christena Huber, 46; Caroline Huber, 18. All three family members were born in Wuerttemberg and Michael was a farmer. [5]

The Michael Huber family in 1870, residing in Blackcreek Township: Michael Huber, 54; Christena M Huber, 57; Caroline Huber, 28; and Flora Laukhart, 6. Their daughter Caroline Huber had married Casimere B. Laukhart (1818-1879) in 1863 and Flora Laukhart was their daughter. All three Hubers were born in Wuerttemberg and Flora was born in Ohio. It is interesting to note that Caroline is identified as Christena’s daughter in this 1870 enumeration, as indicated by the notation “helps mother.” A census enumeration before 1880 rarely shows a family relationship, so this is an interesting find. [6]   

Michael Huber died of lung fever in Willshire Township on 29 March 1877. [7] Zion Schumm’s records indicate that he was not a member there, but I imagine that his wife Christena was a member. Michael Huber’s death is the only time he is mentioned in Zion Schumm’s records, which show that he died 29 March 1877.

Michael’s widow Christena Huber died in July 1880 and she is buried two tombstones from Michael in Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

[1] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985, Schwieberdingen Taufen, Tote, Heiraten, Notizen & Toten, 1558-1810, p.47, Michael Huber, born 30 May 1816; 1842 no.42.

[2] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985, Markgroeningen, Taufen & Heiraten 1703-1933, year 1841 no.21, Michael Huber & Christina Madgalene Ehret, married 7 Sep 1841; online database, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[3] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Family Tables, 1880-1985, from FHL film no. 1056758, Schwieberdingen, Konfirmationen & Familienbucher, 1723-1866. p.96, Balthas Huber family; online database, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022. 

[4] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985, Schwieberdingen Taufen, Tote, Heiraten, Notizen & Toten, 1558-1810, year 1842 no.42, Karolina Huber, born 10 Jun 1842.

[5] Wuerttemberg, Germany, Family Tables, 1550-1985, Schwieberdingen, Konfirmation & Familienbucher, 1723-1866, p. 182, Michael Huber family; online database, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mary 2022.

[6] Wuerttemberg Emigration Index, Vol. I-VIII, Trudy Schenk, Michael F. Huber; online database, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[7] 1860 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, p.329, dwelling 581, family 586, Michael Huber; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[8] 1870 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, p.23A, dwelling & family 62, Michael Hoober; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

[9] Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001, Van Wert, Vol.1, 1867-1908, p.120
Michael Huber, 29 Mar 1877; database with images, FamilySearch.org, viewed 6 Mar 2022.

 

 

 

Mar 04

Photos of Jess Burgess Brewster Family

Today, a few more photos from the James Henry Brewster branch of the family. James Henry Brewster, the brother of my great-great grandfather Daniel Brewster, moved his family to Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas, about 1884, where he was a successful building contractor. A big thank you to Joan for sharing these family photos.

The first photo is the James Henry Brewster home near Independence, Kansas. The photo was taken on the Fourth of July, year unknown, but it looks like it could have been taken around the turn of the century. It appears the men are trying to erect a tall flagpole or wave a large flag on a tall pole. This was a patriotic family, as James Henry and his brother Daniel both served in the Civil War. Several weeks ago I posted some photos of this same home, sometimes referred to as the Brewster mansion. Notice the beautiful front porch and the gazebo off to the side.

James Henry Brewster home, Independence, KS, Fourth of July.

Joan descends from James Henry Brewster’s son Jesse Burgess Brewster (1873-1944). Jesse Burgess Brewster, like his father James Henry, was also a building contractor and mason.  

Jesse Burgess Brewster (1873-1944)

Jesse Burgess Brewster married Della Floy Buckles (1876-1971) in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1900.

Jesse Burgess Brewster, wife Della Floy (Buckles), children Marvin Carl & Sharlin.

Jesse Burgess Brewster family.

Jesse Burgess and Della Floy Brewster had five children. Joan descends from their oldest child, Marvin Carl Brewster (1904-1979). Marvin Carl married Dorothea Scovell in 1923 and they were Joan’s grandparents.

Marvin Carl Brewster high school year book photo.

Jesse Burgess and Della Floy (Buckles) Brewster had the following children:
Marvin Carl Brewster (1904-1979), married Dorothea Scovell
Sharlin Frances Brewster (1907-1977), married Wayne Harris; Robert Sayers
Dorothy Floy Brewster (1908-2006), married Ray Hendricks
Leonard Jean Brewster (1913-1934)
Mary Zilphah (1918-1918)

Below, a family gathering of Brewsters. Joan’s grandparents (Marvin Carl & Dorothea Brewster), second row, second couple from left. I wonder who everyone else was and what the occasion was?

Marvin Carl Brewster & wife Dorothea (Scovell), row 2, left, second couple.

Jesse Burgess Brewster home, 122 Locust, Independence, KS, c1930.

A couple four-generation family photos:

4 Generations: Della Floy (Buckles) Brewster (27); holding Marvin Carl Brewster (6 wks); Sarah Catherine (Dick) Buckles (51); Gulaelma (Beeson) Dick (83).

4 Generations: Richard Jess Brewster, Lilia Brewster, Marvin Carl, 2 of Marvin Carl’s grandchildren.

Dorothea (Scovell) Brewster, son Richard Jess Brewster, Lilia Brewster.

Lilia (1884-1967) in the above photos was Jesse Burgess Brewster’s second wife.

A big thank you to Joan for sharing these wonderful photos and providing some Brewster information about her branch of the family. I am always excited to receive and share family information and photos.

Mar 01

Tombstone Tuesday-Animal Tombstone Art

Occasionally you will see an animal that is part of a tombstone.

I’m not talking about live animals, like squirrels, which I often see scurrying around in cemeteries and jumping up on tombstones. 

Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert

I am referring to an animal that is sculpted as part of the monument. Animals are not commonly used as tombstone symbols.

Although many squirrels live in cemeteries, squirrels are rarely seen as a tombstone symbol. So this grave marker was a rare find. The deceased evidently enjoyed squirrels as well as the outdoors. 

Squirrel, Gethsemane Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio

Squirrels are sometimes used on totems. Because these rodents are so active, they symbolize that we should not waste time as we go through our life journey. In Native American myths squirrels symbolize fertility because they give birth to many babies at one time.

I have seen a dog incorporated on a tombstone just a couple times. Dogs are loyal, faithful, vigilant, and watchful. They symbolize love and family affection.  

This dog, Mage, was most likely a beloved family pet.

Dog, Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta

A dog is carved on one inner wall of this unusual tombstone and a lamb is carved on the other wall.

Dog, Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio

Dog & lamb carved, Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio

Lamb, Elm Grove, St. Marys, Ohio

Lambs are probably the most common animals seen on a tombstone. I have written about them before and they are usually found on a child’s tombstone. They signify purity and innocence.

There are also pet markers for pet cemeteries.

Darke County, Ohio

 

Feb 25

Headington House Hotel x 3

Last week I wrote about the two local Headington House Hotels, one in Portland, Indiana, in the 1870s, the other in Celina, Ohio, in the mid-1900s.

Surprise! As I continued my research I learned about yet another Headington House Hotel in Portland in the early 1900s.

I have concluded that Headington House Hotels are a family tradition in this area. Nimrod Headington built the first one in Portland in 1870 and operated it for 12 years. Nimrod’s nephew, his brother Eli’s son James M. Headington (1857-1948), built and operated a Headington Hotel and Café in Portland from 1896-1912. [1] Celina’s Headington House Hotel was owned and operated by Ken Headington’s widow Elma from 1937-1970, and Ken was the nephew of James M. Headington, the brother of Ken’s father John Eli. Seems to be an uncle-nephew thing.

I can see why the name was so popular. Headington House Hotel has a nice ring to it and is a good example of alliteration.

After learning about Celina’s Headington House Hotel I wanted to know if and how I was related to the hotel’s namesake Ken Headington. I knew how I was related to the proprietor of Portland’s first Headington House Hotel and I suspected I was also distantly related to Celina’s, too.

Snyder home, later the Headington House, Celina, Ohio, 1882 sketch.

Widow Elma (Hartzell) Headington purchased the impressive Snyder home, located at 129 E. Market, Celina, in 1934, a year after the death of her husband Kenneth Glen “Ken” Headington. Ken Headington died in 1933 and had nothing to do with the operation of Celina’s Headington House. The hotel was likely the source of income for widow Elma. However, Ken undoubtedly knew his uncle James M. Headington and visited his Headington Hotel in Portland in the early 1900s.

Below I detail my ancestry to Ken Headington.

Starting back in time with ancestors Nicholas (1790-1856) and Ruth Frizzell (Phillips) (1794-1865) Headington, who were originally from Baltimore, Maryland. They moved to Knox County, Ohio, in the early 1820s and then to Jay County, Indiana, in the early 1850s. Nicholas and Ruth had 10 children and among them were sons William (1815-1879), Nimrod (1827-1913), and Eli (1836-1864). I descend from son William Headington and his wife Mary Ann Cottrell (1816-1903). Nimrod Headington established and operated the Headington House Hotel in Portland in the 1870s, after sailing to California for the gold rush in 1852 and serving in the Civil War. Ken Headington descends from William and Nimrod’s younger brother Eli Headington.

Eli Headington married Caroline/Cornelia Osborne (1837-1923) in Jay County on 27 August 1856. [2] One of their three children was John Eli Headington (1864-1926).

John Eli Headington married Lillie E. White (1864-1895) in Jay County on 21 October 1882. [3] Lillie White was the daughter of William M. and Martha J. (Darley) White. John Eli and Lillie Headington had at least 3 children, Kenneth Glen, born in Portland 1 November 1888; Lacey Dias Headington (1886-1942) [4]; and Madge Headington (1884-1920).

Ken Headington’s mother Lillie died 18 September 1895, when Ken was only 6 years old. Ken’s widowed father John Eli married widow Ruth (Broughman) White (1862-1951) on 31 May 1896. Ruth was the widow of John A. White (1858-1895). Interesting that Ken’s mother Lillie (White) and John White (husband of Ruth (Broughman) and were brother and sister. [5] Ken’s aunt by marriage became his stepmother. Ruth and John White had at least 2 children, Charles Irwin White (1880-1954) and Darwin Barnes Orville White (1888-1918).

In 1900 the John Eli Headington family lived in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where the father John Eli worked for Country Produce. The John Eli Headington family in 1900: John Eli Headington, 35, head; Ruth Headington, 37, wife; Madge Headington, 16, daughter; Lacey Headington, 13, son; Ken Headington, 10, son; and Darwin White, 10, stepson. [6]

By 1910 John Eli, Ruth, and Ken Headington had moved to Celina and were living at 440 Livingston Street. John Eli worked for a poultry company and Ken was a delivery clerk at a post office. [7]

In 1916 John Eli, Ruth, and Ken Headington lived at 304 E. Market Street in Celina, according to the 1916 Farm Journal Directory.

Ken Headington’s WWI Draft Registration, signed 5 June 1917, indicates he was single, lived on South Ash Street, and worked as a mail clerk at a post office. He was 5’ 6”, 148 pounds with black hair and blue eyes. [8]

Ken Headington married Elma Hartzell in Mercer County on 6 July 1917. Elma Hartzell was born in Fort Recovery, Ohio, on 24 March 1892, the daughter of George and Mary (Stoner) Hartzell.

Ken and Elma had a daughter, Jean (1918-1999), born 6 November 1918. In 1920 Ken Headington, 31, Elma, 27, wife, and daughter Jean, 1, lived in a home they rented at 219 South Ash Street in Celina. Ken worked as a clerk in a post office. Ken’s parents, John Eli and Ruth Headington lived nearby, at 231 South Ash and John Eli was a manager at Long E Produce. [9]    

In 1930 Ken, 41; Elma, 38; and Jean L, 11, lived at 502 Fulton and Ken was a postal clerk. They owned their home and they had a radio as well. [10]

Ken Glen Headington died in Celina on 1 August 1933. At the time of his death he resided at 505 E. Fulton. Ken is buried in Green Park Cemetery in Portland. He is likely buried near his parents, although I have not confirmed that.  

Ken’s widow Elma purchased the former Snyder home from widow Jennie S. Bedell in 1937 and opened the Headington House Hotel soon after. Elma resided there and continued to operate the hotel until a few days before her death on 6 May 1970. Elma is buried in North Grove Cemetery in Celina.  

The Standard Printing Company purchased the Headington House in 1972, the home originally built by A.P.J. Snyder in 1871. They eventually razed the home and expanded their printing operation.

To answer the original question, Ken Headington was my 2nd cousin four times removed. Another way of looking at it, he was the grand-nephew of my 4th great-grandfather William Headington.

And that’s going back a long way!

[1] Muncie Evening Press, Muncie, Indiana, 28 Dec 1948, p.1, J.M. Headington obituary; Newspapers.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022. 

[2] Index to Marriage Records 1850-1920, Jay County, Indiana, WPA Records, Book C-B, Eli Headington & Cornelia Osborn, 27 Aug 1856; database on-line, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022.  

[3] Index to Marriage Records 1850-1920, Jay County, Indiana, WPA Records, Book C-E, p.330, John Headington & Lillie E White, 21 Oct 1882; database on-line, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022.  

[4] Index to Birth Records 1880-1920, WPA, Indiana, Lacy Headington, 25 Nov 1886; database on-line, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022. 

[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Pike, Jay, Indiana, p.143B, dwelling 280, family 282, John A White; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022. [William White household: John A White, 12 & Lillie E White, 6, among children listed; relationships not given, but ages and names agree.]

[6] 1900 U.S. Census, Bellefontaine Ward 2, Logan, Ohio, ED 111, p.3, dwelling & family 75, JE Headington; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022.

[7] 1910 U.S. Census, Celina Ward 2, Mercer, Ohio, ED 117, p.8A, dwelling & family 1, John E Headington; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022.

[8] U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Mercer County, Ohio, Kenneth G Headington; database in-line, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022.

[9] 1920 U.S. Census, Celina, Mercer, Ohio, ED 137, p.10A, dwelling 230, house 233, Ken Headington; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 31 Jan 2021).

[10] 1930 U.S. Census, Celina, Mercer, Ohio, ED 15, p.7B, dwelling 178, family 190, Kenneth G Headington; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 24 Feb 2022).

Feb 22

Tombstone Tuesday-Adam J. Buechner

Adam J Buechner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Adam J. Buechner, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Adam J.
26 Apr. 1822
11 Maerz 1885
Alter
62 J, 10 M, 15 T
Text: John. 13 v.7
BUECHNER

Adam Johann Buechner was born in Hainstadt, Hessen Darmstadt, on 26 April 1822, according to Zion Schumm’s records. 

Adam Buechner was married twice. His first wife was Margaretha “Rosina” (Grund) and they married 9 September 1858 at Zion Schumm.

Adam and Rosina (Grund) Buechner had 2 children:
Johann Jakob Martin “Jacob J” (1859-1917), married Caroline Reidenbach
Johann Friedrich (1860-1929), married Caroline C. Grote

The Adam Buechner family in 1860: Adam, 38; Rosina, 21; and John, 1. Adam was a shoemaker. His place of birth is shown as Hesse Darmstadt and Rosina’s as Wuerttemberg. Son John was born in Ohio. [1]

Rosina (Grund) Buechner died 11 February 1861 and is buried in row 3 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

Widower Adam Buechner married widow Anna Barbara (Pflueger) Schumm on 17 September 1861. Anna Barbara (Pflueger) (1822-1908) was the widow of immigrant Ludwig “Louis” Schumm, who died 22 August 1855. Widow Anna Barbara had seven living children from her marriage to Louis Schumm at the time of her marriage to Adam Buechner. [Louis and Anna Barbara Schumm were my second and third great-grandparents.]

Adam and Anna Barbara (Pflueger) had two children:
Marguerite Catharine Marie Buechner (1863-1940), married Fred G. Kreiselmeyer
William A. Buechner (1865-1955), married Katharine Magdalena Schumm

The Adam Buechner family in 1870: Adam, 48; Barbara, 47; John, 20; Rosina, 22; Hannah, 17; Jacob, 11; Frederick, 9; Margaret, 6; and William, 4. Adam was a farmer and both he and Barbara were born in Germany. [2]

The Adam Buechner family in 1880: Adam, 58; Barbara, 58; John G, 30, stepson; Margaret M, stepdaughter; and William MA, 14, son. Adam was a farmer. They were enumerated next to Zion Schumm’s minister Rev. Seemeyer and next to Friedrick and Magdalena Schumm, and likely were neighbors. [3]

Adam Buechner died from lung and asthma problems at 2:00 in the morning of 11 March 1885. He was 62 years, 10 months, and 15 days old and was buried on the 13th.

[1] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.426, dwelling 1082, family 1076, Adam Bickner; digital image by subscription, Ancestery.com, viewed 21 Feb 2022.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.439A, dwelling 134, family 135, Adam Buechner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 21 Feb 2022.  [Note that all the children’s surnames are shown as Buechner, some of them are Schumms, from Anna Barbara’s first marriage to Louis Schumm]

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.450C, family 130, Adam Beichner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, viewed 21 Feb 2022.